'Not all frogs turn into princes'
I heard someone say
'Sometimes a frog is just a frog'
I think I had to learn that - how about you?
Is there a frog in your life?
Do you want him or her to be a prince or princess?
Remember this
We are all on different paths
With different lessons to learn
Sometimes a frog is just a frog
Don't be disappointed
If you want a prince, look for a prince
Don't be surprised if you don't find him
In a pond full of frogs!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Joy of Life
Three dog pals on summer dog walk with author
The joy of life is every day
It's little things and big
It's sunny days, it's rainy days
It's picnics with the kids
The trick to loving life, we know
Is looking for the good
In every situation find
The blessings that we should
Cancelled dates, give us more time
For thought and contemplation
For sending thoughts of love and peace
Across this whole, great, nation
Spilt milk gives us good reason
To wash the kitchen floor
Empty cake tins mean time spent
Enjoying baking more
Rainy days mean reading books
Calls made and letters sent
Sunny days mean lunches out
And time with good friends spent
Joy is there for us to find
In almost every day
Search for it and you will find
You're glad you think this way
Joy of life is not reserved
For optimists like me
It's yours to have, so take the time
Enjoy your life, it's free!
Friday, April 16, 2010
A Dog's Love
What a privilege I have
My dog to live with me
He's always there, come rain or shine
To keep me company
Such playfulness is in his eyes
Such mischief in his face
Inspiring games of seek and find
And run and jump and chase
And when I'm sad he sits with me
His head upon my lap
Though no-one's there, but us two friends
He fills a wider gap
And when the day's beginning
And I climb out of my bed
He's there at once, 'come cuddle me'
'And be with me instead'
Our morning walk is always fun
And we are always keen
We walk a while, then stop and play
Catch ball upon the green
Our morning walks are fairly short
Just thirty or forty minutes
Then we race home for breakfast time
To see what the fridge will give us
When lunch-time's here, yes, off we go
In search of more adventures
My dog and I, each other's friends
Together we're a fixture
No better friend was ever had
Than my dog Scottie, faithful lad
My dog to live with me
He's always there, come rain or shine
To keep me company
Such playfulness is in his eyes
Such mischief in his face
Inspiring games of seek and find
And run and jump and chase
And when I'm sad he sits with me
His head upon my lap
Though no-one's there, but us two friends
He fills a wider gap
And when the day's beginning
And I climb out of my bed
He's there at once, 'come cuddle me'
'And be with me instead'
Our morning walk is always fun
And we are always keen
We walk a while, then stop and play
Catch ball upon the green
Our morning walks are fairly short
Just thirty or forty minutes
Then we race home for breakfast time
To see what the fridge will give us
When lunch-time's here, yes, off we go
In search of more adventures
My dog and I, each other's friends
Together we're a fixture
No better friend was ever had
Than my dog Scottie, faithful lad
I don't have an electronic picture of Scottie - he passed away a long time ago
This is a picture of my sister with her dogs Max, Sasha and my Toffee behind her on a
Canadian dog walk
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Henry, Henry, Handsome Cat
Henry, Henry, handsome cat!
You're sturdily built, I wouldn't say fat
You're brown and you're tabby
Affectionate, kind
And if Penny bugs you, you really don't mind
A good game of tag, 'come chase me and see'
You're willing to play with the whole family
A rope or a feather, a string or a bow
They're all good cat playthings
You hide them, I know!
Now, where are those playthings?
I know where to look
They're under the bed or behind a fat book
They're under the cooker, the fridge or the table
In order to get them, I crawl and move cables
I dust away cobwebs, and pull out the chairs
To find those cat playthings, all covered with hair
And when I come out, all dusty, I find
Three cats are all waiting, with playing in mind
My work is rewarded with fun and with laughter
I sit and I watch them, now, who is the faster?
Well, Henry, he's big, but he's quicker than most
And Phoebe is small, but can leap on cat posts
And Tibby is goalie, he's firm and he's cuddly
No ball gets past Tibby, he lays on it bodily!
Around and around chasing playthings they run
Oops, over the table, oh isn't this fun?
Across the settee then leap onto the bed
Turn off the TV and watch us instead!
