![\"\"](\"https:\/\/booksbypatricksimpson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/unnamed.png\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tTHE VILLAGE TIMES<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIndependence Village of Olde Raleigh\nResident Newsletter<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/booksbypatricksimpson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/aaaa.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/booksbypatricksimpson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Capture.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWRITERS CORNER<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMy Favorite Song \u2013 by Richard Smalto<\/b><\/p>
When I thought about selecting a song I enjoyed listening to more than any other I realized it was an improbable task. There are simply too many delightful musical arrangements to choose from.\u00a0 The problem is compounded when you realize you have to provide an appropriate reason for your choice. There are so many fond memories associated with so many marvelous songs there is no reasonable explanation for why I would select just one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>What if I could select a favorite song to help me make another choice however. A song and a setting that illustrates the point that helped me decide which choice I should make. If someone asked me to tell them who I thought was a better dancer Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, most people my age would say choosing between the two would be a difficult thing to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Kelly was muscular and athletic; Astaire lean and lithe. Kelly\u2019s performance of Singing in the Rain in the movie American in Paris is still considered the best dance routine in film; better than Travolta in Grease and better than the choreography in the final scene from the movie Dirty Dancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0I think Fred Astaire was the best. I think he was the best because his awestruck partners always ended up looking better after their dance routine was over. To illustrate my point I have picked one of my favorite songs he danced to with Cyd Charisse. The song is Dancing in the Dark; the setting was in the movie the Band Wagon.\u00a0 He may have danced more energetically with Eleanor Parker in \u2018To Begin the Beguine\u2019 or debonairly by himself in \u2018Putting on the Ritz\u2019 and arguably better than ever, with Ginger Rodgers, in all the movies they made together but the performance that proves my point is the one cited above.\u00a0 When the dance begins, his partner, Cyd Charisse, a fabulous long-legged dancer herself, awestruck by whom she is with and dumbfounded by what she is supposed to do stumbles awkwardly through her movements. As the routine continues however and they dance together you become transfixed by the fluidity of her motions and the grace of her movements.<\/span><\/p>Quotes from our furry friends \u2013 by Margie Lewin<\/b><\/p>- Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow.<\/span><\/li>
- A dog is a bundle of pure love gift-wrapped<\/span><\/li>
- Dogs never fake or lie about their love for you; it’s either there or it’s not.<\/span><\/li>
- Way down deep, we are all motivated by the same urges. Cats the courage to live by them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
- Be the person your pet thinks you are.<\/span><\/li>
- Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
- When you truly love a dog, you know that their only fault is that their lives are too short.<\/span><\/li>
- It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 people seem as boring as a bowl of cereal.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- It is in the nature of cats to do a certain amount of unescorted roaming.<\/span><\/li>
- Most beds sleep up to six cats. Ten cats without the owner.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
This is me \u2013 by Phyllis Woolley<\/b><\/p>
It\u2019s\u00a01:33 A.M.\u00a0and I am sitting here in my chair. The TV is on, but I don\u2019t really hear it. My cat Eevee is sleeping in my lap. She purrs softly and occasionally looks up at me as if to ask \u201cwhen are you going to bed, mom?\u201d I did try to go to bed, but I couldn\u2019t slow my mind down. I was thinking about my day and accepting the fact that I hadn\u2019t finished only half of the things I had planned for yesterday. How in the world was I going to catch up today?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>You see, I am one of those people who has difficulty telling someone \u201cNo\u201d. Such a simple little word consisting of a mere two letters. \u00a0A vowel and a consonant. One syllable. It\u2019s much more difficult to say at times than supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Many times my plan for the day is to say \u201cno\u201d when asked to do something I truly don\u2019t have time to do. When someone says \u201cwill you?\u201d, or \u201ccan you\u201d I am sure I am saying \u201cno\u201d, but I hear my mouth say \u201cyes\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>I have also learned something else about myself. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it my way. My way is to follow the rules and not go by what always was. When there is no written rule to apply to the situation, I attempt to figure out what is best for everybody concerned. Now this doesn\u2019t always make everyone happy. At that point, another of my traits takes over. I am true to my astrological sign. I am a Taurus, and stubborn as a bull. I will patiently listen to your side, and it better be good, or I will continue with my way. I will allow you the task of taking over and doing something your way, but to date, I have had no takers!<\/span><\/p>One other thing. I respect authority. Therefore, I follow the rule of authority. That is, until I can diplomatically change the mind of the person in charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Time to go back to bed!<\/span><\/i><\/p>What is that sound? \u2013 by Carol Armstrong<\/b><\/p>
