Aunt Lollie and baby Jake

Aunt Lollie and baby Jake
I can't wait to be a Grandma!!!

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Saturday, January 29, 2011

My Sister and I

This is an old song my Mom used to sing. I believe she and her sisters often sang it together. It came out after world war II...


My Sister and I remember still
A tulip garden by an old Dutch mill,
And the home that was all our own until…
But we don’t talk about that.

My sister and I recall once more
The fishing schooners pulling into shore,
And the dog-cart we drove in days before…
But we don’t talk about that.

We’re learning to forget the fear
That came from a troubled sky.
We’re almost happy over here,
But sometimes we wake at night and cry.

My sister and I recall the day
We said goodbye, then we sailed away.
And we think of our friends that had to stay,
But we don’t talk about that

Friday, January 28, 2011

Poetry by Laura Pearl Bronson Lyman

TELL HIM HI


If you meet him in the town, tell him "hi".
He's a fellow just like any other guy
If he frowns show him that's not the style
He's got muscles in his face that can smile
show him you're not a square, show you care
show him you are aware he is there
though you don't know him well, still say, "hi"
and he's bound to be your friend, by and by

Though her eyes are brown or blue, still say "hi"
she's not changed by the hue of her eye
if she's tall or kind of short, that's okay
lots of people in this world come that way
show her you know that she's really real
show her you know her feelings can feel
people come in lots of shades, people work at lots of trades,
but they all need a friend who'll say, "hi".

This song was written especially for Lollie at a time when she needed to understand how important it is to reach out to others.















A SHEEPHERDER'S SONG

My name is George Bronson, I tend a fine flock
in the high lonesome mountains, how I wish sheep could talk
I have a fine horse and a dog I call shep
And that's all the company a sheepherder gets
I live in a wagon with six wooden bows
to round out my teepee and hang up my clothes
ole' shep lives down under but he doesn't fret
all night with the coyotes he yodels duets
(chorus)
Hooray, hoorah, sheep herdin' we dread
they feed us on sorghum and sour-doe bread
Hooray, hoorah, we're honest, you bet!
And if we're not careful we'll come out in debt
too root too too root too too too

The summers are long and the nights are quite hot
the coyotes are busy but ole' shep is not
the coyotes eat sheep 'til I cuss and I moan
while under the wagon, ole' shep knaws a bone
In winter I'm trudging through six feet of snow
the sheep have gone off to where sheep like to go
I shiver and shake and I feel like a fool
I should be a sheep with a long coat of wool
(chorus)
My boss lives in Oakly not far from the town
when he comes up to camp, he doesn't stay long,
he fetches up sorghum and sugar and tea
then I never see him for two weeks or three.
I make sour-doe biscuits with sorghum and yeast
with dutch-oven grub its a purty fine feast.
Ole' shep ate a couple, they went to his head.
When I said, "fetch the sheep"! He laid down and played dead.
(chorus)
I have a sweet wife and her name is LouElla
she waits for me under that old hard-wood willa
some dude in the valley will steal her I fear,
'cause I never see her but two times a year.
When I reach those pearly gates, Lou, don't you weep,
I won't be alone, I'll have two-thousand sheep!
Saint Peter'll say, "Georgie boy, come along in,
when you take care of sheep you can't take time to sin"!
(chorus)
go along you lambs, go along you lambs, you'll see the angels some day




TWO MEN


Two men lived, two men apart
and love of country was in each heart
two centuries separate them
men everywhere venerate them,
and one said to people who would be free
ask not what your country can do for you
ask what you can do for your country

And the other at the scaffold gates to eternity
whispered,
"I only regret I have but one life to give for my country,
I only regret I have but one life to give for my country",
and I thank my God I have one life to live
for my country.










