Our Favorite Riley Moment

Our Favorite Riley Moment -- Otherwise known as Fun with Christmas Carols while Trying to Win a Trip to the Ranch Because That Sounds So Much More Fun Than Playing in the Cold Rain When it Rightly Ought to be Snow if we Dropped a Couple of Degrees. 

By Rolf, king of long short story titles, & Ranger

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even bear the enor-mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 

The brats were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Paul's pastries danced in their heads. 

And Riley in his t-shirt, and I in my cap, 

Were wandering downstairs, can you imagine that? 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

We sprang out the door to see what was the matter. 

A hulking big stallion was giving the alarm, 

And had just kicked a hole in the side of the barn. 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Set everything in sight with a wonderful glow. 

When, what to Jasper's eyes should appear, 

But a very old Indian with a long golden spear. 

The boys were quite busy, calming the stallion,

Forgetting of course he could be such a hellion. 

The last thing they wanted was the household awake, 

For the tops to come downstairs and determine their fate. 

Bandit calmed down and allowed the boys to lead him,

around the barn and away from the Indian. 

The boys never saw him, no not a thing, 

Not even Jasper, who was doing some investigating. 

The boys waited a bit to be sure they weren't caught

Doing something they were sure they really ought not. 

A short hike across the pasture and into a building, 

They drug out the tree they had cut yesterday morning. 

Back across the bright landscape, they argued and fought

Against the biggest tree that they could have sought. 

It took twice as long to get back in the yard, 

and to get it steady and upright was really quite hard. 

A little work was involved in scouring the garage,

they came up with some ornaments, a collection quite large. 

Another trip out in the frigid landscape, 

The tree was decorated and looked quite great. 

Two brats back inside, both of them shivering,

wondering how to get back in bed without any quivering. 

They hugged and they kissed, and we fade to black, 

And they headed upstairs after their 'nap.' 

It wasn't yet dawn when Paul rose from his bed,

going quietly downstairs wanting everyone fed. 

Very surprised there was no need for light, 

for the shine in the windows was really quite bright. 

Opening the door, he looked with wonder

at a decorated tree where once there was none there. 

Lit by what seemed like a million bright lights, 

It was something to behold in what was just white. 

He was sure he knew who the culprits had been,

but the looks on their faces had him questioning. 

Complete surprise with their eyes all aglow, 

at a tree they'd left dark not three hours ago. 

It didn't take long for the whole house to awaken,

Paul wondered and wondered until he had taken, 

A long look at Jasper and he saw quite clearly, 

The glint in his eye and a smile quite cheery, 

That mischief was had, thats the plan for most days,

Christmas had come, the way it did always, 

with a bit of mystery, and a love of family 

Happy Christmas to all and may it be quite Merry!