Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

? 

Feb 15, 2006

? 

Today??™s announcements

? 

Today we are welcoming Pauline Fisher, as writer # 290, and our newest writer for Storytime Tapestry.?  Pauline is from Australia, and is highly creative.?  Her piece I must warn you may not be suitable for all, therefore, reader must beware; context or language may not be suitable for all readers.?  But for everyone else, please enjoy her work as much as I do and don??™t forget to email her and give her great encouragement in the Storytime Tapestry style.

? 

Now onto the good stuff!

? 

? 

Today??™s Valentine Contest Stories

~**~**~

Love to Last a Lifetime? ? 

By Mary-Ellen Grisham

? 

? ? ? ?  Theirs wasn't the usual office romance.?  Both came from homes of strict religious upbringing, and both were serious career professionals.?  Len was an agent for a large firm with branches in many cities, and Lydia was an efficient, highly esteemed secretary for one of the bosses of the St. Louis office where both of them worked.

? 

? ? ? ?  The times were courtly anyhow; dating was a step toward marriage, and the ritual was orderly and honorable.?  Rushed mornings that caused accidental meetings in the lobby or on the elevator led Len and Lydia to occasional, casual dating.?  Home from military service, Len was working hard to re-build his life and establish a home.?  From a family of many sisters, Lydia was working hard to get by and eventually have an apartment of her own--to be "somebody" in her own right.

? 

? ? ? ?  Len's genial smile and gentle ways won Lydia's confidence and her affection.?  His lean Gregory Peck good looks and dark coloring coupled with his good manners and serious attitude about what was important in life won her heart.?  Lydia, a black-haired beauty with blue eyes, had a spirited temperament but a kind heart and capable, feminine ways.?  Len loved her from the first.?  Both had an irrepressible sense of humor that was to see them through a difficult, almost impossible courtship.

? 

? ? ? ?  When the love was too strong to be denied, Len asked for her hand in marriage.?  Her stubborn orthodox father turned him away because he was not of the same faith.?  Lydia meekly succumbed to her father's wishes, and the two tried to avoid one another at work.

? 

? ? ? ?  Both were living in small, close-knit neighborhoods that had duly noted the dating couple.?  When Len and Lydia separated, the neighborhoods hurt with them, as did many sympathetic relatives.?  Len would sit on the front porch in the evening with a long sober face, looking as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.?  Lydia would sit with red-rimmed eyes on the balcony porch in her neighborhood and try to sew.?  Even though everyone discussed the heart-breaking situation, nobody would interfere.

? 

? ? ? ?  Nobody that is---but one busy-bodied kid.?  She had heard her parents discuss the situation at length, her father as outspoken and emphatic as Lydia's father.?  Evening after evening the kid sat on her porch, staring down the street at Len.?  The sky did not look blue, the birds did not sing, no breezes danced in the trees, and even the snowball bushes dragged the ground.?  Finally she'd had enough.?  Always spunky, she decided to give Len "some good advice"--a mixture of all the adult wisdom she had been hearing over the weeks.

? 

? ? ? ?  Pounding on Len's screen door, while his folks were at Wednesday evening services, she got a grumpy command to enter.?  This was not going to be easy, she decided, but with a lot of love and energy, she poured out all the adult advice in one long string:?  "If you really love her, you should try again.?  Nobody has to be this miserable.?  I know Lydia loves you.?  You both should change churches.?  Pick one close to her faith; talk to her old man. Make him believe it.?  Take flowers to her mother.?  Win them over!"...and on and on in one long rush.

? 

? ? ? ?  When the kid finished, Len grinned.?  He didn't like the interference, and he didn't want the advice, but he did grin.?  Leading the kid to the door, he thanked her and told her that he did plan to try again after awhile.?  Breathing a sigh of relief, grinning from ear to ear, the kid headed back up the street.

? 

? ? ? ?  Within two weeks, Len did visit Lydia again at her folks' home.?  He took a bouquet of yellow flowers from his mom's yard, and he was prepared to talk turkey, as the old saying went.?  When he returned home there was a spring in his step, a smile on his face, the sky was blue, the birds were singing, and a frisky little breeze was blowing joyously.?  The wedding took place two months later.

? 

? ? ?  The marriage was as loving and continuing as the courtship.?  They had two sons, worked together in the firm in various cities throughout the country, persisted in sincere faith in the new church they chose together, and loved every minute of their long life together.

? 

? ? ? ?  Nobody had trouble understanding why their two fine sons gave them three dozen yellow roses for their fiftieth wedding anniversary...and amidst the smiles and celebration, there were many tears of joy.

? 

(c)2004 Mary-Ellen Grisham
meginrose@charter.net

? 

While the story is true, the names have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.

? 

Mary-Ellen, like everyone else, loves a good love story and is happiest when telling a good story of any kind.?  Currently Editor of Eternal Ink, Mary-Ellen enjoys writing for inspirational publications and has published in collections such as In His Hands, Stories for a Dad's Heart, and 2theHeart People Who Make a Difference.

