Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

June 12, 2006

Today’s announcements

Now onto the good stuff!

Animal awareness series, endorsed by Shiloh and Hank Baker our mascots; all stories must be endorsed by these very special dogs.

Missing Person: Alias Cat

  By Sharlett F. Hunt 

  I have a cat that I would die for, literally.  Perhaps, now that I am older, I am looking for love and this little fur ball gave it to me. 

  I met Precious when she was three weeks old, brought into my home by a friend, who is a son of the famous writer, Jean Auel.  He told me she is a little Hemingway and polydactyl and I needed her.  Wrong.  I had a little parakeet at that time and was perfectly happy.  A cat had never even been a consideration. 

  I have learned a lot about cat in the past two years, maybe more than I wanted to know.  I am extremely logical, so is a cat.  I try to attempt to reason, I wind up shaking my head in confusion. 

  I just heard on the national news that cats cause dual personalities and I can see why.  I start to worry at times.  Am I treating this cat right?  I go into any grocery store and the first place I head is to the cat food aisle.  By the way, they can only play with so many toys at one time.  This little entity has me brainwashed.

  We have just moved here to Paradise, as I did call it, now I am beginning to think it is a little too quiet but we shall see.  Precious is a meower.  She will drive you nuts if she wants something you are not willing to do.  She always wants to go out, dig a hole, that is a cat's nature.  My nature is afraid she will get hurt.  So we fight.  She wins.

  She slipped out as I was unpacking things and the next morning, she was back home.  Then she disappeared for a couple days and I went into panic mode.  I am only human and she has me wrapped around one of her little claws.  Many things entered my mind.  I just knew she was dead or otherwise detained and couldn't get to me. 

  I couldn't sleep and refused to eat.  I kept thinking this is all I need to have a complete breakdown.  Then suddenly, she appeared, as if not a care in the world.

  I had gone out to water my flowers and there she was.  Everything became brighter and my world is good again.

  I won't say that now I will confine her to the inside.  Not at all.  What I have done is make it easy for her to get in and out.  I believe all animals should be free.  Now I am thinking I might get a little puppy. 

  Love is tough.  We have to learn to love without condition.  I think I have learned so much from this little cat.  She is her own person but I am happy when she is with me.  I can't put into words the love she gives me.  I just thank God.

Sharlett Hunt

Sharlette863 @aol.com


About Me:

I was born in Alabama, the middle of seven children. At about age four we moved to Central Florida and I have lived here most of my life. I am a Viet Nam Era Veteran. I have always enjoyed writing and as I get older it seems to come more naturally to me. I believe everyone has many stories inside them and some are blessed to be able to share them.
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Today’s Queue Stories

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YOUNG TEACHERS

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     I was taking my youngest son to grade school the other day when I saw one of my daughter’s former teachers. We talked for a moment and she shared how much she missed having my daughter in class. She said she rarely had a student so kind, helpful, and willing to learn. This wonderful teacher’s kind words made me smile, and I thanked her when she gave some of the credit to me. I knew in my heart, though, that as much as I have taught my daughter how to love and how to live in this life, she has taught me even more.

     It is funny how after all these years I find that I am still learning how to live and how to love.  It is even funnier too that so many of my teachers are younger than I am. I think that when it comes to choosing and sharing love and joy the teachers often become the students and the students often become the teachers. I am so happy that I got three of the best in my kids. My youngest son’s Autism keeps him from saying much but he can still teach a lot when it comes to love and joy. His smile and laugh light up every room he enters and his happiness always brightens everyone else’s day. My oldest boy too still struggles with Autism, yet his caring and kindly spirit have made him more friends in his young life than I will ever have in mine. He has a Master’s Degree when it comes to Kindness and a PhD when it comes to Love.

     I am so thankful for my young teachers and so blessed that God sent them here to be my children. Even while I continue to write about and share love and joy in my own life, I know I will always be a student of these things as well. It is why we are all here, after all. We are here to learn how to love, to teach others how to love, and to share God’s love everyday of our lives. The classroom on love is always open in this life and in the next. Don’t overlook your own young teachers then. You may learn more from them than you ever dreamed possible.

Joseph J. Mazzella
joecool @ wirefire.com

Joe lives in West Virginia with his wife and three children. Various dogs and cats have adopted Joe and his family for their own. Joe enjoys his family, beauty, love and hearing from his email friends. Joe likes to take the time to smell the roses and enjoy the beauty around him as he goes about his daily life.

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Poetry Section

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 I Couldn't Help But Notice

 Joyce C Lock

I couldn't help but notice

The smile on your face,

The sweet gentle hug

Of your warm soul's embrace.

Whenever I need a lift

I'll know to look for you,

To get a Jesus hug ...

As, his love shines through.

© by Joyce C. Lock

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Imaging the Earth

Joyce C. Lock

Pretty Pictures,
Paper on the Wall,
Flowers in the Grass,
Horses in the Stall…

Ocean Frontage,
Tender Brooks;
Mountains and Trees
Imaging the Earth.

© by Joyce C. Lock

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time…

Ec. 3:11

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~ Immortality ~

Joyce C. Lock

Long after we're dead,

Long after we're gone,

Through others, we pray,

May Our Seed Live On!


© by Joyce C. Lock

Readers Feedback

Mary - beautiful poem, as usual, sweetheart!  You make me proud! Debra Shiveley

Arlene...you cracked me up with your piece.  So true! So like it is when trying to groom a dog.  I laughed until I.....well, I had to take a break! – Debra Shiveley

Please pray for Buddy Broadnax:  Open Heart Surgery & Stroke 
Update below from Joe Neighbors:

My friend and former next door neighbor Buddy Broadnax had open
heart surgery on Monday and two bypasses done and since that time
has had a stroke.  His wife Jenny and children remain positive about
the long term recovery prospects, and we must also.  Please put Buddy,
his family and his caregivers in your prayers and on your prayer chains. 
He can’t have visitors except his family but we can pray for them. 
Thanks,
Joe

Prayer Requests and Updates

Nikki - prayed for God bless.....Ann

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;

Dowd, Hartson; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; 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