Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Hearts and Humor ? A Michael Smith Column

August 11, 2007

Hi, Gang!

This is my mid-week post - Late!
I was so busy this week, I didn't get a chance to post
a story to you. My real job was chewing up my hours again.

This is a very old story. I found it in my archives and
don't think many of you have read it before. I know it's
never been posted on Zinester. I played with it. After an
hour, it took on a new demension.

Like me. the majority of our family of readers are thriving
in the mid-point of their lifes. This story will touch them.

??? If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to
your friends. I only ask that you leave the link
at the bottom for them to join us.

??? NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING MY STORIES,
PLEASE USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE LINK BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT
MARK ME AS SPAM. MY STORIES ARE ONLY SENT TO THOSE
WHO SUBSCRIBE TO MY EZINE.

??? I Love your comments.
??? Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com

??? If anyone is interested in greeting cards or crafts,
Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed
together to market their products. Check them out at:
http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com


??? Ginny's cards and other crafts are at:
http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com


??? Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational
sites at the end. There's something for everyone.


??? Now for today's story.




??????????????? Summer's End

??? We didn't have much of a spring this year. It was cold and
rainy. A week ago, summer dropped on us with 90 degree temperatures
and humidity so high, the small patch of hair left on the top of my
head became unmanageable.

??? I sat on my deck the other night, mopping sweat from my face,
and pondered the coming summer. My son was excited. His final exams
were complete. He had two months to do what he wanted to do. I
remembered what it was like when I was young, in school, and waiting
for those final days of school to end.

??? On that last day, I was so excited, I didn't hear a word my
teacher said. The bell rang, summer began, and we'd run out the
door, yelling and tossing old books into the air. I'd rush
home, show my mom my report card, tell her I graded, and run
outside to.to what?? I was free for two months. I could do whatever
I wanted, but my mind was blank. The routine of school was gone.
I didn't know what to do with myself.

??? My best friends were bussed five or ten miles from neighboring
communities. They were gone until the fall.

??? Why was I sad on the last day of school? I should have been ecstatic.

??? I sat by a rock. My old dog, Blackie, came along, licked my
face and settled beside me.

??? "Come on, Blackie! Let's go to Grandmum's."

??? My grandmum lived down the street from us and always had a
plate of muffins ready. Sometimes they had white icing and other
times pink, but they were always good. It was my morning routine
to visit her for a muffin and a talk. Together we waited for my
Grandfather's boat to enter the harbor. When it did, I'd rush to
the wharf and wait to see how many fish he'd caught that day.

??? After a few weeks, a routine set in. I'd wake, go to Grandmum's,
eat a muffin or two, play on the shores around the harbor, examine
the various items that had drifted onto the shores, and go home for
lunch.

??? In the afternoons, I'd go to the brook - the place to be on
hot days. My friends and I spent every afternoon there. It was a
mile from our house and the gathering place for kids of all
ages. With our towels draped over our shoulders, we'd bike, walk,
or hitch-hike to it every day - sometimes twice a day.

??? The "Brook" was wide enough to be a river, but it was only a
mile or so long. It flowed from a lake and cut a rocky swath through
the forest. In several spots, the rocks opened to form natural pools.
The two swimming spots were called the "Little Hole" and the "Big Hole."

??? The "Little Hole" was shallow and had a light current. It was
perfect for kids learning to swim. The "Big Hole" was further up
the brook. It was deep and had a swift current. It was the place the
big kids went and the little kids envied. Every small kid couldn't
wait to graduate to the "Big Hole."

??? On one side, the "Big Hole" was a pile of rocks, mostly or partly
covered with water. On the other side was a six foot rock cliff. It
was perfect for diving. The entrance to the pool was narrow. Water
squeezed quickly through the rocks, dispersed throughout the pool,
and rushed out the lower end. After a heavy rain, the current was
strong. A strong swimmer could swim in one spot until they tired
and the waters won the contest.

??? My friends and I played "tag". All afternoon, we chased each
other, ran over the rocks, and dived from our pursuers. We were as
nimble as mountain goats on the rocks. In spite of the rocks, no one
was seriously hurt. There were a few scrapes, but never serious
injuries. Years of play made us sure-footed.

??? There was a fish plant close to my home. It was an exciting
place for a young boy. In the afternoon, the boats came in with
their catch. We'd check to see who brought in the largest catch.
I once saw a halibut that weighed one hundred and eighty pounds.
A few of the boats fished for swordfish. They brought in the the
largest fish. A few weighted in at over 1000 pounds.

