Amy's Place .. Poetry and Potpourri .. Dec. 17-18, 2003

12-17-03 | JustAmy, St.Louie1 and Mama_Bear

[JustAmy]

Welcome To....


'Amy's Place' welcomes all poets
and those who enjoy poetry. 'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)












Never Forget!



Howdy!
I'm the mouser at Amy's Place. Amy named me 'cootblanch'.... (don't ask why. hahaha)







Amy's personal guardian ~
the always charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL !

I won the LOTTERY !?

[Darksheare]

Elf Bowling at Nstorm.com
*chuckle*
I know, hideous.

[Dubya]

CANDY CANE

The candy cane has long been a Christmas tradition and was said to have been the creation of a fine Christian candy maker in Indiana. Its sweet peppermint taste has been enjoyed by young and old for years.
The candy maker started with pure white candy to symbolize Jesus' innocence (Heb 4:15) and the holiness of the sinless son of God (1 John 1:7).
The white also shows the virgin birth of Jesus: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son..." (Matt 1:23).
He made the candy hard because the church is built on solid rock and God's promises are a firm foundation (Matt 16:18, 1Thess 5:24), and that Jesus is like a "rock", strong and dependable. (Psalm 31:3).
Next the candy maker made the candy in the shape of a 'J' for the name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior (Matt 1:21, Acts 4:12). When the candy was turned upside down, it is the shape of the Good Shepherd's staff (John 10:11). "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep".
Finally he stained the candy with red stripes. The color red symbolizes God's love that sent Jesus to give His life for us on the cross (John 3:16).
The large red stripe is for the blood Jesus shed for our sins on the cross (Eph 1:7). "In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." The smaller stripes remind of Jesus' suffering and our redemptive healing (John 19: 1-30).
So this Christmas when you and your family hang candy canes on your tree remember that they're not just candy canes. Instead they are a symbol of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
-- Author Unknown

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi friends, hopefully I should finish shopping tomorrow. I'm soooo tired!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful evening.

The Pudge

I walked about five miles today
To try to lose some pudge.
When I got home I said to Pat
"Now you can be the judge,"

"Do I seem to be a bit trimmer
Then I was just yesterday?"
"Not from where I sit", he said,
"But try turning the other way."

"For every ounce you want to lose
You must walk about fifteen more"
"So, If you want to get in shape
I suggest you find the door."

"Well, I ain't walking any more today,"
As I dropped in a chair, I said,
"Before I can take off twenty pounds
I think that I'll be dead!"

I decided that twenty miles a day
Is just pushing it way too far.
So, I went into my secret hiding place
And found me a candy bar.

-- Ron Crowley

[JustAmy]

Good one.

[JustAmy]

LOL

[JustAmy]

Thank you, Dubya.
I'd never heard the story behind the candy cane.

[JustAmy]

LOL

Now when did Ron Crowley start writing poems about me? Walk a half mile, come home and eat an ice cream bar. Yep ... that's me!

[Dubya]

The "W" in Christmas

In order to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience, I decided to cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until ach child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we
noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the
letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M"
appeared as a "W". The audience snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the
laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

When the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "CHRISTWAS LOVE"

Author unknown

[Dubya]

I Am Learning, Lord


My life has taken many falls

And tumbles 'long the way.

The many trials have left me

In a sure state of dismay.

For with each trial, I tried alone

To tend, and soothe, and mend,

Instead of giving them to God -

And on Him just depend ...

But, I am learning, Lord.

It seems that I was determined

To carry all the load.

I longed for smoother pathways.

Yet, I walked a rocky road.

Little did I understand,

God waited patiently

To pave a new beginning

With a better life for me.

But, I am learning, Lord.

It took a real disaster

To bring me to my knees;

To finally call upon the Lord

And say, "God help me, please."

He can, with no delaying,

With strong arms that could hold -

The weight of all my burdens;

He gladly took the load.

And, I am learning, Lord.

What a needless cross I carried,

All because I could not see -

What a friend I have in Jesus,

And the love He has for me.

Peace I find when troubles hover,

Though' the outcome is unknown.

For if yet the road is rocky,

I won't walk it all alone.

For, I am learning, Lord.

- Author Unknown

[Victoria Delsoul]

I thought it was a cute poem, LOL.

[JustAmy]

This place is pretty quiet; is it time for some Music?

[Dubya]

KITTENS DON'T SLEEP
THE POEM

Christmas gifts all bought and wrapped,
And I am frazzled to the bone.
White Christmas playing on the stereo.
On the TV plays and blaring 'Home Alone

Kittens pulling tinsel from the tree
And running through out the house ~
Why can't they occupy themselves
By chasing that ever threatening mouse?

Too tired to go any further,
I will just call it a night
I'll finish trimming the tree and door
By the mornings refreshing light.

Decorations: some left in boxes,
Some on tables and on chairs,
Candles in assorted colors,
Angels to be sorted, and put in pairs.

