tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54134699471025586682024-02-06T20:37:11.558-08:00Arvy's MomI am a retired teacher and a writer of children's stories.
I am a sister, mother-in-law, friend and
above all, a mom to Mike, Mary, Nikolas, John D,
and Patricia. They made me a grandmother to 11 and a great grand to seven little ones. My other loves of life is my older sister, Druella, younger brother, ,Jim -- and I shared my birthday in November with my identical twin sister, Mary. (a blessing that few is given)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-3459893258388222772012-09-04T15:09:00.000-07:002012-09-04T15:09:06.996-07:00THE CHICKADEE <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3b5998; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="display: inline; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE VISITOR </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">by</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: nowrap;"><b>M. C. Arvanitis </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreXuHxrwsrRZJvCS9wNysawc41TsHBodXCFKm08wDjG8AHZ85kohBGVaGJvP_kTFMav5ayL_QmY8pX6TsQZjVApBFIPTMHBIxrpvcZuN5ZU9-rMhtI6NvXu-g-rUlib2zd65ekdnJJk0O/s1600/black_capped_chickadee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreXuHxrwsrRZJvCS9wNysawc41TsHBodXCFKm08wDjG8AHZ85kohBGVaGJvP_kTFMav5ayL_QmY8pX6TsQZjVApBFIPTMHBIxrpvcZuN5ZU9-rMhtI6NvXu-g-rUlib2zd65ekdnJJk0O/s320/black_capped_chickadee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A feeding dish I offer them,<br />A place where they can eat.<br />And when these rascals find my offer<br />I get a feeling, oh so sweet.<br />So today when looking out my window</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">My heart swelled up with glee</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">For who should come to visit?</span></span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-15723827453498793562012-08-05T10:50:00.001-07:002012-08-05T10:56:19.484-07:00Walking Against the Wind<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Growing old is inevitable when one still breathes. Usually it doesn't bother me...just a passive of time...But when I try to walk up our hill to the main road I get frustrated for I've always enjoyed walking. Each year the path seems steeper and my destiny seems harder to reach while the wind pushing against me becomes stronger.</span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walking Against the Wind</span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M. C. Arvanitis</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Up the hill where the road is smooth. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Where believers always win. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I take two steps forward, one step back.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking against the wind.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pain stiffens my legs. I catch my breath</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And push ahead to where I've been.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Before I slipped into this valley low,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But I'm walking against the wind.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It seems only yesterday. I was young</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My body danced and with a grin.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I ran, for nothing bothered me </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not even this hateful wind. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I'll reach the top, if I die trying</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For quitting is a sin. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But Lord it's hard to keep on going</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When walking against the wind.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-45852414239431785122011-12-15T13:33:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:33:27.456-08:00The Road Home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>85</o:Words> <o:Characters>485</o:Characters> <o:Lines>4</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>595</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1539</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>The Road Home<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>I traveled this road<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>As I was told<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Without a complaint or worry,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Knowing it led<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Not to dread<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>So I was in no hurry.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>I weathered the storms<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Faced my alarms<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>With the faith You offered me<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>I took the hard road<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>carrying my load.