How 'bout dem Yankees!

Yankees Win The Pennant Games ~ October 25, 2009

A 1947 Memory

California born -
in the second grade
principle of school
loved the World Series
and New York Yankees

Put on speakers
throughout whole school
studies on hold
as we listened

Excited
heard bat crack
we would cheer

New York
Yankees

Won!


Honorable Mention Winner ~ Sports Mad? Poetry Contest
February 17, 2010 ~ PoetrySoup.com

A Dramatic Hexaverse consists of five verses. First verse five lines, five syllables each line. Second verse four lines, four syllables each line and so on completing the poem. Last verse is one line with a one syllable word.

Featured Poet - Karen O'Leary ~

> > Heart of a Poet < <

The soul
spills on white sheets--
creative expression
born of compassion, honesty,
and dreams


'Expressions' is deeply honored to feature Karen O'Leary, ND poet for all to enjoy. Her heartwarming and beautiful way with expression may be read at PoetrySoup.com


Karen O'Leary ~ Poet

K indness within her heart
A lways loving from the start
R eality is her gift
E rnest is her lift
N atural she really is for…

O nly structure does she like
‘L oving poetry form she delights
E ver striving for perfection
A lways headed in that direction
R ambling is not her style
Y et she is a poet all the while


Dedicated to Karen O'Leary, Poet and Friend

Words from a Poet ~

Kindness in penned words,
written with grace and thoughtfulness
lifting the spirits, lifting the heart's joy

Seeing ones life expressed with careful
selected words, one reads the open lines,
commenting how well written the pain is

It does not take much for the broken spirit
to express eternal drama buried long ago
within a closed cover hiding the pain

Oh Poet, release the painful past, with words
written at a pace barely allowing the pen to rest,
letting go of the remembrance of yesterday

Close the book of days gone by
end the final chapter and rid the mind
of the painful reminders of a lost love

Pen, soothe your words in a forward motion
as the heart grows like a wildflower, strong
against the emotions buried within a dying heart

Tainted Eyes ~

Tainted eyes have seen the pollution,
dumping stained memories on our earth floor
a land given to us by our creator to grow in,
establishing for future generations, calling it home

Seeing the growth of towering sky scrapers
reaching the clouds, reaching for clean air to inhale,
scorched by hot fumes from jet streams crossing the sky,
concrete floors hot, melting heat from the hurried traveler

The magnitude of our ancestor’s vision has
grown tenfold, their vision of growth for us to share
decade after decade with each other for centuries to come,
my eyes have seen continued growth of their beginnings

Purity from yesteryear spread across the land,
gradually turning to ugliness appeasing the greed
of corporate managers living in buildings to the sky,
towering, dwarfing small creature choking below in filth

Our future generations are being crushed by the
weight of the unkempt, drug user, thief and rapist
taking what they may whipping the old and less
fortunate human into a dark corner with fear

Crying to be heard the knocked around, taken
advantage of God fearing human being,
whether a surviving man, woman or child
shouts - this is enough for all of us to bear,
this is our land, our world to love and respect…

protect it for our babies being born for tomorrow -
before my tainted eyes go blind from the filth of today

Who Loves You Baby?

Repose ~

Rest your weary head -
for it's drained from the daily
grind of chores that must be
addressed, adjusted, arranged
with superior strength

Rest your weary soul -
for it's spent from daily
repenting of sins that one
is committing who's feeling
shame, sorrow, sadness and fear

Rest your weary heart -
for it's consumed with searching
mankind to understand a world that
is changing, confused, crashing
within it's eternal self

For you unknowingly -
are waiting for God’s comfort

and, How is It on Your Side of Town???

America - think before you whine about your cell service, high gas
prices and not enough TV channels. This could be you & yours!
This photo saddens my heart.


..................... America 1935 ~ 1939 .....................

