Sketch Notes Archives
Thanks for visiting Sketch Notes, the
seasonal and creative page of my
personal Website:
http://www.leannmarshall.com
I enjoy reading and writing (check out
my two fiction novels, The Starfish
People and The Rendering.)
I created Sketch Notes as a fun way to
express myself poetically, but I love to
feature other writers' work with a
link back to their own Websites.
Links to Sketch Notes archives are at
right.
My philosophy as quoted by Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe:
"One ought, every day at least, to hear a
little song, read a good poem, see a fine
picture, and, if it were possible, to speak
a few reasonable words.”
Don't forget to bookmark Sketch
Notes, tell your friends, and visit
often!
If you have written something you
would like to see in a future edition of
Sketch Notes, email me.
Thanks for visiting Sketch Notes, the
seasonal and creative page of my
personal Website:
http://www.leannmarshall.com
I enjoy reading and writing (check out
my two fiction novels, The Starfish
People and The Rendering.)
I created Sketch Notes as a fun way to
express myself poetically, but I love to
feature other writers' work with a
link back to their own Websites.
Links to Sketch Notes archives are at
right.
My philosophy as quoted by Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe:
"One ought, every day at least, to hear a
little song, read a good poem, see a fine
picture, and, if it were possible, to speak
a few reasonable words.”
Don't forget to bookmark Sketch
Notes, tell your friends, and visit
often!
If you have written something you
would like to see in a future edition of
Sketch Notes, email me.
| December 2011 |
With all the trials and struggles we have endured as a nation, and even those in our
personal lives, there's still a lot of hope going around. I see it every day. People still give
generously to charities and food banks. They still hold the door for others, and react to
difficult situations with respect, even when that may not be the most attractive choice at
the time. I see hope and dignity in the eyes of strangers.
There is a goodness in the world that transcends anything and everything else. The source
has always been here, and always will be. I find great comfort in that.
May this special year's end celebration of life and all good things reach into your own
heart and leave the gift of eternal love, eternal hope.
Now relax, sip a little hot chocolate or tea, and enjoy these writings by different authors
from many different places. Some are holiday themed, others are just LIFE!
Their variety is priceless.
~Leann
personal lives, there's still a lot of hope going around. I see it every day. People still give
generously to charities and food banks. They still hold the door for others, and react to
difficult situations with respect, even when that may not be the most attractive choice at
the time. I see hope and dignity in the eyes of strangers.
There is a goodness in the world that transcends anything and everything else. The source
has always been here, and always will be. I find great comfort in that.
May this special year's end celebration of life and all good things reach into your own
heart and leave the gift of eternal love, eternal hope.
Now relax, sip a little hot chocolate or tea, and enjoy these writings by different authors
from many different places. Some are holiday themed, others are just LIFE!
Their variety is priceless.
~Leann
Deep Within
by Jean S Roetter
Deep within me lives the world.
Deep within me I feel being.
Deep within me I hold it all.
Deep within me is the universe.
I am conscious but also unconscious.
A piece of music can pierce my soul and start a waterfall of tears.
A thought, a feeling can uplift my soul and send me to the sun and the moon
So that I sit on a ray or a star.
I am blessed.
I have been blessed.
I am grateful.
I will always be grateful for the love and beauty in my life.
Let me never take anything or any blessing for granted.
God, Being, Love Substance envelop me.
They are all.
They are mighty
They are one.
I adore my glimmer of them.
I feel my smallness as I contemplate their greatness.
But I feel my capacity to stretch as I recognize that I am created by and that I am
part of whatever is.
What a blessed awareness.
(c) Jean Salter Roetter 6/22/09
by Jean S Roetter
Deep within me lives the world.
Deep within me I feel being.
Deep within me I hold it all.
Deep within me is the universe.
I am conscious but also unconscious.
A piece of music can pierce my soul and start a waterfall of tears.
A thought, a feeling can uplift my soul and send me to the sun and the moon
So that I sit on a ray or a star.
I am blessed.
I have been blessed.
I am grateful.
I will always be grateful for the love and beauty in my life.
Let me never take anything or any blessing for granted.
God, Being, Love Substance envelop me.
They are all.
They are mighty
They are one.
I adore my glimmer of them.
I feel my smallness as I contemplate their greatness.
But I feel my capacity to stretch as I recognize that I am created by and that I am
part of whatever is.
What a blessed awareness.
(c) Jean Salter Roetter 6/22/09
| Christmas Cheer by andrea coltman I’m working myself up to that time off year To wake myself up to all that Christmas cheer Despite the global economy and credit crunch We will still be having a Christmas lunch Presents still surround a real pine tree And we will be together, as a family Aware so many will not have any of this luxury And for this I feel truly and deeply sorry I should not be a Christmas Grinch For my family and me, this is a cinch So I count my blessings and my good luck To have all this and in a festive rut, be stuck So I’m sending out a Christmas note And on this I hope you’ll quote “Happy Christmas to one and all Count your blessings both big and small May New Year bring much peace and joy To every man, woman, girl and boy” © Andrea Coltman |
Life Glow
by Jerry W. Engler
As you sit before the winter fire, contemplate that you are
charged with insight, required to know what you are to
fulfill your destiny.
