STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

July 12, 2005 

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

I'll get even with you   (inspired by Sharon Bryant's story about her brother)

 Norma Liles

All my life or at least in my growing up years, I thought that I hated my brother Paul.  He is six years my senior and you would think since I am a girl and he is a boy or was, of course, that he would be protective of me? Nope, not Paul....in those days! 

I must remind you who do not know me that I am by no means a young woman, only young at heart; being 75yrs old but I do remember when Paul made my life tough to put it mildly.  In those days, it was not illegal to punish children with a switch (a stick to those who are not aware) or whatever device that a parent felt useful but used as a remembrance tool?

Anyway, whenever I was the subject of the switch, it was well known by my siblings that if you ran from Mom when you were the guilty one, you received a double dose of punishment.  Oh but did Paul enjoy this one when I was the recipient of the switch? 

Paul pretended to be on my side of things and me being so naive believed him. He came running toward me saying; "she's behind me," so I would turn around to run the other way and run right smack into her, Mom that is. 

As well as I loved my Mom, I wasn't too happy with her at that particular moment and in my mind I think; "Paul, you're dead!" 

From that point on, I was bound on one thing and one thing only; getting even. 

Paul had a fetish for blood ripe tomatoes wrapped in buttered bread.  I find him standing at the sink slicing the tomato when I saw a slice of the tomato hit the floor. hmmmm I'm thinking.....here's my chance....so I ran across the room, shoved him and he slipped on the slice and started falling.

Thankfully, Paul's buddie, Bob, saved my hide as Paul was wild with rage and ready to let me feel the brunt of his slap. 

Today, I love my brother Paul but I am glad that those days of irritation from here are long past.

Norma Liles ?©

hoopla214 @yahoo.com

About Me:

Norma Liles is a retired data entry
clerk/supervisor who lives in Ohio. Her hobbies
are: writing poetry and stories, reading,
her family, living for Jesus and
her use of her computer. Her ambition is
to add pleasure to those who read her
writings as well as sharing her faith.

My writings have been published on Starfish,
Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift,
www.poetry.com, PrayerofGod, Jan Karon's
newsletter, American Poetry Writer's league,
Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room,
Poetry of Today publishing, Hope in Him,
Bonnie's Place, America will remember and
News Moose. Finally senior writer for
Storytime Tapestry.

~**~**~ 

The Old Stone School House and the Changing of My Life

B. J. Cassady

   The old stone school house has always been there for as long as I can

remember.  It was situated on the south side of the small paved road that

connected Peckham,  Ok., and highway 177 that led to Blackwell.  The school

had  been abandoned for as long as I can remember, but something about it's

solid structure held my attention.  The 1940's turned to the 50's then the

60's. I was out of school and in and out of the military and the school still

stood.  My aunt and uncle's farm was located just a mile and a half north of

Peckham and I was their summer 'visitor' from Wichita, Kansas.  My

mother would send me to visit them every summer and I learned about life,

farm life, church and the cycle of life from my summers there. 

    My life went through ups and downs like everyone else life.  Whenever I

was down,  I would retreat to the farm for a weekend visit.  In 1971 I moved

my family to Oklahoma City and still visited my aunt and uncle when

possible.  Time waits for no man, and age and eternity are always just a step

or a heartbeat away.   My uncle passed on in 1995, still the school house

stood firm. 

    This part of the country became the most peaceful place in the world in my

life.   I went through divorce, remarriage, and the loss of my wife to cancer. 

Yet, the people, the lifestyle seemed the same.  The realization after my uncle

died, that my aunt one day may leave me seemed impossible, yet I had to deal

with the unbelievable.  Where could I find my peace?  One day on the way to

visit my aunt, I felt different, we were to meet at church yet I found myself

racing to the farm.  She was laying in her bed, alive, but had suffered a heart

attack.

     I made a point from there on to visit her at least three weekends out of four

from Okla City, a two hour one way trip.  I picked up groceries, helped her as

much as I could.  I could see the spark that drove her become dimmer and

fade.  After a couple of months I took the road from Blackwell  to Peckham

and I was stunned to see the old stone school house had collapsed.  Yes,

nothing is forever on this world, but to me the old stone school house stood for

the imaginable, the  peace and tranquility of the region.  I felt the connection

between me and the region start to stretch.  My aunt died in a car wreck a

week later.  She suffered a heart attack while driving to the doctor.  I spoke

at her funeral at the small church in Peckham.  The church was over-flowing

as she was the church elder, former PTA president, deputy sheriff, county

civil defense director and a host of things she never mentioned to me...besides

being a mother and a farmer's wife.  To me, she was not my aunt, but a

second mother. 

    She led me to church and understanding as the old stone school house had

led others to learning and understanding many decades before.

