STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Jan 18, 2006? 

Today??™s Announcements:

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? Happy Birthday to our writer Kay Seefeldt and another happy birthday to our reader, Mary Ann Campbell.

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

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

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Today's Queue Stories
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? THE WINDOW

Sharon Bryant

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Every day I sit at the old scarred wooden table.?  I look out the tiny window with the little panes of glass.?  Right outside the window is a maple tree.?  In spring I watch as new buds appear and in no time, it changes into a beautiful lush green color.?  In fall, I watch as it changes from green to gold, orange and then red.?  I smile at the squirrels who run up the tree trunk all the time grabbing whatever they can for their winter storage.

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I look around the room.?  It's not very big, matter of fact it's only 20 foot by 20 foot.? ? ? One door on the opposite wall of the window allows fresh air to enter the room when someone enters or exits the door.?  I see the stone fireplace sitting all alone on one wall, and I wonder how many meals were prepared in that workmanship of stone.?  I wonder about many things as I sit by the window.

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I know originally the? cabin had a dirt floor.?  I know four children were raised in the cabin.?  I know the fireplace was the only means of heating the place on cold winter nights and for all meals.?  I look around the room and wonder where the bed originally used to set.

There is no bathroom.?  There was no running water originally.?  There were no stairs to climb into the loft area.

These are facts that I have rehearsed over and over in case anyone asks me any questions.

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I work in a historic log cabin.?  It was built in 1856 and I must say, the workmanship in those days? was mighty fine.?  Sometimes I run my hands over the rough wood inside and out of the cabin realizing how much labor was put into building the house.

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I like to try and imagine what life was like for the family that lived there in those days.?  I can feel the lady in the house looking out that same window that I do whenever she had the chance to.?  I even try and imagine what she would be cooking for supper for her family on some days.

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No washing machine or dryer.?  No running water to take baths or wash dishes.?  No television.?  No computers, game boys for the kids, nor any of the things that we have had in our lifetime.

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I know the woman who lived in the house raised three children while her husband served in the war between the states.?  He died while she was pregnant with the fourth child.?  I can only imagine raising that many children in such a small space.?  I know she gave birth to all four of her children in that cabin.

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Yet, life was simple in those days.?  The cabin so many times reminds me of how Amish people still live today.

Children were taught to give a hand and help where help was needed.?  Someone had to bring wood into the house for the fireplace.?  Someone had to help with the laundry outside which took all day to do.

The children played outside all the time and even with a dirt floor, they were healthy.? 

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I try and imagine living in a house with a dirt floor.?  I can only imagine the bugs and critters that came up through the dirt.?  And yet, the family lived healthy lives and all lived to be in their 90's except the youngest child who died in her 50's.

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Sometimes I feel like I'm Carolyn Ingall's on "Little House on the Prairie."?  The cabin reminds me of the one in that television series.?  I always liked that show, and the day I was asked if I thought I could do anything with the old cabin, that is who I thought of when I opened the door.?  I even said, "Wow, I've got a little house on the prairie."

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I turned the cabin into a candy shop.?  Luckily I have a solid floor today with tile.?  Yet, everything else is original.

I? have green and white gingham curtains to cover the window.?  I made wooden shelves on the walls to display my jams and jellies and wood crafts I make.?  I made wooden signs that hang on the old log walls. with silly sayings.?  I gave the cabin a touch of personality.

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Yet, when I get a chance to sit at the old wooden table and look out the window, I can't help but think of the woman who lived in the cabin.?  I wonder what her thoughts were when she had time to rest to look out that window.?  I'm sure she was exhausted every day knowing what life was like in that era.?  The days when life was lived to work from dawn to dusk.

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I think about the children and how their evenings were spent in the loft without the conveniences of today.?  I know the school they attended was a mile from their cabin.?  Perhaps they read books at night.? ?  I'm sure they shared secrets and giggled among one another.

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I love the old cabin.?  I marvel at the workmanship that was put into building it.?  Knowing there were no modern tools used to cut each log.?  I see the marks where an ax was used to split the logs.? 

I have a lot of respect for the family that spent many years in the small quarters.?  I'm glad I read the history of the family and can answer questions when folks ask me them.?  Most women are shocked that a mother could raise four children in such a small place.?  I always think, "Where there is a will....there is a way."

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I? come home from work daily to my own home.?  Spacious rooms, television, computer, running water, washer and dryer and all the conveniences we all take for granted in these times today.

And yet, long ago, our forefathers did not have what we have today.?  But I know they had patience, strong family ties, hard working togetherness, and strong wills.

I know the original family from what I've read about them in a history book.?  I know they would never have dreamed that their house would one day sit in a historic state park and have thousands of visitors enter their door.? 

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When I get a chance to sit by the window, I smile at the beauty outside those tiny panes of glass.?  I watch the seasons change each year.?  And though my life in the cabin began 145 years later than the woman who once lived there, I believe we share something in common.?  I believe she loved her house the same as I do.?  I believe she looked out that window and smiled at the beauty outside as I do.?  Time can change many things through the decades of life, but Mother Nature gives us beauty year after year.

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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 26,
Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 24.

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

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~**~**~? 

? Is it a small world or what?