Through the orange, glowing embers,
the depth of stirred and heated ash,
fire on fire on fire,
the course of days allowed,
coals searing, slicing,
exposing what is only flesh below,
the swirling smoke of life revealed,
so you must look within
your own heart
to the depth of what you are.
As sure as you must
draw the next breath,
you must come to know
what you were destined to be,
layers burned away.
For He knew you
In your mother’s womb
before the foundations of the earth,
and He will not stop
the scorch of insight
lest the life glow goes away.
The burns that hurt
are healed by the balms
of knowing, understanding, accepting,
acting on your treasured talents,
gifts bequeathed by living
your special, precious life.
Oh destiny, great destinies,
the flames leap ever higher
to clear what would bind us
from the good and bounteous way.
copyright 2009, Jerry W. Engler
by Jerry W. Engler
As you sit before the winter fire, contemplate that you are
charged with insight, required to know what you are to
fulfill your destiny.
Through the orange, glowing embers,
the depth of stirred and heated ash,
fire on fire on fire,
the course of days allowed,
coals searing, slicing,
exposing what is only flesh below,
the swirling smoke of life revealed,
so you must look within
your own heart
to the depth of what you are.
As sure as you must
draw the next breath,
you must come to know
what you were destined to be,
layers burned away.
For He knew you
In your mother’s womb
before the foundations of the earth,
and He will not stop
the scorch of insight
lest the life glow goes away.
The burns that hurt
are healed by the balms
of knowing, understanding, accepting,
acting on your treasured talents,
gifts bequeathed by living
your special, precious life.
Oh destiny, great destinies,
the flames leap ever higher
to clear what would bind us
from the good and bounteous way.
copyright 2009, Jerry W. Engler
The Set
by Felix LeRoy Perry
One teardrop, one raven and a seashell
Little shared memories of their yesterdays
Well rehearsed lines in a romance script
Shared dialect in the most delightful ways
Incoming tide became the velvet curtains
Wind shifted velvet sand with every act
Lighthouse played spotlights on the stars
There was nothing there they really lacked
The show opened with your Act One smile
It quickly stole the male leads breath away
Act Two lines grew so much more intense
One kiss and they knew love would stay
Act Three brought trials and tribulations
Little plots an audience could understand
Even if they were only seabirds and crabs
Who willingly shared the warmth of sand
Act Four the raven perched on driftwood
To willingly witness the climax of the show
Pacing solemnly he gave his mute approval
Blackbirds are shape shifters don’t you know
Holding her hand he passed to her his gift
He said he had no golden band to share
Instead he blew a kiss in that pearly shell
She’d feel it when she held it to her ear
Then the Final Act was no great surprise
He took her in his arms at sunset’s view
Will you take me to be your love forever
She wiped happy tears away to say “I do!”
by Felix LeRoy Perry
One teardrop, one raven and a seashell
Little shared memories of their yesterdays
Well rehearsed lines in a romance script
Shared dialect in the most delightful ways
Incoming tide became the velvet curtains
Wind shifted velvet sand with every act
Lighthouse played spotlights on the stars
There was nothing there they really lacked
The show opened with your Act One smile
It quickly stole the male leads breath away
Act Two lines grew so much more intense
One kiss and they knew love would stay
Act Three brought trials and tribulations
Little plots an audience could understand
Even if they were only seabirds and crabs
Who willingly shared the warmth of sand
Act Four the raven perched on driftwood
To willingly witness the climax of the show
Pacing solemnly he gave his mute approval
Blackbirds are shape shifters don’t you know
Holding her hand he passed to her his gift
He said he had no golden band to share
Instead he blew a kiss in that pearly shell
She’d feel it when she held it to her ear
Then the Final Act was no great surprise
He took her in his arms at sunset’s view
Will you take me to be your love forever
She wiped happy tears away to say “I do!”
| Reflection by Leann Marshall He is born, sang the choir Up in little church on the hill But by now the bells have ceased to ring The countryside so still Now, walking home alone She looks up to scan the skies The snow becomes an angel's wings And magic fills her eyes |
A Flamingo Christmas
By MaryGrace Patterson
Fargo Flamingo is as happy as can be,
for he and his flock made Christmas Eve
History
When Santa’s reindeer became sick
with the flu, Fargo and elf Benny knew just
what to do
They took a plane to Alaska’s frigid frontier,
and faced the frozen Arctic, with no signs of fear
Soon all arrived at Santa’s secret place
New heated harness were made with no time to waste
Each flamingo wore long red stockings to cover
slim legs. A red Christmas cap was tied around each face
All stood in line, reins attached to the sleigh.
