STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Oct 5, 2005

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Congratulations goes out to Sue Walsh of Australia who becomes our newest senior writer.?  Sue joined us on June 8^th of this year and has been very prolific in her poetry.?  She is unfortunately going through a sad time right now after losing her father this summer.

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

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

Learning from Katrina

Joyce. C. Lock

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It is? most common? for people to allow? others to formulate their thinking to such a degree their brain becomes lazy to? deductive reasoning, which? inevitably results in extremities ~ though not always as obvious as one who cannot discern to stand on the shadowed side of a building to shield? their baby from the sweltering sun.

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None-the-less, it? digresses to? idiotic? when reporters can film a baby dying from dehydration, walk away, then? attack the government? for not having? intervened? faster.?  Why bother reporting? when one doesn't have a heart for it??  Why couldn't they? have brought one bottle of water, made the exception to take that baby to help,? or risked the? crowd (or even their job) to save a life?

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My eldest responded, "Mom, not very many people have a heart like that" ... including those who evacuated while refusing to? take others? with them.?  Yet, just as? obvious? are those quick to name sin but? intervened not, before or after, to have made a difference.

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Then? there's the? magnitude? of those? thinking it their God-given calling? to form an opinion without having asked God His, then their Freedom of Speech to blast such ignorance wherever it lands.?  And, on all levels,? it is predictable to place blame elsewhere; oblivious of? pride? that reasons non-application of? one's? scriptural mandate to 'not point fingers', high-minded to quote as if? one speaks for God or daring to speak in spite of Him, and? general avoidance of one's own accountability? to have taken steps available.

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And in spite of those? who whine over rising costs, the scriptural illiterate who shout 'Gaza' while ignoring? N.T. explanation of who Jews and Israel are,? and generally never learn from their own ignorance (or that of others) is something sadder yet; to? continue in one's own pettiness, selfishness, and self-righteousness ~ not having gleaned the sanctity of life, the value of family, and all that really matters; which lessons, otherwise, only stand to be repeated.

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While the failings of mankind are nothing compared to the suffering that occurred, it angered me for there to be so much devastation? with still so many unchanged hearts.?  So, perhaps you can understand why I cried when it was reported the televised? baby had survived.?  But? for all who don't have 'a heart like that', perhaps we should be praying, "Oh, God, send a hurricane over here."?  Oh, wait ... but, He did.?  And? lest we forget, God got blamed for Katrina, too.

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Perhaps we? ignored? such things as? the 6th seal, every knee bowing,? and that it takes so much tribulation to enter the Kingdom of God that there is no place left to look but up before we get it, and (when we rejoice in another's fall) we just might be next (Proverbs 24:17-18).?  There is not one righteous; period.?  So, why don't we quit telling God what He believes and start using the brain? He gave us?

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And while the following may not yet be the whole picture, it certainly makes evident the lack of ability to discern.

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Mississippi had declared theirs a state of emergency, two days prior to Katrina.?  They reported the government was on the scene, to begin offering their assistance, from the moment Katrina had? passed.

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It was also reported that? our President had spent the two days prior to Katrina? in meetings, trying to find a legal means? to override Louisiana's refusal to pre-declare theirs a state of emergency.?  As, without that declaration, the President could only give commands.?  It was up to each branch of government to convene and determine whether to follow those commands, then give their decision to the next level of government; who would also? meet to determine their response, then pass the decided plan of action down to the next appropriate branch.?  And somewhere within those branch decisions,? four contracts were made (to out-of-state companies) to begin road repairs once the? hurricane had passed.

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Within the President's speech, his statement that? 'further restoration contracts would be made to those within the state of Louisiana'? certainly accomplished? moving the spotlight to responsible branches of government who would? dare make? further inappropriate contracts.

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Likewise, neither had? there been any Presidential power to make? a mayor sound? an evacuation notice when the command was given, to control whether that evacuation? was followed as planned, or to force acceptance? of such? offers as greyhound buses.

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Further televised was a government official? who'd spoken? with the President by phone, right after Katrina, before the levies broke, saying, "It is not a bowl of soup.?  I repeat, it is not a bowl of soup."?  Additionally, the New Orleans newspaper had already printed the morning news to say something to the effect, "We Survived Katrina."?  So, in essence, the President was given? reassurance that his concerns were of no merit.?  Sure, New Orleans had a little flooding, which was to be expected; but,? all was well.

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It wasn't until 4 days later that one of their state representatives realized help wasn't coming (his attempts? toward communication then verified to? be limited to? a 30 mi. radius), and? was informed? the government wanted someone to tell them? what was needed.?  So,? this representative said he? went to a local television station and got on the air, listed? the needs (for as far as his eye? could see), and requested someone get? his message to the President.

