STORYTIME TAPESTRY

April 13, 2005

Happy Birthday Pam Patterson from your friends at Storytime Tapestry.

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

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

Lessons from an ant

Susan Roberts

Today I sat on my porch steps listening to the birds twittering in the trees, and watching a rabbit hop around in the back yard. I closed my eyes and leaned back, thinking of all the things going on in my life and those around me. I took a deep breath and said a little prayer.

I opened my eyes and looked down at the ground. I had thrown out some toast crumbs earlier for the birds. One of the crumbs seemed to have sprouted legs and was moving.

I sat watching ever so closely. It would move just a fraction of an inch and stop, move a fraction of an inch and stop again.

A little ant was trying so hard to carry that crumb back to it's home and family.The crumb was three times the size of the ant, but that ant kept working away. stop and go, stop and go.

Suddenly another ant bumped into the first one. Both of them climbed all over the toast. Then one went running off.

"Your buddy is going to let you carry that thing all by yourself isn't he?" I whispered to the ant. "Been there, done that myself!" I mumbled to myself. Yes I had so called "friends" that had let me carry my problems all by myself too. I had been in need of a shoulder to cry on a time or two, and no one had been around. Well I take that back, no one that CARED had been around.

Then I began to think about the times that I had needed someone and my true friends were there. They may not have had all the answers, but they had a spare shoulder and an arm to put around mine. Like when my son had been in that wreck and we almost lost him, I had people asking about him and praying for him and for me.

I than began to wonder if I had been a good friend to people in the past. I feel I have been, but maybe I could do better. Maybe I should be one of the first to call when someone is in need and not wait to see if someone else will do it first.That might not be a bad idea. So what if someone else had called, a second call would show that person they are not alone in this world!

I looked back down at the toast crumb. I looked closer...The crumb was moving at a much faster pace!

There seemed to be a whole army of ants running to help carry that crumb! I watched as the crumb made it short trip to an ant hill, and watched as it suddenly went down into the earth.

Maybe that crumb would feed all the little ants before they go to bed tonight.Not one would go to bed hungry,only because they had all worked together to get the job done.

Maybe that is what GOD expects from us humans. Work together, help each other and get the job done!!!

Thank you little ant for helping me see a different outlook on life. May you always get that job done!

Susan Roberts

twofamily2 @earthlink.net

About Me:

I am now married to my second husband.
We live on five acres outside of a little
town in the Florida Panhandle. I take care
of my 92-year-old mother in law. I have
two living children, two stepchildren and
seven beautiful grandchildren. I am an
author of a recently published book
GOD and The Hillbilly, published thru
publishamerica.com, about a
young woman I met online who was in a
very abusive marriage with two
little children. It is based on her life
and what happened when she
reached out for help and got out of the
situation. She was a blessing to know. I
have been blessed so much in my life with
wonderful family, friends and online
friends. If you go to
publishamerica.com and click on "search,"
that will take you to the
book site. If you click on the reviews,
you will find that I have
two pages of reviews, all giving the book
five stars. There is a
review from the Victim Advocate for the
Wakulla County Sheriff Dept.
as well.

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~ 

Windmills and Sunsets

Pamy Blaine

When I look out across my front yard I see an old windmill standing there like an old friend.  Yesterday I watched the sun go down behind it as I viewed the most incredible sunset that I??™ve ever seen??¦well, except for that pinkish-purple one last week with the storm clouds above it and maybe that bright orange one the other day.  All right, I admit it would be rather impossible to choose the most beautiful sunset because each one is unique but some are more impressive than others. The sunsets of the Midwest are incredible and as a backdrop the windmill across from our house makes a beautiful sight.  When it comes to nature??™s beauty, it is true that some of the best things in life are free and colorful sunsets present themselves almost every evening for us to enjoy.  

Even as a child, I used to climb up on an old board fence beside our barn for a better view of the sunset and I was never disappointed.  I still enjoy sunsets and many evenings I have the privilege of watching the sun go down behind the old windmill that stands next to where I now live. 

