Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Dec 29, 2006

Our Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzaa, New Years, holidays Contest 

Today’s Announcements

My family has been hit by two more shocks and we are all reeling dear! Cannot say more just now too much pain in my heart! Please say a little prayer for us. Thank you. God Bless! Violet: violetsrblue7@hotmail.com

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Please note that Storytime Tapestry is a free newsletter to members and there will never be a cost for the newsletter.  Donations are purely voluntary and no member should ever feel guilty for not making a donation at this time.

Today’s Contest Stories

~**~**~

 I Found My Tree

Michael Smith

            “That one looks good, Jim.” Mum said to Dad.

            “It’s not bushy enough.” Dad replied.

            “It’s the right height.”

            “Not bushy.” Dad repeated.

            I sat quietly in the back seat. Mum and Dad drove along a rutted, dirt road, arguing over tree-after-tree. It was a yearly ritual.

            “There’s one!” Mum pointed to the left.

            “Where?” Dad asked.

            “Right there, next to that big rock.”

            “It’s too tall”

            “Cut it shorter!”

            “Ethel, it’s too tall.” Dad argued back.

            We had a small house. Mum usually got a little tree and sat it on

a table in the corner. Our black-n-white, floor-model TV was on one side. The sofa sat on the other. We had to slide the sofa from the corner and partially block the back door to make room for the tree.

            My impatience grew. “Let’s just pick one.” I thought to myself. I’d spent months dreaming about the toys in the “Sears” catalogue. I wanted our tree. It didn’t matter what it looked like. The faster we got a tree,

the faster Santa would come.

            “How about that one?” Dad said.

            He stopped the car. “I don’t know.” Mum was hesitant.

            We got out of the car. I followed Mum and Dad up the side of a snowy hill. “Looks good to me.” Dad said.

            Mum walked around to the other side. “It’s a little bare in the back.” She stared at it. “I guess we could turn that side to the wall. No one will notice.”

            Dad got the saw, cut it down, and stuffed it into the trunk.

            “Yes!” I cheered to myself. “Christmas was here.”

            Dad mounted the tree on the stand and dragged it into the house. With Mum’s direction, he got it on the box in the corner. “Turn it the other way.” she said. “I can see the bare spot.”

            Dad turned the tree. “A little more.” She said.

            He turned it again.

            “I guess that will do. Christmas cards will hide the bad spots.”

            Then the words I knew would come were spoken. “We should have got the other one.”

            “It was too tall!” Dad said.

            “We could have cut it shorter.” Mum countered.

            It was the same every year.

            I grew up, married, and had to pick my own tree. Like my dad, I cruised the roads looking for a tree. I’d walk miles through the woods. Snow turned to ice on my jeans. Branches slapped my eyes. The cold wind turned my face red.

            I’d spot a tree, trudge through the snow, and look at it. “Too tall.”

            Another would catch my eye. “Bare on one side.” I grumbled. “I guess I can turn that side to the wall or put a card in there to hide the open spot.”

            We had children. New laws were implemented. Cutting a tree in the wild became illegal. I discovered a place where I could go in November, tag my tree, and return before Christmas to cut it. It was the perfect solution: I could cut my own tree; the lot was easy for kids to walk through; and they supplied free saws, hot chocolate, and sleigh rides.

            In November, I drove to the lot and tagged my tree. I wrote my name on the little tag, tied it in a visible spot, and walked away. “The kids are going to enjoy this!” I said out loud.

            A week before Christmas, I packed the kids into my Chevrolet Chevette - a small hatch-back, from the ‘80’s. We drove to the lot, trudged to the area where I tagged my tree, and walked in circles.

            “Where’s our tree, Daddy?”

            “It’s around here somewhere, Vanessa.” I replied. “Maybe over there.” I pointed.

            Justin tossed a snow ball and whined. “Daddy, I’m cold.”

            “I know, son. We’ll find it soon.”

            We didn’t. We wandered all over the lot and couldn’t find it. I got upset. Someone cut my tree, even though I had my tag on it. We gave up and looked for another tree.

