Time to Say Goodbye

I am sad today to say goodbye to Carry on Tuesday, so, instead, I'll just say so long. That implies that we'll meet again around the blog-o-sphere. Thanks, Keith, for all the work you've faithfully put into your blog and for all the wonderful writing prompts. You've never failed to make me smile. God bless!

 

 

This really is time to say goodbye.

I promise not to plead or ask why.

I’ll miss your words and witty phrases,

But understand life has its phases.

 

As we move on in our separate spheres,

Keep in touch and writing through the years.

I’ve enjoyed your work; it’s made me smile.

I hope you, too, liked my simple style.

 

I’ve come to think of you as my friend,

Now Carry on Tuesday’s at an end.

It makes me so sad to say so long,

But I trust your decision’s not wrong.

 

A Few Favorites

Cumulus clouds in a sky of deep blue,

a velvety plush carpet of green grass,

the laughter of children makes the list, too

and on a hot day, iced tea in a glass.

Reading a book in my old much loved chair,

hiking on trails in the cool morning mist,

or sitting by a stream without a care,

all of this and more I cannot resist.

The sound of songbirds at the break of dawn,

the lighthouse that stands guard atop a granite hill,

the roar of the waves after an ocean storm,

then combing the beach for treasures is a thrill.

Listening to music when it is good

and dancing along when I am alone,

living, loving and doing what I should

and making my house into a cozy home,

all of this and more will make my heart sing,

for they’re a few of my favorite things.

 

Vive la Difference

You say you don’t like my opinions,

well, I am not enamored with yours,

that shouldn’t make us sworn enemies.

We must learn to peer through other doors.

 

If you’d try to look within my heart,

you’d see I have the best intentions

and maybe if I’d open your heart’s door,

I’d see a cry for intervention.

 

Perhaps, we will never find common ground,

yet I believe in taking that chance.

What’s the worst that can happen by this?

 We’d just say, “Vive la difference.”

 

Dandelion Wishes

 

 

 

 

The storm clouded sky is leaden and dark,

but the best is yet to come,

for the lighthouse ignites a magic spark

that will shine his ship’s way home.

 

My love is out on the raging sea

and I am here sad and alone,

but dandelion wishes blown by me

to the wild winds will be sown.

 

Those wishes can’t help but come to pass

for dandelions are honest.

My love I’ll hold in my arms at last

and kiss his lips in earnest.

 

The beacon will draw the ship like a moth.

Winds will die down to a gasp.

All my fretting will fade and be lost

like a phantom from the past.

 

Thank God for the lighthouse standing strong

and for the dandelions so fair.

With wishes, he’ll be here before long.

I’ll have no need for despair.

 

 

 

 

The Treasured Friend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Few friends will stick with you come what may.

They fly off like birds; they will not stay.

They promise a lot, but it’s just talk.

When the going gets too tough, off they walk,

so choose friends with care and scrutiny

and don’t plan to be pals for eternity

because times change and you do, too.

Figure this out and you won’t be blue.

Learn how to glide through life’s ebb and flow.

Discard those who hinder as you go,

but keep the friends who help make you strong

and know that some of them won’t be there long.

If you find one true friend for the long haul,

you’ve found a treasure that’s above all.

The Fairy House

“Come with me,” I said to my little granddaughter.

She held out her tiny hand and off we went for the beach in front of my house.

 She asked, “What we gonna do?”

“This is the day that we’re going to make that fairy house we’ve been talking about. Since summer is coming soon, we’ll make a beach house. Then later on, when fall gets closer, we’ll make another one in the woods. What do you think of that?”

“That’s awesome, Ammie,” she said as she looked up at me with a big smile on her face and her little blond ponytails slightly askew.

This small dynamo isn’t always easy to keep entertained, but I could tell from the eager expression on her face that this was going to keep her busy for quite a while and would stir her two and a half year old imagination. We made our way across the lawn and down onto the pebble beach where I explained to her the strict rules of fairy house construction.

Rule #1. We must use materials that are natural.

Rule #2. No plastic, paper, etc.

Rule #3. Since it is a beach house, we must adhere to a beach theme.

Rule#4. It must be fairy friendly and also have something to attract their attention.

Rule #5. This is the most important rule. We must by all means have fun.

We began the difficult work of choosing our site and decided on a spot that was perfect and very close to her beach playhouse. Then we started gathering our materials. We found shells, driftwood, seaweed, a rather bedraggled looking seagull feather, some spruce cones that were on the beach, and a piece of lovely green sea glass.

She worked like a trooper on the project and when I thought we were finished, she declared, “Me think this house needs steps so the fairies can get in there.”

“That makes perfect sense to me,” I replied.

So we found some flat rocks and made steps going up to the entrance. She said, “That look good. We done now.” As a two and half year old, a lot of what she says sounds like Tonto.

“Not quite,” I reminded, “We need something to attract their attention. Let’s stick the gull feather right there where they’ll be sure to notice.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

With the seagull feather in place, we went back up onto the lawn and got into the hammock to have a ‘hammock meeting’. I told her some of my limited knowledge of fairies and their ways. She listened intently with her blue eyes gleaming taking in every word. I finished by telling her  that the fairies were sure to come and that when they did, they’d appreciate her hard work so much that they would leave some candy behind in the house as a reward. She obviously liked that idea.

After having a small picnic lunch outside, we went for a walk. I walked and she rode in the stroller. She was soon fast asleep and slept for about an hour. When she awoke from her nap, she was thrilled to find out that the fairies did actually visit her fairy house and left behind four peanut M&Ms. She thought it was a magical day with Ammie, but the real magic was in learning to see through the eyes of a child once more.

 

 

 

                                                  She worked diligently on the fairy house.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the completed house. It's 'fairy ready.'

 

 

 

                                                   

The Classics

Once upon a time, that’s how it began.

Young Nelly sighed and slammed the cover shut.

“If I see one more fairytale, I will scream

And there are no ifs, no ands, and no buts.

 

Mother doesn’t know what kids like to read.

I need a good romance novel, that’s what,

One with lots of smut and profanity.

That’s what all my friends like to read a lot.

 

I must have the world’s most backwards mother.

She makes me read the classics and says it’s fine.

She’s a dinosaur who lives in the past,

And insists I read to expand my mind.

 

Well, I guess I should at least take a look,

But that hokey beginning makes me sick.”

Nelly opened the book to the last page.

There it was at the end so trite and slick.

 

They lived happily ever after; “Yuck!

You’ve gotta be kidding; give me a break.

These things are all the same, but life’s not like that,

And these characters are nothing but fakes.

 

All you writers out there listen to me,

Give us kids what we want from here on out.

We want graphic violence, cussing, and sex,

After all, that’s what adults read about.

 

All but my Mom, of course, she’s old-fashioned

Like I said; so I might as well read this.”

Nelly read the whole book that afternoon.

She smiled in spite of herself and laughed in bliss.

 

Then she saw the words she now feared: The End.

She closed the book and set it on the shelf.

“I’ll tell Lucy and Jane about this one.

It was great; I couldn’t believe that elf.

 

Maybe my Mom is smarter than I thought,

And maybe, just maybe she’s right about lots.

I guess I’ll stick to classics and the great stuff,

So I'll grow and learn how to think big thoughts.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could it be Magic?

Something is quite wrong, amiss, and bizarre.

Where are my glasses, my hammer, my car?

Could it be magic or a gremlin attack?

Do I have amnesia, a memory lack?

I find myself searching a lot more these days.

I can’t find paperwork which causes delays.

I placed my favorite mug over there,

And found it’d disappeared into thin air.

There must be some little fairy or sprite,

That moves all my belongings both day and night.

What would happen if I gave up the hunt,

To focus on catching this culprit at once?

How long would it take to apprehend,

One kleptomaniacal elf or his friend?

I think would be a waste of my time,

So I’ll keep looking for what I can’t find.

 

 

 

 

The Show

She wears a smile plastered firmly in place,

With lips stretched so tight it could crack her face.

She is determined; the show must go on.

Her heart isn't it in now that he’s gone.

 

Her sole reason for the show walked away,

But she will still go on and face the day.

The make-up helps to hide the tear rimmed eyes,

And covers up a multitude of lies.

 

She lived this sham and it’s become routine,

For she knew what happened behind the scenes.

No one else ever knew of her sad plight.

The bruises were kept hidden from their sight.

 

She’ll sing a song now and sing it alone,

And pray that her man never returns home.

The show will end to thunderous applause.

She weeps, but only she knows the real cause.