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It took another 1?? days? for Congress to assemble, to get permission for the needed funds.?  And still, for more days, official(s) refused to make it safe for those to come in and help.

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Also, government grants? had been previously? offered wherein levies could have been fortified prior to Katrina and, if those grants had been used to fortify those levies, more money would have been forthcoming.?  Instead, grant funds were spent for grander things.

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In essence, when a Democratic state? refuses to respect? a Republican President, his hands are tied.

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President Bush said he would take responsibility in that he should have had the foresight to realize, in a national emergency, there? were no federal laws in place? wherein a President can step in, override,? and make quick decisions? causing multiple? branches of government to immediately fall into place ... and that he would have that looked into, to see what can be changed? to avoid? such as this ever happening again.

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While? it has been eons since high school? civics, to remember what? a President's powers are, it appears that 'Commander and Chief' is only a title; as we are a democracy.?  And, as the governor of Louisiana said, "Everything goes much smoother when we work together."

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Look for the worst in? others and you'll expose the worst in yourself.

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?© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock

http://www.angelslight.org/viewauthor.php?id=8

http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

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~**~**~? 

Good Old Days, number Two

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

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Do you remember pre days of $2.50 a gallon gas? Well I am sure by? the time this makes the rounds, it could be 5? dollars a gallon. Do you remember when you had a real gas station?? ?  A place where you got a dollar worth of gas, and a dollar did more then wet the bottom of the tank.

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A place where the friendly little man came running to put the dollar worth of gas in your tank.?  Could be raining or snow like no tomorrow.?  He still came on the run. Washed all the windows, head lights, tail light,?  checked under the hood, checked tires, even the spare, wiped the kids nose. All for a bucks worth of gas. Then got this,did you put the 2 cents a gallon discount in, remember I buy all my gas here, and I have lots of friends and relation, I get them all coming here to get gas. Oh and what is free today? Oh yes I need a couple maps.?  Lets see, I need a Nebraska map, a Kansas map, a Missouri map, a Arkansas map, a Tennessee map, a Georgia map, and a Florida map. I may take a trip to see some poor Gator.?  You don't have a Florida map??  What kind of station is this? Why Joe has maps of every state!!. ALL FREE. And Joe sweeps out the floor board too. He got one of them zackies that suck up all the dirt. Think he really looking at my wife's legs. I told her to stop wearing them short shorts when we got to stop and get a dollar worth of gas.?  He takes a long time washing the windshield.

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In all this time you find a almost busted fan belt.?  You got belts to sell, be glad to put a new one on. You going to put it on for the price of the belt, $1.95. He looks at you and says no I will go to Iron and Rust, get one wholesale, $1.75... About a hour later, he is back, with a new belt. Hey, put this on for me, remember I buy all my gas here!!!!

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Then come end of the year. Calendar time. Every one needs one you know. Station has free ones you know??  Here comes Mary Jane from Pickrell, haven't seen her since last freebies. Lets see that was when we gave out ice scrapers. Now here is one that makes the hot coffee in the lap pale.?  These are company ice scrapers, well they are cheap. Only cost station man 2 cents each.?  Mary Jane, hers broke in her hand. She got a nasty cut out of the deal.?  She also has a lawyer.?  Who pays for her doctor and her being laid up with a bum hand??  Sure not the company. But here Mary Jane is getting a free calendar.?  Hope she don't slice her other hand when she changed pages. Oh yes station name is down at the bottom of calendar, real small letters. A lot of big letters tell the company name and how wonderful the company is.?  That was the case on the ice scraper also. Come to think about I think company name was on that cheap thing, station name was not,, but Mary Jane knows she got it from that station on the corner of 10Th and Court street. Station had ice scraper to sell, would really do the job and no danger of breaking in hand. Sold them for 50 cents, free is a lot better you know?

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Yes the good old days of friendly smile, Fill up with Skychief, and get a look of what is that? I came in wanting a buck of regular gas, plus any thing free, and don't forget the 2 cents a gallon discount..?  I know how much your making on a gallon, you crook,all of 3 and a half a cent a gallon.?  And?  when was the last time the state check these lonesome two pumps a mile from that shack you set in? Why it takes 3 dollars to fill the tank, and I know I was ripped off. I still had? 5 gallons in the tank when I pushed the car in here, with your help.

