Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

October 6, 2006

Today’s announcements

Today is my mother’s birthday, Anne Bezeau, is 70 years young.  Sorry folks she doesn’t have a computer.

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Lies

Sheri Solomon

I have been thinking for a long time

about 'living a lie'.

It started back when Lori Hacking went missing..

and then we found out that her husband, Mark, had killed her.

I thought about how one person spins lies, and then has to walk their web ...the web of their own construction....  in order to live..

We know, from stories, books and articles, that Mark was good at telling stories.  That he told tall tales that others would believe.  He was released early from his mission with the LDS church.. he told different stories/lies as to why and what happened...

Then building upon more lies,

Faking attending school -- to the point of doing homework assignments, and having his mother-in-law correct them.

Telling family and friends that he had graduated from college...

and then applying at medical schools all over the United States...

Even going on interviews .. or at least telling family he was.

Saying he was accepted -- renting a place, getting a moving van, family planning on helping him move, and continue his education.

The lies built and built.  He must have had to remember all of them... The more he told, I wonder if he began to believe his own lies...

Until.

Until.... Lori, questioning about medical benefits, (because she recently found out she was expecting), called the University to find out only that her beloved husband had never even been accepted.

Then the web began to unravel

for Mark

for Lori

for all the family....

Why did Mark react the way he did?
Did he fear facing his family with being, in what he thought, was a failure.. His father a doctor, one brother too, the other successful in his field.  And Mark...

walking the web of his lies..

Sometimes lies are told at the beginning... stretching the truth... making a hard situation easier...

Sometimes we are told to tell lies.. to protect..

Sometimes we choose to tell lies ... to protect..

Sometimes we tell lies out of fear

once the web, lie upon lie has been constructed...

the fine dance one must do....

one must carefully maneuver, must always remember..

to the point of believing

no winners....

in the sticky web

Sheri Solomon

email.sheri@verizon.net

BIRTHDAYS

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

I celebrated my 40th birthday recently, and it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. In fact, it was a beautiful day full of laughter and happiness. The gifts, cards, and calls I received from everyone brought me so much joy. The birthday hugs and warm wishes gave me so much delight. The cake and ice cream made my stomach very happy and eating it with my loving family made my heart even happier. It was so wonderful feeling all that warmth, love, and caring. It made me thank God again for all the beautiful souls who have blessed my life.

I wasn't bothered by any of the getting old jokes either. I joined right in with them and laughed at the silliness of it all. I have never been afraid of being middle-aged or growing older. Having thinning hair just means there is less I have to comb in the morning. The grey ones tend to sparkle in the sunshine better as well. I have always loved my wrinkles too. They are the living proof of a million smiles. And while my body may have the wear and tear of half a lifetime on it, the soul that it is carrying around is as young as ever. It is ageless and eternal, and I am doing my best to always live from its wisdom, love, joy, and light.

None of us knows how many birthdays we are going to have left in this world. I think then that we should all make everyday here our birthday. We should rise with a smile on our face and a "Good morning God" on our lips. We should spend our days giving out hugs, spreading laughter, and enjoying all the wonderful things we have been blessed with in this world. We should spend our time sharing kind words, doing loving acts, and thinking joyous thoughts. We should stop rushing around, sit down, and enjoy some cake and ice cream with those we love. Then on our first birthday in the next life we can smile as the angels sing, "Happy Birthday" and look back on our time here with happy memories and a joyous soul.

 Joe Mazzella

 joecool@wirefire.com

~**~**~

Devil at Work

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

For those that don't believe there is a God, we just seen there is something called a devil.  That is the one who cause all the troubles of this world. The case of the man who was upset with life, and walks into the Amish one room school to take his hate out on young girls.  Satan at work.

This fella Satan, is in his last days, he and his gang of fallen angels.  He needs company in hell, there fore he and his gang is working night and day.

Now many people is saying where was God?  Well same place he was when his Son went to the cross and paid the price.  It is wrote in the Bible things that does and will happen. Satan is going to cause lots of troubles.  Always has and always will right up to the time he and his gang is thrown into the lake of fire.

Now if you will read the Bible, you will find that God kicked this fellow Satan and his gang out of Heaven. There was only one place for them,,  Earth. These has been almost free to do what ever.  These people like this fella that walked into that school is of the devil.  He and many others through history, blames God for all their problems.  These do not read, and if they read, have no clue what they read.

This fool, and that is all one can make out of him and his kind, became a hater of God. God caused all his troubles to hear his sob story.  He never looked at things like others that is God Fearing people. His claim is God allowed a child of his to die. There fore he has a right to take other peoples children and kill them.  He marched into a small school to do Satan bidding. In a few minutes he wrecked many peoples lives. All because of his twisted mind.  Now some is going to say his mind snapped. Please this man and ones like him, the mind never snapped.  It is the work of the devil, and the fact the one doing this has never learned a few things.  God does give, and God does take away.  Read the Book of Job in the Bible.

Now look at the way the Amish is handling what happened. These good people, their children murdered, their children some fighting for life,  their children scared with  horrible memories for the rest of their lives.  These people is not upset with God.  Instead they are praying to God, giving thanks for the blessing some escaped. Thanking God that those that died is in Heaven, in a far better place.  And if it be God's will the ones in the hospitals will recover, if not, it is in this case God's will. Is there hate for God?  No these people understand what God has said.

