Got a nice fire going? Rain or snow on the roof? Taking a break from moiling for gold? Nothing like a nice old fashioned Christmas ghost story! You know how this one goes ... but this time, I've got an illustration, in the form, natch, of a Canadian postage stamp:
Canada Scott No. 656, "Cremation of Sam McGee
Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared — such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.
Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.
I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked";. . . then the door I opened wide.
And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm —
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."
Have a good Christmas/Festivus/Hannukah (okay, that's over, I know)/Kwanzaa/Solstice (that's over too, I guess) or what have you, and may peace come to all.