The nativity not, yet, completed,
The pieces lay on the coffee table.
I should finish it, tonight,
Though my spirit some willing, flesh just not able.

Turning out the lights;
Oh, to sleep to rest.
Tomorrow will be much better,
Where I can do my best.

As my head hit the pillows,
I felt a thumping in the bed.
There were the kittens, all three,
And one landed on my head.

What a rambunctious trio,
Always in some trouble, but so sweet ~
each having his own identity
"Ouch!" One just bit my feet.

Precious, the little mixed gray one, the leader,
Was examining my stuffed up nose,
Batting at my sleepy eye;
A new game to play, I suppose.

Lovey, the black and white,
Sitting on my hip, posing as the winner
From some made-up kitten fight.

There sat Sweety, the little tiger stripe,
Busying himself in the head board ~
Finding a stray earring to chase.
Aggravating they are, but so adored.

Finally, they scampered from the bed.
Ah, yes, sweet earned sleep;
Drifting ... drifting ... drifting off,
Not a sound ... not a peep.

Morning arrived, all too soon.
So, off to the living room, I had work to do.
"O, my word!" My eyes were met
With treasure to trash ~ from a wrecking crew?

Garlands strung from room to room and,
Somewhere, one wise man met His doom.
The other two tending one lone sheep,
Appears the Shepherd boy had left the living room.

Chewy marks on candles and boxes,
Ribbon and tags on the floors.
Truly, I see the meaning of
'When it rains ... it pours

The stockings no longer hung
By the chimney with care;
Decorating the carpet and under
Harleys old rocking chair.

This was a sight and let me say.
"'Twas not for the faint of heart."
Someone very busy, I am a thinkn',
Has tore the house apart ~

Remote for the TV missing,
Computer mouse hanging by the cord,
Rearranged Christmas videos
From the desk where they were stored

Wrapping paper off the rolls
Like a colorful runner to the door,
Glancing around the disaster area.
Could there be even more?

But, who did this dastardly deed?
The kittens were sound asleep?
Keeping a weary eye on them,
I began to sweep.

Knowing it wasn't Santa,
Too soon for that old elf.
The dogs looked, in awe,
At books no longer on their shelf.

I'm thinking, as the days go on,
Some of the proof will be seen
In spit up fur balls
Of bright tinsel of blue, red, and green.

Later, saved by grace, I surmise
By the dirt box in the bath room,
The man not looking all to wise?

I should hire out this lively crew
To a demolition team.
For just a can of food,
They can work at full steam.

What this house needs, now,
Is some mice for the destructive three.
But, complaining set aside,
They bring such laughter to the hubby and me.

Every home needs the likes of them.
For, you just can't be down or sad
When you watch the kittens at play (or work
Enjoying the silly antics, what fun we had.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
To yours from the Griffin House.
Blessings of the season from
The Hubby and Lady Church Mouse

© 2003 by Sandra Griffin

[JustAmy]

A little country.

[JustAmy]

That poem is so sweet.

Calling all cat lovers.

Calling Victoria and Jen!!

[JustAmy]

Thank you for #69 and 70.

Both are excellent.

[Dubya]

You are welcome. Keep up the good work. I post when I can. Hope you and your loved ones have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.
DUB

[Dubya]

U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Saudi Arabia

Dec 17, 5:00 PM (ET)

By BARRY SCHWEID


WASHINGTON (AP) - Nonessential American diplomats and the families of all U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia should leave, the State Department said Wednesday, stepping up its warnings about risks in the country.

Private U.S. citizens should consider leaving as well, the department said. And Americans making plans to go to Saudi Arabia were advised to defer any such travel in light of "the potential for further terrorist activities."

The departure of U.S. officials and family members was not ordered, but was voluntary. Expenses were to be paid by the U.S. government.

Americans who travel to Saudi Arabia or remain there despite the warning were told to register with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran so arrangements can be made to keep them up to date.

"The U.S. government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests," the department said. This includes the targeting of transportation, the statement said.

"American citizens in Saudi Arabia should remain vigilant, particularly in public places associated with the Western community," the department said.

Last month, in the latest of a string of terror incidents, a housing compound in Riyadh was bombed, killing 17 people and wounding more than 100. Police arrested a Saudi citizen believed to have helped smuggle in from Yemen the weapons used in the attack, the Saudi daily Okaz reported Wednesday.

American and Saudi officials blamed that attack and suicide bombings at three other housing projects in May on Saudi exile Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network. Thirty-five people, including nine attackers were killed in the May attacks.

Saudi officials say most of the weapons used in militant operations in Saudi Arabia - including the May suicide attacks - were smuggled from Yemen.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Love the poem, Dubya. Very nice.

OK, how about more country… Hey Amy, I like the songs you're posting. You're becoming an expert music poster. I cross my heart…

[JustAmy]

Thanks for posting that report.

Every American citizen should be diligent and aware of what is happening around them.