 

Backstage he gives the weak apology.

He admits it’s all his fault; she agrees.

She has heard it before so many times,

As he hands her the roses for his crimes.

 

The show's over; this time she won’t forgive.

It’s not the kind of life she wants to live,

So she throws the red roses in his face,

As security takes him from the place.

 

 

Weary Traveler

A cold rain fell down steadily,

On somber faces around the grave,

Creating a miserable scene.

His body was inside a box,

But his spirit had arisen.

It flew away to a better place,

Where there is no pain, no suffering,

And no more tears, so why do I weep?

Is it for him or for myself?

I am ashamed of these tears,

Because they are selfish ones.

I hated to let him go, but he’s gone.

The veil between us is thin.

Someday I shall pass through,

To the world beyond the curtain,

And we’ll be reunited in glory.

These thoughts brought comfort,

As the rain washed the faces clean,

But not some of the hearts.

They are still blackened,

And will never be cleansed,

Until the message like a seed,

Sprouts and grows within.

The Holy Spirit whispers softly,

In the receptive ears of some saying,

“To those with ears to hear: listen.

There is a place waiting for you.

Make yourself ready; it won’t be long.

You stand looking upon your own future,

For all, even the mighty, will fade and fall,

As a wildflower in the field and die.

They, too, shall become a memory,

An occasional sweet dream in the night,

And a song that wells up inside,

The loved ones left behind,

So decide where to spend eternity.

The next world or heaven is real.

It is more real than this; believe me.

This life is but a breath, a vapor.

It is a mere illusion, smoke and mirrors.

Lay hold of reality, cling to it,

And when your time comes,

You will awake to another day,

One that will never end,

Where you won’t need to wait,

For a brighter tomorrow.

You will hear these words;
 

Welcome home weary traveler."

 

 

 

 

 

No Regrets

time will pass and seasons will come and go,

so bring as much joy as possible to each day.

squeeze every second for all you can get,

for there is no promise of  tomorrow.

we only have right now to live and dream.

all alike are subject to pain and sorrow,

and all are but one heartbeat from eternity,

so live wisely, love in sincerity,

and treat others as you would be treated.

the days and seasons will be richer for it,

and whatever happens you’ll have no regrets.

that is the signature of a life well lived.

at the end of your days you will enter rest,

and the light of God will envelope you.

 

Me, Myself, and I

 I need to be here, there, and everywhere,

And have a workload like a mountain to climb.

There are many things that need tender care,

And so much to do in so little time.

 

Because of this I have made a decision.

I am going someplace to have myself cloned,

By an expert who works with precision.

When I leave there, three of us will go home.

 

Clone One will naturally love to stay here.

Then I will send Clone Two off to go there.

I’ll be free at last to go everywhere,

And get the work I hate out of my hair.

 

It is a sane and simple solution.

I don’t know why haven’t done it before.

There’s no way it could lead to confusion,

Unless I meet myself coming through the door.

 

Closing the Gap

In youth we learn, then think we know it all.

In old age we understand that we don’t.

In youth we’re set up for imminent fall,

Simply because we think we can’t and won’t.

When we’re young we think we will never age,

And that the old ones are foolish and dim.

We never ask advice from an old sage.

Instead we deride and ridicule him.
 

Little do we know that our day will come.

The tables will be turned and we’ll be old.

Young whipper-snappers will drive that point home,

As they mock us with humor harsh and cold.
 

Let’s cross the generational divide;

Come together to glean from each other.

Then our worlds might meld rather than collide,

To create a better earth twice over.

 

 

 

 

  

All You Need is Love?

Some think all you need is love and that’s it.

While love is the best gift life offers us,

Try living on love; see how far you get.

Before long you will start to fight and fuss.

 

With love as the foundation, start to build,

And labor long to construct a strong home.

Then live within your means to have joy fulfilled.

You won’t find yourself quick to yearn to roam.

 

Love is more than an emotional high.

It’s more than lust and romantic dinners, too.

For some day you must come down from the sky,

To see reality staring at you.

 

All you need is love, all you need is love,

At least, that is how the song lyrics go,

But it takes more than songs and talk to prove,

That it’s all you need as you will soon know.

 

A little R-E-S-P-E-C-T,

Added in will make a wonderful life.

Give some respect a try and you will see,

It’ll make a better husband or wife.