Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Hearts and Humor – A Michael Smith Column

August 27, 2007

Hi, Gang!!

I'd like to thank our new members for joining.
This week our family topped 1400 members.

I wish I had a new story for all of you, but I don't.
Last week I worked 64 hours, not including my commute
time, which adds another twenty hours to my week.

Tonight I bring you an older story.

While writing my story about shopping for
"Things with Wings" I had an idea for a story.

I feel a great story building. It's a spiritual
piece. It's burning in my heart.

It will be my lesson to you from him.

Look for it in a few days.

Thanks to all our new members. I pray my words
keep you coming back.

Mike

Before the story, I thought you would enjoy this
links.


I received this great link from a writing friend.
Ginny and I loved it.

Hello you all: I hope you could open this file. This
is a new way to listen to the song Amazing Grace.
That preacher put the dot over the I in a way I
never thought of it. It is very profound. Enjoy the
listening and praise God for His providential power
and mercy, Amen
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0



From the distance, yours in Christ Jesus
 
Tannia E. Ortiz-Lop?s
"The Window to My Soul, My Walk with Jesus"
http://www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes
http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/


    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.



                       Kick Up Your Heels

    I hadn't been back to Ohio in more than two years. I missed my
friends. An invitation from my dear friend Deb came in the mail. It
was for her 50th birthday party. Ginny and I accepted.

    We drove ten hours, arrived late Friday evening, and helped
decorate. I had the privilege to meet many of my old friends and
introduce my lovely bride, Ginny, to those who hadn't had the privilege
on our last visit.

    The next night, the DJ set up, the caterers brought in the food,
and guests began to arrive. There were a lot of new faces in the group.
All the old gang was there, but new people had moved into the
neighborhood. They were quickly adopted into Deb's family of friends.

    Deb is a huge fan of the Scottish heritage and its charm. She
writes romance stories based on that era. I had a surprise for her.
Ginny and I went downstairs. She helped me get into a Scottish costume.
As we adjusted my belt and sash, I asked, "Do you think I should go
natural under my kilt?"

    "Not in this crowd." she was quick to reply.

    Ginny and I entered the room, where the DJ was set up. The guests
were outside eating, talking, and enjoying a wonderful evening. I
grabbed the microphone, "Deborah, I want to wish you a happy birthday.

    "For those who don't know me, my name is Michael. Deb and I have
been writing buddies and friends for many years. It's a real pleasure
to be here on her special day.

    "Deb, if you will step in here, I have a little surprise for you."

    She walked in the room, saw me in my costume and started to laugh.
She walked up to me on rubbery legs. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She reached out and wrapped her arms around my shoulders for support.

    She gained control of herself, "Michael! I love you! You're a nut!
This is the best birthday present ever."

    I huggd her back, "I love ya, sis."

    Cameras flashed as she lifted the back of my kilt for all to see.
My Ginny is a wise woman. Within twenty minutes, my kilt was lifted
four times, by different ladies.

    I changed back. It wasn't safe out there in a kilt.

    The DJ played '50's Rock-n-Roll all night long. An hour went by.
No one danced. The DJ put on "The Twist." I rushed to Ginny, who talked
to one of my old friends. "Come on, Hun. Let's dance!"

     "Not right now, Hun. I'm talking to Ralph. How about in a little
bit? Is that OK?"

    "OK," I was disappointed, but I understood. She didn't want to be
rude.

    I walked around the patio. The urge to dance was strong. I passed
a group of people. A lady standing with her husband caught my eye.
She asked, "Doesn't anyone do the twist anymore?"

    "They sure do!" I said. "Come on! Let's go!"

    I tossed my shoes to the corner - I can't twist in shoes. We
twisted around the room. I twisted low to the floor, spun in a circle,
 and twisted back up again. In the background, I heard Ginny
 encouraging me, "You go, Baby! Go baby!"
 
    The song ended - another began. My partner and I continued to
 dance. Ginny joined us. Soon, another joined us. I danced with five,
 then six, then ten to twelve ladies.
 
    We stood in a circle, danced, sang, laughed and smiled.
 
    Ginny strutted her stuff. My little gal sure knows how to
move. We rarely get the chance to dance together. It was only the
third time we have had the chance to strut our stuff together. 
We made the best of it.

    Later that evening, the DJ called me over, "Mike, do you
think you, Bruce (Deb's husband), and a few other guys would be
willing to act out 'The Village People's' song, 'YMCA?'"

    "I'm game." I replied.

    We gathered a group of guys together. The DJ handed us
hats - I was the construction worker. The music started. Guests
flowed in from the patio and circled the dance floor.

    Bruce hopped to the center of the room, spun in a circle,
kicked his feet out, and appeared to be a gypsy in a policeman's
helmet, as the rest of us sang into inflatable microphones. We
took turns dancing to the center of the roomto show our moves, and
make complete fools of ourselves.

    I had the elegance of a walrus. My feet kicked out. My arms
reached high. "At the Y-M." My arm hit my construction hat and sent
it flying across the room. A lady - it might have been my twist
partner - jumped out of the way.

    The music came to a stop. The guests cheered. Bruce and I
looked at each other, "That was fun!" he said.

    I shook his hand. "Bruce, this is a great party. Thank you."

    Ginny and I like to have a good time and are not afraid
to make a fool of ourselves. We lie to have fun.

    I once waved out a window at passing cars and learned
the magic of the clown inside. That night was no different. By
the time the party ended, Ginny and I knew everyone there.

    After the kilt lifting, they knew me very well.

    Don't hold the clown inside. Let it out. Kick up your
heels, have some fun, and laugh. You won't have to find new
friends, they'll come to you.

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:

Concerning my story, "Cruise Control."

Hi, Mike!
 
Well, what a lovely way to remind us not to sleep in our
laurels. There is always something that can make the ride
bumpy, isn't there? The idea is to deal with the obstacles
instead of completely turning off the engines. We have to
move on and learn from the experiences, instead of crying
over the spilled milk.

Jessica.

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

What an awesome way to look at life! Ever notice how we
keep trying to do a certain something or things and we
say we'll be able to live when that happens? That's like,
if I can get around this band of cars, I can put the cruise
back on again. Although I'm not a John Lennon fan, I love the
words he put into "Beautiful Boy"; "Life is what happens
to you while you're making other plans". Every day, every
curve, every slow moving vehicle,  every obstacle we see
coming (or don't see) is a piece of our life. You've really
given me something to think about today! I have one of
those obstacles coming on Monday, when my daughter goes
back to work and I will be babysitting for her two girls
(ages 3 1/2 and 6 weeks). Guess it's time to put on the
brakes!

You guys have a great day!

Diana

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

Dear Michael:
I loved your story, "Cruise Control".  How aptly you liken
each new crisis to the behind-the-wheel situation.

Truly, the road ahead is never clear.
Regards,
Joan
Toronto Canada

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