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Drove each mile willingly<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>I welcomed the love;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Yours from above<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>and with my family's care<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>I have traveled far<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>In life's chosen car<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Spreading the Love we share.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>Now my travels are done<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>The trip has been run.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>No more life’s road will I roam.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>As God takes my hand<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>I now understand<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><i>This road that led me Home.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>(M. C.Arvanitis)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i><br />
</i></span><!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>9</o:Words> <o:Characters>52</o:Characters> <o:Lines>1</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>63</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1539</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>In memory of my brother-in-law, Gene Bechtel. </i></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-77083020769151091532011-12-15T13:22:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:25:01.880-08:00THE THIEF<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">We all have our troubles so when I was told I had breast cancer, I </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">panicked , of course. At that terrible word "cancer" don't we all?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">But after the first reaction I took over .. after all it was MY life .. and</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">My body .. and I was in charge. The Power of Mind is stronger </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">then any illness. I wrote this to give myself courage and determination </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">that this was not going to take me away. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 17px;">The Thief</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">M. C. Arvanitis<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">I will not give it a capital ” c “<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> For it is not that important to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">I will not give it my fear and grief<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> For it is but an insidious thief<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">That sneaks, like a coward, in my breast.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> And tries to invade me with its test.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">It can push with its malignant strife<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> But it won’t stop my dreams of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">Its reality I acknowledge as true,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> But I’ll stop it now by what I must do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">With higher truths, positive power<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> I will fight it from my Universal Tower<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">With piercing vibes that kill. You’ll see. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"> This cancer will have no hold on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">1/15/06<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 13pt;">12/15/11 Five years later I am cancer free. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-76652354954737935042010-02-21T11:55:00.002-08:002012-03-13T15:08:29.393-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB-21aa89fyJ9k7ZOuvWYuEjTYoZVDFP1UmB408PpXsqAqwL8doiIEVg9toB9PyQi6XSlVJHX1q02NKDIsgs5Adte1X8gex0_q11MBSM2Xm8ovFAL_Wq1xtfUusqy9xGoPo0SPJEn-MIm/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB-21aa89fyJ9k7ZOuvWYuEjTYoZVDFP1UmB408PpXsqAqwL8doiIEVg9toB9PyQi6XSlVJHX1q02NKDIsgs5Adte1X8gex0_q11MBSM2Xm8ovFAL_Wq1xtfUusqy9xGoPo0SPJEn-MIm/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Snow on the Roses</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(a country song) </div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Writen after seeing snow on Portland rose bushes.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">When Yesterday roses </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">were blooming so free.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You picked a rose </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">and gave it to me </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">With it a promise</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">that we'd never part</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Yesterday's roses</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Laid soft on my heart.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Now you have changed dear</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Icy winds blow</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Your cold heart has turned</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">my sunshine to snow. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The roses have wilted.