:That shook when he laughed like a slow-cure epoxy.

Maybe try---
That shook when he laughed like old varnish turned to jelly.

?

That was funny! Thanks! You just moved me one more notch further into the Christmas spirit!

-T

: Twas the night before Chrismas,
: And all through the shop,
: Not a creature was stirring,
: Except for ol' pop.

: The hand-tools were hung
: By the workbench with care
: In hopes that tomorrow
: Even more would be there

: The children were nestled
: All snug in their beds
: While sounds of pop's shop tools
: Danced in their heads

: And ma in her earplugs,
: And a little night cap,
: Had just settled down
: For a long winter's nap.

: When out in the workshop
: There arose such a clatter
: I sprang from the shop
: To see what was the matter.

: I heard lots of cussing,
: And then a big crash.
: I tore open the shutters,
: And threw up the sash.

: The moon breast of new-fallen snow
: Gave lustre to mid-day objects below
: When what I saw about threw me back.
: 'Twas a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny kayaks.

: With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
: I knew in a moment it must be ol' Nick (Schade, that is).
: More rapid than eagles his kayaks they came
: And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

: Now Great Auk, now Play, now Expedition, now Double,
: On Razor, on Little Auk, Night Heron and Coastal.
: To the top of the waves, to the top of the swell,
: Now surf away, surf away, surf away well!

: As winds come and like a hurricane fly,
: When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky,
: So up to the housetop the kayaks they flew,
: With a sleigh full of tools, and Nick Schade too.

: And then in a twinkling I heard through the halls.
: The sliding and slipping of well-designed hulls.
: As I drew in my tools and was turning around,
: Down through the chimney Nick came with a bound.

: He was dressed in a Tulik from his head to his foot,
: And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
: A bundle of tools he had flung on his back.
: And he looked like a paddler just opening his pack.

: His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
: His cheeks were like redwood, his nose like cherry,
: His droll little hands were all tattered and blue,
: And covered with epoxy and dried bits of glue.

: The stump of a staple was stuck in his teeth,
: And bits of 'glass encircled his head like a wreath.
: He had a broad face and a little round belly
: That shook when he laughed like a slow-cure epoxy.

: He was covered in sawdust, a right sloppy old elf,
: And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
: A wink of an eye and a twist of his head,
: Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

: He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
: And layed up a hull then turned with a jerk,
: And laying the 'glass and rigging the deck,
: And giving a nod up the chimney he lept.

: He sprang to his sleigh, to his kayaks gave a whistle,
: And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
: But I heard him exclaim as he paddled out of sight,
: Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night!!!