Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Jan 23, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Update on my situation: unfortunately I still have not found a job, though I have been searching long and hard for one.  Please everyone I need your prayers, all my bills are behind and I just can’t make ends meet.

Thank you,

Carol Roach

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

Turquoise
Robin Lee 
   
 A Balanced Stone

Whether seen as a bridge between water and sky, or a piece of the sky
itself, turquoise has captured the imagination of generations. Revered
by cultures from across the globe, this smooth, blue gem remains a
talisman of health, wealth, good luck, and protection from sickness. In the
ancient Middle East, turquoise was believed to change color when its
wearer was ill and the stone was considered sacred and powerful by the
Egyptians, the Aztecs, and Native Americans. Traditionally, the stone,
either set into jewelry or loose, was carried as protection to ward away
the evil eye. Today, turquoise is still considered an effective means
of healing the body and soul. Its presence is said to benefit the entire
body and to deflect negative energy that might be harmful. The stone
can also have a positive affect on your mind, increasing your creativity,
empathy, wisdom, and serenity.

Turquoise, which simply means Turkish stone, comes in many colors,
ranging from intense sky blue to greenish to almost white. You may feel
drawn to a particular hue, but the shade of the stone will not increase or
decrease its latent powers. Some crystal healers also use it as a
detoxification aide. When you have obtained your stone, wash it in pure
water and bless it. Afterwards, you may simply want to hold it and focus on
its energy in order to draw positive vibrations from it. Laying or
rubbing the stone on the part of your body, such as a muscle or the chest,
in need of healing can also be effective. Or, if you prefer, have the
stone set in a piece of jewelry so you can keep it close to you
throughout the day.

Many people believe turquoise to be associated with cleansing,
protection, and spiritual balance. The stone is also said to have the ability
to simultaneously open and stimulate the chakras, letting beneficial
energy flood the body. In healing, it bridges the gap between the
physical, spiritual, and emotional parts of us, lending strength and healing to
those parts of us that need it most.

Robin Lee

onespiritx3@yahoo.com

~**~**~

Swat Team

Sharon Bryant

I have never seen a real swat team except on television.   Until tonight.

It all began late this afternoon when a helicopter began circling around our house.  At first I thought it was a medic copter but when I didn't see the large red cross on it, I knew it must be the Sheriff.  It came over our house.  It circled a good mile radius of our home then came back over our house, flying lower.  I knew then they were looking for either a vehicle or a person. 

I watched as it left our area and began another circle in the air and came back over, real low.  Suddenly I saw it dive towards the ground, just over the tree tops.  Since I lived in an area surrounded by woods, I couldn't tell exactly where it landed.  Yet it was close enough I could hear the copter blades turning.

I was making supper at the time.  A few minutes later my phone rang and a friend blurted out, "Grab your camcorder and get over to my house, you won't believe this one!" 

The helicopter landed in the large field between my house and hers.  I'm sure the horses in the field scattered as they saw the large machine coming down in their pasture area.

Two houses over from my friend, cops were swarming.  Sheriff patrol cars, guns being taken out.  Then came the bullet proof vests.  The many men circled the house and one voice rang out, "Police, open the door!"  No response.

The officer called out a second time, striking the door, "Police, open the door with your hands up or we're coming in."

A woman opened the door.

The police went through the whole house, checking under beds, in closets, cabinets, searching the whole house.  They could not find the man of the house, a husband with a child three-years-old.

Back in the 1990's when my children were going to school, we were aware that someone in the area was a "Peeping Tom."  He had been spotted by many people in the neighborhood, and sometimes seen with binoculars.  Yet no one could recognize him.

Police were told about the incidents, but no one had ever been arrested.  This man was exposing himself to children when they were walking to the school bus stop.  Yet again, no one could tell who he was with the hat he wore and his eyes covered by the brim of the hat.  Before the children could run back to their own houses, the man would simply disappear from view.

Recently, there have been many houses in our area that have been broken into.  I am not sure yet what items have been taken, I only know there have been many houses with broken windows and locks.

Someone caught sight of the man recently and an identification of what he looked like was the talk of the area.  No one thought it could be a guy who was married with a little girl of his own.  No one suspected this man spent his spare time alone peeking into any crack of any blind that he could see into.  No one ever knew that the houses that were being burglarized was done by one of their own neighbors in their community.  Until tonight.

I stood and watched the swat team surround the house.  I saw the wrecker when it came to get the truck parked in the drive way. And many heard when the deputy said, "We're bringing in the canines."

The talk tonight is that this guy is hiding in our area.  The fear is the not knowing where he's at until his scent is picked up by the dogs.  The thought that some creep may have watched you undress in your own bedroom is overwhelming.  Many of us have privacy blinds that do not have the tiny holes near the cords in the blinds.  Many of us have our own dogs that will alert us if a stranger approaches our yards.  And some of us have sensors that will let us know inside our homes if someone is approaching our houses before they get near our doors.

At this point tonight, I do not know if the sheriff has found this man.  I assume our local television networks will tell the public tonight on our late news. 

I only know it feels uncomfortable knowing that some creep could still be hiding out there, waiting.

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Winners Are We
Cynthia Groopman

Winners are we,
As we bask in the glorious sunshine of successful victory.
Winners are we in life's game,
Glowing in triumphant radiance, we remain.
It doesn't matter what prize or reward we do possess,
As long as we bring smiles to others drinking from the cup of happiness.
Making a profound difference in the lives of others is the key,
For winners we shall always be.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

Across The Miles

Cynthia Groopman

Across the miles,
Glowing radiantly are rainbows, and sunshine smiles.
Across the miles, you will see,
Hearts dancing happily.
Across the miles, you will find new friends,
A helping hand you will lend.
Across the miles, love blooms like a springtime flower,
Full of deep emotional power.
Across the miles, stars twinkle in life's vast sky,
Time dances rapidly with a blink of an eye.
Across the miles, God is standing by our sides,
In a soul where joy and gladness eternally reside.
Across the miles, beauty, joy and embraces regally flourish,
A broken spirit they will mend and nourish.



Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2007 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

Remembering My Dearest Mom
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, dearest Mom, how I fondly remember you,
Marveling at your glorious light when the moon is new.
As you sprightly dance in the twinkling stars,
Your mirthful voice joyfully sings to me from afar.
Echoing reminders chant in the wind's playful blow,
As you embrace me warmly as the sun radiantly glows.
Dreams of you enchant me during the night,
As I am bathed in times of sadness, by your soothing and comforting light.
For Mother, dear,
Your essence and spirit is so near.
The candle of deep love and affection,
That you so wonderfully kindled into my soul and my heart,
Shall forever shine eternally and will never depart.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006 Cynthia Groopman

Readers Feedback

Hi Carol,

I really enjoyed reading this. It was very interesting as well as informing. The Mamas and The Papas were one of my favorite groups of the sixties, along with Peter, Paul and Mary and Simon and Garfunkle.  They don't make music like they used to. Songs that we grew up with carried a message and the lyrics were so poetic.  I regret that the younger generation must grow up with rap and hip hop that only promotes violence, sex, gangs, and drugs!  I feel that music plays a big part in shaping the personalities of the generation who listens to it all the time.

Carol,

I loved your story about the Mamas and the Papas and the way you wrote it. You are an excellent author. Thanks for publsihing my poems and my stories. God bless. Warmly,cynthia

By the way, do you have another email list in addition to storytimetapestry

Leeuna

Carol, I didn't know Denny Doherty DIED!!! OMG! He was sooo young! I loved "The Mamas and the Papas" and was sooo sad when Cass Elliot died all those years ago. Your famous people column was excellent, btw! Thanks for writing about Denny Doherty. Rosanne

I used to love the Mama and Papa's records. Sharon

What a powerful yet sensitive account of her "Second Life" Cynthia Groopman wrote in her amazing piece.

I was blessed just by reading it.  Kudos!

Mariane Holbrook

  Cynthia - your story My second life - made me helped me to see myself in the mirror. I have always fear to lose my sight since I enjoy tremendously seeing God's nature. However, I see that God blessed you enormously and you found a way to conquer where others failed.  I admired your courage and boldness.  God has a mission for you and He found a way to fulfilled it... God bless you my friend and keep on going.... TANNIA

My congratulations to Bill.  Surely he has achieved a milestone of huge proportions.  I love his Tinker and Poo----somehow  my mind always reads that as Stinker and Pee-U     ( My mind is prejudiced by a large dog with an affinity for skunks)  I will look forward to Bills next 100.              Louise

Tomato Loving Dog - Table food is very bad as well as dangerous for dogs. Some can even kill them. Mark

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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; Groopman, Cynthia, 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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