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Nothing is right</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">For there is snow on</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">the roses tonight</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Snow on the roses</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Snow in my heart</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">your letter discloses</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">From me you will part.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Yesterday's sunshine</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">has all gone away </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">and there's snow </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">on the roses today. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-69071895309080370832009-04-17T06:44:00.000-07:002009-04-17T06:51:33.387-07:00Oregon Beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcD7nFB3gjoE6KGEhmi3woB-7J0TZD30gdNBJzksBr5vSsf313Kss0vWUNbXTHv_QerhM1l7rL5S9uwYvCyoeVhLb1yjHSTWHkleXeUKOYPsAOFZdpBrczjDytSEknQD_zqyPmZVjODOQ/s1600-h/OR+Beach+1_0460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcD7nFB3gjoE6KGEhmi3woB-7J0TZD30gdNBJzksBr5vSsf313Kss0vWUNbXTHv_QerhM1l7rL5S9uwYvCyoeVhLb1yjHSTWHkleXeUKOYPsAOFZdpBrczjDytSEknQD_zqyPmZVjODOQ/s320/OR+Beach+1_0460.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325656831729663570" /></a>Nature's gift<div>wrapped in wind<br />Often cold, <div>but </div><div>always Beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-39783979508117119412009-01-03T15:11:00.000-08:002013-09-04T01:15:00.035-07:00THE MARCH OF TIME<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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Sunday afternoon--1950 (Nebraska)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Listening to the hit parade on the radio.</div>
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Looking out the window towards the road</div>
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Watching the movement of a lazy toad</div>
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Dreaming of my latest heart throb date.</div>
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Wishing he would drive in the farm yard gate</div>
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Wondering why the world moves so slow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sunday afternoon 1980 (California) </div>
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<br /></div>
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Listening to the seagulls scream in the sky. </div>
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Gray foam glitters in the sun </div>
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Across my feet then turns and runs</div>
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back to its mother wave. Perhaps this should</div>
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Be where I'll find my home for good</div>
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And I think how slowly time passes by</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sunday afternoon 1996 (Texas) </div>
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<br /></div>
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Listening to the music - old time class. </div>
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Air conditioned room with walls closing in on me.</div>
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Wondering if not here where would I be? </div>
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Looking out of the window at the city street</div>
<div>
Empty of neighbors who never want to meet.</div>
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Wondering why life goes so fast. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Sunday afternoon 2009 (Oregon) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Listening to the wind and rain beat down</div>
<div>
Making minute rivers on the ground</div>
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Standing on the covered deck. I am dry</div>
<div>
except for the hidden tear in my eye.</div>
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I'm where I want to be .. but I wonder why</div>
<div>
I'm still alone, and the days drag by. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-35104769211330982812008-11-11T12:08:00.000-08:002013-09-04T01:12:31.239-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn3Bo55PRgPSchPaU9o0XAh-xa59e0XAiT80iFyiB3e4X2C8KHVilA3EevpN5W08EMhei-9lfZ1LTK2k1jpYQQCDBWRuFGtyse-ETTSR6z8VFtBTzzF55PyCtDqArQtN9HyNfk3hribLn/s1600/61243_559135867437314_1064549916_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn3Bo55PRgPSchPaU9o0XAh-xa59e0XAiT80iFyiB3e4X2C8KHVilA3EevpN5W08EMhei-9lfZ1LTK2k1jpYQQCDBWRuFGtyse-ETTSR6z8VFtBTzzF55PyCtDqArQtN9HyNfk3hribLn/s320/61243_559135867437314_1064549916_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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80th birthday, 2012 - Portland, OR.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dnSoifHa7mjnbuNLHQ1QR8MVuCv1QBaPnNdZH9gHXfPvC-ppWVDgL7iT1inqPZbMbsKqrpN1m4vzBI8saa4n3p8OCYZSbGfrQS2aE_pb-r0_QM5zfnGDWFWgvlfgDpyAY-6tMem1XE1U/s1600/twins,+78+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dnSoifHa7mjnbuNLHQ1QR8MVuCv1QBaPnNdZH9gHXfPvC-ppWVDgL7iT1inqPZbMbsKqrpN1m4vzBI8saa4n3p8OCYZSbGfrQS2aE_pb-r0_QM5zfnGDWFWgvlfgDpyAY-6tMem1XE1U/s1600/twins,+78+birthday.jpg" /></a></div>