Santa jumped in, yelled, up, up and away
Off they flew across the ebony sky, flapping
strong wings, as the pale moon rose on high
The toys were almost all gone, when something went
terribly wrong
Some flamingos slipped on an icy roof. Santa’s sleigh
began to sway. Fargo’s quick thinking saved the day!
With a mighty lunge, he righted the sleigh, but injured
his wing. It hurt right away
Fargo assured them he could continue to fly
He grimaced with pain as the rest of the night went by
When the sun began to rise in the early cold morn, Santa and
his team arrived home, tired and worn
All were greeted with cheers and joyous shouts,
as the residents of North Pole City gathered about
After the jingle harnesses were taken away,
they went to Santa’s for a special breakfast on Christmas day
Gifts were given to those who were there. Tired happy
flamingos relaxed on couches and chairs
Santa hung a bright gold medal around Fargo’s slim neck.
The flamingo’s face turned the deepest shade of pink seen yet
Santa still chuckles every now and then, as he fondly remembers
Fargo and his flamingo friends
History was made on that event filled Christmas eve,
when Fargo and friends delivered presents with precision and speed
The spirit Of Christmas remains in all hearts
It’s felt the world over and never departs
By MaryGrace Patterson
Fargo Flamingo is as happy as can be,
for he and his flock made Christmas Eve
History
When Santa’s reindeer became sick
with the flu, Fargo and elf Benny knew just
what to do
They took a plane to Alaska’s frigid frontier,
and faced the frozen Arctic, with no signs of fear
Soon all arrived at Santa’s secret place
New heated harness were made with no time to waste
Each flamingo wore long red stockings to cover
slim legs. A red Christmas cap was tied around each face
All stood in line, reins attached to the sleigh.
Santa jumped in, yelled, up, up and away
Off they flew across the ebony sky, flapping
strong wings, as the pale moon rose on high
The toys were almost all gone, when something went
terribly wrong
Some flamingos slipped on an icy roof. Santa’s sleigh
began to sway. Fargo’s quick thinking saved the day!
With a mighty lunge, he righted the sleigh, but injured
his wing. It hurt right away
Fargo assured them he could continue to fly
He grimaced with pain as the rest of the night went by
When the sun began to rise in the early cold morn, Santa and
his team arrived home, tired and worn
All were greeted with cheers and joyous shouts,
as the residents of North Pole City gathered about
After the jingle harnesses were taken away,
they went to Santa’s for a special breakfast on Christmas day
Gifts were given to those who were there. Tired happy
flamingos relaxed on couches and chairs
Santa hung a bright gold medal around Fargo’s slim neck.
The flamingo’s face turned the deepest shade of pink seen yet
Santa still chuckles every now and then, as he fondly remembers
Fargo and his flamingo friends
History was made on that event filled Christmas eve,
when Fargo and friends delivered presents with precision and speed
The spirit Of Christmas remains in all hearts
It’s felt the world over and never departs
| A Sight To Remember By Mary Grace Patterson I was looking out my window on Christmas eve night Low and behold I saw such a strange and wondrous sight I saw Santa in his sleigh; no reindeer were in sight, Instead it was pulled by Flamingos who were in full flight Each was in harness with jingle bells attached All wore long red stockings and fine Christmas caps I watched them stop at each house on our street They waited patiently while Santa delivered his treats When he came to our house, I pretended to be asleep I watched Santa leave, into the sleigh he leaped I heard him call out each flamingo’s name They started to move and were soon flying again Santa called out as he flew out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all on this special night” |
I was born and raised in St Johnsbury ,
A small town in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
I grew up in a home filled with music, family
gatherings and traditions. Trips to the mountains, lakes
and my Uncle Joe’s farm in Waterford were an important
part of my childhood. I have written some stories about life
at Uncle Joes and memories of the one room school house I
attended for a year.
Although my northern heritage has had a deep impact on
my life, stories and poetry we moved south many years ago and live in the
quiet countryside of South West Florida beside a small
lake.
In Dec.2009, I published a children’s story about how Fargo Flamingo
saves Christmas. It’s called, “A Sight To Remember”.
I am currently working on a second story called , “The Secret
Treasure Of Burnt Store Road”.
~ Mary Grace Patterson
A small town in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
I grew up in a home filled with music, family
gatherings and traditions. Trips to the mountains, lakes
and my Uncle Joe’s farm in Waterford were an important
part of my childhood. I have written some stories about life
at Uncle Joes and memories of the one room school house I
attended for a year.
Although my northern heritage has had a deep impact on
my life, stories and poetry we moved south many years ago and live in the
quiet countryside of South West Florida beside a small
lake.
