Tis the Season

North America » United States » Missouri » Sullivan
December 6th 2009

Published: December 10th 2009

Edit Blog Post

Recessionista

Rita

The founder of the feast (2007)

Hey look, there's a call on the voice mail.
Now who do you think we missed?
Why it's our good friends, Dale and Jean,
wanting to share their holiday bliss.

Dale is driving them (yay!)
to the home of Rita and Ron.
For tonight is the Sinter Klaas party,
and all their hard work is done.

Every year at this time our gang gets together,
to celebrate good 'ol St. Nick.
It's always the first weekend in December.
After Thanksgiving, it always comes quick.

Since Melisse and I are now on the road,
we are sad not to attend the ball.
But we'll get a report the very next day.
No doubt, a great time will be had by all.

We're sorry not to be with our buddies
on this night of shared happiness
But hearing from Jean and Dale assures us
they all will be thinking of us.

The Sinter Klaas tradition comes from the Dutch
Rita brought it when she moved here.
Her Missouri friends now call it our own
And have for the last 25 years.

Melisse and I will (mentally) track the progress
of all that our friends need to do.

Ron

Getting the evening started (2007)

For Sinter Klaas unfolds in stages
If you've not done it, you haven't a clue.

On that first day after Thanksgiving,
All wait to receive the call.
Rita gives us each our secret name.
One week to create is all.

This is no ordinary gift exchange.
In fact the gift is hardly of concern.
Much more important is its wrapping
By it, the recipient will be learned.

The second part of this endeavor
is to write a few clever lines
that commemorate your person's year
or to lampoon them would be just fine.

As you start to think about your mission,
your mind can sometimes go blank.
Then comes the "eureka!" moment,
and you give Sinter Klaas thanks.

You get to work building and writing,
with plenty to do and say.
But you, by god, better hurry,
cause (once again) you've waited until the last day.

But this band of hardy revelers
is not your ordinary crowd.
What they create are zany works of art.
Of their talents, they can all be proud.

Now all the work is finished
so off to Karma Farm you go
to eat. drink and and be

Time for a song

Some poems are best sung to music (2007)

merry
with the best friends you'll ever know.

With offerings set by the fire,
and after food and drink are done,
Ron selects the first gift to give out
and thus begins the real fun.

One at a time, the gifts will find their way
to the one for whom its intended.
If somehow the wrong person is guessed
Sinter Klaas's wisdom will amend it.

With gift in hand the poem is read
with gusto and drama and rants.
The writer knows if they've done a good job
when everyone laughs 'til they've peed their pants.

The magical night always runs late
with laughter and love and good cheer.
Though its over too soon, no one is sad,
for we'll do it again next year.

So if you are wondering why
I write this post in rhyme.
It's because I think it's the best way
to honor this special time.
(of year)

Season's greetings to all.

Additional photos below

Photos: 15, Displayed: 15