STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

June 17, 2005

Today we introduce yet another new writer for Storytime Tapestry. Lynn Massie,  is writer #218, for Storytime Tapestry.   Please send her a warm welcome and welcome her into our wonderful writing and reading family.

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

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

Considering starting a fish tank?

Donna Stebbins

If you are considering starting a fish tank you should do a little research first.  It is not a matter of just filling a tank with water and dumping in some fish.  There is more to it.  We have had fish tanks through the years and they are beautiful when they are well kept.  Keeping a fish tank beautiful takes some knowledge and care.

First thing is to find a suitable fish tank.  Some of the websites listed on Hibbs and Heeks Fish Pond, (You will find a link on the left hand side of our homepage),  will give you more specifics on what size tank you need to be looking for according to how many fish you would like to keep.  You then need to get an air filtration system for your tank.  Usually you can get help with this information from the place you are buying the fish tank and/or air filter.  

After you get the fish tank and air filter some water preparation is also prudent for the health of the fish you will be putting in there.  You may be advised to buy ph kits and other items to ensure the best quality fish tank.  I have learned that the quality of the water can have an effect on the health of the fish you put in the tank. 

Although a fresh water tank requires care and cleaning on a regular basis I found that a salt water tank was much more difficult to maintain.  It was very beautiful and the fish were colorful as well as the other sea creatures you can add but the upkeep should really be done on a daily basis to keep things running smoothly.  I also found that the salt water fish were much more expensive than the fresh water variety.  Part of the reason for that is likely to be the import factor of the salt water fish. 

A fish tank can be quite relaxing to sit in front of and watch.  I have been to several doctors offices that have fish tanks.  I am sure this is for the calming effect it has on the people in the waiting room.  It is just important to remember that having a fish tank can involve considerable attention on your part.  You can find lots of information to help you with fish care on the internet.  Some of the websites featured at Hibbs and Heeks Fish Pond also offer forums where you can read what others have to say about their fish tanks and if you sign up for the forums you can ask questions of people who have been keeping fish for a long time.   Keeping fish is a wonderful hobby if you learn the basics which is pretty easy to do with the internet at your finger tips.  

Most children enjoy fish tanks.  Including them in the process of setting up your fish tank will be a fun project for them as well as yourself.  If you would like to offer your children some other fun things to enjoy check out these websites that offer items for kids.  Wild Animal Stickers, bright colorful stickers to choose from.   You most likely have heard of Scholastic Books,  their website has all types of books for kids.  MagicWorld has some interesting items if your child is into magic.    Chinaberry is another website with children in mind.  And if it is toys you are thinking of for your child U.S. Toy Company might be just what you are looking for.     

Written by Donna Stebbins of
http://www.hibbsandheekspetcenter.com

Donna developed her website to offer information on many types
of pets. Above you will find some of the
reasons why Donna thinks cats are
beautiful. Holly has her own page on the
website as do all Donna's personal pets
with listings of websites offering
information on each type of pet as well as
places to purchase items for your pets or
yourself. Hibbs and Heeks Pet Center also
offers a free monthly newsletter that you
may subscribe to with stories and tips
regarding pets. If you would like to
subscribe to our newsletter which
comes out around the fifteenth of each
month please send an email to
hibbsand@hibbsandheekspetcenter.com

with the word join in the subject line.

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~

BEAUTY, SHINING THROUGH
by Lynne Massie

      It was 4 o'clock in the morning on June 9, 2003, when I received
the phone call parents dread.
      "This is the emergency room calling and your son was just
brought in with severe burns on his face, neck, and arms.  We have
called for an airlift and are going to fly him to the burn unit in
Seattle."
      Seattle was 350 miles from his college, so we knew immediately
this was serious.
      The physician described the accident, which caused the burns.
At 2am, our son and his friends decided to barbecue hamburgers in the
courtyard of their apartment complex.  Not exactly the dinner hour
for you and me, but for college students, probably fairly normal.
      While they were cooking, an automatic sprinkler system came on,
dousing the grill.  They dragged the wet grill to another location
and attempted to relight it.  Doing what most adults know not to do,
they squirted lighter fluid directly on the smoldering coals.  The
grill literally exploded, and, as it ignited, the flames caught my
son's shirt tail.  With his clothes ablaze, the flames shot from his
waist to well over his head.
      Fortunately, one of the boys was quick witted, grabbed my son,
and rolled him into the sprinkler system.  While it saved his life,
it was not in time to save him from severe burns and the associated
terrible scars.
      After he recovered from the intense treatments, the doctors told
him they would not do plastic surgery for 6 months because it takes
that long for the skin to stop shrinking and wrinkling.  So, he had
to return to college with scars typical of severe burns.
      When I was a child, my mother told my sister, who had a 10 inch,
very visible and nasty scar on her arm, "Nancy, if you ignore the
scar, other people will ignore it.  It does not mean they will not
notice it, because they will.  But, it means it will not matter to
them if it doesn't matter to you."
      I passed this wisdom on to my son.
      "Keaton, no one will pay any more attention to your scars than
you do.  If they do not bother you, they will not bother others."  He
took my advice to heart and returned to school with his head held
high -- glad he was alive.
      By the end of the six-month waiting period, he decided that the
scars did not matter and did not define who he was.  So he made the
decision to forgo any plastic surgery.
      We all have scars and flaws that we believe cause people to shun
us.  And we spend a lot of time thinking that if only we looked
differently, or dressed differently, or could have more money, or a
different and newer car, people would like us better.
      But you see, like Keaton's scars, people will only judge you by
your looks, or your clothes, or your car, IF you are judging yourself
by these same false standards.
      One of my friends in college was as ugly as homemade sin and
yet, when people met him, they noticed his looks for about 10
seconds.  This man felt good about himself as a person and spent most
of his time concerned about other people's comfort and welfare.  It
never seemed to occur to him he would be rejected because of his
looks -- and he wasn't.
      What people saw was his kindness, his concern for them, and his
sense of humor.  They never noticed his looks because he set the
standard himself.  He didn't act "ugly" so people didn't treat him as
"ugly".
      What about your scars and flaws?  Do you let them define who you
are?  Do you really believe that other people care about what is only
on the surface?  Or are you able to look beneath your skin and see
the beautiful person residing within?
      Today, put your imperfections out of your mind and concentrate
on what you value within yourself.  Because if you can see that
beautiful person, every one you come in contact with will see the
same beauty.
      Let your beauty shine through.

           -- Lynne Massie   <lynne @ turningpointsuccess.com>

To read today's message in LARGE PRINT, please go to:
<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/largeprint.html">
http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/largeprint.html </a>

  ~**~**~

 LIFE AFTER MENOPAUSE

Kathy Whirity

My friend and I were once again debating the downside of middle age.  Lately it??™s been a hot topic of conversation with us.  We have a lot in common.  We are both experiencing the middle life crazies; crazies as in sharing the universal gripes of dealing with thinning hair, expanding waistlines, and the realization that gravity is an evil betrayer after the age of forty-five.

We are compatible in our concern that half our life is over, while the other half looks as if all we've got to look forward to is arthritis and orthopedic shoes.

Who can have a positive outlook on the future when the view from rose colored glasses is blurred by cataracts?  It is an inevitable fact of life~as you get older you age. Though that may seem pretty obvious to the naked eye, the heart measures not by years but by memories. (As you age, they grow.)

Recently I attended a celebration in honor of a dear aunt's 85th birthday.  She is a remarkable woman who has weathered some of life's most treacherous storms and managed, with the strength of God's love, to shine on. You may be wondering how this celebration could be uplifting to my meandering thoughts of menopause.

Well, the truth is, I've been crying in my Geritol long enough and this reunion of aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members helped me to see it.

The guest of honor could easily pass for a woman 25 years her junior.  The years have been kind for she has hardly changed a bit. From the twinkle in her pale blue eyes to her biting sense of humor, she has survived triumphs and tragedies while never forfeiting her spunk or grit for living.

Looking around the room that day it was clear to see that time stands still for no one.

Cousins who use to baby sit for me, once upon a time, are now gray-haired grandparents who are thriving in the retirement time of their lives.

I looked up to them as a kid~ they seemed so much older than me at the time.

Being in their company, so many years later, I once again felt like that little kid, the essence of the years evaporating like raindrops on a hot summer's day.

Reaching the status of senior citizen is not for sissies.  It takes real guts to face the fact that our glory days seem to be behind us. But, knowing that we wouldn't want to trade this moment in time, for lost youth, is to wear our age like a badge of honor.

Which reminds me of my dear friend and our frequent mid life musings.

I couldn't wait to share with her my revelations, brought to mind by the 'golden girl' in our family.

Growing older is not so bad if you do it gracefully, and especially if you can be proud of where you've been.

A positive attitude can go a long way in helping to ensure that the best years are yet to come.

And after haring an invigorating afternoon surrounded by the seasoned flair of senior family members, I just had to share the good news with my best bud.

We may be getting older but we're definitely getting better.  Ain't life grand?!

(C) Kathy Whirity

kathywhirity@yahoo.com

http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members?kathyw

Bio

Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 28 years, Bill, their two children, Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers, Holly and Hannah.

Kathy is a family life columnist for two area newspapers.

~**~**~ 

Poetry Section

~**~**~

I Love You Today

Sharlett Hunt

Inside of my heart,

As clear as a bell,

These feelings of love,

No words ever tell.