Night Clouds ~

The movement of the moon as it
slithers across the sky, casts a glow
that displays the characters designed
within the night clouds resting

Forming distinguished shapes
within themselves by a gentle breeze
passing in the night, swirling by on
its own destination of adventure

Covered by the evenings darkest of hue
the glorious creations floats in a manner
of lifelessness, but eagerly says to all,
“Come sit with me, if only for a moment”

Pausing, wanting to caress the momentum
of the passing object of a misty monument,
the spirit lingers as it defies its own destiny,
wondering if it dares to linger a moment longer

Moving to another point in time the night
clouds abandon its glorious spot for another,
as a new shape for tomorrow develops for the
youthful eyes to see, as the new morning dawn…

opens just for a moment with its own visual truth

The Golden Harvest - Couplet Form ~

Lord of the Locust eating our corn
Becomes obese he should not be born

Gold of our crops, the gold of our fruit
Locust singing and playing their flutes

Locust of our harvest, you waste not one grain
Striping the stems so nothing grows again

Lord of the Locust, you seem not to care
You land on everything without despair

Oh sender of rain, rainbow's casting their spell
Cleansing our furrows of Locust from hell

Bringing nourishment, to our fields of corn
Protecting stalks of life and their newborn

As life within life, receive blessings from thee
Protect our harvest setting our crops free

*Editor's Note:

The Couplet Form of poetry is rhyming stanzas made up of two lines. A pair of lines of a verse that form a unit. Some couplets rhyme aa, but this is not a requirement. 14 Lines


Happy Halloween from Expressions

Portrait of an Email Buddy...

Dear Rhoda:

There were probably many, many times this year when I may have disturbed you, troubled you, pestered you, irritated you, bugged you, or got on your nerves with all the e-mails I send.


So today I just wanted to tell you...
Suck it up, "Cupcake"!!!
'Cause there are NO CHANGES planned
for the rest of the year!!!
Love, Carole

A Special Email...from dear friend Carole Wolfram, UT

Halloween - Cops and Robbers...

Hmmmm, maybe this is the reason cats and dogs
don't like Halloween? In spite of their feelings, isn't
this a cute Halloween picture? What cha think?


Submitted to 'Expressions' by Catherine Lindsey, NV - Ed

The Belly Dancer...

This picture was sent to me from a great email buddy
Carol Brown from OH. The Mouse is suppose to be jumping up
and down on the Kitten's belly...The animation didn't reproduce,
but I wanted to post this cute picture anyway.
Thank you Carol...

Kitty Toys...

Who could ask for anything more? This is Feline Heaven for sure! Our Mother Cat loves and takes care of us each and every day!

Mai Ling...

Kitty
Toys,
Meee's
a happy
Kitty Kat...
Mine,
all
Mine!

Toys!

"Didn't Mom bring those toys to me, Mai Ling???"

Pure Kitty Love...

Pure Kitty Love
expressed by
Max 13 yrs and
Mai Ling 3 yrs.
Can these two
get any closer?
Amazing how much my
Kitties love
each other -
just like
their Mom...

Deep Within ~

Long ago, wondering
what it was all about,
I found what I was
searching for, slowly
it came to me

Somehow, something
was missing, something
was not taught, was
not instilled inside

Others I found had
this quality that I
was searching for,
an inner peace coming
from deep within -




Now, I speak of it often, for I have captured it and contain the
feeling that was lost to me, for I have found the secret

Love thy self, for without thy love of one, I cannot
share my love with many, remembering…

I am first, after God

The Visible Sky ~

She runs to the other side of the room,
hiding from a scornful love that is no
longer consuming her internal soul of
emotional stability and comfort within the
warmth of the light that shown upon her

Lost along the way of the forbidden
path of the undesired, she stumbles
catching her step to maintain her mental
balance of the disarray whirling around
her head of dizziness and discomfort

Confused as to where her path of footsteps
is leading her, she looks to the misty window
that is lit before her face, drawn to peer inside
the pane of mistrust, to see if this is her destiny

Harshly waved away by another’s hand of cruelty
she is not welcomed to this place of warmth,
of satisfaction and stability that has been
maintained by others settled within, she moves
on knowing her road is still to be traveled

Her patience is worn with the climb as she steps
upon a path to a brighter light within her view,
she is called within her mind to a place of
love and belonging, of acceptance and approval,
deep within she has found what she searched for -

as she enters the visible sky of eternal love

No Dogs Allowed...

A dog had followed his owner to school. His owner was a fourth grader at a public elementary school. However, when the bell rang, the dog sidled inside the building and made it all the way to the child's classroom before a teacher noticed and shooed him outside, closing the door behind him. The dog sat down, whimpered and stared at the closed doors. Then God appeared beside the dog, patted his head and said, 'Don't feel so bad fella...they won't let ME in either'.