What is that sound?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I hear it from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day.<\/span><\/p>Is it a plane?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The roar of a plane comes softly, gets louder,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0then softer, then goes away.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not roar or come and go.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a plane, I know.<\/span><\/p>Is it a train?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The sound of a train is the clickety-clack of wheels<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on the track.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It comes and goes, and in between, the whistle blows.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not come and go, and I do not<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hear a whistle blow.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a train, I know.<\/span><\/p>Is it rain?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When rain fall softly and gently or hard and heavy,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0it makes different sounds, as it hits trees and<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0roofs and falls to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is dark with clouds, the rain will fall.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is blue, there is no rain at all.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound is always the same, and does not come and go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not rain, I know.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0What is that sound from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I do not know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt’s impossible \u2013 by Pat Simpson<\/b><\/p>
to learn to plow by reading books\u00a0<\/span><\/p>to sneeze with your eyes open<\/span><\/p>to ask a baby not to cry<\/span><\/p>to keep the ocean from rushing to the shore<\/span><\/p>to tell the sun to leave the sky<\/span><\/p>to give a girl too many flowers.<\/span><\/p>Said no one ever\u2026!<\/span><\/p>“I LOVE smelly shoes.”<\/span><\/p>\u201cI wish weekends never existed.\u2019<\/span><\/p>“This lettuce sure beats having cake!”<\/span><\/p>\u201cI absolutely hate chocolate.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\u201cLet\u2019s make COVID great again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\u201cLet’s try to catch COVID again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/booksbypatricksimpson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pp-1024x935.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/booksbypatricksimpson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Capture-1.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
Independence Village of Olde Raleigh\nResident Newsletter<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWRITERS CORNER<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMy Favorite Song \u2013 by Richard Smalto<\/b><\/p>
When I thought about selecting a song I enjoyed listening to more than any other I realized it was an improbable task. There are simply too many delightful musical arrangements to choose from.\u00a0 The problem is compounded when you realize you have to provide an appropriate reason for your choice. There are so many fond memories associated with so many marvelous songs there is no reasonable explanation for why I would select just one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>What if I could select a favorite song to help me make another choice however. A song and a setting that illustrates the point that helped me decide which choice I should make. If someone asked me to tell them who I thought was a better dancer Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, most people my age would say choosing between the two would be a difficult thing to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Kelly was muscular and athletic; Astaire lean and lithe. Kelly\u2019s performance of Singing in the Rain in the movie American in Paris is still considered the best dance routine in film; better than Travolta in Grease and better than the choreography in the final scene from the movie Dirty Dancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0I think Fred Astaire was the best. I think he was the best because his awestruck partners always ended up looking better after their dance routine was over. To illustrate my point I have picked one of my favorite songs he danced to with Cyd Charisse. The song is Dancing in the Dark; the setting was in the movie the Band Wagon.\u00a0 He may have danced more energetically with Eleanor Parker in \u2018To Begin the Beguine\u2019 or debonairly by himself in \u2018Putting on the Ritz\u2019 and arguably better than ever, with Ginger Rodgers, in all the movies they made together but the performance that proves my point is the one cited above.\u00a0 When the dance begins, his partner, Cyd Charisse, a fabulous long-legged dancer herself, awestruck by whom she is with and dumbfounded by what she is supposed to do stumbles awkwardly through her movements. As the routine continues however and they dance together you become transfixed by the fluidity of her motions and the grace of her movements.<\/span><\/p>Quotes from our furry friends \u2013 by Margie Lewin<\/b><\/p>- Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow.<\/span><\/li>