In Dec.2009, I published a children’s story about how Fargo Flamingo
saves Christmas. It’s called, “A Sight To Remember”.
I am currently working on a second story called , “The Secret
Treasure Of Burnt Store Road”.
~ Mary Grace Patterson
I have been slowly working on the second in the series of the Journeys and Adventures of Little One…book 2
“Little One ~ A New Beginning.” A couple years ago I decided it was time she learn about two important
holidays.
So I wrote the first as a short story “Little One learns about Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Last year I
wrote the other as a short story “Little One’s First Christmas.” Both of these will be part of book 2 when
finished.
I hope you enjoy the first one, shared here in Sketch Notes.
Little One’s Stories
by Ann Marquette
Little One Learns about Thanksgiving and Christmas…
Written November 2009. This will be part of book 2 in the adventures and journeys of Little One
Little One and her companions are silent as they begin the next part of their journey. Each is in their own thoughts of
what has happened during this last part of their journey, and wondering what’s next.
It is still early morning and the sun has not been up long enough to warm the day. Since it is still a wee bit cool Little
One is wearing the long pants, a little t-shirt and the sweater Martha had given her. She is not wearing the shoes
because she loves the feel of the sand on her feet.
L’Uni walks alongside of Little One while their flying companions go on ahead, yet sometimes circle back as if to
check on the others.
Little One is quiet in her own thoughts. She feels sad having left Martha and Kelly, but knows it is time to move on.
Although she wonders what will happen next she decides she does not want to think about it…only take one day at
a time.
She walks on slowly. Sometimes shuffling her feet in the sand as she goes, occasionally walking backwards to see
where she has come from. Then she stops for a moment. Although she no longer sees the place where Martha
lives, she thinks about her, wondering how she is and what she is doing. Maybe she is getting ready for her family to
arrive for their visit.
As they continue along this stretch of beach, her friends are nearby, but quiet. They know Little One has much on
her mind and heart. It has been a couple of hours since they left Martha and Kelly. Little One notices a huge piece
of driftwood on the beach near the water and decides to sit for a bit. L’Uni, Angel Mary and their feathered friends
rest nearby.
Little One is thanking God for the blessings in her life ….
After awhile Little One takes a snack from her back pack and eats with a smile in her heart for Martha’s gift.
Angel Mary decides now is a good time to talk to her about life in the world…how it is in this time, this century. She
wants to tell her about the upcoming holidays and what people do in the communities, the cities across America.
“Little One, I want to tell you about two special holidays coming up soon.”
Little One asks “What is a holiday?”
“Holidays are yearly celebrations of special events which happened long ago. There are some which are only
celebrated in some countries” Mary explains.
Little One looks confused, maybe just thoughtful.
“What is it Little One” Mary asks.
“What are countries?” asks Little One.
Mary laughs. “Oh my dear child, you have much to learn.”
Little One’s face lights up with eyes big and bright, she says “I really like to learn new things and I like meeting new
people.”
Mary smiles and continues. “I have seen that about you. Your experience with wild animals in your travels, I saw
you unafraid when typically many of them can be dangerous to humans. That will help you be more patient and
understanding, and accepting of humans who may not be so nice. And I’ve seen how you have been with other
people. Your openness and acceptance of others you have met, like L’Uni and her fairy friends will keep you
believing in the unexpected. Even when the time comes that you won’t see them or me anymore there will be quiet
memories in the back of your mind. You may not even remember what it is exactly, but there will be a special feeling
inside you. I know that is a gift from God you will always be thankful for. That brings me to the special holidays
coming up.
The first is Thanksgiving. This began centuries ago, not only in America, but also in other countries. It is for giving
thanks to God for plentiful harvests. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends over a meal together. It has
become a time to be grateful for more of God’s blessings, not only the food to nourish our bodies. Many people
give thanks for the wonderful people in their lives, for work they get paid for and the ability to pay the bills to support
themselves and others, for their health, and whatever else they are grateful for.”
Little One has been listening with great interest and says “what a wonderful celebration. I hope I will get to share
that time with people some day.”
“Oh you will Little One,” replies Mary. “You will have wonderful people come into your life, and have family of
your own. You will share your blessings with others, which in turn will give them even more to be thankful for.”
Mary continues the holiday stories. “The next and most important holiday soon after Thanksgiving, is Christmas
which is a celebration of the birth of Jesus.” She tells Little One about God giving the world his son Jesus, and Jesus
giving his life for us, and how Christmas traditions evolved, and now so commercialized.”
Little One replies “Maybe Thanksgiving is the time to thank God first for giving us Jesus, and then preparing for the
real purpose of the Christmas celebration.”
“Yes” Mary says. “I agree with you and wish everyone would feel that way. Maybe one day that will come to
pass. You are very insightful, and that will do you well in this world.”
