What Makes Me Laugh, The Short List

Hair that literally stands on end due to static electricity.
Animals wearing glasses and human clothing.
Inanimate objects such as cars or buildings that smile.
Contagious laughter even if you don't know why.
A child being naughty because I've been there, done that.
An unexpected punchline to a joke, verbal or visual.
My husband acting goofy, verbally or physically.
George Carlin's observations of daily human behaviors.
Tim Conway's slapstick routines on the Carol Burnett show.
Talking with my sisters about our strange habits and quirks , i.e. hair styles, food choices, house cleaning methods...
Baby humans and animals learning to stand and walk.
When I catch myself looking for something I'm wearing or holding.
People who can laugh at themselves because I can relate.

The Magnolia House

We live in the Magnolia House on a particular Drive
Long may it continue to inspire happiness and thrive
It has given several families much needed comfortable shelter
From winter's freezing chill and summer's blazing swelter

In the spring the magnolia trees beckon to us while they're in bloom
We sit in their shade content to read and breathe their perfume
The soft breezes ruffle the petals and send them floating to the ground
It's quiet and refreshing without making a sound

There's a patio by our shed sheltered by an elderly  beige  picket fence
In the Spring tulips grow near it with a red color so intense
Summer brings hanging baskets and planters full of  plants and flowers
Chairs with a table and umbrella give us shade and shelter from passing showers

Spring brings clusters of wild flowers to the side yard, with blue and purple hues
I love taking their picture and enjoying the sumptuous view
Too soon it becomes overgrown and it has to be mowed down
Until then I absorb their beauty. It's like nowhere else I've found

The front picture window shows nature at it's best
Sunrises, full moons, and evening streets at rest
Spring blooms, autumnal colors, quiet  blankets of snows
Sometimes we sit in the living room and just enjoy the show

The house itself is cozy and all on one level
This affords advantages of which there are several
No lugging laundry down and up stairs
House cleaning is easier with fewer physical cares

Love and joy fill the house when family and friends come to visit
The space may be small but for family and friends there is no limit
For parties the air has the aroma of food freshly baked
Nothing fancy but welcoming with a love that's not faked

Magnolia house has seen its share of drama so intense
But it's blessings are outweighing its recent past's suspense
The friendship and support of family, friends and neighbors
Has helped make this house a home, with memories we will savor.

Thank's For The Normalcy

Thanks to my parents who bent over backwards making sure I was allowed to do as much as I physically was able to do. Schooling, dancing lessons, driving lessons, shopping and household chores.

Thanks to my older sisters who never let me get away with anything. You never treated me as if I were handicapped. To you I was a very willful bratty little sister and a sometime friend.

Thanks to my teachers who treated me like everyone else. You never jumped in to help when I didn't ask for it. Thank you for seeing me and what I could be. You gave me choices and how to achieve them.

To be fair along the way I was told what people thought I couldn't do and I eventually proved them wrong. The real world made me work harder than home and school to be seen as normal. I was young and driven.

Now looking back I'm grateful to those who saw the real me and either  befriended me or didn't like me. Either way I was accepted as an equal, as normal. I respect those who reject my views instead of my physical appearance.

In my life I have achieved and taken for granted more things than I care to remember. Through the grace of God I received college degrees and teaching certificates. I have prayerfully lived through drama, trauma and success.

So thank you to all who raised me. From birth to adulthood it's been a challenging journey. Thank you to all of my friends and associates who accepted me and some not. I'm a pretty stgrong personality and you treated me as normal and for that I am grateful.

I Can't Remember

I can't remember what I wanted at the store
I can't remember where I parked the car
I can't remember if I locked my front door
But I remember you and your telescope as we gazed at the stars

I can't remember where I put my script away
I can't remember the next song to sing
I can't remember what music to play
But I'll always remember the joy you bring

I can't remember where I put my purse
I can't remember where I put my keys
I can't remember my lines to rehearse
But I do remember that you love me

I can't remember what my password is
I can't remember what I wanted to say
I can't remember what day this is
But I'll always remember in love with you I'll stay

I can't remember so many little things
I can't remember unimportant stuff
I can't remember all of life's dents and dings
But I will remember our love has always been enough.

The Sound Of Victory

It was a wildcard game and a heart stopping wild ride for all Eagles fans on Sunday. The Eagles had scored a touchdown and a field goal. They now had a one point lead. With a little over a minute to go, the Bears had control of the ball and were in a three point field goal range.

Explatives were flying through the air in our house. Surely the Eagles had lost. I paced between the living room and kitchen. I couldn't watch but I  couldn't not watch. My husband sat on the edge of his Eagles chair transfixed in front of the television .

Just as the Bear's place kicker was kicking the ball, the Eagle's head coach called a time out with only seconds left to play. The kick that had sent the football sailing through the goal posts didn't count. The exasperated explatives in our house stopped. We felt a faint glimmer of hope.

Play started again. As the ball was kicked, prayers were offered up and then the faint sound of victory was heard. The football hit the goal post and crossbar and bounced back. The kick had failed to score! That double "doink", was seen and heard by all grateful Eagles fans. That was the sound of victory. Not the hoots and hollers by the fans in the stadium and in front of their television screens, but the sound of a football bouncing off of the goalpost and then the crossbar. It should be called the "doinks" heard around the world. That was the sweet sound of victory.

Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!

Stop the busyness of the power walk
Stop and breathe in God's love
Don't just do something, stand there!

Remove the ear buds
Listen to the symphonic bird song
Don't just do something, stand there!

Turn off the cell phone
Be with God alone
Don't just do something, stand there!

Stop worrying about what needs to be done
You don't have to walk or run
Don't just do something, stand there!

Feel the warmth of the sun
And the shade of the trees
Don't just do something, stand there!

Experience the glory that is God!
Revel in His handiwork, so please
Don't just do something, stand there!

Stand and be awed
Stand and be transformed, and always remember
Don't just do something, stand there!

Riding On The Sled

Gliding and flying downhill on fresh powdery snow
Stinging from the glistening spray on my face as I go
All was quiet save for the swooshing of the sled
And me screaming,"Holy Hannah!" inside my head
The sled took off with effortless speed
When it was done I rolled into the snow on my knees
It was a plastic tobogan and very light weight
That made it easy to carry up hill, which was great!
Then down the hill I flew again and again
When finally up the hill I trudged, my time at an end
Quickly I threw the sled in the back of my car
The drive home took ten minutes, I didn't live far
It was an awesome adrenaline rush in the early dawn
I was sad when I finished but very glad that I'd gone.