            “There it is!” I pointed.

            Justin and Vanessa looked. It was tall – about twelve feet high. The branches spread evenly on all sides.

We had a large room with a high ceiling. It would fit perfectly. “This looks good. What do you guys think?”

            “I love it, Dad.”

            I knew what they thought, “The faster we got a tree, the faster Santa would come.”

            I grabbed my saw and started to cut through the trunk of our tree. The blade was sharp and sliced easily through the soft wood.

            “Dad!” Vanessa called out.

            “What? Will you let me cut the tree!” I snapped and was immediately sorry for being irritable. “Sorry,

Vanessa. Daddy is busy. What is it?”

            “Dad, there’s a tag on this branch.”

            “Oh No!” I thought. “I was mad someone cut my tree, and here I am cutting a tree that belongs to someone else.”

            “What does it say, Vanessa?”

            Vanessa was proud of her new reading skills. She read slowly, “Michael T. Smith – Tantallon. Dad, that’s you!” She screamed loud enough to flush a rabbit from it’s hiding spot.

            “I told you it was here somewhere.” I said.  To myself I thought, “This tree was meant to be.”

            I began to saw again. There was a crack as the last inch of wood snapped. The tree wobbled and began to fall – in my direction. I scrambled out of the way, tripped, and fell face first into the snow, with the tree landing across my legs. 

            “Daddy? Daddy, are you OK?” Vanessa asked. She rushed to my side.

            Justin threw a snowball at me. I knew what he thought, “Stop playing in the snow under the branches, Dad. The faster we get the tree home, the faster Santa will come.”

            I stood up. Clumps of snow melted on the lenses of my glasses. The water droplets distorted my vision.

My kids looked like they were swimming in a fishbowl.

            After brushing myself off, I grabbed the lower branch of the tree and dragged it – what seemed like four miles – to the car. I tripped twice over tree stumps – putting my kids in the fishbowl again.

            The tree was stretched out beside my small car. It was one of those moments when you realize, “A tree in the woods looks a lot smaller.”

            I grabbed an end and lifted it up onto the roof of my car. It teetered and held. I went to the other end, lifted, and the damn thing fell off, toppling me into the snow again. The fishbowl-boy threw another snow-ball at me. “Hurry up, Dad. I’m cold.”

            Two men, the size of small oxen came along. “Need a hand?”

            “No! This tree is my blanket. I’m taking a nap.”

            What I really said was, “That would be great. I’d appreciate it.” How did two oxen get into the fish-bowl with my kids?

            The tree sat on the roof of my car. “Thanks, guys.” I called after them, as they trudged off in search of their tree.

            I got my rope, assessed the situation, and talked out loud. “If I open the windows, I can run the rope through them and keep the tree from sliding off. The tip of the tree can be roped to the front bumper and the trunk to the rear one. That’ll work.”

            “Dad, I’m cold.” Vanessa whined.

            “I know, Honey. Daddy is cold too.”

            Justin hit me in the butt with a snowball. “Justin, stop it!” I yelled.

            After the tree was secured, I took Justin and Vanessa for their hot chocolate and sleigh ride. They were cold before, but now didn’t want to leave. “Dad, can we do another ride?” Justin whined.

            “No! We have to get the tree home.”

            For the first time in his life, he didn’t whine. I knew why. He thought, “The faster we get the tree home, the faster Santa will come.”

            We got to the car. I tried to open the door. It wouldn’t move. It was another one of those moments.

If you tie a rope through the windows of your car, the doors will not open.

            We were finally on our way. I peered through the branches, trying to see the road ahead. Wind whipped off the ocean, as we followed the road that twisted along the coast of Nova Scotia. Every gust caught in the branches and caused my small car to sway. The branches hung from all sides. People decorating their homes stopped and stared at the green tumbleweed on wheels pass their homes.

            I pulled that tree through my door – with the help of a neighbour – and got it on the stand. After decorating, I sat back and admired it. It was a lot of work, but I got my tree.

