This morning as Gypsy, my 10 year old English Pointer, and I sat down on the cabin porch to ponder the sunrise, we saw small white flakes floating in the air and landing like snow all around us. We thought it looked just like snow, but since it was already 80 degrees we knew it wasn't. What is was was ash from all the fires burning around the Texas Hill Country since we got some desperately needed rain. As the ash gently drifted through the air it landed on the leaves on the trees and plants and the porch and furniture. There was a slight smell of smoke in the air and the distant hills we observe every morning were cloaked in a soft gray smoke. For many months we had been under a burn ban, so many folks took this opportunity to get rid of the brush piles they had created when cleaning up their yards. Everyone pays close attention to burning here because, we are so remote a fire would be devastating. Gypsy didn't mind the white snow flakes and the thin layer of smoke engulfing our small part of the world. We try to enjoy all life offers good or bad. Fall is coming and our days will be cooling after a very hot Summer. There is change in the air as sure as shooten, and we are taking aim on lots of time on the porch on those cool mornings to ponder things like fire ash that looks like snow.
We will continue to embrace what is given and rejoice in our good fortune.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
"Dr Evers"
He was the only doctor
in the small Ohio town
where I grew up.
His office was on main street
and was filled
with old beige, metal, painted furniture
that smelled like ether
and other medicines.
It was next to the Princess Theatre
next to the drug store
where my mother bought me
music boxes if
I did not drop
to the floor
kicking and screaming
as soon as we entered his office.
I fought hard not
to get the asthma shots.
Four small viles of medication
were sent to Dr. Evers
every week or so
from my Toledo Ohio
asthma doctor.
The amount of serum
administered increased
with each shot.
The pain also increased.
It was a shot a week to desensitize
me to all the stuff
I was allergic to
including our beloved
cat Butch. Another story.
Dr. Evers had his hands full.
However I never missed a shot.
You see who ultimately won.
It set me up for a lifetime
of dreading visits to the doctor.
Thank you so!
He had a black bag
he carried everywhere with him
that had all his favorite stuff in it.
There was a row of small bottles
filled with all different colored pills.
He had something for whatever
you had wrong with you.
As a small child
it verged on magic.
He always came to the house
when one of us was sick in the
beige, four door Chrysler
New Yorker he purchased
from my father.
He was never in a hurry.
After being sick all night
shortly before I graduated
from high school
my mother called him.
I had been growing sicker all night
and told my mother
I needed help.
He came to the house
checked me out
and said I had appendicitis.
He said my appendix
had to come out right away.
He ask me if I wanted
to go to the hospital
with him or wait for my folks.
I went with him in the beige
four door Chrysler New Yorker.
I remember backing out
our driveway wondering
what was going to happen.
By the time my folks
arrived at Detwiler Hospital
our only one
I was on my way into surgery.
When I woke up it was over.
Dr. Evers came by
the next day
and ask me to get up
and hold onto the bed
and walk around it.
I did and was soon home.
I later went to his
office and had the stitches
taken out.
Most of the stuff like measles, mumps,
colds and stomach ache
we just got over with the help
of some stuff
in a little brown bottle
my mother gave us for everything
called stomach cordial.
When we had measles
she covered the windows with blankets
and made us potato soup
and purple cabbage slaw.
We were lucky we never
had to deal with
polio, scarlet fever or pneumonia.
I remember a house I walked by
on my way to school
that had a sign in front
that said quarantined scarlet fever.
I wondered about that.
Dr. Evers always came
or saw you at his office.
Sometimes he came to the house
in the middle of the night.
He was quiet, understanding
and calm.
He was one of a kind
that has vanished
except in the memories
of his patients.
in the small Ohio town
where I grew up.
His office was on main street
and was filled
with old beige, metal, painted furniture
that smelled like ether
and other medicines.
It was next to the Princess Theatre
next to the drug store
where my mother bought me
music boxes if
I did not drop
to the floor
kicking and screaming
as soon as we entered his office.
I fought hard not
to get the asthma shots.
Four small viles of medication
were sent to Dr. Evers
every week or so
from my Toledo Ohio
asthma doctor.
The amount of serum
administered increased
with each shot.
The pain also increased.
It was a shot a week to desensitize
me to all the stuff
I was allergic to
including our beloved
cat Butch. Another story.
Dr. Evers had his hands full.
However I never missed a shot.
You see who ultimately won.