____________________


Submitted to 'Expressions' by Carole Wolfram, UT - Ed

Winning Poetry ~

A Halloween Tale

The pumpkin shed his skin
for the pie that was within
He jumped and hollered
for soon he would be swall’ard

The scarecrow by his side
was ready to run and hide
Knowing Halloween was true
his day went from sunny to blue

Now don’t be scared to Trick or Treat
getting candy that’s free is really neat
And, don’t be shy -
cause I’ll tell you why

All spooky things will leave the turf
for tomorrow is November the 1st!


Seventh Place Winner
Funny Spooks Poetry Contest
October 2, 2009 ~ PoetrySoup.com

God Blesses Many Things ~

Dear God,

Every evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little prayer
Keeps running through my head.

God bless my mom and dad
And bless my little pup,
And look out for my sister
When things aren't looking up.

And God, there's one more thing
I wish that You could do,
Hope You don't mind me asking
But please bless my computer too?

Now I know that's not normal
To bless a motherboard,
But please listen just a second
While I explain to You, some more.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more to me than odds and ends,
Inside those small compartments
Rest a hundred of my "best friends!"

I know for sure they like me
By the kindness' they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Is how I travel to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as You,
I share in what life brings them
From that our friendship grew.

So please take an extra minute
From Your duties up above,
To bless this scrap of metal
That's filled with so much love!

- Author Unknown


*Author's Note:

This special email was sent to me with pictures in-between each
verse, but the pictures didn't reproduce. In my circle of computer friends, Ronald Bingham from TX, sends me the best emails ever!
Thank you Ron...

Is This a Bad Economy or What???

This picture
was sent
to me by
my good
friend
Vernette
Hutcheson, LA
who always
send me
fabulous
emails!
Thank you
Vernette...


----------------- Cats are soooo dramatic!!! ----------------

Life Thoughts by Ducky...

When I was young we used to go
'skinny dipping',
now I just 'chunky dunk'.

Wouldn't you know it....
Brain cells come and brain cells go,
but FAT cells live forever.

I signed up for an exercise class and
was told to wear loose fitting clothing.
If I HAD any loose fitting clothing, I
wouldn't have signed up in the first place!

Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we
messed up our life we could simply
press 'Ctrl Alt Delete'
and start all over? AMEN!

Bumper sticker of the year:
'If you can read this, thank a teacher
and, since it's in English,
thank a soldier'


Sharing in part this wonderful email sent to me by my good friend
Ronald Bingham, TX had me laughing all last night.
Thank you Ron...

My McDonald's Prince ~

I saw a man today,
he was handsome and about my age.
I spoke and he spoke back to me and
I felt the yearning to carry on the
conversation, just a little bit longer.

We spoke with ease, comfortable as I
felt a familiar rush being in his presence.
“Oh, I thought, could this be?
Is he finally, being brought to me?”
I smiled with happiness deep inside.

He said, “Nice talking to you,”
as he paid for his coffee and
left as quickly as he came.
I paid for my Chicken McNuggets
and left the same...

as I came -
too!

____________________


Unexpected Romance
{Limerick Form}

The rabbit ran straight up the hill,
he was chasing that silly Jill.
But, she was distracted
for how she reacted,
as Jack’s kisses gave her a thrill.


The Stroll
{Limerick Form}

The little Skunk got so excited
because his girlfriend smiled delighted.
They strolled through the flowers
loving for long hours,
as little Skunk became delighted.


Going Nowhere
{Limerick Form}

The silly Duck flew into the window
not seeing the shiny glass in limbo.
He cried ouch, I hurt my pouch,
flipped and landed on the couch.
Dizzy Duck cried - what a silly Bimbo!


The three foregoing poems are of Limerick form and consist of five-lines, often humorous in style. Lines 1, 2 and 5 have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with one another. Lines 3 and 4 have five to seven syllables and also rhyme with each other -
Rhymning sequence: A-A-B-B-A

Memories of Joy ~ A Narrative

I view my world around me with love in my heart
for I am blessed and guided to lead a life of joy by Him,
oh, of course all is not serene all of the time with every
moment of the waking day, but life for me comes near it

As I remember moments gone by a tear comes to the corner
of my aging eye not so much for sadness, but for joy in my
heart that I have precious memories to call upon whenever
needed in my moment of solitary delusion or bewilderment

Those choosing to let their moments become a vapor will be
empty later on when their incomplete lives will be ending,
nothing to call upon, nothing in their visual bank to view
and savor bringing peacefulness to their dying lost souls

Sad, the world is too busy to capture the goodness that
comes within thy spirit, sad one rushes to compete in the
task of living, seeking materialistic structures to please
what they feel needs to be pleased at that time…

Sad for them -

As I remember my memories of joy

Rhoda

Sleeping Cat Mountain...

