A Poem for the New Year

I found this poem on a friend's blog a few years ago. Enjoy!

 

T'was the month after Christmas

... and all through the house,
nothing would fit me, not even a blouse;
The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I had to taste,
at the holiday parties had gone to my waist;

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber),
I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared,
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared;

The fudge and the puddings; the bread and the cheese,
and the way I’d never said, “No thank you, please.”
As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt,
and prepared once again to do battle with dirt,
I said to myself, as only I can,
“You can’t spend a winter disguised as a man!”

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished,
’til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick.
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn’t that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all
and to all a good diet!

***Genie Makinster***

God Grant Us Wisdom

Oh, for the widsom to build a world
Where man may find delight,
Not in the strength of martial power,
But in the quest for truth and right.
We would not ask that the way be cleared
And smoothed for our eager feet;
But, rather, freedom from groundless fear,
So our problems we may meet.
Yes, ours is a prayer for freedom, for strength,
And for opportunity
In a world not only of toil and tears,
But of love and liberty.
                                 -Genie Makinster

From Last Year’s 4th of July post

Quotes from the Founding Fathers, others, and including Patrick Henry's well known speech.

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
_{--Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.}

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever."
_{--Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.}

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

John Hancock
1st signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."
_{--History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.}

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people. Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him; God is a refuge for us.

 

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.

"From the day of the Declaration...they (the American people) were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of The Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledge as the rules of their conduct."

Samuel Chase

"By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty."

The Speech by Patrick Henry

No, one, Mr President, thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as the abilities, of the very honorable gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining, as I do,opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I should speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less then a question of freedom or slavery. And in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, thought fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards the majesties of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of a wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of these who,having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but be the past. And, judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry, for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir, it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation, -the last arguments to which kings resort.

I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if it's purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forgoing.

And what have we oppose to them? Shall we try argument?Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing, we have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty, and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have supplicated; we have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne.

In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free; if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending; if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest be obtained, -we must fight! I repeat it, sir, -we must fight! Appeal to arms, and to the God of hosts, is all that is left us.

They tell us, sir, that we weak, -unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strenght by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of Hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people armed in the holy cause we possess, are invincible be any force which our enemy can send against us.

Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone: it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The war is inevitable. And let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is like so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

These quotes and this speech ring true for us to pay attention too!

4th of July Sayings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poems and Sayings for the 4th of July.

One Flag, One Land, One Heart, One Hand,
One Nation Evermore!
                -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Our Flag

It speaks in steadfast color:
The red, the white, the blue;
It tells us what to honor:
The brave, the pure, the true.

It graces its staff with beauty,
Enlivens the languid air;
It drapes our country's heroes
And wafts a graveside prayer.

It guards our home of worship
And crowns our courts and schools,
Proclaming the law of liberty,
The heart of freedom's rules.

We stand at grave attention
To salute our nation's pride,
Our flag of cherished history
For which dear sons have died.
                           -Bessie H. Hartling


Our Flag Forever

Stand behind the flag,
Wherever it might be,
For it flies as a symbol
Representing you and me.

Down through all the ages
Of peace or bitter strife,
The tricolered badge of America
Has reigned over death and life.

Let it always instill courage,
Upholding freedom's dream;
And when the world dismays,
Let it shine a guiding beam.

May America be blessed,
As from the days gone by;
May her people stand with pride
And the flag forever fly.
                            -Evelyn Steen Taylor

Recipe for Happiness

Recipe for Happiness,

A Dash of laughter,

2 cups of Kindness,

Sprinkle of Caring,

Touch of Patience,

Handful of Love,

Serve to Everyone

You Meet,

                                                                                                        Anonymous

A Poem for Father's

My siblings and I recited this poem to my Papa on a Father's Day.

A Tribute
by Sherry Kuyt

If I know that God is loving,
That the best of gifts He gives;
If I know about His judgment
And how freely He forgives;
If I know He's always with me,
That He's faithful,wise, and true;
If I know God's like a father,
It's because, Dad, I know you.

God Bless Mothers

William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)

This is a poem that was read to a lady at her baby shower. She is going to have her 6th child.

The Hand that

Rocks the Cradle

Blessings on the hand of women!

Angels guard its strength and grace,

In the palace, cottage, hovel,

Oh, no matter where the place;

Would that never storms assailed it,

Rainbows ever gently curled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,

Power may with beauty flow,

Mother's first to guide the

streamlets,

From them souls unresting grow–

Grow on for the good or evil,

Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission

Here upon our natal sod!

Keep, oh, keep the young heart

open

Always to the breath of God!

All true trophies of the ages

Are from mother-love impearled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!

Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,

And the sacred song is mingled

With the worship in the sky–

Mingles where no tempest darkens,

Rainbows evermore are hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Tied Down?

Tied Down?

"They tie you down," a woman said,
Whose cheeks should have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.
"When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For Babies make a slave of you."

I looked at her and said: "'Tis true
That children make a slave of you,
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?
Do you not miss the greater joys
That come with little girls and boys?

"They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
To nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make your trouble all worth while.
They tie you fast to chubby feet,
To cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.

"They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso'er you roam,
Unto the little place called home;
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you to bring you back.
The happiest people in the town
Are those the babies have tied down.