Just an interesting note on that last song, when I was competing on the speech and drama team at Dixie, I had done quite well in the impromptu speaking category. (You would be handed a topic on a scrap of paper and have three minutes to think about it and then you were required to speak on it for 10 minutes) At one particular competition I had done really well and had made it to finals. I was handed my topic. It was John F. Kennedy's quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, etc..." Of course I used it in my presentation and felt quite blessed to have the poem committed to memory, and thankful for an awesome mom. I didn't place in the competition because the judges told me that this is impromptu speaking and you are not supposed to be prepared. They thought that somehow I had gotten a hold of the list of topics and had prepared a speech and consequently I was disqualified! Isn't that hilarious! Lol




































HOW LITTLE PEOPLE CAN CONQUER BIG THINGS


Chug, chug, the little bug
is rolling down the freeway
Choo, choo, the big train
is coming down the track
Down at the viaduct
they meet and guess what
Chug, chug, the little bug
rolls over choo-choo's back

















WIGGLE WORM


Wiggle wiggle wiggle worm
wiggled up a weed,
wiggled out upon a branch
and ate a crunchy weed.
Wiggled 'til a blackbird
pecked him with his bill,
then he said, "Uh, oh,
I'd better hold still".

Wiggle wiggle wiggle worm
drank his weedy milk
ate his weedy spinach
and wrapped himself in silk,
"Come the spring I mean to change
for the good". said he,
"I will be a butterfly,
just you see".


SECTION 89
Now you're gonna get the low-down
on ole' section eighty-nine
its the one on beer and cigarettes
and coffee, tea and wine
weight watchers aren't in the game
when the game is keeping slim
when the game is gettin' wisdom
ole' eighty-nine steps in
so get health in your navel
get some marrow in your bones
say 'good-bye' to all your troubles,
all your aches and pains and groans.
Throw them winstons in the trash can
pour that folders down the drain
then you'll run and not be weary
walk to Spain, without a pain.
good ole' section eighty-nine
will keep you feeling mighty fine
you'll be running twenty miles or more each day
you'll be bad news for the devil
with your healthy, healthy navel
and that limber, limber marrow,
in your bones!
Munch that garlic, crunch that catnip
chew those sassparilla sprouts
Then your brain won't start to wan
and you won't have those fears and doubts
Better eat that wheat for breakfast
maybe lunch and dinner too
if you feel like drinking something
Brigham Tea will have to do
good ole' section eighty-nine,
will keep your toes right on the line
you'll be running twenty miles or more each day
you won't get fat, never faint
sure you'll be a SUPER SAINT
dig ole eighty nine and dig it right away











A CHRISTMAS CAROL FOR THE MOTHERS OF THE OTHER BABIES


Where is the child born King of the Jews?
Tell us great Herod the wondrous news
open the book, read and say,
where we may worship the child this day
Of Him oh Herod, Angels sing
He is our Savior and heavenly King
He is our Savior and heavn'ly King

Bethlehem, Bethlehem, though thou art small,
yet thou art not called the least of all,
for out of you, shall come forth
One who will righteously rule the earth
Lo his star lights the way
soon by the manger we'll kneel and pray,
soon by his cradle we'll kneel and pray.

Rachael is weeping in Bethlehem
mourning for children so cruelly slain
Herod reigns, justice sleeps,
There is no comfort, Rachael weeps
Then from the heavens, "Peace". God saith,
"Mine own begotten shall conquer death",
"Mine own begotten shall conquer death".









A MISSIONARY SONG



A missionary is so nice he stands so tall
He shakes my hand and smiles at me though I'm still small.
He talks to me like man to man and tells me tales
that happened in another land like France or Wales

I'm going to be a missionary too someday
and sing our songs and teach the gospel far away

I'm going on a mission when I am a man
that's why I learn in Sunday School the most I can
I try to choose the right each day and watch my talk
so I can fill a mission too and feed the flock

I'm going to be a missionary too someday
and sing our songs and teach the gospel far away












A TEXAS MISQUITO

As I walked out on the streets of Larado
As I walked out on Lorado one day
ten-thousand misquitoes took hold of my carcass
took hold of my carcass and hauled me away

A Texas misquito is not very sweet-o
a Texas misquito is awfully mean
He's never content with a sip of your life's blood
he drinks like a vampire then picks the bone clean.











THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

Honor thy Father,
Honor thy Mother,
That thy days may be long
upon the land which I the Lord thy God
Shall give to thee
Which I the Lord thy God shall give
to thee.
Honor them,
Obey them,
and love them.
Oh my son hear the instruction of thy Father
forget not the law of they Mother
My son,
forget not my law
But in thy heart keep my commandments
in thy heart keep my commandments
for length of days
and long life
and peace
peace
peace, shall follow after thee
Honor thy Father
Honor thy Mother
that thy days may be long upon the land
which I the Lord thy God shall give to thee
which I the Lord thy God shall give
to thee.







MOM'S LULLABY


Say goodnight to the sun
my tired little one
come and dry now your tears
and smile at your fears
give to God, now your care
in sweet words of prayer
give to God, now your care
in sweet words of prayer

Oh the darkness is deep
to comfort thy sleep
and angels draw near
to still baby's fear
God's bright love made the day
warm and glorious for play
God's bright love made the day
that my darling might play




A Poem (Not written by Mom), that she quoted often to naughty little girls:


There was a little girl
with a little curl
right in the middle of her forehead
when she was good she was
very very good
but when she was bad
she was horrid

This was Liz's special poem (probably because of her curly hair, not her delightful temperament), hopefully she can remember the rest of it. I can't remember the lines in between but the last part goes:

She screamed and she squalled and she yelled and she bawled and she drummed her little feet out the winder
Her mother heard the noise, and thought it was the boys
playing in the empty attic
she climbed up the stairs and she caught her unawares
and she spanked her most infatic.







MOM'S REPLY WHEN ASKED FOR MONEY

I asked my mother for twenty-five cents
to see the elephant jump the fence
He jumped so high he reached the sky
and never came back 'til the fourth of July






Another song sung often by Mama but not written by her:

BABES IN THE WOODS


Oh don't you remember a long time ago
two poor little babes, their names I don't know
strayed far, far away on a bright summers day
and were lost in the woods, so I've heard people say

and when it was night the moon hid from sight
the sun went down, and the stars gave no light
they sobbed and they sighed and they bitterly cried
and the poor little things, they laid down and died

and when they were dead the robins so red
brought strawberry leaves and over them spread
and all the day long they sang their sweet song
poor babes in the woods, have perished and gone.

Mama used to sing this song to us at night and it was one of our favorites. She would play the ukulele to accompany herself and when she would get to the part where the babes would die we would beg her to not let them die this time. I remember Mama looking at me and saying, "Okay" and then she made up the new ending of this song. She only changed a few words but it was enough to change the whole meaning:

And all the day long they sang their sweet song
poor babes in the woods, to Jesus have gone.



An interesting note on this song. It was originally written by an anonymous author in London to mourn the murder of the little princes (I believe Edward and James) by their wicked uncle who had them beheaded in the Tower of London in order to obtain the throne for himself. The people of England were forbidden to speak of the princes at the risk of loosing their own heads. One insightful musician recognized a countries need to mourn their loss and wrote the sweet lullaby, Babes In The Woods.




Another song sung often but written by someone else:

THIS TRAIN

This train is bound for glory
this train
This train is bound for glory
this train,
This train is bound for glory
carrying none but the good and holy
this train, is bound for glory
this train

This train don't carry lazy loafers
This train don't carry lazy loafers
This train is bound for glory
carrying none but the good and holy
this train is bound for glory
this train




DOWN BY THE MEADOW


Down by the meadow in a itti bitty poo
fam three itta fitties and their Mamma fitty too
"fim" said the Mamma fitty, "fim if you tan",
and they fam and they fam all over de damn

(chorus))
Boop boop dittum dattum wattum choo
boop boop dittum dattum wattum choo
boop boop dittum dattum wattum choo
and they fam and they fam all over de damn

"Look out"! said the Mamma fitty, "or you will be lost".
but the three itta fitties didn't want to be bossed
so they fam and they fam and they fam with glee
and they fam right out to the great big sea