While Mary and Little One talk, L’Uni gets up and takes a short walk along the beach.
Little One says “I think L’Uni is ready for us to get going.”
Mary agrees. “We can continue talking as we go.”
L’Uni sees Little One getting ready to go so she joins them. Of course, eagle Tom and their Dove friends go with
them, but from a distance.
As they go Mary continues telling Little One how people prepare for the upcoming holidays. During the telling she
also explains some details of things which Little One never heard of before.
“Most people in this country, America, traditionally have turkey and maybe ham, with various kinds of potatoes,
vegetables, salad, and desserts. Many people here come from other cultures in other countries, and they may
prepare foods traditional to their country.
The meal time is a big part of both these celebrations. Turkey is used most often on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Although Thanksgiving has not become commercialized since it is not a gift giving event, usually family and friends
who enjoy time on this day at someone else’s home will bring a prepared dish or dessert to share.
Christmas has become overly commercialized because it is promoted by the stores to sell products for decorations
and gifts. Sadly people have gotten so they feel obligated to get gifts for so many others who are not friends or
family. Even within families people tend to spend more than they can afford which then causes them stress
throughout the year trying to pay for it all. Many feel they have to return the gesture when someone they did not plan
on gives them a gift.
It would be so much nicer and more meaningful if people would make something as gifts to give. Or they could
create personalized gift cards for a service, something they know the other person would really appreciate.
In time many people have forgotten the true reason for the celebration of Christmas…the birth of Jesus. They spend
much of their time stressed about decorating, shopping for gifts, and if hosting on Christmas Eve or Christmas day,
worrying about meal preparations and cleaning the house.
However, as many people have lost jobs, their homes, the ability to pay bills, and feed themselves there has been a
shift in what some people now believe is truly important.
There is a trend toward remembering the true purpose of Christmas. Many people are cutting back, making some of
their gifts, simplifying their holiday plans, appreciating what they do have, especially their relationships with family and
friends.
It is a lovely time when families and friends attend their church celebration of Jesus’ birthday, then at home sharing a
meal and opening their gifts.”
Little One has been listening with much interest. “It sounds like a lovely holiday; at least when remembering the
purpose and keeping the celebrations simple. I look forward to experiencing it some day.”
“Yes it is a wonderful and very special holiday” says Mary.
While Mary has been telling this story to Little One, Eagle Tom, and the doves Peace and Love have taken off on
their own. L’Uni is a little ahead of Little One and Mary.
It is now late afternoon. They decide to stop for a while. They realize they seem to be coming to the end of this
beach. There are huge rocks up ahead. They notice L’Uni walking around them. So they follow her and find on
the other side an opening. They go in to see what is there. It is a smallish cave. The opening is big enough so the
current location of the sun in the sky shines its light into the cave. It is quiet and rather comfortable inside.
In one corner there is a tiny pool of water which comes from a small trickle out of a wee crack in the wall. It is
fresh water. Little One realizes she is thirsty so she cups her hand to get the water which she drinks. She steps into
the little pool and feels the water is a comfortable temperature. “Oh, this feels good. And I can wash myself with
the little cloth Martha put in my pack” she says.
Mary smiles and nods a yes as she says “I think this is where L’Uni plans for us to stay tonight.”
“I think so too” says Little One. “It almost reminds me of the one we stayed in the last night before we started our
new journey along the beach where we saw the three people who had been in an accident, and before we met
Martha and Kelly. It was a lovely cave.”
They know their feathered friends will join them again later. So here they stay. Little One has food to snack on and
the water to drink. They talk while they rest.
Now that the stars are out and Little One has grown tired it is time to sleep.
As she sleeps she has a magnificent dream about a Thanksgiving celebration and a Christmas with some wonderful
people she has yet to meet.
“Little One ~ A New Beginning.” A couple years ago I decided it was time she learn about two important
holidays.
So I wrote the first as a short story “Little One learns about Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Last year I
wrote the other as a short story “Little One’s First Christmas.” Both of these will be part of book 2 when
finished.
I hope you enjoy the first one, shared here in Sketch Notes.
Little One’s Stories
by Ann Marquette
Little One Learns about Thanksgiving and Christmas…
Written November 2009. This will be part of book 2 in the adventures and journeys of Little One
Little One and her companions are silent as they begin the next part of their journey. Each is in their own thoughts of
what has happened during this last part of their journey, and wondering what’s next.
It is still early morning and the sun has not been up long enough to warm the day. Since it is still a wee bit cool Little
One is wearing the long pants, a little t-shirt and the sweater Martha had given her. She is not wearing the shoes
because she loves the feel of the sand on her feet.
L’Uni walks alongside of Little One while their flying companions go on ahead, yet sometimes circle back as if to
check on the others.
Little One is quiet in her own thoughts. She feels sad having left Martha and Kelly, but knows it is time to move on.
