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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