I Met a Guy in '59

Monday, October 22, 2007

I met a guy in '59,
He never handed me a line.
We've been friends for some 30 years,
Through thick and thin and many tears.
He had a marriage and several affairs,
And now is left with not many cares.
I went off and married twice,
Had five children who are very nice.
I had one child out of wedlock,
My life regressed to something like bedrock.
I didn't call him so he wouldn't know,
Or think of me for the seeds I did sow.
But I should have known better of my friend,
That his heart would be open and free to lend,
A shoulder, a word, a Moon to share.
But after it all, I wonder if I dare.
The wall I've built is thick and strong,
Even though I realize that's very wrong.
I'll open my heart to my dear dear friend,
But...give me more time for the wall to bend.
For my friend you are the best I've seen,
I wish I could have you and share a dream.
But I think I'll just sit and take some time,
To share with you some of my rhyme.
You've shared with me your deepest thoughts,
Something so special can never be bought.
So whether a friend, a love, or a heart to share,
Until and from, this day forth I will always care.
I wish I could remember your name.

Posted by "The Happy News Lady" at 7:16 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: a moon to share.....
photo from www.flickr.com photos-by-sherm

The Ghosts on Dandee's Farm, (short fiction story)

"The Story of Dandee"

The weather had begun its annual change from chilly to freezing in this North County were we have lived for the past forty-nine years. The homestead started out a large rural farm with milking cows and a pony named April for us kids along with some goats, pigs, chickens and many a stray cat. A booming farm in a small community. Fields of corn and beans and tobacco land spread over almost two hundred yielding acres with tractors and planters and field hands all about. Canning and big dinners and remodeling rooms.
After several years the farmer decided to breed April even though her age was almost beyond breedable.
He took his family to a nearby community to observe the male horse, stud, they would choose to be the husband to April and Father to the new colt. Nine months later Dandee was born. And what a beauty he was as he pranced around like a king always playing and annoying his much too old Mother. Although she tolerated him fairly well. They lived together on that old farm for many more years until one day she died.
She died along with the times of life for that old farm. The herd of milk cows was gone due to fading milk prices and changing times. There was one goat left and a few cats. The machinery was sold off at auction and the buildings were rented out for boat storage. Tobacco land was a thing of the past along with the tall corn and green fields of beans. Now the government was paying them not to work that fertile land. Not necessarily a ghost farm, yet many unspoken ghosts lived there with the older farm couple.
Dandee wondered that old farm all-alone year after year. The old farmer never seemed to find the time to train him to do anything. No one ever road him or even walked him anymore or sat with him to talk. Now and then they gave him some apples and corn and carrots. On occasion when I visited I would hear his lonely whinny from afar. I could always feel his presence but never knew what to do about it. No one would want an old untrained pony. What good would he be for a family and to train him would be near impossible at his age. He would be frightened and could be whipped or worse. So I always left it alone. Yet deep within the recesses of my mind I ached for Dandee. His was one of the unspoken ghosts of the old farm. The young Grandson that used to tend him had moved out of State seven years past.
The ghost stories grew as years passed. Kids grew up and left home to have their own families. Some moved far away while others stayed closer. All the time Dandee wandered the coral and barn alone. His animal friends were all gone, his Mother had died, and now his human companions were rarely around. What did he think? Was he sad? I think so. But little did I know how much so until one day the Granddaughter was visiting the old farm. She had brought her boyfriend along for a good home cooked farm meal. Those homegrown mashed potatoes covered in real butter and carrots and slow cooked oven roast with home made dinner rolls and baked apple pie. While dinner was being prepared she walked down to visit Dandee. The Granddaughter was shocked at the site of his living quarters. He didn’t have any. His coral was deep in manure that had hardened over time. There was not one place to lie down unless straw was spread over the top of the manure.. His drinking water was near green as was the Granddaughters temper when she viewed this mess. She made a vow to return and clean that barn for Dandee. She spent an hour that day in the coral with Dandee, who at that time was afraid of her. She gave him many treats to help him see she was truly his friend.. Finally when she turned away from him and started to leave he followed her. That was the beginning of a dear friendship and trust between the two of them that will last forever.
She scheduled a Sunday to come back and clean out the barn for Dandee. I knew I had to tell the old farmer carefully or he may not allow the kids to come back and do this wonderful deed. I told him they were doing it for him because they knew it was hard for him these days. Of course we all knew he just didn’t seem to care anymore and Dandee also was suffering from his depression also. He reluctantly agreed and I mean reluctantly.. The old farmers woman said she would handle him and we all hoped so. The day came and the daughter, granddaughter and her boyfriend headed for the old farm. The old man had set his mind against having this happen before anyone ever arrived. He called me to tell me it was raining so it wasn’t a good day. I said, “It was and we were coming soon. And did he have the raincoats and boots ready?” I was rather curt with him regarding the situation, which proved later to make him angry. The old woman was helping make it work, although she had to do almost everything because of his hard headedness, or stubbornness. These kids were taking a day off work, driving thirty miles one way, wading in wet stenchy manure, doing his job and he was being a crotchety old man. I was embarrassed of him… because he was someone‘s father. He gave the one boy a snow shovel to work with, and one a pitchfork and the other a real shovel. Imagine trying to scoop hardened manure with a snow shovel? And come to find out he drove his tractor loader right into that barn and scooped that poop right out of there. The old woman came down with decent shovels after she noticed the ridiculous issuance of the snow shovel. After about three full tractor scoops he told the kids that was enough and to come back in the Spring and they could finish then. There was still nine loads to go when he said that…..I happened to be in the barn at that point and spoke readily saying, “Oh no, we are finishing today!” And again the old man was angry. And again I was also, but more important I had lost respect, as also the children.
And so the clean up continued. Dandee was jumping and bucking and kicking from sheer delight to have company of any kind. I truly believe he knew what those kids were doing for him. When the old angry farmer would take each load to the garden owiht his tractor, he could have let the city Granddaughter and her city boyfriend ride along on the tractor, but rather he let them walk in the rain. I wonder why? I wonder what sort of thing or ghost on that farm made him so mean and angry. Or maybe he made the farm angry these days.
In the meantime another family arrived at the old farm with their children. These were little ones who grabbed shovels and brooms and started helping Dandee find his new home in the old barn.. The little ones were feeding Dandee and talking to him all the while in between scoops. The old farmer told the kids he would surely get pneumonia now from all this. Never a thank you…just about him and how all this inconvenienced him. The kids swept it out clean and laid a fresh bale of straw which Dandee immediately came over and laid down on. with all of them standing around. That precious pony was showing his gratefulness in the only way he knew how. The Granddaughter got him a pail of fresh clean water that he drank right away. The old Farmer went over and took the fresh pail of water and dumped it into the old green water as to say, “There, that is how I feel about all this.” That old man has no idea what legacy he left that day. How a few hours of negative emotions might just take away the memories of any good days of deeds he gave for a long time.. How can one excuse that old man and his actions? I guess because there will be a far bigger judge than a granddaughter, and a few little kids. Yet those mean ghosts remain.
On the other hand, the old woman was right by those kids side. Even with her asthma she cleaned and said she would get Dandee clean water. She said the old farm was a sad place anymore. All we can do is make sure we get out there to tend to Dandee more often. He is actually happy right now. And the little ones had a wonderful day at the farm blind to any old or new ghosts that abide there, and the teens gave of themselves to an animal. They tried to give to the old man even though unreceived. They will be better people for the day at the farm. And Dandee has a better life for that few hours in one day of giving. He can lie down and be warm and feel loved. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
I suspect when the old farmer passes the Granddaughter will have her own place and Dandee will surely have the life of a Pony King. In fact it has already started for him and she will make sure it continues.

