Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

May 27, 2006

Today’s announcements

Thank heaven's Nikki! You are such a strong woman. You have become an example of just how strong prayer can be. Mine are still with you. Best wishes to you and your family.    Mary M. Dees

Also, I ask all of the special Storytime readers to pray for my brother John, he has been diagnosed with buergers disease. If any of you are like myself, I hadn't heard much about this disease either. But after checking into it, I found out that it is vascular and that it attacks your extremities and that it is mainly caused by smoking. He has two fingers that may still have to be removed. I would also like to report that he is on day # 2 without smoking after smoking for for over some 15 odd years. Thank you to all the readers who's prayers have helped so many. Thank all of you once again! Mary M. Dees

Marlena7694@yahoo.com

Now onto the good stuff!

  Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

A Man and His Dreams

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

This isn't about a dream one might have in the middle of night.  Maybe the man did have a dream about this in the middle of the night, and tried to carry it out. Maybe you remember a story I wrote about this man before.   Name was Dutch, some called him that, some called him Van.  His real name was Robert Van Hyning. 

Now I must tell you, or take you on a side trip here.  There is something about dreams.  I believe when a person stops planning, or having a dream of something to do, just as well dig a hole.  There may be a few reasons to cause a person to stop planning and having a dream to try something.  Age and unable to make the plan or dream may be one.  Even age does not shut a person down complete, but it may be a factor. I have if you remember did a little work in and around so called nursing homes. Death Traps I call them.  People with nothing to do but wait for the call to go home.   Their dreams and well laid plans are for the most part shot. Someone else is making the plans for them.  For the most part they are just a person reduced to setting in a room or hall way, hoping to see a friendly face.

Now back to Dutch.  I remember him as a man of not much education.  But college boys came to him with the question. "Dutch, just how does this work" Dutch had went to the university of HARD KNOCKS. He graduated with high marks.

One day I looked up his way. there laid what looked like a frame with wheels on it.  So after a bit I wondered up to see just what was the plan.  Well this thing was a frame of what had once been a house trailer, had a set of six wheels.  Thing was kind of bent in one place.  Looked to me like it should be in the junk yard, But Dutch had a dream.

Dutch at the time would have been in early 80s.  He figured out a way to make some money.  People here likes peaches, there is peaches and other fruits grown big time out in Colorado. Dutch had a dream, also a plan to go hand in hand with dream.

He had got this mess for junk price, and he had “the know how”, and tools to fix.  He was going to make a trailer.  Hook it to his GMC {Great Mountain Climber} pickup truck, and haul peaches and other things into B.Town. 

Every day, he spent quite a bit of time out there working on this dream.  He got the wheels off, cut the frame down a bit, got that bent place whipped back in line.  Then put the axles and wheels where he wanted them.  Welded a bed together on the thing, and he had a trailer.  I should have said he worked on it six days a week. That number seventh day he rested, and went to church. Dutch did a little rest on the days he worked on any thing.   He rested at the kitchen table with a couple things.   He always had a pot of coffee going, for friends that dropped in to set a while and find out how to do something.  He also had his big King James to read a bit from laying there right out in plan sight on the table. He was known to set there with coffee, read a while, and lay his head down on that Bible, to take a short nap.

One day trailer is all done.  I do think he hooked it up to Great Mountain Climber, and went around the block.  Backed it in and un hooked.  There it set for a while. One day I wondered in and trailer was gone. Dutch said someone came along and made an offer on it, and he sold it. I bet wife was happy, and maybe Great Mountain Climber was too. 

I stopped in one day, for a chat, and a cup of coffee, and sure enough some of a cake Mrs. Dutch had made.  He was making a yard swing.  Now Dutch could make a swing like no other could make.  One can just set in it and it fits to the body like you can't believe.  It sure isn't like one of those flat store bought jobs. I asked it he had a buyer for it.  "No this is for my wife and me to set in out in the yard and watch the traffic go by."  Had one already on the porch, but this was for the  yard.  Well it was done and in the yard in a week or so.  I never noticed any swinging out in the yard, by that time he had a new something to make.  It set there for a couple weeks or so and was gone.  The it seems like someone came along and made an offer of so much.  Any ways it got to be someone else swing in the yard.

