All my poems, etc., part 2

If you are coming to this late, and seeing a lot of things that I call Facebook Poems, there is a reason/excuse. About mid-June, I hadn't posted anything anywhere, nor texted anyone, and I don't like to talk on the phone ... so I decided that, when I can, which is almost every day unless the internet is down or I am out of town and do not have access, that one of the first times I'll do each day is write something - usually a poem - on Facebook. I label it simply "Facebook poems", though they cover a lot of subjects. I am labeling THIS note with all the labels I have used. That way, if you click on some label/subject that you think you might find interesting, everything I've labeled as such will show up on this blog. Thanks for reading what I write. I hope that you get a smile, or a laugh, or some encouragement, or that they make you think, etc. Feel free to comment on things I write, too. Thanks. (I am having to post this twice so as to show all the labels that I've made!)

ALL my poems, etc.!

If you are coming to this late, and seeing a lot of things that I call Facebook Poems, there is a reason/excuse. About mid-June, I hadn't posted anything anywhere, nor texted anyone, and I don't like to talk on the phone ... so I decided that, when I can, which is almost every day unless the internet is down or I am out of town and do not have access, that one of the first times I'll do each day is write something - usually a poem - on Facebook. I label it simply "Facebook poems", though they cover a lot of subjects. I am labeling THIS note with all the labels I have used. That way, if you click on some label/subject that you think you might find interesting, everything I've labeled as such will show up on this blog. Thanks for reading what I write. I hope that you get a smile, or a laugh, or some encouragement, or that they make you think, etc. Feel free to comment on things I write, too. Thanks. (I am having to post this twice so as to show all the labels that I've made!)

FACEBOOK Poems - part 16

Posted at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 23.

Worship this morning then lunch with the ladies.

Joining us will be a few men.

The Bible class group at Joy's house,

With some preachers, and some new friends!

I first thought of taking some beans.

Instead, I'll take something to drink.

Others like to cook, and I don't.

And THIS way, no dirty dishes in the kitchen sink!

(The gospel meeting - revival some call it - is this week at the Edwards Lake church of Christ not far from me, and is where Joy Ellis goes. They are having both morning and evening services. Visiting preacher is Curtis Pope, who preaches in Bowling Green, KY. His brother Kyle used to preach at the Sun Valley church, also in this area. Rather than having the Tuesday morning ladies' class at Joy's house, I went to worship with her, then Steve Dewhirst (the regular preacher), Curtis Pope, and the ladies all ate lunch at Joy's house. That evening I went to the Paw Paw Patch, to the monthly supper meeting of the American Council of the Blind. Do I hear an "oink"?)

Posted at 8:47 a.m. Wednesday, October 24.

Three blankets I recently crocheted: Two blue and one in pink.

Got an order now for 3 "Bama" beanies, Two done, one more in a "wink".

(By "Bama" beanies, the order was for 3 beanies in crimson and white, the colors of the University of Alabama. I'll be glad to make such beanies in any colors and yarn you want. I use a good, long-lasting 100% acrylic for the ones that I sell for $5 each. Wool or part wool, etc., would cost more.)

Posted at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, October 25.

How can one little body part – one little right thumb

Hurt so much I almost cry! I think I’d rather it be numb.

Posted at 9:05 a.m. Friday, October 26.

Don't have a dollar. Just have a dime. I'll do what I can, a little at a time.

Don't need to wait 'til I have a lot. I try to help others with the little I've got.

Posted at 1:40 p.m.. also on Friday, October 26.

Today so far's been better than OK! First went to worship with Chris and Joy.

and Drake, age 4, their little grand-boy.After a sermon on a psalm, we lunched at Chick-Fil-A!

(“Grandson” didn’t rhyme. Curtis Pope talked today about Psalm 73.)

Posted at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, October 27.

High school reunion banquet tonight. Hard to believe it's been 50 years!

I wasn't a part of the "in" crowd then. Didn't fit in with my peers.

Always in chorus, never in band. Never cared much for football games.

Paid for the banquet, and got a ride. They'll be surprised at my moments of "fame".

Surprised that I had a motorcycle, Was a radio D.J. at one time.

Often "march to my own silent drummer". Still a Christian, so I'm doing fine.

