From: bretwiersbe@mindspring.com   
      
   Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas ~ A True Holiday Tale   
      
   Twas two weeks before Christmas with rain coming down;   
   I had an important meeting, so I headed downtown.   
      
   The streets were covered with puddles, the ground was so damp;   
   I parked my SUV, then I walked up the ramp.   
      
   While I attended my meeting for an hour or two;   
   The temperature outside climbed to 50 .... plus two!   
      
   It was such a nice day with the sun and no rain;   
   I went for a walk ... down memory lane!   
      
   Christmas windows in stores all told a different story;   
   Marshall Field's featured Wille Wonka, and his Chocolate Factory.   
      
   So I wandered and wondered if other stores still existed;   
   Has Ty's product line survived and persisted?   
      
   Into the Palmer House I flew like a flash;   
   "I'll check out the gift shop and be out in a dash!"   
      
   And what to my wondering eyes should appear;   
   But a shelf full of Legs, Pinchers, Velvet, and bears.   
      
   Princess and Curly, Osito and Bucky;   
   Five years ago I would have considered myself lucky!   
      
   I didn't buy any since I have these already;   
   But they were piled so high, the shelf was probably unsteady.   
      
   I looked at my watch and turned with a jerk;   
   But I realized I didn't have to go back to work.   
      
   So I walked to my car and headed for home;   
   I thought about the city I once used to roam.   
      
   As I gazed in my mirrors, the city faded from site;   
   Merry Christmas to all, and to Ty a good night!   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)