Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

March 8, 2008

 Today’s Announcement

My Dear Writers,

Due to my computer crashing on Thursday, February 28, 2008, your work that was to be published in the March 10th magazine instead will be published in either the April 10th or May 10th issues, or as soon as I'm able to have my computer up and running again. I will keep you informed about this from my library's computer. Thank you for your understanding in this unfortunate matter.

Rosanne Catalano

Publisher / Editor / Author

The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine

www.rosannecatalano.net

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

Rainbow Bridge Gang. Bridgette
Tinker, Poo, and the Gang
tinkerpoo2000@yahoo.com

We werel sitting here abouts after lunch, talking about many things, you
know we have lots to talk about. There are people  from all over the
world here at the bridge. That is us little people, the ones with
real fur, and a very loving heart. Up the lane came this beautiful
Golden.
We woofed her over to our group. We have so many of these beautiful
Goldens now. Hope they don't demand a vote as who is president of the
club, Buttercup might have to step down to last vice president.

 We found out her name is Bridgette Stevens from Tennessee. Poo at
once piped up Tennessee, isn't that the state we traveled through one
time, Tink? I asked him what state didn't we travel through?
Well any ways we got through the small talk.

One of the Angels got Bridgette a blanket and a bed, and the bowls
filled with nice cool water, and food.  Then we got more information.
Now Bridgette had a real good home, she had loving care, and was
one of the family, she was in her 9th year of age. Age here as you
know means nothing, we all are young, and full of pep like our puppy
days. Our earth sickness days are not here, we left all that stuff,
just like the big people do when they get called home to Heaven.

She said her Pauline took such good care of her. The daily walks,
runs, and rolling in the yard, oh the joys they had together. The
little things,  what fun she had, and she knows she was loved, just so
much love in that home. Clover, Ellie and Bruce, those guys was
quite some cut ups also. It was a home, like none other. Pauline
was in the save the Goldens deal. Ever once in a while she made a
trip to get one, and find a home for them. That meant another
house guest for a while. Bridgette was at first one of those, but she
became family.

Well we know all about a Dollie, Angela, in Texas that is on the
same deal for Collies. She has a house full, some are called Mine,
others are Foster, after a bit they're all Mine. Ask Peaches and
Bella.

Then there is a Dollie, Carol, in Missouri that had a house full of
Pekes. You remember that mob Poo?? I think that time we stopped by she
had nine all in a row, like a train going in and out the door, to the
back yard.

By this time it was supper time,, and we were still talking, well she
was anyways. It is always nice to get a newcomer to the gang, and we
just know we are going to get more talk on things in Tennessee. Lets see
we got Goldens now from a whole bunch of states, don't think there is
any from Texas, maybe we better recheck the computer, might be
one. You know we got little people here from every where. Some
times a few wander off, looking the sights over, and they start talking
to other gangs, then here they come back, telling new stories.

You know it is just a grand time we have here, well there is a bit of
sad minutes, or times. We get some of those that really had no good
home like Bridgette. Those get special treatment, their short
life on earth was the pits so to speak. The real sad thing here is
you're missing, but we know someday you too will come up the lane,
and Bridgette and others will perk up, and run to greet you, tail waving
in the air, and all that happy barking, oh what a wonderful day
that will be.

Whats the movie tonight? Why it is, Bridgette The Golden Comes
Home. We got treats, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and cookies to
munch on. And Bridgette has a front row seat. Gus, Missy, Rowdy, and
all the other Goldens will make sure of that. Like we said, that is
getting to be quite a mob, sure hope they don't demand a recount on
the vote as to who is third vice president. Wonder if we got that chad
stuff yet? Poo said he didn't think so,, that's just in Florida, and
this is Heaven you know.

So Pauline, your Bridgette is here, all young, full of life, just
waiting like the good puppy she was with you. Waiting for the day you
will come up the lane. She, like all the others, is watching, the
lane. No one is going to steal the lane, it is watched day and night.
Don't stand by the grave and weep too many tears, she is not there,
she is here. But once in a while she may return in your dreams to
make sure all is well.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

 ~**~**~

 MIRACLES

Sharon Bryant

Some people are interested in paranormal things, some aren't.  I am one who is interested.  Only because I know things happen that cannot be explained.

