Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

July 2, 2007

Today’s Stories

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Part 2

The Spirit of the Ronni B

Bob Shaw

    Cap and Charlie went back into town and rented a Motel room. Cap had been trying to remember where some of the other crew members had come from, and thought he remembered Lonnie, the Co Pilot was from Omaha. He called the long distance operator, gave her Lonnie’s name, and she found a phone number. It was the only listing in the book by that name, so it was a go or no go situation.

    A stuffy secretary answered the phone, and cap explained to her who he was, and wanted to know if Lonnie was who he was looking for. She said she’d ask, and just moments later, she was surprised when Lonnie grabbed the phone and said, “Cap! Is that you”?

    It was a great reunion, and Cap finally got around to telling him the reason for the call. Lonnie took down the phone number and said to stay right there. He’d get right back to him. Then he told the secretary to cancel his appointments, and book him on the next flight closest to Tucson. “Arizona“? she said? “That’s the only one I know of“, Lonnie fired back. “And hold down the fort till I get back”. “What will I tell everyone”, she asked? “Just tell them I had to go out of town to see some old friends”.

    Lonnie called back and told Cap he’d found Stan. Then one thing led to another, and before long, they had all called around and found each other. The next thing Cap knew, the whole crew was heading for Arizona. Some came by themselves, others brought their wives and family. They said it sounded like a good vacation, and besides, they all wanted to see the old bird again.

    Slim was the first to show up at the Motel. Cap just stood and stared for a moment, trying to recognize him. Finally he said “Slim“? Slim, who now weighed in close to 260 pounds, smiled, saying “I used to be”. They laughed and started talking about the old days. Cap introduced Charlie to everyone as they showed up, and he was thrilled to meet all of the people he had heard about all his life. Cap explained that it was Charlie who had started the whole thing, and how.

    The guard at the entrance shack was a little reluctant to let the whole bunch in, and Slim took him to one side and gave him his card. The guard looked a bit wide eyed, and couldn’t seem to do enough for them. Cap laughed and asked Slim what he had in that card, a $20 bill? Slim just laughed and said “something like that”.

    When Cap led them to the plane, everyone just stared in shock. One of the wives asked “you flew in that”? He just smiled and said “she was in a little better shape then”. That brought a few smiles, but most of the comments were in the range of “she deserved better than this”.

    Lonnie was busy telling a few of the others about the time they were hit with some heavy flak. The port engine was out and trailing smoke. He asked Cap if he thought they should start getting ready to bail out. Cap looked out the window, thinking about it for a few moments, and said, “naw, we’d better not. She’d never find her way home”. Everyone laughed. They knew Cap loved the old plane.

    It was Charlie that started the whole thing moving when he asked, “Grampa, can we take her home“? Cap explained to him that they were very careful, and wouldn’t sell these to just anyone. They were a weapon of war, and there would be a lot of regulations and red tape to try to cut through. Charlie was determined. “We can do it, Grampa”, he said.

    It was then that Slim stepped forward and handed Cap his card. Cap looked at it and said,” you’re a Congressman“!? Slim smiled and said “yup, duly elected and official. I think I can handle some of that red tape for you”.

    Cap smiled and said “looks like you finally got me out ranked, Slim”. He put his hand on Cap‘s shoulder and said, “I’ll never out rank you, Cap“. He said it with admiration and respect. He knew it was Cap, and the Ronni B that had gotten them all home.

    Lonnie stepped forward, put his hand on Slim’s shoulder, and said, “as an attorney, I think I can help with some of the legal work, but we still have the problem of paying for the plane and the spare parts. And that’s not even mentioning the transportation expenses”. Cap knew he was right. He didn’t have the heart to look in Charlie’s eyes. He knew how disappointed the boy was.

    Just then, Stan and his wife stepped forward. He said, “Cap, have you ever heard of the TG Trucking Company”? “Cap said, sure, they’re all over the country”. “Why”? “Well, we own it“, said Stan. “When my wife’s father passed away, I started running the company, got a few good contracts, and as they say, the rest is history”. Stan handed Cap a check and told him there was enough there to buy the Ronni B, and enough spare parts to fix her up. “If you need it, there’s more where that came from”. “Several of my drivers and people were mechanics and helpers in the war. I’ll just bet they’d jump at the chance to work on this project”. “And I’ve got the trucks to do the job and bring her home”.

    As it all started to sink in, Cap asked with a curious grin, “TG Trucking”? Stan said, “Yup, Tail Gunner”. Everyone had a good laugh, and got down to business.

    Cap didn’t know what to say. Charlie did. “Grampa, are we going to take her home with us”? Cap’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at his old crew and told Charlie, “looks like it, son, it sure looks like it”.

    When the paperwork, the red tape, and all the necessary permits and forms were completed, the work crews and the trucks started coming in. Three weeks later, The Ronni B was coming home. It took two big flat bed trailers, and a large box trailer to haul everything. Someone had rounded up a large circus tent, and erected it to put the big plane under, to keep her out of the weather, and provide a good place to start putting her back together. Charlie looked around, wide eyed, and said, “Grampa, look at all this stuff”!

    Cap just smiled and said, “that just goes to prove, Charlie, one man’s junk is someone else’s treasure. And a treasure, she was.

    Several of the panels were either a different color, or weren’t painted at all. She looked a lot like a patch work quilt. But that wouldn’t take long to fix. The hard part was fixing the bigger items, like the Starboard wing, nose gear, and the missing part of the tail section. The parts were there, it would just take a lot of work to put it all together. They were lucky enough to find a good nose canopy, and when that and the nose gear was installed, she was starting to look more like her old self. The tires were pretty well gone to dry rot. They were just something you couldn’t run out to the tire store and pick up, so Cap put some stands under the axils, to keep the weight off the tires. The engines were frozen up, but he knew she wouldn’t be flying, anyway. He’d never take the chance on that.

