Twelve Forgettable Christmas Gifts

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Imagining a zany list of gift ideas for another year

Let’s make Christmas cool again, as it comes near

 

Sitting here tonight in Ohio’s Buckeye land

Not too certain about Santa’s helping hand

 

Hoping that special gifts will await under the tree

Thinking that “some” might be pleasing for thee

 

A self-stirring coffee mug looks quite neat

Stirring my cup o’ Joe will be an easy feat

 

Christmas tea bags offer a fresh twist

Leaving my cup filled with a tasty mist

 

Is that Darth Vader defending the door?

Inflating him brings fear and much more

 

I’m not really into checking Twitter most of the time

Looking at a set of framed tweets, could be just fine

 

My stocking might be filled with a hockey stick snow brush

Cheering for my beloved Blue Jackets on the ice is a must

 

Someone spies a cassette tape collection of familiar songs

Wondering where to find a cassette player that is long gone

 

Golf ball finder glasses will most likely do the trick

Searching for each wayward shot in rough so thick

 

My daughter tempts me with chocolate Brussel sprouts

Wishing for “just” the sweet chocolate, leaves no doubt

 

A senior moment’s memory workout DVD should be slick

Keeping my brain’s recall functioning, makes a great gift

 

Coffee drinking in the morning, wine sipping late at night

Using a “Flip Over” glass, makes switching work just right

 

Last of all, needing to conceal every doughnut so sweet

Receiving a doughnut mug may hide it—isn’t this neat!

 

Warming myself in front of a blazing fire this cold night

Hoping that another lump of coal, will never be in sight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Prayer

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I was reading a devotional based on some of the text found in Psalm 103.  The reading and the Psalm provided me with an urge to write this poem.  The Psalm is filled with many inspiring verses.  Here is one from Psalm 103:8:

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Morning arrives quietly with much on one’s mind

Reaching out to the Father, with a prayer to find

 

Psalms surrounding one’s inner soul with a frame

Blessing God the Father, blessing His Holy name

 

Thoughts move to life’s trials, several filled with sin

Asking the Lord for patience and forgiveness again

 

The Lord redeems this wayward life from the Pit

Seeking to be closer to Him, finding a place to sit

 

God fills all with His steadfast love and praise

Helping everyone make it through life’s maze

 

The Lord is merciful, gracious, and forgiving

Praying to Him deepens a person with living

 

This time of prayer offers much humbleness to the Lord

Slow to anger and abounding with so much love in store

 

A prayerful moment prepares a heart with much to say

Spending moments with God, like a potter molding clay

 

European Christmas Traditions

 

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Americans celebrate many Christmas traditions from far away

Several come from Europe, continuing to bless lives to this day

Each Christmas in Europe is observed on one of two dates

The Gregorian or Julian calendar will determine its fate

Much of the European continent observes St. Nicholas Day

Exchanging gifts of sweets will make it the merriest of days

In German homes, Advent calendars are displayed each year

Eating sweet fruit bread and exchanging gifts with those near

Spain holds special Midnight Mass throughout its vast land

Walking the streets on Christmas Eve with torches in hand

French homes decorated with Christ’s Nativity will bring light

Burning in fireplaces, cherry wood Yule logs illuminate bright

“Old Man Christmas” is Romania’s Father Christmas—Santa’s tagline

Singing Christmas carols, smiling and blessed children pass the time

November and December fill Danish life with parties so fun

Receiving extra presents as each Advent Sunday is done

St. Nicholas visits expectant children in Ukrainian towns

Singing on the streets, Christmas carols remove sad frowns

Naples is home to the largest Nativity scene of all-time

Enjoying Italian Christmas cake and hot chocolate is fine

Many British homes decorate two Christmas trees

Decorating with much holly, ivy, and mistletoe to see

America’s European ancestors brought much to this land

Celebrating Christmas with traditions so holy and grand

Much of the research for this poem came from Christmas Traditions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Last-Minute Gifts

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Scanning my unique Christmas list for another year

Wondering if anyone is still shopping without fear

The number of Christmas shopping days will run out soon

Hopeful merchants want receipts to total up to the moon

Searching everywhere for gift ideas unique and new

Could my special someone really need and use a few?

A 21st Century home needs to stay up-to-date

Out with old gadgets, in with the new is its fate

Some gifts are for grown-ups—still being cool and rocking!

This ultimate Christmas list will fill up anyone’s stocking

A cordless wine opener quickly comes to my mind

Where is that old corkscrew in a drawer to find?

A waffle bowl maker just might surprise and do the trick

Perfect for filling with ice cream so decadent and thick

Tired from cleaning my home with effort too much

Perhaps a floor mopping robot has the magic touch

Serious wine drinkers keep refilling their glass

The Chugmate keeps one’s goblet filled in a dash

Spying a toilet paper blaster to add to one’s fun

Shooting bits of bath tissue at my little grandson

Special and unique gifts for anyone on your list

Search online today for those last-minute gifts

 

Fulfilling a Writer’s Fate

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Lying awake in bed, feeling ready to write

Morning light feeling much too bright

 

Searching in my head for ideas to write about

Will today’s words offer and deliver much clout?

