STORYTIME
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The Newsletter
devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the
world
July 6,
2005
Now on to
the good stuff..........
Animal awareness
series endorsed by Shiloh and Hank our
mascots; all stories must receive their approval.
Warning For
sensitive readers -- This is a
tear-jerker
Blackie
Michael T. Smith
My
father motioned me toward the strange black car parked in our driveway.
"Come here, Son. I want you to see something."
I'd never seen a car with
tinted windows. It frightened me. My father called me
again, "Mike, look in
the back window." I did as he told me, in spite of my fears, but I
couldn't
see a thing.
The driver's window rolled down. A man looked down at me, "Open
the back
door and get in." he said.
I looked at my father. "Go ahead,
son. It's OK. I want you to see something." He
opened the door for me. "Get
in. Look over in the corner, on the far side." I could see
what looked like a
dark blanket piled there.
The man in the front turned, "Don't you see
it?"
"No! I don't see nothing." I said meekly.
"Over there." he pointed.
"See it?"
"See what?" I asked.
"Get closer." he said.
"Mike," my
father said from behind, "Slide over and look at the blanket."
I looked
closely at the ruffled blanket and saw something dark move. It was
a black
puppy. "He's ours, Mike."
That was my first memory, in a long line of
memories, of Blackie. Whenever I
think of my childhood, Blackie comes to
mind. She was a dog who twice was saved
from death by the tears my two
older brothers and I. The first time was six months
after the day I met her.
My father discovered Blackie was not a "he" but a "she." He
wanted didn't a
female who would have pups. He wanted to give her away or take her
into the woods and shoot her.
Three crying boys saved Blackie. My
parents took her to the vet, and had her
spayed. The vet must have made a
mistake, because for the rest of her life, Blackie's
back legs never stopped
shaking.
The next time was after my father took her into the woods to hunt
rabbits. He
fired his gun and Blackie ran away. "She's gun-shy." he said
when he got home. "She'll
never be a hunter. I almost shot her right there
in the woods. She has to go!"
She didn't go anywhere. Our tears saved
Blackie again.
When I was sad, I would sit by one of the huge rocks that
littered our property.
Blackie would come, lick my face, and settle beside
me. I'd hug her, "Blackie, I love you.
You're my best friend."
Wherever
I went, she followed. When we walked to our swimming hole, more
than a mile
from home, she would try to follow. We were scared she'd be hit by a car,
so
we'd chase her home.
Blackie would turn for home, glancing over
her shoulder a few times with sad
eyes. A mile down the road, I'd look back,
and spy her, sneaking along in the gutter.
She would be too far from home to
send back. "Come on, Blackie!" I'd call, and she'd
jump from the gutter, and
run to lick my face, as her tail whipped the air.
One year, after our mower
failed, our lawn turned into a meadow. I'd see Blackie,
coming and hide in
the deep grass. "Blackie!" I'd call. "Blackie!"
I'd hear her running in my
direction.
"Blackie!" She'd rustle closer. Each time I said her name, she'd
move closer,
homing in on me. The closer she got, the softer my voice
became.
She'd be a few feet from me, standing still, ears lifted, listening
for the faintest
sound, "Blackie." I'd whisper. Her head would whip in my
direction. She'd see me and
pounce, licking my face all over.
She was
five, when she began to have a weight problem. We never overfed her. It
made
no sense. She looked like a black pumpkin. We cut down on her food, but she
continued to gain weight.
Mum was visiting my great, great, aunt, Irene.
"I just love that black dog of
yours." Irene said. "She's so kind. I'll be
sitting in my rocker by the window over there,
and that dog comes along and
stares at me. Then she barks. Well, I ain't got no dog food,
but I had a big
old roast in my fridge. I just cut a big hunk off and gave it to her. Yes, I
love that dog."
We learned later that Blackie had befriended all the
senior widows in the
neighborhood. She gave them her sad stare - her head
down, back legs shaking, and her
eyes rolled up at them. Those big brown
eyes won their hearts.
We stopped feeding Blackie, but she continued to get
fat.
