Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

May 19, 2007

Today’s Announcements

 The news is there is no blockage on my heart, Heart is some what inlarged.  Doctor what little he said, B/P is the trouble maker.

Other good news I just got a telephone call from preacher..  His daughter in law, was operated on to day.. I am not sure what it all was about, but no cancer was found.. it was an in and out and back home.  The girl seems to have a lot of health problems. 

 Bill Walker: missourisage@yahoo.com

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 NOT YET

By David Wainland

Friday April 13, 2007 approaches and with it, the newest change in my life. That day begins my last as a metal sculptor, at least as a professional, something I have done for over thirty years. I will be showing at the Delray Affair, a famous Florida art and craft show. It is my eighteenth year there, and perhaps my last.

My booth is in the same place it has stood since I began. Friends and fellow artisans will surround me; many of them have been there from the beginning. Some of them had toddlers in their arms when first we met. Today those children set the tents, sell the merchandise and care for their parents. I have witnessed the slow progression that time takes. We grow older, find new pains, are less enthusiastic, more cynical and for the most part we are a little jaded, but still we love the game.

The first time a stroller stopped at my tent, browsed, complimented my work, asked a price and finally said, “I will be back.” I believed and waited patiently only to hear the same words echoed repeatedly that day. “I’ll be back.”

Over the years, the only one that I could guarantee would be back was David.  

For eighteen years times three days, times ten-hours I have stood at this show and endured the best and worst the weather, the Floridians, the Snowbirds and the tourists would throw at me.  It has been one hell of a ride. A ride I loved. After all this was the life, I chose

“Do you do this for a living?” Shoppers ask, either jealous or incredulous.   

I bought a home, put two kids through college, married one off, traveled, have been on TV and in the newspapers. Fame is fleeting and I had my fifteen minutes, times thirty.  

For the last thirty plus years, my life as a professional artist thrilled me.  When a new friend or acquaintance would ask, “What do you do?” I could not wait to tell them.

“I am an artist,” and I said it with pride.

I could have been a salesman, I was one once and I could have been a mechanic. I did that also. My mother wanted me to become an actor and my father saw me running his business. I tried both and found them wanting. Creating something out of nothing, now that sounded wonderful and doing it with my own hands, that was the icing on the cake.

“What is your best price?” I heard that at every show.

“Ten dollars more than the first price I gave you.” My face would remain expressionless.

Someone once said, “Art is never finished only abandoned.”

Over the years, my skills grew and I would look back on my last piece with astonishment and wonder, did I really do that? How can I do it better? Almost two thousand sculptures later, I still ask those questions.

At every show, in every town throughout the years, somebody would smile and say, “Have you been doing this all your life?”

“Not yet,” I would say and smile back. “Not yet.”

The leaf turns and a new chapter opens. I will spend the next twenty years writing about the last thirty and hope someday somebody will ask me about that.

“Have you been doing this your whole life?”

I look forward to it and already know what I will say.

“Not yet, no not yet.”

End

Email david@davidwainland.com

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

The Ointment Of Love
Cynthia Groopman

As the ointment is spread upon a broken heart,
the sorrow and pain begin to disappear,
and the once broken heart is mended again with joy and cheer.
The ointment of love is healing to those who truly care,
and deep friendship they lovingly share.
It cannot be bought in any store,
nor can we borrow it from our neighbor living next door.
The ointment of love is like soft velvet and comes from within,
it is precious and dear, and as it is spread,
we have the courage that the war of turmoil we can victoriously win.


Cynthia Groopman
cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

~**~**~

The Sky Is Smiling At Me
Cynthia Groopman

with a golden glow that beams brightly.
As the sky is smiling, it is singing a joyful tune,
as sweet as the beautiful flowers that majestically bloom.
As the sky lovingly smiles, my eyes dance with overpowering glee,
for all is well and happy.
With a luster that is of breathtaking glory and extreme mirth,
each warm sunbeam gently renews and softly caresses Mother Earth.
For when the sky is regally smiling in an enchanting way,
I thank God for such a spectacular day.
The sun's smile is so warm and bright,
as it permeates God's precious loving light.
So dear blue sky, keep on smiling at me,
then elated and eternally glad, I shall always be.


Cynthia Groopman
cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman   

 ~**~**~

 The Weeping Sky
Cynthia Groopman

Tiny dew-like teardrops slowly cascade from sadly swirling clouds
that gloomily frown in a pitch darkened midday sky,
for, the sky is weeping today,
as it behaves in a solemn way.
Crying incessantly at the cruelty that has been done,
as longing for the battles of a brutal war to be victoriously won.
For dear friends, the sky is sorrowfully weeping today,
let us all together dry her mournful tears
as we join hands and pray for peace,
and for universal love, free from want and fears.


Cynthia Groopman
cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

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