Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Jan 16, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Happy Birthday Kelly Poe: tiggerchic24@aol.com

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 THE GREEN LIGHT

 Sharon Bryant

Hubby and I were in radio shack the other day.  Something caught my eye.  It was

a sensor for home use.  You mount the "eye" on an area of your home you want protected.  Inside our house is a little box that lets out an alarm noise when someone approaches your home.  We have ours aimed near our fence and gate area.

I was in the house alone when it went off the other day.  I ran to the window to see who was there.  I chuckled to myself when I saw the meter man walking towards the gate to go behind our house to read our electric meter.  "Wow, this thing really works well," I thought to myself.

Last night we had heavy rainstorms pass through our area.  Torrential rains off and on all night and right up until around noon today. Around 7:00 A.M. this morning hubby and I were sitting in the kitchen when the alarm started going off in the house.  It just kept going on and on.  We kept looking out the window and nobody was there.  We couldn't figure out what was going on.  And then I spotted the silly rooster of ours. 

He had jumped up on the porch railing and caught sight of the little green light that blinks

when it senses something.  The rooster became real excited over the light, so he jumped

and hopped and cockadoodle doo'd.  That wasn't all, he began flapping his wings and cocked his head and had his eye up to the green light.  So naturally the alarm inside the house went nuts and wouldn't stop. We had to chase him off the porch even though it was raining like crazy.

We no sooner got back inside the house and up on the porch railing again the rooster went. 

Again, the alarm was going off like crazy and again he had his eye up to the little green light.  Screeching and flapping his wings.

Gee, I wonder if we could change the color of the light if it would scare him.

So now I have a sensor protecting the yard, an alarm inside the house to alert us and a silly

rooster that's crazy about the green light.

Sharon Bryant

1946@Bellsouth.net

~**~**~

ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

DIGNITY, NO MATTER WHAT

Wendell has a lot of clout.

This is partly because he has a lot of talent and is imminently qualified in his professional field. He’s been doing what he does for a long time and he’s good at it. Extraordinarily good.

But beyond his skill and ability, Wendell is a good person. He is kind and gentle and impeccably honest. He always greets you with a warm handshake, a smile and a thoughtful word or two. And somehow, after just speaking with him for a moment, you feel good. Ask anyone.

Or almost anyone.

Not long ago I attended a public meeting at which one person took advantage of an open microphone to attack Wendell personally and professionally. He impugned Wendell’s character. He assailed his honor. He questioned his professionalism. It was brutal and ugly and clearly tainted with vitriolic personal opinion, but it was a public meeting and Wendell is a public servant, so the man was free to speak his mind.

As one who knows and respects Wendell, it was hard to sit there and listen to this tirade. I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat as I listened to accusation after accusation. I had just about reached the point where I was ready to rise and rebuke the speaker – or to at least say something nice about my friend – when I glanced at Wendell. He was sitting in his appointed place calmly, his eyes focused on the speaker, an unruffled expression on his face. If I didn’t know better I would have thought Wendell was listening to a rhapsody – not a rant.

I was so taken by Wendell’s evident serenity that I found myself watching him more and listening to the ongoing invective less. During the course of the harangue Wendell’s expression and deportment didn’t change – no rolled eyes, no exasperated gasps, no bemused chuckles, no furious scribbling of notes and responses. Rather, he was the picture of dignity and confidence. Heck, I didn’t even see any perspiration on his forehead.

I, on the other hand, was sweating out the entire lecture, anxious for a chance to respond.

Or at least to roll my eyes and chuckle bemusedly.

When at last the speaker finished and sat down I fully expected Wendell to take the podium to defend himself. That seemed to me to be the natural, logical thing for him to do. I think others in the room had the same expectation because there were a few moments of anticipatory silence, with all eyes focused squarely on Wendell.

But Wendell seemed oblivious to the attention. He casually jotted a couple of notes, sat back in his chair and looked toward the official who was conducing the meeting, ready to move on to the next item on the agenda.

Which is just what happened.

After the meeting I tried to speak to Wendell, but as usual he was busy doing all of that skillful, professional stuff he has done so well for so long. I watched for a moment as he interacted with others kindly, gently, honestly, warmly. And suddenly I understood dignity – what it is, and what it isn’t. It is calm, not confrontational. It is confident, not defensive. It is strong, not belligerent. It is peaceful, not quarrelsome.