- A dog is a bundle of pure love gift-wrapped<\/span><\/li>
- Dogs never fake or lie about their love for you; it’s either there or it’s not.<\/span><\/li>
- Way down deep, we are all motivated by the same urges. Cats the courage to live by them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
- Be the person your pet thinks you are.<\/span><\/li>
- Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
- When you truly love a dog, you know that their only fault is that their lives are too short.<\/span><\/li>
- It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 people seem as boring as a bowl of cereal.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- It is in the nature of cats to do a certain amount of unescorted roaming.<\/span><\/li>
- Most beds sleep up to six cats. Ten cats without the owner.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
This is me \u2013 by Phyllis Woolley<\/b><\/p>
It\u2019s\u00a01:33 A.M.\u00a0and I am sitting here in my chair. The TV is on, but I don\u2019t really hear it. My cat Eevee is sleeping in my lap. She purrs softly and occasionally looks up at me as if to ask \u201cwhen are you going to bed, mom?\u201d I did try to go to bed, but I couldn\u2019t slow my mind down. I was thinking about my day and accepting the fact that I hadn\u2019t finished only half of the things I had planned for yesterday. How in the world was I going to catch up today?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>You see, I am one of those people who has difficulty telling someone \u201cNo\u201d. Such a simple little word consisting of a mere two letters. \u00a0A vowel and a consonant. One syllable. It\u2019s much more difficult to say at times than supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Many times my plan for the day is to say \u201cno\u201d when asked to do something I truly don\u2019t have time to do. When someone says \u201cwill you?\u201d, or \u201ccan you\u201d I am sure I am saying \u201cno\u201d, but I hear my mouth say \u201cyes\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>I have also learned something else about myself. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it my way. My way is to follow the rules and not go by what always was. When there is no written rule to apply to the situation, I attempt to figure out what is best for everybody concerned. Now this doesn\u2019t always make everyone happy. At that point, another of my traits takes over. I am true to my astrological sign. I am a Taurus, and stubborn as a bull. I will patiently listen to your side, and it better be good, or I will continue with my way. I will allow you the task of taking over and doing something your way, but to date, I have had no takers!<\/span><\/p>One other thing. I respect authority. Therefore, I follow the rule of authority. That is, until I can diplomatically change the mind of the person in charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Time to go back to bed!<\/span><\/i><\/p>What is that sound? \u2013 by Carol Armstrong<\/b><\/p>
What is that sound?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I hear it from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day.<\/span><\/p>Is it a plane?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The roar of a plane comes softly, gets louder,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0then softer, then goes away.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not roar or come and go.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a plane, I know.<\/span><\/p>Is it a train?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The sound of a train is the clickety-clack of wheels<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on the track.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It comes and goes, and in between, the whistle blows.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not come and go, and I do not<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hear a whistle blow.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a train, I know.<\/span><\/p>Is it rain?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When rain fall softly and gently or hard and heavy,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0it makes different sounds, as it hits trees and<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0roofs and falls to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is dark with clouds, the rain will fall.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is blue, there is no rain at all.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound is always the same, and does not come and go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not rain, I know.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0What is that sound from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I do not know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt’s impossible \u2013 by Pat Simpson<\/b><\/p>
to learn to plow by reading books\u00a0<\/span><\/p>to sneeze with your eyes open<\/span><\/p>to ask a baby not to cry<\/span><\/p>to keep the ocean from rushing to the shore<\/span><\/p>to tell the sun to leave the sky<\/span><\/p>to give a girl too many flowers.<\/span><\/p>Said no one ever\u2026!<\/span><\/p>“I LOVE smelly shoes.”<\/span><\/p>\u201cI wish weekends never existed.\u2019<\/span><\/p>“This lettuce sure beats having cake!”<\/span><\/p>\u201cI absolutely hate chocolate.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\u201cLet\u2019s make COVID great again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\u201cLet’s try to catch COVID again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tWRITERS CORNER<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMy Favorite Song \u2013 by Richard Smalto<\/b><\/p>
