STORYTIME TAPESTRY

April 2, 2005

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Today we have a brand new writer to introduce.  Charith Pelpola ??“ writer # 189, for Storytime Tapestry.  I was in awe when I first read his writing.  For some, the piece might be too graphic and they would prefer not to read it, but for me, this truly is a work of art.  Please welcome this amazing young talent.

Now on to the good stuff..........

Animal awareness series endorsed by Shiloh and Hank our mascots; all stories must receive their approval.

Little Orphan Anne   

Sandra Woodward

"Hey girl, come here," I called to the small dog, standing in the middle of Main Street, looking bewildered and scared.

She came bounding over tongue lolling out the side of her mouth.  I crouched before her, "Say little one, you're going to get yourself killed standing in the road like that," I chided.

When she looked up at me, I was captivated; her eyes were the color of golden honey.  She was a cute pup with a short, sleek, shiny black coat.  Her ears pointed and overly long for the puppy dog face.   Her beautiful amber eyes pleaded to take her with me.   

"O.K., Sweetie, you win.  I promise I'll try my best to find your family."  She licked my hand as I reached to pat her head.

I had been on my way to do banking when I'd spotted her.  I patted my leg; she immediately obeyed by following me into the building.

Several people were ahead of me in line, one lady behind remarked,  ???What a nice dog, have you had her long?"

"No, in fact, she's not mine.  I just found her out on the street," I informed her.

At this comment, several customers stepped forward and offered to adopt her.  "No way," I thought, "finders keepers," though I had no intentions of keeping her.  My agenda was to find her rightful owners.  Surely someone was a wreck wondering where their adorable puppy had disappeared.

"Strange," I mused, "she has no name tag, as a matter of fact, she's completely collarless."

As we left the bank, the pup stuck to my side like a third leg!  I glanced down at the young canine, "Well girl, for lack of knowing your name, I'm going to call you Little Orphan Annie."

After getting home again, my two boys asked in unison, "Where did you get the dog, is she going to be ours?"

I looked at their beaming faces and quickly shook my head no.  I didn't want to get their hopes up.

"No, guys, I found her downtown.  I was worried she'd get hit by a car so I brought her home but she's not staying," I informed them.

The boy's countenance fell. "Mom," Erik protested, "she needs a home."  

"Yeah," my youngest, Zack, backed him up.

"Sorry, but I've already put a notice into the local radio station.  I'm sure we'll be hearing from her owners soon," I told them.

Little Orphan Annie had made herself right home.  She lay sprawled on her back smack dab in the center of our living room sofa!  We laughed as we heard her contended snoring and deep sighs.

The phone rang about an hour later.  I glanced at the boys and could tell they were not happy to hear its ring.  What surprised me was my feeling of dread as I reached to answer it.

"Hello," I whispered into the receiver.

"Hi," a bubbly female voice responded, "I'm calling about the puppy you're giving away."

My heart skipped a happy beat, "I'm sorry; you heard wrongly the dog is not up for adoption.  I'm trying to find her true owners but
if no one claims her she will belong to us."  I looked over and winked at my sons, who were doing a victory dance in the middle of the living room floor.

Being woken by the hull-a-ba-loo the pup sat up corking her head to the side looking from one of us to the other.  Did I see a smile cross her face or were my eyes playing tricks? Jumping off the sofa she joined the celebration.  I knew she was doing a victory dance too!

The next few days, whenever the phone's ring pierced our home, we experienced much stress but by week's end we were breathing easier whenever this happened.

Because of the lack of response from the public notice and not seeing any "dog lost" sign hanging around town I figured that, in deed, this pup truly was an orphan.

She never grew into her ears; neither did she out grow her heart.  Throughout her lifetime she showed her love, loyalty and appreciation to our family for making her our Annie!

Sandy Woodward
3/14/05

Sassa @localnet.com

Authors Bio:  Many years have passed since Annie went on to doggie heaven but her memory remains in our hearts.  Often times when Erik, Zack, and I get together we reminisce about the happy days spent playing with Annie and laughing over the funny, cute, and oft times silly things she did to amuse us.

