A Homespun Memory

     Years ago, I wrote a poem that my mama liked very much.  'Course, bein' the recipient of pure love an' parent-pride, I never questioned whether she liked it for the poem or because I was her offspring.  To me, the fact that she liked this particular poem touched a special chord in my heart.  When mama passed away, I wanted to do somethin' to honor her.  Finally, when it was time to buy a headstone, I felt that the best way I could honor her was to give somethin' of myself that she loved.  The Poem.

     Years later, I tentatively entered my poem in a contest that was open to all countries, certain that I would finally learn that Mama's appreciation was founded in her love for her child.  To my great surprise, I won Honorable Mention.  I dunno' if anything has ever surprised or pleased me more than that award because I finally felt that I truly had given my mama somethin' worthwhile.  Naturally, she an' I shared a special moment that day.  Whilst I visited her grave, I cried tears of loneliness that she was gone an' tears of joy that I had given a part of myself that she loved.

     In case you have difficulty reading the words on the headstone, here is a copy of the poem:

Homespun

Homespun; fireplace; the smell of pitchy pine chips;

Burning; smouldering; dying.

The milk cow; milk; cream; butter;

Salted; churning, slowly churning.

Voices; Mama; Daddy; neighbors;

Children laughing, running, playing games.

Fields; plowed; planted; watered;

Yielding food for folks and critters,

To start again; Homespun.

                        By: Just Joany 1979



     Thank you for sharing this memory with me.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

On The Second Part of The Ninth Day of Christmas

     What fun we have been having!  Were you able to guess what my good husband and I have been up to?  In this season of love and giving, we so enjoy thinking up new ideas or new approaches to vintage ideas.  Such was the case over the weekend when we wanted to give gifts to many people whom we care for.

     You've probably heard about some of the creative ways that people give inexpensive gifts; coal, Elf Pillows, Snowman Soup and so many others.  Well, we decided to add our own twist to one of these.  When looking around for a unique idea, try this:  Snowman Poop!  No, No!  Not just ANY Snowman Poop.  This has a particular Eeeeeeewww! factor. Wanna' know the secret?

     A couple of things.  One is Blueberry-flavored Yogurt Bites.  They look especially gross for being Snowman Poop, therefore quite appealing to little boys.  Also, we packaged them a little differently than someone else might have.  Starting with a brown-paper lunch sack, we... wait!  Let's do this right.

     Supplies Needed:

          Brown-paper Lunch Sack

          One sheet of toilet paper

          Zip-shut Bags (ours were found in the craft section and measure 4 1/2" tall by 2 3/4" wide)

          Curl Ribbon

          Hole Punch

          Half a dozen Blueberry-flavored Yogurt Bites (found in the candy aisle of most large grocery stores - ours were packaged in containers much like you would find regular blueberries packaged in)

          Printouts of the following:

               T-P Your Snowman          and          the following poem:

                 Eeewww! Its snowman poop!

               But here's the scoop,

               And this you might not know:

               You can eat this tasty treat,

               This lumpy, bumpy, dirty snow.

     First, place about half a dozen blueberry bites into zip-shut bag along with printout of poem.  If you let all the air out of the bag after placing the poem inside, the pressure will hold the poem in the position you want it to stay.

     Seal and place that bag inside brown bag.  Next, fold top of brown bag down until you can lay the bag somewhat flat.  Tape it shut and tape the message, "T-P Your Snowman" on the outside, slightly above where you taped the bag shut.  Over that message, tape the toilet paper sheet so it covers the message.  We used one thin layer so the message could be seen through the toilet paper.  Finally, punch a hole through the top of the brown bag and, having already curled your ribbon, run it through the hole.  Give the ribbon a bit of a twist and you're done.  One gift with a sufficiently Eeeeeeewwwww! factor to please any daring recipient.

     Now, I'd like to ask you how you feel about this kind of a gift?  As a giver?  And if you were on the receiving end?  As always, keep a hug on.

Yaya

On The Fourth Day of Christmas

     Do you like to collect something special?  Have you ever noticed what kids like to collect?  Rocks.  Unh, huh.  Its true.  Walk outside with a child for five minutes and you'll have a collection of rocks to rival any Hummel or Precious Moments assortment you can buy.  The difference, of course, is the price.


     On the Fourth Day of Christmas, borrow from a favorite child's natural tendency to collect rocks and put it to something useful.  Find a rock about the size of the palm of your hand or whatever is comfortable.  Using markers or modeling paints, draw a face on one side of the rock and set it aside to dry.  Next, surf the the internet for a poem titled, Prayer Rock.  I posted a link, but there are other versions of this poem, so choose the one you like best.


     Follow the directions on this site, wrap it nicely and you have a very nice gift for the Fourth day of Christmas.


     Day one, a poem.
     Day two, a story.
     Day three, some games.
     Day four, give glory.


     We're on the right track for giving without a lot of spending for Christmas.  Come back tomorrow for more fun.