Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

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Feb 27, 2006

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Today??™s announcements

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Happy Birthday Jackie Sims!

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Please welcome Lauren Strouse, writer # 299, for Storytime Tapestry.?  Please email her and welcome her to our wonderful group.

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Today is the last day of the Valentines/love fest contest.?  You will receive a special email letting you know how to vote.?  Again the contest was a huge success.?  I am really starting to enjoy these contests, and I am thinking a adding more rather than the usual three: Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines Day.?  If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see as theme for a contest let me know.

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Now onto the good stuff!

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Today??™s Valentines Stories

~**~**~

My 24/7 Valentine
Kay Seefeldt

Having a furnace ???crash??? in the middle of a Maine ???wintah??? is not a
good thing.?  Our furnace was an aging monster.?  Numerous minor repairs
had been made. The incurable malady necessitated almost daily trips to
the basement to push the red reset button when the temperature in our
house plummeted to that of another ice age.

As Roy prepared for his shower one February evening, only cold water
spewed from the shower head.?  In his bathrobe and flip flops, he
trekked to the basement to reset the furnace.?  His anguished shout
caused my heart to race. ???Babers, the furnace has blown up!????  Being
quite literal at times, I expected to see furnace shrapnel and soot to
the four corners of the basement.?  Though not the devastation I
envisioned, it looked bad enough.?  Rusty?  water from the boiler flooded
the cement floor.

With shopvac hose in hand, Roy began the clean up task.?  ???How about I
do that while you see if the furnace can be salvaged,??? I suggested
optimistically. ???It could have been worse had it happened during last
week??™s deep freeze!???

Roy pronounced the furnace dead in the water and purchasing a new one
our best bet. Our next consideration was keeping our avian family from
freezing to death.?  Plan A: Spend the night in the camper. However,
there probably wasn??™t enough propane to last the night.?  Plan B: Buy
portable electric heaters and hibernate in the living room.

Quickly, I dialed the closest hardware store.?  ???Hello, this is Brenda,
how may I help you?????  ???Do you carry electric space heaters???? I
inquired. She told me they had three sizes.?  ???What time do you close????
???7:00 P.M.,??? she replied calmly.?  At that moment, a seven and two zeros
flashed unto our clock??™s digital face.?  Not so calmly, I practically
shrieked, ???Oh my gosh, it??™s seven already.?  This is a major emergency!? 
Our furnace just crashed, and we have parrots who will freeze to death
without heat!???

Again she calmly replied, ???I don??™t have a hot date.?  I??™ll wait for
you.????  Grabbing my handbag and cell phone, I announced, ???I??™ll be there
in twenty minutes.????  Ten minutes later, I dialed again to report my
progress and assure myself she really was still there.?  Bless her
heart, she was! I thought, where else but small town Maine would this
kind of thing happen??  Not in big, impersonal cities - not even Maine
cities.

After helping me load three heaters into my car, I tucked a thank you
gift in her hand.?  Taken aback, Brenda tried refusing, ???We aren??™t
supposed to take...they...???? ? ?  But I cut her off with, ???I don??™t care
what ???they??? say.?  Anyone willing to miss their favorite TV show Friends
to befriend a person in need, deserves way more than this token gift.???
With a ???God Bless,??? I hopped into my car, tooted, and sped off.

Next day when I arrived home from school, Roy had a new furnace
strapped to a dolly ready to maneuver into the house. When I heard,
???You gotta minute???? I knew he wanted me to help manhandle that heavy
beast into the basement. Roy is quite independent. He thinks together
we can accomplish anything.

Let??™s get this perfectly clear, I am not a fitness freak.?  Twenty to
thirty minutes on my ???dreadmill??? is about all I can muster. No upper
body work! Unless playing a hand held video game while walking
qualifies.

