‘Twas the day before Christmas and out in the street
Not a neighbor was stirring, they must all be beat.
The goody bags were packed with the utmost of care
In the hope the Park critters soon would be there.
The squirrels were nestled all snug in their nests
With visions of peanuts that soon they’d be blessed.
And I, in my many layers and a warm woolen cap
Had just arrived at the Park for a long Winter lap.
As I set out on the path, I heard some songbird chatter
Then in an instant, all the Park critters around me did gather.
Because what to my wondering eyes should appear …
But a Park filled with critters dressed in holiday cheer.
I dragged out my camera and all their goodies in a flash
Because it appeared they were having a Christmastime bash.
As my Park pals joined me on the path in the new-fallen snow
I stifled a giggle, but exclaimed “Merry Christmas and ho, ho, ho!”
Look at the squirrel with a fluffy beard and cap like Kris Kringle
And when he ran over for peanuts, I know I heard a bell jingle.
I tossed peanuts to a squirrel with sparkly antlers and red mittens
And he caught each one in his paws – what a cute little dickens.
A pair of Canada geese, sporting Santa caps, looked so dapper
They made goo-goo eyes at each other while I roared with laughter.
A goose in the water asked “did you forget to invite me to this party?”
And for once, no wing-flapping or hissing – all the geese were so jolly.
The mallards were mingling at the cement landing among themselves
Their caps backward or sticking straight up, as mischievous as Santa’s elves.
A squirrel came bounding over to see me and began begging by my boot
He was decked out in Christmas cheer … who could resist a critter that cute?
And his friend was nearby, standing at attention, looking perky and merry
Wearing antlers, and glasses perched on a nose that looked like a cherry.
Then I gave Parker some extra peanuts just because I like him the best
I said “shhh – just tuck these extra nuts away and don’t tell the rest!”
I felt remiss since I’d donned no Christmas corsage, not even a sprig of holly
Nor a Santa cap or other holiday duds like the critters, to be truly part of this folly.
I fed the critters their tidbits and treats, so it was time to begin my journey again
And, as I walked away from them, I knew I was probably wearing a silly grin.
I continued on the path, waving to each walker I passed along the way
And we exchanged Christmas greetings and wishes for a great holiday.
But, as I walked back home I had a niggling feeling that something was amiss
Since no walkers commented on the Park critters all dressed up for Christmas.
So, were the furry and feathered friends a magical treat meant just for MY eyes?
Well, if so, then my lips are sealed because I sure won’t spoil their surprise.
Today’s miles were filled with smiles and started my day off just right
So, may I now say happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Miss Linda…………………..your poem is marvelous……………I’ll have to read it again when I;m not so tired……………………………guess what I heard and saw believe it or not this morning while I was un-burying some of the cars of snow in our parking lot?…………………….a Robin!
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Thanks Ann Marie – I am glad you enjoyed it … it was fun writing it. That robin may regret hanging around here, because I just heard the weatherman say that we are in the deep freeze for the next 14-18 days.
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Pingback: Return to Council Point Park. | lindaschaubblog
thats one Christmas you’ll always remember!
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Love it!! So much creative fun!!!
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Thanks Shelley – I knew you’d get a kick out of it – I likely will repost it since everyone is familiar with Parker and his pals. 🙂
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Reblogged this on WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY and commented:
It’s Christmas Eve … tonight, while Santa circles the globe, visions of sugar-plums, (and peanuts for some of us), will be dancing in our heads. I will try and get another post in later today, but wanted to share this poem from last year since most of you were not following me then. Hope it gives you a smile.
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your photos made me smile. Have a good one.
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Thanks Andy – glad you enjoyed them. Merry Christmas!
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Lovely poem and adorable pictures. Hope you have a good Christmas – and sending Christmas wishes to Parker and his furry and feathered friends! 🙂
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Thank you Clare – same to you. Thanks for the Christmas well wishes to all of us. Glad you enjoyed my Christmas poem and pictures. I had so much fun composing it last year. 🙂
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That was fun to see all the critters dressed for the holiday Linda.
