Tuesday, December 17, 2013

THE ALPHABET'S CHRISTMAS TREE...









The Alphabet a meeting held
As Christmas time drew near,
And voted each a gift to bring
To please the children dear.






"They try so hard," the letters said,
"To learn us by our names;
We'll give them presents, everyone,
Of candy, balls, and games."






So Christmas eve they one and all
Came, bringing in high glee
Their presents large and presents small
To hand upon the tree.






A brought an apple, round and red,
And B, a bouncing ball;
While C a bag of candy gave-
Enough to feed them all.





D carried in his arms a doll
With shining, golden hair,
And E, a cotton elephant
Came bringing with great care.





F had a fan from far Japan,
And G a funny game;
H boldly rode a hobby-horse,
A racer of great fame.





I held an inkstand in his hand,
"A useful thing," he said;
J waved on high a jumping-jack,
All painted black and red.





K thought a kite the proper thing;
A lamb L held aloft;
M's present was a little muff
Of fur so warm and soft!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   

Let's take a brief interlude here to bring you up close and personal with one of our cast of characters.





Remember the beautiful doll that D carried in his arms?  She looks pretty good for being over 100 years old, don't you think?





She once belonged to my Dad's sister and she has weathered many a storm over these past 100 years, and like all of us who are growing older, she tried to play up her best attributes and make allowances for the flaws that she feels are beginning to show.





How she accomplishes this is, not with creams or any type of new age potions, but, simply, by wearing a bonnet, because you see...





...in 1989, while living in the bay area, we endured a 7.6 earthquake.  There was a lot of damage from falling objects in our home.  In the dining room there was a plate rail encircling the room with many antique dishes that we had collected over the years.  When the earthquake hit, this beautiful doll, who had survived, I'm sure, many a turmoil up to that point, was sitting in her buggy, the one she still sits in today, under that plate rail.

As the dishes came down, one by one, some landed on her head and split it open.  I was able to salvage some larger pieces and glued them back, but she is destined to go through the rest of her life wearing a bonnet.






Now, back to the Alphabet's Christmas Tree...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




N proudly bore a Noah's Ark,
Filled up with creatures queer;
O felt that yellow oranges
Would bring the best of cheer.





"A purse," said P "will look so well
Up there on the tree",
Q bought a quilt for dolly's crib-
A thoughtful Q was he.





R gave a pretty ruby ring
With sparkling deep-red glow;
S dragged along a brand-new sled
To coast upon the snow.





Loudly upon a trumpet blew
The valiant letter T;
U held a strange umbrella up,
Unfurled for all to see.





A dainty vase V's gift appeared,
Of crystal glass so clear;
"A whip," said lively W,
"Is handy to have near."





But X's present was so large
He sent it by express,
And what was in it no one knew,
Although they tried to guess.





Y had a gaily painted yacht
With every part complete;
Z bore a zither, "which" he said,
"Would furnish music sweet."





How merrily the children dance
Around the tree next day;
While safe within the primer all
The little letters lay!

Diantha W. Horne
St. Nicholas, January 1906






I apologize to whomever remembers some of these repeated pictures from last year. Some pictures are new and I came across this little children's poem in an old book. I hope you all enjoy it.


...Judy...

Thank you, Sandi, at Rose Chintz Cottage for featuring my little white truck on your post from last week. I am honored to be among the beautiful features that you chose.


I am sharing this little bit of Christmas with the following parties:



















8 comments:

  1. Judy, this post is so beautiful. I love all the vintage and antique toys and the story poem to go with them. Do you own all these lovelies? I'm happy you were able to save the doll as she certainly has a story to tell. Thanks for sharing this delightful post today. Have a great day! Pamela

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  2. I loved every word - and found the photos delightful. I am glad you saved the doll - it was a great story, and her bonnet is perfect. Happy christmas!

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  3. OMGoodness, first of all that poem is wondwerful. The DOLL is priceless, and I loved seeing her. I am so glad she survived the earthquake somewhat intact. I sure hope you find the dishes. I am looking for a few more too:):) MERRY Christmas!!!

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  4. Beautiful post.....love the poem and all the pretties to go along with it :o)
    Merry Christmas!
    ~Des

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  5. Thank you so much for this wonderful poem. I've never either Heard or read about it earlier so it was to get a new one. I felt so sorry for the doll and her head. Thankfully it's able to put a bonnet on to hide the damage. I'm so greatful that I don't live in a Place where there are Earth quakes. I should be terrified all the time!!
    Hope you'll have a great day my friend.
    Love Elzie

    Just loved the old book you had there. "A christmas visit" I mean.

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  6. Wow Judy, I love this poem!! It's so sweet and so are all your images! This is such a unique post for Christmas, and I'm really glad you shared it with us. The antique family doll is just lovely. I'm glad she survived the earthquake and that you were able to hide the damage with a bonnet. :)

    I hope you're having a wonderful week!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  7. Judy this is fabulous! I love the poem, I think I'll use it as inspiration for my door decoration at school next year,
    (it will take the whole year to find all the things, LOL!!!) I just know the kids will love trying to find and identify each alphabet. Your post is just gorgeous, I love the doll!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  8. Oh Judy, I loved the doll's story. She is beautiful and I am glad you kept her. Some people would have just thrown her away. My granddaughter loves to play with a doll I had when I was a child, not as old as yours, maybe 50 years but I still treasure her. Thankfully she isnt breakable.Have a wonderful Christmas Judy XX

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy