With Apologies to Clement Clark Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
(Which is good, because they're dirty!)
The stockings were removed from the chimney with care
And filled with goodies which might melt if left there.
The boys were at the cinema with their cousins,
The girls were relaxing after interstate traversing.
Papa was a-snooze, snoring on the sofa bed
Mama made brandied hard sauce, then blogged before bed.
When out in the vestibule a noise sounded,
From the 'puter I immediately bounded.
'Twas my parents returning from the midnight mass
But not yet the boys--how long did that movie last?
The house lights shone out on the melting snow
Giving the luster of morning to the fog on the blow.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But my nieces and sons, eyes all a-blear.
"It's foggy out there," they solemnly pronounced.
"I warned you," I reminded them, "it's a long ride 'twixt the houses!"
More slowly than snails the car traveled out
As my nieces set off toward their own house.
"Now this way, now that way, now go to the left.
Turn right next and go 'til you enter Route 8.
From the start of the ramp to the I-84
Now dash away, dash away, carefully toward home!"
As wild leaves before the hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky
So too did my nieces flee the foggy northwest
Of the state toward their home toward the southwest.

Too much work to do the rest of the poem! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!