MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PETERBOROUGH – 2013

This perhaps may be the year
For brevity, as per request!
Thus place limits on my words:
Precise and to the point is best!

Please note, in case you were unsure,
I am not one to spin tall tales!
But ramble on and on? I could!
Describing things with great details.

I stick to the facts, you know,
Often voiced through play on words.
But being brief and leaving out
The mundane stuff is for the birds!

So, despite my own resolve,
I just may slip up now and then!
In fact, I’ve wasted rhymes already!
Back to task, now, I’ll begin!

An empty nest just would not do!
We had this plan, a bit insane,
To fill a different sort of nest,
With three young girls: let me explain!

Laying hens? We could do that!
Buy some fencing; build a coop;
Then, pine shavings, feed and straw,
The goal was ‘top-notch’ chicken poop!

There’s Hildegard and Matilda:
Each hen gives one egg per day!
As does Gertrude: she’s the boss.
“Rules the roost” as Barb would say!

A sense of self-reliance comes
As we toy with urban farming!
What comes next? That worries me…
Just the thought is most alarming!

Now, in case you’ve made conclusions,
We don’t tuck them in at night
And despite your first impressions,
Chickens weren’t the year’s highlight!

Many things we’ve done this year
Echo things we’ve done before.
One example is my work…
Perhaps, I think, just 3 years more!

Thus we juggle things we must do
With the things that we desire!
But we love anticipating
How, some day, I will retire!

Barb continues with her students
Watching each, with time, improve!
Despite the prep and planning time
She loves her job – she’s in the groove!

She is in a new ensemble
And plays flute, as you all know!
They are named “Triangle Trio”
And they’ve had a recent show!

With a cello and piano
And at times an oboe, too!
Performing in each other’s homes
Is what this trio likes to do.

Next, our mid-week “sort of” date…
At rehearsals we’ll be seen!
Yes, with “Peterborough Singers”
This, for me, is year fourteen!

Each Christmas time the pressure’s on.
Three concerts in as many weeks!
My body’s stiff; my voice is strained;
And my tux, quite frankly, reeks!

We had an unexpected job…
Repair the bathroom’s outer wall.
A tile pushed in. And no wonder,
Behind it ‘twas was no wall at all!

It was time to do it right.
To the studs we stripped the loo!
The tub, the floor, the sink and toilet;
Everything will be brand new!

Aided by a skillful friend,
Repairs would mean a bath with style!
But recently, a minor leak…
I’ll fix it in a little while!

Speaking of my handiwork,
The chicken coop, I show with pride!
Barb thinks it’s the rear sunroom
Which reveals my “Red Green” side!

I suppose I should move on
With family events and such.
First, the children; I’ll be brief!
Mostly since I don’t know much!

All our girls are in Toronto, …
Each one working, thankfully,
Yet, when we get time to visit
Seldom do we see all three!

Clara’s job is still the same.
At Waldorf Academy.
Everyone adores her spirit
Not just her musicality!

With Erin, Clara’s chosen match,
Days are mainly hunky-dory!
They have future plans together
But I’ll let them tell that story!

Angela is teaching voice:
Many students, most are young!
She obviously has the knack
To show how songs need to be sung!

Angie’s band is still around
Playing gigs quite frequently!
Want to hear her “Rucksack Willies”?
They’ve released a new CD!

Moving on to Katherine’s news,
This could take a couple minutes!
Have you heard? She took the plunge.
Now she’s known as Mrs. Bennett!

We all headed off to Cuba,
Together, as one group, did fly!
The only thing that worried me,
Was the heat of mid-July!

Yet, the beach near Santa Clara,
Was perfect for the vow exchange!
However, on the happy day
Rain, forced a venue change

A gazebo near the lobby:
She was gorgeous – I’m not lyin’
He was not bad looking either…
Congratulations, Kat and Ryan!

Some who couldn’t get to Cuba
Were invited to come see ‘em!
At a dinner here in town,
Held at the Canoe Museum!

James and Jocelyne are next.
With them everything’s okay,
These dedicated parents of
Emile and Olivier!

Jocelyne is teaching now,
But, I think, not every day.
Once or twice Barb went to help
And baby sit, but mostly, play!

Their cottage sold; they bought a house,
Soon, I think, the move begins.
Much closer to Orillia,
And the school James teaches in!

This is just a tiny sample
Of how “twenty-thirteen” went…
Happy thoughts we send your way
Guaranteed right here, in print!

Love to all! Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Years.