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78th birthday, 2011- San Francisco, CA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6V0VrafEslHjMmHxpN3mmshOMumC2n-zgTM0Yzvj-kw1spmuS5bTkM2T0rKlcs8traAL7bSzBmZv602BxF_E_uJ2yypJRA0-gNPr3x4vRmw0qcaIt7ZJVzSeNOQLZd7nDmelTZzQV9Kz/s1600/50+reunion+high+school+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6V0VrafEslHjMmHxpN3mmshOMumC2n-zgTM0Yzvj-kw1spmuS5bTkM2T0rKlcs8traAL7bSzBmZv602BxF_E_uJ2yypJRA0-gNPr3x4vRmw0qcaIt7ZJVzSeNOQLZd7nDmelTZzQV9Kz/s320/50+reunion+high+school+.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Taken at our 50th high school reunion Creighton, NE. We were 68 years old.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMYTUnrozbWi0K2sDwIK0K39RW0T-gX4QD6KMtyIa91L-YgksQsDJ1SlexgSaViv7ZSPjoBYeg7_Lvo1kfm-dlVahyCNH4t0y-5v2rHChyphenhyphenogFkWWThjdfrncftpMzXm1-0QyhBxAKjpry/s1600/Margaret___Mary_Wellman_1950_export.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMYTUnrozbWi0K2sDwIK0K39RW0T-gX4QD6KMtyIa91L-YgksQsDJ1SlexgSaViv7ZSPjoBYeg7_Lvo1kfm-dlVahyCNH4t0y-5v2rHChyphenhyphenogFkWWThjdfrncftpMzXm1-0QyhBxAKjpry/s320/Margaret___Mary_Wellman_1950_export.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ready to go our own way .. we were eighteen yrs old. </div>
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Taken in Fremont, NE. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstjZxK8WRtOTz84OSGj8AA11rO5EC6DxPQ3OjtLCq4fK_cbJOnqL0vrAQuIUcJ_Jfz8YGQuHpgibcJ5AQ-UMYZ7OQAouEjn9GiylwrN0xxq5nKUS_EU9Q4pQDqO-V0mecTV_iQjOU_8Yr/s1600/Mary_and_Margaret_Wellman__age_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstjZxK8WRtOTz84OSGj8AA11rO5EC6DxPQ3OjtLCq4fK_cbJOnqL0vrAQuIUcJ_Jfz8YGQuHpgibcJ5AQ-UMYZ7OQAouEjn9GiylwrN0xxq5nKUS_EU9Q4pQDqO-V0mecTV_iQjOU_8Yr/s1600/Mary_and_Margaret_Wellman__age_5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
age five, on the farm in Venus, NE. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0TwQKH5xDjHVyGjp6cO6yc2LDI4C3A7Nepdnr7AvVSy5wKTQ3apSVPLW-Bsg7gas-d7RoBe1pbaNiwntn6VOVJsMr_z73KIReR2UQQ-90-zLe03AMOeF8ian0T6Fh90r2lJB2X92DSAj/s1600/Dukie__Twins__Albert_1833_export.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0TwQKH5xDjHVyGjp6cO6yc2LDI4C3A7Nepdnr7AvVSy5wKTQ3apSVPLW-Bsg7gas-d7RoBe1pbaNiwntn6VOVJsMr_z73KIReR2UQQ-90-zLe03AMOeF8ian0T6Fh90r2lJB2X92DSAj/s320/Dukie__Twins__Albert_1833_export.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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baby picture -- with sister Druella, and brother, Albert. </div>
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Taken in front of the house on the farm where we lived.</div>
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1933</div>
<br />
When it comes to birthdays, I share mine with my twin sister. We share a lot .<br />
<div>
but sometimes not our view points.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">TWIN SISTERS</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sharing womb -- Sharing birth,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sharing parents and siblings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sharing the time of growing up</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sharing each other's laughter and pain;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">But yet, when reminiscing in later years</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">We seem to be telling the story</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">From a different viewpoint. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Margaret C. Arvanitis</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">C: November, 2008</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-40302449311272044712008-11-11T11:59:00.000-08:002008-11-11T12:15:47.434-08:00Birthdays come and go .. each number a bit larger. This year I leave this note for<div>my 76th birthday. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">76th Birthday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will not wear purple when I get old.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will not knit nor crochet.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll not rock and sing a quiet song</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or sleep away my day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I shall wear jeans too tight</div><div style="text-align: center;">And cowboys boots and vest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So save that purple granny dress</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until I am laid to rest. </div><div><br /></div><div> Margaret Arvanitis</div><div>C: November 11, 2008</div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-50299527442796680172008-01-04T22:56:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:48:13.569-08:00FLY WITH ME<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpscz8_RQdnLjIcK5inPFegO6M8TscYGNdqilRxiV-Qk2SHG5wrbX-oQ7zP7EEfiMnebrb9B5VprHmCQWXYt2H2a-rWjUaD-0ZkYhqUIYg31M_r1-ckgMDSftFz-P342NLALKm8bnIKsWz/s1600-h/1.jpg"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Soar in the clouds with the Eagles;<br /></div></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpscz8_RQdnLjIcK5inPFegO6M8TscYGNdqilRxiV-Qk2SHG5wrbX-oQ7zP7EEfiMnebrb9B5VprHmCQWXYt2H2a-rWjUaD-0ZkYhqUIYg31M_r1-ckgMDSftFz-P342NLALKm8bnIKsWz/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpscz8_RQdnLjIcK5inPFegO6M8TscYGNdqilRxiV-Qk2SHG5wrbX-oQ7zP7EEfiMnebrb9B5VprHmCQWXYt2H2a-rWjUaD-0ZkYhqUIYg31M_r1-ckgMDSftFz-P342NLALKm8bnIKsWz/s320/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151887198745564802" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look for the silver lining. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A life worthy of living </div><div style="text-align: center;">Is not made with whining</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at life from the Eagles' nest;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at the world from above</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the life worthy of living</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can only be lived with love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fly with me!!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-81794857753149623632007-11-11T15:52:00.000-08:002011-10-25T11:01:43.444-07:00Angels on HalloweenThere are angels assigned to us as we pass this way. They come in all shapes and sizes when you need them most and expect them less.<br />
<br />
Here is one of my angels' story:<br />
<br />
It was Halloween night and I had just arrived at the bus stop<br />
from the little church where I worked as a preschool teacher in the Village,<br />
California. The last parent to pick up their child drove me to the bus stop<br />
where I would catch the last bus of the evening to get back to my home in<br />
Pacific Grove. As he left me off I realized I didn't have my purse. I had<br />
left it in his car. I tried to wave him back but he didn't see me and soon was<br />
out of sight.<br />
<br />
I panicked.No purse -- no bus pass ..<br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cel</span> phones were not in use, and if they had been it would have been in<br />
the purse. I didn't have the number of my director, nor the quarter to call her.<br />
and I knew no one in the village. I couldn't call my daughter who lived in Pebble<br />
Beach because she was out of town. No way to call or pay for a long taxi ride back to<br />
my home in Pacific Grove. I was stranded .. on the scariest night of the year.<br />
And there was no one around the bus stop to beg for bus fare.<br />
<br />
When the bus drove up, my heart sunk even lower. The old bus driver who knew me<br />
as a regular customer had been replaced by a different driver. I crossed my fingers, told<br />
him of my problem and asked to be let on the bus, promising I would pay him when<br />
I rode the bus again.<br />
<br />
Yes he was my angel. He let me ride for free. When I got to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">transit</span> exchange in<br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Monterey</span> where I had to change buses to get to Pacific Grove he put me on the<br />
PG bus, paying the driver himself.<br />
<br />
I still had a problem, my apartment key was in my purse .. But at least I could<br />
sit on the porch near my door and hopefully be safe for the night.<br />
But when I arrived at my door the parent was waiting for me. Realizing I had<br />
left my purse in his car he had rushed back to the bus stop. Finding me gone<br />
he had checked my ID in my purse, found my address, and driven all the way<br />
to Pacific Grove with my purse.<br />
<br />
My angels were watching over me on that spooky Halloween night.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-87925269597466877802007-11-11T11:03:00.000-08:002007-11-11T11:23:15.491-08:00Sunny SparklesIn my 40 years of teaching preschoolers I have writen many poems and put to music.<br />The following poems are a sample of these rhyme/songs. <br /><br />There was a little caterpillar<br />As ugly as could be.<br />She hid among the leaves<br />In the mulberry tree.<br /><br />She was long and skinny<br />And -- ugh -- her skin was GREEN!<br />She knew she was the ugliest<br />Insect that one had ever seen.<br /><br />So she cried sticky tears<br />And slimmy stuff that weaves<br />Until she was covered up<br />and sticking to the leaves<br /><br />Mr. Sun came by and found her<br />He needed a sparkling pad<br />So he shone down on the caterpillar<br />'Til she was no longer sad.<br /><br />She felt herself a changing<br />into pretty -- can you believe?<br />This little caterpillar discovered <br />She had wings up her sleeves. <br /><br />She broke away from her prison,<br />Now she soars in the deep blue skies.<br />The Sun caught her in his light.<br />Now she sparkles as she flies<br /><br /><br />C l995 taken from my book "Songs for Children"<br />by Marjorie Arnee ~ (Margaret Arvanitis)<br />All rights reserved.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-88143175022255054482007-11-11T10:53:00.000-08:002014-03-02T11:24:20.394-08:00The Bashful bee and the DragonflyAnother of my rhyme/songs poems put to music.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The bashful bee was a sad insect.<br />
His head hung down bending at his neck.<br />
The fear he had of leaving the ground<br />
Kept him from flying away - hey.<br />
Kept him from flying away.<br />
<br />
When the dragonfly saw the bashful bee<br />
He said "My friend, just listen to me.<br />
You can't fly when you're looking down'.<br />
Listen to me and you'll fly away, hey.<br />
