New Year

another holiday come and gone
a new year just around the bend

when we can start fresh and pawn
away all our bad thoughts and send

new wishes for a New Year
full of love and happiness

we look ahead without the fear
of regret and focus on new success

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holiday

whatever way
you want to
cheer

whatever way
you like to
hear

I want to
say to you
today

Merry Christmas
and/or
Happy Holiday!

tis the season

it's almost time
it's almost here
everywhere you look
you know it's near

the sounds
the sights
the parties
the blinking lights

all come together
in a joyous climax
to celebrate and
enjoy, if we
could only relax

it should be a time
for family, friends,
and fun, a time
for faith and love
and all the season sends

take a moment to stop
and look; think back
to when you were young
and longed to see in Santa's sack

then remember what it should be,
and what you can make it into
now for those who are in your life
and keep it forever true

cable's out

cable's out
and for us
that means
still no internet

we don't have
cable phone
nor cable tv
only one cable outlet

and for us
it's the computer-
where we spend tons
of time each day

and so for now
we cannot
access it
nor know when we will-
at least we aren't having to pay

but that is only
a small consolation
for the day to day
frustration we find
when we try to work, shop and play

it's amazing what all we
do online each day
and we wish it would
get resolved and with Comcast we'd stay

the new scrooge

it's time to hang the lights

in years past it's been a fight

dad says no, not now, (he's a scrooge)

and daughter says yes, make it huge

and bright and fill the yard too

with lots of decorations to see

and then let's get inside to do the tree

but this year she has said "whatever"

to all the plans and waiting on the weather

so this is a new phase we will enter

I wonder if she'll be as scroogy next winter

Dr. Seuss Fights a War

I'd never heard of
the political side of Seuss
I knew he drew and
played with words
but I had no idea that
he put those ideals
into furthering an agenda

so when I learned today
of his role in
providing propaganda
to stir up America
and get her involved
in World War II
I had to check out the data

He indeed did post
over 400 comics
and encouraged Americans
to get involved in
ways as individuals
and not to just bury their
head like an ostrich

I find this exhibit
interesting; one that can
inspire many people
still today
and seeing this side
of Seuss only makes
his work more rich

thanksgiving

the smell of bread is in the air
both cranberry and ginger make quite a pair
I can't wait for the pumpkin pie too
and the turkey, gravy, potatoes-to name a few
yes tomorrow will be a feast day
we'll eat and eat and then we'll lay
around for a while to let it rest
then we'll watch a game (or two) while the food digests
perhaps we'll even make it our claim
to get and play our own ball game
it will be a great day over all
when we stop and give thanks this fall

caramel apples

caramel apples
what a treat
not much that
can beat
this sticky snack
full of flavor and so sweet
we love to dip
the apple slices
and know that it might
be great over vanilla ices
it is so easy
to mix it up
there is rarely
any left in the cup

wondering

sitting here by day
wondering just where to go
and yet here I stay
because I really just don't know
where to turn or what to do
wondering just what, why, how
and even sometimes who
find it all so weird at times
that I don't know at all
and here I sit trying to make up rhymes
not understanding why the fall

time flies

the weekend is here
and nearly gone again
running around in circles
is driving me insane
I don't know how to get
everything done
and before I know it
the weekend is gone
so here we go, a new
week is nearly upon me
and the same old routine
and cooking, cleaning and laundry
where the time is flying
I don't rightly know
and it seems that it is gone
before I can say so
stop for just a minute
I'll even say please
and give me a breather
to rid me of this disease

Halloween 08

Halloween night
was no real fright
and you might
even say not many in sight
lots guess money is tight
and perhaps the day grew trite
others don't celebrate, no cause to fight
but we had fun in spite
and it was all right
in my costume of Glo Stick light!