Across this great country we live in, we still see these old windmills that were put there by our predecessors.  In this area, many have been abandoned because water is now accessible in other ways but when this land was first settled, one of the main concerns was water.  The early pioneers who settled the land needed a source of water and if they didn??™t live close to a spring or a stream, water was a problem and so they began to dig wells.  However, it was difficult to bring up enough water with just a rope and a bucket, especially when it came to watering livestock.

These pragmatic pioneers often had to use what was available to them.  History shows that many of the early pioneers built sod houses when the very earth they walked upon was the only material they had to build themselves a shelter for safety from the elements. In the same way, our ancestors had to come up with a way to obtain water more readily 

The wind often caused the pioneers a lot of trouble because it brought with it storms and tornadoes.  It was sometimes a lot of work just to keep things tied down securely.  The wind was often their adversary and what usually happens to people is that either they run from or they face their adversary. The early pioneers not only faced their adversary but they harnessed the wind by building windmills to bring up the water from their wells to the surface.

The early settlers did find the answer to their water problem and as the song says, they literally found the answer ???blowing in the wind???.It is interesting that what often seems to be an overwhelming obstacle can become the means to survival.  Our ancestors persevered in the face of great obstacles.

The first windmills were made of wood because that was the material available to the early settlers.  However, these windmills were too big and were not able to withstand the high winds on the plains so they needed constant repair.  Some of the early windmills had no tails to stabilize them either so that their vanes would stay pointed into the wind. 

In 1854, a man named Daniel Halladay invented the first all-metal windmill.  He made windmills that had controls that would turn the vanes away from the wind if the wind became too strong, and it also had brakes so that the windmill could be brought to a complete stop.

Most of the windmills that we see today have the metal blades at the top even if the rest of the windmill is made of wood.  You can still see working windmills around the country, but mostly only where there is no electricity readily available or other water supply.  In many areas today, the windmill has been abandoned.  We see them standing rusty with broken blades but they still stand like stubborn sentinels reminding us of another time.  There is something about windmills that have always intrigued me and I sometimes wonder why I like them so much.  It may be that it is a reminder of the past but yet I think it is more than that. 

The windmill that stands near our house has been there a very long time.  Sometimes I feel like that windmill, a little battered and rusty with a few broken places. There is something about the way the windmill stands strong and tall both in peace and in adversity.  The windmill accompanies the song of the wind when it blows without complaint and yet, it knows how to be still when the wind stops blowing.  As I watch the sunset behind the windmill, I know there are many lessons to be learned both in the stillness and in the storm.

Pamela Perry Blaine   

pamyblaine @blaines.us
---------------------------------
 
Pamela and her husband live in Missouri. She writes, "Pam's Corner"
for her local newspaper, The Edina Sentinel, that carries many of her
stories. Pam has also contributed to books such as the new book by
2theHeart, People Who Make a Difference, A Tribute To Mom, and The
Miracle of Sons. She plays piano and is an avid reader. She and her
husband, who is a minister of music, have a gospel CD out of songs
written by Pam. More information as well as a clip from the CD is
on her Website: http://blaines.us/PamyPlace.htm

~**~**~

I Work For A Jewish Carpenter

Bill Walker

wildbill6807 @yahoo.com

Friend Keith [yes I do have a friend other then my puppies] said one day, he seen a bumper sticker.  The thing read. "I work for a Jewish Carpenter."   These words put me to thinking about a few things.

Isn't it strange the things we read in the Bible?   Jesus came to earth, the way he did. Born in such humble way. The King of Kings.  He grew up to manhood.  Learned to be a carpenter. He started to go about teaching. He would talk to a crowd of one person or many thousands. You say how could one person be a crowd?   Well you did read about him talking to this one person.  A crowd of people has since read what was said. You see there is nothing in the Bible that is a waste of words.  There is a reason for each and every word the way it is said, or wrote.

Another thing he said was along the lines of making some fishers of men.  I take that to be fishers of women too. I notice any more the little fish shaped metal things on the backs of cars.  I once heard a preacher say he wouldn't have one on his Lincoln, or his wife's Caddie either.  I took that to be the man was shamed to say he worked for the Big Fisher of mankind.  I did notice the political stickers on the back of his car.

