Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Nov 23, 2006

Today’s announcements

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all of our American subscribers, may you day be filled with blessings and your land continue to prosper.  God bless America!

^{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

~**~**~

Thankful For My Bed
by Clara Wersterfer

When you consider all the things we are blessed with, things we should be thankful for, a bed seems a very trivial part of it. However, think about it, if you don't get a good night’s sleep, the following day is a bummer. You are grouchy, tired and irritable.

A few years ago my husband and I made a two week driving vacation trip. Our first night home, when I snuggled down in my own bed, I said thanks to God for this wonderful bed. After two weeks of sleeping in different beds almost every night, waking up in different motels and wondering where you are, I was so grateful to be back where I belonged.

I felt secure, and happy to be in my own bed. One thought ignited another. I thought of all the poor and homeless people who were sleeping in an alley, on a park bench, under a bridge or on a narrow cot in a flop house. Many probably were not sleeping, but scrounging in dumpsters and trash cans for food, under the cover of darkness.

Then my thoughts turned to the hungry of the world, the used, abused and  ill treated people, orphans, and unwanted children. Where were they sleeping?

I suddenly felt very guilty having such a good, clean and comfortable bed. I visualized all the little
things that come together to make the pattern of our daily living; enough food to eat, clean water to drink, freedom to move about as we pleased, a car to drive and money for gas. The knowledge you have a warm coat in the closet when freezing weather is predicted; small things, but important to each individual for comfort.

My wonderful bed became very important to me and something to give thanks for, along with the air
conditioning which was presently cooling me, the healthy dog at my side and the good dinner I had earlier. These are some things most of us take for granted which are provided to us on a daily basis.

Our family, friends, co-workers, service people are all expected to be there when we need or want them. It won't always be true. Some will move out of our lives. Others will pass from this
world. Children will grow up and move away. Give thanks that you have them now.

I am exceedingly glad I was born in America, the greatest country on earth. I am thankful I was born into a family of honest and God loving people. I am thankful God gave me the ability to work and provide my family and myself with things of life that we enjoy. I am thankful I have enjoyed good health most of the time.

There will never be another day of your life that is exactly like the day you have at this moment. Rejoice in what has been given to you. Give thanks to God for your many blessings and don't forget the little things, like a good bed.
Oct 2006

Clara Wersterfer

cbWEST@webtv.net

~**~**~

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Dianna Doles Petry

Thanksgiving is the scent of fresh baked bread in my grandmother's kitchen while eight daughters, including my mother, scampered around preparing various dishes while they chatted about their own children, the events in their lives, their childhood memories. Once the meal was ready, adults took their seats at the main table and children were seated at a smaller table or two set up just for the occasion. The youngest of the children sometimes ended up with a table that was actually a chair with a foot stool placed in front it for the child to sit on. No one complained about the food, the seating arrangements or the cousins with cooties. We were all just glad to be there, together, living and learning.

Thanksgiving is my grandmother, rotund, wearing a white apron, swatting at the fingers of her adult children eager to sample the dressing before it baked, or nibble at the food being placed into serving bowls. She was the peace keeper, stopping stories from the past that she knew would spark hostility or hurt feelings. She was the cornerstone of our family, old-fashioned, wise, understanding and always willing to listen. I don't think she ever owned a recipe book but her food was always perfect prepared with "a dash" of this and "a splattering" of that.

Thanksgiving is a memory of my father carving into a turkey that could have fed several families if necessary. My father knew no strangers. His heart and our home was always open to anyone needing shelter or a hot meal.

Thanksgiving is our family and friends gathered around a table, spilling into the living room, all quiet as my father attempted to say a prayer of blessing for the feast we were about to eat. He was not a man to do that often, in fact, I can honestly say that Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are the only times I remember him demanding that a prayer be said over our food. The house was quiet as he fought with his words and memories of his mother saying blessings over meals in his youth. After a few minutes of ad lib thanks, he would pause giving someone the opportunity to loudly add, "Amen."