? 

? 

~**~**~

One Fine Day

Pauline Fisher

? 

Dear Anthony,

? 

I miss you.?  Only one brief encounter, yet you are etched in my mind somewhere between losing my virginity and getting arrested for underage drinking.?  Far removed from memories of my father, yet both of you are no longer a part of my life.? 

? 

I think of you often.?  Sometimes it happens when I'm in the shower, or as I yell abuse to a lousy driver on the road.?  Then it occurred to me today that maybe I was thinking of you because you were thinking of me. But that would be silly wouldn't it??  For although I am writing this letter to you, I will not be posting it.? ?  I don't even know where you live??¦

? 

I wonder what you'd say if we crossed paths again??  Are there things you would tell me??  I know you had little to say the day we met, which was the same day you went away.?  Was it something I said?? 

? 

I replay the scenario over and over.?  The greetings, the small talk.?  I was wearing green.?  I've never liked myself in green.?  Blue would have been my preferred choice, had I known we were going to meet.?  A short blue number with my gold-flecked G-string underneath.?  I'd have felt more confident for sure.?  It would have been a sexy smile that welcomed you into my life.?  Alas, all I had to offer was a regular tongue-in-cheek grin.? 

? 

You wore jeans with a hole in the knee and one near your ass.?  It was a great look.?  If you wore that now of course you'd be laughed at, well, maybe not, you had a body that fitted perfectly into denim??¦the right amount of packaging front and back.

? 

I waited my whole life to meet you.?  What about you??  Did you ever think about me before we met??  You're in my dreams more than ever.?  I didn't know what you looked like until that fateful day, you were just a silhouette.? 

? 

Was I disappointed??  Never!?  You were more than I had hoped for.?  I'll never feel the same about anyone again!?  My friends say I will. 'You are young and bla bla bla,' they say, but I know different.?  No one makes me feel the way you do.?  The trembling, the dry mouth and the sweaty palms.?  My heart was beating so fast in my chest, and there was this constant need to cross my hands, left over right, right over left.?  The nervous conditions came and went as fast as you did.?  I want it back.

? 

There are days when I think I will die if I don't see you.?  I knew the moment we met my life would be changed forever.?  No one can understand what I'm going through, they weren't there.? 

? 

I liked the way you never laughed when I stumbled over my words, and you didn't mention the perspiration dripping from my brow, when the temperature was nineteen degrees.? 

? 

You were accepting. Like people acted funny around you all the time.?  You looked at me with hazel eyes that delved into my deepest parts, looking, reading.?  Sex and wisdom was evident in your stance, and posture, even the way you carried your bag.

? 

A worn rucksack hung from your tanned shoulders. The tan marks told me travel was your way of life. I imagined you on safari trips in Africa in search of wild buffalo or endangered species. Perhaps trekking through the Himalayas in minus-thirty, or slumming the streets of Thailand helping those in need.? 

? 

I've dated three boys since you vanished.?  They didn't work out, possibly because they weren't you.?  You gave me no number, nothing, I don't even know your last name.? ?  Did you know I would pine for you like this?? 

? 

I'm projecting my thoughts to you, and hoping you might return, for I'm sure we are soul mates, destined to be together.? 

? 

I must go now and burn this letter.?  My girlfriend Jackie who's a witch, she says I should burn this letter as soon as I've written it, so it will go out into the universe and I'll get a response.? 

? 

Jackie didn't say what the response would be, or that it would be from you, but I must try.?  You're driving me crazy.?  I think I love you.?  Did I mention I had my tongue pierced??  I hear boys like that, I hope you do.? 

? 

All my love

? 

Sandi.

? 

Pauline Fisher

fisher@letsgo.com.au

? Dear Carol,

? 

Thank you for acknowledging my entry into the contest.

? 

My name is Pauline Fisher. I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Writing) through Edith Cowan University in Perth in 2002. I facilitate a local writing group on a fortnightly basis, and am embarking to complete a Diploma In Education (Primary) Studies at ECU this year, so I'll be a qualified teacher at the end of the year.

? 

I have been writing for a number of years, and it never ceases to amaze me how much there is (still) to learn. I think that's what I like most about the writing process, it's never boring.

? 

I don't enter a great deal of writing competitions, however I did compete in Elizabeth Bezant's contest (WritingtoInspire.Com) late 2004, which I received first place,? and I've received merit for a number of poems in Australian competitions.? 

? 

? 

? 

Poetry Section

~**~**~

? ? ? ? ? ?  ? The Wings of Love? ? 

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  BY

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  ? GINGER BODA

? 

? 

Once upon a time, there lived a honeybee named Hector.

He couldn't wait to be a scout and bring home lots of nectar.

But he was just an infant? bee and? cleaned the beehive cells.