Listen to me and you'll fly away.<br />
<br />
If you lift your head and look up high<br />
You will find that you can fly."<br />
So the bashful bee looked up and found<br />
That he could flay away, hey<br />
And he flew away today, hey.</div>
<br />
<br />
C l995 taken from my book "Songs for Children"<br />
by Marjorie Arnee ~ (Margaret Arvanitis)<br />
All rights reserved.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-62357270637687737642007-11-04T14:15:00.000-08:002007-11-04T17:56:46.071-08:00Bliss and/or Pain. My views on AmourAmour (love between man and woman) has been experienced by most of us. It can be total bliss, making our lives wonderful. Or if unrequited it can be like an incurable disease, a powerful deep pain that won’t go away. It can last for a few months, a few years, or for a lifetime. This love is what novels such as Romeo and Juliet are written about. Most of us at one time or other have experienced this kind of love. This tearing hurt must be let out or the disease will destroy peace of mind and body. Writing about it can ease the pain. This is why love poems are written. (many are put to country songs. LOL) The following are some that I wrote at various times in my life.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-8919740231909191502007-11-04T14:13:00.001-08:002007-11-09T12:33:49.333-08:00Growing LoveMy love for you has grown<br />from a sudden revealing glance;<br />A touch of eyes .. into a magical force<br />Which transcends deep through the inner most of me.<br /><br />My love for you has grown <br />from an abstract indefinalbe desire. <br />An inate reflex .. Into an universal regard <br />that embraces all livlng matter In the Universe. <br />~~~~<br />(C) by Margaret Arvanitis<br />If you pass this on please give me credit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-90365676742372358712007-11-04T14:11:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:34:13.437-08:00Softly in Your MindPut me softly in your mind<br />And keep me there the while.<br />When troubles come, think of me<br />I will make you smile.<br /><br />Take me when your dream at night<br />I’ll chase your fears away.<br />Oh put me softly in your mind<br />And use my love today. <br />~~~~<br />(C) by Margaret Arvanitis<br />If you pass this on please give me credit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-44245979778001767972007-11-04T14:10:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:34:39.765-08:00RealityWhat is reality?<br />What is dream?<br />What happens when <br />the dream becomes <br />stronger than reality? <br />Does the dream than <br />Become real? <br />And reality becomes <br />the dream<br />Soon to fade away.<br /><br />~~~~<br />(C) by Margaret Arvanitis<br />If you pass this on please give me credit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-32902825434342635762007-11-04T14:07:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:35:18.114-08:00HomeHome<br /><br />Home is ------<br />Your sweet aura surrounding me;<br />The nearness of you, <br />Whether in thought<br />or physical nearness.<br />A soft gentle feeling of comfort <br />and protective closeness. <br />With you I am home. <br />~~~~~<br /><br />(C) by Margaret Arvanitis<br />If you pass this on please give me credit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-41651263366611130692007-11-04T13:59:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:35:52.851-08:00Cupid’s AttackMan of steel with his shield held high.<br />Nothing will penetrate his armor.<br />Yet he sends his arrows right and left.<br />Each one satuated with a love potion <br />That consumes body and soul <br />Leaving my armor melted and useless.<br />I’m open again to his attack. Oh God,<br />Let the wounds be healed this time<br />With the sweet salve of true love<br />Instead of the bitterness of hate. <br />~~~~~<br /><br />(C) by Margaret Arvanitis<br />If you pass this on please give me credit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-34865426710356022322007-11-04T11:20:00.000-08:002007-11-04T11:39:54.708-08:00Bless this MessWe all have our down times and even though I was blessed with my<br />children, life didn't always go the way I dreamed it would. I had this<br />sign hanging on my wall and decided to write about it, predicting a<br />happy ending. : ) <br /><br />(The first ten years of marriage)<br /><br />The sink is full of dishes<br />My time is slipping by<br />the telephone is ringing<br />And the baby starts to cry.<br />My neighbor wants to visit.<br />I must be nice, I guess. <br />All I have time to say is:<br />Three little words; Bless this Mess.<br /><br />(The second ten years)<br /><br />The car is running poorly<br />I'll have to take it in<br />My check book doesn't add up<br />I'm in the red again. <br />The bills are piling upward.<br />Sissie demands that party dress.<br />I look up, softly sigh and say<br />Three little words; bless this mess! <br /><br />(The next 10 years) <br /><br />The house is dark and quiet<br />And I'm setting here in tears<br />My husband's found a younger one<br />To ease his aging fears.<br />I reach into my soul for comfort<br />Longing for a sweet caress.<br />The only prayer I can utter is <br />Three little words, bless this mess!<br /><br />(the final years)<br /><br />The divorce was fast and easy<br />My flight is coming in<br />And waiting for me with sweet love<br />Is a very special friend.