Q & A with Santa Claus
Baby, it无毛视频檚 cold outside.
Yet, Santa Claus is unfazed by the weatherman无毛视频檚 warnings and cautions. He无毛视频檚 like the post office, you know, 无毛视频淣either snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays Santa and his team from the swift completion of his appointed rounds.无毛视频�
And, if I无毛视频檝e learned anything from television, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer is at the ready to lead the way.
(Thank goodness for the suggestion of a Barbara May Lewis, otherwise the savior of Christmas might无毛视频檝e been named Reginald, Reggy, Roland, or Romeo. All were considered by the man who authored the story, Robert May, but his daughter无毛视频檚 suggestion fortunately won out.)
The Christmas buying season did have a few pleasant days, though, and on one of those not-so-frigid days I got in a bike ride on the YRT, heading north. I was pedaling away towards Dickerson Run (not Dawson, because as my dad would reminder me, Dawson is on the other side of the river), when a portly fellow pulled alongside, huffing and puffing away.
I gave him the customary head nod and he did the same. The gentleman looked like he had a question so I removed one of my earbuds for a listen.
无毛视频淓xcuse me, what direction am I heading?无毛视频澛�
So, as I无毛视频檝e done a time or two before, I informed the gentleman he was heading north, which is counterintuitive considering most rivers in the world flow from north to south, not south to north as the Youghiogheny, Monongahela and Nile rivers do.
He looked like he could use a break and was still in the mood for a conversation, so we pulled up to one of the benches alongside the trail and had a seat.
The fellow had a familiar look to him, but before I could ask, he said, 无毛视频淵ou look familiar. Yes, I know. You write for the 无毛视频-Standard, right?无毛视频�
I apprehensively gave my head a nod, wondering what might come next.
无毛视频淥h, I read your stories.无毛视频�
Wow, umm, thanks.
无毛视频淚 imagine you无毛视频檝e interviewed all types of athletes over the past quarter century or so. Want to interview me?无毛视频�
Then, I came to the realization why this gentleman looked familiar 无毛视频� it was Santa Claus!
无毛视频淥-o-o-f course!无毛视频� I stammered as I loosened the arm sleeve containing my work cell so I could record our conversation.聽
JD: How do I address you? What无毛视频檚 your preference? You know, there无毛视频檚 Santa Claus and Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas, so many names!
SC: Nick will do just fine. (I noticed he often introduces his statements with a hearty ho-ho-ho, so no need to note that opening response every time.)
JD: So, Nick, what brings you our neck of the woods?
SC: Well, it无毛视频檚 a two-fold mission. Flying around the world really takes its toll on the reindeer, so I look for land routes, especially in rural areas, to give them a break. Believe it or not, pulling a sleigh overland is a lot easier on the reindeer than flying around. And, since the pandemic, the cost of the special grain that makes them fly has really skyrocketed.
JD: And the second reason?
SC: My wife. A minute ago, you asked how to address me. Well, this is a family newspaper so I won无毛视频檛 tell you what she calls me. Let无毛视频檚 just say it无毛视频檚 not very flattering. I无毛视频檓 tired of the bowlful of jelly cracks, so, I try to get into some sorta shape in the offseason.
JD: So, what dirt can you dish? Don无毛视频檛 worry, nobody reads my columns, so whatever you say is in confidence.
SC: Ho-ho-ho-ho (he robustly laughed) I无毛视频檝e heard that. You won无毛视频檛 have to rip off Clement Moore无毛视频檚 rhyming scheme this year (he noted with another hearty laugh). By the way, that无毛视频檚 a pretty cheesy column mug you use with the Christmas column.
JD: (Hey, wait a second 无毛视频� I think Santa just took a shot a me.)
JD: Really, what kinda requests do you receive?
SC: Well, there无毛视频檚 the general requests for toys and electronic/computer games. And, of course, big ticket items like TVs, cellphones and computers. I无毛视频檓 reluctant with those asking for puppies and kittens. I try to shy away from living things.
JD: How about Mercedes and Lexus?
SC: Ho-ho-ho, you watch too much TV!
SC: I receive a lot of letters from sports fans. Steeler Nation is especially active after Labor Day. Some want a Super Bowl, but, surprisingly, many want the team to fail so they can get high draft picks and run the coaching staff out of town. Funny thing, though, many of those are the same folks who criticize the Steelers for poor draft picks (he said with a shrug of his shoulders).
JD: Interesting.
SC: I also receive letters for sports equipment and apparel. It无毛视频檚 good to see the items have been used wisely with the young athletes you cover.
JD: You know about them?
SC: Remember, Jim, I see them when they无毛视频檙e sleeping and when they are awake. And, like I said, I read your stories about Jolena, Hope, Ryan, Mason, and Ella and Ella 无毛视频� that Lily King is really something 无毛视频� the Leopards tossing around footballs, Laurel Highlands shooting basketballs, and Frazier smacking volleyballs and softballs around. So many to name, but congratulations to all, especially those who just go out and give it their best every time.
JD: That无毛视频檚 nice of you to say.
SC: I have a large stack of letters from disappointed Pirates fans, too. Hey, I can only do so much. I无毛视频檓 into wish fulfillment, not roster rebuilds.
SC: I know Tiger Woods has been one of your favorite whipping boys in the past, but he无毛视频檚 been a good boy of late, so he无毛视频檒l be receiving a new driver this year.聽
JD: True.
SC: Mother Nature is a long-time friend, so I无毛视频檒l see what I can do to give all those skiers, snowboarders and skaters weather conditions to use all that awkwardly-wrapped gear under the tree.
JD: (Even the most ardent winter sports enthusiast has to think Mother Nature went a big overboard this weekend.)
SC: Well, Jim, time to get back on my way. It无毛视频檚 been nice talking with you. When无毛视频檚 this going to run?
JD: It无毛视频檒l hit newsstands Dec. 24th.
SC: That无毛视频檚 a busy time for me, but I无毛视频檒l have the Mrs. set it aside before it ends up as bedding and litter for the reindeer.
And, with that, Santa was back in the saddle and on his way.聽
On behalf of Rob Burchianti and myself, the 无毛视频-Standard sports department wishes all of our athletes and readers a Merry Christmas and a safe, relaxing holiday season.