It set me up for a lifetime
of dreading visits to the doctor.
Thank you so!
He had a black bag
he carried everywhere with him
that had all his favorite stuff in it.
There was a row of small bottles
filled with all different colored pills.
He had something for whatever
you had wrong with you.
As a small child
it verged on magic.
He always came to the house
when one of us was sick in the
beige, four door Chrysler
New Yorker he purchased
from my father.
He was never in a hurry.
After being sick all night
shortly before I graduated
from high school
my mother called him.
I had been growing sicker all night
and told my mother
I needed help.
He came to the house
checked me out
and said I had appendicitis.
He said my appendix
had to come out right away.
He ask me if I wanted
to go to the hospital
with him or wait for my folks.
I went with him in the beige
four door Chrysler New Yorker.
I remember backing out
our driveway wondering
what was going to happen.
By the time my folks
arrived at Detwiler Hospital
our only one
I was on my way into surgery.
When I woke up it was over.
Dr. Evers came by
the next day
and ask me to get up
and hold onto the bed
and walk around it.
I did and was soon home.
I later went to his
office and had the stitches
taken out.
Most of the stuff like measles, mumps,
colds and stomach ache
we just got over with the help
of some stuff
in a little brown bottle
my mother gave us for everything
called stomach cordial.
When we had measles
she covered the windows with blankets
and made us potato soup
and purple cabbage slaw.
We were lucky we never
had to deal with
polio, scarlet fever or pneumonia.
I remember a house I walked by
on my way to school
that had a sign in front
that said quarantined scarlet fever.
I wondered about that.
Dr. Evers always came
or saw you at his office.
Sometimes he came to the house
in the middle of the night.
He was quiet, understanding
and calm.
He was one of a kind
that has vanished
except in the memories
of his patients.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
" A Hammock"
"A hammock" would be nice
here in the woods
in the shade
away from the hot Texas
Summer sun
for lazy afternoons
when cloud watching reigns.
"A hammock"
would give me
an added place
to watch the baby
feral cats born this Spring
to Lucky and Bobtail
the heads of the colony
who will all be
traped, neutered and released.
What kind of hammock
should I get?
What color?
The hooks are
already in the trees
left behind by the folks
who use to live here.
They hold their own story
of past times here.
I work too much anyway.
I need a place to rest.
OK a hammock it is
but wait.
Little did I know
the hammock of my future
was taking shape.
A trip to Joes
my neighbor
to see his beautiful
new stone patio
proved fruitful for me.
As I was admiring
the beautiful stonework
of his patio
he walked over
and much to my surprise
handed me a package.
Low and behold
you will never guess what
it was.
"A Hammock"
which in now
gracing the presence
of the two hooks
on the trees in my yard.
It is white
with yellow and red ropes
to hold it.
Joe came over
to make the knots
to be sure it was secure.
He is a good friend
I am lucky to have.
Ask and you shall receive
a thoughtful neighbor
and "A hammock"
here in the woods
in the shade
away from the hot Texas
Summer sun
for lazy afternoons
when cloud watching reigns.
"A hammock"
would give me
an added place
to watch the baby
feral cats born this Spring
to Lucky and Bobtail
the heads of the colony
who will all be
traped, neutered and released.
What kind of hammock
should I get?
What color?
The hooks are
already in the trees
left behind by the folks
who use to live here.
They hold their own story
of past times here.
I work too much anyway.
I need a place to rest.
OK a hammock it is
but wait.
Little did I know
the hammock of my future
was taking shape.
A trip to Joes
my neighbor
to see his beautiful
new stone patio
proved fruitful for me.
As I was admiring
the beautiful stonework
of his patio
he walked over
and much to my surprise
handed me a package.
Low and behold
you will never guess what
it was.
"A Hammock"
which in now
gracing the presence
of the two hooks
on the trees in my yard.
It is white
with yellow and red ropes
to hold it.
Joe came over
to make the knots
to be sure it was secure.
He is a good friend
I am lucky to have.
Ask and you shall receive
a thoughtful neighbor
and "A hammock"
Monday, August 25, 2008
"It's Raining"
"It's raining"
not forecast
cats and dogs
like the past
Lightening
power off on
thunder rumbling
sunshine gone
Cats huddled
high and dry
dog shaking
not a cry
Horizontal rain
wind driven
woods drinking
all given
Grateful all
who receive
grateful all
who believe
Too much
Too little
Flooding drought
Where's the middle?