upcoming weekend

the weekend's coming
as you know
and as usual
we are on the go
first we will help
with the upcoming play
we will be there
most of today
then tomorrow though
they canceled the tri
I'll do my workout
before the day goes by
then we are off to see
Nixon and Frost
in a staged debate show
and then from there
who knows where we will go

our town

there are so many things
we don't know about
where we live

how did it get here,
how did it grow,
what did folks give

to help start it up
and to keep going
and ever since kept it growing?

the town today is nothing
more than an outgrowth of
what then was showing

seeing old buildings
and historical spots
can help instill

in us a sense of pride
and connection with those
who were here before

and seeing those names now
can tell us what was important
and mean even more

to what we do today
in our own town
and help to keep it

true to its roots,
flourishing, and filled
with community spirit

raising a kid or two

why is it so hard
to raise a kid or two

it seems that I feel like
a failure, no matter what I do

too hard, too soft, got to try
to make it balance out just right

can't let go just yet, but careful
not to hold on too tight

it seems as if just a blink has gone by
since they were so very small

and now one is at my shoulder
and the other has gotten too tall

and so they keep on growing
and I do the best I can

and hope and pray every single day
they grow into a balanced woman and man

each new day

the alarm goes off
before the sun is risen
and we begin to stir
looking at the new day's vision

what will it bring
what will it hold
is it another day like before
or will this one break the mold

each new day can be filled
with good and bad
it will see both
the happiness and the sad

but life is what you make it
as the saying goes
and just what the day holds
for you, only God above knows

after ike

there is still much to do
though the hurricane is through
and now the sky is blue
and there has been no rain for two
or more weeks. There are quite a few
projects going on that have grew
out of a need for things we once knew
as commonplace. Now the common view
is limbs, fences and shingles blown askew.
So as we clean and help others to
reclaim what they can or get something new
we see neighbors helping each other stay true
to the spirit we all knew
and know that we will all come through

traffic buildup

the traffic has really gotten bad
and it seems to be driving folks mad

with traffic lights out
and so many folks about

it is like a mad house on the streets
and where every intersection meets

a four way stop is now in place
so it is little more than a snail's pace

getting there and back again
and we don't know when that will end

yes, we are all trying to be courteous drivers
and keep our wits about us as survivors

we will be happy when it all comes back online
which may not be until Thanksgiving time

staying through the storm

we did not go
the wind did blow
we were frightened so
we tried to stay down low
everything we did safely stow
the hurricane seemed to be our foe
we have learned a lot and now we know
that even a Cat 2 storm can shake the status quo

Ike

Ike is headed for the coast
and it looks like we will soon be host

to his power, fury and rage
and his landfall will make front page

we are trying to decide whether to stay or leave
the media tries to make us believe

that there is no way to safely stay
and if we do we will surely pay

but we have stayed before and may again
we just have to prepare and have a plan

which is what we will be working on today
and then we'll see if we go or stay

so we will hoard water and canned goods
just like we know we should

we'll board up the windows nice and tight
and pray we make it through tomorrow night

keep us in your thoughts and prayers
and we'll soon let you know how we fare

tiny footprint

looking back in time
can be bittersweet

and looking ahead can
help make ends meet

knowing where you've been
and where you want to go

helps keep everything in perspective,
helps to keep an even flow

kids big and small can do the same
and often find such delight

in seeing how much they have grown
in brains, body and might

my son happened upon a tiny footprint
of his from so long ago

he had to compare where he was to see how much
room there had been to grow

all my blogs

so many blogs
and so little time

from making a list
to making a rhyme

sharing what's new
with each new day

and spending time with
family to learn and to play

finding out what I
did not know

and telling of places
I wish I could go

loving blogging
and blogging a lot

my children are
my gardening plot


making my way
through the ABC's

and sharing with you
all of these!

upward blogging

I wanted to find
a way to impress

while using a certain
theme from wordpress

I want to keep that
particular design

but have found that it's outdated,
I may have to resign

it and find a newer one
that I can fiddle with

and add what I want when I want
like a professional blog smith

once I get up and going
I think more doors will open

so I'll keep alert and
never stop hopin'

that one day my blogs
will make more money

and I think they will-
a thought sweet as honey

Christmas Shopping

I've already started
my Christmas shopping
though it's still hot

I hate waiting til
the last minute and
running around a lot

I know when I see the
perfect gift which would
make the perfect fit

no matter what the
season, I think it's better
to go ahead and purchase it

I've got books for kids
and magnet games for littler
ones, and I think the best

is the season tickets to three
great plays I got for my daughter-
she'll think it's the greatest!

