Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Nov 15, 2006

Today’s announcements

A dear friend of mine Beth is in need of prayers right now. She is disabled and has had her disability cut by a significant amount.  She is facing eviction if she cannot find some kind of employment that can make up for the difference in her monthly income.  Please pray for her and help this wonderful lady.  If you would like to talk to her her email is: beth@bethferree.com.

Also Beth is trying to get a website up and writing for an online website for disabled individuals.  If there is anyone out there who can offer their time to help her with htlm coding we both would appreciate it.  beth@bethferree.com.

Do not forget to send in your votes for the Halloween Contest – deadline to vote – November 17^th.

^{Remember that all stories and poems were lost because of the computer crash, if you sent me anything in late August, September or October and you haven’t seen it published please send it back again.  Thank you.}

See below for Storytime Angels

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

 Reflecting on the Good Times

Keith Ready

I had arrived at the airport about 30 minutes before the required check in to catch an early flight home. It had been a very busy three days for me on an interstate trip with lots of meetings, business to do and new customers to meet. So I was glad to have the extra time to make my notes on what I needed to action when I got back to my office the following day. Equally, it is always a great feeling when you complete your 'to do' list, as well as the sense of control that comes from getting it out of your head and onto paper, or should I say into the laptop.

Then came the announcement that I am sure all air travellers loath to hear - the flight had been delayed indefinitely due to a technical problem with the plane. As I sat in the departure lounge I could see a group of technicians and ground staff rushing about, obviously endeavouring to fix the problem with the plane. I watched and listened as many of the passengers sitting near me shared their frustration about the inconvenience and why couldn't the airline just wheel out another plane or put us on another flight. A steady stream of passengers lined up at the departure desk only to receive the expected up date from the customer service attendants that they can do very little other than ask us all to be patient and that as soon as they can get us away, they would call the flight. The mobiles phones were working over time throughout the departure lounge as passengers left messages for business associates and loved ones to update them on our predicament.

As I sat waiting for the announcement which would no doubt bring cheers from all of my fellow travellers, I reflected on my last meeting for the day. It was not a business meeting but rather a very enjoyable and all to brief lunch with an old business associate and friend I had not seen for over 12 years, and who I had worked with for nearly 15 years prior to us losing contact. I had been given his contact phone number by a customer I had visited on the first day of my trip, so I called him out of the blue and made a time for us to meet.

Our lunch was spent recalling times gone by and as well filling each other in on what had happened in our lives over the last 12 years. Our conversation was punctuated with statements such as 'remember when we did ….', 'whatever happened to ….' and of course the one we all liked to hear …. 'you know you haven't changed one bit, except for a few more grey hairs.' We both laughed and smiled as we recalled the good times and the great experiences we had shared over the 15 years we had worked together. Each event we discussed triggered another recollection and everything we talked about centred on the good times and only served to energise each of us during the course of our lunch. Almost simultaneously, right at the end of our time together, we both said how much we both enjoyed it and that we must do it again. We agreed to catch up when I was next in town, then said our goodbyes and I was off to the airport.

So as I sat waiting for the announcement that my flight was finally ready to depart, it was great to have this additional time to revisit and replay in my mind all that we had talked about. I realised at that moment just how important it is to have regular reminders of the good times in your life and to be able to take the time to reminisce, for so much of what we have done in our lives, shapes us and makes us who we are today and beyond.

Sandwiched in between the busy time of my trip and the focus on getting business done, I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to take a short break and reflect on the good things that had happened in my life over 12 years ago. It was somewhat like looking at an old photo album that you have found stored away in a cupboard in your house, there before your eyes are lots of wonderful memories in print that take you back to that time and place, and most importantly to those people who are in the photos. It also made me realise when you get caught up doing what has to be done in the moment, how easy it is to forget the people you have met in your life who have made a positive impact on and enriched you, often in only the smallest of ways.

My flight home was finally called nearly three hours later and yes as you would have expected many of the passengers cheered when the announcement was made. I smiled as I boarded the plane and realised that I was not at all upset about the delay in the flight departure, as I had been able to spend much of my time reflecting on the good times from days gone by and I eagerly look forward to many more opportunities to reminisce.

Inspired by Vasil Delvizis, my business associate and good friend from times gone by. Written by Keith Ready

© October 2006

Keith Ready lives and in Sydney, Australia and is affectionately known as Mr Inspiration. He is publisher of InspirEmail which provides inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account.