Rain
In sunshine
Rainbows
So fine
A message
A lark
for all
no ark
Raindrops
Without
We perish
No doubt
Gray clouds
Humidity
It's too hot
A pity
"It's Raining"
Porch popcorn
Kids comic books
Timelessly adorn
Childhood memories
In corn popping
Good times
Never stopping
Remember
The good
Happiness
You should
A past gone
Found again
In popcorn
In the rain
Yea yeas
to recall
these days
Holding all
Flip flop
now then
never stop
Knew when
It's the rain
Catching me
It's to blame
Can you see?
Message found
In the drops
Full of past
Never stops
Poems poems
Grow in the rain
Like grass
Over and over again
"It's raining"
Jump for joy
Love life
Girl or boy
not forecast
cats and dogs
like the past
Lightening
power off on
thunder rumbling
sunshine gone
Cats huddled
high and dry
dog shaking
not a cry
Horizontal rain
wind driven
woods drinking
all given
Grateful all
who receive
grateful all
who believe
Too much
Too little
Flooding drought
Where's the middle?
Rain
In sunshine
Rainbows
So fine
A message
A lark
for all
no ark
Raindrops
Without
We perish
No doubt
Gray clouds
Humidity
It's too hot
A pity
"It's Raining"
Porch popcorn
Kids comic books
Timelessly adorn
Childhood memories
In corn popping
Good times
Never stopping
Remember
The good
Happiness
You should
A past gone
Found again
In popcorn
In the rain
Yea yeas
to recall
these days
Holding all
Flip flop
now then
never stop
Knew when
It's the rain
Catching me
It's to blame
Can you see?
Message found
In the drops
Full of past
Never stops
Poems poems
Grow in the rain
Like grass
Over and over again
"It's raining"
Jump for joy
Love life
Girl or boy
Friday, August 22, 2008
"Writing Makes No Sense"
Someone somewhere may read this
and wonder what it means.
Scorpions don't weigh much.
They will pick apart
each word trying to decide
exactly what they mean;
what I might be trying to say.
Centipedes here are about
the size of a good
Cuban cigar and scarey
when in your shoe!
If the truth were known
which it is about to be
words come so fast
their is no time to think.
Brown Recluse Spiders
hide and make their webs
in the baking dishes
under the kitchen counter.
What have I written?
Does it make sense?
Better if it doesn't.
Snakes hide ubder the rocks
so be careful when you
move rocks. Wear gloves.
There is a road
like the one the moon makes
across the water at night
where the words come from
that find your finger tips.
You can't stop or
you will fall into the water.
The water is dark and cold.
The man in the moon smiles
if the words find a good place.
Lizards hide in Gypsys woodpiles
and are actually quiet beautiful.
Writing is like jumping
off the high diving board.
When you hit the water
the story is done.
Raccoons make a mess of everything.
Sometimes I do to
when I write.
Tarantulas like to sit
on the wood around the garage door.
Their song is echoed from the woods.
The lovely gentle giants.
Opossoms are quiet.
Maybe I should be as well.
and wonder what it means.
Scorpions don't weigh much.
They will pick apart
each word trying to decide
exactly what they mean;
what I might be trying to say.
Centipedes here are about
the size of a good
Cuban cigar and scarey
when in your shoe!
If the truth were known
which it is about to be
words come so fast
their is no time to think.
Brown Recluse Spiders
hide and make their webs
in the baking dishes
under the kitchen counter.
What have I written?
Does it make sense?
Better if it doesn't.
Snakes hide ubder the rocks
so be careful when you
move rocks. Wear gloves.
There is a road
like the one the moon makes
across the water at night
where the words come from
that find your finger tips.
You can't stop or
you will fall into the water.
The water is dark and cold.
The man in the moon smiles
if the words find a good place.
Lizards hide in Gypsys woodpiles
and are actually quiet beautiful.
Writing is like jumping
off the high diving board.
When you hit the water
the story is done.
Raccoons make a mess of everything.
Sometimes I do to
when I write.
Tarantulas like to sit
on the wood around the garage door.
Their song is echoed from the woods.
The lovely gentle giants.
Opossoms are quiet.
Maybe I should be as well.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
"Prepare For Take Off"
Fly the friendly skies
sit back and enjoy the flight.
You went on line and printed
your boarding passes the day
before your plane departed.