Posted at 8:35 a.m. Sunday, October 28.

Prayers today for a family – Sweet lady, several friends say.

Preacher Steve's mother passed last week. Burial tomorrow, funeral today.

Posted at 9:07 a.m. Monday, October 29.

Can't believe this crazy weather. Wind has really turned cold.
No sun shining through the cloud cover. Wish I had someone's hand to hold!
Guess I'll have to settle for cocoa, hot with a marshmallow swirl.
I'm contented with that, and a warm blanket ... Guess that's enough for this ol' girl.
(Written in about 10 minutes the afternoon of Saturday, October 27 ... written by cell phone text! LOL!)

posted at 9:22 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Yesterday I made some chili from a kit in a box.

Browned 2 pounds of ground chuck.

Tasted so good with some whole wheat bread!

Of course my tummy started fussing – what rotten luck!

And yeah, I ate more before I went to bed, Though I knew I'd toss all through the night.

And oh, it was good, topped with some cheese ... But my gut had a prize-winning fight!

At least it didn't last all through the night!

Posted at 8:47 a.m. Wednesday, October 31.

I replaced a burned out light bulb! You think that's no big deal?

But I am short and legally blind ... stood on tiptoe and did some by feel.

SUPER HEROES

No one is an island, so says an old song.

Each of us needs another, to learn how to get along.

Some might say a mentor, or today: maybe “Superman”

Someone to look to for guidance, someone to lend a hand.

Some set bad examples – movie stars and athletes –

In the news, living immorally – thinking life's all fun and treats.

They're more interested in worldly riches – for others to know them well.

Those aren't the ones to follow. Their paths go down to Hell. 

Look up to someone who's wiser – hopefully your parents are such!

Maybe your best friend's uncle, or a big sister, a preacher, a coach. 

But the best to always look to as mentor – is Jesus, our Lord, the Christ.

His Word is our forever example -- to get to Heaven at last.

~ by Netagene, the 2^nd week of October, 2012. I posted the verses on Facebook, with the 1^st verse on October 14, the 2^nd verse the 17^th, the last verse the 19^th. I got the idea from the first full sermon that Wesley Peden preached at the Coral Hill church of Christ in Glasgow, Kentucky, Sunday, October 7. He called his sermon "Super Heroes". Wesley is the oldest grandchild of Robert Franklin and Catherine Bagby, who I rode Greyhound Bus to visit October 4-8. When Wesley got in the pulpit and put a picture of Superman on the screen, Catherine and I looked at each other, as "Huh??? Where's he going?" It was a good sermon. I took a few notes. Wesley is also the only one of their grandchildren who’s married. He and his wife are expecting their first child in a few months. I’m sure that was on Wesley’s mind, in talking about how children look up to others, and that it often is a super hero, an athlete, a movie star, etc., but that children need positive mentors.

FACEBOOK Poems - part 15

Posted at 9:50 a.m. Saturday, October 13.

Having repairs done on my house.

Most recently a new roof before it leaked.

Yesterday I got a new back storm door.

The old one was rotting. With rips, it was weak.

A few years ago, I had to get vinyl siding.

This wooden house had spots black with rot.

At the time, I also had a front porch added.

Better do things now, with what money I've got.

(Poems for October 14, 17, and 19 was the 3 verses of a poem called “Super Heroes”, for which I posted separately.)

Posted at 9:50 a.m. Monday, October 15.

On my carport thinking ... Wish I had a purple car.

So what I no longer drive. That's what a chauffeur's for!

If I could afford a purple car, I'm sure I'd have enough money

To also hire a driver ... someone who's safe, smart, and sunny!

(I wrote that the day before, while sitting in a chair on my carport, waiting for my ride to worship. No idea where the thought came from! I thought of ending it with either "... someone who's free, faithful, fair, and funny" or maybe "... someone who's happy, healthy, and a honey"!)

Posted at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, October 17.

Crazy weather this time of year. Days again almost hot!

No need to turn on heat or the fans. Fuss about the weather? Why not!

At least I save money on yard work. Not much rain anymore.

The weather right now is so pleasant, I don't want to come back indoors!

Posted at 8:40 a.m. Thursday, October 18.

Where do my poems go, when I post them on Facebook?

