Twas the week before Christmas
A look inside Red Sage this week
Twas the week before Christmas, when all through Red Sage
Not a creature was stirring, nor turning a page.
The red mugs were hung on the stairwell with care,
In hopes that Rick Paler soon would be there.
The Red Sagers were nestled all snug in their desks,
While visions of websites danced in their heads.
And Ellen in her ‘kerchief, and Dan in his cap,
Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap (in the middle of the day but I am not judging).
When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the office to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The light of the sun on all the new desks,
Put brand new priorities in DragonLady’s head.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. (aka- RedSage pets)
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it had to be Rick.
More rapid than deadlines his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now Aubrey! Now, Kane! Now, Tahoe and Bentley!
On, Sadie! On, Truffle! On Sunshine, and Buddy!
To the top of the stairs! to the top of the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the stairwell the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of wine and candy, and Rick Paler too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Rick Paler came with a bound.
He was dressed all in houndstooth, from his head to his foot, (this is my story – not yours!)
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of wine and candy he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a national champion, just opening his pack. (again- My story-I don’t want to hear it!!!)
Around the corner, comes Mark running with glee,
Of course he adores all things that are free!
Teresa was thrilled with the tiny “reindeer” !
Who cares about Rick? The puppies are here! (and they don’t talk back)
Heather had buried her nose in a book.
When all of a sudden she turned up to look.
She noticed that Sarah, shouted out from her office
“Please bring me the wine!! I’m just trying to be honest”!
Then sweet little Katie, who had not been here long,
Decided to welcome St. Rick with a song.
As she reached for the microphone that was hid in her desk (odd)
Her performance was hijacked by Mark Moore- Oh What a mess.
I must admit that he gave a rousing rendition
Of Jolly St Rick prepared by our newest addition.
Then Katie took back what was rightfully hers,
She lassoed her mic with her scarf made of fur.
Amanda decided to break it up fast
She tripped them both up with her annoying cast
Teresa came running like a mustang you see,
“Quick calm Mark down with buckets of KFC!”
Heather sat quietly, simply observing,
Until we all realized she was no longer reserving.
She walked through the chaos for what seemed “just a minute”
We were all curious just exactly how she would spin it.
“Let’s not forget that we still have a guest”.
As our eyes turned to Rick, we were ashamed of our mess.
So, we look to our flight attendant Dan,
Who simply responds, “I will talk to the man”.
Behind closed doors, the pair chatted at length,
Then they both emerge and Dan gives us a wink.
Confused, remains the Red Sage bunch,
Then Sarah taps me and says “I have hunch”.
“Notice what is missing here,
No wine, no candy, and no Ellen Didier”
As St Rick departed, we all waved goodbye,
We turned to look for the Dragon Lady’s eye.
All of sudden, to our dismay,
Out from her office, Ellen emerged looking disarrayed.
She had chocolate on her face and an empty wine bottle
Held it high in the air and said without squabble
“I want to keep peace in this office you see.
So I drank all the wine and ate all the candy.”
Then she rushed back in her office and shut her door
Laughing so loud we think we heard her hit the floor.
We all look to Dan, who is eternally calm.
He smiled and he simply held out his palm.
In his hand what is that which we see?
It’s looks like nothing more than a piece of candy.
It seems as though he masterminded this plot
“All you need is a simple “mugshot”
As the light bulb went off in the Red Sagers’ heads,
We ran to the stairwell and the mugs that were red.
With delight, we all found not a moment too late,
A mug filled candy and drinks made from grapes.
Apparently, on his way out the door,
Dan suggestd that Rick give one gift more.
Let Dragon Lady feel like she saved the day,
And drop candy and wine in the mugs on the way.
Ellen is happy and Red Sagers are too.
Dan has again kept the sanity at this zoo.
And now you know how we survive all this noise,
We are a wonderful island of misfit toys.
Red Sagers may seem to you an odd group
But it really takes us all to complete this loop.
We are all full and happy on candy and wine,
One thing is for sure, we have a good time!
So, from our family to yours, we sincerely say,
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year’s Day. (aka –Kelli’s Birthday-list of gift preferences available upon request)