Yesterday I had a conversation with someone who does not believe that people have the ability to see things or see people who have crossed over.  I have had many questions that I have not found the answers to for many years now.  For there are some things I believe there are no answers for on this earth.  One is, why do some people "see" and others don't.

I've had many strange things happen in my life and these things began when I was a young child.  I see things.  I smell things and I hear things.  As I age, the "activity" gets more frequent and stronger. 

On January 17, this year, we had some strange activity in our home. 

We have a stereo that we've had for four years.  It plays discs or cassettes.  Months can go by and we never turn it on.  But a couple weeks ago as I was cleaning house, I turned it on and listened to some country songs I like.

At 3:50 P.M. on Jan. 17th, the stereo turned itself on.  I always note times when things happen and I'm glad I did this time.  Because on Jan. 18, at 3:50 P.M. the stereo once again turned itself on.  It did this on Jan. 18th and on Jan. 19th, at the same exact time.  It has not done it since the 19th.

On Jan. 21, I was reading emails.  I heard my husband yell out from the living room, "What?"  Since I hadn't said anything, I didn't yell back at him.  Suddenly he appeared in the computer room and said, "What did you want?"  I told him I hadn't said anything.  He said, "I heard you call out my name."  I told him it was not me.  This has been happening quite often in our house for over two years now. 

Last night, Jan. 21, I was reading emails when I turned to look at the TV in the room.  Next to the desk the TV sets on is a book shelf.  On one shelf are some photos that have been there for several months.

I saw a photo lift itself up from the shelf, flip in the air, then drop to the floor.  I jumped up and reached down between the book shelf and desk to see what it was. 

It is a photo taken three years ago on my and my son's birthday, which is today, Jan. 22.  The photo is of me standing on our porch.  But there is something next to me in the photo.  It is blue, and has a definite shape.  It looks like Mickey Mouse. 

I remember the photo well because a friend took it with her 35mm camera on that day three years ago.  She told the photo developing company, when she saw the photo, that they messed something up.  She was informed nothing was messed up.  She asked, "What's that?" pointing to the large blue figure.  The woman said she had no idea but whatever it is, was there when the camera took the picture.

I've written other articles on this subject.  But last night, someone told me they do not believe in anything like this happening.  I asked them how could they look at a photo and say the photo was not proof that something is not normal in them.   Many people have odd photos with things appearing that were not there when the picture was taken. 

This person informed me that too many want to believe in the afterlife, and crazy things, but they do not exist.  They then told me they do not believe in God.  I ask why they felt the way they did.

"I've never seen God, have you?" they asked.  I told them no, I have not SEEN God, but I believe I've heard the voice of either God or an angel.  I told them I've witnessed many times a miracle.  They laughed when I told them this.

I said, well, I have a question to ask you.  They said, "Go on, ask me."

"Do you believe in the wind?" I asked.  "Well, sure, I can feel the wind," they said.

"But you can't SEE the wind," I replied.

They didn't say anything.

Last night I lay in bed thinking about this conversation.  I was feeling a little low because of the battle all my life of knowing when I talk about this subject, I am opening myself to laughter, ridicule, and all that goes with it.  I'm beyond that now.

I wondered how many people think like this person does.  That we actually have to see something to believe in it.  We don't "see" love, yet we know it exists.

We don't see many things that we know is truly there.

Maybe the people who are able to see, hear, and smell things that cannot be explained have an open mind to all things.  Maybe some who don't, block that entrance that is the thin veil between our being here on earth and where we go when we leave here.

I truly believe when a child begins seeing things at such a young age, there is no fear.  They accept what is in front of them.  I was never afraid when I was a child and things happened to me.  I thank God I had a mother and grandmother who told me never fear these things and to accept what was "sent" to me.

A long time ago I wrote a story about my daughter, who was born after my son died.  I had asked her doctor at what age should I talk about her brother and tell her that he used to live in our house but that he lived in heaven now.  He said to talk when she began to ask questions. 