You can visit his website at www.agiftofinspiration.com.au www.agiftofinspiration.com.au and he can be contacted via e-mail at info@agiftofinspiration

~**~**~

Don't Wrap God in a Plain Brown Wrapper

My Answer

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

This is a problem all through history.  There is always the danger of some making remarks about someone carrying a Bible. 

I can guess the answers as to putting the book or any book just bought at a store in the brown paper bag.  I haven't bought a Bible in some time.  The last time I did, best I remember it came in a box.  I don't think it was put in a sack. It was packaged, I guess I put the ticket in my pocket. 

We have become harden to the rag stuff sold in the stores.  Pictures of women showing it off.  I think a nude. or almost nude picture of a woman sells about any thing.  Men will buy the rag, and dream.  Women I think buys and wish they had a body like that, and was brave enough to show it off for the world. 

Car people used to show the new models with some dream girl standing in the picture.  As a rule she was dressed in the latest fashion of undress. I think the reason for the woman in the ad is simple.  The man may be thinking about a new car this year.  The pretty Dollie in the picture may be a help in getting the sucker to look this car over.  She don't have to be undressed either.  A pretty in a nice outfit will stop about any true American male. These you didn't put in a brown paper bag.

I really have no idea of why other then the Bible in this case didn't have a package.  Maybe the clerk was used to putting anything sold in a bag.  I don't know about others.. I would I think, have said,, no brown paper sack needed, just give me the sales ticket.

I see so much of this anymore. People has a nice leather case to tote their Bible in and out the door at church.  I guess there is other things in the leather case, like a pen and a few sheets of paper.  I never have got me one of those things.  My Bible looks a bit weather worn. Also a bit war worn.  It shows some travel time.  Well the one I like toting in and out the door at church should.  It is my car Bible.  It lives on the dash board of the car.  I carry it in and out the door at church.  It also seen me to Korea back in the days of the war. Yes it rests on the dash of the car, for all to see, it is not living in some leather case.

I must explain a few things before I fade away here. Bible. the B is always a capital letter with me.  That is the Bible of the living God.  Yes my Bible is a living book.  The living word of the living God.

There is two things I must add.  Don't you dare burn my Bible, nor my flag.  No way, this old boy will be grabbing his rifle. And it is loaded just in case it is needed for such stupid acts.

Oh and when the time comes I need a new flag, no brown paper bag is needed.

******************************************************

In case your wondering about the title.  Some one wrote a story with this title.. This is my answer, or thoughts on the matter.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

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

~**~**~

OUR OWN SAUCE

Joe Mazzella

I have been trying for the last few weeks to reproduce our family's homemade
spaghetti sauce. It hasn't been easy. My first attempt used far too much
parsley. My second attempt had way too much sugar. After that I put the
recipe aside and went over to my Dad's house for some hands on instruction.
After watching my Dad put it together I brought the pot home to try again. I
didn't slow cook it long enough, though, and it came out watery.

I was about to give up after that, but then I remembered something my Dad
had told me. He had said that there were a lot of different ways to make the
sauce depending on how you wanted it. I remembered too how my Grandma's and
Dad's homemade sauce was never exactly the same from one meal to the next.
Sometimes it was slow cooked with sausages, meatballs, chicken, and potatoes
simmering in it all day long. At other times it was cooked in few hours for
a quick spaghetti dinner with a can of tomato paste thrown in to thicken it
up. No matter how it was cooked, however, it was always made with love and
it always tasted delicious.

It may take me a while, but I am going to get that sauce just right for me
and my family. It might not be exactly like my Dad's, but it will be made
with love and it will taste delicious.

Maybe that is what God wants for each of us to do with our own lives as
well. When it comes to the feast of life we can learn from the greatest
chefs in the world, but in the end we all have to make our own sauce and
cook our own meal. We are all different, after all. We are all unique. We
are all special in our own way. We all bring our own one of a kind
ingredients of experience, wisdom, and goodness to the cooking pot. Let's
not be afraid then to create a glorious meal all our own to share with the
world. As long as we remember to cook it with love and serve it with joy God
will make sure that it turns out just right.

Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

Readers Feedback

The story of the bad boy... James by Ron Gold was so heartening. Jene Lind.

Thanks for sharing my article today.  It is always such a blessing to be
included in Storytime.  I loved Bill's story today.  I know that it will
touch everyone who has ever loved a pet.  God bless you always.  Wishing you
every joy, Joe

Carol,
    Wow, I didn't expect to have two of mine put in Storytime so close
together.  Thanks my friend.
This one about my boys is special to my heart.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

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