Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Feb 23, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Today is a very special day; it is the birthday of my grandson, Tyler Anthony Henry Roach.  He is 11 years old.

Donations are needed to help with the operating expenses of running the newsletter and to keep Storytime Tapestry the quality newsletter you are so accustomed to.   

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 Stories

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The Adventures Of Mama Dog (Undercover Angel)

 Carolyn Koen

   I first met Mama Dog two days before Christmas 2005. She showed up at my friend Brenda's house, cold, starving, badly beaten, and very, very pregnant.  Brenda immediately went and bought a bale of hay, and made a nice warm place for her in the garage. Brenda is very good with animals, and she was determined to nurse Mama Dog back to health.   

     I fell in love with Mama Dog the first time I met her.  I patted her on the head and told her how pretty she was, and she looked at me with such gratitude and love, that it nearly broke my heart.  I have never met a dog quite like her before. She shows her appreciation for any kindness or affection that you give to her. Her eyes shine with love and she actually smiles at you.

     A few days after she arrived at Brenda's, she gave birth to nine beautiful puppies. She took wonderful care of them, and she loved to show them off.  I could see a look of pride on her face as I told her what a good mom she was.

     It didn't take Mama Dog long to gain weight and get her strength back.  Brenda gave her all the food that she could eat. She started leaving for short periods of time, but  always came back before her puppies even missed her. We found out later, that she was visiting all of the people in town. She only stayed long enough to say hello and then would return to nurse her puppies.

     Brenda gave all of the puppies away after they were weened, because she already had a Doberman and a cat.  She just couldn't take on nine puppies too.  Mama Dog was broken hearted about it.

     Several months later, she had nine more puppies. Two of which were part Doberman.  When it came close to the time to ween them, Mama Dog took each of the puppies and hid them.  We looked all over town, but had no luck finding them. Then one day Brenda decided to follow her,  she found four of the puppies living under my neighbor's house.  The opening under the house was too small to climb through, so my neighbor said that they could stay until they could come out on their own. We couldn't find the other five dogs.

     When they came out from under the house a few weeks later, Brenda had already found good homes for three of them. She kept the one that was part Doberman, and named him Mack. He was strong, healthy and very sweet.  A week later Mama Dog showed up with the other missing puppies. They were all healthy except the other Doberman. He was very small and weak. Brenda named him Little Bit. She gave all of them away except Little Bit and Mack.

     It was heartbreaking to see how small and weak Little Bit was. She couldn't even stand up to eat. Brenda had to hold her and give her a little at a time.  Gradually she began eating more, and the more she ate the stronger she got.  I would go over and visit every few days, and I was always amazed at how fast she was growing.  Little Bit is now bigger than Mack and Mama Dog.

     Last week, I had to walk to the Grocery Store before it closed. It was dark outside and I was a little nervous. You never know what kind of wacko you might run into. When I went outside, Mama Dog came running up to me.  I hugged her and pet her for a few minutes, then started walking to the store. Mama Dog walked with me the whole way.  I went in the store and got what I needed. When I came out Mama Dog was waiting for me. She walked with me all the way home.

     I’ve never met a smarter or sweeter dog. I feel very blessed to have her as a friend.

Carolyn Koen

mwilder39@yahoo.com

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Lesson of the Rose

Cheryl Williams

(This was written last spring)

Today as I went on my daily walk, I prayed. This is not what I usually do. I usually have some music blasting from my headset as I try and walk to the beat. But not today.

Today I wanted to hear God’s music. For the past few mornings, the song birds have been my alarm clock, and I’ve been able to greet each day with joy. So today I decided to keep that feeling with me during my walk.

As I walked, I was taken in by the beauty of God’s nature. The birds were singing. The sun was shining, and a nice breeze was blowing. The trees were budding, and the flowers were slowly blooming. Aside from my aching muscles, it was perfection.

I found myself talking to God, asking Him for guidance and direction in my life. I asked Him to open up my mind and my spirit to His will.

Almost immediately, I came upon a rose bush, and the thought, “Take time to stop and smell the roses” came to me. I chuckled at the cliche and said, “Okay, God. What’s your point? To look more at the good in my life?” So I did that. For the next two laps around the track, I put all worry aside and thought of the blessings in my life.

