Poetry and Potpourri ... November 21-22-23, 2003

11-21-2003 | JustAmy, St.Louie1 and mama_Bear

[JustAmy]

.................................................................

The Poetry Branch has been in limbo since the prior hostess left FreeRepublic April 15th 2003. We've since learned that said hostess has lost her posting privilege. That being the case, and Jim Robinson having given his ok, I wanted to renew the thread.

FreeRepublic is blessed with many fine poets, and we look forward to seeing their poems posted on FR once again. There were many non-poet FReepers who visited the Poetry Branch for the camaraderie; we hope they will return.

I would like to invite everyone to visit and relax at Poetry and Potpourri. Hopefully you will renew old acquaintances for chatting, sharing jokes, telling stories, posting cartoons, etc. Everyone needs a place to escape from the everyday news, make Poetry and Potpourri that place.

...................

The Belvedere's Guardian Wolf ~
the always charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf.

[JustAmy]

Wait, Wait ..... don't keep bouncing, stop for awhile. Relax with a little Poetry and Potpourri.

[Darksheare]

Got something floating through my head at the moment, but right now it's just nonsensical gibberish.
*chuckle*

[JustAmy]

This was in my mailbox; I want to share it ......


A woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children; after many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year---overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, make sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry. We already crucified him."

For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

The Reason For The Season!

[JustAmy]

Wishing everyone a wonderful week-end.

[The Mayor]

If we could just get back to that, Life would be different.

Thanks for sharing that.

[JustAmy]

Lemon and Raisin Scones

This is a nice combination, orange zest also works well.
Makes 16-18

Self raising flour - 200g (7 oz)
Salt - ½ tsp
Butter - 50g (2 oz)
Caster sugar - 25g (1 oz)
Lemon zest - ½ tsp, finely grated
Seedless raisins - 50g (2 oz)
Milk - 125 ml (4 fl oz), plus extra for brushing

METHOD:
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
Rub in the butter finely.
Add the sugar, lemon zest and raisins.
Add the milk all at once.
Mix to a soft, but not sticky, dough with a knife.

Turn out onto a lightly floured board. Knead quickly until smooth.
Roll out to about 1 cm (½ inch) thickness.
Cut into 16 to 18 rounds with a 4 to 5 cm (1½ - 2 inch) fluted cutter.

Transfer to a greased baking tray. Brush the tops with milk.
Bake towards the top of a hot oven 230 °C / 450 °F / Gas 8 for 7 to 10 minutes or until well risen and golden.

Cool on a wire rack. Serve fresh with butter or whipped double cream or clotted cream and jam.

[JustAmy]

My Weather Bug has been chirping all morning ......


Fresno County, CA
Alert Type: Non Precipitation Advisory Advisory: # 2
View State Map View US Map
A FREEZE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY TONIGHT THROUGH 800 AM SUNDAY MORNING AND FOR SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH 800 AM MONDAY MORNING
Urgent - Weather Message National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA 953 AM PST Sat Nov 22 2003

0000- West Central San Joaquin Valley-East Central San Joaquin Valley- Southwestern San Joaquin Valley-Southeastern San Joaquin Valley-

...A Freeze Warning Has Been Issued For The Central And Southern San Joaquin Valley Tonight Through 800 AM Sunday Morning And For Sunday Night Through 800 AM Monday Morning...

Clear Skies...A Cold Airmass And Light Winds Will Allow Low Temperatures Across The San Joaquin Valley Sunday Morning To Fall To The 26 To 34 Degree Range...With Durations Below Freezing Of 5 To 7 Hours. The Coldest Locations Could Fall To Around 24 Degrees For 1 To 3 Hours Shortly Before Sunrise Sunday. Temperatures Sunday Night Will Be A Couple Of Degrees Warmer...But The Coldest Locations Could Again Fall To Around 26 Degrees For 1 To 3 Hours. Therefore...The National Weather Service Has Upgraded The Frost Advisory For The Central And Southern San Joaquin Valley For Tonight Through 800 AM Sunday Morning To A Freeze Warning...And Again For Sunday Night Through 800 AM Monday Morning.

Widespread Frost Will Accompany The Freezing Temperatures And Persons With Sensitive Plants Should Bring Plants Indoors Or Cover Them For Protection. Be Sure That Pets And Other Animals Are Sheltered From The Cold. Additionally...Exposed Water Pipes And Sprinkler Systems May Freeze Due To The Cold Temperatures

[MEG33]

Beautiful words and picture.

