The spenders were building
And bigger was hot.
Yet more t???~wards the end
It really was not.

As interest rates rose
And the houses stopped selling
We heard quite a bit
Of developers yelling.

Take this and take that.
Yes, take it indeed
Oh please buy this house,
Oh please, please, please, please . . .

But many were waiting,
Yes waiting to see
Just what their payments
Were rising to be

And others were thinking
If prices might fall
I just might be better off
Renting a hall.

So houses were held up,
But builders kept building
Apartments and malls
For those they were filling.

For many it seems
Are in need of a bed.
They all want a roof
And they need to be fed.

But that???~s not the only thing
Filling their brains.
Those poor folks in Georgia
Are just hoping for rain.

Some call it warming,
Others say drought.
Many have theories
To banter about.

And when there???~s no water
There???~s one thing for sure:
A fire is looming
And that ain???~t no cure.
Yet always it seems
From ashes appear
Many good things
And things of good cheer.

For whether it???~s warming
Or just getting hot
People are thinking
And that???~s better than not.

With smart irrigation,
Catch basins we???~ll save
And filtering streams
Are becoming the rave.

Sustainable, yes,
Just use what we need.
But re-gen-er-ating
Is better indeed.

But who will replenish
The workers you need
Will they be legal
Or hired with speed?

That???~s up to the leaders
Both Nursery and Land
It???~s time for your input
The fire???~s been fanned

And speaking of leaders
We???~ve lost some this year.
For all they have given
Let???~s give them a cheer.

Remember the good ones
And shed that sweet tear.
Forever we???~ll owe them
And hold them so dear.

But onward and upward
Is always the call,
For they would not want us
To stumble and fall.

And while O-O-8
Is looming ahead????
Uncertain it is
But not full of dread.

For oil is rising,
But interest will fall
And there will be work
For us????one and all.
So pull up your boot straps
Prepare for the ride
And you will find bounty
Pleasure and pride.

And oh, one more thing
As you spread your good cheer
Merry Christmas to all
Have a Happy New Year!

God Bless!!!