And when they're exhausted, they pause and then stop
Three cats in a heap, with the youngest on top
They snuggle and snooze and they smile and they purr
They look just like angels, but angels with fur!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Remember Me for I live on
The grass is green, the sky is blue, the sun shines overhead
I walk around our cemetary and think of those now dead
Fresh flowers cut, and some in pots, are placed where loved ones rest
Though passed away, remembered still, these ones are truly blessed
I walk around well ordered paths, it's here I take my ease
My eyes drink in the peaceful scene, the birds, the grass, the trees
These trees are old and very big, they've seen a lot of things
And squirrels play amongst their leaves and birds here rest their wings
Here people come to pay respect, to say 'hello, I'm here'
They come to bring back memories of loved ones once so dear
And people pause, and people pray and people smile and cry
I see it all, upon my walks, as I go strolling by
These loved ones are the lucky ones, their graves are well attended
And yes, I know, that they are gone, their spirits have ascended
But they look on, I'm sure of that, I'm sure they know and smile
I think they too pay visits here and rest here for a while
I hope that when my time has come, I'll rest in such as this
A placed filled up with peace and love, I hope that I'll be missed
I don't want you to grieve for me, although I'll miss your face
I know you will put flowers here, to bless this hallowed place.
I believe that though we leave the earth when our time's come
That we go on, and think on this, our lives are more than one
Yes, we miss you, and you miss us, but we may meet again
This faith I have, allows a smile to come right through the pain
I walk around our cemetary and think of those now dead
Fresh flowers cut, and some in pots, are placed where loved ones rest
Though passed away, remembered still, these ones are truly blessed
I walk around well ordered paths, it's here I take my ease
My eyes drink in the peaceful scene, the birds, the grass, the trees
These trees are old and very big, they've seen a lot of things
And squirrels play amongst their leaves and birds here rest their wings
Here people come to pay respect, to say 'hello, I'm here'
They come to bring back memories of loved ones once so dear
And people pause, and people pray and people smile and cry
I see it all, upon my walks, as I go strolling by
These loved ones are the lucky ones, their graves are well attended
And yes, I know, that they are gone, their spirits have ascended
But they look on, I'm sure of that, I'm sure they know and smile
I think they too pay visits here and rest here for a while
I hope that when my time has come, I'll rest in such as this
A placed filled up with peace and love, I hope that I'll be missed
I don't want you to grieve for me, although I'll miss your face
I know you will put flowers here, to bless this hallowed place.
I believe that though we leave the earth when our time's come
That we go on, and think on this, our lives are more than one
Yes, we miss you, and you miss us, but we may meet again
This faith I have, allows a smile to come right through the pain
Friday, April 9, 2010
Trees
I wish that they could talk to me
These giant, ancient trees
What wisdom lurks beneath their bark?
What's hidden in their leaves?
They clothe themselves in shades of green
And sometimes brown and red
Depending on the type of tree
Sometimes their leaves they shed
When springtime comes, some wear their jewels
Of blossoms, amid leaves
These flowers enhance the greens and browns
And float down from the trees
Such beauty lurks within their height
They're calming, tough and strong
Yet they give shelter with their arms
No wonder birds here throng
Yes, they give shade and shelter too
To people from the weather
From sun too hot, or rain too hard
They beat the umbrella
Such welcome lies within a tree
Their arms outstretched invite
Admire me and sit with me
Come climb me if you like
Trees hold the earth, they hold the soil
So we can plant and sow
And when winds come, the earth stays put
And streams can, mud free, flow
Our secrets stay within their hearts
Our faults, our shame, our love
They serve, adorn, lift silent praise
To Father God above
So many things they must have seen
While sturdy, silent, on the green.
These giant, ancient trees
What wisdom lurks beneath their bark?
What's hidden in their leaves?
They clothe themselves in shades of green
And sometimes brown and red
Depending on the type of tree
Sometimes their leaves they shed
When springtime comes, some wear their jewels
Of blossoms, amid leaves
These flowers enhance the greens and browns
And float down from the trees
Such beauty lurks within their height
They're calming, tough and strong
Yet they give shelter with their arms
No wonder birds here throng
Yes, they give shade and shelter too
To people from the weather
From sun too hot, or rain too hard
They beat the umbrella
Such welcome lies within a tree
Their arms outstretched invite
Admire me and sit with me
Come climb me if you like
Trees hold the earth, they hold the soil
So we can plant and sow
And when winds come, the earth stays put
And streams can, mud free, flow
Our secrets stay within their hearts
Our faults, our shame, our love
They serve, adorn, lift silent praise
To Father God above
So many things they must have seen
While sturdy, silent, on the green.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Devonshire Dog Walks - for Lin
On sunny days, and wet ones too
My friend and I would walk
We'd take our dogs and walk for miles
And talk, and talk, and talk
So many journeys we did take
We chose the quiet places
Unleash the dogs, and stretch our legs
We love wide open spaces
Up the sand dunes, down to the beach
Along the golden sands
We'd walk for miles and throw some sticks
And run with balls in hand
Much laughter shared, and fun was had
And problems were endured
We shared our lives, the good, the bad
Our friendship it matured
Through hills and dales, both near and far
We took our dogs for hikes
We walked through mud, we walked through dust
We never missed our bikes
In autumn's months we'd take a flask
And sometimes doughnuts too
At Christmas time, mince pies were brought
And then we'd need the loo!