??? If it was hot, I made extra money going to the store for the
workers. On a good day, I'd make more than a dollar - a lot of
money for a young boy in the 1960's. "Mike, go to the store and
get me a lunch cake and a can of Coke." A man said.

??? Then another said, "If you're going to the store, get me a
pack of cigarettes (Yes, even a kid could buy them then) a bag
of chips and a Pepsi." Soon I had an order too large to remember.
A man would write it on a piece of paper or cardboard. The store
keeper made sure I had the order and the change correct.

??? Each pocket held a different man's money. When I delivered,
the men gave me a dime, a nickel, a quarter, or whatever change
was left. I saved the money and bought a bicycle. It was the
first new bike I ever owned.

??? In the evenings, if we didn't go to the brook, we'd fish
from the wharves, and catch pollock, cod, perch, and mackerel.
Mackerel were our favorite. They fought like demons on the
end of the line and tasted wonderful

??? The days sped along, and soon August arrived. I hated August.
After August came September - the end of summer - the end of
freedom. I became depressed and didn't go to the brook. I'd still
fish a little and still go to the fish plant, but not as often.
The start of school depressed me. I'd stay home and read or walk
in the woods. September loomed in the near future -? back to the
routine I missed back in June. I wasted the last half of summer
dreading its end.

??? Sitting on the deck the other day, I realized I was doing
it again.

??? As a kid, I knew August would end. It was on the calendar.
However, there is no calendar of life. It could end tomorrow.
After losing my first wife, I know only too well how the calendar
works. I'm middle-aged and like many people, I dread the end.
One day, I'll turn a page on the calendar and discover it's the
last one. I'll wake in the morning and ask myself, "Is this
the last page? How many pages are left?"

??? Today, I've decided to stop worrying about it. I am going
to live my life to the fullest. I'm going to love Ginny with
every ounce of my heart. I'll work, write, play and forget
about the last page. I'm going to enjoy the story as it unfolds.

??? The bulbs I planted grew into fine adults. They'll continue
to blossom and spread without me. When my summer does end, it
will be time to rake up the leaves I've dropped, tidy up my
life, and wait for the reward of a good life. I'm not going
to waste the last month of "the summer of life" worrying.

??? Michael T. Smith

???? If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends.
???
My only request is that you include the link for your friends to

join our family.

To join our family, go to:

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

??? As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites.

I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites.

??? A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check
this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all
in her latest book.

Carol Roach
M.Ed, B.A.
Publisher: Storytime Tapestry
Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485
Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com

To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at:
http://archives.zinester.com/98907/

From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful
stories about her life and losing her sight.
Janet Perez Eckles
Faith and Love with a Latin Flair
www.janetperezeckles.com


Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna
Freelance Writer
www.littleredmailbox.com
www.griefcase.blogspot.com
www.storybone.blogspot.com
"...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life."

By my good friend Keith in Australia:
http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/

My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/
Phil's awesome and brutally honest

Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/

Heart Catchers is a wonderful site.? www.DianeDeanWhite.com

www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two

wonderful story sites.

http://hodu.com/

http://www.mydailyinsights.com/

www.ripplemaker.com

http://www.sermonillustrator.org

http://www.SkyWriting.Net

Here's a newly discovered one I like:

http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/

If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns,
struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com
Janet's prayer group will respond.

That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with

more, I'll add them.

Enjoy!!!


I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com.

I'll include some in every post.

Now for a few comments on my last story:

Hello Mike,
What a beautiful and inspirational story. I encourage
you to continue on. I was touched by the story because
if we would take time out to enjoy the small things
within my heart I do believe that God will grant unto
us (his children) bigger things.

Continue to touch lives through your experiences.

Peace and Blessings? to you and your family.

Sandra A

***********************

Mike,

We need to be aware of special moments like that in our
lives.? Too many people, all too often, let them pass by.?
They often describe their lives as empty, uneventful, or
too busy to notice.

It is our job to point them out.

Great job, my friend.
"I wish you enough!"
Bob

Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author, and vocalist.
Member - Pennwriters
10 year member National Speakers Association 1996-2006

Inspirational Columnist for Beliefnet
http://www.beliefnet.com/author/author_148.html

Visit http://www.BobPerks.com

**************************

Hi,

I enjoyed your write-up. It is indeed very lively and
well written.

Regards.

Rajesh

***********************

My name is Betsy Fernandez and I am in the mission
field with my family.? I have two young boys, 8 and 6.?
I really enjoy reading your short stories. They are refreshing.
God bless you and thank you.
Sincerely,
Betsy
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