Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

August 24, 2007

Publishers Favourite Sites:

Rosanne Catalano

http://www.rosannecatalano.net/

Michael Smith

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

Barbara Weymouth

penwormprayerwarriors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Helen Dowd

www.occupytillicome.com

Today’s Announcements

We have a very special anniversary today!  It is Storytime Tapestry’s most beloved couple’s 50^th anniversary and Hart and Helen we are so happy to share it with you at this time.  Please send cards and wishes to:

hsdowd@telus.planet.

If you have a birthday and anniversary you would like share with us here at Storytime Tapestry please send the dates to me:  winterose@videotron.ca

Response to my story rotten tomatoes by Pamela Garlick

Carol,

I'm slow catching up on my reading, but this was a beautiful piece.  It really made me think.  I remember getting food given to us when things were bad.  I never handled stress well, so I cried when our pastor's wife cleaned out her freezer and gave us just about all their meat.  She said the church purchased them a half cow (butchered of course) once a year and that they were due to receive it again soon.  I knew that didn't matter.  She was just trying to make me feel like I was doing her a favor.

Yes, sometimes food was overripe when it came from pantries.  It goes through so many channels, by the time it gets to the consumer, it's sometimes pretty awful.

On the other hand, I promised when I got on my feet I'd start a SHARE program.  They had been the ones who gave us the most food. (www.share.org)  There is no income level for SHARE.  It is for people who volunteer time.  For 2 hours and $15 you would get over $35 of prepackaged food. 

I started SHARE at my chuch and before long we were asked to have a government food pantry.  What that means is the government provides the food, you do the work and a ton of paperwork.  We agreed.

From there our ministry went to a clothes closet.  we outgrew the church and purchased a building on main street where food and clothing help grew to tutoring and computer education and a place for youth to get off the street several days a week.

I burned out within a year of opening the new building. 20-30 hour weeks as a volunteer took their toll.  There were other personal reasons that contributed to it.   In any case, I have remained close and know the hard work they do.  The woman running it now really cares.  When no volunteers show up to help, she does it all herself.  I keep telling her she'll be the next person to burn out.

So, yes, I can see it from both perspectives.  I just ask you don't hold it against the caring people who run the food pantries when the food isn't the very best.  We never try to demean a person.  In fact we try to raise their self-esteem. 

We planned a day of pampering for our women.  From massage to hair styling and make up.  Lunch and prayer for anyone who wanted.  I personally spend hours getting all kinds of goodies together to give them that day.  Wow, I had music, candles, body lotions, tons more.  But of the 50 who could have come, only six signed up.  We ended up sending them to a beauty shop for a day of pampering because it was cheaper than paying all the help honorariums for being there that day.

We also knew if we would give six women those goody bags when the ones who didn't come heard about it, we'd be swamped with complaints.  so, last I heard, they all got the goodies anyway.  It was for them, so why not?

There was a lot of hard work put into it and only six wanted to accept it.  Our adult literacy program sounded great to everyone, but when it came down to it, the people who we thought were the most interested, didn't show up.

I'm sorry Carol.  I didn't mean for this to sound bitter or anything.  Because I'm not.  I'm just stating a fact.  I'm just saying there are people who are really trying to do things to help.  They spend a lot of time, say a lot of prayers and even give a lot of their own money because they do see the injustice of poverty.  They are shamful statistics.

This world is not fair.  But we are all here together.  However, it is wonderful to know that those of us who go to the next world, will know a perfect place with no more injustices.

That's enough of that.  Sorry, I went on and on.  Your story inspired me!  I was touched.

As always,

Love, Peace and Joy,

Pam

You can also visit me at: Relations at Bella Online ; and, buy my novel "At the Pineapple Inn" at the following link.www.lulu.com

My response as the publisher of the article is. Pamela, the whole article was about treating the poor with dignity.  Even a volunteer who has no control over the quality of food that is sent to the organization does know the difference between eatable food and rotten food.  If the food is rotten throw it out.  People are not animals. They do get sick from eating tainted food.  I feel there should be more government inspection for food given out in food banks.  And of course food banks are a Godsend to the poor, I am not suggesting that they are not, I just feel for the few that consider the poor as inferior it is time to clean up their act, and for all the rest of the loving kind and wonderful people who donate so much to making this world a better place.  God bless you.

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.   

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

~**~**~

 Catch of the Day

Jennifer Oliver

Written July 23, 2007

There are days, if I'm fortunate, where I'll reel in a blessing without fishing for it.

Yesterday it was beautiful outside, although overcast. I looked up at the fat gray clouds lazily rolling by and said, "Kids, let's go fishing!" I didn't have to say this twice. Before I could say "rainbow trout," the car was packed with fishing poles, tackle boxes, bottled water, foldable chairs, sunscreen, and four smiling faces, raring to go and catch "the big one" at the city park.