Dutch did this all the years I knew him.  Those were the retirement years.  I noticed the last three or so years he was taking more coffee breaks and less time working on something: spending more time at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee, reading his Bible and taking naps.  Dutch was slowing down.  He had one dream now.  Wife needed a little wagon for her flowers.  I have written a story about the Little Wagon, you might want to go back and read it.  Dutch never got it finished, time ran out for Dutch.  But you see he might have also been running out of dreams.  He was 90 years old on the last dream. A wagon like no other for his wife. It was a work of love and art.  A Little girl in Muskogee,Oklahoma, name of Kellie is the proud owner of it now. I think her dolls gets a ride around the house in it.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

~ Truth, Justice, and The American Way ~

Joyce C. Lock

 
     TV tells us that one could survive on a deserted island (where there is no food, water, or protection from hurricanes) and that an unskilled person (without supplies) could actually catch food in sea water (without being stung, raked over coral, poisoned, electrocuted, or eaten alive).  They misrepresent a dolphin's voice and advertise the beautiful beaches of Miami with old takes (leaving mention of the run down, boarded over, roach infested buildings).  But mostly, they try to convince us that ungodliness is free choice and politically correct; and what is going to bring us peace, romance, love, and happiness.
 
     Stores advertise 1/2 off sales, but raise prices or keep an extra few cents for themselves.  When a limited purchase is advertised, families exit through different registers.  Numerous addresses and aliases are used to get more rebates and freebies.  1/2 cent is fudged at the gas pump.  What the IRS doesn't know won't hurt us.  And, we've all heard the phrase, "Finders, keepers.  Losers, weepers."
 
     Yet, let anyone rob us, tell us a little white lie, or (even worse) tell a lie on us and see just how self-righteous we become.  "Crucify him!  Throw the book at him.  He got what he deserved!"
 
     Let’s be thankful that we don't get all we deserve and that truth isn't what America portrays.
 
     TRUTH is a most wonderful thing!  It sheds light on all that is pure, right, and just.  It gives hope, reassurance, comfort, guidance, direction, and protection.  It leads us out of difficult circumstances into personal victories.
 
     God made provisions that all could know truth.  It cannot be obtained through wealth or knowledge.  There is only one source for truth, either in the voice of God or through His Holy Word; as the Holy Spirit reveals it to you (I Co. 2:12-13).  Only then can you ‘know’ truth.  And, the most wonderful thing is, it sets you free (Jn. 8:32)!  We will return to freedom once we learn to practice truth and that can only happen when we follow Jesus (Jn. 13:6).
 
     JUSTICE is probably the least likely thing found in today's judicial system.  The accused can pass lie detectors, while the accusers fail and still be sent to prison.
 
     Murder is legal, as long as we call it 'abortion'.
 
     You can be arrested on suspicion, have your name plastered across newspapers, lose your jobs, friends, and reputation, be harassed and subjected to jail with real criminals, and then let go.
 
     The legal system can rip apart your whole life, body, and soul ~ then say, "Oops, we made a mistake."  In other circles this is called abuse, slander, liable, and such.  Though, it is perfectly legal under the disguise of ‘Justice’.
 
     When there is a real criminal whose committed a real crime; they are not prosecuted, the legal system gets fumbled, they are arrested before gathering enough evidence to convict, someone feels sorry for them, they are let go in exchange for information, they are not properly placed for rehabilitation, expensive lawyers get them off, or they are let out early.
 
     But, lest we be too hard on the system, perhaps it would be just as good to admit that we do not do such a great job of judging ourselves; that we are just as tempted to condemn anyone we think suspicious, difficult, different, or wrong.
 
     Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart, I Sa. 16:7.  Except God gives us the ability to see man's heart, we are way out of our league.  "Judge not, that ye be not judged," (Mt. 7:1) is a pretty specific warning for us all.
 
     If we check our heart, attitude, actions, and motives to see how truthful we are and where we have been so ready to condemn others (then, presume innocence, in heeding scriptural warning for the shedding of innocent blood), we could consider our responsibility to love others as if we were loving Jesus, Himself (Mt. 25:40).  Perhaps, then, we could be proud of "THE AMERICAN WAY".

© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Dedicated to Ginger, her husbands' father, and their family

May 21st, 2006

4:06 a.m.