New Bike

I got a new bike
I'm happy as you
can tell

the old bike was
rusty, troublesome and
would often fail

I have had problems
with the gears for
so long

that I couldn't believe
how easy it is to change them
it's like a new song

I love the red color
and the lightweight frame,
the thinner wheels

I really like the fast way
I ride and the sleek
way it feels

and best of all that
is when my husband said
I'd worked hard

and actually earned this new ride,
that I can now compete-least it's
what I'm working toward

the calm before the storm

there's a storm brewing in the Gulf
and many folks seem panicky

but we are here watching the news
and feeling like nothing out of the ordinary

yes it's a storm with lots
of wind and rain

but nothing really big-
so nothing about which to complain

we've seen much worse
and rode them out too

and after leaving before Rita
you can see why we say we are through

with running before a storm hits
and just sitting it out at home

since it's only a Cat one
and see no need to roam

hot tea on a summer afternoon

I thought it might not be good
having hot tea in summer-
but I was wrong-
it certainly was not a bummer

A friend in town
just from Scotland returned
is now hooked on afternoon
tea time and now home she yearned

to continue the tradition
she fell in love with
and needed someone who would
join her and Mrs. Smith

in serving up hot tea-
though it's nearly 100 outside
we laughed and we drank
and we snacked with great Texas pride!

Hire A Car

are you looking for
a car to hire ?
are tired of spending time
talking over the wire?

if you need a car
and need to get it quick
try hiring a car
with a simple mouse click

it's fast and it's easy,
simply fill out the form
then you will be on your way-
it may not be the norm

but it will be so much
easier than you can believe
give it a try and find
out the service you receive

there are locations worldwide
Spain, Italy, France
UK, USA and other places too
that will give you a chance

to find the perfect pick up and
drop off location too
for you to get your car
and reach your destination true.

obligatory post

another obligatory post
on this blog that I host

sometimes it gets rather old
when I don't know what should be told

but when I thought of dropping this one
I saw that it was easier said than done

It can be done, so I read
but it can be a real pain in the head

there is lots to do to erase it clean
or else some spammer will turn it to a spamming machine

and get the benefit of all the work I'd done
to try to regularly keep up with this one

so you'll just have to excuse the mundane
rhymes that you'll find here again and again

finishing my book

I am trying to finish my book
but every time I think that it looks

like I will, I just can't get it done
maybe today will be the one

day I have time to sit and read
and then hopefully will succeed

in reaching the end of the novel
and though it's far from drivel

it has not been much fun for
me; I feel like it's a chore

but when it's all said and done
I know that I'll be glad to have read this one

and then I'll know what a hero was seen
in the character of Jean Valjean

Disclosure Policy

well, wouldn't you know it
this blog too
has had no disclosure
it's whole life through

I think it's only right
I think it's only fair
to let you know that some of these posts
are paid for by a sponsor

that's right, I get paid to blog
and sometimes I do so here
but even when I am compensated
It won't only be a cheer

I'll only say what I believe
about the product, service or site
If possible I'll include what I don't
care for, or at least won't write

what I don't believe to be
some of the best it has to offer
so I'll stick to what I think
even when adding to my online coffer

there are some ads I just won't take
but there are many that I do
and so I just wanted to be sure
that before you read more, I had told you.

