The kind of morning
When silver moon
Has worked
A double shift
Is hanging around
Round in the western sky
Before clocking out
The kind of morning
When blinding sun arrives
Round in the eastern sky
Right on time
Carrying a box of crayons
Ready for the opening bell
They look straight across
Their shared work
Tip their hats
Wave and smile
As old friends do
Then quite unexpectedly
Cloud chimes in
Offering a rainbow
While the stars
Silently applaud
It is that kind of morning
Where poets realizing their lack
Should put down quills
Fall to knees
But alas
Are compelled to
Scratch weak words
On the canvas
Wise enough
Not to ask for
Or expect forgiveness
We know what we do
We hope for tolerance
The grace of
An unpublished review
Christie 2-19-2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I am a grandma in training
As far as I know, my daughter and son in law are not expecting. That fact does not keep me from getting in shape. My progress is slow but steady in Weight Watchers. I also continue to exercise and walk daily. Grandchildren or not, I need to get in shape.
Last week, I found a Thomas the Train stuck in my sofa cushion. The toy was leftover from the Sunday School fellowship. I smiled... what a sweet reminder of the fellowship. I know that grandchildren must leave little trinkets when they visit. So, I am getting in shape physically and mentally. For now, I must train.
Last week, I found a Thomas the Train stuck in my sofa cushion. The toy was leftover from the Sunday School fellowship. I smiled... what a sweet reminder of the fellowship. I know that grandchildren must leave little trinkets when they visit. So, I am getting in shape physically and mentally. For now, I must train.
Monday, February 14, 2011
valentine
the first time
you told me
you love me
we were walking
on a street in
park place
on our way downtown
to frisch's for a
big boy and onion rings
young
19 maybe 20
just kids in college
both trembling
with new passions
on the edge of
commitment
fears of rejection
fears of acceptance
wrapped around us
like heavy yet warm
hand knitted shawls
from grandmothers' needles
we walked on
toward the bridge
that would take us
beyond life
as we had known it
to strange new worlds
wrapped in each other’s arms
you turned slightly to me
holding my hand
still not making contact
with your eyes
and said
ich liebe dich
speaking german
you learned at
niagara falls high
perhaps hoping in part
i would not understand
but dagmar had shared
dark rye bread and cheese
with me during lunch at
huntsville high and I had
a telefunken 33 rpm
with a rousing rendition of
the beer barrel polka
rosamunde a barrel of fun
not lost in translation
i knew in a heartbeat
you love me
early years in
pennsylvania dutch land
hex signs shoo fly pie
spaetzle german potato salad
bundle of joy
bird in hand
ich liebe dich
almost a life time later
cherished friends
the royal princess
the kiel canal
beautiful deutschland
german people
waving welcome to strangers
the band plays on
rosamunde having a barrel of fun
number one on the hit parade
fairy tale come true
ich liebe dich
prophetic language
hoped dreamed
understood received
committed lived
ich liebe dich auch
immer
christie for stan
happy valentine's day, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Friends and Politics
According to Cicero, "There are no true friends in politics." It is something to consider. My friendships are not based on party affiliation. As a result of my personal interests, my friendships tend to be varied. At my core, my faith, not politics shape of my life. My faith propels and defines me.
I don't like cookie cutter friendships. Why associate only with individuals who look like you, think like you, and vote the same way? I admit, my deepest friendships are with individuals who are Christians. I guess I broken two rules, never discuss religion and politics with friends. In the safe haven of my family, we often have political discussion. We don't have to agree on everything. I wonder, how do others families navigate the issues of families and politics?
Family, politics, and religion are skillfully weaved together in a poem written by Christie Smith Stephens. In her book of poetry, Oh, to be in Miss Collier's class again! Christie wrote a poem about politics, Yeller Dog Democrat.
What prompted this post? Lunch with a friend, who is pondering a run for a local office in the future. Intelligent, poised, and thoughtful, my friend will be an excellent public servant.
Politics will not interrupt my friendships.
.
I don't like cookie cutter friendships. Why associate only with individuals who look like you, think like you, and vote the same way? I admit, my deepest friendships are with individuals who are Christians. I guess I broken two rules, never discuss religion and politics with friends. In the safe haven of my family, we often have political discussion. We don't have to agree on everything. I wonder, how do others families navigate the issues of families and politics?
Family, politics, and religion are skillfully weaved together in a poem written by Christie Smith Stephens. In her book of poetry, Oh, to be in Miss Collier's class again! Christie wrote a poem about politics, Yeller Dog Democrat.
What prompted this post? Lunch with a friend, who is pondering a run for a local office in the future. Intelligent, poised, and thoughtful, my friend will be an excellent public servant.
Politics will not interrupt my friendships.
.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Candle for a Friend
Lighting a candle
This morning
This cold February Monday
For she who has had
Much to bear
And who has borne it
With great love
Amazing grace
Light for the path
Of she who has
Labored tirelessly
And tired
Through long nights
Persevered determined
And creative
Through the busy days
Of many years
Lighting a candle
For she
Whose arms
Whose heart
Have carried him
From womb
To this winter day
Never too heavy
For her large love
But now too heavy
For her small arms
She still seeks
Only the best
For this child of
Her body her flesh
Her bone her blood
This child of her
Very soul
Lighting a
Mourning/Morning candle
For her firstborn
For her second and third born
For her beloved
For her mother heart
As the beautiful hymn sings
Grant her courage
Grant her wisdom
For the living of this hour. . .
And grant them all peace,
I pray.
Amen
This morning
This cold February Monday
For she who has had
Much to bear
And who has borne it
With great love
Amazing grace
Light for the path
Of she who has
Labored tirelessly
And tired
Through long nights
Persevered determined
And creative
Through the busy days
Of many years
Lighting a candle
For she
Whose arms
Whose heart
Have carried him
From womb
To this winter day
Never too heavy
For her large love
But now too heavy
For her small arms
She still seeks
Only the best
For this child of
Her body her flesh
Her bone her blood
This child of her
Very soul
Lighting a
Mourning/Morning candle
For her firstborn
For her second and third born
For her beloved
For her mother heart
As the beautiful hymn sings
Grant her courage
Grant her wisdom
For the living of this hour. . .
And grant them all peace,
I pray.
Amen
Friday, February 4, 2011
GoD and DoG
I am out of turn posting today, but I wanted to share this with you all. I know we have some dog lovers in our group and thought you all would enjoy this.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY
I tried to upload the video and it failed. The url above will take you to the video. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
2011 Handbook
Hello dear friends! I have not blogged for some time. Writers block...various other things. I hope that if you are in an area that has been hit hard by difficult weather that you are all safe and warm. We had quite an ice storm, followed by snow, winds, tomorrow plummeting temperatures. But the groundhog promises an early Spring. I will certainly be ready for it.
Here are some good tips for 2011 that I wanted to share with you.
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Please share this with those you care about, I just did.
Here are some good tips for 2011 that I wanted to share with you.
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Please share this with those you care about, I just did.
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