Sandy makes her home in coastal Maine next to the Canadian border.  She shares her life and home with seven birds and a Cocker Spaniel, who has never known the heartache of being unloved.

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Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~ 

 MANY WONDERFUL CHOICES

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     What is life? It is more than just existing. It is more than just breathing. It is more than just slowly counting your birthdays while your body gets older and weaker. It has taken me many years of learning and growing, but I think that now I am finally beginning to understand what life is and what life isn??™t.

     Life isn??™t some frantic race towards some distant goal. Life is a leisurely walk you take each day seeing all the wonder and beauty around you. Life isn??™t some tightrope balancing act where you must be perfect or lose everything. Life is a joyful stroll down some old railroad tracks where if you fall off you just smile, laugh and jump right back on. Life isn??™t some worrisome counting of every penny you make. Life is smelling flowers, smiling at sunrises, playing with laughing children, and collecting priceless memories. Life isn??™t what happens to you. Life is rather the many wonderful choices that you make all through the day and all through your life.

     It is these many wonderful choices that bring you the joy you seek. It is these many loving choices that bring you the love you need. It is these many Heavenly choices that bring you the oneness with God you desire. It is these many choices that allow you to smile and forgive instead of stewing in your anger when someone hurts you. It is these many choices that allow you to laugh and love instead of despair when things go wrong. It is these many choices that allow you to give joy and goodness to others instead of always trying to get things from them.

     All of life comes down to the many wonderful choices we make each day. Let??™s use them to choose a lifetime of love, joy, peace, happiness, goodness, delight, and oneness with God for ourselves. Let??™s use them to bless the world, help others, and bring truth, joy, love, and light to everyone we meet.

Joseph J. Mazzella
joecool @ wirefire.com

Joe lives in West Virginia with his wife and three children. Various dogs and cats have adopted Joe and his family for their own. Joe enjoys his family, beauty, love and hearing from his email friends. Joe likes to take the time to smell the roses and enjoy the beauty around him as he goes about his daily life.

~**~**~

Warning this submission may not be suitable for all readers, it may contain some graphic scenes or
course language.  Readers are to take that into consideration and decide accordingly:

Red Dust

Charith Pelpola

Drifting with dying leaves and broken stems, a chill breeze winds over clear-water streams; snaking a path over red soil. Its passing throws serpents of debris and sand into the air, where they dance and writhe awhile before dissolving; ephemeral, back to the earth.

Through barbed undergrowth and bleached grassland, the zephyr cuts a persuasive path, drawn onward by the warmth of a naked flame. The heat smothers the scene with oily vapour, as myriad shuffling feet blush the air with fine red dust.

She watches her people, as they dance. Chanting elders setting a rhythm that has remained unbroken for generations. From her seat in the shaded doorway, friends and relatives seem to dissolve and re-appear in the cracking flames, as they circle the roaring fire.

Even in the golden light of midday, the flames reflect in her ebony eyes, and dance against the rainbow colours of her finery. Smaller siblings jump and skip like lambs, screaming with joy at blackened branches, combusting on the pyre. She watches embers race above their heads; fireflies ascending.

In her hands, she cradles the day??™s harvest; bloated heads of corn and maize; the rains had been kind. As she brushes away the red dust and strips away silk and stalk, a tiny hand reaches from the depths of her robes. In the safety of her lap, her tiny baby stirs, barely a month old. His little fingers explore the contours of her hand, black within black.

She smiles; a mother??™s smile. Instincts stronger than words draw him close to her sheltering body. In the passage of mere weeks she has surrendered to the burden of motherhood. Her face, gentle as it may be, holds lines that deceive her adolescence.

But these are the laws of the land, and these are her people. And she is loved. She holds her son so that he may see his grandmother sing. His grandfather claps the shoulders of his old friends. Their faces - all fine and true - are illuminated by the reassuring flames.

In the distances, wild things rustle and call to one another. Above her, ancient trees, gnarled and bent, spread their boughs; shelters from the summer rain. This is home. She cannot imagine any other.