(chorus)
and they fam right out to the great big sea

"Look out said the Mamma fitty, "There's a whale".
and the three little fitties they turned on their tail
and they fam and they fam and they fam and they fam
and they fam and they fam back over de damn

(chorus)
and they fam and they fam back over de damn




THE HATFIELDS AND MCOYS
(written for a roadshow in 1976)

Feudin' and a fightin' and a fussin'
that's all that's goin' on with ussin'
can't stand those onry ole' neighbors down by the creek
will be plumb out of neighbors next week
Grandma, poor ole' Grandma
why'd they have to shoot poor Grandma
she lies 'neath the clover
someone caught her bending over
pickin' up a daisy

Fightin' and a fussin' and a feudin'
that darned ole' sheriff kept intrudin'
he was an onry ole' critter, (yup, he was swell)
its a shame he got pushed down the well
Water, well water,
darned stuff just don't taste like it otter
see here, city slicker,
that's why we all drink corn liquor
(it's better with your shoes off)

Daughter, baby daughter,
poisoned all the neighbors chickens
Daughter, hadn't otter
least 'til she can run like the dickens
they hit her with a shovel
Feudin' and a fussin' and a fightin'
sometimes it gets to be excitin'
Lets give the kid a pistol, now that she's four
and we'll go back to fightin' some more

Sandra, I think Liz knows the parts of this song that I can't remember.




by others, but memories of mine:

UNCHAINED MELODY

Oh, my love, my darling'
I hunger for your touch
a long lonely time
time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much
are you still mine
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me


MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

Sometimes in the evening when shadows are deep
I lie here beside you just watching you sleep
and sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of
my cup runneth over with love




I remember Mama singing these songs to Dad. I know there are more words but I can't remember. Maybe someone else can.








ME AND THE DEPUTY

Early one evenin' I was strollin' around
got to feelin' kinda mean and shot the deputy down
I strolled along home and I went to bed
and I laid that pistol up under my head

I strolled along home
(I took my time)
and I went to bed
(thought I'd sleep some)
and I laid that pistol
(colt 44)
up under my head
(I like to keep it handy)

Early next mornin' bout the break of day
I figured it was time to make my get-away
I was steppin' right along but I was steppin' too slow
got surrounded by a posse in Mexico

I was steppin' right along
(I was a hot-footin' it)
But I was steppin' too slow
(way too slow)
got surrounded by a posse
(boxed in)
In Mexico
(I didn't even have time to see the country)

Sandra I can only remember bits and pieces of the rest of this song. Rack Liz's and Rob's and Matt's brains. love Lol



HERMAN


Herman ain't a banker, he ain't a movie star
Herman can't afford to buy me fur coats or a car
Herman ain't no 'big time Joe'. He ain't much of a spender
But Herman is considerate, so thoughtful and so tender
I'd be lost if Herman went away, so to reassure him, I just say...

(chorus)
It's the little things you do that count
Little things my dear but how they mount
When I'm choppin' down a tree you always wipe my brow for me
It's the little things you do that count

Herman, Herman, you're not earnin'
enough to keep the home fires burnin'
but ya never ever shirk, awakin' me in time for work
it's the little things ya do that count

I'm just as lucky as can be, got a man who thinks the world of me
ya take me fishin' when ya go, and all I have to do is row
it's the little things you do that count

Like the time we couldn't make ends meet so I took in wash soes we could eat
what a friend I had in you, ya let me do your laundry too!
it's the little things you do that count

(chorus)

You are the bravest man I know, a-one more reason why I love you so
When that bear was chasin' me, didn't ya let me share your tree
it's the little things you do that count

Like the time we thought we heard a mouse, but instead 'twas burglars in the house
When I went downstairs to see, you stayed right in back of me
it's the little things you do that count

(chorus)

When the doctor said, "Now friends beware, what your wife must have is good sear air".
didn't ya carry out his wish, ya stood and fanned me... WITH A FISH!
It's the little things you do that count




















HUGS FROM HEAVEN
(Thoughts from Laura Pearl)

Make yourself lots of happiness then share a little

You're sweet, you're strawberry jam, you're honey,
molasses
sugar-cane
hot fudge
but don't spread yourself TOO THIN!!!

