Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Nov 30, 2006

Today’s announcements

^{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.}

^{Great News! Our writer Leeuna Foster, newbizacct@yahoo.com  is now a weekly humour columnist for her local newspaper – The Beacon.}

Keep praying as both my pressures were up today but I still  have the sinus infection and the fluid to the inner ear so I go back to the eye dr on  Dec 19th.  The rise in blood pressure is probably due to my feeling so rotten with the sinus thing.  I bless you and love you for the prayers.  Lovingly, Normie  hoopla214@yahoo.com p.s.  Dr stated that there other medications that he can give me.

See below for Storytime Angels

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Threat From Above
by Clara Wersterfer

 
The sound of chickens screeching and
squawking startled me.
Rushing out on the back porch, a strange sight greeted me. A very
big owl had a hen in his talons about three feet off the ground. Quick
action was needed. I screamed while removing my shoe and flung it at the
owl from about six feet away. My aim was true and struck the owl
causing him to drop the hen. She was
frightened but unharmed minus some
feathers. Owls usually hunt at night.
It was noon, and sunny.

 
My friend Tommy, who is a truck driver, was returning to San
Antonio a few days
ago. He noticed a large hawk circling
overhead. The hawk dropped his prey.
You guessed it. A large rabbit landed on the hood of Tommy's truck,
falling off quickly. This is how hawks, owls and other large birds kill
their prey.
Linda, her husband and children
live in
a city near Atlanta, Ga. The idea of a
predatory animal attacking one of their
pets never crossed their minds.
The households latest acquisition is
a little Chihuahua they named Tito.
Booger, the year old Lab took to Tito as if he was his own puppy. The
two played together and romped in the yard. Linda didn't worry about
them as the yard was
fenced.
About three weeks ago, tragedy struck. A large chicken hawk mistook Tito
for
dinner. Swooping down, the swift hawk
grabbed Tito in his claws. The hawk was fast, but Booger was faster,
rushing to Tito's defense, he could only jump high enough to grab Tito
by his hind leg.
Booger held on for dear life and the hawk, unable to hold the weight of
both dogs,
turned Tito loose.
Linda rushed Tito to the vet who found
extensive damage to his leg, probably
from Booger, many cuts and a large
laceration to his stomach, made by the
claws of the hawk. After three weeks,
the help of an orthopedic surgeon and
medical bills in excess of $3,000
Tito is still alive and did not loose his leg or his life. Had
Booger not been vigilent and nearby, it could have been an entirely
different ending.
Please, all you readers who have small dogs or kittens, do not
leave them unattended in the yard, no matter how heavily congested the
neighborhood, with fenced yard and trees. These once wild animals must
forage larger areas and more hours to find food as acres and acres of
their habitat is destroyed by builders. They have had to move in near
the humans to survive. Reduced to
raiding garbage cans or stealing our
domestic animals.
Rats, squirrels, rabbits and other small animals, once the
mainstay of large birds are becoming scarce. A small dog or kitten is
easy prey, looking like a rabbit
from many feet up in the air.
A hawk, owl or even a raccoon can sweep in and take them before
you can reach them. Should you be lucky enough to have a dog like
Booger, he may not be close enough, or quick enough for the rescue. Your
furbabies are not safe alone outside your home. I keep my two small dogs
on a leash.
Watch them constantly, don't turn your back on them. Be aware of
your surroundings. It might
also help to carry a big stick.
Nov 2006

Clara Westerfer

cbwest@webtv.net

~**~**~

   The Train
   B.J. Cassady

    I had Jake take my horse and rig back to the ranch while
I boarded the train that foggy dreary night at the Guthrie,
Oklahoma train station.  I had vowed to visit my father's
grave even if I missed the funeral in Montana and the
train was the fastest way there.  I climbed aboard and
never even saw the conductor.  I threw my saddlebags
on the seat next to me as the train lurched forward into
the misty night.  The coach was pretty dark, lit by only
one lantern.  I did not see any other passengers.  Fine,
I could get some rest. 
  
    I awoke about four hours later.  My pocket watch showed
it to be about six am, but the windows showed it to be dark.
Strange I thought.  The fog still hung around the train.  I
needed to stretch my legs and also I wanted to find the
conductor to give him my ticket so I felt the proper course
might be to go to the next car.  I walked to the end of my
car and opened the door and made the short walk to the
next car, I opened the door and like the previous car there
were not any passengers nor any train employees.
  
    This was odd.  So I continued to the next car....same
thing...nobody.  The caboose.  There has to be somebody
in the caboose.  So I walked back to the caboose.  Nobody.
  
