Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

August 9, 2007

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Publishers Favourite Sites:

Rosanne Catalano

http://www.rosannecatalano.net/

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Michael Smith

http://subs.zinester.com/86758/

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Barbara Weymouth

penwormprayerwarriors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Helen Dowd

www.occupytillicome.com

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Today?s Announcements

?I need all the prayers I can get for a wonderful friend of mine.

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His name is Donald Comeaux, his wife's name is Jackie.

They are bereaved parents, having lost 3 of their 4 children.

I have had the opportunity to meet them in person as they reside in the same state as I am in.

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Thursday, coming home from work, Donald has a tragic vehicle accident.? A vehicle ahead of him had something fall off their vehicle.? Donald swerved in the road to avoid hitting it.? His truck went airborne, flipped two times, and came down, upside down.? Donald was removed from the vehicle with the jaws of life, then he was air lifted to a hospital in?Pensacola, Florida from Bay Minette, Alabama, where he and Jackie lives.

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He's in the ICU unit with severe head injuries.? His wife called me today.

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This is a wonderful man and woman.? They've been through so much with the deaths of their children.? I think the world of both of them.

Jackie asked if I'd say a prayer for Donald, and I told her I'd get as many people that I can to say a prayer.

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So if you would, please say a prayer for this wonderful man tonight.? He needs every prayer he can get.

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Thank you,

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

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

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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.

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Today?s Stories

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Encouraging high achievement
Keith Ready

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It was the end of the school term and my son Tom had less than three months left before he would finish his six years at high school. During this time he had developed a passion for basketball and may I say as a proud and some what biased father, he is energetic, skilful and plays a key role in the three different teams that he plays for each week.

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Sadly, due to my work commitments over the last twelve months, I had only been able to attend a few of his games, however, I was determined to get to his last game for the school term which co-incidentally would see him play in two back to back finals; one for his school and the other with a team he and his mates had formed, so that as he put it, 'he could get some extra game time and improve his basketball skills.'

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I arrived just as Tom's first final was about to start and joined a small crowd comprising the team's school friends and a few parents, to watch what would end up being a nail biting finish to his first final.

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Tom's team came out in the first 10 minutes with a burst of goals which saw them leading by just over 20 points at the end of the first half. At this level of the game teams play two 20 minute halves and I could see that the coach was well pleased with their efforts, so much so, that he hadn't called a time out in the first half and had made only a few substitutions.

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The second half took on a totally different complexion as the opposing team quickly played themselves back into the game. They were on a role and three pointers came thick and fast as Tom's team dropped their intensity and started to miss an increasing number of shots and rebounds. Their lead was cut back to only a couple of points with less than two minutes to go. It was at that point that the coach called his first time out.

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As I sat some three metres from where the team and coach were gathered together, the surrounding noise of the spectators became muted as I was drawn into what was happening, as the coach spoke to them. He had the team standing a half circle and squatting down was looking up at them giving some very calm and clear instructions on what they needed to do in the last couple of minutes. As he stood up to allow the team to return to the court, I saw him give some further words of encouragement to all them coupled with a pat on the back for those going onto to the court and also to those who would sit on the bench for the last couple of minutes.

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As I watched this and what unfolded over the next 2 minutes, it struck me as to just what the coach had done in that critical time out.? You could see that he knew that the team was fighting to save the game and that he needed to re-focus them and lift them up. By squatting down he placed himself in a position where he was talking up to them, rather than down or at them and as the players went back onto the court his words of encouragement and that pat on the back, served to lift their energy and spirits.

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Well Tom's team went on to win the final by 5 points and it was a great game to watch, particularly as the team had started so strongly, then lost it's way until the very last few minutes of the game, when they lifted to win. The win was due in the main to the on court efforts of all the players, however, much of the credit must go to their coach who in that last time out had by his actions literally placed them on a pedestal, restored their confidence and lifted them up.?

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When the players and coach had finished congratulating each other and celebrating their win, I went over to the coach to thank him for the work he had done with the team throughout the year, which had lead to a finals win. I commented on what I had seen him do in that last time out and he seemed surprised, however, acknowledged that by squatting down he felt less inclined to give them a blast about what they were doing wrong, but rather focus on what they needed to do to win the game.

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As I drove away on that evening I thought about his comments and a couple of parallels came to mind about what can happen to us all in our everyday life. Firstly, we may think that what we say has the most influence and impact on people, when in actual fact it is just as much or perhaps even more about our actions and how we make people feel.

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Secondly, we should always focus our attention on talking about what needs to be done in a positive and enthusing way, rather than dwell on the negative aspects of what we didn't do right. One of my favourite quotes is about the half filled glass of water - 'is it half full or is it half empty.' Like the teams coach, the answer to this quote all depends on how you look at things and act.

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On that night I was privileged to watch, hear and see a young coach who focussed on being half full and then some, and who clearly possesses those all important soft skills that we may talk about as being important, but so rarely put into practise in our every day life.