Plywood covered the frozen ground to facilitate getting the furnace to
the doorstep, but the dolly??™s wheels lodged in a gap where the pieces
abutted each other.?  Trying to yank the dolly loose, Roy wrenched his
shoulder.?  Realizing he needed more muscle power than I could give and
in pain himself, he relented and called our neighbors for
reinforcement. I gratefully accepted my promotion from apprentice to
supervisor.

After the neighbors had been duly thanked and left, I said to Roy, ???God
sure works in mysterious ways. If you hadn??™t hurt your shoulder, we??™d
probably both be pancakes at the bottom of the basement stairs.???

Before leaving for school on Valentine??™s Day in consideration of our
recent unplanned expenditures and my maturing hips, I reminded Roy, ???No
expensive gifts and definitely no chocolates!????  True to my wishes,
there were no chocolates.?  However, the spotless kitchen, washed and
folded laundry, and vacuumed carpets spoke volumes. I certainly didn??™t
have to ask what he??™d been doing all day. Even the ???fids??? were
well-behaved and perched on spotless play tops.

Next day, after e-mailing a cyber pal about Roy??™s plumbing ordeal and
Valentine surprise, she replied, ???He must be amazing.???

Smiling to myself I thought, yes, Roy truly is amazing and some times
taken quite for granted.?  He does all of our home and vehicle
maintenance and repair work without grumbling - much.?  He puts up with
my idiosyncrasies - most of the time.?  He doesn??™t begrudge my time lost
in cyber space.?  He encourages my writing and painting endeavors. Best
of all, he allows me the freedom to be myself.

These gifts are priceless - and from the heart.?  He is my unsung hero,
the wind beneath my wings, the love of my life.?  Roy is my 24/7
Valentine and has been everyday for over twenty-five years. I thank God
for the unwavering and unconditional love of this man who is my husband
until death do us part.

?© Kay Seefeldt?  (birdnest @ megalink.net)

My passions are gardening, painting, and writing about my family
memories. My wonderful husband of twenty-five plus years encourages my
creative endeavors and "free lance" hobbies.?  Besides being a middle
school teacher, I teach basic watercolor classes for adult education
programs and a summer art camp.?  I am very thankful for the loving
family God has surrounded me with, including our ???feathered kids.????  At
last count, my sister, daughter, son, and I have a total of sixteen.

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?©Kay Seefeldt?  4/3/05
birdnest@megalink.net

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Kay has had stories published in Petwarmers, Gardenwarmers, 2theheart
and Storytime Tapestry: "The Artificial Limb," "F.R.O.G.," "Tiny
Troubles" and "Clover Alert."?  She enjoys gardening, reading, writing,
painting in watercolors, and teaching watercolors to adults so they can
experience the joys of artistic expression for themselves and writing
stories about her family.?  Some day she is in hopes to have them
compiled into a book as a legacy to her children and grandchildren.? 
She thanks God for her wonderfully, supportive, and some what wacky
family.

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~**~**~

Subject: Love is.....

by Clara Wersterfer

? On Feb 1, 1996 my husband, David, was seriously ill. He had been admitted to ICU and the prognosis was not good. One of my dear friends came to the hospital to be with me. She put her arms around me and said that if there was any thing I wanted to tell David that now would be the time while he was lucid.

I thought about that for a moment, and realized that I didn't need to say anything. David knew I loved him and there were no secrets to confess. ? For twenty eight years I had shown him, and he had shown me how much we loved each other. There are so many ways to express love
and we practiced them all.
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Love is making his favorite meal or going to see the movie he/she wants to see.
Love is listening to your partner vent when things go bad at work.
? Love is cutting toenails when he/she has a back problem.
? Love is getting up thirty minutes earlier than your wife to take a
shower so you can be out of the bathroom when she gets up.
Love is visiting a new restaurant and ordering an entree you know your wife
likes after she orders an exotic dish she might not like and you can switch with her.
Love is holding hands at night in bed.
Love is taking the day off from work to
have lunch in the park, sit on a bench and watch the? ducks swim in the river.
Love is taking his mom with you when you go on vacation.
Love is lending each other money between paydays and paying it back with kisses.
Love is stiffling a snicker in church because he whispers something funny.
Love is saying you're sorry, and mean it.
Love is different things to some people. It wears many faces. Sometimes we have to look behind them to see the true meaning of love.

