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Even a Good Bird Can Make a Bad Tern
Up North in Alaska one beautiful fall eve,
a majestic flock of terns prepared to leave
on their unbelievable migration of thousands of miles
from Alaska to the tropics, over land, sea and isles.
Meanwhile in California, the Sheriff doing his duty
made a huge pot bust and hauled off his booty
to an incinerator with a chimney so high
that the smoke wouldn’t harm folks passing by.
The burning contraband turned the sky black and blue,
while on the horizon, our terns came into view.
They were magically drawn to the smoke it seems,
an amazing event defying our wildest dreams.
In a formation so tight it appears they are cloned
flew straight into the smoke, leaving not a tern un-stoned.
Excerpt from Chapter: Mother’s Family—
My birth and childhood coincided with the great depression. I’m sure a lot of people have considered me bad news. My parent’s failed marriage added to the economic misery, but Mother never let us feel fear or be depressed over our circumstances.
In the thirties, there were very few jobs even for the men of the home. Women stayed home and cared for the children. When Dad left for good, Mother had to find work. At first, the only thing available was domestic. Most jobs were temporary. I can remember her working in homes where there was a new baby or the housewife was sick. Sometimes she took in ironing.
I learned about one desperate time, long after it occurred. Mother hadn’t worked for several weeks and we were completely out of groceries. She learned about a house cleaning job, but it was on the other side of Oklahoma City. Mother never owned a car while we were growing up. There was good bus and street car service in Oklahoma City. The fare was only a dime, but she didn’t have a dime.
The afternoon before the potential job, our life insurance man dropped by to collect on the nickel and dime policies; Mother told him about the situation. The life insurance salesman loaned her a dime, so she could go to the job. I can’t remember his name, but he will always have a place in my heart. That was life in 1938.
Our Heavenly Father
For all we have, for all we are,
for fresh air, blue skies, for every star,
for every blessing of this past year,
for this food, For every friend that’s here;
Lord, for all this, we give thanks and exaltation.
Please bless this food and bless our celebration,
as we give up the old year and ring in the new.
revive our goals, our spirits and faith in you.
Happy New Year
Evening News Analysis
The Hollywood Madame did so good doing bad,
that getting busted really made her mad.
While lawyers argued pros and con,
she threatened to release her book of john.
That news caused such alarm among the high and mighty,
that all charges were dropped by noon on Friday.
The Goal
The men were laboring in the hot sun.
I approached and asked a question of one.
“What are you doing sir?” if I may ask.
“I’m laying brick,” he said, returning to his dreary task.
I asked the same of a second man, blonde and tall.
As he brushed sweat from his brow, he said, “I’m building a wall.”
My curiosity was not satisfied, so I asked a third.
This brick layer looked enthusiastic and assured.
He was actually enjoying his work and I asked why.
“I’m building a beautiful cathedral that will reach toward the sky.
It will be God’s House, and I’m gladly doing my part.”
I marveled at how having goals affects our heart.
Some know what, others know how. Blessed are those who know why.
May God bless me with a goal until the day I die.