the new campground

the new camp ground
was better than we thought
it could be

there was a large kitchen
and air conditioning
and lots of large oak trees

there were lakes and
canoes and even the pool
was on site

which makes every thing
more fun, more easy
and seemed just right

the gym was made in the
shape of a dome, to all
the kids' delight

and had room to run and
play and even a place
for some to spend the night

I would be glad if we
could go there again
someday

I know that it will be perfect
if this is the camp
at which we'll stay

off to camp

we're leaving for camp
for nearly a week
I know that it will be good
if the good we will seek

it will be a better place
than we've been in the past
anything is better than
where we were the year last

the drive is a bit further
but it will surely be worth it
to see the nice new campground
I think it will be a hit

so off we go,
we'll be back soon
but not before
the end of June

Saturday

spending the day
at the lake
was really great
and fun to take

a little break
from all the rush
and to partake
of the peace

that was brought about
by being together
despite the early morning pout
and the weather

did cooperate
for almost the whole day
instead of trying to wait
for the rain to go away

we just simply descended
to the depth below
we heard no thunder or we'd have ended
we're glad since we weren't ready to go

but when we did finally pack
up and leave
the wind and rain did smack
but we soon found reprieve

we drove through the storm
rather quickly we found
and we were glad to reach home
safe and sound

a little quiet

sitting here
at the end of the
frenzied day

with just a little
peace and quiet
at hand

I am not sure
just what or when
or how to say

that I do enjoy
just a little silence
I think you understand

at a loss

stuck in the store
due to the rain
I just kept putting more
in my basket again

I finally found
a packet of umbrellas
although I was told "no"
when I asked the first fella

if they sold them inside
but he must not have known
luckily there was a lady who did know
by her I was shown

so then I headed back home
to get out of the rain
but was not able to come
down the regular lane

that leads to my house
as it was flooded
and I think it was doused
because of the mudded

up areas created by
what is being called
progress by some
but only caused many to be stalled

there is so much that
is being affected
by those who wear the hat
of those who've been elected

to be in charge of our
fair city and it's
many changes that are
being implemented, and we have so little power

to put a brake on all the mess
that is created by the elite
and so we end up with the anger and the stress
and often feel defeat

when it comes to asking for
a slow down on the sweep
that is cruising by the hour
taking in all that dares to peep

Ice Breakers!

Want a way
to cool off
after a long day?

This coming Saturday
our church is
having a play day.

You can come and stay
or you can get your
treat and drive away

It doesn't matter either way
Just be sure to
come by that day

Snow cones are the fa-
vorite treat on
this Saturday

and the best thing I can say
is that you will not
even have to pay!

end of an era

an era is coming to and end
and I don't know how I feel
about it at all

my youngest child is now
entering into junior high
and I just may bawl

she is going to be in the youth group
with kids up through twelfth grade
I just want to stall

her growing up too fast
and hanging out with older kids-
though it does beat the mall.

I don't like this ad

when writing an ad
for an online post
sometimes I feel had
and just make the most

of the situation
although I may
rather not station
myself alongside what I say

at times it can be
a little difficult
to write on a touchy
item that seems too adult

for my little website
and I just don't know
exactly what to write
and it seems rather slow

I wish that I could pick
and choose each little ad
some I'd rather just kick
even if it's not considered "bad"

family scuba diving class

a new sensation-
breathing underwater-
I am still not sure
just how I feel
about it all-
but I know it
will make an
awesome family vacation

seeing the next generation
swimming around me
passing their skills
like nobody’s
business
is an astounding
thing for me to watch-
and makes me feel admiration

Me and my relation
are hopeful we’ll soon be
Together on a
Wonderful trip
Enjoying the beauty
Of the world
Rarely seen underwater-
It’s a fascinating creation

slow day

what to say
when there's
nothing to say

when it's a
rather (thankfully)
boring day

I am thankful
and can hope it
will stay

though I have
my doubts and
know the way

that things
become crazy
right away

I'm sure in no time
at all I'll be
too busy to play

Scuba Diving

Breathing while under water
is a wild proposition
And actually doing it puts me
in a crazy position.

Swimming in a pool
is fun, but not as much
fun as when we get to
places such

as the ocean. There
we will see
life in a whole new
view; makes me want to be

"away from it all"
where I can have
no television, no radio
no friends, not even a call.

Realizing it's me and the kids
who are diving
is a feat that I think
is worth high-fiving!

twelve

My daughter is twelve now
I just don't know how
it is already upon us
Where did it all go?

One thing I do know
Is that it is time to show
her just what she means to us
Before it's time for her to go.

Though she is still the same
girl with the same face and name
there is so much different now
And I wonder where did she go?

It is not long until I see
Her leaving without me
And I know that I'll be
proud when it's her time to go.

Disney-fied

standing in line
for each ride
has left our
family Disney-fied

we love the parks
and each attraction
they put on such a show
and provide satisfaction

each ride is a show
unto itself
they really go all out
to make sure it's top shelf

I think my favorite is
still Peter Pan
though I have to say
I do love Splash Mountain

there is so much to see
and so much to do
it seems that even spending
all day, you never get through

burial ground of the dragon king

seeing the soldiers
lined up in their rows
protecting their king
who died long ago

the outer line
facing out toward the foe
shows just how far
this emperor would go

to protect himself
even in death
and built the 6000
hollow men to guard his dying breath

the hill filled
with mercury flowing rivers
he kept out trespassers
even today he delivers

his enemies a blow
keeping them from
removing his
supposedly immortal soul

dead head

lead
in my head-
thoughts are dead
I feel only the dread
of staring at a blank unfed
slate of white; unresponsive, unattended,
unyielding to the thoughts I've since led
to the stark page; All I sense is left unsaid
as it floats around the nameless space half-bred.
I'm floating here myself, I can do nothing but tread
the empty space of the unyielding page, an endless thread
which has left me dry as a turnip that has been pressed and bled
too many thoughts come to those who are established and well-read
but to those who are floundering, the words and page are left unwed.

a mom's life

doing laundry
in the early hours
helping with project
picking flowers

fixing three meals
with snacks in between
making sure everyone
is washed and clean

teaching about math,
history and reading
making sure that
everyone is treating

each other the way
that they should
and making sure each is
doing the best he could

running up and down the road
in mom's taxi service-
back and forth through
traffic can make one nervous

doing all these things
may seem never ending
but one day all too soon
I know I will be fending

off tears of days gone by
remembering just how
quickly these days
did fly by

finishing the race

the race is over
it sure felt great
to finish so well
and to see my rate

the swim was murder
I could not wait
for it to end
that was the part I hate

next came the biking
which turned out to be
rather fun and I was pleased
that it was not too windy

last was the run
3.1 miles to be exact
I was thrilled when I crossed
the line, that's a fact

rhyming for the name's sake

what will it take
for me to make
a rhyme that will shake,
that won't be fake,
that will awake
the blah-ness mistake?
since this has become a near fruitcake
of a blog, a real flake
job on the uptake,
is it time to remake
this blogging cornflake?
for me it's no heartbreak
to keep rhyming just for the name's sake

A Night on The Beach

a night on the beach
I must say
I thought was out of reach
for most of this day

but as time sped on
and we headed out
I had my chores done
and time now was about

getting to sit back
relax for a bit
to watch the kids slack
it's nice to sometimes sit

at the setting of the sun
and as the moon arose
we enjoyed the surf and fun
though in the water the kids froze

images of spring: a beginning poem

images of spring: a beginning poem

spring brings yards full of
sprinklers
sprinting the drops everywhere
sprinkling
springy green grass for young feet as
springboards
sprinters run through the yard light as a
sprig


**this is just a little experiment with beginning rhymes, which I have never played with before**

hunting knives

when it comes to hunting
I've never been
but I love to eat what has
been brought back again

so before our good friend
goes out for the next hunt
I gotta make sure to let
him in on the current

specials he can find
at killerblades.com
where he can save some dough
when he makes a purchase on some

new hunting knives, he'll find
just what he needs
to get the best deal
on his next hunting steel

and if he hurries quick
he will save 40%
on all hunting knives
and to help augment

the savings,he can get
another 5% off by using
the code GENRALSALE
by March 31 this spring!