Here it is 24 hours later .. only 2 found a poem when they looked!

(The poem I posted on Tuesday, actually the 2nd verse of a poem of 3 verses, finally showed up on Facebook 20+ hours later, after other later things! I'm posting that poem: "Super Heroes", separately, rather than in this line-up of Facebook poems.)

Posted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 20.

Last night I was in bed at 1:30 ... the night before, not 'til about 3.

Sometime it's lonely living alone, but it's nice to keep odd hours, and feel free.

Posted at 8:22 a.m. Sunday, October 21.

Unless our hands are empty of things that cause us pain,

God won't fill us with anything new, or make us whole again.

So if your hands hold bitterness, sadness. or other bad things,

empty your hands at Jesus' cross, and be filled with the love God brings.

(I wrote that in a few minutes the evening of October 20, after reading ''God doesn't give us something new unless our hands are empty', spoken by the character Elle Dalton, in the novel “Just Beyond the Clouds”, by Karen Kingsbury, © 2007.)

Posted at 9:32 a.m. Monday, October 22. 

A good day at worship, was yesterday. Then 4 of us ladies ate lunch at Subway.

Marilyn suggested we go visit Camilla who's in assisted living, in her chair with a pillow!

I was accused of LYING!!!

Just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it isn't there..

I posted the following on my Facebook page, but think it might be of interest here.

Two days ago, when a friend and I went to a local drug store to get our flu shots, a stranger accused me of lying!

My good friend and I were seated, waiting our turn, and were filling out some papers. A man came over and sat down next to me. He noticed my long white cane, then said, "I KNOW you are not blind. I saw you walk into the store, and walk around as good as the other lady, and fill out some papers".

At least he knew what my cane signified, but I DID have to explain that a person does not have to be totally blind to be legally blind. I explained that I became legally blind 9 years ago this month, and told him about what usable sight I have (good usable sight in one eye, but only straight ahead, no depth perception and almost no peripheral sight), plus the fact that over the years, I've learned to compensate. Hopefully he believed my explanation, which was of course true. I wouldn't know the man again.

I'm sure that Molly C. Corum, Lee Ann Brooks, and a few other of my friends have had similar comments once in awhile though I know I have more usable sight than they have. And Charlotte and Ken Osbourn live alone, and sometimes keep their grandson.

 

Molly is early 60s, retired, is a 4^th generation Floridian and lives in Tampa. I didn’t know her when I lived in Tampa. She has Usher's Syndrome. a hereditary problem that over the years causes both blindness and deafness. She still has a good bit of usable sight but, like me, does have to rely on a long white cane. Without her cochlear implants, she is totally deaf now. We met at the national convention of the Hearing Loss Association of American last June when it was in Providence, RI.

Lee Ann is about 50 and is almost totally blind, due to birth problems caused by Rh blood incompatibility. The doctor thought she'd be deaf, blind, and mentally retarded. She has her master's degree and works full time as a councilor here in Birmingham with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. She wasn't my councilor, but became a friend.

Charlotte and Ken have been married almost 40 years. They both were born totally blind due to having been premature. They met at the Alabama School for the blind in Talladega. They live in Irondale (a suburb of Birmingham). They have 3 daughters, all fully sighted. Ken is the current president of the local chapter of the American Council of the Blind, and is also state prez. He has worked in radio and TV all his life, mostly voice-overs, some locally, some nationally.

Molly, Lee Ann, and Charlotte all commented on what I wrote, as did Cheree and Sandy, friends of mine who both who are fully sighted. 

FACEBOOK Poems - part 14

posted at 7:12 a.m. Tuesday, October 2.
Most of today and tomorrow, and Thursday I'll be gone.
God's blessed me with so many friends ... Why should I stay home?

Won't have my usual morning, There's no Bible class today.

I'm sister sitting with Ms. Rena again, but that's always real OK!

Then tonight a supper meeting of the American Council of the Blind.

It's always at the Paw Paw Patch - with friends I'll get to dine!

Posted at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, October 3.

Sister sitting was what I did

Long but good, yesterday.
Bibles class, lunch, and worship tonight ...
Some work, but some seems more like play!

Speaking of sitting with Ms. Rena yesterday, I wrote the following to a friend, accidentally in rhyme:

She'd rather be UP and MOVING
than merely SITTING and doing.