[Darksheare]

Something I wrote awhile ago and didn't post for obvious reasons:

Not what it seems to be at all
you always pushed me so I'd fall
Shoved me out wingless in the sky
pierced through with the arrows of your lies
Now all I see is your face
why do you smile at my end of grace?
You destroy all who'd love you
rejecting all who could be true
Who's to blame once you're
old and alone?
Look in the mirror because
the one to blame is you
Never what you claimed to be at all
the masks they twitch as they twist and fall
And now I dance as you pull my strings
A puppeteer's approval at the puppet's disgrace
Throw away the masks and
just once let me glimpse your face
Hurt is all you gave
A cradle disguised grave
Hurt is all you have
Is it any wonder then
That those who loved you
Turned and ran?

[JustAmy]

Thanks for sharing your poem ... You put so much feeling in your poems. You kinda draw us in to what you are experiencing.

[Darksheare]

*chuckle*
Well..
Not so much the intent.
Intent is to entertain or promote introspection, a few incredulous snorts and laughs, and a few, "Now why did he word it that way?" comments.

[fish hawk]

Just wrote this last night. Must have been feeling lonely.LOL

    A WOMAN'S SONG

a  worman's song
is more than her body
though her body be lithe
and a giver of life
she is music with rhythm
a mother a wife
a helpmate for man
that makes him feel whole
she's as close to an angel
yet earthy and real
a bringer of peace to the soul
if you can't hear her song
the day will be dark....and long.
                     by Fish Hawk

[Temple Owl]

A snail buys a fast new car

There was once a snail who was sick and tired of his reputation for being so slow. He decided to get some fast wheels to make up the difference. After shopping around a while, he decided that the Datson 240-Z was the car to get. So the snail goes to the nearest Datsun dealer and says he wants to buy the 240-Z, but he wants it repainted "240-S".

The dealer asks, "Why 'S'?"

The snail replies, "'S' stands for snail. I want everybody who sees me roaring past to know who's driving."

Well, the dealer doesn't want to lose the unique opportunity to sell a car to a snail, so he agrees to have the car repainted for a small fee.

The dealer asks, "Why 'S'?"

The snail replies, "'S' stands for snail. I want everybody who sees me roaring past to know who's driving."

Well, the dealer doesn't want to lose the unique opportunity to sell a car to a snail, so he agrees to have the car repainted for a small fee.

The snail gets his new car and spent the rest of his days roaring happily down the highway at top speed. And whenever anyone would see him zooming by, they'd say "Wow! Look at that S-car go!"

[JustAmy]

That is a lovely poem ..... this did seem a little different than what I usually see from you.
Must have been from "feeling lonely".
Thank you and have a great day. Hope to see you later.

[JustAmy]

"Look at that S-car go!"

That is really cute ... thank you for posting it.
Nice to see you today .... hope you can stay awhile.

[Victoria Delsoul]

When I have fears that I may cease to be
by John Keats

WHEN I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain,
Before high piled books, in charact'ry,
Hold like rich garners the full-ripen'd grain;
When I behold, upon the night's starr'd face,
Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,
And think that I may never live to trace
Their shadows, with the magic hand of chance;
And when I feel, fair creature of an hour!
That I shall never look upon thee more,
Never have relish in the faery power
Of unreflecting love!-then on the shore
Of the wide world I stand alone, and think
Till Love and Fame to nothingness do sink.

[Darksheare]

Of fairy rings and gossamer wings
I often sadly sing
Many times when I'm awake
I regret the choices that I make
And in my dreams I make it right
With a glittering beacon in the night

[Victoria Delsoul]

I was just going to turn my puter off when I saw your ping.

That's a sweet poem, did you write it?

[Darksheare]

Yes, wrote it after re-reading the one you posted.
It doesn't feel finished to me, but the inspiration, such a tricky thing, slipped away from me at the last line.
*chuckle*

Oftentimes I write stuff and never title it, or I have a fragment of something that never gets finished.
I fear this will be one of the latter.

[OESY]

An offering to all who are developing their autumn colds:

Cranberry Hot Toddies

Ingredients
4 tangerines
1/2 cup whole cloves
3 quarts pure, unsweetened cranberry juice (if unavailable,
use cranberry juice cocktail and omit the sugar called for)
2 cups sugar, or to taste 3 cups amber rum, if desired

Directions
Cut tangerines crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and remove seeds.
Stud rind of each tangerine round with 4 or 5 cloves.
In a large saucepan simmer cranberry juice, tangerine rounds, and sugar,
covered, 5 minutes and stir in rum.

Serve toddies with clove-studded tangerine rounds in heatproof glasses.