Although she wonders what will happen next she decides she does not want to think about it…only take one day at
a time.
She walks on slowly. Sometimes shuffling her feet in the sand as she goes, occasionally walking backwards to see
where she has come from. Then she stops for a moment. Although she no longer sees the place where Martha
lives, she thinks about her, wondering how she is and what she is doing. Maybe she is getting ready for her family to
arrive for their visit.
As they continue along this stretch of beach, her friends are nearby, but quiet. They know Little One has much on
her mind and heart. It has been a couple of hours since they left Martha and Kelly. Little One notices a huge piece
of driftwood on the beach near the water and decides to sit for a bit. L’Uni, Angel Mary and their feathered friends
rest nearby.
Little One is thanking God for the blessings in her life ….
After awhile Little One takes a snack from her back pack and eats with a smile in her heart for Martha’s gift.
Angel Mary decides now is a good time to talk to her about life in the world…how it is in this time, this century. She
wants to tell her about the upcoming holidays and what people do in the communities, the cities across America.
“Little One, I want to tell you about two special holidays coming up soon.”
Little One asks “What is a holiday?”
“Holidays are yearly celebrations of special events which happened long ago. There are some which are only
celebrated in some countries” Mary explains.
Little One looks confused, maybe just thoughtful.
“What is it Little One” Mary asks.
“What are countries?” asks Little One.
Mary laughs. “Oh my dear child, you have much to learn.”
Little One’s face lights up with eyes big and bright, she says “I really like to learn new things and I like meeting new
people.”
Mary smiles and continues. “I have seen that about you. Your experience with wild animals in your travels, I saw
you unafraid when typically many of them can be dangerous to humans. That will help you be more patient and
understanding, and accepting of humans who may not be so nice. And I’ve seen how you have been with other
people. Your openness and acceptance of others you have met, like L’Uni and her fairy friends will keep you
believing in the unexpected. Even when the time comes that you won’t see them or me anymore there will be quiet
memories in the back of your mind. You may not even remember what it is exactly, but there will be a special feeling
inside you. I know that is a gift from God you will always be thankful for. That brings me to the special holidays
coming up.
The first is Thanksgiving. This began centuries ago, not only in America, but also in other countries. It is for giving
thanks to God for plentiful harvests. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends over a meal together. It has
become a time to be grateful for more of God’s blessings, not only the food to nourish our bodies. Many people
give thanks for the wonderful people in their lives, for work they get paid for and the ability to pay the bills to support
themselves and others, for their health, and whatever else they are grateful for.”
Little One has been listening with great interest and says “what a wonderful celebration. I hope I will get to share
that time with people some day.”
“Oh you will Little One,” replies Mary. “You will have wonderful people come into your life, and have family of
your own. You will share your blessings with others, which in turn will give them even more to be thankful for.”
Mary continues the holiday stories. “The next and most important holiday soon after Thanksgiving, is Christmas
which is a celebration of the birth of Jesus.” She tells Little One about God giving the world his son Jesus, and Jesus
giving his life for us, and how Christmas traditions evolved, and now so commercialized.”
Little One replies “Maybe Thanksgiving is the time to thank God first for giving us Jesus, and then preparing for the
real purpose of the Christmas celebration.”
“Yes” Mary says. “I agree with you and wish everyone would feel that way. Maybe one day that will come to
pass. You are very insightful, and that will do you well in this world.”
While Mary and Little One talk, L’Uni gets up and takes a short walk along the beach.
Little One says “I think L’Uni is ready for us to get going.”
Mary agrees. “We can continue talking as we go.”
L’Uni sees Little One getting ready to go so she joins them. Of course, eagle Tom and their Dove friends go with
them, but from a distance.
As they go Mary continues telling Little One how people prepare for the upcoming holidays. During the telling she
also explains some details of things which Little One never heard of before.
“Most people in this country, America, traditionally have turkey and maybe ham, with various kinds of potatoes,
vegetables, salad, and desserts. Many people here come from other cultures in other countries, and they may
prepare foods traditional to their country.
The meal time is a big part of both these celebrations. Turkey is used most often on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Although Thanksgiving has not become commercialized since it is not a gift giving event, usually family and friends
who enjoy time on this day at someone else’s home will bring a prepared dish or dessert to share.
Christmas has become overly commercialized because it is promoted by the stores to sell products for decorations
and gifts. Sadly people have gotten so they feel obligated to get gifts for so many others who are not friends or
family. Even within families people tend to spend more than they can afford which then causes them stress
throughout the year trying to pay for it all. Many feel they have to return the gesture when someone they did not plan
on gives them a gift.
It would be so much nicer and more meaningful if people would make something as gifts to give. Or they could
create personalized gift cards for a service, something they know the other person would really appreciate.
