Amy's Place .. Poetry and Potpourri .. Dec. 19-20-21, 2003

12-19-2003 | JustAmy, St. Louie1 and Mama_Bear

[JustAmy]

Poetry and Potpourri made its debut on September 22, 2003

Click on our Club Car for prior threads.

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[JustAmy]

CHRISTMAS PUDDING

DON'T forget the raisins and the cinnamon;
Don't forget the nutmeg and the spice;
Don't forget the candy-peel, the currants and the brandy
(Or better still, the rum–that's my advice).
Then stir it with a spoon that's large and wooden
Till you haven't any strength left in your arms;
But above all, when you make a Christmas pudden,
Be certain that you don't forget the charms.

Who bites on the wishbone
His dreams shall come true:
He shall get what he wishes
Without more ado.
But whether 'twill bring him
Contentment or woe
Is a thing that no pudding
Can possibly know.

Who bites on the ring
Shall be wed without fail
In a white satin gown
And her grandmother's veil;
And the parson who weds her
Shall murmur with pride,
"Well, I never clapped eyes on
A bonnier bride."

Who bites on the button
Shall never take wife
But live a gay bachelor
All of his life;
And he'll think, as he sips
His expensive Tokay,
"There's no one, I'll wager,
So lucky as I."

Who bites on the thimble
Shall live by herself
With a cat on the mat
And a clock on the shelf.
And she'll think, as she sups
On a poached egg and tea,
"Well, it's much to be wed,
But it's more to be free."

The person who bites on
The threepenny bit
For love and for liberty
Cares not a whit,
But boasts, as he counts up
His gathering gold,
"Well, mine is a luck
That'll never grow cold."

So–don't forget the raisins and the cinnamon;
Don't forget the nutmeg and the spice;
Don't forget the candy-peel, the currants and the brandy
(Or better still, the rum–that's my advice).
Then stir it with a spoon that's large and wooden
Till you haven't any strength left in your arms:
But above all, when you make a Christmas pudden,
Be certain that you don't forget the charms!

From A PocketFul of Pebbles

[JustAmy]

Gather Round the Christmas Tree
Click for the music.

LYRICS:
Gather around the Christmas tree!
Gather around the Christmas tree!
Evergreen have its branches been,
It is king of all the woodland scene;
For Christ our King is born today!
His reign shall never pass away.

Refrain:
Hosanna, hosanna,
Hosanna in the highest!

Gather around the Christmas tree!
Gather around the Christmas tree!
Once the pride of the mountainside,
Now cut down to grace our Christmastide;
For Christ from heav’n to earth came down,
To gain, through death, a nobler crown.

Refrain

Gather around the Christmas tree!
Gather around the Christmas tree!
Every bough bears a burden now—
They are gifts of love for us, we trow;
For Christ is born, His love to show,
And give good gifts to men below.

Refrain

Farewell to thee, O Christmas tree!
Farewell to thee, O Christmas tree!
Twelve months o’er, we shall meet once more,
Merry welcome singing, as of yore,
For Christ now reigns, our Savior dear,
And gives us Christmas every year!

Refrain

[JustAmy]

A brunette, a redhead and a blonde went to an ice cream parlor together.
The brunette went up and asked for a Dr. Pepper float with no ice cream. The counter man was confused, but gave her a Dr. Pepper float with no ice cream.

The redhead went up and asked for a single dip of vanilla ice cream with Pepsi poured over it. The man was really confused now. But he gave the redhead her order.

The blonde was listening to the other two women and thought that she should have a ''special order'' too. So she went up and asked for an extra-large root beer with no roots.

[JustAmy]

The "'Tis Bottle"

Once upon a time, there was a fellow who was down on his luck, and as he was looking through the classifieds, he saw an intriguing ad offering a ten million dollar reward to the person who could find and retrieve, intact, something called a "tis bottle."

Having nothing to lose, he calls the man who placed the ad. "I absolutely must have this bottle, and there are only three surviving in the world," the wealthy man tells him, "one is in the heart of the deepest jungle, one is at the bottom of the coldest, darkest sea, and one is at the top of the highest mountain. I will pay your expenses for however long it takes to bring me one of these bottles, as well as giving you the ten million."

Being an adventurous fellow, he decides to accept the offer.

First, he gathers a retinue of guides and hunters to go with him into the jungle. He studies for months to prepare, and when he is ready to survive, he sets out to get the bottle. Into the jungle he goes, and after many close calls, and much loss of life, he finds the bottle.