And suddenly, the breeze blows strong and harsh through the village. A distance clap of thunder. The flames are taunted and swept away into submission. Her robe is whipped about her; for a beautiful moment, she is a living rainbow, as colours frame her teenaged figure.

Around her, folks retreat into their earthen huts, gathering up belongings and children in swift succession. She gazes into the congestion of bodies and spies her father, his face written with anguish and uncertainty. As he feels her stare, he smiles too quickly. A false comfort. He motions to her child, to his grandson. And she cradles him with the strength of a lioness, staring defiantly towards the coming tempest.

A final challenge to the sky, and she retreats, lifting the robe to her face, a shield against the smothering red dust.

Across the plains and out of sight, a flock gathers on the crest of a hill. A grey-black flock of metal and tyre. The leader of the herd arises, majestic from his jeep, and points in the direction of the village, a cluster of ants on the horizon. He smiles a hyena smile, his white teeth fracturing the landscape of his ebony face. He gives the signal and they descend, beating down upon the plains; a swarm of blades and gun-barrels.

In their passing, fine red dust blushes the air.
?© Charith Pelpola, 2004

Charith @starwaves.tv

As for me: I'm a wildlife documentary maker, have been in the business for almost 10 years and have spent most of my life in the field of environmental conservation. After qualifying in environmental science in '96, I moved out of the UK where I was brought up, and proceeded to lead a nomadic existence throughout South and South East Asia, and have now taken root in the island-state of Singapore. My factual and scientific writings have appeared in several publications, from wildlife periodicals to in-flight magazines, to coffee-table photography books. My fictional writing has remained entirely personal - until very recently! 

I am of Anglo-Germanic Sri Lankan heritage, 32 years old, husband to Kristen and parent to four cats and two dogs.

Cheers,

Charith.

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Poetry Section

~**~**~

LIFE'S BLESSINGS

Gorden K. Warner

While sitting there this morning talking to my wife

my mind began to slip away as I thought about my life.

It's so easy to feel sorry, to grouse and to complain

although all things considered, I know it is in vain.

No lines we have to stand in for our meat or for the bread

nothing close we could imagine, has crossed the paths we tread.

We've never lost our power for all the hours of the day

we're more advanced with our technology or so it seems that way.

We don't have to store our water just to cook or take a bath

that thought just seems so ridiculous and makes me want to laugh.

Our transportation is so plentiful, no waiting for a ride

we couldn't know how that would be because we never tried.

The media brings all the news that happens throughout the day

all we have to do is turn the TV on to see what they have to say.

So if you're in the doldrums and feel that life's been unkind

it's time you counted your blessings to see the richness you will find.

Your life is really so much better than all that you see and read

compared to the bitter lifestyle that "other" people have to lead.

Gorden K. Warner Sr.

 gkwppw1963 @cox.net 

~**~*

ANOTHER WEEK

Gorden K. Warner

Sunday is a happy day, full of song and praise and things

no sense of boding is foretold bout what tomorrow brings.

With the new day's dawning and the sense of gloom sets in

it's de ja vu last Monday and you know that you just can't win.

Tuesday is time to catch up on what yesterday left behind

and when Wednesday finally rolls around, you're sure you'll lose your mind.

Thursday's filled with lots of promise of what the weekend brings

but Friday lasts forever as each and every moment seems to cling and cling.

FINALLY, it's the weekend and there's plenty we can do

but just as we get started, it seems like Sunday's almost through.

The moral of the story, if there's really one to tell

is to live life to its fullest, each job you do, do well.

You'll never know what lies ahead or how it's going to be

so you must do the best you can for all the world to see.

Gorden K. Warner Sr.

gkwppw1963 @cox.net 

~**~**~

ANOTHER LOOK AT LIFE

Gorden K. Warner

Have you ever wondered how life would be if there was no song to sing

if the grass turned brown, the trees didn't grow and there were no birds on the wing.

What if your eyes were so red from the life that you've led as you gazed to some distant shore

and the flowers all died and the radio stopped and you knew you couldn't dance anymore>

How bout if the food that you eat is neither bitter or sweet and it was so awful for you to taste

or the time that you spent was useless and bent, now wouldn't that be truly a waste?