Get your points for every mile.
Five am and the airport terminal is buzzing
passengers busy checking in
to fly a goodby to stuff
and hello to a change.
Anticipating business or vacation
at their final destination.
Curb check, kiosk, counter,
hurry, hurry, wait, wait tired,
will sleep on the plane
unless you are like the women next to me
scared speechless finally coming to life
with a smile on her face
as the wheels touched down on the runway.
Suffering the seats that were not
designed for human beings.
Taking off shoes jackets and jewelry
so the buzzers and beepers are quiet
as you pass through security.
Getting wanded because you are
partially made of metal.
Going to the gate
waiting for your boarding number.
Finding just any seat
or the seat you are assigned.
Stowing your carry on items
above and below
inside the long narrow metal tube.
Does everyone have their seatbelts hooked?
Did you watch the stewartess as she
showed you the safety procedures?
Did you know this is a no smoking flight?
If you dislodge the smoke detector in the restroom
they will throw you out!
If we have to evacuate in the water
your seat cushion or life jacket
will be there for you.
Good luck!
But the two front doors
will not be opened,
so don't go the wrong way!
The way is lighted in the plane
if we have to make an emergency evacuation.
You think about how long it took
for everyone to board the flight
and wonder how long it would take
in an emergency to get out?
Coke, coffee, maybe a snack or
a pillow and a blanket?
It'cold on the plane.
The pilots voice comes through the speakers
welcoming you aboard and telling
you Chicago is busy.
We will be delayed for 15 minutes.
He tells you what the weather is there
and that you will be flying at 35,000 feet
Then he comes back again telling
the stewardesses
"To Prepare For Take Off."
sit back and enjoy the flight.
You went on line and printed
your boarding passes the day
before your plane departed.
Get your points for every mile.
Five am and the airport terminal is buzzing
passengers busy checking in
to fly a goodby to stuff
and hello to a change.
Anticipating business or vacation
at their final destination.
Curb check, kiosk, counter,
hurry, hurry, wait, wait tired,
will sleep on the plane
unless you are like the women next to me
scared speechless finally coming to life
with a smile on her face
as the wheels touched down on the runway.
Suffering the seats that were not
designed for human beings.
Taking off shoes jackets and jewelry
so the buzzers and beepers are quiet
as you pass through security.
Getting wanded because you are
partially made of metal.
Going to the gate
waiting for your boarding number.
Finding just any seat
or the seat you are assigned.
Stowing your carry on items
above and below
inside the long narrow metal tube.
Does everyone have their seatbelts hooked?
Did you watch the stewartess as she
showed you the safety procedures?
Did you know this is a no smoking flight?
If you dislodge the smoke detector in the restroom
they will throw you out!
If we have to evacuate in the water
your seat cushion or life jacket
will be there for you.
Good luck!
But the two front doors
will not be opened,
so don't go the wrong way!
The way is lighted in the plane
if we have to make an emergency evacuation.
You think about how long it took
for everyone to board the flight
and wonder how long it would take
in an emergency to get out?
Coke, coffee, maybe a snack or
a pillow and a blanket?
It'cold on the plane.
The pilots voice comes through the speakers
welcoming you aboard and telling
you Chicago is busy.
We will be delayed for 15 minutes.
He tells you what the weather is there
and that you will be flying at 35,000 feet
Then he comes back again telling
the stewardesses
"To Prepare For Take Off."
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Hallelujah Hallelujah. Hallelujah"
Hallelujah, the rains have come to the Texas Hill Country and cooled our 100 degree air and is watering the hot dry countryside. Gypsy and I got up early to the sound of thunder. At first we didn't know what is was, the sound had not found our ears for weeks. Espresso in hand, we headed for the cabin porch. We sat on the porch in the dark with our small lantern burning and watched the lightening and listened to the thunder. We soon found out it was heading our way. The rain drops felt good as they sprinkled us when the wind ahead of the storm blew them against our skin. Hallelujah, it was going to really rain!
First thing I did was rush out and take my Prius (car) out of the garage so the rain would wash it off. I grabed my car washing bucket from the garage, and headed back in the cabin. Now, it was beginning to rain pretty hard Yea! I filled the bucket with hot soapy water and ran in the rain out to my now wet car. Quickly I washed it with the hot soapy water. Then I got in it and drove it around so the rain would hit all of it. Then I drove it back into the garage. With two towels I dried it best I could and wiped out the inside. Good deal, didn't have to waste any well water washing my car, a complimentary wash. Gypsy spent this time in the cabin on her navy blue leather sofa. She is alittle nervous with the lightening and thunder. She told me she would help me wash the car, but this damp weather makes her bad leg really hurt! She would not make up an excuse just to get out of work!
As I was running in and out of the cabin, I noticed several toads had come out of the two white, plastic pipes that run under the stone walk in front of the cabin that runs from the porch to the driveway. I had never seen so many at once. I took a closer look and saw that it was a toad family. The rain drops had sent their soft message telling them of the arrival of the long awaited rain. They were just sitting near the pipes letting the rain drops wash them off. They were happy toads. We were all happy. The rain had brought us these remarkable creatures and we are grateful. Many woods critters will be out enjoying the rain. I wish we could see them all. We hope it rains all day and all night and maybe some tomorrow. We will take all we can get. This event may call for another espresso to celebrate. What a joy to sit on the porch in the rain with Gypsy. She will get an extra biscuit. Getting wet in the rain washing the car or doing anything else is fun. When I was a child, if there was no lightening, I would go outside in the rain and walk through the puddles and follow the little rivers that formed where the cement curb blended to the cement street. There were always fishworms doing the same thing. I could always pretend I had one in my hand and go in the house and scare my sister Nedra. She was really easy. Just a clenched fist sent her screaming to mother, who gave me one of her, stop it looks. A toad would have probably put her over the edge. I should have thought of that.
The day is dark, Gypsy is sleeping and I will continue to observe the rainy day and all it might bring. This is the day we have waited for, now we are going to enjoy it. Hallelujah!
"My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends-
It gives a lovely light!"
Edna St. Vincent Millay
First thing I did was rush out and take my Prius (car) out of the garage so the rain would wash it off. I grabed my car washing bucket from the garage, and headed back in the cabin. Now, it was beginning to rain pretty hard Yea! I filled the bucket with hot soapy water and ran in the rain out to my now wet car. Quickly I washed it with the hot soapy water. Then I got in it and drove it around so the rain would hit all of it. Then I drove it back into the garage. With two towels I dried it best I could and wiped out the inside. Good deal, didn't have to waste any well water washing my car, a complimentary wash. Gypsy spent this time in the cabin on her navy blue leather sofa. She is alittle nervous with the lightening and thunder. She told me she would help me wash the car, but this damp weather makes her bad leg really hurt! She would not make up an excuse just to get out of work!
As I was running in and out of the cabin, I noticed several toads had come out of the two white, plastic pipes that run under the stone walk in front of the cabin that runs from the porch to the driveway. I had never seen so many at once. I took a closer look and saw that it was a toad family. The rain drops had sent their soft message telling them of the arrival of the long awaited rain. They were just sitting near the pipes letting the rain drops wash them off. They were happy toads. We were all happy. The rain had brought us these remarkable creatures and we are grateful. Many woods critters will be out enjoying the rain. I wish we could see them all. We hope it rains all day and all night and maybe some tomorrow. We will take all we can get. This event may call for another espresso to celebrate. What a joy to sit on the porch in the rain with Gypsy. She will get an extra biscuit. Getting wet in the rain washing the car or doing anything else is fun. When I was a child, if there was no lightening, I would go outside in the rain and walk through the puddles and follow the little rivers that formed where the cement curb blended to the cement street. There were always fishworms doing the same thing. I could always pretend I had one in my hand and go in the house and scare my sister Nedra. She was really easy. Just a clenched fist sent her screaming to mother, who gave me one of her, stop it looks. A toad would have probably put her over the edge. I should have thought of that.
The day is dark, Gypsy is sleeping and I will continue to observe the rainy day and all it might bring. This is the day we have waited for, now we are going to enjoy it. Hallelujah!
"My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends-
It gives a lovely light!"
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Sunday, August 10, 2008
"Horton Hears a Who"
Faith heals the latch
Heaven is sublime
Cookies come in batches
Life comes in time
Look through the heart
Jesus is best
Free and easy start
Peace, love and rest
Searching endlessly
Wondering why
Life is a mess
This till I die?
Give Jesus a try
He won't let you down
Enter His Word
Put on His Crown
Prayers never die
The Promise the same
His love is no lie
For us He came!