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Glad you liked it Ruth – have a Merry Christmas!
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Cute poem and pictures, Linda! 🙂 They spruced-up my holiday and
lifted my spirits. Merry Christmas to you and all your little friends!
Cheerz to Happy Holidays and a fruitful 2019! Ho! Ho! Ho! Uncle Tree
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You’re welcome Keith … “spruced up” (made me smile) … glad to lift your spirits. Thank you for sending me your St. Nicholas tale as well. Happy holidays to you and yours.
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Perfect post for Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas to Linda and her friends – Parker, geese, ducks, and all the rest!
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Thanks Laurie – I’m happy you liked it. I had a lot of fun putting it together last year and only a handful of people saw it, so I figured I’d send it out again. I am going to try and get another post done this afternoon/evening as it is percolating in my brain. My friend Ann Marie stopped by with some homemade treats like she did last year … she hung the bag on the fence and I saw them when I went out to walk. Good thing Grady was waiting for his treats at the front door or he might have gotten to them first. I got some pictures of him scampering around from the front door … he is the cutest little guy and I’ll make a post about him as well. Enjoy your Christmas … especially fun with the kids.
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Thanks for revisiting this post. You must have had such fun creating it. Merry Christmas, Linda.
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You’re welcome Carolyn – I figured only a handful of fellow bloggers saw it, and I write so often about Parker and the other squirrels and geese at the Park, I’d re-purpose it. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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I loved it!!!!
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Glad you enjoyed it Diane – I had a ton of fun writing it!
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Haha! Linda, that was great! And I just love the painted additions to the little critters. Merry Christmas! I hope the holidays deliver an extra does of wonder and joy! oxo
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Glad it put a smile on your face Pam. I had so much fun creating that poem and the photos that I had to share it again. Thank you for the Christmas blessing and I wish the same for you as well.
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This is lovely, love the squirrels in their hats. Lovely poem.
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Thank you – I had a lot of fun putting it together. Walking through that Park is magical to me, no matter how many times I go there, as it seems there is always something different to see. I am grateful to having that Park so close to me and I wish I had discovered it years before – unbelievably I lived here over four decades before I knew it was there!
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It does look like a lovely place to walk and the squirrels are lovely.
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They are like having pets sometimes – they are used to all the walkers and like interacting with them, unlike the little gray squirrel who visits my porch every morning (with his friend). In fact, if you don’t feed the squirrels, you will get “the look” and they’ll follow you around or try to beg anyway … they figure they will win you over eventually!
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Ha ha so cute, Amazing that they are so tame.
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I worried about them this Summer because I had just fed one some peanuts and a hawk swooped down out of nowhere – I didn’t know we had hawks in the Park. So I Googled around and found out it was a Cooper’s Hawk and are birds of prey that like small birds, mice and squirrels. I’d see them circling around overhead … they have stopped doing that and then we had a month or so with coyotes in the Park. It’s only two miles long and not heavily wooded so that was a surprise … luckily, they have moved on as well.
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Oh dear, no I’m sure they don’t want hawks swooping down on them. Pleased they have moved on, not good..
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I agree – I was worried for them and I would have been horrified if that hawk would have gotten him right after I fed him. Luckily that squirrel saw the hawk and ran under a picnic table – there are several picnic tables that are under the pavilion. Whew! After that I would try to put their peanuts away from the main trail, like near the bushes, but thankfully the hawks have moved on and we can go back like before.
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Lucky there were picnic tables.. that was one very scared squirrel.. Oh I dear..
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That’s for sure – that poor squirrel that I named “Stubby” since he missing half of his tail, might have been missing the rest of it, or hurt badly. The hawk’s talons were out … made me feel kind of sick seeing it.
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Oh dear, poor stubby. That’s awful!
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I know – I was glad he escaped … he hid under there for awhile til he knew it was safe to come out again.
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