When I thought about selecting a song I enjoyed listening to more than any other I realized it was an improbable task. There are simply too many delightful musical arrangements to choose from.\u00a0 The problem is compounded when you realize you have to provide an appropriate reason for your choice. There are so many fond memories associated with so many marvelous songs there is no reasonable explanation for why I would select just one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>What if I could select a favorite song to help me make another choice however. A song and a setting that illustrates the point that helped me decide which choice I should make. If someone asked me to tell them who I thought was a better dancer Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, most people my age would say choosing between the two would be a difficult thing to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Kelly was muscular and athletic; Astaire lean and lithe. Kelly\u2019s performance of Singing in the Rain in the movie American in Paris is still considered the best dance routine in film; better than Travolta in Grease and better than the choreography in the final scene from the movie Dirty Dancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0I think Fred Astaire was the best. I think he was the best because his awestruck partners always ended up looking better after their dance routine was over. To illustrate my point I have picked one of my favorite songs he danced to with Cyd Charisse. The song is Dancing in the Dark; the setting was in the movie the Band Wagon.\u00a0 He may have danced more energetically with Eleanor Parker in \u2018To Begin the Beguine\u2019 or debonairly by himself in \u2018Putting on the Ritz\u2019 and arguably better than ever, with Ginger Rodgers, in all the movies they made together but the performance that proves my point is the one cited above.\u00a0 When the dance begins, his partner, Cyd Charisse, a fabulous long-legged dancer herself, awestruck by whom she is with and dumbfounded by what she is supposed to do stumbles awkwardly through her movements. As the routine continues however and they dance together you become transfixed by the fluidity of her motions and the grace of her movements.<\/span><\/p>Quotes from our furry friends \u2013 by Margie Lewin<\/b><\/p>- Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow.<\/span><\/li>
- A dog is a bundle of pure love gift-wrapped<\/span><\/li>
- Dogs never fake or lie about their love for you; it’s either there or it’s not.<\/span><\/li>
- Way down deep, we are all motivated by the same urges. Cats the courage to live by them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
- Be the person your pet thinks you are.<\/span><\/li>
- Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
- When you truly love a dog, you know that their only fault is that their lives are too short.<\/span><\/li>
- It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 people seem as boring as a bowl of cereal.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
- It is in the nature of cats to do a certain amount of unescorted roaming.<\/span><\/li>
- Most beds sleep up to six cats. Ten cats without the owner.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>
This is me \u2013 by Phyllis Woolley<\/b><\/p>
It\u2019s\u00a01:33 A.M.\u00a0and I am sitting here in my chair. The TV is on, but I don\u2019t really hear it. My cat Eevee is sleeping in my lap. She purrs softly and occasionally looks up at me as if to ask \u201cwhen are you going to bed, mom?\u201d I did try to go to bed, but I couldn\u2019t slow my mind down. I was thinking about my day and accepting the fact that I hadn\u2019t finished only half of the things I had planned for yesterday. How in the world was I going to catch up today?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>You see, I am one of those people who has difficulty telling someone \u201cNo\u201d. Such a simple little word consisting of a mere two letters. \u00a0A vowel and a consonant. One syllable. It\u2019s much more difficult to say at times than supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Many times my plan for the day is to say \u201cno\u201d when asked to do something I truly don\u2019t have time to do. When someone says \u201cwill you?\u201d, or \u201ccan you\u201d I am sure I am saying \u201cno\u201d, but I hear my mouth say \u201cyes\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>I have also learned something else about myself. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it my way. My way is to follow the rules and not go by what always was. When there is no written rule to apply to the situation, I attempt to figure out what is best for everybody concerned. Now this doesn\u2019t always make everyone happy. At that point, another of my traits takes over. I am true to my astrological sign. I am a Taurus, and stubborn as a bull. I will patiently listen to your side, and it better be good, or I will continue with my way. I will allow you the task of taking over and doing something your way, but to date, I have had no takers!<\/span><\/p>One other thing. I respect authority. Therefore, I follow the rule of authority. That is, until I can diplomatically change the mind of the person in charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Time to go back to bed!<\/span><\/i><\/p>What is that sound? \u2013 by Carol Armstrong<\/b><\/p>