Thanksgiving is the first turkey I cooked as a responsible adult so proud to be able to invite my parents to my new home. I set the oven temperature and placed the turkey inside before leaving the kitchen to take a shower and get dressed in the proper attire of a perfect hostess. I fluffed the cushions on the sofa, checked the carpeting for any stray lint balls and made sure that every piece of silverware was shiny and perfectly aligned. I checked glasses for water spots, the dog for fleas, the windows for fingerprints...but I forgot to actually turn the oven on. Dinner was served at eight o'clock that year instead four o'clock as planned but in the end, everyone ate and had a good time even if we did have dessert first and the meal last. Oddly enough, I remember that year more clearly than the years that seemed to flow perfectly.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the simple pleasures of life, the moments that fill us with serenity and help us to deal with the moments that tear at our hearts. It is opening the door to the less fortunate and understanding that they appreciate your effort but are embarrassed that they don't have a home or table of their own. It is being grateful for our children, our time and our dreams. It is sharing our food, our blessings and our hearts.

As we approach another Thanksgiving Day, I will be giving thanks for the people I count on every day and the guidance I receive from a higher power that keeps me vital and creative. Actually, I give thanks for my friends and family every day but on Thanksgiving, I will give the thanks out loud to anyone who is willing to listen.

©Dianna Doles Petry

11/16/2006

dianna59@charter.net

http://diannapetry.tripod.com
http://members.tripod.com/~poemsbydianna/PoetryofLife.html
www.womenwithauniquesoul.com

~**~**~

Praying

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

Praying, prayers, and so on. Tickles me, also I get ticked off on it.  Let me tell you my dumb thinking on the subject.

First off, I am a believer in prayers.. I think most of us says some sort of prayer a few dozen times a day. We may not think we do, but I bet your saying one right now.. Lord help me here I am reading another one of this nuts rambles.

Now first off I think a person needs to say, Dear Father in Heaven, forgive me, for I have sinned.  Remember in the book of Job.  Joe was the most perfect till Jesus walked on the earth.  He owned up to the fact, that he may have took a wrong step. 

Then you might say something along the lines of help me, also help others.  You don't need to write a book. God does know every thing about you, and the others. He knows the fall of a bird, why wouldn't he know your ton of troubles?

Now then there needs to be a few words giving thanks for the many blessing seen and unseen that flowed your way.  There is an outside chance, that something you thought was bad to happen that really was a blessing.  I will give you something along this line to think about in a minute.    Pray for just the needs of others, and a word or two about your needs will do.  He may well know you can't handle the winnings of the lottery.  He might help you find a dollar bill laying on the street.

Many many a year ago, a whole family had tickets to sail on a brand new ship to America.  One child came down with a bad sickness.  The trip had to be put off.  The cry was why did the child get sick at this time?  Our plains was to be on that wonderful new ship to go to America for a better life.  God must hate us,, that might have been the thought,, and we have a very sick child.  The sickness was bad enough the whole family was put on hold.

The ship hit the iceberg, and sank. REMEMBER?   This was indeed a blessing for this family.  This is what could be called an unseen blessing, a child sick,, the trip had to be put off.

In this life, you never know a minute late, a minute early might have saved you. A blessing un seen.  Yes we have many blessings.  Some we know about, many we don't. 

I wonder about the long winded prayers in churches.  I even knew a fellow that I thought would never shut up.  Preacher was for ever calling on him for a prayer.  Guess he was good at it. I think a time or two before I fell over sound asleep, he had a request for the well being of the poor church mouse. Something about we had needs of some money to buy a bigger hunk of cheese for the poor little guy and his family.  Just one of my screw ball jokes.. But I bet you have heard these kind of never ending prayers.

I think God would like to hear from you and me.  Just a little call in for a minute or two.. Just checking in from time to time.  Don't make much difference where or when you or I will check in, that is time of day or night.  It is like a child leaving home on a trip.. Just call home, and say.. Hey I made it to Poo Dunk,  I will call when I get to No Dunk. 