For twenty years we've shared our lives
With all its ups and downs
Those dog walks stay within my heart
I still can hear the sounds
Of barking dogs, and breaking waves
Of walks down shady paths
We shared it all and we have found
A friendship that will last.
My friend and I would walk
We'd take our dogs and walk for miles
And talk, and talk, and talk
So many journeys we did take
We chose the quiet places
Unleash the dogs, and stretch our legs
We love wide open spaces
Up the sand dunes, down to the beach
Along the golden sands
We'd walk for miles and throw some sticks
And run with balls in hand
Much laughter shared, and fun was had
And problems were endured
We shared our lives, the good, the bad
Our friendship it matured
Through hills and dales, both near and far
We took our dogs for hikes
We walked through mud, we walked through dust
We never missed our bikes
In autumn's months we'd take a flask
And sometimes doughnuts too
At Christmas time, mince pies were brought
And then we'd need the loo!
For twenty years we've shared our lives
With all its ups and downs
Those dog walks stay within my heart
I still can hear the sounds
Of barking dogs, and breaking waves
Of walks down shady paths
We shared it all and we have found
A friendship that will last.
Photo by Bridget Moore, Devon, UK (c)
Photo by Bridget Moore, Devon, UK (c)
I love to cook
I love to cook, I love to bake
Such satisfaction in a cake!
Oat cookies, pies and fancy tarts
I love the culinary arts.
When friends and family come to dine
Results are more than worth the time
The food responds to loving care
And food was made by God to share
To eat alone sometimes is fine
But I prefer with friends to dine
To sit with friends around a table
We get together when we're able
And so I plead with busy mums
Food's not just there to fill their tums
Please take some time to eat together
The benefits outweigh the bother
The meal you eat with company
Will bless you and your family
Togetherness brings closer ties
And harmony's a rewarding prize.
Such satisfaction in a cake!
Oat cookies, pies and fancy tarts
I love the culinary arts.
When friends and family come to dine
Results are more than worth the time
The food responds to loving care
And food was made by God to share
To eat alone sometimes is fine
But I prefer with friends to dine
To sit with friends around a table
We get together when we're able
And so I plead with busy mums
Food's not just there to fill their tums
Please take some time to eat together
The benefits outweigh the bother
The meal you eat with company
Will bless you and your family
Togetherness brings closer ties
And harmony's a rewarding prize.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Winter in BC
I sit in my living room and gaze out of the window
Watching the snow flakes falling
Heavy now
But each individual flake looks fluffy and pure
And falls on top of another
To create, how many feet, I wonder, today?
My driveway and the front garden
Are once again hidden by pure white snow
Just a couple of small patches of green
Underneath my graceful fir trees
Their branches, tipped with snow too
Like beautiful girls wearing green dresses
Dressed with white fur and diamonds of ice
Sparkling on their outer branches
It's so quiet when it snows
A hush falls over the entire area
The sky is white, just a hint of where the sun is
Trying to shine through
Still falling, falling
Casting its blanket of pure white snow
I gaze out of the window and am in awe
At the beauty of this place and this season
Thank you, God, for bringing me here
To this beautiful, peaceful place
I love it here.
Devon
We thought we'd died and gone to Heaven
The first time that we visited Devon!
We Londoners, used to concrete and fog
Saw folk in the countryside walking their dog
Down lanes, where there were not many cars
Uphill and downhill and ever so far.....
Those Devon lanes, I remember them still
Wild violets, primroses, bold daffodils
Each season bringing a better display
In later years, here's where my dog and I played
Those first tastes of Devon, so rugged and free
Brought us to live there, the Hall family
Lynton so hilly, with old fashioned shops
Antiques and book-stores and quaint restaurants
Lynmouth, harbour village down by the sea
Ice cream, and dog walks and clotted cream teas
Our local town, our own Barnstaple
Had everything needed to make our lives full
Our own pannier market, with veggies and fruit
With pasties and crafts and baskets so cute
Our very own theatre, of which we were proud
From Shakespeare and ballet, which brought out a crowd
To Blues Brothers, Mozart, Beethoven or jazz
And mind bending mysteries, it sure had pzazz!