In time many people have forgotten the true reason for the celebration of Christmas…the birth of Jesus. They spend
much of their time stressed about decorating, shopping for gifts, and if hosting on Christmas Eve or Christmas day,
worrying about meal preparations and cleaning the house.
However, as many people have lost jobs, their homes, the ability to pay bills, and feed themselves there has been a
shift in what some people now believe is truly important.
There is a trend toward remembering the true purpose of Christmas. Many people are cutting back, making some of
their gifts, simplifying their holiday plans, appreciating what they do have, especially their relationships with family and
friends.
It is a lovely time when families and friends attend their church celebration of Jesus’ birthday, then at home sharing a
meal and opening their gifts.”
Little One has been listening with much interest. “It sounds like a lovely holiday; at least when remembering the
purpose and keeping the celebrations simple. I look forward to experiencing it some day.”
“Yes it is a wonderful and very special holiday” says Mary.
While Mary has been telling this story to Little One, Eagle Tom, and the doves Peace and Love have taken off on
their own. L’Uni is a little ahead of Little One and Mary.
It is now late afternoon. They decide to stop for a while. They realize they seem to be coming to the end of this
beach. There are huge rocks up ahead. They notice L’Uni walking around them. So they follow her and find on
the other side an opening. They go in to see what is there. It is a smallish cave. The opening is big enough so the
current location of the sun in the sky shines its light into the cave. It is quiet and rather comfortable inside.
In one corner there is a tiny pool of water which comes from a small trickle out of a wee crack in the wall. It is
fresh water. Little One realizes she is thirsty so she cups her hand to get the water which she drinks. She steps into
the little pool and feels the water is a comfortable temperature. “Oh, this feels good. And I can wash myself with
the little cloth Martha put in my pack” she says.
Mary smiles and nods a yes as she says “I think this is where L’Uni plans for us to stay tonight.”
“I think so too” says Little One. “It almost reminds me of the one we stayed in the last night before we started our
new journey along the beach where we saw the three people who had been in an accident, and before we met
Martha and Kelly. It was a lovely cave.”
They know their feathered friends will join them again later. So here they stay. Little One has food to snack on and
the water to drink. They talk while they rest.
Now that the stars are out and Little One has grown tired it is time to sleep.
As she sleeps she has a magnificent dream about a Thanksgiving celebration and a Christmas with some wonderful
people she has yet to meet.
How to Have Happier Holidays!
by Tina B. Tessina Ph.D., L.M.F.T.
Richard and I just indulged in our favorite December tradition—we watched our favorite Christmas
movie (Scrooge! the musical starring Albert Finney) which kick-starts our holiday spirit every year. No
matter what you observe: Ramadan, Kwaanza, Chanukah, Solstice or Christmas, this is a celebratory
time of year. For some it's a joy, for others a nightmare, and pressure to spend too much, eat too much,
and socialize in ways you don't like. If your Holiday expectations are out of line with what you can really
accomplish, you'll be stressed. Holidays can be the best of times and the worst of times. Holiday rituals,
thoughtfully done, can be a source of bonding and strength.
To de-stress the holidays, get intentional about them. Happier holidays require three things: 1) lighten up
on expectations, 2) ask for help, and 3) understand what other people are thinking. To lighten up
expectations, understand that this is your real life, not a picture-book experience. Family or friends may
squabble, food may not turn out perfect, and gifts may not go over as well as people hope. A sense of
humor will help lighten up the whole thing. Think of yourself as a holiday trouble-shooter, rather than a
designer of perfect scenarios. Find out what’s really important to yourself, your guests and your family,
and pare your celebration down to the important things. Focus less on spending money or decorating,
and more on spending time with those you love.
Ask for help by getting other people engaged in the happenings, and sharing the work. You'll find that a
lot of camaraderie comes out of working together, and a lot of the holiday fun will happen behind the
scenes as you work with others to get ready. Your family and friends will feel more a part of the
celebration if they actually create part of it.
Understand what people are thinking by talking of events in advance with your spouse, your children, or
other members of your family and friends. Ask them what they like most, and least, and what they hope
will happen. If you know the “hidden agendas” you'll be less surprised when they show up. Once you’
ve made your holiday easier and less stressful, you have room to add more meaning. Encourage family
members to talk about what's meaningful to them, or their favorite holiday memories. If your holiday is
Christmas, for example: Invite each person at your celebration to choose or bring favorite ornament for
the tree, and ask them to tell why it's meaningful to them. Spend a moment after Christmas dinner asking
the oldest member present to share his or her memories of Christmas past. Gather around the tree and
read a favorite Christmas story. Or, read a few pages of a longer work, like Dickens’ A Christmas
Carol, or O. Henry’sGift of the Magi aloud every night leading up to Christmas.