Michael Smith

mtsmith@qwestonline.com             

~**~**~

    *Give credit where credit is due ~ Mrs Santa Claus *

Norma Liles

Mrs Santa Claus is very nice and she just doesnt get enough credit for all of the

things that she is responsible for all year long.  While Santa hibernates like a bear

and snores like one, she is busy keeping the elves in line with their responsibilities

and just in case you think they are all males, think again.  Many of the most responsible

ones are female....wouldn't you know it.

It may surprise you to know that the elves always work in teams of least two in able

to complete their assigned tasks.  They may work as two females only, two males only

or possibly one of each gender depending on their tasks.

It may surprise you to know that when Mary and Joseph stopped on their journey to

Bethlehem, the little donkey was fed  and watered when they turned their back to

rest from their journey.  The elves had been enlightened to what was to transpire in

Bethlehem so they made sure that there was continuous fresh straw in the manger,

the floors swept clean of any debris and the animals were feed and watered to keep

them quiet.  Mary was thrilled when she found extra clothing for our Savior who was

in need of those things.  She had no idea that the female and male elves were busy

as bees; keeping all things bright and beautiful for their arrival.

After the birth of our Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph were astounded at the supply

of food that just seemed to appear out of no where but we know who did that, don't

we?  They even found an extra stall that was clean beyond reason with fresh straw

and a blanket to allow them to rest from their journey and the birth of the newborn King.

After the birth of this precious Messiah, the elves reported back to Mrs. Claus of what

they had accomplished.  She was so thrilled to know of their helpfulness and encouragement

to Mary and Joseph that she made sure that they all had time to enjoy a party with all

of their favorite foods and they even received a nativity scene to remind them of the

Birth of the Baby Jesus.

Now next year, when Santa comes alive, again, he will be thrilled to know that he has

retained his fat (ho - ho - ho)and be able to don his nice new red suit that thrills all the

world, Mrs Santa and the elves, included.

NormaLee Liles ©

hoopla214@yahoo.com

Norma is an Ohio native, senior citizen; happy in her own skin, loves the Lord God Almighty, her family, her friends and her computer; pretty much in that order! Her hobbies include reading, writing poetry, stories, a few songs; loves to sing; and prefers southern gospel music. She is retired from the busines world where she worked as a data entry operator/supv; is number nine of ten children; is looking fwd

to her next birthday which will welcome #77. (Oct)

Her writings have been featured on: Starfish, Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift, Prayer of God, Jan Karon, American Poetry Writer's League, Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room, Poetry of Today, Hope in Him, Bonnie's Place, America will remember, News Moose, Penworm Prayer Warriors, Angels on Earth, Canadian Memorial page, Eternal Ink, Heartcatcher and senior writer for Storytime_Tapestry.

~**~**~

THE FREEWAY RAMP

 Sharon Bryant

Maybe you've done what I do a lot.  I'm always looking out the window when I'm the passenger in the vehicle I'm riding in.  I like looking out the passenger side window at pretty houses, decorations at Christmas.......and getting off freeway ramps.  Many ramps in my area are wooded as we live out in the country.  Sometimes I spot a deer and I love to watch them.

Don't take me wrong.  I don't usually have much to see when we're exiting off the freeway, but one time just a few years ago, I saw something that amazed me.  Something I will never forget each year at Christmas time.

Hubby and I had been grocery shopping.  He was driving, so I was looking out my side window.  It was winter in the south, just a few days before Christmas.  The trees had shed their beautiful fall colors the month before and I could see into the woods much easier than in summer months.

We were coming down a long curving ramp when I noticed something in the woods.  It was what looked like a big box.  I saw something brown in color move near the large box.  I told my husband there was something in the woods rather large and something was moving near it.  He said it was probably an old cardboard box someone had dumped and a deer was nosing around it.  My instinct told me differently.

For the next few times we were exiting off the freeway, I watched for the box.  Only twice did I see movement near it.  I decided not to tell my husband I was going alone the next day, but I wanted to see what WAS in the woods.  Again, my instincts told me to do so.