All around Devon are lush deep green hills
And plenty of sea walks, and plenty of gulls
I'd walk on the beach, throwing sticks for my dog
And down leafy lanes in the mornings I'd jog
Some parts of the county are rugged and wild
What thoughts they inspired in me as a child
The heather, the rocks, and the cliffs, ocean's shimmer
Contrasting thatched cottages, streams where I'd linger
The hay stacks, the cider, the ploughmans, the smiles
Pub lunches with friends and our dogs - we'd walk miles
And sometimes a BBQ, cooked on the moor
Midst flowers and cows, with a cloth for a floor
Some cider, some wine, some pop or some juice
The dogs lie contented, not tied up, but loose
They'd watch as the burgers and sausages sizzled
They knew there'd be treats when our appetites fizzled
Dear Devon, my home of earlier times
I long to come back to you Devon, you're mine!
The first time that we visited Devon!
We Londoners, used to concrete and fog
Saw folk in the countryside walking their dog
Down lanes, where there were not many cars
Uphill and downhill and ever so far.....
Those Devon lanes, I remember them still
Wild violets, primroses, bold daffodils
Each season bringing a better display
In later years, here's where my dog and I played
Those first tastes of Devon, so rugged and free
Brought us to live there, the Hall family
Lynton so hilly, with old fashioned shops
Antiques and book-stores and quaint restaurants
Lynmouth, harbour village down by the sea
Ice cream, and dog walks and clotted cream teas
Our local town, our own Barnstaple
Had everything needed to make our lives full
Our own pannier market, with veggies and fruit
With pasties and crafts and baskets so cute
Our very own theatre, of which we were proud
From Shakespeare and ballet, which brought out a crowd
To Blues Brothers, Mozart, Beethoven or jazz
And mind bending mysteries, it sure had pzazz!
All around Devon are lush deep green hills
And plenty of sea walks, and plenty of gulls
I'd walk on the beach, throwing sticks for my dog
And down leafy lanes in the mornings I'd jog
Some parts of the county are rugged and wild
What thoughts they inspired in me as a child
The heather, the rocks, and the cliffs, ocean's shimmer
Contrasting thatched cottages, streams where I'd linger
The hay stacks, the cider, the ploughmans, the smiles
Pub lunches with friends and our dogs - we'd walk miles
And sometimes a BBQ, cooked on the moor
Midst flowers and cows, with a cloth for a floor
Some cider, some wine, some pop or some juice
The dogs lie contented, not tied up, but loose
They'd watch as the burgers and sausages sizzled
They knew there'd be treats when our appetites fizzled
Dear Devon, my home of earlier times
I long to come back to you Devon, you're mine!
Penny Poppet
Photo by Penny McKay (c)
Abandoned in a lonely place
That's where we first met
I picked you up and took you home
And now you are my pet
I called you Penny, dear one
Your worth they felt was less
Those selfish people leaving you
So my life you could bless
And what a blessing you are!
Such love you give to me
You've been a blessing every day
If only 'they' could see.
Abandoned in a hot place
No water and no food
Those selfish people dumped you there
They left you there to brood
So home we came, my cat and I
To meet the family members
So scared at first, but over time
You kindled friendship's embers
Although at first, you couldn't eat
With tidbits I'd encourage you
A spoonful here, a spoonful there
Will fresh fish and some cream do?
Henry Cat fell in love with you
A friend said 'who can blame him?
That Penny Cat's a fox, you know
Her beauty has enslaved him!'
But more than beautiful outside
You love me very much
You kiss my face and sit with me
At bathing times and such
At morning's bath, you sit beside
And gaze at me and purr
You reach your little paw to me
And touch my face, my hair
So glossy now, your white bits white
Your calico coat well groomed
Your long fur quite imaculate
You glide from room to room
My Penny Poppet, darling cat
Oh how I love you so
From the tip of your sweet little rosebud nose
To the tip of your beautiful toe
Those selfish people, lost your love
They threw your love away
Their loss is my sweet, blessed, gain
I love you more each day......
Happy Homes
What is it that we're looking for?
What do we long for most?
For money, power, fame, or love?
Or happy, peaceful, homes?
It seems we long for days gone by
Because we feel they had
A happy home, a sense of ties
Committed Mum and Dad
A feeling of security
Seems missing in these days
Excitement and adventure
Try to lure us away
A home is somewhere you feel safe
It's filled with love and laughter
A home has family and pets
And 'happy ever after'
You know, you can create your home
Wherever you may live
A home comes from within your heart
It's where your love you give
A home-cooked meal at end of day
Shows family you care
Creating good relationships
As your own day you share
The dinner table should be used
For bonding family ties
Each member sharing things they've done
Conversation with the pies!