     Before she passed on, I found my peace, I found my place of

understanding.  This place lies within my heart, within my memory, within

my soul.  I thank all of the people who made me what I am today, but at the

top of the list has to be my aunt and uncle and the people, the farmers of the

magnificent town of Peckham, Oklahoma.

B.J. Cassady

BJ.Cassady @ af-group.com

B.J. Cassady is a Stephen Minister at

Edmond Trinity Church and ISD professional

in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  A disabled Vietnam

era USAF vet,  BJ enjoys giving back to

the world with his writings and is putting

together a CD audio collection of his best

writings.  For further information please

write: bj.enterprises @juno.com

Also look for his story 'Medals' in

"More Patriot Hearts" by Lt Col William

Coffey and "The Quilt".

~**~**~ 

Boy Called Matthew

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

A little boy called Matthew, the little boy of
Chester, Nebraska. If you ever drive U.S.136 and
U.S.81 highway you will be right at Chester, Nebraska.
Stop and visit Matthew??™s grave. Oh now we know the
little boy??™s name. It is Danny. For I think it was
about three years he was known as Matthew, A Gift Of
God. That is on the stone which was placed there by
some kind hearted person. People came from miles
around when at last the little boy??™s funeral was held.

His body was found on the morning of 24 Dec 1985 in a
road side ditch wrapped in a blanket. A man in a
passing truck just happened to look that way at the
right time. The state held the body for a time for the
normal reasons. Then at last the funeral was held. The
people of Chester took the boy as their own. The
little fellow was given the very best of a funeral.
This is a small town, the whole town turned out.
People came for miles around.

After some time went by some people in a state to the
west started to ask questions about a little boy who
lived with them for a little time. These questions was
asked to some people in a state to the east. The
people in the east thought the little fellow was still
with the ones in the west. That is what the boy??™s
father said. At last a bell went off in someone??™s head.
Father was picked up and brought to Nebraska.

A day in court and he was found guilty of dumping the body in the
ditch. It does not end here. The state east all at
once reopened a case. It seems the boys mother kind of
died strange like.  The state of Oklahoma all at once
took a hard look at this fellow too. Seems like he fit
a murder case there real good. Last I heard he is
there for life.

Now the people of Chester have a real name on the stone
and a birth date.  He still is known as the little boy
of Chester, Nebraska. The grave is never with out
flowers and little kids toys.
Yes people in a small town hav a great big heart.
Bigger then the town itself

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.   

~**~**~ 

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Unrequited Angst
by Steve Podielsky

The girls that high school poets
want will not respond to words
they care less about pure heart
more interested in boys
save your muse for the library girl
sitting in the corner sucking her pen
she's waiting for fantasy worlds
if only I'd known back then.

Wasted ink and untold hours
weepy moonlight
waning powers
'My God memory boy - you knew
squat about the journey to the
what's and wherefores of the fuzzy
toy." rainbow ponies never ran
as fast as your joy when eyes finally
met and secrets revealed the
clandestine author
who dropped his shield.

High school poets prick
up your ears and throw your
pens to the leafy gutters and
puddled streets. Those modeled
girls reject your motives
and your tasty beats

they
got no rhythm
they got no rhyme
and for you my boys

no time.


04/12/2005

~**~**~

Belittled
by Steve Podielsky

I want to be "littled"
to my son's size again
and redefine what life means
to me

Looking up at grownups
bordered by the sky
blue-lined wilderness
keeps my hopes high
Is it the sunshine
framing every view
or the fact that only toes
regard the morning dew?

I spend too much time
staring at the ground
thoughts of emptiness
carrying the world round
a heavy weight
an empty plate
raggedy men build their
own fate

God made us with innocence in mind
perhaps a change in stature
will open my mind

04/18/2005

~**~**~

Writers Feedback

Carol Am very glad to hear that you are not going to let the "pseudo" friend get you down or interrupt the good you do with your writings and your love.  Yep when you are betrayed it hurts, especially when you extended your very soul in friendship, never let another stop you, the shame is on the betrayer!
I enjoy your pieces in Tapestry and hope the creative juices are soon flowing again.
Be Happy!

Margaret Baylor

Carol, a lovely reflection on nature. Autumn is the season which really disturbs the senses I feel. My favourite time. Gabrielle.

The Email - I've experienced emails like the one you wrote about and for a few moments, let it tear at my heart and soul. It is a feeling of betrayal when someone you feel you know suddenly changes into someone you have never seen.
Just yesterday I got a letter from a woman telling me how bad she feels my web site is and for a bit, I was crushed and felt the urge to pull it down. Then it occured to me that this woman knows nothing about me or what matters to my heart so I was able to put her words into perspective.
Thank you for writing about the feelings you experienced from a letter that was painful.
Dianna
 

Carol - Wonderful prose!  You paint beautiful pictures with your words.
Louise

London Bombings ??“ Johann Christoph Arnold - This is such a nice story, and it's such a shame that the world is in the condition it is today.....Yes, since God is being taken out of almost
everything, no wonder it's like it is..... Thank's for sharing this.