As he is on his way out of the jungle with the bottle well packed and padded, he is attacked by wild animals, and not only is he badly mauled, but the box with the tis bottle goes flying, and box and bottle shatter.

It takes some time for him to recover from his injuries, but when he's well enough, he begins preparations to retrieve the bottle at the bottom of the sea. He takes diving lessons, hires the newest and best deep-sea diving equipment and crew, and takes to the sea. With little trouble, they managed to get the bottle, but on the way up, they are attacked by sharks, and have to rush to the surface. In the hurry, the fellow not only gets the bends, but the bottle falls and breaks on the deck. More time in the hospital later, recovering slowly, he's more determined than ever to get the third and final bottle.

He spends over a year learning mountain climbing and survival, becoming accustomed to low oxygen and heights, and planning the ultimate shatter-proof container for the bottle. He hires a crew of experienced guides and begins his climb. By the time they reach the top, they're low on supplies, weak, and frostbitten, but he will not give up. The bottle is packed and secured, and the group begins the descent. When they reach the bottom of the mountain, the fellow again has to spend time in the hospital recovering from his injuries, but he keeps the bottle with him and in sight at all times.

Finally, he's ready to present it to the wealthy man and collect his reward.

He goes to the wealthy man's house, and carefully unpacks the "tis bottle" and hands it over. The wealthy man inspects it joyfully, and hands the fellow a check for ten million dollars.

"Thank you and good day, sir," he says, dismissing the fellow.

"Wait!" the fellow cries, " I was attacked by wild animals, suffered the bends, and lost fingers and toes for this bottle. I've spent years looking for it, and almost as long in the hospital from trying to get it. Aren't you going to tell me why it's so precious and what it's for?"

"Um, it's a little embarrassing, actually. Why don't you just take the money and go?"

"I'm not leaving here until you tell me what this bottle is for!" shouts the fellow.

With a sigh, the wealthy man motions for the fellow to follow him. They go into the back of the house, and the wealthy man presses a hidden button to reveal a secret door. Behind the door is a small room with another door, behind a strong gate. The wealthy man unlocks the gate, unlocks the door, and opens the heavy vault door behind it with a combination. Inside the vault are thousands of bottles lined up neatly, wall to wall and floor to ceiling, with one vacant spot labeled "tis". Gently the man places the bottle in its spot, and declares "There you go."

"Oh, come on," the fellow replies. "There has to be more to it than that."

With a sigh, the man picks up a delicate, padded mallet that hangs nearby and gently begins striking the bottles, and a tune emerges.

"'Tis the season to be jolly..."


I know, I know ...... groan.

[JustAmy]

Photograph by Dan Lyons

Little Pine Tree

In summertime my branches were
A place for birds to nest

In autumn my branches were
Their place for food and rest.

And now that wintertime is here
I hope - I hope to be

All glistening bright with snowflakes
-- The birds' Christmas Tree

Author Unknown

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday !

Have a cup while you Freep !

[MeekOneGOP]

"'Tis the season to be jolly..."

hehehe ! ...

[The Mayor]

There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11

Beware of keeping Christmas but losing Christ.

[The Mayor]

December 19, 2003

"Where's The Baby Jesus?"

Read: Luke 2:1-12

There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11

Bible In One Year: James 3-5

---

It seems to happen earlier each year. Stores put up Christmas decorations. Newspaper ads announce "the perfect Christmas gift." Toy commercials punctuate television shows. Christmas music fills the air. Before you know it, there are banquets to attend, parties you can't miss, gifts to wrap, family gatherings to plan, baking to be done, and a host of other activities that manage to crowd out the real meaning of Christmas.

Delores Van Belkum told me a story about her young grandson that drives home the point. His mother and father had used a simple manger scene to tell Justin about Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. They wanted him to know that the Child born in Bethlehem was someone very special. As the holiday approached, Justin went on a shopping trip with his mother and grandmother. One salesperson showed him a sparkling display of Santas, toys, and decorations. He was fascinated. But he spoke words that far surpassed his years when he looked up and said, "But where's the baby Jesus?"

This Christmas, let's keep foremost in our minds the reason for the celebration—the birth of God's Son. Then, as people listen to our words and observe our activities, they won't ask, "Where's the baby Jesus?" —Dave Egner

Invite Him in this Christmas,
This Savior from above;
The gift He seeks you need not wrap—
He only wants your love. —Berg

Beware of keeping Christmas but losing Christ.

[Darksheare]

I'm in, thought you'd like how I found my holiday spirit yesterday.

[Calpernia]

Good morning to Potpourri!