Don't dwell on have-nots, but on have-lots!
(L.B.L.'s recipe for happiness)

(on her children)
most of the credit for what you all are, of course, belongs to each one of you.
Parents help but all of us are free to be what we will be.
My children have chosen to be pretty wonderful
and I think I would die very happy in that thought.


A woman's children are more important to her than her cutecutecutecute
grandsons that eat and grow and wet.
This is not to say that
eating growing gooing wetting grand babies
aren't wonderful!
They are the future I will watch from a star
But the precedent to a mother is her child
Love warms the lover first


If God blesses you with yarn,
knit!
If he blesses you with books,
read!
If He blesses you with knowledge,
teach!
If He blesses you with love,
return it five-fold.

(on a new baby-sitting job)
Any real news about me is stale soap rated G
Hi-ho Silver! I run enough to turn the greatest horse into dog food

Loving across the miles beats not loving

(On Liz and her once boyfriend)
Lizzie and Paul make me think of a couple in a burning building five stories up. They are afraid to jump and afraid to stay. I've refrained from telling them that "it is better to marry than to burn".

(Reading with Liz on March 25, 2006, she said, “I’m glad I didn’t jump” I say “I’m glad you didn’t burn”, she says “I’m glad the fire went out on its own”.


hope you're as happy as ten larks

Thanks for being a flower on the planet earth.

You kids have had problems--si! But, well, just a few blessings keep flowing in!

Good manners and Chivalry often seem to be wrapped in white and buried in catacomb 9 - 10 and 11.

I would like to say that we are living on the fat of the land but then we are more or less living on the lean of the hamburger.

Follow your leaders but also follow your dreams

(on traveling all over to visit her children)
Why can't kids live in a lovely clump like a
bouquet of flowers?


A million words don't seem to generate five kilowatts of action

Wish I could think of something AWESOME to say But you know these menopause Moms -- One foot in the tomb and the other on
BLACK ICE!!!

(WITH DRAWING OF FLOWERS)
Paper flowers don't smell good
I'd send real ones if I could
goldenrod to glow and say
Lollie's in my heart today

Confucius say: Be good. Be happy. But don't miss out on fun!

Refresh your little sweet-tart heart on your goals
to be true to you, you must be true to them.

There's nothing like college to pop all your hard-earned
High School bubbles.
High school says you're A+--
College says to forget the cute kid acts
and get deeper into everything or spend
your life as a C+

Amen to the pen! The telephone is nice but a letter you can hold in your hand...You can keep it forever and read it a hundred times if you so desire.

Its easy to give all the things you would really like to do the old sour grapes treatment.
you fear to fail stronger than you hope to win


LETTER FROM LOLLIE

A letter from Lollie is twice as nice
As apples and raisins and nuts and spice!
Better than daffodils, cream on rice!
Lollie van Dolly is twice as nice!


FEBRUARY 15

Valentines are in the fire
Hearts have lost that passion fire
still its great to know you're there
Wonderful to know you care
so do I
You are still my winter sun
April flowers and summer fun
All the guys are sorta blue
wishin' they had a love like you


HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Let your gifts be to God this Christmas
things that will gladden His heart:
Deep love and humility in yours,
and then from the blind wilderness
gather some of his family
Children fainting and blind and unaware
Of this loving father
sweep the scales from their eyes
Lead them back Home for Christmas
Back to their Father








LOLLIE JOYE, PRECIOUS DAUGHTER

Lollie, thanks for coming to me
on that warm September night,
the family was on safari among jungle folk
and you were there and not there...
it was like waiting for a song to be sung,
or a dance to be danced. It was like waiting
for the prince to press the glass slipper
on a tiny foot. It was like waiting for a star to
f
a
l
l

did you know us, Lollie? and did you
come anyway? Did they tell you
how it would be? Not picnics at the zoo every summer?
and another September did you know and
did you come anyway to the people who needed fun and love and a Rhesus clown to cherish?