This beautiful photo was sent to me by my email buddy
Ronald Bingham, TX. Upon research, there is no such mountain!
The picture that is making its rounds on the internet came from a website as part of a photoshop contest. Thank you Ron...

Betwixt ~

The crimson glow of the setting sun
singing the delicate growth of new
birth, striving to reach the last
moment of their lifeline - reaching

Flying wings dart to and fro
within the fountain of steamy rays,
gain momentum speeding to a
height of radiance and vision - soar

Earth creatures scurry and hide
under deaden leaves and blackened rocks
become their haven that covers
their tired worn out carcass - shelter

Shivering moon beams stream as to
mark points of interest, bring ones eye
to rest upon its exact arrow’s shaft,
gently touching the baked dirt - earth

Stars aglow sparkle in a hole of depth
summoning imagination, confuse the
reasoning mind of exploration, as to what
is beyond the unknown - infinity

- Rhoda Galgiani

His Gift of Love ~

My heart is full with love of Thee
touching my soul as He comforts me

Carrying burdens upon my back
He tenderly sends strength which I lack

My grief sometimes will make me cry
I look to His heavens asking why

My woe will soon leave as burdens lift
remembering His love and His gifts

Today might be sad a tear I do shed
wiping it away hearing what He said

Through Me all is possible do not fear
blessings come to you - for loving Me so dear

____________________

Dedicated to my dear friend Carole Wolfram, UT
as I send prayers for her beloved Canine
'Chaise' who is ill. He is 9 years old. <3

Lanterne - A Form of Poetry ~

The Gift

Heart
Loving
You today
Another’s gift
Yours


Words of Poetry

Words
Stated
Creating
Love, Peace, Joy, Tears
Poems


Spring Cloudburst

Rain
Downpour
Earth swallows
Mother Nature's
Tears


The three forgoing poems are of the
Lanterne Form: Lines 1 - 4 - 1, 2, 3 and 4 syllables
Line 5 - 1 word, 1 syllable to relate to first line word

A Thousand Kitty Purrs...

This picture was sent to
me from a
long time
email buddy Janet Thompson
from AL
who knows
my love
for animals.
I just had to post this one!
Thank you
Janet...

---------------------> There are twelve kittens in this picture!

Special Love...

The Warmth of a Puppy, the Purr of a Kitty,
Fill our Human Hearts with Special Love...

Winning Poetry ~

As the Season Turns

the fall of gold leaves
branches shiver from the cold
bare arms reach for warmth


First Place Winner
The Image of Fall Poetry Contest
August 28, 2009 ~ PoetrySoup.com

*Author's Note

The Japanese Haiku form of poetry consists of 3 lines
1st line 5 syllables, 2nd line 7 syllables and 3rd line 5 syllables
The subject is always about Nature.
____________________
New Dawn of Reality

A thousand mile journey completes
the destiny of thy awaited fate.
Scars upon the burning soles of thy feet
reminds the traveler of the harsh toils past.

No more, shall there be such a journey,
for the toll has been paid and the
goodness of the future is at hand.
Peace shall come to thy longing spirit.

The beginning of a new and uplifting
day has risen for thy who has
waited so patiently, for it to come.
Lessons harshly learned are forgiven.

Silent no more, thy shouts with joy
at the coming of the new dawn of reality.
Happiness to start afresh is waiting thee.
Penetrating wounds have been put aside,
for thy wounds have silently healed.

Glory to thee who shall live again,
who had the strength to set forth
on the path to a new beginning,
for this wondrous world awaits you...

thy beginning has just begun to live
as trusting in oneself radiates.

Second Place Winner
The Other Side of Reality Poetry Contest
July 30, 2009 ~ PoetrySoup.com


If I Can…

If I can stop one drop of blood
pouring from your veins,
moments spent shall remain;

If I can bring joyous sounds
to your deafened ears or
comfort your thirsty throat…

then my life was lived well


Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s
‘If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking’

Third Place Winner
Adaptation Poetry Contest
November 11, 2009
PoetrySoup.com

Now Meet Charlie from NV ~

Charlie (on right) doesn't have a title like most the other featured pets here on Expressions! He is just plain ole Charlie, but he's the 'King' of the Starr household.



Basset Hounds Charlie and Mr. Gino are best bud's and they do everything together. What a pair, what star's they are as God has given them golden halo's with His loving blessing. Those of us
who own animals are truly blessed to share love with them.
I can't imagine a day without our wonderful pets.
Thank you Zac and Alyssa...