                                              "The Veil"

                                                   by

                                            Paula  Booher

                               It hangs softly between this world and the next

                               Thin in its' appearance,

                               Invisible, no one can see it

                               Except the angels...their path is its' clearance.

                               The veil between body and spirit

                               Between this life and the hereafter,

                               The sound of trumpets blowing

                               The difference between tears and laughter.

                               One side is the departing

                               On the other the receiving,

                               Loved ones saying their "Good byes" here

                               Tears flowing, hearts grieving.

                               While on the other side a celebration

                               Glory and great sounds of joy,

                               Time has passed and is revealing

                               Someone is finally coming home so coy.

                               Blessed are the ones who have those moments

                               To share last thoughts and intentions,

                               While others didn't get the chance

                               To speak their hearts true voice suspension.

                               In other words...don't let things hang in the air

                               That could separate one moment of joy to enjoy love,

                               Gods Word is quite clear we are to have it as good here

                               As we are to have it up above.

                               When your sorrow is heavy when letting go

                               Remember that time is irrelevant,

                               Eternity is the prize to keep in mind

                               And where your love will be spent!

                               As hands will be extended here to give away

                               Hands of love will know our loved one there,

                               They've been waiting patiently

                               To receive the one they love also with care.

                               The mother that birthed that child

                               The father that raised it with sturdy hand,

                               The uncle that told it funny jokes

                               The aunt who shared her witty plan.

                               Those teachers who took the time in school

                               To invest their many hours scale,

                               Are counting on you to just let go

                               And waiting on the other side of The Veil.

copyright 5/21/2006 4:56a.m.

Paula Deann (Roe) Honeycutt Booher

wrappednword@yahoo.com

~**~**~

                               That's why it's so very important to Take the time

                               To say it every day in life while breathing

                               To those you hold so dear,

                               Speak whatever is on your heart be it good or bad

                               Live your life to the fullest with healing

                               While you are here.  If you must argue let your disputes always be followed by an apology and a handshake.  Don't let your head hit the pillow with ill will in your heart against anyone.  Wake up each day with a newness... for each new sunrise is a fresh opportunity to begin again in any situation.

   Porch swings, creeks, and tangled hair...

                                          by Paula Booher

                                 I chased the first frog and slipped in

                                 Splashing falling into the puddled water,

                                 The giggles echoed in the hollow

                                 We weren't where we were supposed to be or otta.

                                 Trampling the grass across the field

                                 Bared feet and sunburned backs we scampered,

                                 Amazement filled our freckled faces

                                 Buckets spilled over treasures untampered.

                                 Summer beckoned them to the creatures' noise

                                 Crickets songs in the misty spring mist,

                                 As it fell swiftly over the cliffs edge

                                 A fresh drink one could not resist.

                                 The taste was like no other

                                 Coming deep from inside the earth,

                                 Filtered by many minerals, rocks, and corals

                                 Cleaning each with rebirth.

                                 Harvest moon was the reminder to the sower

                                 That it was time to be brought to the fair,

                                 Wishful times to linger

                                 Porch swings, creeks, and tangled hair...

copyright C Paula Deann Roe Honeycutt Booher

wrappednword@yahoo.com

3/11/2006 3:15 p.m.

~**~**~

ONE MORE DAY

by Janice Finley

At night when I get in bed
Afraid, lonely, and full of fear,
I turn to the only place I can see
I turn to God and he listens to me....

He does not judge me
Or turn me away,
He listens to all
I feel and pray.....

He is the foundation
My life is upon,
Hope and faith
Help me to be strong...

I know not where he leads me
Only that I must go,
I live my life the best I can
And hope in the end it will show...

God of mercy, grace and love
PLEASE I beg you up above,
Don't cast me out, but as I pray
Give me the strength and courage
To go on just ONE MORE DAY.....

Janice Finley

finleyj@otelco.net

Readers Feedback

Congratulations to Paula Booher! Her writings are always filled with compassion and thought!  Dianna Doles Petry

Thank you Carol for sharing my stories with all of the Storytime readers. I also wanted to tell you that it meant so much to me for you to take time out of your schedule to write my review. Thank you deeply! Have a lovely day.       Mary M. Dees

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

                                     Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; 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; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; 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;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator