In Reply to: re: Happy Christmas posted by Old Stock on December 24, 2009 at 19:01:29:

a cara........at 7pm toronto time.....i knew christmas morning was casting its mantle over castlebar...midnight was chimiing in castlebar.....christmas that magical blanket that wraps itself around us was already settling over mchale road and the the town.....and as i thought of this i could feel it weave a spell of nostalgia over me....for me it will always be a warm time of sweet remembrance....because it triggers within me a time when mysteriously peace in oneself kindles.....and a time of my youth that i carry in my heart....the very expression happy christmas seems to win us back to the delusions of my childhood days.....i grew up in mchale road but most christmas eves...in my youth i went to my grandparents home in newline.....granny would have some sweets and cake.....tea and bread and jam.....we'd sit around the range .....i'd lug up a couple of buckets of water from the pump near lyons's house....bring in a couple of bags of turf......then we would play ludo.....their little house would be decked in holly....then after my visit i'd make my way home ....on the way i would often peer into hubert garrys sheds by rowlands.....hubert often as not would be there.....and he'd growl a little....vinny mchugh would be standing at his door ...everyone getting ready for the big day....why even john lohan....in his garda siochalonie gear would even be christmassy....way back then the only thing visible in tom twiggs's shop was a can of sweets....down the street jennings butcher shop would be taking care of last minute shoppers....but back then there was no such a thing as last minute.....we were laid back ...grateful for wehat we had....and shopkeeppers were friendly and accomodating....rockys pub would be packed.....and phil hobans toy window was almost depleted ...the grip of christmas had descended aand everything was exciting......
midnight in toronto....now 3a.m in castlebar.....i drifted to mc hale road once upon a good time at about 3 am way back then i would be shaking the web of sleep off...and coconsidered going down stairs......but would lay until about 4 and then make that wild run down the stairs...to the kitchen.....which was cold and dark.....santa had come....my new socks were on the line over the range and the cap gun was a different version of the year before....the socks were filled with a top...orange and sweets....it was magic....the bowl of setting jelly was on the table ...and in another bowl a packet of bathelor marrowfat dried peas lay soaking......the goose was ready to be stuffed.....now in castlebar boxing day has arrived .....christmas day is winding down here.... the news is sad as 4 workers fell to their death...from a swing stage yesterday at 4.30 from an apartments 13th.floor...they were repairing balconies....bing crosby has sung silent night in "going my way'.....the national lampoons are monopolising the air waves....scrooge has been read ...and redeemed...the old turkey is minus his two legs.....and the christmas tree lightts are doing their twinkling dance.....i dwell in thoughts of a simpler time....all was well on mchale road....christmas had once again illumined the hearts of all.......
....i wish to one and all happy christmas ....be safe..... the magic never ends...
slan.....athas ...siochain agus sonas ar gach....

....tog go bog e.....