(At least the supper meeting for the local chapter of the American Council of the Blind was canceled, even though I'd decided not to go, then of course didn't have time to do so. Don't ever think that when you retire, that you won't be busy! You'll find things!)

Posted at 7:36 a.m. Thursday, October 4.

Early lunch this morning with a friend, then about 1 I'll be on the Greyhound.
Get where I'm going about 8 p.m. Can't post, but I'll be around.
I'll probably text a friend, so she can tell you I made it fine.
I'll post if I can do so. Just know I'm having a good time!

Posted at 8:20 a.m. Friday, October 5.

I'm in Glasgow, Kentucky with good friends. I made it fine.
Greyhound ride was an adventure. I'll tell you at a later time.
(I used their laptop at 8:15. Catherine had just gotten up. Robert Franklin had been up awhile and cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits).

Posted at 8:40 a.m. Saturday, October 6.

My second Kentucky sunrise ... Cows in the field and chickens in the yard ...
With God's help, my friends paint the scene ... Looks like a pretty picture postcard!

(To which Catherine Bagby commented in rhyme: Our second day of having a guest – an Alabama friend; We eat and talk and laugh, then start all over again.)

Posted at 8:20 a.m. Sunday, October 7.

Sunday morning - the weather is cool.
Will go to worship with friends and follow God's rules.
(I went with Catherine and Robert Franklin to Coral Hill in Glasgow for the morning service, then Doug and Deana Blount and their 3 children got me and I went with them to the Eastside church in Bowling Green for the evening service. I’d never met the Blounts, but had met Sam Stinson, who worships at Eastside, on Brethren-on-line about 2 ½ years ago. He arranged the ride as he and his wife were returning from vacation. They got back to the Eastside building just as the service was ending, but at least I got to meet them for a few minutes!)

Posted at 7:45 p.m. Monday, October 8.

I had a WONDERFUL time the last few days, staying with friends in Kentucky.
I say that I am so very blessed; others might say that I'm lucky.

Got back to Birmingham about 3:40. About 15 'til 6, I walked in my door.
Thought I'd return with less than I took, but I'm pretty sure I bought back more!

Posted at 9:12 a.m. Tuesday, October 9,

Good to be home, though it’s a chilly morning.

The day is clear, and I’m sure later will be warming.

(At 9 a.m., 52 on my porch and 62 in the house.)

Posted at 8:46 a.m. Wednesday, October 10,

Can't seem to get going, though I've never been fast.

I have almost no energy, How long will I last?

It might help to quit eating, so that I'd lose weight,

but carbs taste so good! Is "fat" simply my fate?

(It doesn't help when I attend morning Bible classes twice a week - and we eat afterwards!)

Posted at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, October 11.

Going to get a flu shot, probably today.

I get one every year, to keep the “bugs” at bay.

Posted at 8:52 a.m. Friday, October 12.

Mailed a "get well" card and got "shot" yesterday,

then to the grocery store. It was a beautiful day!

Ms. Eunice is a gift from God, and a real sweet "go-fer"!

Thanks to God for her being my friend and "chauffeur".

(We each got our flu shot at the CVS pharmacy.)

The Narcissus

October 2 marks what has been called "the 9/11 for the Amish".

THE NARCISSUS

Some people like attention. They're ''saturated with self''.
Humility is far from them, thinking they'll be the only one left.

They think they'll be standing when others fall. They think they wear Christ's Name.
They don't realize they've not answered the True Gospel call.
They want months and years of fame.

They'd rather try to lead Jesus! ...rather than hide behind Calvary's cross.
They're really egotistical, not realizing that Heaven's their loss.

I got the idea for it from a line in "Amish Grace: How forgiveness transcended tragedy", copyright 2007, by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher. In chapter 7, there is a note about another book, "The Saturated Self" by psychologist Kenneth J. Gergen, who says that we are "a culture obsessed with personal desires ... a culture of narcissism".

"Amish Grace: How forgiveness transcended tragedy" is a book a friend of mine loaned me. It is a true story about the massacre on October 2, 2006, at the Nickel Mines school in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where a man barged into the school house about mid-morning, and shot 10 little girls, of which 5 died.