If the news that you heard and the stories you read gave rise to dismay and shame

if the games that you played and the jokes that you told were the kind you couldn't reclaim.

What if the life that you live and the time that you give was wasted right from the start

then the feelings you have and the joy that you feel would never come from the heart.

Seems a waste you might say if you have to delay your whole life just to try and succeed

for how can you feel pride if you're hurtin inside especially since there's such a need.

If your life had no meaning and your days are too long and there's nothing that ever goes right

then turn around I tell you and start life anew and show that you are ready to fight.

You will see with new eyes and you'll gaze on clear skies as each day unfolds before you

there's no challenge to great if you'll just concentrate on the myriad things you can do.

There's no need to give in when you know you can win, especially if you know that you've tried

it is better to fight when you know that you're right and the odds are all on your side.

God's the answer you know, He'll show the right way to go if you surrender your life to Him

you won't need to rely on how hard you can try and your future will never be dim.

Gorden K. Warner Sr.

Do hope these are as delightful to read as they were for me to compose.

God Bless

Pop Warner

gkwppw1963 @cox.net 

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Writers Feedback

My Inspiration was a special treat indeed. I enjoyed it very much and it got me to thinking where mine comes from...I'm thankful that the Lord has used me to tell stories.
Mostly, I seem to be inspired by animals, actually, those I have owned in the past and present :)
In fact, Carol, I am working on one that I wrote today. It still needs fine tuning but I'm in hopes of sharing it with you soon.
Regards,

Sandy

Being a parrot Mama, I can  relate to Bob and Ronnie and their
household. Right now I am being serenaded with a few kisses being
thrown into the mix of happy sounds. Great job, Bob!!  --K> (Kay
Seefeldt)

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Announcements

Forty Years Ago.. Reunion


    Celebrating America??™s Military <http://heartswithsoul.com/Military.htm>

Jerry Turner

egtwarrior25@sbcglobal.net <mailto:egtwarrior25@sbcglobal.net>

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Forty years ago this year (1965) was the first time that an Assault
Helicopter Company of the 101st Airborne was committed to combat. It was
the first time since WWII that any unit from the 101st had been
committed to combat.

It was done in the form of Company A, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st
Airborne Division which very quickly became know as the "Warriors and
Thunderbirds".

We are planning a 40th reunion (many of us may not be around for the

50th) in Houston, April 22-24, 2005. As soon as a place is secured you
will be informed. It will be somewhere in the vicinity of Hobby Airport,
just south of the city which is most accessible by air and convenient by
land.

Our aim is to contact as many as possible of those that served at Soc
Trang (April 65 - Sep 66) as a Warrior or T-bird and all of our
supporting troops. We solicit your help in contacting as many you can
and inform them and or provide us with the e-mails, addresses or phone
numbers of those that we may not have contact.

Our goal is to have at least 50 that served during that period in
attendance. This can be accomplished if we will all get behind this and
contact our contacts.

Our point of contact will be:

Ken Harmon kharmon3@houston.rr.com H 281-343-7788 O 281-561-7111 C
713-816-4422

Ron Crotty hcrot1ps@ont.com Ed O'Quinn edoquinn77@charter.net

Jerry Turner egtwarrior25@sbcglobal.net AGENDA; Our Hospitality Room
will be open continuously for BS and other sessions From Friday through
Sunday.


  Itinerary

1. Friday 04/22/05; Welcome Meet & Greet, Cash Bar, hors d'voeuvres 1900
til 2200

2. Saturday 04/23/05; Reunion Dinner 1830 til 2000, $45.00 per person
(est.).

3. Sunday 04/24/06; Departure Brunch (Hail & Farewell) 0930 til 1130.

NOTE: I am trying to arrange a tour of The Johnson Space Center on
Saturday 04/23/05, time TBD, will confirm as soon as possible (probably
3 hours in length).

Please let me know what you think about this and any suggestions or
ideas that you may have will be welcome, thanks.

Hotel Info; HOTEL/RESERVATION INFO A101 40th Anniversary Reunion

22 April through 24 April 2005 South Shore Harbor Resort

2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, Texas

77573, United States Reservations: 1-800-442-5005 (When calling be sure
you tell them that you are with A101 40th Anniversary Reunion Group.)

Contact; Sharon Whitten Sales Manager Room Rate: $99.00 plus tax (12%)

I have blocked 50 rooms, with 30 rooms we get a free Hospitality Suite.
There is no penalty if we do not fill all the rooms by 15 April, any
excess will be released for normal booking. If we drop under 30 rooms,
no complementary Hospitality suite.

Reservation cut off date: 14 April 2005.

If you are interested please let me know ASAP, so I can get you on our
Morning Report and make your reservations before 14 April 2005, thanks guys.  

Sharing Gods Word, www.s-g-w.org would like to extend our
offer to you, for a free subscription to our Christian
Information Publication. It is a daily Christian e mail,
filled with devotionals from many different ministries. It
also has a full chapter of Bible Verses daily for Christian
Study. Another feature is links to other Christian Web sites
to give you additional information you can send for. You may
cancel any time with out obligation. We look forward to
serving you with Gods Word. Thank you. Put Subscription in
the subject line. Send to Brother_jim@S-G-W.org

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 Prayer Requests

PRAYER REQUEST

THIS IS AN EMAIL PASSED TO ME FROM A FRIEND.  THE MORE PRAYERS WE GET THE BETTER.

MAY THE LORD'S WILL BE DONE WITH THIS YOUR MAN.  LET THE GLORY OF GOD SHINE THROUGH HOWEVER GREAT THE SACRAFICE.

Subject: My son has been shot in Falujah.

I wanted to get everyone to pray for my son Chad. Today,

Sunday, I got a call from the Army that my son had been

shot in the head. I am asking for all your prayers. He was in a

Humvee going through Falujah fighting and

a gang of militia fighters fired on the Humvee and hit  Chad in the head.

The driver got him out of the city and took him to Baghdad. 

He was in fatal condition, but now has been

upgraded to stable critical. His dad and I are on

standby to fly to Washington, then on to Germany, as

soon as the military calls us to go. The Army is trying

to stabilize him enough to fly to Germany, and at that

time we will leave..

Please pray that my son will not have brain damage, and

that he will be restored and healed by the blood of

Jesus, and the grace of God. I ask for you to pass

this prayer request on, so there will be many prayer

warriors praying for him.

Thank you so much and I will try to keep you updated

on his condition.

God Bless

Vicky Field

Granbury, Texas

Please pray for this young soldier and please pass    

My daughter, Cheryl Schneider.  there is a concern that she may have a thyroid condition plus it

has been noticable that she has something which looks like it could be a goiter extending from the

collar bone area.   She is being scheduled for blood draws to check this out.  please pray!

2. My son-in-law, Earl Schneider  pain is getting worse from the traction therapy that he is

receiving to help his pinched nerve   this is a necessity but prayer does help in all things!

again,  please pray.

3. My friend, Ruth (90yrs of age), a lonely widow with no family has possible cancer which

the doctors first thought were shingles; were not, then thought it was an infection but meds

did not help - now the concern is possible cancer - she is scheduled on Apr 4 to see a

dermotolgist.  again, please pray. 

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SENIOR WRITERS

Agee, Vance;  Apted, Violet;  Baker, Kathy;  Batt, Al;  Berry, Nell;

Boda, Ginger;  Bryant, Sharon;  Cassady, B.J.;  Crider, Mark;  Deming, Barb; 

Goodier, Steve;  Harris, Kathy Anne;  Hunt, Sharlette;  Jacobson, Gary; 

Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Jenkins, Pamela;

 Liles, Norma;  Mazzella, Joe;  Ojeigbe, Georgewaters; Shaw,Bob; Sims, Richard; Vaknin, Sam; Walker, Joe;  Warner, Gorden K; Whirity, Kathy;  White, Robert;

STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

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