    Now this is too strange.  Somebody is on the train.  It is
moving therefore someone must be at the controls.  So I
started back to the front.  When I arrived at the last or
the front most car, I had to climb outside to go over the
ten! der car or coal car.   After doing so, the next was the
engine itself; I arrived fairly easy. By now the time was
eleven o'clock, still dark, still foggy.  This was the strangest
day in my life.  I jumped into the cabin area of the engine,
nobody was there.  Nor was there sign of anyone having
been there for some time.  I tried to use the lever to slow
the train but nothing worked.  How can the train keep going
with nobody putting fuel into the furnace?  I tried various
levers, the brake to no avail.  The train was rushing to it's
destination wherever that may be.  How was the train going
to stop?  What force was at work here?
 
   I decided to lean over and look at the ground we were passing.
No ground was visible.  What the heck was going on?
I had been on this train for about nine hours and started on
solid ground and now I was not on solid ground.  The train stopped
in my home town, stopped, then started.  Now nobody is on the
train but me.  I am but a simple rancher.  The year of 1892 is
complicated enough for me.  I needed to think so I decided to
head back to my seat and try and figure things out.
 
  As I opened the door to my coach, I noticed it was almost full
of people.  There was a conductor taking tickets.  What the heck
is going on?  There were Indians, white folks, children and all
kinds of people there.  The conductor came up to me and said,
"Ticket please."
  
  I reached inside my pocket and pulled it out and gave it to him.
He looked at it with his eyes and pulled his wire-rimed glasses
 down and did a double take and said, "Sorry sir, you are on the
 2:05 train.  Your train is the 2:15.   You will need to exit.  I will
have the train stop and please gather your gear and leave.  This
train is not for you sir."

  I looked around in stunned silence.  Everyone was looking at me.
I noticed a man looking at me.  It was my father.  How could he
be here?  He was dead.  He smiled at me.  Was that a tear in
 his eye?
  
  The conductor reached over and pulled the brake cord and the
train screeched to a halt.  I had been traveling for nine hours.
I must be about three maybe four hundred miles from Guthrie.
I grabbed my saddlebags and followed the conductor.  He put
the steps down for me and took my hand.  As I got off he put
his hand on my shoulder and said, "Wait a moment."
  
  My father was there.  He came to me and shook my hand.
He looked me in the eye and said, "This is better than you
visiting my grave son."   Then he turned and re-boarded the
train.
  
  The train with it's faint lights faded away into the mist and fog.
I noticed I was still in Guthrie.  I pulled out my watch and the
time was 2:01 am.  I had lost one minute of time.   Jake was
just leaving with my horse, my train had not come yet.  The fog
lifted and the stars were shining in their glory.  I called out to
Jake, "Jake bring my horse.  I do not need to go to Montana to
visit my father's grave."
  
  Jake replied, "Are you sure Chase?  No regrets"
  
  "I have no regrets.  None.  I have ridden the river with him."  said I.

B.J. Cassady

BJ.Cassady@af-group.com

~**~**~

MY NEW WATCH

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     I finally had to put away my old watch today. It was a gift of love from an Uncle and it had set on my wrist everyday for over 25 years. It had gone through over 50 batteries and half a dozen wrist bands. One of the first digital watches ever made it had served me faithfully and well. Gradually, though, the numbers on it had faded until I could no longer read them clearly. I couldn’t bring myself to toss it in the trash, however, and put it in my dresser drawer instead.

     When I went to the store to look for a new watch I was amazed by the selection. There were dozens of digital watches there. There were watches that not only told the time and date, but also glowed in the dark, showed me the time zones, and even doubled as a stop watch. I looked at them all and then settled on an old-fashioned, clock-face watch with numbers and a second hand on it. I think that it reminded me of simpler times when change wasn’t quite so constant and life wasn’t quite so hectic. I hope it lasts me for the rest of my time here.

     I have never been one who enjoyed change. I have often had to be dragged into it by those around me. Still, though all the changes in this life I am reassured by the one thing that never changes: God loves us and wants us to be happy. I keep this truth shining bright in my heart and soul everyday. With this truth I am able to accept the fact that life is full of change and to go where ever its changes may take me. With this truth I am even able to grow in love, joy, and oneness with God through all the changes in my life.

     We may not enjoy the changes that life so often brings us, but with God’s help we can make them all work for good in our lives. One day, though, the watch inside of us will stop ticking. One day we will face the greatest change of all with only the love we have chosen, the joy we have shared and our oneness with God to light the way. Let’s make sure we are ready for it.

Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

 ~Only With You~

Mary Dees

No one believed in us,

No one really knew.

What you always meant to me,

Or what I'm becoming to you. 

No one could fathom,

Our feelings this great.

Not one single person,

Could imagine our fate.

We wasn't even sure,

Until after we touched.

The way love would define,

The meaning of us.

Time, with its passing,

Has truly instilled.

Love in the spaces,

That has never been filled.

Each sunrise we share,

Will be our glimpse of forever.

The day, when its breaking,

Will bond us together.

No matter what happens,

I will know this to be true.

The trust born in my heart,

Is safe...Only with you.

I've always wanted to share in,

A love so undoubtedly pure.

So the angels with their graces,

Led you to my door.

All that we are now,

We will eternally be.