All evil is the works of the devil and his gang.  He must have looked around, seen these good people, and sent this fool into this school to cause this.  Now think.  The devil had this one who cursed the living God, there is an outside chance by getting him to go to this school, he might turn some of the Amish against God, giving him new grounds to work. I think not in this case.  The Amish is God fearing people.

Like one man of the  Amish ways  said.  We cry when a child is born, sad tears. We cry when a child dies.  Happy tears, the child is in Heaven with God.

This fool  that did the works of the devil never heard those words, or thought that way when his child died.. Instead he blamed God. 

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Led Astray

Mary Dees

Was he just afraid or overwhelmed?

That backed him far away?

Was it the night that shaded the light,

And then led him astray?

Was it the dread or it’s company,

That slept in for awhile?

Was it the last of time to pass?

That pulled away his smile?

Was it the shame that fed his game,

And turned his tricks to trash?

Was it his sake that made him break,

And made his memory crash?

By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

~**~**~

~Lingering~

Mary Dees 

Shadows dawning in reverse from the day,

Awaiting the chant of the moon’s hallowed ray.

Setting in slowly from beneath,

The night has become my enchanted thief.

Now rising calmly from what the distance distills.

Sending rhythms and spasms of an unbridled chill.

Loosely it gripped me but then it released.

Replenishing my courage, restoring my belief.

Waiting there beyond my own mind,

Leaving more of the less, I never wanted to find.

Memories gather and pay tribute here,

Fueling my emotions, neutralizing my fear.

Blissfulness, Sorrow...I exchange the two,

As I lay them among these faces I drew.

Each not so forgotten as I wish that they could be,

Here they lay rotten, in my distant memory.

By Mary M. Dees

 marlena7694@yahoo.com

~**~**~

~My Friends From Long Ago~

Mary Dees

Distant eyes they see me,

Through someone’s stolen glance.

They wrap me up with mystery,

And teach my fear to dance.

Someone’s kept emotion,

Feeds their need to know.

Is it me, they really see,

When their silence drifts below?

And why would they admit it,

 When they were a friend of mine?

Did I forget to mention,

That they stained my hands of time?

Do I seem that much different?

Should I try to say hello?

Although back then, I was just a little girl,

They didn't really know.

Painting each other with flattery,

I hear their whispers through the crowd.

Judge me not, my old, old friends,

Because I'm the happy one now.

By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

~**~**~

~Her Unfinished Symphony~

Mary Dees

Her violin...it echoes

Resounding through the trees.

I hear it in her forest,

Serenading the falling leaves.

The tune is so compelling,

That I have to sit a while.

In remembrance of yesterday,

I offer her a smile.

Her spirit reaches out to me,

Tiptoeing on the blades of grass.

Trickling down like dew drops,

Her pain has come to pass.

What a perfect gesture, I think;

That only I can hear her tune.

Soaring by the fireflies,

Beneath this friendly Autumn moon.

Touching living things,

She will forever be a part.

Of the unfinished beating,

In the symphony of my heart.

By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

Readers Feedback

100 Things to Know About me – Carol Roach - Excellent Carol,

 # 6 sounds just like what I have been through only it was my Father who shown me incompetence.

 What a great idea for you to write this. It gives Storytime's newcomers a chance to better know its founder.
Mary M. Dees

Carol - Carol,

You are such a diverse person who has lived such an interesting life.  You have come out of your traumas very well -- you produce such a great newsletter.  I am impressed with the fact you were able to come up with 100 details of your life -- I am not sure I would be able to produce such a vast list.

Your friend,

David Fox

Storytime Tapestry subscriber

100 Things to Know About me – Carol Roach I have one word to say: HUG! Mike

Dianna: very powerful story. I never thought the AMISH will be target. Those people that have lived their life in their own little world and harmed no one has been targeted... This is very sad but it is a proof of the days we are living.

We must take our FAITH and share it with as many as we can. THE YOUTH WILL CARRY THE CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!! Amen Tannia Ortiz-Lopes

Pacemakers by Birdie Jaworski: I guess it was the best birth day present he deserved.  No birthday gift than this would have remained in his memory that long.  Sometimes the unusual pays better than the constant.  If he had eaten all the burgers and drank all the Cokers, it would had been the usual thing to do on a birthday.  A beautiful story to read.  Cheers, GEORGEWATERS OJEIGBE, LAGOS, NIGERIA – gojiegbe@oregun.jhplc.com

Ref  Pacemakers by Birdie Jaworski.  I loved it!  My God ----  what mothers will go through to connect with their children.               Louise

Gosh, thanks so much Carol, for passing this along. I've been taking 
care of my Dad now that he's finally home from his heart surgery, and 
this just brightened my day! You're the best!!

xo,
Birdie

Ref Trouble with Trebles by Mike Firesmith.  Great story!  My daughter took up the sport of fly fishing in the wilds of Alaska.  She promptly hooked her lip and is still embarrassed when she remembers the laughter in the emergency room which was many miles away.                  Louise

Ref East meets West. Haridwar--- Beautiful,  Thank you Gautami Tripathy            Louise

Carol: a hard copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin will be hard to find but not impossible. I could look into when I go to the Frankfurt Book Fair. There they will have a section of Antiques Books and perhaps there I could get some info for Mark.  But no promises, ok? Tannia Ortiz-Lopes

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Costner, Joan Clifton; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Dees, Mary; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;  Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Grisham, Mary-Ellen; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Meeks, Carol; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Smith; Michael; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator