Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

November 24, 2007

Today’s Announcement

Important notice: Storytime Tapestry is a free e-zine, however 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.   You can make your donations to paypal at: winterose@videotron.ca, or if you would prefer to use the mail system contact the publisher at the same email address: winterose@videotron.ca

Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 A Special Day

Bonnie Carriles

Today is a special day in our family. A day to light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to a man that raised my husband as his own. His name was Ben.

Ben met Roberts mother and fell in love with her for what would be for the rest of his life. But, not only did he love her, he loved her son Robert as well. Ben and Edith had a child shortly after marriage and named him Paul.
When my husband turned 8, Ben asked him if Robert wanted to be adopted by him so that he would have his last name and my husband said yes. Eventuallywhen my Robert was 11, Roberts parents would split up and she would move the boys with her 1500 miles away to Virginia.

No matter what though, these were his boys and they would travel back and forth between Virginia and Texas to spend time with their dad. I was lucky enough to have spoken to him several times on the phone. The last time I spoke to him was when we told him I was having his grandchild and he was very excited and couldnt wait to meet the bundle of joy.

Unfortunatly, he wouldnt get to meet her or me because he passed away only a month before her birth. The first time I ever physically met my father in law was when he was lying in his casket. When I looked at him, the tattoos that were on his eyelids burned into my soul.

They were letters that spelled out EDITH. I knew he loved her deeply and for life. When I moved to Texas with my husband a few years later, I would learn more and more about this man who was the favorite brother, uncle, father, and son.

He was only 38 years old when he passed away. Something that changed all of our lives forever. I am always told that the good die young and I firmly believe in this statement. So, all we are left with now are memories of which make my husband smile every time he reflects on the past.

So today for our family, it is a special day. A day to honor the person who gave us our name. The person who we know watches over us and makes sure that we are safe; our guardian angel.

Tonight, we will light a candle in your honor dad, and sing you Happy Birthday!

We miss and love you very much!

Bonnie Carriles

Krazyb73@aol.com

~**~**~
  

Subject: Dog Show
Dog Show
Bill Walker
missourisage@yahoo.com

Yesterday was Turkey day, and I was thinking might be a ball game on the
tube. I came upon a Show Dog deal on the tube. That's aways a good
thing to watch, so I stayed with it.

Now I know my Tinker, and Poo, and now Little Girl are show dogs. They
would take first prize any where any time. Just like your prize dog
would, after all the're your kids. I often wonder what kind of life does
the average show dog live.
 
I watched each dog get the look over by the judge, and I saw one dog get
the prize. I can't, for the life of me, figure how a judge can rule a
dog of one breed is better then dogs of other breeds. I looked at the
many breeds in each class, I thought as each had their turn, now that
dog is so good, and special, it is a winner, but no, at last the judge
rules one is the winner.

 I watched the toy breeds real close, and yes, there was a Pekingese in
the bunch. I knew that guy was a winner, as to his kind. His hair was
so long, and flowing, just a ball of fur, little black face, and hair,
lots of hair, and it had been super fluffed. Was he any better than
the others of that class? I wondered, but he took the prize.
Then came the best of all classes. Here we have the winners of each
class. And a different judge.
Dad gum judge was blind when it came to that little guy, he wasn't best
in all classes. I still can't see how anyone can say one is better
then the others.

But I know this much, my fur kids was/is best in class. Just like
your fur kids are. Ours may not be show dogs so to speak, but they
are show dogs to the ones they put up with. They do have one thing going
for them. They live a normal life, and don't have to be on stage,
trying to win a prize. After all they found the real prize, a home
where they are loved for what they are.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

The "Safety" Behind Virtual Relationships

Cheryl Williams

What is it about virtual relationships that are so attractive? There must be something because so many people are having them. Couples are saying "I love you" before ever having touched each other. The "chemistry" that used to be the biggest factor in drawing two people together has now been replaced by a keyboard and a mouse pad.

So what is it? Why would anyone choose a virtual relationship over a flesh and blood relationship?

First, there is the safety factor. When we keep someone at a distance, there are only so many ways we can be hurt. By not letting a person close to us, we feel more in control of the situation. They only know what we tell them, and vice versa. It is easy to pretend things are wonderful, when in fact, they may not be.