And come by yesterday's post to see new contributions to Amy's Place from our own Conspiracy Guy! He posted late on yesterday's thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1041871/posts?page=140#140

[Dubya]

More Than Enough


Have you ever thought about the extravagance of God.
More sky than man can see
More sea than he can sail
More sun than he can bear to watch
More stars than he can scale
More breath than he can breathe
More yield than he can sow
More grace than he can comprehend
More love than he can know

--Anonymous

[Dubya]

Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas

T'was two weeks before Christmas, And all through Iraq,
The people still worried that Saddam would be back.
The soldiers went out on their nightly patrol,
Capturing the bad guys was always their goal!

With raids seeming endless in the triangle Sunni,
We hoped that not all of Iraq was so looney!
We gathered the tribe of Saddam, in Tikrit,
And suddenly now they all started to snit!

They told of a farm where Hussein just might be
Odierno then called on our boys-
from the great 4th ID!
More rapid than Baathists our soldiers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name
Now Delta, Now Rangers, Now Cavalry too!
On Green Hats, on Pilots, I need all of you!Go to that farm and secure it right now!
Capture his touche'- you guys know how!

Off went our soldiers under cover of night,
So stealthy, so quiet with no trace of light
While we back at home were eating our lunches,
Our boys on the ground were following hunches!

And then it was time for the raid to begin.
The first target came up -empty within!
Could it be our Intel was wrong once again?
No! Somewhere nearby is the wolf in his den!

And then, in a twinkling, camouflage torn away
In a hole in the ground did their quarry lay
Dazed and confused, right at them he looked,
Did the stupid old fool know his goose was now cooked?

He was dressed all in rags from his toes to his head,
And his beard was as matted as 12 day-old bread!
How the mighty had fallen, could this be Hussein?
One look in his eyes was to know he's insane!

Our boys got their man - how proud we all are
The relief in our country is felt near and far
A bath he has had now -yet he'll never be clean
Forever tainted with mass torture and his Fedaheen

To our soldiers we give our undying respect
You always give more than we ever expect
We hope you can have now a night with some fun
Your loved ones back home say- JOB DARN WELL DONE!

Deborah SandbergProud Army Mom (101st)14 December 2003

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'll bring Spotty and Barney in too.



Friends

A little Springer Spaniel,
Who follows him around.
Speaks volumes of his nature,
No better judge is found.
When dogs like you, you’re someone,
Not just an empty suit.
The love you give a faithful dog,
Will always bear you fruit.
If you like dogs that says a lot,
About the soul you bear.
But when the love’s a two way street,
The partnership is fair.
The bond is strong and touching,
Between this man and friend.
God Bless George Bush and Spotty,
To them this poem I send.

David Flurry 12/18/03

[Conspiracy Guy]

Second Dog

It’s tough to be the younger dog,
But he still does it great.
He’s always quick to chase the ball,
For playtime he ‘s not late.
He’s short and fast and full of fun,
Yes he’s a happy dog.
He lives there in the White House,
And he’s a cam’ra hog.
George W. is his best friend,
And Spotty likes him too.
This little guy’s named Barney,
And fans, he has a few.

Conspiracy Guy 12/18/03

[Conspiracy Guy]

And some background on Conspiracy Guy.



He’s Everywhere!
Whenever there’s a big event, Be it bad or good. Look around you’ll see him there, Watching like he should. He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere, You’ll see him if you look. Be watchful for he blends right in, Like pages in a book. But always know that he’s around, To you, I wouldn’t lie. Yes he’ll be there, I know, you bet, He is Conspiracy Guy.
Conspiracy Guy 11/21/03

[JustAmy]

This is the poem posted last night by Conspiracy Guy. I thought you would like to see it, so I've brought it over. Thank you Conspiracy G.

We Owe You

We owe you all for all you do,
You risk it all each day.
We’d like to send our deepest thanks,
To you we’d like to say.
You are our bravest and our best,
We’re proud of all of you.
You serve your country selflessly,
Your country knows this too.
So know that while you’re far away,
This nation backs your fight.
With your hard work and God’s Dear Grace,
This all will come out right.
So please stay safe and do your best,
Our hearts are with you there.
We hope you know that here back home,
The people really care.

Conspiracy Guy December 2003

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Meekie.
It is 7:50 here and our temp is 41; it is 9:50 there and your temp is 41. It looks like the central valley will have another warm winter day.

Thank you for bringing the coffee and refills this morning.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thank you. Many of my poems are political humor. Making fun of democrats and celebrities (easy). I'll have to guage the atmosphere here for a while.