Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

February 17, 2008

Today’s Announcement

Don’t forget to order your copy of Angels Watching Over Me, the story of an ordinary woman facing less than ordinary challenges.  Angels Watching Over Me is a story of family love, sacrifices, poverty and an undying faith that makes heroes out of all of us. Here is the link in case you have forgotten it: http://www.lulu.com/content/964306

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

  ~**~**~

  Remembering Yesterday

     Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

I think it is good to remember yesterday,  and the way we lived years

ago. How we got by, made do, and still lived.  I am sure we don't care

to relive some things, on the other hand. some good things are now lost,

and gone forever. The story I wrote about the Glory Train, the old steam

railroad engines, those days are gone.     

I guess it is just human nature to think we have to improve things, make

things better, and faster.  But some times in doing so we also lose

out on many of the joys of simple living. 

We have become a world of people, with  more problems each and every

day, due to wanting to be the first, the fastest, and the best.  Maybe

that has always been the case, we are not happy with simple things, got

to take the simple things, and make it better, but is it better?

Now lets take the good old steam engine.  Those engines ran on coal,

or  wood to make the fire to make the steam. Coal, and wood was cheap,

and could be found in most parts of the world. Steam powered engines

could do lots of work of many different kinds. There was once even a car

powered by steam, in case you are way to young to know, it was the

Stanly Steamer. Didn't last too long, maybe a couple of years, and it

was replaced by the gas hogs.

There was a thrashing machine the farmers used to thrash wheat.  I

remember seeing one in use when I was about 5 or so years old,  way

back in the 30s.  Aunt Gussie  was married to a fellow at the

time,  mother and I made a visit to her house for a few days.  He

took me out on the farm at wheat thrashing time.  I got to see that

great big engine huff and puff.  Well it was big you know, I was small

then.  I think it would still be big if it was around in these

days. 

Now we had to do better, so somewhere, some how we got our selves tied

to engines that run on that cheap stuff called gasoline, and diesel. 

That went pretty good, till some one said lets jack up the price. 

Fuel went from a few pennies a gallon to now three dollars and better a

gallon. 

We have almost killed off the railroads in this country, trucks are the

freight haulers. And those things drink the stuff like there is no

tomorrow.  But just think how much better off things are. We live

better, faster, so it is so nice, or is it? 

Not too many years back the average family  had one car, oh some had

a older clunker,  that might be the car the older son messed with,

some times it would run, some times it was seen with hood up trying to

get it ready for a spin Saturday evening about town. Sonny has a date

with that little Mary Jane down the street.  Her daddy  laid down the

law.  Sonny has to have her back in the house at 10 PM, and it

better not be a minute later.   Mary Jane had mad money also, that is

a thin dime for a telephone call to DADDY. There were phones about town

almost every where for upset Dollie to call DADDY. You know no one

ever heard of a cell phone?  Cell phone,  is that the phone at the

jail house?

Back many years ago, every block in town had a Super Woman.  Monday

was wash day, it was a race to see who was the champ this week. The

first one with a few clothes  on the line to dry took the prize. 

Clothes were  scrubbed  on what was called a scrub board.  Took the

hide right off of mama hands, what with the type of soap used in those

days.  Then mama got  one of them new washers, with a motor under the

thing. Why it made a thing inside the tub swish every which way, and the

clothes got super clean, then you had a wringer to put the duds through

into a tub of nice clean water. As a rule the duds had two tubs of this

nice clean water, wringer got a turn around on the washer, and did the

trick of getting the water out.   Some  said it was something the way

that wringer almost made the clothes  dry.  Still there was a race for

Super Woman to get clothes out on line. It was nothing to hear one of

the kids scream out, "Ma, Mrs. Brown just went out the door with a load

of stuff  to hang."  Super Woman would grab a few things and fly out

the door, clothes pins in hand.  Then Super Woman must have died. 

All at once the bragging rights went to I got  one of them new Bendix

machines.  Man, woman, and child it does every thing. Well still had

to have the clothes lines, then came that fancy dryer.  Clothes lines

was removed from the back yard. Yes Super Woman was in retirement. 

She could now sit in the house in her Super Woman outfit, and watch the

soaps in style.  She  took to going about town in her Super Woman duds,

in her top down new car, the family now has a three car garage. Sonny

has a better car then the people next door. Never see the hood up on

Sonny's car.   Sonny hasn't a clue what makes the thing  run

anyways.  And Daddy down the street, well if daughter gets home at 2

in the morning that is OK.  Tomorrow is Sunday, she can sleep in

late. 

Yes in some ways, things are better, but on the other hand, there sure

was a lot of things of yesterday, we will never have the joy of

again. 

Oh I forgot something of yesterday.   This is  one thing, I am

sure every one will remember. . Do you remember the days of the

good family doctor?  He made

a house call if a  person was really sick.   Those days are long gone.