Secondly, there is the anonymity factor. We can be who we want to when we are in a virtual relationship. We can show our good side without exposing all of our warts. There is also a great deal of comfort in that anonymity, and because of this we find ourselves opening up our innermost thoughts...thoughts we might very well keep to ourselves in a "real" relationship.

Thirdly, in a virtual relationship, we know that the other person does not like us just because of our physical appearance. This is a great relief, because it takes the pressure away of having to always feel like we have to look "perfect". It is very nice to be seen on an emotional/intellectual level for a change. And by the time a couple decides they may want to actually meet in person, they have gotten to know each other on such a level, and there will be a greater degree of familiarity between them which may very well lead to physical intimacy.

Fourthly, a virtual relationship is an easy way to "cheat". Let's face it.  A lot of married people spend a lot of time online talking to members of the opposite sex. Some may have plans to meet in person one day, but others do not have that in their minds at all. They are simply looking for a connection ... someone to flirt with and talk to, someone to  fill in the missing pieces. They are looking for an adrenaline rush. They are looking to feel sexy and desirable, intelligent, and appreciated. They are looking for that excitement that is missing in their everyday lives...without having to give up or disrupt those lives.

Fifthly, a virtual relationship gives us the opportunity to do a bit more screening than we are able to do in a real relationship. We can find out a lot of things about a person online before we ever decide to talk to that person. We can check profiles, common interests, hobbies, professions, family life, and religion, among other things.

Do these relationships work? Apparently so. There are so many internet dating sites, chat rooms...not to mention the fact that some people who start out in a virtual relationship end up being married. There are also many divorces that occur over a spouse discovering a virtual relationship, so in that aspect the virtual takes a giant leap into reality because of the harm it causes.

Just as everything else in the world changes, the way we date and get to know one another is bound to change. One thing that does not change, however, is our deep need to feel intimately connected to another human being. Time will tell how virtual relationships will ultimately affect our society.  Most likely we will see a mixture of good and bad.

Isn't the way of love usually that way?

Cheryl Williams

Politicalgirl04@aol.com

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

 A Carpet of Leaves

 Cynthia Groopman

As the wind began to howl and roar,

There was rattling at my front door.

to the window, I did run and what did I see  on the ground,

But a carpet of crisp leaves rustling and dancing all around.

The carpet was accumulating in a high pile,

It seemed to be higher than a mile.

Crunch, crunch, crunch the singing leaves did say,

Adding a bit of excitement,

 To an otherwise windy and nasty late autumn day.

 Cynthia Groopman

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net 

Copyright ©2007  Cynthia  L. Groopman

  ~**~**~

 Equal Are We

Cynthia Groopman

Equal are we,

Blessed by God with respect and dignity.

No person is superior to another,

For we are all members of god's loving family, caring as sisters and brothers.

It matters not what our education, profession or life's station

Embracing each other, our dance and sing in unison in deep celebration and elation.

Drinking from the cup of deep friendship, we all must do,

Lifting up spirits  of the weary, downhearted and blue.

What matters most is the heart of gold that lovingly beats w, and a mirthful soul outpouring with gladness and joy

,

Hatred and jealousy are traits that we must destroy.

Thus, let us join hands in the smiling circle of love,

For equal are we in the eyes of the Almighty God

who dwells in eternal heaven above

Cynthia Groopman

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

 ~**~**~

Dancing with the Torah

Cynthia Groopman

Joyfull with the torah I did march and dance,

As God's glow of spirituality embraced me with majestic radiance.

I did parade hugging a little torah scroll

That kindled deep holiness and mirth deep into my rejoicing soul.

Up and down the aisle,

I proudly marched beaming with a brilliant smile.

For the torah is the essence of our Jewish faith, given to us by God above,

As He bestows His blessings from Heaven with love.

Cynthia Groopman

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Readers Feedback

~**~**~

Dear carol,

I must show my appreciation to you and to all of the storytime family who have added richenss to my life through their inspiring stories and poetry this past year. I really have found that my poetry have taken on new ideas for topics as a result of reading the others' poems and stories.

All of your angels do a fantastic job. I appreciate Clara for editing and typing my stories. She is a blessing.

I applaud Joe Mazzella for his wonderfull stories and he inspires me with his eloquence with his words.

May god bless all of you.  With warm thoughts and love, Cynthia

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