STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Aug 13, 2005? 

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

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Some Wonderful Folks

Sharon Bryant

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I know why I love Storytime so much.?  First, Carol is a wonderful person, since I've become to know her personally, and secondly, there are SO MANY animal lovers here.?  I thank everyone who wrote me about my story The Love of a Dog.

I've always been a softie when it came to dogs and puppies.?  I like cats too, but I won't bring a cat into my home when I know my dogs would not be nice to it.?  It wouldn't be fair to the cat.

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I used to raise raccoons.?  Now there's a real trip to deal with.?  Rascal, who didn't realize she was a coon, was something else.?  I've got a photo taken of her when she used to crawl up and sleep with the geese.

If you ever want to know what a raccoon is like, just leave them alone in the house and go to bed.?  You'll see.

They can sail dishes like a frisbee.?  They can toss a ball as far as we can.?  They beg, they can be litter box trained, and they love to play in water.?  When I put Rascal in the bathtub, it was an all night affair.?  And they are so funny.?  They eat with forks and spoons, and drink out of sippie cups.?  At least Rascal did.?  I used to put her in a doll high chair I bought for her and she and my son had their 3 meals a day side by side.?  She'd even reach over and steal some of his food if she had finished her own.?  I used to laugh at how she'd eat her green grapes.?  Peel them so slow........Andy would yell, "Hey Rascal, hurry up, I'm beating you!"

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I raised a fox once.?  I don't trust them.? ?  LOL.....sly isn't the word for those little creatures.?  But they are pretty.?  Poor Bob, our Corgi, with his little pointed noise passed off as a baby fox when we first got him and I kept telling folks who would say, "Oh look, she's got a pet fox,"...."he's NOT a fox!"?  Then they'd say, "What is it?"

I'd reply, "He is a DOG."?  There's not many Corgi's in my area.?  One little boy asked me if Bob had been in an accident.?  I told him no, but why was he asking.?  He told me my poor puppy didn't have a tail and he thought he might have got his tail caught in a lawnmower.? 

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I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the emails I got on the story.?  My dad always said, "You can tell what kind of a person someone is by the way they treat their pets."?  If that's true, then Storytime has some wonderful folks connected here.

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Thanks Carol for printing the story.?  And I have some great news.?  My son's fiance' is now working in a vet office and I know I'll have more animal stories to tell!?  Of course, "Bob" and "Ladybug" can give me plenty to write about, but now there will be some new faces for a topic.

If Stephen King could see what the covers of his hard covers look like now.......he's be shocked.?  And the only one Bob didn't tear up was Cujo.?  Hmmmmm, I wonder why.

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? Sharon Bryant

1946 @bellsouth.net

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About Me:

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? I am Sharon Bryant,? 59 years old and reside in Alabama.

I lost my child in 1977 when he was five and I write
articles on bereavement often.

I am a chocolate/candy maker and also a wood crafter and knitter.

I am married to a wonderful man, and have two remaining children, a daughter 25,
Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 22.

My main goal in life is to help those who
have lost a child. My website is: www.angelsremembered.tk

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

Dream Girl

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

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I was looking at a picture of a girl, some one sent this to me.?  The picture made me think what a pretty girl looks like. A girl not seen today, a girl that looked like a girl?  A girl dressed in real girl clothes. A girl that had pretty long hair, a touch of war paint, a smile that takes your breath away. A walking swirling dress, a beauty with 3 inch heels on. A sight to remember, a dream girl.

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I was in a place a few days ago, a girl I guess it was walked past me, well she had a bit of girl type walk, but she was not dressed in what I call girl clothes. She reached down to get a can of pop out of a machine.?  The top went up and the bottom went down, that is the tight out fit did. I got to see the art work on the skin that was showing.?  Girls of years ago would have never had such, they were ladies I will have you know. You see so much of that today, art work on the leg or else where.

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Girls of yesterday knew how to dress, walk, talk. They had no need of art work to make one look. I guess that what it is all about. I often wonder about art work on the body, how is that going to look say when she gets 50, 60, and older?

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I happen to know a lady, she once in a great while will show in a flowing dress,?  and heels of yesterday. A touch of war paint, a smile, her long hair brushed just so, she pretty.?  Then she shows up in the late day garb, well? maybe she still pretty, but not like yesterday.

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Yes the picture, memories? of a pretty girl.?  A pretty girl is like beautiful music of yesterday.?  Play it again,? Mr. Waltz King. Let the girl of yesterday glide cross the floor, the dress with cloth swirling with the moves.?  Oh pretty dream girl.

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? 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.? ? ? 

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~**~**~? 

WATCH THE CHILDREN

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

? ? ? ?  I just love weekday afternoons in May. It is during this special time that I get to see one of the most wonderful sights in the world. It is a sight that teaches me again and again about what life truly is all about. I get to see it mainly when I go to pick up my youngest son from school. I can even hear it as I get out of my car. Its musical and magical sound floats happily through the air from the playground just off the preschool building. It is the sound of children at play.

? ? ? ?  Each day just before I pick up my boy I take in this glorious and happy sight of the preschool children having one last recess before they go home. Many of the parents are there as well smiling as they watch that special joy that their children are creating. I look on as one happy boy swings and calls out for his teacher to watch. I see two smiling girls skip, laugh, and gather handfuls of dandelions to give their Moms. I watch as two boys ride the rocking horses with all the energy and delight that their little hearts can muster. I smile upon seeing a girl hanging upside down from the miniature money bars and giggling at the whole world. As I get my own son he too runs for the swing set for one last ride as well before we head home. He may have the body of a 12 year old, but he still has the bliss of a child??™s heart, mind, and soul.

