c. 2019 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(12-19)
Note:
Paula is not selling her trees this year, due to the prevailing
shortage of cut evergreens. For those of us in Geauga County,
Christmas will not be the same...
December.
The arrival of this
month normally evokes a curious sense of awe over the passage of
another year and celebrations about to happen. Moreover, the arrival
of winter spins us into a cycle of frost and snow particularly strong
for residents of Geauga County. But a prevailing mood of joy makes
this month festive. One inspired by our own local celebrity and
‘Santa’s Elf’ known as Paula Horbay.
I first met her
while serving as a Co-Manager at Chardon Giant Eagle.
Paula’s warm
personality is a pleasure to experience at any time during the year.
But with one page left on the calendar, her true calling becomes
evident. Her tiny house appears and in a festive ring of honor, trees
are stocked to serve local needs. Each is delivered with a heart full
of seasonal pride.
I wrote often about
Paula in my column for the local newspaper, from 1998-2014. Since
then, my affinity for her has continued to grow. Recently, while
pondering the arrival of our 12th month in the year, I
felt inspired to scribble out a bit of poetry in her honor. What
follows here is the result of this inspiration:
Paula’s Trees
If you Please
Green, tall and
proud
Say it out loud
The holiday elf
Makes me glad for
myself
A yuletide dream
Paula’s Trees
A winter breeze
Snow in the air
And she’s on
her chair
In the little
house at Chardon
With work never
done
Smiles to see
Paula’s Trees
Make me happier
by three
I want to dance
with her
We’d cause
quite a stir
On the hill at
the square
With all our
friends there
Her and me
Paula’s Trees
The lady is
pleased
To share seasonal
joy
With every girl
and boy
This lady in
green
This noel queen
One of Santa’s
trustees
Paula’s Trees
With socks to her
knees
Her festive
attire
Kept warm by the
fire
Hot cocoa in a
mug
Hot cider in a
jug
Fun to see
Paula’s Trees
In a circle, you
see
Waiting for the
kids
Who put in their
bids
For a holiday
arbor
Memories, forever
She’s the key
Paula’s Trees
Kisses that
freeze
The sunshine is
cold
But her smile
warms my soul
In her dress,
green and red
She’s waiting
with her sled
For new families
Paula’s Trees
A hutch of
evergreen
Newcomers soon
learn
Why the oldsters
love her
This elf works
her magic
With a wink,
slyly quick
Clever is she
Paula’s Trees
A gift to our
county
She appears every
season
With her own
rhyme and reason
A bringer of
cheer
So glad she is
here
Believe me
Paula’s Trees
Like mighty
Hercules
She raises our
mood
With love ever
true
Her faith and
devotion
Ever in motion
Happily
Paula’s Trees
A bounty of green
She sits in the
thick
An elegant chick!
When I see her
arrive
I feel
butterflies
Inside me
Paula’s Trees
A lighthouse by
the sea
Calling out with
good tidings
The holidays are
arriving
We lift up glad
voices
We make joyful
noises
Feeling free
Paula’s Trees
Feeling at ease
In the snow on a
hillside
Let’s go for a
ride
We’ll celebrate
with spices
And old fashioned
devices
Toys and treats
Paula’s Trees
Hearts full of
glee
Cookies and
snowflakes
Whatever she
bakes
A party in the
pines
So glad she can
find
Time for me
Paula’s Trees
Selling fun by
the sneeze
A fanciful elf
Never left by
herself
Seekers come to
find green boughs
With snow on
their eyebrows
Her family are we
Paula’s Trees
Our holiday
centerpiece
It means so much
more
When bought at
her store
The hut on a hill
Exudes peace and
goodwill
Eternally
Paula’s Trees
Better than bees
Honey might flow
sweetly
But I love her
dearly
For the season of
smiles
Though she’s
here all the while
Can’t you see?
Paula’s Trees
Get them now,
quickly!
Her wares will
soon disappear
Like the end of
this year
Then she’ll go
back to the bunkhouse
Quiet like a
church mouse
Her retreat
Paula’s Trees
We thank her,
gratefully
For this
Christmas celebration
For this holiday
fun
And until next
year
We’ll dream she
is here
Faithfully
My
own habits have evolved over time. Currently, I decorate a Corona
palm tree for the Christmas season. One that stood at a supermarket I
managed in Geneva, at the end of my retail career. A beer display
with enduring distinction. This odd spin on the season reflects a bit
of humor and a personal accent on an old tradition. I choose
ornaments from the household collection, two egg-boxes filled with
items found at local thrift emporiums and yard sales.
I
prefer the homespun look of a ‘down home’ celebration. Like
something one would expect to find in a country store, out-of-the-way
motel, or a vintage service station.
Santa
Claus, reindeer, elves and falling snow all contribute to the mystery
of this season. But for those of us close to Lake Erie, another
harbinger of yuletide glee makes us sure of the season.
We
call her... Paula.
Comments about
‘Words on the Loose’ may be sent to: icewritesforyou@gmail.com
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O. Box 365 Chardon, OH 44024
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