The Strength of Your Spirit

Speak what you want! Then wait for the perfect timing of this Universe and its God. That higher power will draw you, like a magnet, toward your desires. You must relax to sense the

drawing of your spirit and follow it. Believe you will hear, sense, and then follow. Believe you are a glowing spirit light, offering goodness, and waiting for your desires. Believe the light of good decisions is being drawn toward you at all times. Believe. Realize the power of your belief. Imagine the powerful waterfalls or our world. Imagine their strength and know yours in your spirit is more. Draw from the energy given with each breath you take. See you are being cleansed through your own breathing in and out. Imagine yourself watching a beautiful sun setting in the West with its hues of lavender, and mauve's, and creamy yellow's, each warming you with its magnificent rays. The colors turn into a blanket that surrounds you with its energy and love and warmth. You are safe, you are free. Comforted by a wrapping of colors and rays of energies. You open your arms and hold out your hand toward the Sun....it fills your hand and overflows until you are consumed with the light. The Healing light, lights of love, warmth, compassion, and gentleness. Anger must leave, sadness must leave, pain must leave as they are no match for this light. All negative energies must leave. They are pushed out and away beyond the setting sun. Blow them away....blow them away with each exhaling breath. You are in touch with your spirit and you enjoy this place. You may come back to this place whenever you would like. It will rejuvenate you and relax you. It will inspire you and heal you. You are a deserving person