This job was his in the family; with love, he did it well.

Soon he became a NURSING bee and helped the babies thrive,

Though he longed to be a scout, he did his job with pride.

With care, he'd tend to infant bees, for he was once one too,

And part of being a family is "giving back," it's true!

? 

Hector grew, and soon became a COLLECTOR of the food.

As scouts brought honey back to him, he'd stash it for the brood.

Then one day the hive was crushed and all the family moaned.

But all pitched in, and worked as one, to repair their broken home.

From REPAIRER, hector grew to be A GUARD to watch the hive.

He took this job seriously, and protected his family's lives.

Then one day it happened -- for Hector sure had grown.

He finally had become a SCOUT and was now out on his own.

? 

He knew this was his goal in life; a Scout to honey find,

And he flew high and low each day, replenishing his hive.

With humility and great resolve he'd serve his fellow bees,

And as with every task he'd had, he'd always aim to please.

But as all honeybees do know, this is their last job given,

And Hector, having reached his goal by loyalty, was driven.

As new, baby bees were born, OLE Hector passed away.

But his legacy of love's pure flight, serves us all today.

? 

Our purpose and our place in time may differ from each other

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  But as part of? this human race, we're called? to ???love our brother.???

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  We may think it matters not; the flight path that we choose,

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  ? And we may just refuse to ease the pain that's ours to view

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  But what we think and say and do affects our fellow fliers,

A tiny act of selflessness can help one soar much higher.

So just as Hector lived his life, sacrificially,

May each of us give Love its wings ... just like the Honey Bee!

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 

? 

Ginger Boda ?© Rhymerbabe@aol.com

? 

? 

Ginger is an award winning author, having contributed to various online publications.?  Her work is also featured in Chicken Soup For the Bride's Soul, and the Christmas edition of the God's Way series.? Weaving faith, tradition and humor into her stories and poetry, she writes from the heart.?  Ginger lives in Southern California with her husband, Mark, of 28 years.?  They have three grown children, who have left the nest, but visit often ... to their parent's delight!?  Ginger also loves to read, garden, karaoke, and strives to? make a memory? every day.

? 

Readers Feedback

? 

?  Carol - Wonderful story about Darla!?  Drugs have destroyed the society we once had.? ? They have changed our young people so much!?  They become strangers to those who love them.?  My nephew got on crack cocaine and has made my sister's life miserable.?  Now he is trying to get into treatment and realizes he has a problem.?  I hope Darla can find it in her heart to call you at least.?  God bless, Sharlett

? 

"The Essense of Me" is very well done!?  Atta girl!

? 

Barb

? 

Carol,
? ?  I loved your poetic journey through your life my friend. Your writings
just keep getting better.
Wishing you every joy, Joe

? 

Hi, Carol:

? 

I've been through this a couple times with women from the homeless shelter.?  While you and I are feeling real concern about them and just wanting to help them get on their feet, the majority of them see us as someone they can manipulate and they become our abusers.?  We keep trying because we really care--that is the weapon they use against us.

? 

I have helped one who? has gotten on her feet.?  The two who were just using me had to be turned loose before they destroyed me.?  I am now working with a fourth one, always hoping she will be? another one who is sincerely trying to get her act together.?  Only time will tell whether we have a victory or whether I just have to walk away.

? 

God knows your heart.?  You only have to answer to him.?  Listen for him to tell you when enough is enough.?  If you let go when he says, he'll help extract you for he loves you, too.?  Jane

? 

Jane Mullikin

janemullikin@earthlink.net

www.spiritualsisters.com

www.projectripple.com

www.hopeandspirit.com

? 

?  I loved Debra Shively's story, Blessings.?  It was a wonderful glimpse into her life that was filled with poverty and alcohol and all that goes with it, as was mine.?  I can definitely relate, Debra, and hope your life is filled with many more blessings.?  Thanks, Sharlett Hunt

? 

Prayer Requests and Updates

? 

I was so sorry to hear of Loren's death. I enjoyed reading all the stories that were written by Loren. The world has lost a great author and person. My heart goes out to the family.

GOD BLESS

Susan M. Roberts

? 

I am very sad to hear this. Loren sent me so many stories and I loved them all. I know he will be missed?  Nat Symonds

? 

Deepest sympathy to Loren's family.?  He will be sadly missed.?  What a wonderful thing that he was able to? enjoy his latter years producing so much writing for us all to read and? Carol able to publish it through Storytime Tapestry.

? ? ? ? ?  Gabrielle Morgan.

? 

? ? I'm so sorry to hear about Loren. Do you have an email address for Johnny? ~Ginnylynn

? 

Carol,
? ?  I am so sorry to hear about Loren's passing.?  We will all miss Loren's?  words.?  They always made your heart feel and your mind think.?  God bless.? 
Joe

? 

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

? 

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; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Mazzella, Joe; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, 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, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy; White Robert;

? 

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

?