And now you may give thanks I at last shut up.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

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

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

"Just Enough Light"

by

Paula Booher

Shadows all around you fall

Your strength falthers and you are weak,

You can't imagine how you will go on

Your prayers are even shallow and meek.

Live goes on around you as if nothing is wrong

Friends have been more than kind,

You try to keep up a good front

Prayers have been sent as you try to unwind.

Be anxious for nothing...storms be still inside

You've quoted every scripture you know,

You're sleeping is with you

You're days are on the go.

And this too shall pass...

Be thankful for each blessing and realize,

Things could be much worse you tell yourself

As you take the tissue and wipe your eyes.

It doesn't matter what you are going Through

God is Big enough to carry you,

He understands we feel the fright

He'll always send Just Enough Light.

This is dedicated to my Many friends at Storytime Tapestry and especially Carol Roach for their many prayers of love and support during my time at this place.  It's been a very blessed experience and one I did not expect.  God has opened a door in an unexpected place just when I needed it most.  I wish you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving and look forward to the coming Christmas and New Year with renewed strength because of your encouragement and just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate you.

love,

Paula

copyright 11/21/2006 5:18 a.m.

Paula Deann (Roe) Honeycutt Booher

wrappednword@yahoo.com

~**~**

"Thanksgiving"

David Fox

A time for families to get together

To share stories around the family table

And to thank everyone for all the things

So come along and join us

For an evening of healthy discussion

And perhaps a bit a piece of turkey, stuffing

and a piece of pumpkin pie.

Your friend,

David Fox

davidirafox@yahoo.com

~**~**

Annual Thanks
Carol Meeks

The season of thanksgiving
and reason we are living
upon America's banks
highlights time for forgiving.

On the shores from east to west,
remembering the Pilgrim's quest
when they landed on Plymouth Rock;
the Mayflower trip was full of zest.

On their knees they offered thanks
for new home and future ranks.
Landing safe with newborn hope,
freedom flowed among new dranks.

Every year we now remember,
celebrate with household members,
giving thanks this time this season
honoring the holiday of November.

© 2006 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html ©

~**~**

Tis Thanksgiving
Carol Meeks

My eyes viewed
the sea of Autumn
that lay before us,
and I pondered the hearts
of the first Pilgrims.

Surely, they must have stopped
all their busies and chatter,
their new adventures and clatter,
to give thanks for safety
and the magnificence
of Autumn's attire.

The crimson, golden glistening
of the Cottonwoods and Aspens
glow and shimmer
their skirts of leaves
before their last hurrah
and Winter's barren slumber.

The golds, the reds, the yellows
as diamonds;
wave this time of year,
as beautiful then, as now.

And the harvest,
so delicious;
as the season's beauty.

Beauty all around
for all eyes to see, this majesty.
Beauty all around
as much as the sand upon the sea.
What perfect peace,
this Autumnal harmony.

And we give thanks
upon America's banks.

© 2003 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

Readers Feedback

 Carol,
    It isn't a real job until you have fouled up at least once and had the
daylights teased out of you.
I think everyone of your readers will relate to that.  Wishing you every
joy, Joe

As we age, we can perceive our past goofs or whatever you wish to call them as being much lighter.  Chances are, you probably brought some smiles and laughter to someone who otherwise may have been having a bad day; a blessing to them although a discouragement to you.  Love, Mom Normie xo

Carol,

Funny, Carol. If I tried to document every faux pas I've committed it would probably dwarf Encyclopedia Britannica. Bruce Newman

Remember Carol, his name is Dave Hart.... not Dr. Hart.... this story was hillarious...! I could actually picture you all red of embarrasment. You did made a good impression since six years later, you were promoted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Tannia

  Wonderful story Carol.  Thanks for allowing me to enjoy it.  I can identify. Sharlette 

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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; Pringle, Sandra Lewis; 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;

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