    A lot of the townsfolk were interested in seeing the old plane, and someone came up with the idea of charging an admission to come in and see her. No one seemed to mind. It was like they were doing their share to help rebuild her. And it wasn’t long before travelers were coming in from the highway just to see her. Cap always enjoyed telling everyone about her story, and Charlie’s part in it. Slowly, very slowly, she was coming back to life.

End Part 2

Bob Shaw

caperabbit@semo.net

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This I Believe # 12
Bill Walker
missourisage@yahoo.com

This I Believe. I was playing with Little Girl, my little dog. She is such a joy. I recalled Tinker and Poo and all the rest for a minute. You see I remembered something the way each of them did it.

Each dog is different in the way they do something, just like you and I. We may be close in thinking and doing things, but each has their own little special way. This I Believe.

Little Girl, can be playing with a toy, I can be setting here, and wham, a toy comes flying my way. For quite a while I thought she slung it from her mouth. One day I saw the real thing. She gets it to rest on the front paws, and she some how flips the thing. I never saw a dog do it before.

Poo would wipe his face off on command. It was a trick only I ever mastered, well no one else would have tried it that I know of.  Mother never did try it. I would hold him and say wipe your face, he would have both front paws wiping at his face. Tink thought he was
nuts. This I Believe.

Tinker went nuts at the sight of a horse, or any thing that looked like horse. He never paid no mind to a cow. Poo Thought he was nuts. This I Believe.

Dogs bring such joy, those that don't know just don't know. This I Believe. Yes I have only one dog, but doing something with her, brings back memories of each that is no longer here. Something she does, and the way she does it, I think of the others and their way of doing it.  

Now I forgot girls are different in thinking then boys, this goes for dogs also I guess. I could say lets go boys, Tink and Poo would be at the door waiting, jumping for joy. Well not Little Girl, she looks at me and as if to say NOW? You got to be kidding, I got to change, my hair is a mess, where are we going anyway? I got to think what toy do I want to take on this trip?

Food is another matter. Tink and Poo would be sitting at their table  waiting for dinner, and talking about it. She says, roast beef again, had that at noon for lunch, haven't we got something different, like steak? Yes there is something different in their thinking.
This I Believe.

Guess I can sell the city fire plug. Tink and Poo always ran out and checked it's well being. She never pays any mind to if the fire plug is in need of water. She goes out and hikes her skirt in the middle of the yard. This I Believe.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

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Poetry Corner

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Life
Cynthia Groopman

Life is like a rapidly rotating spinning wheel circling swiftly all around,
Evoking thoughts that are truly deep and profound.
Life is like a winding spiral staircase with its many unexpected
ups and downs, when the storm clouds enter our life's sky,
our faces are crowned with doleful frowns.
Life is like the changing seasons,
Bringing mysterious events and unquestionable reasons.
I never ask why, nor do I cry,
But upon the love, guidance, and wisdom of the Lord I do rely.
For life is full of elation,
And I bask in the sunshine of amazing fascination.

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

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Memories
Cynthia Groopman

Oh dear sweet memories, you serve as my link from the exciting present to
the distant past, with a blink of an eye, the years fly by so very fast.
When I am lonely, I search for the many happy memories that reside in my
mind,
To pluck out a joyous time and relive a memory that I can easily find.
Oh, I long for my childhood days, when all was full of sweet innocence and
quiet bliss,
And when painful sorrows vanished by a soft motherly embrace and soothed by
her tender comforting kiss.
Frolicking and romping about merrily on a bright beautiful summer's day,
I would exalt and jubilate in a cheerful way.
Devoid of responsibilities and burdens to bear,
I would dance with joy as the breeze would tease and toss my long braided
hair.
As I embarked on many new adventures, there were so many new things for me
to learn, and for these carefree days I so desperately yearn.
Mother and dad gently nurtured me;
As they cradled me in their arms lovingly.
For me, dear sweet memories are indeed precious treasures,
And I shall cherish them a rejoicing measure.

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

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Nightfall
Cynthia Groopman

As darkness slowly descends its mysterious shadows,
Creating a velvety curtain onto the infinite stage of the sky,
The sun makes her farewell exit
Creating a splendid picturesque sunset of majestic colors.
The old moon cheerfully laughs and sings his greeting song
As he gleefully tickles the lively dancing stars.
And the stars begin to twinkle in a springily jocund manner.
A stillness permeates the air.
For Day is done and nature must peacefully rest.
Renewing herself and fulfilling the promise for the dawn
Of a beautiful brand new tomorrow.

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

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A Greeting To The Month Of July
Cynthia Groopman

With smiling faces and open arms,
Oh, sweet July, we greet you, marveling at your summertime charms.
Beneath a shade tree strong and tall,
we take refuge in July's extreme heat,
having a picnic in the park, indulging in treats delicious and sweet.
Singing beautiful tunes in the morning,
cheerful birds greet us as the July day is gloriously dawning.
A month of festivity, frolicking and fun,
with children singing, laughing and soaking up warm rays of the sun.
We salute the birth of our strong and beloved nation,
as we beam with patriotic pride and rejoice in freedom's elation.
Oh, sweet July, our hearts rejoice and dance to a merry tune,
and we welcome you as we bid farewell to the elegant month of June.


Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

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