THE CALF'S TRAIL
One day through the old primeval wood
A calf walked home as a good calf should;
and he made a trail all bent askew
doing twists and turns the way most calves do.
Since then 200 years have fled
and I infer the calf is dead -
But he left behind this winding trail
and that began this curious tale!
The trail was taken up next day
By a lonely dog that passed that way,
And then a great bell-wether sheep
took up the trail from vale to steep.
He drew the flock behind him too
As good bellwethers ought to do.
so where the calf walked unafraid
through the ancient wood, a path was made.
And many men wound in and out
and dodged and turned and bent about,
And uttered words of righteous wrath
Because 'twas such a crooked path.
This forest path became a lane
That bent and turned and turned again.
This crooked lane became a road
Where many trucks lost many a load
The years passed on since time is fleet;
The road became a village street
Almost before men were aware
the street became a thoroughfare.
Thus for a century and a half
Everyone followed one small calf!
Two hundred years have passed away
The calf trail is a great freeway!
And every twist and turn is there
to cause the travelers much dispair.
Each day a hundred-thousand route
follows the zig-zag calf about.
They follow in the beaten track
and in and out and forth and back
Ah many things this tale might teach
could one be found ordained to teach.


SOMEWHERE GOD'S PEOPLE


Somewhere God's people are waiting and watching
watching for you and for me
We are the Gentiles their prophets have promised
Their hope and comfort would be

(Chorus)
Our blessings are wonderful
lo from the dust hath sprung truth and wealth
and we must never forget that God's people
need us and wait for our help

Somewhere His people are hungry and grieving
Praying the day comes at last
When God remembers the wonderful promise
He made them in ages long past

(Chorus)

Oh, let us go to our lamanite brother
and bring him the gospel of old
Did not our Shepherd and Savior say one day
He'd gather us all in one fold

(Chorus)

Kindness in Literature

http://learningtogive.org/teachers/literature_guides/

From Anne Boleyn, To King Henry VIII

I've been reading about Anne Boleyn. I've also enjoyed several movies about her life. Anne of the Thousand Days follows her life much better than The Other Boleyn Girl. But I enjoyed that one too, and the book by the same title. The incest reference I could have done without, but one source said the baby boy she gave birth to was not only born dead but badly deformed as well. Makes you wonder. Almost five hundred years ago was when she lived, and we are still fascinated by her. The fact that she was a strong-willed woman in an era where you could lose your head for it, (literally), intreges me. From what I have read, I don't believe she was as dark as she is often depicted. Desperate, yes. Here are some of her own words:

Anne's final words, believed to be written on or about May 15, 1536.

Sir; If, as you say, confessing a Truth indeed may procure my safety, I shall with all Willingness and Duty perform your Command. But let not your Grace ever imagine that your poor Wife will ever be brought to acknowledge a Fault, where not so much as a Thought thereof proceeded. And to speak a truth, never Prince had Wife more Loyal in all Duty, and in all true Affection, than you have ever found in Anne Boleyn. Neither did I at any time so far forget myself in my received Queenship, but that I always looked for such an Alteration as now I find; for the ground of my Preferment being on no surer Foundation than your Grace's Fancy, the least Alteration, I knew, was fit and sufficient to draw that Fancy to some other Subject.

Try me good King, but let me have a Lawful Trial, and let not my sworn Enemies sit as my Accusers and Judges; yea, let me receive an open Trial, for my Truth shall fear no open shame; then shall you see, either mine Innocency cleared, your Suspicion and Conscience satisfied, the Ignominy and Slander of the World stopped, or my Guilt openly declared. So that whatsoever God or you may determine of me, your Grace may be freed from an open Censure to follow your Affection already settled on that Party, for whose sake I am now as I am.