"Oh, go your selfish way and free
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown
I would be, what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth's finest joy."
-Edgar A. Guest

I hope this poem encourages you all young and older ladies.

Endurance

  Endurance

   Though your days be dark and clouded,

Eyes red with grief and crying;

Life with pain and suffering shrouded,

To move through life you are trying.

Wishing to forget because of the pain,

Wishing not to because of the memories;

At Christ’s feet shed tears are lain.
You may feel helpless and full of grief;

Dark and angry clouds covering your sky,

Searching for a sign of hope and relief,

To get by on your own strength you may try;

An effort such as that will only fail,

To find hope you have but to look to Christ,

He will carry and guide you along your trail.
Your look on life do not let this mar;

For earth is but a temporary place,

He who you have lost is not lost and not far.

On Christ’s knee gazing into His smiling face,

Those that see Christ’s glorious face are few,

You sometime may be chosen to follow;

Then in Christ’s face will gaze he and you.

 Written by my brother.

This poem is for a family that had lost their 8 month old baby boy.

Grandparents Sayings

These are sayings from my Great Grandparents



Seven days without prayer makes one weak.


O, can it be, upon a tree the Savior died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled, to think He
died for me!


When all is said and done, there is usually more said than done.


A good thing to remember and a better thing to
do, to work with the construction gang and not with
the wrecking crew.


Be careful how you live. You can be the only Bible
some people ever read.


One who uses the Bible as his guide never loses
his sense of direction.


It is good to say. "Thank you" to the Lord to sing
praises to the God who is above all gods. Every
morning tell him, "Thank you for your kindness,"
and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness.


Love Him in the morning when you see the sun
arising, love Him in the evening 'cause He took
you through the day, and in the in - between times
when you feel the pressure coming. Remember that
He loves you and He promises to stay.


Let my house be a house of prayer, a happy home,
a haven where my every task is offered there in
service, Lord, to Thee.
                                                                   Amen


To do so no more is the truest repentance.
                                                      Luther


Time
Too slow for those who wait.
Too swift for those who fear.
Too long for those who grieve.
Too short for those who rejoice.
But for those who love, time in not.


Praising the Lord is a good antidote for
depression, because it causes depression to vanish
quickly.


Please, Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff,
and nudge when I've said enough.


Christ has no place in your life unless He has first
place.


I have only just a minute.
Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me.
Can't refuse it.
Didn't choose it.
But it's up to me to use it.
I must suffer if I lose it.
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute - -
But eternity is in it.


In faithful church attendance some folks rate as
champs. The others must be waiting untill we give
green stamps!


It is nice to be important, but it is more important
to be nice.


God meant the Bible to be bread for our daily use.
Not just cake for special occasions!


Praise God for Mother's gentle hand and love we
cannot understand. Praise Him who sent us from
above the blessings of a Mother's love.


There is no garden so complete. But roses make
the place more sweet;
There is no life so rich and rare, but one more
friend can enter there.

No matter what others are doing, my friend, or
what they are leaving undone, God's counting on
you to keep on with the job 'til the very last battle
is won. He's counting on you to be faithful; He's
counting on you to be true. Yes, others may work
or others may shirk, but remember - God is
counting on you.

If God is going to do something wonderful, He
starts with a problem. If God is going to do
something spectacular, He starts with an
impossibility.

When fortune is against us we don't forget to
whine, but do we remember gratitude when
everything is fine?

A Child's Calendar

A Child's Calendar

January brings the snow.
Makes our feet and fingers glow.

February bring the rain,
Thaws the frozen lake again.

March brings breezes, loud and shrill,
To stir the dancing daffodil.

April brings the primrose sweet,
Scatters daisies at our feet.

May brings flocks of pretty lambs,
Skipping by their fleecy dams.

June brings tulips, lilies, roses,
Fills the children's hands with posies.

Hot July brings cooling showers,
Apricots and gillyflowers.

August brings the sheaves of corn,
then the harvest home is borne.

Warm September brings the fruit;
sportsmen then begin to shoot.

Fresh October brings the blast;
Then the leaver are whirling fast.

Chill December brings the sleet,
Blazing fire,and Christmas treat.

The Victorian Nursery Companion by Sarah Coleridge (1834).

Choosing A Name

Choosing A Name

I have got a new - born sister
I was nigh the first that kissed her.
When the nursing - woman brought her
To Papa, his infant daughter,
How Papa's dear eyes did glisten!
She will shortly be to christen!
And Papa has made the offer,
I shall have the naming of her.
Now I wander what would please her,
Charlotte, Julia, or Louisa?
Ann and Mary, they're to common;
Joan's too formal for a woman;
Jane a prettier name beside;
But we had a Jane that died.
Edith's pretty, but that looks
Better in an old English book;
Ellen's left off long ago;
Blanche is out of fashion now.
None that I have named as yet
Are so good as Margaret.
Emily is neat and fine;
What do you think of Caroline?
How to choose or think of next!
I am in a little fever
Lest the name that I should give her
Should disgrace her or defame her;
I will leave Papa to name her.

The Victorian Nursery Companion by Charles and Mary Lamb (1809)

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth . . . Proverbs 22.1