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As a postscript to the evening, Tom's second appearance in a final did not see the same result as the first final, perhaps if the team had a coach this may have been different, but then again I would rather not dwell on the loss and remember the great win.

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May there be may more positive experiences for Tom and his mates, in their life beyond school.

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Inspired by Ben Rowse - a young man with natural coaching skills and a feel for what is important in encouraging people to achieve more.

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Written by Keith Ready

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Keith Ready ? July 2007

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~**~**~

Garage Sales
Bill Walker
missourisage@yahoo.com

Garage sales, yard sales, such sales are for a couple reasons. One is to get rid of things that are no longer needed, or in the way. Second thing is in most cases a lot of things have become junk. But one must remember there still is some value to even junk.

A lady, make that a couple ladies I know, went together to sell things that was no longer needed or as some would say junk. I have taken a couple trips by to see how things were going. Yesterday was the second day. I noticed the prices on things, and thought goodness these two gals are about giving things away.

There was a stack of dishes, different sizes, shapes and patterns. One could tell,?at one time they were a set. You know, 4?dinner plates, pie plates, and so on. But over time, one gets?missing in action. Here came one old battle axe, a battle axe that will kick up
a fuss over something. She asked the price of the dishes. She was told 3 bucks for what is in the stack. She paws at them, and says well there is a couple with a chip, therefore she will be glad to give 2 bucks.

Now Dollie, I don't think was really thinking on the matter at hand. One has to always be ready with a come back to battle axes that is nothing more than to try to get things free. Dollie should have piped up and said the ones with chips, Oh I didn't mean for my daughter to sell those. Those were used by General Washington at Valley Forge. But being how those are in the stack, I will let you have them at a special price. Let?s see, I
can let those go for a dollar each. I thought to myself, after hearing the old sister, she wanted those dishes. The price was already a give away, why chop the price anymore? At least keep them, they were good enough to throw one more time at dear husband, when
he forgot a special date. Maybe the next garage sale all will have been to Valley Forge.

My thinking is simple. The person holding the sale has got the price down, to a small figure of what it once cost. It is a give away. If the price is a dollar, either pay it or walk away. Isn't that what you do when buying it new?

I hate garage sales myself. I think it is a job to get the give aways ready, then get to run into old retired battle axes wanting it for free. Heck it already is nearly free.

It now comes to me, why the old battle axe wanted the dishes. She had run out of a supply to throw at her poor beat down hubby.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book

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Poetry Corner

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Disappointed

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Conrad Cardinal

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I listened to a man today, who said

he was on my side.

However what I heard, made me want

to hide.

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He said he understood my needs and

could help me live my life.

Yet from what I know of him, he lives

far above my strife.

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Has he ever had to worry about money

to pay a bill?

Has he ever felt less than others, because

he didn't live on the hill?

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Does he know how it feels when the

cupboard is bare, no way to fill the need?

What about being raised so poor you

can't see how to succeed.

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It's said to know what another feels, walk

a mile in their shoes.

How can someone make decisions for me

if they've never had to lose.

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When this all started, those in charge

lived the same existence.

To meet the needs of those who followed

met with little resistance.

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Now a days, only the wealthy can make

it to the top.

Without resources to go on, others have

to stop.

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Those in charge seemed to have learned

how to talk the talk.

Their words are hollow and meaningless

because they've never walked the walk.

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Conrad

cconseth@aol.com

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Women

Conrad S. Cardinal

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Women have a special place in this world

and fill a special need.

God knew he'd have to make Eve if man

was to succeed.

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Man has certain qualities, like size, strength

and a combative nature.

He's ready to defend those he loves and

battle any creature.

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Women are?more delicate and not as strong.

However, don't underestimate their ability,

they can right a wrong.

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In many ways women are much stronger

than we men could ever be.

I'm sure I couldn't bear a child, take care of the

kids or put up with me.

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Then there is their compassion and their

common sense applied.

Sometimes my wife see's things I don't'

I say I did, I lied.

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Men and women indeed are different, but

each bring qualities to the table.

Together they can easily succeed, alone

they're not as able.

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So guys take my advice and think before

you speak.

The ladies may not be as strong, but

believe me they're not weak.

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Conrad Cardinal

cconseth@aol.com

Readers Feedback

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The Soul Eternal - Ah Carol, this is such a poignant and such a true article. My babies
(dogs and cats past) that have been in my life for, seemingly, short
times have taught me more about the human condition of unconditional
love than any other factor. And like Will Rogers stated to a national
audience, "If dogs don't go to Heaven then I want to go where they go."
This says it all to me.

I help with three rescue orgs here plus devoting several hours a week,
food and vet care for rescues here and always feel guilty that it's not
enough regardless of my efforts. Guess I'm nuts?
Thanks and Regards
Mark Crider

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Really enjoyed the story about "yesterdays." It brought back some pleasant memories. Wish we could incorporate some of those times with some of our conveniences of today. (air conditioning for one) Donna Becker

Storytime Tapestry Angels

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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.

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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.

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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, Bob Shaw, Carol Meeks, Charlotte Hilliard, Maria Keller

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