Saturday, December 17, 2016

Day 21-Cookie Jar Sweet Memories Plus Christmas!


Day 21

 

 

Farmer Jones feeding each animal on his farm…

“Thank you! Farmer Jones!” (Little Golden Books)

 

 

Previously, I confessed that Z. Tyler was my little “shadow-buddy”; and, he surely was.

But, his Mom, our daughter-Beth, had preceded him by a full twenty years. I very seldom left the house that our Miss Catherine Elizabeth did not ride “shotgun” in our convertible. She loved to---Go! Anywhere…Any time! And, of course, I fully encouraged her to join me; we had “fun”.

One of her favorite haunts was the Ben Franklin five and dime store; they had a treasury of kids’ books for just thirty cents apiece, a “fair” amount for a guy with little, if any, spare change.

Still, I could not say No! To my little girl; we had a real “library” of the classic tales, each well-worn with myriad readings; Nanny even knew most of the stories by-heart. Me, too!

I think we still have most of them and kid sister, Becky, along with Z. Tyler, Lauren, Lexi and our “pistol”, Anna Marie have each heard the stories over and over. Farmer Jones was one of the characters, a real hero to little children.

In those early years, I could never have guessed that we would one future day reside on a real working farm with horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and one lonely turkey, Tilly!

Thank God for that miracle, the farm, that is. We all learned a great deal from that experience.

We raised our own alfalfa, baled it and put it in the loft for winter forage. My dad had burned me out on gardens when I was a kid and I swore never to have a vegetable garden when I became grown. Then, little “Becky” decided we needed a garden; I bought a tiller---and…Voila! But, the kids and Candy worked hard for the life we lived and there were “No!” complaints or laments. Such an endeavor is truly a 24/7 enterprise and you can’t say “Wait” when something needs to be done. The weather doesn’t always co-operate or suit the farmer’s needs. Well! There’s always---tomorrow. Yes! Siree! And, tomorrow already has a list of “to do” chores waitng.

I found the “simple” lifestyle of living on a farm to be delightful; “Thank God” I had three able bodied helpers. Truth is: I am one “expert” supervisor! Yes! Siree!

We had our share of “fun” and “excitement” on the farm, too. I tend to make everything a game; why not enjoy the demands and give everybody a “laugh”? We went sled riding, rode the horses, “punched” cows, sheared sheep, gathered eggs, “gardened” and played. Awesome!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet Memories!
Plus:
 
 
 
Christmas Eve Song
 
 
Pretty girls in Christmas dresses red satin
Blue-suited boy decked in shoes black patent
 
Spruce-scented tree bedazzled ornaments shine
Colored lights sacred-glow hallowed night defined
 
Bright-paper presents ’neath season-branches spread
Visions of toys create desire in sweet children-heads
 
Table white-linen display bounty delectable
Delicious fare all, each offering selectable
 
Family, friends gather to give the world pause
Impatiently waiting the arrival of ole Santa Claus
 
Deep midnight space caressing God’s pleasant earth
White snowflakes dance, enhance holy creation-worth
 
Miniature manger display adorned tree underneath
Proclaim season-reason for Christmas true belief
 
Holiday sights, laughter sounds increase mankind’s pace
Children-eyes adoringly sparkle-wide in Holy Spirit Grace
 
Absorb fully I this vision revisited each blessed winter
Remember thou life in Christ be at sacred holy center
 
Humble thyself as He on heaven-earth night
Celebrate Him each day in full eternal delight
 
Amen!
 
Merry Christmas!
 
 
 
 

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