In the heat of summer, her black fur would get hot under the scorching
sun. The
heat and her weight problem slowed her down. I remember her taking
ten minutes to
cross a two lane road. She'd waddled across, as cars backed up
behind her. We didn't
worry about her getting hit by a car, she moved too
slow. The drivers had plenty of time
to see her.
Blackie was ten, when I
found her wandering in the meadow down the hill from
our house. "Blackie!
Come here, Blackie." She looked in my direction, but seemed
unsure of what
to do. She'd made a few tentative steps forward, stopped, and turned in
another direction.
I grabbed her collar and led her home. "Mom! Mom!
Something's wrong with
Blackie."
"Michael." she said. "Look at her eyes.
They look cloudy. I think she is going
blind."
She was right, they were
cloudy. I felt sick that night, as I listened my parents
discuss what to do.
I remember bits-and-pieces of their conversation, "Blackie is going
blind.
She has to be put down. Not enough money for a vet to fix her." They decided she
could stay for a few days, to see what happen.
I prayed and cried myself
to sleep that night.
The next morning I checked her eyes. It was worse! The
cloudiness had become
milky. I couldn't live without Blackie. She was my
best friend and playmate. I needed
her. Every free moment, I prayed for her
eyes to get better.
Two days later, her eyes were bluish-white orbs. The
loving, soft brown was gone
completely.
"Michael." mom said softly to me.
"You know Blackie is not happy not being
able to see. Michael, she's old,
hates being tied, and her heart is broken. I think we have
to put her to
sleep."
I cried in her arms and begged her to wait a few more days. "Mom,
please! Maybe
it will go away." Tears filled my eyes, "Mom, please!"
"OK,
Michael. Just a few days."
I sat and petted my old friend, "Lord, please save
Blackie. Please, lord, make her
eyes better." I prayed day and night.
Two days later, I woke and ran to Blackie - as I did twenty times a day
since her
blindness began - to check her eyes. That morning was different.
The whitish haze wasn't
as bad. "Mum, come look!"
"I'm not so sure,
Michael. They look to same to me."
"Mum, right in the center, it's not as
white. It looks like it's clearing up. We
have to wait. Give her more time,
Mum." She was skeptical but agreed.
My prayers continued, and Blackie's eyes
improved. A week later we removed
the rope from her neck, and she took off.
Her round body giggling as she rushed to her widow
friends, for a free piece
of roast.
Blackie lived for several more years, waddling along our small
streets, getting
three free meals a day. At fourteen, she began losing
control of her bodily functions. It
was time for Blackie to visit the vet. I
was saddened, but I knew this time it
was the right thing. A little boy's
prayers saved her once, when the Lord decided Blackie needed
to stay on Earth
a little longer, to comfort a young boy. This time he was calling her home,
where
her legs wouldn't shake anymore.
I was telling my wife, Ginny, about
Blackie the other day and started crying,
just as I am now. You see, I
checked with a few vets. Not one had heard of a case
of severe corneal
infection or cataracts that has reversed itself on its own.
It was a
miracle.
Michael T Smith
mtsmith@qwestonline.com
Today's Queue
Stories
~**~**~**~
MAKE YOUR ANGELS SMILE
By: Joseph J.
Mazzella
I read recently in
an inspirational book that all of us have not just one guardian angel watching
over us, but many such angels all though our days. This made me smile at the
love God must have for us all to give us so much unseen help in our lives. It
also made me feel a bit self-conscious about having angels watching over my
every choice and action. In the end, however, I decided that I would just do my
best moment by moment and day by day to make my guardian angels
smile.
What would you do
to make your guardian angels smile? Would you be polite to the person being rude
to you and return kindness for anger and love for hate? Would you share part of
the money you earn with those who are in great need and continue to trust in God
to meet all your needs as well? Would you slow down your walk long enough to
smell a newly blooming flower or freshly blossoming Cherry tree? Would you also
stop to pick up a piece of trash littering the ground and make the world a bit
more beautiful? Would you visit the sick, disabled, and elderly and give them
not only your time but your joy and love as well? Would you sing out loud as you
walk down the street and share your delight in being alive in spite of any looks
others might give you? Would you hug your children and tell them how much you
love them no matter how big they get or old they are? Would you bless this world
with your smile, your kind words, your optimism, your enthusiasm, your laughter,
your joy, your light, your talents, your energy, your cheerfulness, and your
love? Would you do your best moment by moment, all though your day, and all
though your life to be the person God meant for you to
be?