I'm happy to say my husband came through his illness, and was released from hospital on Feb. 14th, just in time for the one day of the year set aside for love.

Clara Westerfer

CBWEST @webtv.net

About me
Born in the mountains of NC, I learned to love story telling at a young age. For the past 36 years, I have lived in Texas. Three dogs, numerous cats and other critters share my home.

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~**~**~

Poetry Contest Section

~**~**~

TO MY BELOVED

Lauren Strouse

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You make me feel things I? haven't felt

in what seems a lifetime

Sixteen

a mind fillled with? thoughts of a first love

the minutes and hours until we're together

the first kiss

the smiles, the touches

your eyes telling me

how much you want me

love me

and I don't want this to end

again

My heart jumps when I see your face

when you walk? into a room

Your blue? eyes smile at me

and I know love

You have become the world I live for

and I can shut out

the noise of those jealous of too much happiness

in others

I see your face

and love to touch the little lines around your eyes

that tell me history

I love your arms

filled with strength, holding me

sheltering

I love your voice that whispers

wonderful possibilities and beautiful memories

and I know each time we are together

I lose myself

in all of what you are and become

more than I was before

and I know

LOVE

Lauren Strouse

lstrouse2@sbcglobal.net

I am 56 years old, married for the second time, and have two adult daughters. I have lived in Fairfield, CA for 26 years, but was born and raised in Minnesota. I have a bachelors degree in English, but most of the jobs I have held have been in social services, sales of some kind, or office administration. I have a variety of interests besides writing. I enjoy cooking and entertaining, reading,? decorating, gardening, crafting, listening to music, camping, traveling to name? just a few.

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~**~**~

THEN AND NOW

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By David Wainland

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I didn??™t know it then,

For I was only ten,

That love would always rule my life.

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Across the class she sat,

Her books upon her lap

That smile would always rule my life.

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And when she moved away,

My broken heart would say,

That loss would always rule my life.

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At seventeen I knew,

I would love more then a few,

That lust would always rule my life.

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By twenty I was lonely.

Never had that one and only,

That emptiness would always rule my life

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Then at twenty four I found,

The one I longed to be around,

That fidelity would always rule my life.

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Now that forty years have gone,

And she is still the only one,

I find that love has always ruled my life.

David Wainland

David @ DavidWainland.com

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About Me:

I am a professional artist and metal sculptor known as Sculptoons and I??™m the creator of custom tabletop items. I paint as well as cartoon. My work is displayed at art festivals in Florida.

My passion is writing and I have completed two novels, Matecumbe Key ?©, about the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Red Absinthe ?©, a murder mystery set in 1926 New Orleans. When I am not working on my art I write stories, poetry and essays about life.

I??™m married and the father of two. My son passed away in July of 2003 and left behind a beautiful daughter. Just one of my three grandchildren. My daughter and her family live in New Jersey

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~**~**~

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Readers Feedback

Feb 14^th - Carol, my prayers will be for Jene today.?  So sorry.? ?  Gabrielle.

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Feb 15 ??“ Surinder Jandu??™s Story - Reading Surinder??™s story is interesting.?  It is something to ponder.?  If actually she is going through these hard times that is not from outsider but from family members means plenty of stress.

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I am sorry to say, what she is facing is as a result of background.?  Her country equally being a third world nation as mine is bound to face similar rejections.?  Here we call it the black man mentality but I wonder what it is referred to as in her country, i.e. attitude of feeling bad when someone you have been of equal level with in life seem to be excelling than you.