To say that I love you,

In only a thought,

That comes from inside

And can never be bought.

Sometimes I think

Love shines in my eyes,

Comes out from my soul,

And never tells lies.

Just three simple words,

That's so hard to say,

I think I will tell you

I love you today!

  Sharlett Hunt 

2/13/04

~**~**~

Why God Made Nurses

Sharlett Hunt

Nurses are angels

That come from above.

They drifted on down here

To share their sweet love.

They looked and they saw

Lots of sickness abound,

So they brought lots of love

And spread cheer all around.

For nurses are special,

It takes a kind heart,

These angels are strong

And they have to be smart.

They come from all over

And travel for miles,

Just full of God's goodness

And covered with smiles.

The caring they showed me

I always can see,

I know He made nurses

To watch over me.

   Sharlett F. Hunt 

5/2/04

Sharlette863 @aol.com


About Me:

I was born in Alabama, the middle of
seven children. At about age four we moved
to Central Florida and I have lived here
most of my life. I am a Viet Nam Era
Veteran. I have always enjoyed writing
and as I get older it seems to come more
naturally to me. I believe
everyone has many stories inside them and
some are blessed to be able to share them.
*************

~**~

My Angels

Sue Walsh

God sent me an Angel

And then he sent me another

They are both Angels of that I have no doubt

He sent me two in person

And many more stand beside me

How blessed can one person be.

Security of Angels

Sue Walsh

The gossamer of a thousand Angels??™ wings

Protected her from any harm

She only had to ask and they wrapped around like a big cocoon

Shielding her from any danger she could imagine

To have that level of security made her invincible to any foe

She left fear behind and locked the door

She needn??™t concern herself with it anymore

Christmas Angel

Sue Walsh

I always look forward to December

That??™s the month people start to remember

To find the decorations and set up the tree

First the baubles, the tinsel and finally me

I have the pride of place atop the Christmas Tree

I??™m there for the parties,

I see visitors come and go

In Australia it??™s hot and Champers

In England it??™s eggnog and snow

The 25^th is my favourite day of all

Children gather around me big and small

To see what Santa has left to please

And the wrapping is torn with the greatest of ease

Wondrous joy spreads across many a face

And I get to watch it all from my very special place

Sue Walsh

Adelseal @senet.com.au

Bio

My name is Sue Walsh - I live in Adelaide, South Australia with my husband and two children.  I worked as a Legal Secretary for 25 years and then my husband and I started our own engineering import/export business.  I love to learn about spiritual subjects and have study many different areas.  I love to write spiritual/religious poetry and peace prayers, I am also endeavouring to complete a novel.  

Writers Feedback

Maria Keller, your lovely telling of the peaceful, dignified death of your husband was just what I needed to read today. Terri's autopsy was released and I sent a prayer of thanks up that her husband was not wrong. If only she had be accorded the dignity of your husband, Maria, there would not be a family torn apart today.

Kalyug ??“ a Story of Times by Rajendra Pradhan: A true Indian story. This is also common in my country where I live. Some of the beggars from the northern part of Africa come begging for all kinds. Very interesting story. That is the dividend of general gossip; it can destroy relationship due to false information aboutan issue.

Georgewaters Ojeigbe ??“ Lagos, Nigeria

Richard Sims??™concern about the dare devil made me giggled. That dare devil hunting peoples??™ prayers will stop in Jesus Name ??“ Amen!

Rajendra - Wonderful story! Thank goodness it had a happy ending----kind of. Louise

Prayer Requests and Updates

 Hello Everyone;

Cindy Morrison had a stint put in her stomach to catch the blood clot and keep it

from going to her lungs and heart. At last report they had her up excrising today,

praise the good lord for that. So see God his answering all of your prayers.

God bless you all for your prayers, Keep them comming PLEASE

Walking in his light

Richard & Jackie Sims       Online Prayers Warriors

Orbie Bertalotto is from Granby, Mo. my home town, and he is as stubborn

as a old Missouri mule too, just like some others I know. ( not me) He

went to the hospital in Neosho, Mo. He has pneumonia not sure on spelling

and a bad lung infection, plus a big soar on his good. he let them work

on him but wouldn't stay in the hospital. They made him sign a paper so

they couldn't be sued.

He is supposed to go back for treatment, but I just don't for see it unless

god will work a miracle, but please keep up the prayers for him god will

see he go's like he is supposed to. God bless you all for your prayers!

Walking in his light

Richard & Jackie Sims     On line Prayer Warriors

SENIOR WRITERS

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

Boda, Ginger;  Bryant, Sharon;  Buhagiar, Victor; 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;

  Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan;  Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam;

Walker, Bill;  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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