I hope that all
your answers were, Yes! I hope God and Heaven always look down on your life with
joy and pride. And I hope that everyday you make your angels
smile.
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.
~**~**~
To My Friends Out
There
Tim
Kevin
The other day a very close friend died, and
on that clear, crisp
morning, in the warmth, familiarity and security of my
home, I was
struck with the sudden shock of the loss and the pain and the
cold
awareness that sometimes there just isn't any more.
-
No more
hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more
phone calls just
to talk, no more "I'll be with you in just a minute",
no more quick lunches
or lazy dinners, no more secrets, no more fun, and
no chance to ever again
say some of the things I've thought, meant to
say, but will now remained
unsaid forever. The love will linger on for
awhile and I have no doubt
wither without a return, to a cherished
memory.
-
Sometimes, what we care about the most just goes away, disappears
for
one reason or another or up and dies . never to return, before we
ever
stop to think of saying good-bye, express any feelings or even maybe
a
"I love you."
-
So while you have the time, maybe now is a good time
to take an
inventory of your friends, your family ( and repair broken ties ),
your
loved ones, and your inner feelings and just express your care and
love
to all of them.
-
Life is important, As far as I've been able to
tell, we only get one
shot at it, and in case you hadn't noticed, it's very
fragile and can be
snuffed out at any time,
so live it, love it,
enjoy it and let others openly into it, to share
and celebrate it with
you.
-
Irish
irishwarlock@webtv.net
About
Me:
-
Tim Kevin,
is the owner of the Yahoo adult
humor
group, BICs_Jokers_Wild and resides in
Punta
Gorda,
Florida.
Poetry
Section
~**~**~
Your Presence
Dianna Doles Petry
I feel your presence around
me,
You're everywhere that I go.
You touch me as a gentle
breeze,
You fall around me with the
snow.
I see you in the blooming
flowers,
I hear you when the Robin
sings.
You're in the very air that I
breathe,
You're the rainbow a warm rain
brings.
I feel your strength in the ocean's
waves,
As they come crashing to the
shore.
I know you can't be here with
me,
But I long to feel your touch once
more.
I see your beauty in a
sunrise,
You flow around me with the morning
light.
I can almost smell your sweet
cologne,
When I close my eyes each
night.
Your memory brings me comfort,
I think of the things I know you'd
say.
You're still here right beside of
me,
As I live my life alone each
day.
Real love is forever,
It never dies or fades away.
You're the angel on my shoulder
now,
Always showing me the way.
Dianna Doles Petry
Dianna59@charter.net
3/22/2005
~**~**~
Dreams
Dianna Doles Petry
You were my favorite dream each
night,
Flickering like a candle's
flame,
Softly playing against my
skin,
Fanning desire and having no
name.
I cast aside all of my fears each
night,
Let the possibilities in my heart
grow,
Fed myself a diet of wonder and
hope,
Fantasizing of the you I'd come to
know.
You lit up my meager spirit,
Turned the darkness of my heart to
light,
Handed me countless tomorrows,
As you filled my thoughts each
night.
Dreams really are like
candles,
They eventually come to an
end.
Oh, how I'd love to see you once
more,
If I could only dream you up
again.
Dianna Doles Petry
3/22/2005
Dianna59@charter.net
~**~**~
Wow, look what I
found in my old things....just thought I'd share it with you! I look at my older
writing and see how much my style has changed through the
years.
Monopoly
Dianna Doles
Petry
A horse for Chris, a
race car for Kyle,
I got stuck with the shoe.
It was time for a Monopoly
championship,
The losers would have a chore to do.
We all took turns
at rolling the dice,
We carefully counted the spaces.
Nibbling on popcorn,
sipping lemonade,
As we moved through the paces.
The tension built
when the buying started,
It's so hard to get all three lots.
Around and
around the board we moved,
A roll of the dice calling the shots.
Chris
bought up Boardwalk and Park Place too,
While Kyle took the railroads and
more.
Houses went up, hotels came too,
Feet anxiously tapped on the
floor.