And when you have it, it gives you clout.

No matter what anyone else says.

~**~**~

EXERCISING YOUR JOY

  Joseph J. Mazzella

     I have been exercising a lot more lately. I am not talking about those push-ups and sit-ups I do in the morning, either. The exercise I am talking about lasts all day long and makes me feel better than I have ever felt before. The exercise I am talking about is the greatest work-out in the world and benefits you in every way imaginable. The exercise I am talking about is exercising your joy.

     This wonderful exercise can help every part of you everyday of your life. It keeps your mind alert by thinking positive thoughts full of optimism and enthusiasm. It keeps your eyes clear by looking at all the wonders of the world around you and by reading words that inspire you to become the person you want to be. It makes your ears sharp by listening to lovely music, singing birds, tinkling wind chimes, and the three greatest words in the world, "I love you." It keeps your lips fit by giving thanks to God all day long. It keeps your voice strong by singing beautiful songs. It helps your teeth shine by sharing your smile. It gives your arms a workout with hug after hug. It helps out both the taste buds and the stomach by sharing good food with people you love. It keeps those legs firm and healthy by dancing in delight and walking with God. It gives your insides a lot of work with happy and frequent doses of laughter. It makes your heart stronger by giving your love to everyone. It makes your soul even brighter by sharing its light with the whole world. It makes every bit of your life more fit by helping you to do what you were always meant to do and to be the Child of God that you were always created to be.

     Don’t be afraid to exercise your joy everyday then. It not only helps you to feel good, but it also helps you to be good. It not only makes you better, but it also makes the world better. It not only makes you fit for this life, but it also makes you fit for the next life as well.

Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

"REMINDING"

Mary Carter Miszrany

Such a BIG God
when  we're  feeling small . . .
forgotten ~ dejected
with  back  to the wall  ~

When He seems
so  distant ~  we SO alone . . .
Where His warm embrace ?
when  we  hurt to the bone  ~

Perhaps just a note
arrives in the mail . . .
seems like a  hug
when we're  feeling so frail  ~

Was it that song
in Jesus "What A Friend" . . .
stir'd  faith's new refreshing
causing  our  pain to end?  ~

Could have been His Word
sprang alive in the  heart . . .
Breath of His Spirit
saying ~ "Satan ~ depart" ?  ~

May just have been
someone's glorious testimony . . .
How mighty our God is
spoke new life  to  you & me  ~

However God chooses
His  purpose ~  His plan . . .
He never leaves us stranded
in a wilderness land ~

Somehow He reminds us
HE'S  the GOD who cannot  fail . . .
Then kisses those  bruises
says, "Child, YOU SHALL PREVAIL!"

Mary Carter Mizrany©
August 14, 2006
www.onwingsoffaith.com

~**~**~

"WITH THEE STILL"

Mary Carter Mizany

Throughout life's tragedies & trials,
empty places left to fill . . .
questions with no easy answers,
ever~seeking, Lord, your will ~

Struggles find me heavy~laden,
burdens like a stone~filled sack . . .
thought I left them at your altar,
why this weight upon my back? ~

"Casting all your cares upon me",
hear I, my precious Saviour say, . . .
why bear this load a moment longer
when all I need do is obey? ~

Depression rocking me aslumber,
Morpheus sweeping over me . . .
consciousness becomes unconscious
my spirit, Lord, let rest with Thee ~

For with Thee, in sleep, I find
nought my aching heart can rend . . .
the sack of sorrows shall be dispersed
by faith in You, my Saviour, Friend ~

And, when upon awakening, Lord,
remind me of your perfect will . . .
that cares upon Thee I have cast,
awake or asleep,  are WITH THEE STILL!

Mary Carter Mizrany©
August 7, 2006
www.onwingsoffaith.com

Readers Feedback

   Carol: Old River and Creeking Young story could very easily be applied to our lifes. I am a middle river and hope with God's help I could become a mature river before my last days!  The professor message could also be applied to the way we treat others included our loved ones who suffer the most during those stages of growth and maturity.

Jennifer thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us and WELCOME ABOARD!! Tannia

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