Saturday, December 20, 2014: Yule Eve …
Ashland, Oregon
Sir Thomas Leaf, Lady Etain, and Cian, the Prince of Endurance continued their celebrations this week for the arrival of Winter, Yule, and Xmas. Words of gossip around the village suggested this week would be a prosperous one for all the merchants … so good that most merchants make most of their profits this month for the year. All through the day Yuletide affairs were in the works as they attempted to prepare for what some would say are the busiest shopping days of the year, but alas not really that true, albeit this particular day was busier than the days before Christmas Eve. The trio hustled and bustled making sure inventory was on the shelves, and as throughout the morning lots of foot traffic – mainly window shoppers – came through the doors. This made the merchanting family think that evening would be even busier. In light of that hypothesis, they prepared to cancel their evening plans. Sir Thomas Leaf donned his santa suit to match wee Prince Cian Santa-in-training, getting ready for Yuletide eve adventures ahoy. Afternoon became dead as their spirits dropped too, giving false hope that they could close earlier than posted, but that changed as the end of the day got busy and they realized instead they might be closing later than 6 pm the door said. So plans of celebrating Yule at the Grange with the Rowantree community and Elderberry clan fell to cancel into the shadows of late night shoppers. But alas most of those shoppers were simply browsing around for ideas as the merchants realized they should have closed early instead. Next year Sir Thomas proclaimed will be different for sure as the trio were disappointed with main street gloom.
The adventurers scattered for some alternative plans as they decided upon checking out Medford’s 2nd annual SantaCon. Based on the adverts Sir Thomas Leaf had second thoughts for it appeard to be a Santa bar party in one place rather than the traditional Pub crawl that takes place around the world as Santarchy. The fair maiden Lady Kara joined the trio for the festivities as they waited for the last shoppers to leave while sipping coconut milk eggnog invigorated with Kraken rum. The Santa team donned their elves and Santa gear appropriately for the occasion, closed up shop and headed out with a clatter at the clock struck seven. Onwards ho’ to the Honkey Tonk Saloon where they met up with 20+ Santas, Elves, Ms. Clauses, and Reindeer. It was time for a gathering to unleash the working Elves stresses before heading off doing good will and Yuletide deliveries to all as the week calls all Santas, Elves, and Reindeer into a 24/7+ quarter month committment bringing gifts to good boys n’ girls and coal to the naughty others.
Great good cheer and a Happy New Year, celebrating early on Solstice Eve. They met the other Santas, made new friends and had great giggles, as wee Prince Cian ran hopping, bopping, and spinning in circles around the dance floor. He quickly became dizzy from the circles spun so grand, fruit-juice intoxicating with his cranberry elixir a sober sloppy un-drunk wobbler he was all a clatter.
Potato sack races, three leg races, and other games took effect as the trio won gifts that matter: a $20 gift certificate for an Italian foodie wish, a photoshoot certificate for a gift one would present, and a free month of child karate to gift to another. It became quite a prosperous event for all gathered. It was quite a Santa Party in one saloon rather than the traditional SantaCon tromping from bar to bar. This however worked very well for these Santas being bound to the little Santa in training after an exhausting day at the Leaf and Dragon. Their bellies full of holiday cheer, lots of photos taken with other Santas dear, the clock struck 9, as it was past under 21’ers time … the announcement came on that all wee ones had to leave so headed home they did as it mattered to their warm beds awaiting a winter solstice nap for the real Santa and Lady Befana would be arriving that morning.