No one was landing on Boardwalk at all,
They all passed on by
to "Go" again and again.
Chris rolled his eyes and his hands knotted
up,
While the table caught his fallen chin.
It wouldn't be long now,
the odds were high,
That someone would soon land there.
Nerves were
beginning to show the strain,
The boys squirmed on the dining room
chairs.
Leave it to me to find that row of houses,
All placed neatly
on the Boardwalk just waiting.
They giggled at me and things loosened
up,
I had ended the anticipating!
They had won, I was out of the
game,
Gone in one costly flash!
The life I had brought into the
world,
Had taken all my monopoly cash!
I was proud of the way they
played the game,
But I didn't dare let them see me smile.
I put on a sad
face, and walked away slowly,
To have some peace..all alone...for
awhile!!
6/21/01
Dianna Doles Petry
Dianna59@charter.net
Proud founder
of:
Women With A Unique
Soul
www.womenwithauniquesoul.com
Webmaster of Short
Stories
http://diannapetry.tripod.com
Webmaster of Poetry From
Life
http://www.geocities.com/diannawv/
Poems By Dianna
http://members.tripod.com/~poemsbydianna/PoetryofLife.html
Writers
Feedback
Always have like candles - not the
designer candles, just the ones that give
light, a little warmth, and always
a special feeling ...
... but now I will always look at them
differently. Thanks, Carol
James M Booth
webmentor
oneworld@idonate.com
jamonbo trading
My Personal Aroma -- Carol Roach - Beautiful!
The passion of your senses isheard and felt. Thank you. Louise
Prayer Requests and Updates
My dear friend and my
son's honorary grandmother (he calls her Noni) had a heart attack on
Thursday and almost didn't make it back to us.
She is weak but is resting comfortably at
home. Prayers are very much
appreciated.
Debra
Shiveley
Here is a note from
Lorraine:
Please keep me in your prayers. I have an interview (in a
Chiropractic office) tonight at 6:30
p.m. I would really appreciate it this job is not far from my house
in Roseville and it sounds like
what I am looking for. I'll let you know how it goes.
God Bless you,
Lorraine
Dear prayer
Warriors:
Please keep Steve and
Mary Ellen in your prayers. They are in need of gainful employment.
We prayed and God has
sent them this
opportunity. Please agree with me in prayer that the Lord will open this door
for them if it is His will!
In Jesus Precious Name,
Amen and Amen
Thank you for your love
and prayers!
Love,
Barbara
here is a note from Mary
Ellen and Steve:
Dear Friend, God bless you! Thank you for all your
prayers on our behalf.
Mary Ellen and I
really appreciate it. I have another request.
This
WEDNESDAY MARY
ELLEN AND I HAVE AN INTERVIEW IN FRESNO CA FOR
AN ASSISTANT MANGER POSITION FOR A
RETIREMENT
CENTER. It is live in and
they want teams (husband/wife). I really like the idea of the 2 of us
working together. This is a national company so the possibility
exists of maybe moving somewhere else later. They allow pets and seem to
offer great
benefits, (don't know about the salary).
PLEASE PRAY THAT WE WOULD BE OFFERED THIS POSITION, IF IT'S THE
LORD'S WILL. I really like the idea of the 2 of us working together.
It would be hard leaving Sacramento,
but
this might be very
very good for us. I'll let you know how it turns
out!
blessings,
Steve & Mary Ellen
Wornoff
Dear prayer Warriors:
I have been working on call for five years now. And
the uncertainty of never knowing when or if I'll be called
for
work is more than I can continue to bear. The Lord
promised
that He would not send more than we could
bear.
I had an interview 2 weeks ago for a permanent job.
I am now scheduled for the 2nd interview this Thursday (July 7th) please join me
in prayer that our Lord's will be done that He will open the door for me here if
it's His will and remove all obstacles. The hours, location, etc are very
good what I have been praying for.
Also, please keep my son in your prayers as he signs the
escrow papers this week to purchase his own residential heating and air
mechanical business.
He is such a hard working man with a good work ethic and
smarts too. If it is God's will please join me in prayer that God will
pave the way for a smooth transition.
I pray these things in Jesus' precious name... Amen
and Amen
Thank you for your love and
prayers,
Barbara
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;
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