The next day hubby was running errands to hardware stores so I decided to go back to the freeway ramp, park on the side and walk into the woods.

I came upon the big box.  It was cardboard and it looked like the size a large stove would have once been in it.  I noticed a small window cut on one side and a doorway cut on the other.  I looked around and saw no one near.  I peeked into the cardboard doorway.

In one corner was a pile of straw and an old tattered blanket with a shabby pillow.  I saw a little suitcase type container.  I knew then my instincts were right......someone was living in that box.

I never told my husband that night.  I had a hard time falling asleep thinking about who lived in the box, why they didn't have a home to go to, and how it was almost Christmas and that person would spend it alone in the box.  That's when I decided I had to do something.

I always bake at the Holidays.  Breads, cookies, brownies, tarts, etc.  I baked a little extra that year.  On Christmas Eve day, I delivered the goodies to the box.  Sneaking up on it, trying to see if he or she was near, I found no one around.  I opened the little cardboard door and set the loaf of bread, wrapped in saran wrap, tied with a red ribbon, on the top of the little suitcase.  I placed the container of cookies and fudge next to it.  I placed the card between the two gifts.

I never found out who was living in the box.  It was gone come that spring.  I can only hope whoever it was had found work, and a warm place to stay.  And yet I've always wondered how they felt when they came "home" that Christmas Eve and found the gifts I'd left and the card that said, "Merry Christmas" signed with........"Someone cares about you."

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

Readers Feedback

Thanks to B.J.

He has a beautiful, facile mind, knows and enjoys people.

Keep him coming at me in Story Tapestries.

Peace,

Ron Gold

Christmas Lost and Found...Wonderful poem Sharlett!!!!!!   Mary M. Dees

Carol,

I'm so sorry that you had a heavy heart on Christmas. I read your book (Picking up the pieces) and I just simply adored it. You basked your soul to the world with no holds barred and I commend you for that. I also learned that your life has been a struggle and it has been so difficult to keep your head above water. I ultimately came to the conclusion that you are a very courageous woman and there are so many people who idolize you not only for your accomplishments but for the heart you have that without hesitation, reaches out to so many. I think at least half a world full of people would agree with me when I say that you are a diamond in the rough. You are a wonderful person and your abilities are endless.

Anyone with God given vision will see that someday soon and you'll be working where you ever you desire. 

Have a Happy New Year Carol,

Love,  Mary M. Dees 

Contest Submissions that have been posted only, this means only the stories that have been published in Storytime Tapestry and not the articles that are still waiting in the queue.  The list gets bigger each day as more and more stories are added.

Please refer to the archives: http://archives.zinester.com/98907 if you want to reread an article before voting.

Name:                            Title:                              Date published

 Ortiz-Lopes, Tannia          From Devine To Human                                     Dec 17 (see special treat)

Blaine, Pamela                     The Very Best Gift Of All                 Dec 17

Shaw, Bob                             Buttermilk                                                           Dec 17

Aro                                         A Visit From Tanner Claus                              Dec 17

Joseph, Brian                       The Gift of Giving                                                Dec 18 (see special treat)

Walker, Bill                         Rainbow Ridge Special Report, Gizzy             Dec 18

Gold, Ron                              Christmas Kindnesses                                       Dec 18

Gold, Ron                              A Merry Jewish Christmas                              Dec 18

Haley, Ellie Braun               Mother                                                                   Dec 19(see special treat)

McCallum, Arnot                The Little Red Sock                                            Dec 19

Bryant, Sharon                    The Meaning                                                        Dec 19

Bryant, Sharon                    The Shoe Store                                                    Dec 19

Byrant, Sharon                    You Walk With Angels                                     Dec 19

Berry, Nell                           A Christmas Prayer                                           Dec 19

Foster, Leeuna                     Tis the Season to go Shopping                          Dec 20

Gifford, P.S.                          A Very Special Christmas                                Dec 20

Mazzella, Joe                       Through His Eyes                                               Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       The Most Reverent Night                  Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       A Baby Boy Was Born                                       Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       Christmas Day                                                     Dec 20