 

Sitting, thinking, and sitting . . . nothing!

Why can’t my mind create something?

 

Perhaps more coffee will warm up my mind

Hoping that possible ideas may soon be mine

 

Do all writers usually feel this way?

With little or nothing to really say

 

Hunger offers quick, necessary break

Nutritious breakfast, now I will make

 

Finished eating and returning to my writing table

Satisfied appetite doesn’t make me anymore able

 

Struggling through another writer’s block

Tired eyes continue watching the ticking clock

 

Wow!  This short poem I now create

Finally, fulfilling my writer’s fate 

  

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Haiku Series #4

Never Say No

Stepping on the scale

Weight runs past my lofty goal

Another donut?

 

Sunrise

Morning will arrive

Dawn ushers in a bright sun

A beautiful day!

 

Weary from Campaign Ads

Bombard the airwaves

Some filled with angry half truths

Television turned OFF!

 

The Yellow Pages

Arrive on schedule

What use do they even have?

Small shelf overflows

 

Morning Light

Early dawn arrives

Scented candle lights the table

Shadows dance around 

 

To view more Haiku series, go to Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3.

 

 

Loving Duo

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Scooter and Sydney become life-long best friends

A collie and a beagle loving each other to the end

 

Scooter is a handsome male, steady as he goes

Sydney is a beautiful female, smiling with a glow

 

Scooter stands steady and reliable as anyone can see

Sydney fills time with energy and spirit like a busy bee

 

Scooter enjoys taking long naps by a window in the sun

Sydney would rather discover a backyard path for fun

 

Scooter shows off a well-mannered and warm deposition

Sydney’s sneaky behavior may put her in a bad position

 

Scooter savors his food ever so slowly—never in a hurry!

Sydney devours hers ever so quickly—always in a flurry!

 

Scooter never becomes too excited on any given day

Sydney feels hyper and animated with plenty of play

 

Scooter manages to keep his life always quiet and neat

Sydney steals Scooter’s food—being so sly and sweet!

 

Both dogs make each other’s life first-class and real

Each leaves many memories filled with extra appeal

 

 

 

 

Sweet Tasting Fruit Cake

Another Christmas is approaching, soon to be here

Sharing a delicious treat, makes one’s mission clear

Chef Benson’s “Old Home Classic” has been baked

Running to the local grocery, to find one to take

Christmas fruit cakes fill a shopping cart

Making each shopper feel clever and smart

Each cake is guaranteed to surprise and please

Weighing a full pound, taste buds will be teased

Each fruit cake is prepared with home-baked care

Allowing many, many others to send one to share

The highest quality ingredients go into each slice

Bringing a rich sweetness that will very likely entice

The special recipe includes ingredients plus yummy fruit

Filled with golden raisins, cherries, and pineapple to suit

Pecan and walnut pieces add much to the flavor

Tasting this delicious cake is something to savor

Each serving is filled with additional nutrition so great

Adding high fructose corn syrup, hunger meets its fate

Benson’s special fruit cake makes a great gift each year

Sending to all of one’s family and friends far and near

Each package comes without any expiration date

Re-gifting this cake to someone else may be its fate

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This delectable fruit cake is just waiting for someone to taste!

 

Falling . . .

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Falling . . .

Yet Again!

 

Hiding from a hail of enemy fire on a blood-filled ridge

Losing a fallen comrade during a Korean winter long ago

 

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

 

Abandoning a radiant, young bride on a stormy night

Realizing now this decision was such a selfish error

 

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

 

Failing to slow down at a dangerous, sharp highway curve

Seeing a limp, lifeless body slumped in the passenger seat

 

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

 

Watching as unforgiving cancer strikes down a loved one

Wishing to stand in her corner and take away all of the pain

 

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

 

Hitting the streets looking for a chance to work again

Struggling to comprehend life without a worthy job

 

Falling . . .

Yet Again!

 

Drinking another “Jack Daniels” very late at night

Feeling despondent week after week with no life

 

Waking up . . .

Dropping to my knees!

 

Thumbing through a Bible

Finding Psalm 18

 

I love you, O Lord, my strength

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

 

No longer falling!

The Scripture in bold type comes from Psalm 18.

Making a Difference

Anchoring the Southside on Parsons Avenue

Buckeye Middle School offers quite a view

Providing a safe, caring, and nurturing school

The dedicated staff is the definition of “cool”

Displaying patience despite the daily grind

Everyone makes a difference in all they find

Working as a team throughout the school year

They face many challenges without any fear

Working at their craft each and every day

All have chosen a worthy profession they say

Giving a great deal of themselves and so much more

A humble and hardworking team has much in store

Saluting the Buckeye staff as heroes above the rest

Hats off to all of them for doing their very best!

Buckeye Middle School

Many good memories of Buckeye Middle School.