THANK YOU TO OUR TROOPS

In Honour of Veterans Day, We offer up this Greeting to Active Military personnel who are someplace other than home – deployed and, maybe, far from their loved ones, to serve the rest of us in ways most of us will never understand, or appreciate.  Safe Journey and Good Fortune — and God Bless.

Thank You, Thank You THANK YOU !!

On the slopes surrounding Bunker Hill,

In the skies above Japan;

On the rolling hills of Gettysburg

And the scorched Sahara’s sand;

On ships that move across the broad expanse of ocean wave,

On horses, tanks and Jeeps go our protectors true and brave.

From the soldiers and the seamen

To the men who wear the bars,

From the cooks and clerks and nurses

To the ones who wear the stars –

Each one of you has given some, and some have given all

To keep our flag unfurled and proud, and never let it fall.

To Those of You we greet today –

Please know that while you’re there

We hold you in our hearts and thoughts –

and offer up our prayer

For you and all your families, and for your safe return.

Our Thanks to Each of You for helping Freedom’s Candle Burn.

Thanks to our Troops

In Honour of Memorial Day, We offer up this Greeting to Active Military personnel who are someplace other than home – deployed and, maybe, far from their loved ones, to serve the rest of us in ways most of us will never understand, or appreciate.  Safe Journey and Good Fortune — and God Bless.

Thank You, Thank You THANK YOU !!

On the slopes surrounding Bunker Hill,

In the skies above Japan;

On the rolling hills of Gettysburg

And the scorched Sahara’s sand;

On ships that move across the broad expanse of ocean wave,

On horses, tanks and Jeeps go our protectors true and brave.

From the soldiers and the seamen

To the men who wear the bars,

From the cooks and clerks and nurses

To the ones who wear the stars –

Each one of you has given some, and some have given all

To keep our flag unfurled and proud, and never let it fall.

To Those of You we greet today –

Please know that while you’re there

We hold you in our hearts and thoughts –

and offer up our prayer

For you and all your families, and for your safe return.

Our Thanks to Each of You for helping Freedom’s Candle Burn.

CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER !!!

Greetings, All —

Here are a couple of repeats from last year – extensions/expansions of a couple more of Scott Emmons’ shorter poems.

Thank You, Scott.

The Kids, The Grandkids – and Me

They’re all counting the days until Christmas,

As sugarplums dance in their heads.

They’re all staying up later and later –

They can hardly stay tucked in their beds!

They’ve been working on “Wish Lists” since August

And the lists will get longer each week.

Two new padlocks protect the Guest Bedroom

To make sure that no kid can “Sneak Peak”.

They’ve rigged up a sleigh just like Santa’s

With the hope of – just maybe? – some snow.

To provide “Reindeer Power” to move it

They’ll just hitch up the Beagle and GO !!

I know that they’re all looking forward

To the presents, the food and the fun.

They’re all counting the days until Christmas!!

Me?

I’m just counting the days ‘til it’s done.

Miss Perfect

My down-the-street neighbor’s a Christmas sensation.

Her energy level is high on the chart.

I wish I could be her ! I wish I could do it !

(The truth is I really am not all that smart.)

Her cards are mailed out by the first of November.

She’s done with her shopping by September One.

Her lighting display starts the night of Thanksgiving

(and no one can tell when she got it all done).

She makes the most marvelous holiday cookies

(she grows her own wheat in her garden out back).

Her fruitcake is edible! Truly delicious!!

(a feat for which few normal folks have a knack!).

She makes her own candy canes, fudge, pecan shortbread,

and gingerbread houses in various styles.

She’s known for her hand-crafted Marzipan Santas –

“It wouldn’t be Christmas without them,” she smiles.

She volunteers weekly for Salvation Army

(her bell-ringer pot sets new records each time).

She sings in two choirs for neighborhood caroling

And still writes her annual Holiday Rhyme.

Her hand-woven wreaths are the neighborhood envy.

Her tree is just perfect – so green and so straight.

Her hand-painted ornaments sparkle and twinkle

And everything’s wonderful. Beautiful. Great !!

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My down-the-street neighbor won’t rest for a minute

When striving for maximum holiday cheer.

She settles for nothing but outright perfection.

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I’m tempted to spit in her eggnog this year.

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Gordon

CHRISTMAS FUN IN VERSE – PART ONE

Once again – Thanks to Scott Emmons, the Daily Rhyme, for allowing me to borrow a piece on which to build –

And you really ought to check him out.

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Maim That Tune

‘Tis the Season for Holiday Music !

You can hear it wherever you are.

The carols and more modern standards

at the mall, on the street, in your car.

BUT

 There’s one song they never stop playing –

It’s a side-splitting, knee-slapping zinger

‘Bout a reindeer that ran over Grandma.

—

I just wish he had aimed at the singer.

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Fashion Foe Paws

I guess the Season is to blame –

at least that’s what the guilty claim.

I’ve seen them – I know you have, too –

those folks who seem to have no clue.

Their sense of Self is flying high

as the hairy Elf who walks close by

embarrassed, surely, by the clothes

and shoes and hat his owner chose.

So —

You who dress your dogs and cats

in cutesy coats and Santa hats –

Please give me just a little clue…

Whatever did Fluffy do to YOU ??

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GIFT THRIFT

With Thanks to a Friend –

Scott Emmons of The Daily Rhyme –

for allowing me to borrow and use a piece of his work to make a longer one.

Gift Thrift

 This Season can bring so much Joy

to most of those I know –

The lights, the carols and

the chance of just a little snow!

 The fun of shopping, trying to find

that special, perfect gift

For those we love (and some we don’t?)

Gives every heart a lift. 

We try to be as careful as we can,

but I will bet

That each of us will have a bill or two

that we regret.

 SO

 For saving cash at Christmastime

I have a special knack —

 When someone says “You shouldn’t have!!”

I take my present back!

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

A Holiday Wish For You

So, Halloween has come and gone –

The kids took all the candy

And we’ve taken ghosts and goblins from their places.

We took a break – a short respite –

Before we started prepping

For the season sure to make for smiling faces.

Thanksgiving was a Special Day –

(It’s hard to really tell, though,

‘Cause already all the Christmas stuff is here.

Poor Turkey Day gets pulled up short…

It’s hard to get into it

When that Other Holiday is come so near!

So let’s take a minute, slow it down –

And take a quiet look around

At all the things that make our lives worth living.

We see our Families, our Friends,

We see the Blessings with no end —

Then surely – Every Day can be Thanks Giving.

Now – Christmas Time is coming

And it’s time to start the shopping

And get ready to put lights up on the gutters.

We put up the tree this weekend,

Now my wife will decorate –

And by next Monday I will be completely nutters!!

I’m offering this poem now,

The first one of the season,

With the Hope that this next month won’t go too fast –

May your shopping not be stressful,

May your families be at peace –

And may you build a million memories to last.

Happy (coming) Holidays.

Gordon

Please do feel free to pass this on to as many others as you wish –

Anybody and everybody both here and away –

Send it out into the wide world !!

Vote…?? VOTE !!!

Because my bosses know that I do such things, one of them asked me a couple days ago to put together something for distribution today.

Vote…??  GO VOTE !!

Ten score and forty years ago

Our Fathers started talking and

Decided it was time to make a change.

They didn’t like the way things were

And thought things could be better (and

They thought King George was acting rather strange).

 

They wrote a Declaration –

The foundation of a Nation

Soon to come into existence on these shores.

But King George didn’t like it much –

He thought he’d nip it in the bud –

So came the first of this new Nation’s wars.

 

And when the fighting ended

And we bid the King “Farewell”

We had to figure out exactly who we were.

Did we want another Monarchy?

Republic?  A Democracy?

“Decisions must be made now – Let’s confer !!”

 

So our Fathers got together and

They argued and they fought, but

In the end they made a document of note —

And what we call our Constitution

Gives to all of us the privilege –

And more than that, the Right – to cast our vote.

 

Today’s the day this year to make

Our wishes known to those “in charge” —

To tell them some of where we want to go.

We have the chance to make some change –

Or not, that’s strictly up to you –

But each of us should try to let them know.

 

So now I urge you – Each and All –

To take advantage of this right

And privilege.  Put action to your voice !!

Take time – go find your polling place

And cast your vote – and breathe a word

Of Thanks that we all truly have this choice.

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Vote…! !  GO VOTE ! !

LOOK OUT, BIG SISTER – HERE I COME !!!

One of our granddaughters is about to hit the two-year mark – and just a few weeks after that event she will help welcome a little sister into the house.  I figure her world is about to be up-turned, big time — so I wanted to channel a little reassurance from the soon-to-be to the already is..