And even those who live alone
Can happy homes create
The atmosphere within your home
Is yours alone to make.
What do we long for most?
For money, power, fame, or love?
Or happy, peaceful, homes?
It seems we long for days gone by
Because we feel they had
A happy home, a sense of ties
Committed Mum and Dad
A feeling of security
Seems missing in these days
Excitement and adventure
Try to lure us away
A home is somewhere you feel safe
It's filled with love and laughter
A home has family and pets
And 'happy ever after'
You know, you can create your home
Wherever you may live
A home comes from within your heart
It's where your love you give
A home-cooked meal at end of day
Shows family you care
Creating good relationships
As your own day you share
The dinner table should be used
For bonding family ties
Each member sharing things they've done
Conversation with the pies!
And even those who live alone
Can happy homes create
The atmosphere within your home
Is yours alone to make.
The Music of Water
Crystal clear water, you sing as you flow
Over the rocks and the stones
Rushing downstream to see what's ahead
Eager to face the unknown
Softly you sing as you go on your way
Songs filled with praise and with wonder
Lifting our hearts as we watch you go by
Mischievous songs filled with laughter
How would it be if we started each day
Rushing to face the new dawn?
Fully expecting excitement and joy
Laughing at life's twists and turns?
How would it be, if when boulders come up
Over we went with a shout
Looking for fun and expecting to win
Loving what life's all about
Pure contented hearts would be
Living, loving, faithfully.
Over the rocks and the stones
Rushing downstream to see what's ahead
Eager to face the unknown
Softly you sing as you go on your way
Songs filled with praise and with wonder
Lifting our hearts as we watch you go by
Mischievous songs filled with laughter
How would it be if we started each day
Rushing to face the new dawn?
Fully expecting excitement and joy
Laughing at life's twists and turns?
How would it be, if when boulders come up
Over we went with a shout
Looking for fun and expecting to win
Loving what life's all about
Pure contented hearts would be
Living, loving, faithfully.
In Praise of Chocolate!
You lift my spirits when I'm down
You satisfy a craving
You spread yourself on my taste buds
You chocolate I've been craving
I keep some bars to treat myself
Rewards for being good
I don't each much, but when I do
I enjoy you as I should
So velvety, upon my tongue
So rich, and sweet and comforting
The pictures that you conjure up
Bring warmth and joy and munching!
So good with coffee, milk, or tea
I savour every bite
Between the sips of drinks I find
Increasing appetite
So, you're an aphorodisiac
When taken fairly often?
Your reputation sells more bars
For hearts we mean to soften
So innocent, you lead us on
"Go on, have one bite more"
But though I love the taste of you
Yet still I know the score!
Too much of you will fatten me
How many is too many?
I wonder what the limits are
When calorie counting - any?
So, once a month I treat myself
One bar, or maybe two
Depending on how good I've been
Should I be telling you?
Ooh, chocolate, made in pretty shapes
In fancy little cases
All wrapped up in see-through bags
Oh my, just watch our faces!
We buy you and we take you home
As gifts for company
For birthdays, or a thank-you gift
For anniversaries
A welcome gift, at any time
You represent the heart
We eagerly share you with our friends
As each new box we start
You satisfy a craving
You spread yourself on my taste buds
You chocolate I've been craving
I keep some bars to treat myself
Rewards for being good
I don't each much, but when I do
I enjoy you as I should
So velvety, upon my tongue
So rich, and sweet and comforting
The pictures that you conjure up
Bring warmth and joy and munching!
So good with coffee, milk, or tea
I savour every bite
Between the sips of drinks I find
Increasing appetite
So, you're an aphorodisiac
When taken fairly often?
Your reputation sells more bars
For hearts we mean to soften
So innocent, you lead us on
"Go on, have one bite more"
But though I love the taste of you
Yet still I know the score!
Too much of you will fatten me
How many is too many?
I wonder what the limits are
When calorie counting - any?
So, once a month I treat myself
One bar, or maybe two
Depending on how good I've been
Should I be telling you?
Ooh, chocolate, made in pretty shapes
In fancy little cases
All wrapped up in see-through bags
Oh my, just watch our faces!
We buy you and we take you home
As gifts for company
For birthdays, or a thank-you gift
For anniversaries
A welcome gift, at any time
You represent the heart
We eagerly share you with our friends
As each new box we start
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