On the way to the park, I stopped by the post office to buy a book of stamps. I like to get them from the vending machine on Sundays, so I don't have to fight for a parking space in the cramped parking lot on Saturdays. I knew that if I fed the machine a twenty-dollar bill, it would return a good handful of the latest dollar coins featuring John Adams. My kids love to collect coins, so adding the second U.S. President to their collection was a simple thrill.

The kids hopped out of the car, eager to witness the whole process of buying stamps from a vending machine (again, so easy to please!). When we walked into the lobby, one other person was present, an elderly lady at a countertop, stuffing folded paperwork into an envelope with a plastic window.

Just as I was about to feed money to the machine, the lady turned and gasped, "Oh, no, it's out of order!"

I looked up to see an "Out of Order" sign taped to the other machine that dispensed single stamps only. She looked stricken.

"Don't worry," I said. "I'm going to buy a book of stamps. I can give you one of my stamps."

"Oh, thank you so much," she said with a sigh of relief. Her hair was snow-white, her face lined with kindness.

When the machine regurgitated the change, the kids clamored to get their handfuls. I laughed as they oohed and aahed over the glittering coins. I peeled off a liberty bell stamp and handed it to the lady, whose eyes shone with gratefulness.

"Here," she said, handing me some change.

I waved away her offer. "Please, you don't need to pay me for a little stamp."

"No, I insist!"

"Don't worry about it," I said, laughing. "It's just one little stamp."

I got distracted by my kids' excitement.

"Mom! Look at this!"

"Mom, it's kind of silver and kind of gold!"

"Look what happens when you turn the money this way," my son Ethan said, bringing the ridges of the coin up to me for closer inspection. "It says 'In God We Trust' in tiny little letters!"

The lady chuckled over their noisy animation, as if they had just unearthed buried treasure, and then she disappeared.

We walked back out to the car, buckled ourselves in. I happened to glance at Cody, sitting in the front passenger seat, when the same lady drove up next to us. She exited her idling car and walked toward us. With a questioning look on my face, I pushed the button to roll down Cody's window.

"I just want to tell you this," the lady said, scanning the faces of the kids in my car. "I just love children! My husband and I were never able to have children of our own, but we eventually adopted a daughter. Now we have two daughters, nine grandchildren, and now I'm a great-grandmother!"

"Why, congratulations," I responded. "That's so wonderful, becoming a great-grandmother!"

"I just feel that children don't have to come from you naturally in order for you to love them," she said. "It's the love that comes from the heart."

She pressed her fist over her heart to emphasize her point. "I happen to believe that the love for children comes right from the heart."

"B-bless your heart," I stammered. "You are so sweet!"

Her voice was choked with emotion as she reiterated for good measure, "I love children! Aren't they just beautiful?"

I followed her gaze as she took one long look at my kids. I could only nod in agreement as tears welled up. She waved goodbye, got back into her car, and drove away.

I fumbled with the keys, my vision blurred. Cody lifted his glasses and used his fingers to wipe the wetness from his eyes.

"She's such a nice lady," my twelve-year-old finally said.

"Yeah," chimed in the other boys. "She was so nice!"

My six year old daughter, Madison, piped up from the back seat with a tremor in her voice, "You know what, Mom? That lady was like my grandmother. I wanted to say, 'I love you.'"

Later, Madison showed me the coins—two quarters—that the sweet lady had pressed into her little hand when I wasn't looking.

We didn't catch any fish in the city pond yesterday.

Instead, we caught a lesson in love.

Jennifer Oliver

~**~**~

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

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 Hidden Rage

Cheryl Williams

Rage...so deep,

buried within,

seething, writhing,

looking for a moment to escape

the ashen remains

of a dream that died.

Imprisoned...a captive flower

turned to flame, burning within

only to subside again;

Frightened petals closing in;

Fleeting moments with no end;

Rage...so deep,

buried within,

hidden beneath a smile.

Cheryl Williams

politicalgirl04@aol.com

~**~**~

Like a Flower

Cheryl Williams

Fading flowers,

once so lovely, stately, and proud

drop petals on a passing breeze

as they wither with the sun,

returning from where they came.

But they DID live,

and once brightened the day

of those who passed their way;

It mattered not

whose petals were brighter

or fragrance sweeter,

for each was unique,

living to the fullest,

fulfilling the purpose

of its being.

They fade with dignity

teaching something to those

who pass by unhurried,

who are able to

wither away their worry,

living each day to the fullest,

like a flower.

 Cheryl Williams

 politicalgirl04@aol.com

 ~**~**~

Readers Feedback

Carol,

It was really exciting to see my story featured on your website.  I did receive a few e-mails from other mothers and it was very comforting!

Thank you,

Jan Grover

Loved Michelle Lowrie’s work.  Drugstore Soda Fountain is pure confection – no pun intended – filled with wonderful images that delight all ages.

Her other poems give us much to think about: “you are the only Christ that he will see” – powerful!

Joan Skura

Storytime Tapestry Angels

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.

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.

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