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Then just when you found something that you could sell and make 20 cents? on the dollar,?  here is company man.?  "We don't like Hip Hop shocks, we are pushing Rock and Roll shocks, Company has a deal with them. Company gets a dime ever time one is sold from one of our stations, Hip Hop we have no deal with. So you will stop selling Hip Hops, or you can clear out, like right now." So you run and take the Hip Hop sign down.?  Then he says, ? "we have a couple? letters about things here.?  One is your locking the rest room doors, now you know we pride ourselves on nice clean refreshing rest rooms, for the motoring public. So keep those door swinging. The other is your selling off brands of oil, now we have the best there is, you sell that and none other." About time you think the bum is going to leave, you get?  this one. " Whats with you don't have any Florida maps. Some guy by the name of Jack the Ripper wrote a nasty about he had to go to Joe's station to get a Florida map. That makes us mad, the idea he had to go to a D.X. Station to get a map. Jack said in his letter also, he was thinking about taking all his friends and relation over to that D.X.Station. He like that Boron gas a lot better. Car just seems to run faster and smoother, and takes less to do it.?  So you better do something to keep him. Like give him a little better service."

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"Oh yea, how many of the toys you going to want??  Those Fire Trucks should really pull people in to get one. Remember they only cost you $3.75 each, and you sell them with 10 gallon of gas for $3.98."?  ? Oh Joy I am going to get rich.

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Hearts With Soul New BookTinker & Poo, The Boys Write

Bill Walker tinkerpoo2000@yahoo.com
Purchase, "The Boys Write"

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? ? ~**~**~

WHY SCARCITY IS A MYTH AND HOW TO OVERCOME THE FEAR OF IT!!

Sue Walsh

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Have you taken a look at any system where man has not interfered and seen the abundance in it??  Try looking at

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?·? ? ? ? ? ? ?  The solar system ??“ can you even begin to imagine how many stars twinkle in the sky??  I was in the country recently and it was a clear night.?  I looked up and it was a velvet blanket of bright shiny specks.?  No scarcity there.

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?·? ? ? ? ? ? ?  The oceans ??“ even after man has devastated the supplies of fish the oceans still team with life.?  Imagine if man hadn??™t been overfishing and polluting the waterways how many more fish there would be in our seas and oceans today ??“ no scarcity there.

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?·? ? ? ? ? ? ?  The animal kingdom ??“ before man decided that they must have ivory and rhino horns and skins for floor rugs, was there a shortage in Africa of these animals.?  How many different species of insects can you count??  Thousands and how many of each individual species.?  Probably millions.?  No scarcity there.

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?·? ? ? ? ? ? ?  If you look at a field of wildflowers, a blanket of colour, can you see any scarcity there??  None.

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?·? ? ? ? ? ? ?  If you look at the number of overweight people in the western world then it seems there can be no scarcity of food in those places.

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I believe those who are rich and powerful instil scarcity into us so that they may remain rich and powerful.?  The more scarce a commodity or service is, or is believed to be, the more expensive it becomes.? 

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Farmers in some countries are paid for not farming; something to do with an oversupply and a storage problem.? ? 

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I believe it isn??™t scarcity that is the problem although there may be a distribution issue.?  An issue related to those in power ??“ who want to keep it that way.? 

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The fear of not having enough keeps many people from stepping forward to create jobs they would be much happier doing.?  I can hear them saying now ???well if I take that great job with ... and it doesn??™t work out then I will be out on the street???.?  What if they took that great job with ... and it met all their expectations and fulfilled their wildest dreams.? 

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Remember what you focus on, you attract to yourself.?  If you keep thinking you will never have enough money or food etc, if that is your greatest fear then that is what will come to you.?  Attract what you need and want by thinking positively about it.?  We have enough money, we have enough food and if you ask God for something thank Him as if you already have it.? 

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Sometimes people say if I could change jobs I will be happier, but they don??™t give up the job they already have to allow the new one to manifest.?  They are frightened that it won??™t come and they will again be stuck without any income.? 

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TRUST is a big five-letter word so big in fact that I have put it in capital letters.? 

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Trust yourself to make the right decisions, take the right actions and that the Universe or God (whichever word you like to use) will be there to support your informed decisions.? ? ? 

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Use your intuition to know when an action seems right and will be leading you to something better.?  Take that gut feeling instead of rationalising it with your head.?  Sometimes your rational self gets in the way of what you truly want.? ? 

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You will see the signs if synchronicity is pulling you in a specific direction you will receive confirmation time and time again.?  Listen for it.?  It will come from many different places and if you??™re still not sure ask again.

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When you are on the right track the way will be illuminated with confirmations and made easy to follow.? 

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Close your eyes for a moment and imagine two different routes you might take to get to your goal.?  One must definitely seem brighter than the other.?  In your minds eye follow that track and see if it brings you to a place much brighter than where you stand right at this moment.? ?  Do this exercise whenever you have a choice to make about anything and see which way seems the brightest.? 