I had a large portrait of him in the living room long before she was born.  She never said a word about it or asked me who it was.  For all she knew, she was an only child.

The day I heard her talking to someone in her bedroom, I tiptoed and  listened from the hall, peeking into the room.  She was facing the little red rocking chair that my son always sat in and read his little books.  She was sitting on the floor facing the chair.

I watched as she picked up a toy car and said, "Can I play with this?"  I saw her nod and say "Thank you."  I watched as she did this with a book that was my son's, and a couple of other toys.

I stepped into the room and asked her who she was talking to.  She pointed at the chair and said, "That little boy in the chair."  I saw no one.  I told her there was no one in the chair.  She became irritated and said there WAS a little boy in the chair.

Her next words shocked me.

"He said this was his room," she said.  I had never told her that her bedroom was his room.  I never told her anything about his room.

"He said he helped buy the carpet in here," she said.  Yes, he had picked out the carpet for his room, but there was no way on earth she could know that.

I looked at her and with tears in my own eyes, said, "Ask the little boy, what is name is."  I watched as she turned to him and said, "My mama wants to know what your name is."  Then she turned to me and smiled and said, "Mama, he said you know what his name is."

I turned and went back into the hall, thanking God for the miracle I just witnessed.

When she came back into the living room, she pointed up at the portrait and said, "Mama, that's the little boy that comes see me."

The little boy visited with my daughter many times that year.  She is now a twenty-nine year old woman and she remembers the visits from the little boy.  Just recently, we were talking about it and she said, "I know it was Andy.  I didn't know his name, but I remember seeing the painting that one day and I told you that was the boy."

If there is nothing when we leave this world, how did this happen?  How could my daughter see my son she never knew?  How could she tell me he helped buy the carpet in that room?

No, I did not see my son that day.  But I know my daughter did.  She was a child with an open mind and heart.  I believe anything is possible when we carry an open mind and heart.

No, I can't see the wind either.  But I know it's real.  I know it exists.

I believe.

Sharon Bryant

Choklite@bellsouth.net

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

An Extra Day

Cynthia Groopman

Every four years, we are given an extra day,

Let us make great use of it and say hurray.

May this extra day be bright and full of glee,

May it be fun filled and replete of laughter for you and for me.

May we have fond and cherished memories to joyfully look back upon,

,

May all of your worries and regrets disappear andforever be gone.

So, dear friend,

A good wish, prayer and smile to you on this extra day I mirthfully and sincerely send

  Cynthia Groopman

 cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

As We March into the Month of March

Cynthia Groopman

As we sprightly march into the month of March, with a smile on our face,

We dream of srpingtime's lovely mild  renewal embrace.

Thoughts of majestic beauty and fragrances somagnificent dance in our heads,

And we dream of charming creative loveliness as we sleep in our beds.

As we march into the month of March, we are full of awe,

For God gifts us with wonderful surprises that we deeplly cherish and greatly adore

.

So, dear March please be as gentle as a lamb and enfold us into your loving arms,

So we can be dazzled by your alluring natural beautiful charms.

Cynthia Groopman

 cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

The Train Of Life

Cynthia Groopman

On the train of life, we all ride,
And the Lord, our Almighty God, will forever serve as our watching,
All powerful and caring guide.
As we travel along a winding, dangerous and mazeful track,
With optimism in our hearts, we must go forward and never regretfully turn back.
On the long and arduous train's route, we encounter many ups and downs,
As we experience triumphs, smiles, tears and frowns.
For with His strong beacon of light,
God engineers the train safely through the stormiest days,
And the darkest dreary nights.
With His mighty outstretched hand on each of the train's controls,
God helps us to touch the rainbow,
And to achieve and attain our dreams and cherished goals.
For God constantly reasures us that our train of life,
Will successfully reach each desired destination,
As He safeguards and protects each and every station.
For none of us will never know when our journey will end,
But we savor each moment of our journey and upon the Lord,
For spiritual sustenance and renewal, we shall always rely and depend.


Cynthia Groopman

 cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Readers Feedback

~**~**~

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, Marilyn Sink, Victor Buhagiar, Clarice Hinson, Conrad