Norma Liles

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Since I have moved into my local area, I am not close to a library.?  It is one

of my favorite pastimes; browsing the shelves for new and old books which

captures the imagination.?  The bookmobile does not stop close to me either.? ? 

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I finally came up with a solution to this problem.?  I had heard that the county

library had an outreach program.?  I called the county library and was connected

to the person who handles that program.

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With age, large print books have become an added blessing.?  The librarian

brought me twelve large print books of various interest.?  She has noted my

preferences and will keep track of what I have already read.?  She was a very

sweet lady; so nice to deal with.?  She will return in one month to collect what

I am through with plus she will rebuild my stack.? 

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This is a great feature but this is not the end of my story.?  Prior to her visit to

me, the librarian had called for directions to my home.?  I asked her when I could

expect her and she said within the next half hour or so because she had to stop

off at Arlington Nursing home.

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My first reaction to her mentioning that name was because I have a dear

one hundred year old friend (as of last August 2005)who is a resident there.

I asked her if she knew this individual and she assured me that she did.?  In

fact, she was stopping off to deliver books to him before she came to see me.

The friend in question, Eddye, is still very alert and still a happy individual.

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Eddye, was elated when she told him that she was enroute to

see me.?  He sent his love and hellos to me and requested that I call him

which I will do.?  He is a wonderful christian whose life has portrayed

his love of God.?  For many many years, he was very active in his church

where he was loved by one and all.?  He was a deacon and you could

always find him in the sanctuary delivering the church bulletin with a

hearty handshake and a hug and possibly a kiss for the ladies.? 

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With that in mind, I would like to share a poem that I

wrote for him for his last birthday.

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NormaLee Liles ?©

hoopla214@yahoo.com

Norma Liles is a retired data entry

clerk/supv who is 76, a native of Ohio

and still resides there. She is very

outgoing and loves to make new friends!? 

Her hobbies are: writing poetry and

stories, living for Jesus, reading,
enjoying her family, and her use of

her computer.Her ambition is to add

pleasure to those who read her writings

as well as sharing her faith. She enjoys

Southern Gospel Music and loves to sing.

Her 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,
News Moose & Penworm prayer warriors as well as

a senior writer for Storytime Tapestry.

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Every kingdom divided against itself is
brought to desolation; and every city or
house divided against itself shall not stand.

Matthew 12:25


~ Elijah's Passion ~

Joyce C. Lock

To turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to their fathers.

Malachi 4:6

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For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Romans 11:29

I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat.

My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34



I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink.

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Psalm 143:6



I was a stranger, and ye took me not in.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13



I was naked, and ye clothed me not.

He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. Ecclesiastics 6:2



I was sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Proverbs 13:12

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. Psalm 142:7

But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Isaiah 42:22

Then shall they also answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or
athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or
in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Matthew 25:44

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Know ye not your own selves,
how that Jesus Christ is in you?

2 Corinthians 13:5

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Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of
the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Matthew 25:45

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In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved
them: in his love and in his pity he
redeemed them; and he bare them,
and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9






Love one another, as I have loved you. By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples.

John 13:34-35





?© 2006 by Joyce C. Lock

http://iam.homewithGod.com/glimpsesofgod/

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~**~**~

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Writers Feedback

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?  Hi Carol, I just want to say that I feel ditto? as Leona in her? Happy New Year piece.?  I am so blessed to be among such wonderful writers and also a? lady who lives miles away from me, in Canada, publishes my stuff and makes? me feel that she cares about what I write.?  No matter when I email her about something, she is there, whether it's personal or about writing.?  She always answers my emails and gives me such inspiration.?  She seems to work tirelessly, even with back pain to get our stories out.?  I applaud you, Carol and all the fine writers and I can't say enough about how honored I am to know you all, if only through your words.?  Thanks Leona.?  God bless, Sharlett? 

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Hi Carol,

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Thank you!!?  I just saw that I won!!?  Wow!!? ? There are so many good writers? that entered.?  I feel very humbled and honored. ? Please tell everyone "thank you" for me.?  It is a great encouragement to win a contest!?  I am looking forward to the book.? 

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Thanks bunches!!!?  Pamy

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Congratulations Pam, Sharon and Bill!?  And, a big thank you to everyone? that cast a vote my direction.?  I thank you on behalf of Sadie and her Angel also...without them there would have been no story to write.

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Kathy Baker

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Congratulations to the winners of the Christmas Contest!?  You all deserve it!?  God bless, Sharlett

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What a humorous way Diana tells the story of her New Year!?  I just loved it and laughed all the way through.? What a gift to? be able to take a tough situation and make it funny!?  God bless, Sharlett? 

Prayer Requests and Updates

I will be having surgery for cancer.?  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

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Susan Stevens

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? SENIOR WRITERS

Chief Writer: Sharon Bryant

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

Boda, Ginger;? ? Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.;?  Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark;? 

Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria; Gilbert, Robert Jr; Goodier, Steve; Halley, Ellie Braun;

Harris, Kathy Anne;? Hunt, Sharlette;? Hymes, Christina

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

Liles, Norma; Lilly, Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Mazzella, Joe;? Morris, Deepak;

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; Walsh, Sue

Weymouth, Barbara; 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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