The Lady And The Sea ??“ Carol

  No matter what you say you are a true poet.  I hope that your words always flow forth passionately and roar from your soul like
the Mediterrian Sea.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

The Email, Carol - This is another great story from you my friend.  It is always hardest to write about the pain and hurt that we must work through
in this life.  I am glad that you were able to do so and to show others how to as well.
    Thanks again for running my article "Children and Angels" today.
You have always been such a great supporter of my writings.  God bless you always.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

Charith, "Piano" was a delight, a supurbly descriptive piece. I could sense and see the whole scence. Very well done! Gabrielle Morgan.

Carol, I like the analogies you have created in "The Lady and the Sea." A real image of creative spirit. Well done! Gabrielle.

The Lady and the Sea flows so well, Carol.  I feel like I am there with you. 
Where would we be without our dreams?

Hugs,
Barb

The Lady and the Sea ??“ (Carol) Awe and yet peaceful revelations fight for control as I bask in the
undercurrents. The flaying of my emotions, so alive, so open and raw.  How different
from past writings are the words brought to my eyes and as I let them fill my
senses. With reality the oceans sticky spray as I watch the nets being lightened
are vivid as the struggling fish are chosen by the brightly colored fabrics
of covered humanity and then I too find my eyes beholding her.  It can not be
true!  It is only a myth is it not?  But there she is the presence of her seen
beauty makes me gasp. Then I accept it is only a story, only words.  But those
words came alive for a few moments and I wish for my goal of this life to be
realized to write like her, the goddess of the world of published works to be
fed into the minds of those who come behind her such as me. 

Leona Ebling

Carol ( Inner Core) Your writing is more descriptive than you know my friend.  I felt like I was watching a movie as I read this one.  You continue to get better and better in your writing.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

Prayer Requests and Updates

 Hello Gang,

I meant to ask all of you, my friends, to pray

for Diane Pidcock, a very dear friend who had

the heart catheter procedure this morning.

Results:  no blockage!   Praise God!

If I overlooked you, it was not intentional as

I had been a little pushed for time to be online

but do know that Diane and I and her family

are very appreciative of the prayers.

At her church in Buckeye Lake where I used

to attend, she was annointed!  She was in His

care as always!

Normie

Dear Prayer Warriors:

Please join me in keeping my cousin's son, Sean (7 yrs. old) and my cousin Margaret in your prayers as the start another week of Chemo Therapy.  Father give them strength and courage as they go through another week of this therapy.  Keep them nausea free father as they have enough on their plates.  Keep their families strong so they can continue to be a source of support and love for them Father.  Keep the medical staff ever mindful of their every need, guide them with compassion and caring.  Help us to remember that nothing is great than God, not even cancer.

In Jesus Precious Name, Amen and Amen

Thank you for your love and prayers....

Love you,

Barbara

Good afternoon I pray you are having a wonderful day with the Lord today. Well I just got a call from Oklahoma City and I will be going back on July 20th. I have to be at the Spine Hospital at 11:30 in the morning and they will do the surgery at 1:30 in the afternoon. I can have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the 19th. I can take my meds all but the aspirin which I have to stop taking as of tomorrow. I have seen a few folks that have has this surgery done and they all had no problems so I am not worried about it any more. I know God will be with me and Jesus and the angels also. Thank you for loving me and keeping me in your prayers. I will let you know how it comes out when I am able to. God bless and keep you always in His loving arms. Love, Jesus hugs and prayers Mom/Grandma/Barbara Williams

Hi, Carol,

Would you add this to the prayer requests?

" A short while ago, I asked for prayers for my friend's brother who was undergoing a heart transplant. After the operation he made great progress but now his doctor's are struggling to regulate his kidney function which means more stress on his new heart. Please hold Peter in your loving prayers. We are grateful for each one of you. "

Maria

To All;

Please pray for my brother Terry L. Sims of Neosho, Mo. He had back operated on

two months ago, and his back isn't any better after the operation. So if you all would

please pray for complete healing for him.

My son Richard II ( Rick ) He got a job working in a big truckstop to earn money to

come home on from Wy. here to Ks. he has set the date to leave out for Aug. 1st.

2005, he will be driving a chevy four wheel drive pickup which he has rebuilt the

motor in so please pray that he will have a safe and trouble free trip from Wy. To

Ks. On Aug 1st. 2005

God bless you all for your prayers in advance!

Sincerely

Richard & Jackie Sims

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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