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When you travel on the right track with a decision you have made others will help you and you will find assistance from people you least expect.?  It??™s as if they know a secret about how to get you where you want to go.?  They will seem to come out of the woodwork.?  Take their assistance as a sign that you did make the right decision and move forward with it.

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I consider these signs to be miracles and I even expect them.?  I like to give people a gift to stick on their fridge?  ???Expect a Miracle???.?  Often they receive their miracles, as do I.

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Don??™t be fooled, abundance is a reality and it is scarcity that is the myth and God actually does want you all to be abundant.?  ???If He feeds the sparrows then how much more will He give to you.????  ???He knows every hair on your head???.? 

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If times seem tough then look at what lesson you might need to learn.?  We are here to learn many lessons and overcoming the fear of scarcity is surely one of them.

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Sue Walsh

Adelseal @senet.com.au

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Bio

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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.

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THE PROM THAT NEVER WAS

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BY Barbara Deming

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I was born with Baptist feet.

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? You may laugh but back in my time if you were a Southern Baptist you were not to drink alcohol, swear in God's name (or any other obscene manner), or dance a jig-or any other kind of steps.?  So when the teens got all excited about the upcoming prom, I pretended to shut them out, pretending I wasn't interested.
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Carol Brown, one of my best friends, lived in a nearby house on land owned by Nicholls College.?  Her daddy was a bone man.?  No, not a doctor but a scientist-someone who worked with bones, a basement full of them.?  There were enough bones in that underground space to give me nightmares for some time after my first visit.
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The house was a lovely Victorian, large enough for parties, big parties in a second-floor ballroom.?  That room is what gave Carol the idea to have a dance party-a prom-for all of her classmates to allow this Baptist girl to dance.
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I protested that I didn't know a two-step from a waltz.?  Carol said, "We'll teach you."?  I claimed I had nothing to wear. "We'll all come in our usual clothes, the skirts we usually wear."?  What would I tell my parents?? 

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There was much discussion among my cohorts as none of us were in to hiding our escapades.?  "We'll be truthful.?  It's just a party."
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I went to my prom.?  In pink felt shirt with appliqued black poodle led by sparkling chain over several starched crinolines and black and white saddle oxfords, I learned a few steps, enough to get me around the floor.?  My body, much more limber in those days, even managed to twist to Bill Haley and the Comets.?  And, due to my basketball and volleyball prowess, I could sweep low under that limbo stick.
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That was the last of my proms-and dancing for many years.?  When I married my husband, light on his feet in any steps, he insisted I dance with him.?  I did.
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It really didn't matter by then.?  Those Baptist feet have become Methodist-and they've always been allowed to dance.

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tejasbabs@aol.com

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? Bio: Barbara Deming lives, volunteers and writes in San Marcos, CA. Her next collection of stories, "Pink Poodle Pie (and Other Tales of How Women Get Even) will be released soon.

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Writers Feedback

? Carol,

? ? ?  Thank you my friend.?  I loved your special treat today as well.?  It is amazing how different smells can mean different things to different people.?  For most people the smell of garlic and prevolone

cheese is a horrible one.?  For me it always means home and love.

? ? ?  I hope that you are settling into your new home well.?  Wishing you every joy, Joe

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Carol your story reminded me of my grandma, she always wore ...........what was it "White Shoulders" or something familiar to that.........and I used to go into the closet by her fur coat and sniff the scent.?  I loved it.? 

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Prayer Requests and Updates

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Please put me on your prayer list.?  I have bulging discs in my neck and arthritis.?  My neck is full of it and spurs.?  My right arm is not functioning as it should? and the pain is so? intense along with the fibromyalgia that I have.?  The Doctor put me on muscle relaxants and inflammation meds.?  I go to the neurologist on Thursday to see if this can be fixed.?  The Doctor told me yesterday that it might not be repairable.

The spurs in my neck are not helping and the nerves are pinched.

Love Jan? 

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Thanks Carol
I am not participating at Ryze for some days. I lost my aunt on 29th.
She was very close to me. A widow since 1972, she had no children of
her own and considered me as her son. She lived with me all my life.
She was more than mother to me. I am grieving.

Raju

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rajendrapradhan@gmail.com

? 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; Doherty, Maria; Goodier, Steve; Halley, Ellie Braun;

Harris, Kathy Anne;? Hunt, Sharlette;? 

Jacobson, Gary;? Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Jenkins, Pamela;

Liles, Norma; Lock, Joyce; Mazzella, Joe;? Ojeigbe, Georgewaters;

? ? Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan;?  Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Streidel, Saskia; 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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