<br />My career is starting nicely.<br />I'm wearing a designer dress<br />I smile and say thank you, Lord.<br />You have finally blessed this mess. <br />-----<br /><br />(C)1971 by Margaret C. Arvanitis<br />Please give credit if you pass this on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-44996022157076561252007-11-04T11:04:00.000-08:002007-11-04T18:00:21.427-08:00TomorrowChildren grow up and leave the nest. And the mother bird must cry. <br /><br /><br />Is it tomorrow yet?<br />You'd ask me each day<br />"No little one, it isn't" <br />I'd laughingly say<br />And I'd feel quite content<br />And safe all the same<br />Because it was a known fact<br />That tomorrow never came.<br /><br />When your birthday or Christmas <br />Was drawing so near<br />You'd ask me "How soon?"<br />And I'd say, "Tomorrow, dear."<br />Then when the day came <br />I'd smile when you'd say<br />"What happen to tomorrow <br />When now is today?"<br /><br />But one day I awoke<br />And found that you'd grown.<br />you were leaving me now<br />For a world of your own.<br />The laughter I once knew<br />turned suddenly to fear<br />As I realized at last<br />My tomorrow was now here. <br />-----<br /><br />(C)1981 by Margaret C. Arvanitis<br />Please give credit if you pass this on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-79565825253540293562007-11-04T10:40:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:33:14.393-08:00DiversionWith five children there was always cleaning and cooking that had to be done. I would much rather sit and wach my childlren and their friends at play. This was written in protest. <br /><br />Will you childlren go somewhere else to play.<br />Away from sight and sound. <br />I simply must get this house work done today. <br />It's not that I don't want you around,<br /><br />But everytime my eyes catch sight of you<br />I stop and watch a while.<br />And listen to your words of wisdom,<br />And admire the way you talk and smile.<br /><br />Bits of human flesh running every where<br />"I can run faster than you" <br />Legs and arms swing out like foals <br />Running free beneath skies of blue.<br /><br />Your laughter and noise, beckon me.<br />You are the tranquilizer for silly fears.<br />I drink in renewed hope and know<br />This world will continue for many years.<br /><br />So Little prophets in need of soap,<br />Go get in some other mother's way. <br />There you can run and play your childish games. <br />I simply must get this housework done today. <br />-----<br /><br />(C)1965 by Margaret C. Arvanitis<br />Please give credit if you pass this on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-44826900288397330352007-11-04T10:23:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:36:48.040-08:00Little Boy in WhiteI was blessed with healthy children. My third son, John D. did break his leg when falling from his bike. While waiting for the doctor to set his leg I saw other children<br />with more serious illnesses and I jotted down this prayer.<br /><br />Let me see<br />Blue jeans and the sight<br />Of active boys -- not<br />A little boy in white.<br /><br />Let me see<br />The green of out-of-doors,<br />Trees and grass -- not<br />White corridors.<br /><br />Let me see<br />The grey of dirt and fun,<br />Not great white lights <br />to replace the sun.<br /><br />Let me see <br />You pink in running flight<br />Back to health --<br />Not a little boy in white.<br /><br />-----<br /><br />(C)1971 by Margaret C. Arvanitis<br />Please give credit if you pass this on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-20252179496773406322007-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:002007-11-04T11:55:27.034-08:00The Climbing TreeThis was written for Patti, the youngest, whose only place to get away from her<br />teasing brothers and sister was in Aunt Mable's big elm tree next door. <br /><br /><br />When I'm in the climbing tree<br />I seem to disappear<br />When Mom calls me to come in <br />I pretend I do not hear.<br /><br />When she comes to find me<br />She looks both high and low<br />Until I shout with laughter<br />When she says, "Where did you go?"<br /><br />-----<br /><br />(C)1965 by Margaret C. Arvanitis<br />Please give credit if you pass this on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413469947102558668.post-39620880360259770612007-11-04T09:48:00.000-08:002007-11-04T11:54:02.029-08:00Nick at TwelveThe middle child probably has the hardest time growing up, trying to be his own person with those older to boss him and those younger to tease him. This was written for Nick, my middle child. <br /><br /><br />There is love somewhere<br />Beneath the twelve year old <br />silliness--<br />The uncouth noises, the egotism<br />camouflaging the terrible<br />Self consciences.<br /><br />And when he's alone it comes out.<br />Not for his mother<br />Who at the end of a frustrating day<br />Forgets for a moment all about love.<br /><br />Nor for his father<br />Whose main concern is to buid his son's<br />Character<br /><br />His love comes out like a blanket<br />Covering the old grey cat.<br />Who demands nothing from him<br />Except to be petted and<br />relieved of its winter's coat. <br />-----<br /><br />(C)1971 by Margaret C. Arvanitis<br />Please give credit if you pass this on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090901264958948500noreply@blogger.com0