? ? ? ?  These beautiful children remind me everyday that life truly is about joy, laughter, and love.?  Anything else is just details. We may all have to go to our jobs, clean our homes, raise our families, and take care of all the tasks in life. Still, there is no reason we can??™t do all these things with love, laughter, and joy. In fact the only thing we should take seriously in this life is the love and joy that we choose and share. It is what makes life worth living and it is God??™s greatest gift to us all. Cherish that gift then. Rejoice in it. Share it with the world. And if you don??™t think you can remember how to then stop by a playground one day and watch the children.

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.

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Poetry Section

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When I listen to the chimes

Saskia Nienna Steidel

When I listen to the chimes I hear a warning:

???It is not enough yet!???

They call my name, they ask for more and more.

???Do not stop???, they tell me.

???Sing your song, just as we do it!???

And I sing, but my voice is not loud enough.

I sing, but my voice is not pretty enough.

But they do not stop. They want more from me.

???Do not give up. Just let go. Let yourself go. Let your heartbeat show you the way.???

I cannot see the way and my heart is so slow. It is tired. It is breaking. It is asking for peace, crying bitter tears.

???Just trust yourself???, the chimes sing for me.

???Trust the blood in your vanes and your soul!???

But I cannot find the trust in me. The blood in my vanes wants to rush out.

???No more???, I say. ???I need you to be quiet!???

But the chimes are singing their song, they are just clinging. I hear it!

saskia.steidel@fc-saarbruecken.de

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Light

Saskia Nienna Streidel

The light cached me,

it had me.

The light waited for me

and took my soul.

The light frightened me

and brought me to you!

Sweet love!

saskia.steidel@fc-saarbruecken.de

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Light Part II

Saskia Nienna Streidel

I am the light,

I am the glowing,

I am the love

and the hate of my life.

I am the dark,

I am the storm.

I am the hope

and the fear of my life.

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I am the light.

I am everything.

I am the world.

And so are you!

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saskia.steidel@fc-saarbruecken.de

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Writers Feedback

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?  I'm still sitting here misty eyed after reading Ginger Boda's "The Heart to Let Go."?  How beautifully done.?  It speaks to all parent's hearts whether they are trying to let go of a daughter or a son--or both.?  It reminds us that we must trust God to take care of them, to let them try their wings even though they may fly in directions we would hope they not visit.

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Thank you for putting it so well, Ginger.

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Barb D.

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"Where do you Call Home" by Michael Smith was outstanding!?  I have probably moved about as many times as he has and I always say that each move was a new adventure.

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At my age I should feel like I am settled here for life??  Nah!?  Give me a chance and I'd be gone tomorrow.

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Barb D.

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Sharon Bryants story about the perm brought back memories of my first one. it was also one of those kind with all the wires and felt like a ton. I was afraid if i bent my head?  it would not be able to straighten? up.

It was called a pineapple curl. it was nearly impossible to comb as it was so tight. Nat.

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This story by Ginger Boda i can relate too only it was with my oldest son. When he graduated from highschool he suddenly forgot everything I thought we had taught him. Finally I too let go and now heis doing and taking care of me since his Dad passed away 3 years ago. I guess we have to let go and let god take over for us Nat

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Debra--

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Just read your story for the second time.?  It is wonderful and I'm forwarding this yo some good, intelligent friends.

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What I like about it is that it is not a pity party.?  You don't tell me that life can be tough.? 

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You show it and I feel it.

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I've read other 'pieces' you've written and I enjoyed them all.

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But this is the penultimate.

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God bless.

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Peace.

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Ron Gold

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Carol, I would like to leave a comment if I could to Debra Shivley on her "special treat" Straw.?  How wonderful she was allowed to be a child and can summon up all those wonderful memories to transport her back to then!?  So many of us (to paraphrase Cat Stevens) were ordered to listen as soon as we could talk.?  And were never allowed the freedom to truly be a child!?  Thank you Debra for a lovely story.? 

Maria Keller

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I would like to thank everyone for the kind comments on "Photograph" and "Straw."?  I know you all realize how great it makes you feel when people appreciate your work.

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Thank you all very much!

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carol

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?  Barbara Carpenter - I was interested in her books as I lived in the Virginia mountains after living in Florida all my life and had some real experiences so I read the sample of Starlight, Starbright and it is so interesting, the way she chooses her words.?  She is truly a great writer and I know her books will really sell!?  God bless, Sharlett Hunt

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Carol ??“ re ??“ Summer Scorcher - It's a lot cooler here, 102 and 90% humidity. Clam Bake
City. You don't have refrigeration? How do you stand it? Mark Crider

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Carol ??“ Summer Scorcher - Hi Carol

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I can identify with what you're saying about the heat.?  We have had triple digit weather for the month of july and now continuing into August.?  I feel like one of those sticky buns you get at the bakery!

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the shower is the only respite from this horrible heat.?  and now they are spraying my area for misquietos to prevent west nile.

the chemicals scare me in spite of them saying there is nothing

to hurt us.?  I don't like chemicals, they are dangerous and no one

knows the long term damage they can do.?  Rosie and I are safely in the house.?  but children are still playing outside, I don't understand

why parents would allow that.

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I pray we will all get a respite from this heat very, very soon!

It has totally sucked this summer.

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Love,

Barbara

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? SENIOR WRITERS

Chief Writer: Sharon Bryant

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

Boda, Ginger;? ?  Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.;?  Cavalera, Robyn; 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;?  Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan

Walker, Bill;?  Walker, Joe;? Warner, Gorden K;

Whirity, Kathy;?  White, Robert;

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STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

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