From: poly@ningal.eanna.net   
      
   The big old house is outlined in white christmas lights, and cold blue   
   and silver icicles hang jagged and sparkling from the porch roof. The   
   light from the house reflects off the fresh snow, and the bright stars   
   glitter like diamonds in the cold black winter sky.   
      
   Inside all is warmth and color and light. The christmas tree is an old   
   fashioned balsam fir, so tall the star on top just misses the high   
   ceiling. It is hung with glass ornaments in gold and red and silver;   
   small toys made of wood and felt; santas and cowboys, cactuses and   
   candycanes, angels and teddy bears, sachet hearts and art glass. There   
   Near the top are two flameskimmer dragonflies in red enamel and gold.   
   The tips of the high branches are hung with hand-twisted crystal icicles   
   twinkling with reflected light.   
      
   Below the tree are presents for all; the mantle is crowded with   
   stockings stuffed with treats. The dining room table is set in white and   
   silver and crystal; there is a seat at the table for all the alt.cp   
   rancheros. Poly is in the kitchen supervising the daemons who   
   are putting the finishing touches on the feast. There's ham and roast   
   beef, sage stuffing, mushrooms in butter, candied sweet potatoes,   
   creamed spinach with bacon, and mounds of fresh mashed potatoes and   
   plenty of gravy.   
      
   The raven is perched up on a high shelf, looking down on the proceedings   
   with intense interest - first with his head cocked to one side, and then   
   the other. "Craaawk!"   
      
   Poly looks up at him with a smile. "Don't overthink it" she says. Then   
   she picks up a platter and heads for the dining room, followed by the   
   raven and the daemons.   
      
   "Time for diiiinneeerrrr!!!"   
      
   At the head of the table is Sourcerer, with Poly at the other end. Down   
   either side are the raven, Zaren, .mpa, Gene and Ed, Lisa, the Little   
   Girl, and everyone else who can make it and be here tonight...   
      
      
   For this meal with friends and for all Life's gifts, we are grateful.   
      
   A toast - with crystal flutes of Veuve Clicquot demi-sec:   
      
   Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   
      
      
      
   --   
   Sweet Poly   
   poly@circuit-riders.net   
      
   T---A   
   C---G   
    A-T    Real life is a story told in cyberspace.   
     C   
    T-A   
   C---G   
   G---C   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)