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There is a saying I once heard from one of my aunties and your younger sister need to her.?  It goes this way, ???if I pray bad luck for my family members, I am indirectly inviting more responsibilities upon self???.?  Meaning that it is better for one to always wish family members success, otherwise they will keep coming to you for help.?  If everyone is well to do in the family, it will make life easier.?  At family meetings, it would only be a thing of reuniting and not a room for complaining and proposing resolution to problems.

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For now, actually to me, I don??™t believe that there is any more actions to convince your younger sister and the other contaminated ones by her.?  Maturity is not by age but of the heart.?  That they should all know.?  The only thing left is to put everything in prayer. ? I don??™t know of your faith but to me as a Christian, I believe in prayers to Jehovah who can make them see better love through His son Jesus Christ.?  He can elude their hearts with agape.

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About 3 years ago my elder sister came to my home for the purpose of getting support from me to nail our brother??™s wife.?  She said all kinds of negative things about our in-law.?  Some were true but majority were lies.?  For one, I have always known that no reporter tells the negative sides of himself or herself they only get the say the negative sides of the supposed offender.?  For correct judgment it is better for the two parties to be on the complain ground for there the defaulter would be made known and not by backsliding act. ? ? To my elder sister??™s surprise, she heard outsider that I was in support of our in-law and that had made her to stop relating with me cordially.?  In most parts of third world nations truth is a sting and is bitter that is what you have to realize.?  You might have innocently said something truthful in the past and that could be her reason for her aggrieved acts towards you.?  It might not be on the other hand but all still boils down to enlightenment or faith or belief.

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There used to be an Indian lady in the church.?  She was rejected by her Indian community because of her faith in Christ so I have the clue to what you probably may be facing know.?  But she found support from Christian brothers and sisters and after a long while of not seeking help from her community both here and her country, her family realized their mistakes and started to reunite gradually with her.

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GEORGEWATERS OJEIGBE

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Prayer Requests and Updates

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Feb 15^th?  Carol, I'm so sorry to have heard about your sister's passing. I can't begin to imagine the sadness you? must be? experiencing right now. Just know that she walks with God?  and that? she knows true? comfort now. I pray that in time your pain will subside and that you will find peace and happiness as well. Warm Regards, Mary M. Dees? 

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Feb 15^th To all.?  Leah is home.?  Doctor told me every thing is great.?  He got all the cancer out. ? One of the nurses told her she had the best doctor for what she needed.

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Bill

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Feb 15^th? 

I just received word that my son in law's brother, Robert Schneider, 61 yrs of age who lives in Steubenville, Ohio is in bad shape.?  My daughter alerted me to have prayer for him as his arteries are 50 % clogged, he has kidney stones and his diabetes is out of control.?  My son in law will be traveling to Steubenville sometime on Wednesday to see him.?  Please pray for travel mercies for my son in law Earl as well as relief and healing for his brother.?  I will do a followup as I receive more information.?  Love and blessings, Normie

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Feb 15^th Sharon, I am so very sorry that this happened!?  Prayers are winging? toward your and your husband's way!? 

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Feb 15^th So sorry Sharon I will say a prayer for you and him, Nat

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That is such a horrible thing to happen so soon after her dad's decease, too.?  I don't know why but when it gets cold here, I carry a dish towel around with me to open the fridge, door, or anything metal as I get shocked every time and don't know why.?  Just when it is cold.?  I sure hope Sharon's husband heals well and quickly.?  God bless.

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Dear Sharon

I will be praying for your husbands injury to his arm...?  Lord I claim a full healing in Sharon's husband's arm in the name of Jesus....?  This set-back is not to big for God.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen and Amen

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Carol, Sharon??™s husband will be in my prayers...Hugs Peggy

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Dear Sharon: In Jesus Name we are in prayer in agreement with this family for their needs to be met immediately Amen! Paula Booher

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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; 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;

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Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

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