Look not to the world
Easily lost
Its baton twirled
Too high the cost
To sit right
In the saddle
Keep Jesus in sight
Let the Devil skedaddle
Follow His plan
Put the trash
In the can
Protect the stash
The sweaters been knit
Unraveled some
Joy mends the fit
With Him the one
Faith falling free
Lands the lost
Can you see?
Jesus the cost
Don't flounder longer
Stand and be heard
Faith to be stronger
Success in His Word
He believes in you
No matter what you do
You remember Horton
He heard a Who!
Heaven is sublime
Cookies come in batches
Life comes in time
Look through the heart
Jesus is best
Free and easy start
Peace, love and rest
Searching endlessly
Wondering why
Life is a mess
This till I die?
Give Jesus a try
He won't let you down
Enter His Word
Put on His Crown
Prayers never die
The Promise the same
His love is no lie
For us He came!
Look not to the world
Easily lost
Its baton twirled
Too high the cost
To sit right
In the saddle
Keep Jesus in sight
Let the Devil skedaddle
Follow His plan
Put the trash
In the can
Protect the stash
The sweaters been knit
Unraveled some
Joy mends the fit
With Him the one
Faith falling free
Lands the lost
Can you see?
Jesus the cost
Don't flounder longer
Stand and be heard
Faith to be stronger
Success in His Word
He believes in you
No matter what you do
You remember Horton
He heard a Who!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
"Three Black-capped Chickadees"
Three Black-Capped Chickadees swooped down and landed in my Roy Estes Hibiscus next to my new bird bath in the Angel Patch in Gypsys fenced in area. They were interested in something in the leaves of the hibiscus. Then one by one they made a move towards my new bird bath, but were not interested? By now you are asking " Why does she have a new bird bath?" Well, as things never remain the same from day to day here at the cabin, I will tell you. Recently the raccoons have been visiting us around one or two in the morning. They enter Gypsys fenced area by climbing up the logs near my bedroom window. This is why I know the time of their arrival. I hear the scratchy sound of their little feet on the logs as they transgress into Gypsys area containing the new birdbath and hibiscus. They ravage everything in their path. They had knocked my old bird bath over several times trying to get to an ear of corn nailed on a tree nearby. They probably wanted a drink as well as our drouth is still in progress. While at Home Depot yesterday I ask if they had any bird baths. They did not, so I started to create one from the stuff they had. I found a stand with small round iron legs with holes at the bottom of the legs. It had a plastic plate attached on the top that would hold a bowl. I then found a beautiful pottery bowl. I was sure the birds would like it. I got three 8 inch nails to go in the holes at the base of the legs to pound it securely into the ground. Who is smarter me or the coons? They were not going to knock this bird bath over. I pounded the nails through the holes in the three legs of the base and filled the beautiful pottery bowl with fresh well water. I was sure the birds would like it, and just for good measure put a large rock in the bowl. When I went to bed I said a prayer that this creation would still be functioning in the morning. It was. I watch this area from my perch on the porch as I drink my morning espresso. Well, back to the three Black-Capped Chickadees. They were in the hibiscus and one by one made a sweep towards the new bird bath. They looked it over with mild interest and moved on! I thought the rock in addition to making it heavy against the coons might provide them with a bathing area, but maybe it was scaring them. Perhaps the reflection off the water in the bowl or the bowl was not to their liking? What was wrong? I decided I was going to drink espresso until one landed and atleast got a drink. They just kept swooping down close to it, but not landing on it. Do I just need to be patient? Gypsy snifted it over and gave me her nod of approval. What to do? I will return to my perch tomorrow morning at dawns early light. I can't afford to wait until sun up, I might miss a landing. I must stop obsessingly looking out the window to see if there is a bird on my new bird bath. It's time for breakfast so I will cook a couple nitrate free hot dogs and cover them with sweet pickle relish, raw sweet onions and mustard and catsup. They will be held by a piece of English Toasting Bread. Then, I will finish up with strawberry shortcake mounded several inches high with extra creamy whipping cream. I am sure when I am finished eating I will feel better about my bird bath disappointment. I'm living alone and I like it. Oops, there is Gypsy, who licks our disappointment plates clean.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
"They Loved Us"
My parents weren't huggers and kissers,
and rarely if ever, said,"I love you,"
so I learned early on to look beyond
words to know if I was loved.