(This is part of one of my transcripts for self hypnosis or rather self relaxation)

Life is like a Garden of Flowers

"My friends blessed green thumb"

Life is like a garden of flowers. Some of the flowers flourish and some die away. There are many reasons, but mostly it is just life. Life is a gift that many people misuse and many take for granted. Either way it is a gift. The rivers that feed the gardens run smooth sometimes and the valleys are fresh with knowledge and warmth from the wisdom of the sun. Then there are times when the rivers swell and the banks overflow and the valleys fill with dredge and shadows and darkness. Pain evolves forever from these times. But the sun always shines again. The wisdom comes through and the knowledge is everlasting. So which do you take? The darkness or the light? The pain or the warmth of the sun? One is of the higher power we call God and the other is not. The God I learned of overcame the darkness every time. One way or the other he overcame. Have you been in the valleys and have you been in the storms? The pain is difficult, yet goodness can smother it with the warmth of the sun. Hear these words within the walls of your flesh. The sun shall not set another day that you don't hear this wisdom. Let it shine through you and then shine onto others like the glow of a million stars, whether it be at a grocery store or a mall or even a gas station, on the phone, or in your home. See through the valleys of storms and rise above them. Show others how to rise above them so not to be caught in them. Remember it is not about what is in your head, it is not about what is in your body, it is not about what has happened to you in the past or present with money or security. It is about your spirit and how you flourish for yourself and others in the garden of life.

The Muddy Mississippi, Not!

Allow me to bring peace to you through words that came to me some years ago. I was told to stand in it, bath in it, live in it fully. To begin a new walk each day and rest in this peace. If you fret it quenches your spirit which quenches your peace. When you decide to cease all fretting you will feel your personal peace rise up like a calm, lazy river within you and then a waterfall spouting forth and with it the negatives flow up and out from your imaginary cleansing spout. Its like you primed your personal pump exactly like a real pump that has sat for a long time and gotten rusty. Negative thoughts cause rust in your mental pipes. Before the crystal clean clear refreshing water can come, the rust must come first, up and away, gone. Now the pureness and peace can flow. When you sit too long in a negative slump your waters stagnate and your parts rust. Free yourself now.... Remember that stagnate waters breed all sort of nasty critters and bugs. Those bugs inhabit your well, (mind)your spout,(your mouth) your peace. Keep it free flowing at all cost. Even when it looks bad on the outside, keep the mental valves open and flowing with good thoughts. Your own spirit will lead you and guide you and comfort you. You are not in the Muddy Mississippi, you are a fountain of living flowing water. But you must do your part, and not shut the doors to positive thinking, but keep your mental gates open so your peace flows freely every day and in turn your mind and body can be safe, healthy, and free.

Some of Di's family pictures

Painted Pumpkins @ Penthouse #105

Aren't these grand? I found the ideas last year on a site called Painted Pumpkins. Found them once again this year and painted more for freinds and family. www.tagyerit.com/pumpkins_painting.htm I don't believe they are copywritten so I am safe so far. The droopey eyed lady is supposed to be Bette Davis. I did a Liza Minnele as you can see...and my fav is the kitten. Every year Dad brings the corn stalks and bale of straw from the home farm. He is 83 now. Caught him up on the roof last summer. I said, "What are you doing up there?" He said, "Some body's got to do it!" He still works at the bank cleaning up for all the ladies each night. He mows the yard for an elderly woman near his home, and he has a huge garden with the most wonderful potatoes in the world, or this area for sure. Carrots that taste like carrots and so big one slice is a serving. Tomatoes that melt in your mouth and sweet corn that you wish would never end. Green and yellow beans too. Oh, and millions of raspberries. He and Mother pick in that summer sun always in a race with nature to get the most of the plants. Dad sells his berries on the corner of Hwy 138 and West Main. Sets his card table up and away he goes. He has been doing that for 25 plus years... He takes his asparagus to the local restaurants as well as his berries. Always at the local blood drive helping out. Busy man huh? He is the comedian my son Cody takes after and uses at the Comedy Club in Los Angeles.
I started talking about pumpkins and got sidetracked I see. Well it is good sidetrack to go on. I gave Dad a "dollie" to haul heavier items on now days, but he insists he can carry that bale of hay from the road to Penthouse #105! And he can.... Enjoy my apt. type Halloween. Or better named my Macy's window on a budget... I best get those pretty pumpkins outside.....
Posted by "The Happy News Lady" at 8:32 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Macy's window on a budget
Saturday, September 29, 2007