Some of Jesus last words were... John 14; 2. In my father??™s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

I have heard preachers say this is wrong wording.  I think this, and it is my thinking. Is not heaven all of Gods house?

Here again Jesus, just think, here he is a carpenter, building you the most wonderful mansion to have for your very own. What a wonderful thought.

It is written.  John 3; 16...... We all should know that one.  What a most wonderful thought. It is so simple. What gets me is people that run about with one must do other things to get to Heaven. Those lines cover lots of ground.  It says "BELIEVE WITH ALL THY HEART." 

Yes I hope I'm working for a Jewish Carpenter.  Sure hope not working for that other guy. He and his gang of thugs are trying to burn down the works of Jesus. 

The Jewish Carpenter....The Big Fisher.....  The King of Kings.... JESUS.

 Bill Walker

wildbill6807 @yahoo.com

About Me:
Well I??™m a story teller, not a writer. Never learned the art of fancy English. I

happen to live in Nebraska, but I??™m still Missouri. Never married, all the Dollies I

ever took a second look at was too smart. Now at 74, just turned that other day, I

figure they all home safe. I love Doggies and Dollies in that order. Lost my two

true friends this year, that be Tinker and Poo. So I found me a new one. This

time a little girlie Peke. She is a normal female. Got a mouth, talks all the time.

She will never be a great writers of stories like Tinker and Poo. They have

about 50 stories on HWS. And now writing back from Rainbow Bridge.

I just try to write about people, places and things best I remember. Have something

over 250 stories on HWS. under three names.  

~**~**~

Dream About the Entire Forest

Claudia Kerens

One night Joseph had a dream and promptly reported the details to his brothers, causing them to hate him even more. "So you are going to be our king, are you?" his brothers taunted. And they hated him all the more for his dream and what he had said. ... [Years later, as part of God's plan to Joseph's brothers] Turning to Joseph, Pharaoh said, "Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, you are the wisest man in the land! I hereby appoint you to direct this project. You will manage my household and organize all my people. Only I will have a rank higher than yours." (Genesis 37:5-8;Genesis 41:39-40)

Humans who see the entire forest of an organization/ process are often those who also have the capacity to envision a enhanced way to encourage a process to work with greater efficiency.  However, those visionaries, who avoid being choked to death by ???group think,??™ are open to greater personal criticism.  The key word here is ???personal.??™  If the detractors cannot present a reasonable or even logical argumentation format based on ???facts,??™ then instead, they launch a mean-spirited tirade meant to slay the futurist??™s character.

It does not matter whether are not the critic??™s facts are straight, after all the mode of transportation for most nay-sayers is word of mouth.  Moreover, we all know, rarely are facts even communicated when traveling down the rumor highway.  Rather, stories are skewered to reflect the nay-sayers??™ perspective.  These folks do not argue the facts because they do not have the facts or they do not want anyone else to know just what the facts are.  Instead, they impugn another??™s moral fiber.  The usual poisonous dart thrust contains the concept that not only is the visionary a fraud, the visionary??™s whole family is liars.  Why is that?

Perhaps these folks are latter day offshoot progenitors from the horrendous Spanish Inquisition.  At least one can hope that ???burning at the stake??™ is still outlawed.  One has to marvel how, as progressive of thinker as Leonardo da Vinci was, he did avoid being turned into an ash heap in the middle of town.  Some historians reflect that his grasp of the facts of his futurist visions was so stellar that his detractors flat did not know what to do with him so they released him.  Some who appreciate his helicopter drawings might be thankful this piece of technology was not lost due to the stupidity and ignorance of his censors.

Folks who are members of this ???breed??™ are not too capable of originality in the first place.  All change is bad and anyone who promotes transformation should be ostracized from society.  That perhaps is one of the problems.  Another dilemma may be that they belong to the ultra-ultra traditionalists who scream bloody murder anytime change is in the wind.  We are lucky they were not very strong voices when the wheel was invented.

A California friend says, ???Some people just don't grasp dreams. Others are jealous because they didn't have them first. And, I have come to suspect, there are some people who think their job in the world is to tear down the rest of us.???   The latter are the folks that I expect ??“ if they were convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging, would complain if their executioners used a brand new rope.  [A now deceased Sparta friend also held that belief.]

That all said, that does not mean that criticism can not be legitimate.  However, most view this sort as ???constructive criticism.??™  This beneficial analysis of an idea or a concept can only improve the total process and allow for experimentation to provide trial runs to tweak and permits further enhancement.  This kind of criticism can be learned from??”there is meat on the bone to mull over and further ponder to allow for progressive implementation that is intended to benefit that entire proverbial forest.  Who can argue with the need for learning when the majority profit?

I am the Queen of Brick Walls. Believe me; it took until I reached what I call my "Age of Reason" [that was after my age of stupidity] to finally figure out that either in order to find the solution to my problem or to look at the problem from another angle, I had to get out of the RUT of my thinking expanse!   Remember, I like thinking outside the box; however, that is no guarantee the problem is solved.

Sometimes, I have learned parasailing because I thought outside of the box and ended up flying over a cliff.  When I still believed Superman and Supergirl ???could??™ fly, I tried it out by attaching that magic cape [a beach towel] and running off the roof of my grandfather??™s chicken coop.  I landed in stinky mud, or so I thought.  Later, I understood I had landed in a pile of manure.

Nevertheless, I have this imagination that envisions the possibilities and the potentialities of ???how far??™ the concept can go and who is going to benefit from such a model.  Sometimes, because I realize I can go ???way beyond that thinking box,??™ I know there is a need to be reined in to create within some degree of practical boundaries.  However, the reins I refuse to heed are those of snobbery. 

I do not believe humans are really any better than others.  All humans have the ability to exercise ???free will.??™  I believe in equality for all within the framework of societal rules.  Money does not buy parity.  Money might purchase lots of materialistic things to improve one??™s self-esteem like the old ???keep up with the Jones??™ ???montage; but, money does not buy egalitarianism. 

Social equality is earned by true human compassionate actions.  To reach that mesa, one does not have to tie a name to it; rather, one sees the need and corrects it as compassionately as possible.  Those involved in empathetic giving have to have the innate insight to recognize it is a needed component to improve life.  The opposite of such an action is not, ???Oh, I saved those children from being destroyed because they have experienced such poor parenting.???

???Puh-Leeze!???  Gandhi did not even go that far when his many starvation demonstrations were aimed at improving the societal lives of his fellow citizens.  While Gandhi did not succeed in eradicating the caste system completely, he did open the doors of education to be unlocked for some of the lowest caste members. 

Civilization further develops when honestly earned education takes a higher priority.  It also provides those who have truly learned the skills to ???think beyond the box.??™  That is what makes the world ???go ???round.??™

Claudia Kerens
mina1986 @ midwest. net

About Me:

General Bio - 51 year old educator who has
worn several hats in the broadcasting,
office and restaurant worlds. Turning 50
is a freeing experience thus most of my
writing revolves around lessons learned
and wisdom to pass on so that others don't
hit the same brick walls I did. The sooner
folks love themselves, they can give love
to others. And that, is the greatest
gift of all.

Writers Feedback 

A Man from the Sea

Charith, what great perception you have. Wonderful insight. I enjoyed your work immeasurably. Every image so vivid and emotion stark. Lovely writing indeed. Congratulations. I look forward to reading more.

Carol,

Thanks so much for putting my story Goodness in your newsletter this morning. I was especially honored to be included along with Bill's writing. I have always loved his stories. Wishing you every joy, Joe

The story, Wolfie-Worlds Most Wonderful Dog, brought an ache to my heart. I am Sandra mentioned in the story.



I am very proud to be in that position for I have the God given honor of having a most compassionate, talented, and fun-loving woman as sister and my best friend.



Kay, has many great gifts and story writing is one of them :)



Sandy

Announcements

Seeking pastors and writers to submit articles for a monthly Christian newspaper, which will begin Jan. 2006. Stories pertaining to the intervention of God's hand in people's lives and uplifting the Lord Jesus Christ. E-mail james4436@charter.net

Forty Years Ago.. Reunion


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

Jerry Turner

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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'oeuvres 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.