Then I came to the rose bush again. And I noticed three roses on the bush, all in different stages of development. All were equally beautiful.

One rose was still in the bud stage, tightly closed, and darker than the other roses. The second rose was in it budding phase, slightly opened and becoming brighter. And the third rose was fully open, vibrant and bursting with color.

As I walked, so many thoughts came pouring into my mind, and I began to compare my life to that of the rose. I saw such a correlation I had no doubt it was a message to me from God.

When I related the message of the rose to my personal struggles in life, dealing with addictive behaviors as well as issues of weight, I’ve felt tightly wound just like the rose bud. I’ve been afraid to open up. I’ve been afraid to let anyone in. Sometimes I’m even afraid to let God in. So I’ve stayed a bud. But unlike the rosebud, I’ve always thought I was ugly. Today I realized differently. There is beauty in the rosebud. There is beauty in me, even as I struggle with my weight. I’m merely in a different stage of development, and I cannot open myself. I cannot “bloom” without God. If I force myself open without God, I will damage myself.

But if I let God open me in His perfect time, I will begin to bloom perfectly in His eyes. As I open myself to the light of His love, I will begin to bloom and become more vibrant. And the more light I receive, the more I open myself to receive other gifts God has for me. And the more I receive, the more I have to share with others. Soon I will be that rose in full bloom.

 As I finished my walk today, I had to smile at the wonderful ways in which God chooses to reveal Himself to us. We are all beautiful. Our differences do not makes us any less lovely, nor do our struggles.

As I passed the rosebud for the last time, I actually did stop and “smell the roses”. And the fragrance on each one of them was beautiful.

 Cheryl Williams

 politicalgirl04@aol.com

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Poetry Corner

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Winter's Delay

Cynthia Groopman

In the month's of early winter, we were greatly surprised,
To see birds sing and temperatures rise,
Snow did not fall,
As we were delighted by all.
Then, suddenly, the winds began to blow so strong,
No longer were the temperatures,
Nor the sun smiling in tune song.
 Shivering in the deep freeze,
Many began to cough and to sneeze,
Snow and ice covered the frozen ground,
 As we heard boots skid and slide to a slippery sound.
 Oh, we were certainly disappointed and truly dismayed,
For we all thought winter had forgotten us,
But she was only delayed.
 Oh, winter, a nasty trick on us, you did truly play,
I am counting the days till you say good-bye and go on your merry way.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Copyright ©2007 Cynthia Groopman

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Friendship's Golden Hand
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, friendship, you possess a truly golden hand,
Spreading joy, gladness and reassuring love throughout everyone's life's land.
A calm gentle touch,
Means so very much.
Like the warm glowing sunshine,
Oh, friendship's golden hand  you will forever glitter and perpetually shine.
In times of deep sorrow and grief,
Friendship's golden hand will allay fear and provide soothing relief.
For friendship's golden hand is found in those who are precious and so dear,
Easing our anxiety and comforting our sadness or fear.
So, dear golden hand of friendship, you are as bright as the candle,
That will forever be kindled in my soul and in my heart,
And your eternal flame of hope,
Will forever caress my thoughts and will never depart.


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

Readers Feedback

 Carol’s Column – Feb 22 - What a wonderful column, Carol! Dianna

From Mark: I'm personally acquainted with several age difference marriages.

One man is about fifteen years younger at 72. They have a successful on going business and have raised four foster children during their marriage. He adores her and their grand children. They both are cancer survivors.

One is a 23 year old employee married to a 43 year old nurse that treats him like a spoiled child with all kinds expensive blings. He dropped out of our apprenticeship program to just be stuck in position until he signs back on and continues school. No raises, no advancements are in his future.

Another is a 66 year old gentleman married to a 47 year old frivolous woman. In my estimation it takes the wisdom and refinement of age to put up with such an inane, ding dong of a woman. She doesn't understand what money is or its function. It's only to get rid of. She seems to always be stumbling,,,, looking for the toilet paper..........after the fact.

Another is my 75 year old barber who is married to a 65 year old termagant of vacuous intelligence however her epigamic actions make her his pigsney.

And there are others, some seemingly great, some not. Mostly it gets worse.
Thanks
Mark Crider

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Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider, Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt, Mariane Holbrook, Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker, Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley, Surinder Jandu