To My Big Sister

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 For two long years you’ve been the joy of Mom’s and Daddy’s life.

They’ve loved you and they’ve cared for you,

And though there’s been some strife,

They’ve tried to teach you how to be a perfect little girl –

But Look Out, Sister!  Here I Come to set your life a-whirl !!

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Yep – Here I Come!  It won’t be long before I’m finally born –

And when they bring me home

I know your patience will be worn.

You might not like it much at first.  I’m sure you’ll wonder why

They pay so much attention to me…All I’ll do is cry!

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I’m sure they’ll like me better for a while and that’s okay –

I’ll need a lot of help and care

To make it through the day.

I know you’ll try to do your best to help take care of me

And you’ll make Mom and Daddy just as proud as they can be.

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Please hang in there, Big Sister – I won’t always be so small

And I will need your help

To draw some pictures on the wall,

And you will have to teach me how to be the “perfect child”

(while we push Mommy’s ‘buttons’ and we drive our Daddy wild!!)

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I’m sure you’ll love me lots and that you’ll always let me know

That you’re The Best Big Sister In The World !!

And as we grow

We’ll fuss, and fight, but in the end we’ll always make amends,

And pray that God will help us be the Very Best of Friends !!

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Here I Come, Big Sister !!  I LOVE YOU ALREADY!!

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 Channeled and Translated by Grumpas.

And LIFE GOES ON !!

 LIFE GOES ON !!

As we grow up, and older, and

We let our childhood fly

We have our dreams, and plans – we have our wishes piled up high.

We give a lot of thought for what tomorrow’s going to bring —

“I’ll be a doctor.”  “I’ll be rich.”

“And me?  I’ll be your King!”

We leave the playground, add some years,

Make new friends all around –

The FUTURE waits ahead and possibilities abound !

We spend our high school days, and then our college years as well,

In trying to determine things

That only Time will tell.

I didn’t understand it then

And, somehow, still don’t know

How time can often pass on by with nothing left to show.

I tried, and still try, very hard to do some good each day,

But all too often I have let

The chances slip away.

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My baby sister had a baby

Several years ago.

Just “several”?  More like twenty-five, and we have watched her grow

From little girl to college kid – then on to be a wife

Who, with her husband, started making

Plans to make their life.

And now my baby sister’s baby

Has a baby, too –

And some of my own kids have joined the game and had a few.

When did this happen?  How did all these little ones get grown

And go to school and marry and

Have children of their own?

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How did I get to be the age

My Grandpa used to be?

The man was ancient – OLD, I tell you — that was plain to see !!

What hair he had was gone to grey – his back, once straight, was bent.

And he could look back on a life

He prayed had been well-spent.

My mirror tells a story I find

Too hard to believe.

My mind tells me I’m thirty-five, with aces up my sleeve,

And all the time I’ll need to give the world my very best —

Then looking at that looking-glass

Will put those thoughts to rest.

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God has His own concept of Time –

It’s not the same as mine.

I think I’ll have forever ‘til I reach the finish line.

But, no – He’ll tell me when I’m done, and when I’ll take my rest –

So until then I’ll give my all

And  give the world my best.

***

gordon

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I would rather be ashes than dust!

I would rather that my spark

should burn out in a brilliant blaze

than it should be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor,

every atom of me in magnificent glow,

than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live,

not to exist.

I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

*****

Jack London

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A Treat for Break Time

Every once in a while, one of the members of my work team will bring some goodies to share.

My turn today – and I put this note out to the team to let them know.

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A Treat for Break Time

On Monday nights my wife takes off and goes out grocery shopping

And leaves me home to mow, or iron – the chore list keeps me hopping!

I’ll feed the dogs, and maybe watch TV or read a book –

But sometimes (often lately !) I JUST FEEL A NEED TO COOK !!

I’ve had my dinner, so I look around for something more.

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Bananas sitting in the basket looking pretty sad –

Another day or so we’ll have to pitch ‘em – and that’s bad !!

 I get the mixer from the shelf – I grab the eggs and flour

And lemon juice and walnutz – and in only half-an-hour

I’m finished and the loaf pans rest behind the oven door.

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My kitchen smells just loverly – my stomach starts to growling.

The Beagle even likes it !!  (Well, at least she’s stopped her howling.)

 Banana-Nutz Bread at my desk – six little loaves to share

If someone wants to cut them up and lay them out somewhere.

Please, come get some –

and if you do, next week I might make more.

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