Newman, Bruce                   The Glue of The Universe                  Dec 20(see special treat)

Meeks, Carol                       Oh Israel, Oh Israel                                           Dec 21

Meeks, Carol                       Even The Animals Know                                    Dec 21

Meeks, Carol                       Christmas Blessings                                         Dec 21

Meyers, Dan                         Noel - The Dyslexic Christmas Angel            Dec 21(see special treat)

Cavalera, Robyn                   Dear Santa                                                            Dec 21

Cavalera, Robyn                   Happy Birthday Jesus                                        Dec 21

Bryant, Sharon                    The Sweater                                                         Dec 21

Foster, Leeuna                     The Gifts of The Giver                                        Dec 22(see special treat)

Deming, Barbara A Special Christmas Ride                 Dec 22

Roney, Barbara                    Christmas Nostalgia                                          Dec 22

Roney, Barbara                    Baby Jesus                                                           Dec 22

Walker, Bill                         That Night                                                            Dec 22

Allin, Bill                              Christmas: Most of it Doesn’t Matter             Dec 22(see beyond the Mirror)

Meeks, Carol                       Year 1995 for me                                                Dec 23

Walker, Bill                         No Room                                                                Dec 23

Berry, Nell                           The Birth of A King                                            Dec 23

Berry, Nell                           Seasons Change                                                  Dec 23

Berry, Nell                           Did Mary Really Know                                       Dec 23

Westerfer, Clara O’ Christmas Tree                                             Dec 23

Roach, Carol                        I Should be Happy but I am not                          Dec 24(see Carol’s Corner)

Holbrook, Mariane              Little Alma’s Christmas Present                    Dec 24(see Special Treat)

Walker, Bill                         The Broken Runner On St. Nick’s Sled        Dec 24

Walker, Bill                         Blue Christmas                                                   Dec 24

Walker, Joe                         What Would Santa Do?                                     Dec 24

Berry, Nell                           You Think You Got a Problem                          Dec 24

Berry, Nell                           The Light of Christmas                                     Dec 24

Dowd, Hartson                      Christmas Eve                                                      Dec 24(see fascinating facts)

Smith, Michael                    Little Bell                                                             Dec 25

Roach, Carol                        Hannah’s Special Christmas                            Dec 25(see Carol’s Corner)

Fox, David                              I’m Triply Blessed                                              Dec 25

Deming, Barbara Christmas Memories                                         Dec 25

Bryant, Sharon                    Don’t Tell Anyone You Know Me                     Dec 25

Walker, Bill                         Christmas, 1914                                 Dec 26

Cassady, B.J.                        Christmas, 2002                                 Dec 26

Walker, Joe                         The Still Small Voice of Christmas                Dec 26

Smith, Michael                    Christmas, Dealing with Loss                          Dec 26

Young, Ina Townsend          Goodbye Home                                                      Dec 26

Cassady, B.J.                        Christmas on the Frontier                                Dec 27(see special treat)

Smith, Michael                    Memory Tree                                                       Dec 27

Shaw, Bob                             A Christmas Puppy                                             Dec 27

Liles, Norma                        From the Manger he Speaks                             Dec 27

Bryant, Sharon                    I Want to Write The Story                                Dec 27

Gibbs, Nancy                        Ordinary People                                                  Dec 28(see special treat)

Berry, Nell                           The Introduction of A King                               Dec 28

Walker, Bill                         The Gift                                                 Dec 28

Hunt, Sharlett                      Christmas Lost and Found                                Dec 28

Smith, Michael                    Special Days, Painful Memories                      Dec 28

Eckles, Janet Perez            Watch Those Elbows!                                         Dec 29(see special treat)

Smith, Michael                    I Found My Tree                                                  Dec 29

Liles, Norma                        Give Credit Where Credit is Due                    Dec 29

Bryant, Sharon                    The Freeway Ramp                                              Dec 29  

Storytime Tapestry Angels

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, Kay Seefeldt

Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker

Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, 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