But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my Death, but an infamous Slander must bring you the enjoying of your desired Happiness; then I desire of God, that he will pardon your great Sin therein; and likewise mine Enemies, the Instruments thereof; and that he will not call you to a strict Account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me, at his General Judgement-Seat, where both you and my self must shortly appear, and in whose Judgement, I doubt not (whatsover the World may think of me) mine Innocence shall be openly known, and sufficiently cleared.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Ode to Sister

You are such a special sis
Talking with you brings me bliss
I’m so glad that we are close
And you don’t mind me when I’m gross
Or sad, depressed, or just plain rude
(I’m sorry when I’ve acted lewd)
I hope you know I love you lots
And I have since we were tots
The memories and times we’ve shared
Are precious ‘cause you’ve always cared
And in this whole wide world I know
There is one place where I can go
When in the need to just unload
I’m grateful ‘cause you’ve helped me growed

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Rebuttal to Abou Ben Adhem

Blooming Lily
By Laura Debenham

Lily Ben Adhem, wife to Abou
Awoke in the night by Abou’s vision too
And noticed her sweetheart sitting up tall
And chatting away to a spot on the wall

She sighed and rolled over and went back to sleep
Tomorrow was earmarked for shearing the sheep
Lily got up hours before Abou
To cook a big breakfast for hubby and crew

She did all the dishes while he read his book
She quieted children with merely a look
She taught them a lesson while folding the wash
And settled a quarrel and harvested squash

The children all followed her out to the fields
She sheared 50 sheep and she cooked two more meals
She herded the sheep along with the kids
While Ben Adhem supervised all that they did

She brought lemonade as he supervised labor
And baked sugar cookies he took to the neighbor
Her stomach felt queezy but she did not shirk
Determined she struggled along in her work

That night by the fire while combing out fleece
Said Lily, “In six months your tribe will increase!”
She smiled at Ben Adhem and patted her womb
“Congratulations Abuo, your Lily’s in bloom!”

She kissed the shocked man and collapsed into bed
Soon visions of bassinettes danced through her head
She woke hours later because she was kissed
Abou said, “My name’s at the top of the list!”

He told her his story, she smiled and said,
“That’s wonderful honey, now go back to bed.
We both have a full day of serving to do
You serve the Lord, and I will serve you.

But just one more thing, dear, I have a strong feeling
There’s another lesson your vision’s revealing
I wonder, my darling, do you think that maybe
The angel you spoke to was our future baby?”

Abou lay awake thinking thoughts of his wife
And marveled at angels so present in life
Sometimes the veil seemed to be oh so thin
What was the real lesson he should learn there-in?

Could it be that of all the folks he was serving
Those beneath his roof were the folk most deserving
Of his time and energy, oh could it be?
Abou’s “fellow men” was his own family!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Abou Ben Adhem

This was my Dad's favorite poem:

Abou Ben Adhem
by James Henry Leigh Hunt

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold: -
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?" -The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

My Dad learned this poem as a teen and quoted it OFTEN. He lived it too...serving his fellow men constantly. My brother Matt just published a biography of my Dad. Much of it was written by my father before he died. In it he said that in his later years he had trouble sleeping so he would say the words to Abou Ben Adhem in his mind as he fell asleep. Isn't that sweet? His own personal lullaby. I think how an individual gets to sleep says alot about them. Those words were imprinted in my dad's mind and in his life. Since I read about Dad's personal lullaby, I decided to adopt the happy habit. The last few nights, my mind has raced as the words to the "Abou Poem" were repeated in my mind. (Dad said it so often, each of his children also have it memorized). I've begun writing a rebuttal to the poem. I know. Doesn't seem likely. Judge for yourself...I'll add it tomorrow.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Jane Austen, Asperger's Syndrome and other Nonsense

I continue to be fascinated by her and I love her books. I love that she was so great at writing about love, yet never married. She was known to be an "observer". She was thought to be most like Mr. Bennet than any of the other characters she wrote. She showed all the attributes of an aspergian. What is interesting to me is that people, particularly female ones, who have attributes of aspergers syndrome typically ADORE Jane Austen. It is all about not understanding how social systems work. Those of us on the spectrum have to study it. We are interested in understanding it precicely because we don't!