But no one can be sure of this,

Except You & Me.

BY Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

~**~**~ 

Dark Angel, Not Today

Mary Dees

Take me not in this evening hour,

Bless me with the wonder.

Death sway, on out of this day,

Lead me not to blunder.

Wrong me rightfully, another time,

Raise hell with my clock.

Death resent, that my hands are bent,

But they do not wish to stop.

Cold grip find your reason,

Once more to sequester.

Death reprieve, you must leave,

Life, what an awesome gesture.

Come sit with me when it is time,

Then, I will not fight you know.

Death decide, I'll let you guide,

But today I can not go.

Guidance is still needed,

I will not leave them here alone.

Death don't interrupt, until I raise them up,

Or until God, He calls me home.

By Mary M. Dees 

marlena7694@yahoo.com

~**~**~ 

Our Home

Mary Dees

It has happened for us,

A new life to begin.

We knew it would come,

But wasn't sure when.

The pleasure of planning,

We finally have.

The perfect colors accenting,

Our long awaited pad.

Warm memories are waiting,

For our little family of four.

Thanksgiving and Christmas,

And so many more.

This is more overwhelming,

Than I could ever have known.

At last my deserving family,

Will have our first home.

By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

Readers Feedback

Work Place romance answers: Do you feel that such relationships will cause jealousy among the employees?

Yes, I do feel it can cause problems.

Can they be hidden?  Not necessarily.

Can they work out? For mature folk it might.  Jene Lind

 Ron, your story Duet for 5 hands, was very touchy.... You made me cry!!!!! I have two sons and both of them are learning a musical instrument. My oldest one plays violin since he was in the fifth grade. He is currently on 10th. My youngest son is learning to play Fagot and already writting a simple song..... Last month with the orquestra of the music school in the city of Iserlohn and directed by the Philamornic Orquestra of Hgen Director, the strings section of the Iserlohn Music School accompained the Paratore Brothers on a concert. The hall was full.  The students did so well, that they earned discounted tickets to attend Mozart's Magic Flute in the city of Hagen next Saturday..... So, I am also a proud mother of two musicians to be..... This concert with the Paratore brothers made an impact in my son Pedro's life. God even granted him the opportunity to have his program signed and we were able to take some pictures too..... My son was extremely happy and excited.... We went out for dinner to celebrate this great family event!!!!!!!!!!! Tannia

I Don’t Want to Let Go – Mike Smith:  A very tender story - Tannia

Airplanes - Sharon story, THE LETTER, was very powerful to me. As you know, my favorite brother and counselor is in the US ARMY.  Before we moved to Germany, my youngest son, Josef, was in the Boy Scouts program.  During Christmas we visited an orphage near our home. All my tigers bought gift to all the kids. Each one of their family adopted a child of their age. We delivered the gifts, sangs alogn with them, and had a wonderful time with them.  Then, the house mother who attended us, said many THANKS to us for making that Christmas a special one for them.... I was the Den Leader for a small group of six Tiger Cubs and all of them learned a lesson of sharing, giving, and love of your neightbor.....

Even the parents thanked me for doing this activitiy with my Den..... Christmas is indeed a special time of the year. It is the day when our Lord and Savior was born. It was the day when shephers were rejoicing my an angelical chorus...... Amen.

Sharon, thanks so much for writing this story......

Re. Simple Indulgences. By Madame Donna C.,  Yes a special treat indeed!  What fun.  I love Aunt Bette.  She reminds me of the grandmother who always arrived to visit with curling iron and a proper dress in hand.  It was her only certainty that she would dare take this unbeautiful one in barn jeans to church on Sunday morning.               Louise

Sharon: I am with you girlfriend!!! In times of distress, we have to hold our grounds and trust God will come forward to smooth our path even if that takes a diet of cheese crackers and 3 onzs of Diet Pepsi.... I was VERY HAPPY AND RELIEF to read that your daughter didn't need the surgery and also because now you all know what is the problem. By knowing the problem you all are better prepare to deal with its complications and blessings....

I did pray for you all..... I hope this disease is managable with medicines..... God bless you, my friend...... Jesus said: "I will never leave you nor forsake you...." Amen

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Angels on earth, they exist they are out there.  Angels come in all ages, shapes and sizes, civil status, and religion.  Their nature is love and their purpose is giving to the less fortunate of this world.  Storytime Tapestry angels are no exception.  These angels are loyal members who have contributed to the upkeep of Storytime Tapestry newsletter so that Storytime Tapestry can continue come to your email box 350 days of the year.

Here is our Storytime Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime Tapestry up and running.

Clara Westerfer

Mark Crider

Rosanne Catalano

Paula Booher

Mary Ellen Grisham

Louise Nomani

Sharon Bryant

Angela Walker

Hart and Helen Dowd

Keith Ready

Mary Ellen Grisham

Ginger Morgenstern

Ellie Braun-Haley

Surinder Jandu

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; 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;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator