Christmastide

[Dave Monroe]

   "Snow-Balls have flown their Arcs, starr'd the sides of
Outbuildings, as of Cousins, carried Hats away into the brisk Wind off
Delaware,-- the Sleds are brought in and their Runners carefully dried
and greased, shoes deposited in the back Hall, a stocking'd-foot
Descent made upon the great Kitchen, in a purposeful Dither since
Morning, punctuated by the ringing Lids of Boilers and Stewing-Pots,
fragrant with Pie-Spices, peel'd Fruits, Suet, heated Sugar,-- the
Children, having all upon the Fly, among rhythmic slaps of Batter and
Spoon, coax'd and stolen what they might, proceed, as upon each
afternoon all this snowy December, to a comfortable Room at the rear
of the House, years since given over to their carefree Assaults...."

--Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon, Ch. 1, p. 5

http://www.pynchon.pomona.edu/mason/index.html

http://waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l&month=0612&msg=113298