Mr. Gino and Charlie from NV ~

Oops,
please
excuse the exposure, but
I am plumb stuffed from my 'Beefy Plate' that was fixed for me. Hmmm, Charlie is trying to get in on MY shot!!!

Meet Mr. Gino from NV ~

"Where's
the Beef?
Hey, I know
it's around here somewhere, cause I can smell it on those dishes! Ok, then maybe I'll go take a little nap until you plate me up...my eyes are getting a
bit heavy."

This wonderful picture was sent to me by my fabulous nephew and wife Zac and Alyssa Starr who lives in NV. How could one not want to spoil this little Basset Hound pup with those sorrowful eyes? "Hey Mr. Gino, you just say the 'woof' and Aunt Rhoda will hand feed you little tidbits any time you want them little buddy, cause me's loves you!"
Thank you Zac and Alyssa...

Meet Miss Maggie from NV ~

This fabulous little 10 month old is ready to leap into my arms and come visit her Feline Buddies here on LI. What a cutie this little baby is and look at that smile on her face!


Miss Maggie's picture was sent to me from a long time email buddy Barbara Dys who lives in NV. I am soooo happy Barbara sent me a picture of her new pup. Miss Maggie seems to fit right into my idea what a puppy should be, as she flys high with excitement. She has a little friend in the background, I will have to find out who that is! Thank you Barbara...

Please visit Barbara's Stained Glass at:
barbsstainedglasscreations.com or
click on 'Links of Interest' on left side of page

Hmmm, Looks Like 'Pinky' Won ~

Oh
alright,
the little
pink mouse
got to
me.
So
whats???
Me's a
Kitty Cat!

Pink Ain't Too Bad After All ~

Ok, this pink thing is getting better...

A Mouse You Say?

My Mom bought me a new mouse
and of course,
I have to look like I really like this thing. Since when
are mice
pink, anyway?
Hmmmm

Dinner Time at the Galgiani's ~

As you can see there are food dishes to the left, but Gracie 1, Max 13 and Mai Ling 3 always eat together in a glass pie dish...The dishes are for water and their snack food!

Nature's Gift ~

nature's pine needles
gave you art for the whole world
through your eyes we see


Dedicated to Richard Carpenter, Folk Artist

You may view his pine needle creations by
Clicking on 'Links of Interest' to the left ~ Richard Carpenter

For Now ~

My life is full with joy in my heart
feeling inner peace surrounding me,
knowing I am blessed

But, something is missing as I try to
sweep the feeling to a secret place,
a pocket hiding deep in my soul

Trying not to think about this empty
void, it comes, it stays, it lingers,
longer than I wish

Longing for companionship
sharing words with another,
sharing thoughts together

It is not meant to be for I have
been lead in another direction,
walking this path alone -

He says for now...

what you seek -
shall come through Me   - Rhoda Galgiani

A Cowboy's Daughter ~

At the young age of twelve I rode the barbed wire fences with my cowboy father, who taught me to wear leather chaps for I was his little girl,
a cowboy's daughter.

During a scorching summer’s drought or during a rainy season the fences needed repair, for the cattle would see their escape and run through the opened
fence without despair.

The ranch was hot and dry with lingering danger
around the front porch as rattlers would hide,
our faithful cattle dog Judy would bark seeking
them out keeping us safe from their striking side.

Our horses Blue and Boy excitedly jumped
and whinnied as they saw the ole pickup arrive,
knowing we would give them alfalfa and oats,
my Father loved his mounts with a cowboy’s pride.

I shot a 30-30 rifle with precision taught from a man
who made his own bullets, collecting guns for many years,
I was taught to walk beside him wearing my cowboy hat
as long as my hair was tucked behind my girlish ears.

He shot year round to feed his family fresh meat and
stopped at the grape and melon fields giving us such joy,
He was a frontiersman born in a century of modern times
but his mindset was that of a rugged bronco busting cowboy.