Adapted from It Ends With You © 2004 Tina B. Tessina
Eight Balls and Fuzzy Dice
By: Felix L. Perry
Three on the tree and a set of fuzzy dice
Crumpled pack of cigs rolled in shirt cuff
Mickey of rum hidden in the glove box
Man we thought we were all so tough
Long black comb always kept close by
Spearmint gum just before a kiss
Behind the school house after a dance
Second base if she filled your wish
A dollar’s worth of gas on a Friday night
Would take you anywhere you had to go
A bonfire party out at Silver Sands beach
Or to see James Dean at the drive -in show
Respect your elders and stand up straight
At least when older folks were in sight
Work your ass off in a factory all day
Then run the streets in my Chevy all night
It was still hip to praise our heroes
Who’d come back from winning a war
A bucket of KFC was deep-fried in fat
And we really know that we were poor
Now I look back and truly wonder
How we made it through those years
But we survived some how to get here
Through the laughter, aches and tears…
By: Felix L. Perry
Three on the tree and a set of fuzzy dice
Crumpled pack of cigs rolled in shirt cuff
Mickey of rum hidden in the glove box
Man we thought we were all so tough
Long black comb always kept close by
Spearmint gum just before a kiss
Behind the school house after a dance
Second base if she filled your wish
A dollar’s worth of gas on a Friday night
Would take you anywhere you had to go
A bonfire party out at Silver Sands beach
Or to see James Dean at the drive -in show
Respect your elders and stand up straight
At least when older folks were in sight
Work your ass off in a factory all day
Then run the streets in my Chevy all night
It was still hip to praise our heroes
Who’d come back from winning a war
A bucket of KFC was deep-fried in fat
And we really know that we were poor
Now I look back and truly wonder
How we made it through those years
But we survived some how to get here
Through the laughter, aches and tears…
| Note: All of these original writings are copyrighted, belong to those who created them, and should not be used in any way without their permission. |
Define Do
by Phyllis Jean Greene
What does poetry do? What good
would it be to own a magic wand?
What good is a sunset? Moonglow,
a star, a raindrop, a waterfall? What
makes our breath catch at the sight
of the Milky Way frothing a deep navy
sky? Why bother to ooh and ah
at a baby discovering its tiny, dimpled
hands, or try to make sense of loss
by taking tears and sighs and weaving
them, warp and woof, into stanzas?
Of course, we could always spend
the time and energy trashing each other
and our surround. Throw a fence
around
language and let robots do the talking.
Program them to ignore frivolity. Long,
Dickensian sentences, dialects, idioms,
sweet-talk, all that raz-ma-taz.
Paintings. Statues. Songs. Poems.
Who needs them? Let an idle idea
loose, helps other escape. Need to
duct-tape the air-heads who create art
to space capsules and fire them to
whatever crazy, mixed-up galaxy
they came from!
What does poetry do, indeed. Next
you’ll be asking what we have done
for poetry.
Saying art is important.
(c) Phyllis Jean Green
The Watcher
By Phyllis Jean Green
An apparition rises a lump at a time, like dough
struggling to overcome the careless measurements
of a baker who has been guzzling the beer intended
for beer bread. Fudged on the yeast, or let it go bad.
Rising, the apparition takes on the general shape
of a human. Height --even stooped-- and the amount
of grizzle, say it is a man. The coat that’s wearing
him looks like it was custom-made for a Wall Street
pirate, arms runner, or jetting tycoon, then run over
by an eighteen-wheeler during a rainstorm.
Things hang from it that are not made of cashmere.
Things hang from the hair that reaches halfway down
the back of the coat. Grey as London fog. Everything
in this alley is. Sunlight can’t go through walls.
The man suddenly sinks to the pavement and
goes back to being a ghost. Like he was never
here. Never had a name or an address. Never
had friends and a family and a job. Been defaced,
then eraced, The End. And, the person watching
thinks, I am not him. He is not me.
And the apparition closes its eyes and thinks,
He thinks I am not him. He thinks he is not me.
And the watcher moves on.
The woman sleeping against a door marked Do not Enter
is next. She is bundled in so many clothes, takes several
looks to see there’s a person inside. Clothes are faded
and ragged, but clean. How does she keep them that way?
flits through the watcher’s mind. She is almost bald.
Did she have chemo or it is malnutrition? How can she sleep
twisted in a knot? How does she walk in those shoes?
Is someone looking for her? Does someone haunt areas
like this and show a photo of a smiling couple and two
smiling children and say, Look at the woman in this picture.
Ever see her? Are you sure? She is a little older. She
may not look like herself. Look again. I keep calling out
her name and getting no answer. She was good. Then she lost. . .
you’re not listening! Somebody has to listen!!
And the person watching thinks, I am not her.
She is not me.
I am not any of these people. They are not any of me.
And the lost woman thinks, I am you. I am you.
I am you and you and you and you.
You are ME.