Thanks for writing Jane. Thanks for studying humanity. Thanks for having the sense even though you were born without the sensibilities.

Pun intended.

I love Emma. I wish I was Emma. I think I'm more of a Lydia but internet testing has proved me to be an Elizabeth. There was a time I was Marianne. Marriage cured me of that. Poor Jane. She never married, never had children. I once made the statement that she couldn't have lived in the time she did and be married AND write the way she did. My teenage daughter said I was lying. Poor Jane. She never had teenagers.

Well, we all die. Her words live on. My children will. And they will be blessed by reading her words. They will have reason to continue. A reason to go on living is a good thing. Simple pleasures keep us going sometimes.

I confess. Since my brother's death, I only want hearts and flowers. Nothing deeper than Jane Austen is allowed in my house, social work, psychology and sociology textbooks excluded of course.

I went to lunch with a good friend today. She has told me how blessed I am to be going through my Master's training at the same time I am mourning the loss of my brother. I told her I don't believe it is a coincidence that I am here. It is easier than it would be without the support I am surrounded by, but it isn't an accident or a coincidence. I worked my toushie off to get here.

I'm almost done. Two months left. I feel very accomplished...almost.

Yet a Jane Austen I will never be. Why would I want to? She already did it so well. I have to be me. That is a harry enough job...but I'm up for it!!!!!!!!!

Avoiding Lice and Children

Last week I had a client tell me about a child living in filth with a nasty case of lice. I had to report to CPS. Last night I was awakened by a hideous dream in which my little Pearl, (now 20) was in denial about a terrible case of lice. I spent a few hours surfing the net and discovering what dreams about lice signify. (loss of control in social situations).

Then I discovered the How-to-avoid-lice-on-your-children sites. One enthusiastic blogger-mommy encouraged her readers to teach their children to avoid the "dirty kids" in order to avoid vermin.

When I was a child I got lice. I WAS the dirty kid. I also lived in a third world country for several months with my missionary parents. I brought it home to Delta, Utah and infested my second grade classroom. It was lousy. literally. Yet I would not give up that time in Guatemala and the lessons I learned for anything. Please don't encourage your children to avoid the "dirty kids". Isolating them is not only encouraging cruelty, it can be incredibly damaging to their self images. So what if your children get lice. It won't kill them and perhaps it will give them some empathy for those who don't have it as good as they do.

Shelly Brown once asked to borrow my brush. I told her "no" and told her why. Several years later (we were seniors), we were in the locker room after our cheer/dance class and she asked again. I said, "sure" and handed her my brush. She reminded me of not letting her use my brush in second grade. She thought I was lying about lice. I reminded her of the summer our family spent in Guatemala and told her I really did have lice.

But I also had a much broader perspective of the world than most of my school chums. What a blessing vermin can be.

Avoid Lice

Last week a client told me about her child's lice and the poor living conditions and lack of care because of a negligent father (who has custody). I was awakened at 3 A.M. by a hideous dream in which Pearl had a nasty case of lice and was in complete denial about it.

I looked up websites about dreams about lice. I was told we dream about lice because of fear of

When I was a child I got lice. I WAS the dirty kid. I also lived in a third world country for several months with my missionary parents. I brought it home and infested my second grade classroom. It was lousy. literally. Yet I would not give up that time in Guatemala and the lessons I learned for anything. Please don't encourage your children to avoid the "dirty kids". Isolating them is not only encouraging cruelty, it can be incredibly damaging to their self images. So what if your children get lice. It won't kill them and perhaps it will give them some empathy for those who don't have it as good as they do.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Ode to Fudgesicles

I think that I shall never taste
A treat that adds to line of waist
Quite as yummy as you are
Better than a chocolate bar
Better than both ice and cream
Texture is my fondest dream
How you squeak between my teeth
Cool my tummy underneath
Take me back to childhood
Back when flavors tasted good
Taste buds age and mine are shot
but with you they seem, well, not.