A Visit From St. Nicholas...Day Twenty-four

 I always thought that this poem by Clement Moore was actually called "The Night Before Christmas" but officially, it is "A Visit From St. Nicholas." It was published anonymously in 1823 (how mind-boggling is it that 1823 was bearly 200 years ago?) and claimed by Moore in 1837. Moore is a family name on my maternal side and I've always wondered if I might be related to the poet. Probably not, becuase he was born in New York City and none of my relatives ever left Virginia until my father went away to war in 1941.

This poem is an absolute classic and I have friends who collect the variously illustrated versions, of which there are many. Here's one.