When I was two or three
and was sick with asthma and
my dad would hold me on his lap for hours
on the old rocking chair
pulled half way over the register
in the livingroom
throwing out heat from the huge coal furnace
in the basement, without words
he was telling me he loved me.
Mother made us clothes from old suits
she bought at the second hand store.
She could not afford to buy new material.
My two older sisters and I were
beautifully dressed. She loved us!
White pique collars, and anchor buttons
adorned the navy blue wool coats we wore.
Our beige cotton thigh high socks
were held in place by garter belts.
We all three vasolined
our black patten leather shoes
after Sunday school and church,
and put them away
in preparation for next Sunday.
However, I think my father
and the three of us
nearly drove her crazy.
She had what they called then
a nervous breakdown.
Eileen, a family friend
came to take care of us kids.
I remember peeking into
the upstairs bedroom where she rested
and wondering if she was going
to get better. I loved her!
After a few weeks she was back
cooking the best fried chicken,
chicken and biscuits and apple pie
in the world. I can still taste it.
She canned all the fresh vegetables
from dads garden. They loved us!
I was my dads Tomboy,
so I was chosen to keep him awake
during church.
Someone figured because
I went hunting and fishing with him
he would not get mad at me.
They were right. He loved me!
There was a war going on
but somehow my dad found
two new Schwinn bicycles.
They were navy blue and red,
the most beautiful bikes
I had ever seen. He loved us!
There was a war on.
My dad walked to work because
gas was rationed and expensive.
My mom fed the five of us
on fifty dollars a week. They loved us!
I found tadpoles in the creek
along the New York Central train tracks
that ran behind the house.
I used them and worms,
I hid in my hands
to scare my sister Nedra.
I loved her!
I watched through the upstairs register
as boyfriends came to see my oldest sister Janice,
and winced if she turned them away
with the candy or other gifts still in their hands.
I loved her!
I wondered if I would ever have a boyfriend.
My sisters told me I was too dirty
and sloppy. They loved me!
We were a family, doing what families do.
Surviving the times whatever they were,
because we had each other.
We walked to and from from school.
The first word out of our mouths
when we got home after school
was "Mom?" She was always there.
They loved us!
and rarely if ever, said,"I love you,"
so I learned early on to look beyond
words to know if I was loved.
When I was two or three
and was sick with asthma and
my dad would hold me on his lap for hours
on the old rocking chair
pulled half way over the register
in the livingroom
throwing out heat from the huge coal furnace
in the basement, without words
he was telling me he loved me.
Mother made us clothes from old suits
she bought at the second hand store.
She could not afford to buy new material.
My two older sisters and I were
beautifully dressed. She loved us!
White pique collars, and anchor buttons
adorned the navy blue wool coats we wore.
Our beige cotton thigh high socks
were held in place by garter belts.
We all three vasolined
our black patten leather shoes
after Sunday school and church,
and put them away
in preparation for next Sunday.
However, I think my father
and the three of us
nearly drove her crazy.
She had what they called then
a nervous breakdown.
Eileen, a family friend
came to take care of us kids.
I remember peeking into
the upstairs bedroom where she rested
and wondering if she was going
to get better. I loved her!
After a few weeks she was back
cooking the best fried chicken,
chicken and biscuits and apple pie
in the world. I can still taste it.
She canned all the fresh vegetables
from dads garden. They loved us!
I was my dads Tomboy,
so I was chosen to keep him awake
during church.
Someone figured because
I went hunting and fishing with him
he would not get mad at me.
They were right. He loved me!
There was a war going on
but somehow my dad found
two new Schwinn bicycles.
They were navy blue and red,
the most beautiful bikes
I had ever seen. He loved us!
There was a war on.
My dad walked to work because
gas was rationed and expensive.
My mom fed the five of us
on fifty dollars a week. They loved us!
I found tadpoles in the creek
along the New York Central train tracks
that ran behind the house.
I used them and worms,
I hid in my hands
to scare my sister Nedra.
I loved her!
I watched through the upstairs register
as boyfriends came to see my oldest sister Janice,
and winced if she turned them away
with the candy or other gifts still in their hands.
I loved her!
I wondered if I would ever have a boyfriend.
My sisters told me I was too dirty
and sloppy. They loved me!
We were a family, doing what families do.
Surviving the times whatever they were,
because we had each other.
We walked to and from from school.
The first word out of our mouths
when we got home after school
was "Mom?" She was always there.
They loved us!
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