Then I grew up having a family of my own with
no cattle ranch or guns to shoot nor horses for me to ride,
my life took another turn away from the ranch that I loved
and now have only a memory I carry with a cowgirl's pride.   - Rhoda Galgiani Author's Note:

My father Robert E. Galgiani was born in Stockton, CA 1911 and died in 1990 was an original western cowboy. He taught me the love of ranching and the love of animals. I rode, learned to herd cattle and stood by watching until the branding was done. I watched with excitement during spring roundups as the cattle were corralled and divided up to be given back to the original owners. What an experience, childhood memories that will last forever...rg

The Thirteenth Year ~

The thought of thirteen comes painfully,
as if a stab in the heart from a memory
of an unfair justice, a choice not made of me;
a decision coming from a greater power,
an event that is not of my will

Yesterday is so vivid, painfully real
a reality that I never want to endure again;
before my eyes close for the final journey
when I seek the peace and love from my God,
as he promised me from the beginning

A single tear comes to my eye as I
remember you and then I weep
for you are no more, you I cannot touch;
you I cannot see or feel,
for you were taken away for a purpose

The memory of you is vivid as I envision
the gentleness in your eyes, the sweetness
of your smile, remembering the softness
of your voice as you whispered,
“I love you, Mom”

I cry tears of a Mother’s emptiness,
for my Sunshine was taken that day
you saw the bright light leading
you to wherever we take our journey,
wherever is His will, whatever is His plan…

knowing we shall embrace again   - Rhoda Galgiani

Honorable Mention
Dust Box of Memories Poetry Contest
September 20, 2009 PoetrySoup.com

In Memory ~ My Beloved Son
John Thomas Orokos
January 5, 1962 – August 12, 1996

My Feline Buddies ~

Something about the Feline
tug at my heart
maybe their eyes;
maybe their fur,
maybe their precious purr?

Something about a homeless cat
stirs emotion within
wanting to take them home;
wanting to know them better,
wanting to love them so they won’t roam

Something grows within my heart
as I became a lover of felines
they fill my heart;
they bring me joy,
they love me from the very start

Something strange happened to me
like a calling to care for them
giving them love;
giving them shelter,
giving them blessings from above

and I shall – my Feline Buddies
- Rhoda Galgiani

Miss Gracie ~ My Feral Kitty

I was born a Feral Cat. My Feline Mother left me in front of my Human Mom house and she found me when I was 3 weeks old. I am now domestic, but still have a wild side every now and then

- Rhoda Galgiani

"Hey, I thought this was a Relative! What gives?"

Gracie ~ 2008

I came to my new Mom with Asthma having an attack when I was five weeks old. Most others would have put me down, but my Mom says...'I am worth every penny she spends on my medicine.' I can't even be spayed...what a bummer!
Yikesssssssss





I am 3 weeks old in this picture. Considering I have never seen a camera before, I think I am doing very well. My Mom loves this first picture of me...She calls me "ET Eyes". July 2008

- Rhoda Galgiani

Friend in Silence ~

Silent words scroll across the page
words not so much of wisdom,
but words of silly joy

Suddenly you came to me
it seems in my most desperate hour,
now the inner healing has begun

Alone, was I searching for a friend
longing to share my worldly thoughts,
searching for someone to care

Silent words scroll across the page
words not so much of learning,
but words of silly laughter

I look for you to share with me
my thoughts and feelings for that day,
for I know you shall not be my judge

Finding my friend in silence
has filled an empty space,
sharing simple words in silence…

makes me smile

- Rhoda Galgiani

Meet Nicholas ~ A Christmas Puppy

A year ago he came to her house, unexpectedly quiet as a mouse.  Oh, she had to travel to pick him up and lug him home in her SUV Truck.

What a joy that day was cuddling him close, for she
knew he was the one hearing her proudly boast.

So, to Patchogue she drove as she was flying high
bringing Christmas Puppy home with a smile and a sigh.

She named him Nicholas a noble name indeed, for this
Christmas Puppy was sent to her joyously with God's loving speed.

Happy 1st Birthday Nicholas ~ August 6, 2009

Author's Note:

Pictured: Daughter Cheryl Donovan

with her new puppy Nicholas

Visit Cheryl at: lifeonlongisland.com

Mr. Max, the Old Man!

Mr. Max takes it all in for he's the only male in the bunch, half the time he just takes a snooze as long as the girls call him for lunch. He is now thirteen and could care less about the new

kitten in our house, he dreams and chases pretty butterflies and runs after that crazy old mouse. But, one thing he didn’t count on was the little one falling in love with him, she purrs as she rubs against his cheek giving him a loving kiss every now and then.  He just looks bored and gives her a swipe  for now he's a tired old man.
Not caring what he thinks, she gives a playful
nudge doing everything she can...

so he remembers Gracie!   - Rhoda Galgiani