# 2 Santa Claus

http://www.claus.com/village.php.htm

Ho, ho, ho! Merry... September! Only three months until Christmas, boys and girls. I hope all of you are on your best behavior.

I don't know how many of you are looking for winter-style fun so soon after your summer holidays, but there's a charming little website at the top of this page... I must say, this technology you all have invented recently is very convenient, though nothing beats the classic Christmas letter written in crayon and marker.

Anyhoo, I am pleased to be the inspiration for the above website! The Naughty-and-Nice List guidelines couldn't be better if I'd written them myself, but I must admit the reindeer biographies are purely works of fiction, however entertaining they are.

Am I really as round as they say I am? Goodness, all those cookies certainly aren't good for me. Kids, leave out some good and healthy celery for me this year!

Creations like these help to remind people that the holiday season - regardless of what actual holiday is celebrated - is a time of peace, goodwill, and giving. Regardless of how many times a year you hear that, you can be sure it still holds true!

Above all, it is a time for being with your family. Busy schedules keep us from truly connecting with one another and holidays are meant to be a reprieve from said schedules.

Yours Truly,
~ S.C.

P.S. A very early "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" to all of you!
P.P.S. You're never too old to stop believing in Santa Claus.

# 1 : Castle

Description for Kindergarteners:

This is a castle. The castle is big. There are 19 windows. How many windows? 19 windows. The sky is blue. The clouds are white. The clouds are in the sky. The flowers are red. The flowers are in front of the castle. The flowers are called Rosa berberifolia and their thorns are the sharpest damn things this side of Kensington.

(Okay, just take away that last sentence...)


Description for Republicans:

This castle, named Kilkenny, overlooks the river Nore. Burn the Democrats! Its sturdy, modest turrets may not look like much, but three (out of four) have been around since 1172 when the castle was originally built. Vote McCain! King George and Queen Mary are only two of several royals who were entertained here; others include: King Edward and Queen Alexandra. Obama is a wimp! This castle does not appear to be built for aesthetic reasons: the windows are small, the exterior austere and imposing.
Go Elephants!