family play day

our day of play
is just what was
needed

I am so glad that
we listened and
heeded

the call from within
which in my heart
seeded

it enabled family ties
to be re-established and
breeded

new ties together
new bonds to keep
seated

within our mind's eye
and our memories
repleted

of which our lives
and memories will never be
cheated

play day

time just seems to get away
it seems there's not enough
to finish work,
much less play

so we have now planned a day
to shirk all work
leave it all behind
come what may

there comes a time we must say
take a break
it's much needed
from the work we stray

though we know there we cannot stay
we know that it will
keep us grounded
til the next play day

Terezin

those children stuck
in Terezin

most were never heard
from again

it is such a sad
thought to think

it makes my throat tight
and my heart sink

Hitler said this was his gift
to the Jews

but now we know that was nothing
but a ruse

to fool the world
to make it seem

that things were better
we would never dream

of the reality they
had to endure

and of this one thing can
we ever be sure

will it never happen
this way again?

only we can choose to keep free
all men

writing in rhyme

I never knew how to
make a rhyme

I thought it just came to you
in due time

but trying to write in verse
each post

has not been as easy as
I thought at first

there are times when I just
draw a blank

there are times when
the rhyme just stank

I read some advice from a
known poet

his says not to force a rhyme
but you know it

here I am writing again today
forcing a rhyme all of the way

preparing for a triathlon

I have got to learn to swim-
and fast!

I've only got six weeks before
the blast

we are going to swim, bike
and run

we hope the day is full of
warm sun

we will take off together, but
I'm sure

they will leave me behind in
a blur

doing the tri together
seems fun

we'll see how we feel when
we're done!

the year of the rat

chinese new year is
here again
the zodiac tells me it
is the year of the rat

so soon we will feast upon
the fish and the rice
and watch the dragon dance
and wish to grow fat

with all prosperity,
longevity and luck,
so we place the lucky signs
and the welcome mat

we bring our host oranges
and don't forget the red packs
for the little ones
who will ask "what's that?"

and soon we will tell them
the story of the big race
and how the cycle has brought
us back to the winner-the rat

laundry

mountains one yard wide
lying atop my bed
keeping up with laundry
causes buzzing in my head

it is never finished
will I ever catch up?
as soon as one load's done
there's another pileup

it is never enough
no matter how often I run
the washer; I can never
truly say I'm done

one mound leads to another
they keep tossing more stuff in
and then it needs to be folded-
oh will it never end?

as for putting it all away-
it may or may not make it-
when it's time to get dressed,
they just take it from the basket

is it already time?

is it already time
for another little rhyme?
why did I create this hill to climb?
why didn't I do mime?
there is nothing sublime
about this little pastime
though I may have thought it onetime
to be a way to pass the meantime
as for now I think I will merely chime
to pass on the words that are prime;
I'll continue to use it in my downtime

a swirl of ideas

a swirl of ideas
but nothing to say

I guess that it often
is just this way

inside my head
could be a book

a poem, even a song?,
I'll take a look

and see what I can grab
from the words floating through

and then when I'm done
perhaps I'll share them with you

growing up

my kids have all grown up
or some days so it seems
and it won't be that long
til they fly off on open wings

there are times when I just
can't believe how they've grown
and when I see how they've handled
certain issues I'm blown

away by the fact that they
did it so well
and where did it come from
I just cannot tell

but I know that deep down inside
each of them resides the stuff
that will help them survive
when the going gets rough

and watching them change and
grow each passing day
is such bittersweet joy
I hardly know what to say

another year

another year is over
I can't believe it has passed
where did the time go?
it has all gone by so fast

I look around me to see
all that has changed in a wink
I can't comprehend how it
seems to have been over in a blink

I guess it's true
as the old saying goes
time really does pass faster
and this year it really shows

I guess that for now
I will have to be content
to think that time is passing
by-and I just wonder where it went