He came with his little back bag of things to make a person all better.

And he didn't need a Cat or a Lab to tell him what was wrong. 

Somewhere in that black bag he had something to try to help you

recover.  Yes I remember good Dr. R.Brown. and his dad

before him. 

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

*

Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your homepage

~**~**~

 IT IS DIFFICULT

Dr. Harmander Singh

"I want to know aim of your life,” he asked a child.

"If you know aim of my life, what you will get?” the child was not interested in him.

I'll help you in every possible way to improve you in every direction,” he said to the child.

"Who are you?” the child asked him.

"I'm an angel,” the angel replied.

"My aim is to live a peaceful life,” the child said.

"I/m surprised, do not you want to be something?” the angel asked.

"I want to be a human being,” the child replied.

"But you're a human being. Why do you say that you want to be a human being? Please tell me,” the angel was anxious to know.

"I'm told that what should be done, if I do I'm told how to do, if I do as told I'm asked why I obeyed blindly, if I obey in my own way, I'm asked why do not I tell why I obey in my own way. In addition, this if does not leave me as I am; I feel quenched by everyone except the wise ones. I do not like it. I do not feel I am a human being. I have the feeling that I lack the qualities and virtues of tolerance of being a human. Please tell me how I can become a human being?” the child asked.

“...,” the angel was silent; two drops of wisdom came out of his eyes.

"Please do not forget that it is easy to be an angel but difficult to be a human. Never forget that it is also very easy to be inhuman but difficulties are like milestones for making of a human. Never forget that you're a human and it will help you to become what you want to be,” the angel smiled.

            Both were looking alike. The angel left his child after telling him the stories of great humans with the hope and wish that the child will be what he wanted to one day.

Daily Moral Insight for a Peaceful Night

Is not it a great insight to know or have an aim of life?

Is not it a beauty of aim that it is source of peaceful life?

Is not it the best aim to be a human being letting all other aims to support it?

Is not it a great help to let each and everyone live like a human; without letting his or her originality quenched by any means?

Is not it a most powerful tonic to remember that we are humans?

Dr. Harmander Singh

bhagouauty@gmail.com

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Limerick response to this thoughtful column.

I feel sorry for this lady named Jenny,

Who insists on saving each penny.

She might get her way,

By having her say,

Yet, I suspect that her joys are few, if any!

Chris Hansen

Author:

"Grandfather's Journal." A perfect Easter book for children explaining why the Easter holiday is so full of hope.  Book orders take about 2 weeks, and Easter is coming March 23 this year. Price is $32.99.  Self-publishing costs more and the illustrations make the price a bit more. Yet, this book will touch the heart of a child perhaps for a lifetime.

Visit www.xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 or check your local bookstore.

~**~**~

Roles

Cynthia Groopman

Humanity all have a certain rol role to play,

Each of them are important in its own way.

All are links in creation of the world's chain,

Although each role is different, all human kind in the eyes of God are equal and the same.

When some begin to brag about their life's role,

Gone is the spark of humbleness that once resided in their soul.

What is important is our honesty,

As well as devotion, and dedication to our role's duty..

So never harshly judge, criticize or disparage anyone for the role in life they play and possess,

For in God's estimation,, we all bask in the radiant sunshine glow of success.

Cynthia Groopman

 cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

The Gift Of Speech

Cynthia Groopman

The remarkable and cherished gift of speech, the dear Lord,
Has lovingly bestowed upon you and me, and we must use it wisely.
Oh, what a truly priceless treasure is the gift of speech,
In it, we have the power to change a life, brighten a day, inspire and teach.
To impart words that will soothe and calm,
The gift of speech weaves a tapestry of love for all generations,
That will flourish and unfold with exquisite charm.
In songs so dear, the gift of speech encourages our hearts to thrive and rejoice,
And we are encouraged by God's caring and glorious voice.
With the gift of speech, we raise our souls in uplifting enchanting prayer,
As the gift of speech dazzles us,
With such overwhelming majesty and breathtaking flare.
Like the brightest dancing stars twinkling in the midnight sky,
So awesomely high above,
The gift of speech is a miracle and a blessed manifestation of God's eternal love.
For, the gift of speech is so valuable and truly rare,
And as we all sip from the cup of friendship,
The flavor of speech's delightful majesty,
We must always savor and lovingly share.
Cynthia Groopman

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
~**~**~

Readers Feedback

Hi Carol, Just popping in to see how things are going and to let you know I enjoyed your column today.  I agree, should have happened from the beginning and saved everyone the aggravation…..as far as the friend… a curb might have some appeal lol

 Mr Joe Cool  you are truly one of the most cool guys god has working for him here on earth...God bless Leona (P.S.  I always enjoy your sharings of your writing. HUGS from the old lady who is still young at heart and "Dancing with Life" whether here on earth or in our eternal home with our Lord and Savior.)

~**~**~

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