What is that sound?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I hear it from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day.<\/span><\/p>Is it a plane?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The roar of a plane comes softly, gets louder,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0then softer, then goes away.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not roar or come and go.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a plane, I know.<\/span><\/p>Is it a train?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The sound of a train is the clickety-clack of wheels<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on the track.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It comes and goes, and in between, the whistle blows.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not come and go, and I do not<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hear a whistle blow.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a train, I know.<\/span><\/p>Is it rain?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When rain fall softly and gently or hard and heavy,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0it makes different sounds, as it hits trees and<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0roofs and falls to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is dark with clouds, the rain will fall.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is blue, there is no rain at all.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound is always the same, and does not come and go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not rain, I know.<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0What is that sound from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day?<\/span><\/p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I do not know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt’s impossible \u2013 by Pat Simpson<\/b><\/p>
to learn to plow by reading books\u00a0<\/span><\/p>to sneeze with your eyes open<\/span><\/p>to ask a baby not to cry<\/span><\/p>to keep the ocean from rushing to the shore<\/span><\/p>to tell the sun to leave the sky<\/span><\/p>to give a girl too many flowers.<\/span><\/p>Said no one ever\u2026!<\/span><\/p>“I LOVE smelly shoes.”<\/span><\/p>\u201cI wish weekends never existed.\u2019<\/span><\/p>“This lettuce sure beats having cake!”<\/span><\/p>\u201cI absolutely hate chocolate.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\u201cLet\u2019s make COVID great again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\u201cLet’s try to catch COVID again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
My Favorite Song \u2013 by Richard Smalto<\/b><\/p>
When I thought about selecting a song I enjoyed listening to more than any other I realized it was an improbable task. There are simply too many delightful musical arrangements to choose from.\u00a0 The problem is compounded when you realize you have to provide an appropriate reason for your choice. There are so many fond memories associated with so many marvelous songs there is no reasonable explanation for why I would select just one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> What if I could select a favorite song to help me make another choice however. A song and a setting that illustrates the point that helped me decide which choice I should make. If someone asked me to tell them who I thought was a better dancer Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, most people my age would say choosing between the two would be a difficult thing to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Kelly was muscular and athletic; Astaire lean and lithe. Kelly\u2019s performance of Singing in the Rain in the movie American in Paris is still considered the best dance routine in film; better than Travolta in Grease and better than the choreography in the final scene from the movie Dirty Dancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0I think Fred Astaire was the best. I think he was the best because his awestruck partners always ended up looking better after their dance routine was over. To illustrate my point I have picked one of my favorite songs he danced to with Cyd Charisse. The song is Dancing in the Dark; the setting was in the movie the Band Wagon.\u00a0 He may have danced more energetically with Eleanor Parker in \u2018To Begin the Beguine\u2019 or debonairly by himself in \u2018Putting on the Ritz\u2019 and arguably better than ever, with Ginger Rodgers, in all the movies they made together but the performance that proves my point is the one cited above.\u00a0 When the dance begins, his partner, Cyd Charisse, a fabulous long-legged dancer herself, awestruck by whom she is with and dumbfounded by what she is supposed to do stumbles awkwardly through her movements. As the routine continues however and they dance together you become transfixed by the fluidity of her motions and the grace of her movements.<\/span><\/p> Quotes from our furry friends \u2013 by Margie Lewin<\/b><\/p> This is me \u2013 by Phyllis Woolley<\/b><\/p> It\u2019s\u00a01:33 A.M.\u00a0and I am sitting here in my chair. The TV is on, but I don\u2019t really hear it. My cat Eevee is sleeping in my lap. She purrs softly and occasionally looks up at me as if to ask \u201cwhen are you going to bed, mom?\u201d I did try to go to bed, but I couldn\u2019t slow my mind down. I was thinking about my day and accepting the fact that I hadn\u2019t finished only half of the things I had planned for yesterday. How in the world was I going to catch up today?\u00a0<\/span><\/p> You see, I am one of those people who has difficulty telling someone \u201cNo\u201d. Such a simple little word consisting of a mere two letters. \u00a0A vowel and a consonant. One syllable. It\u2019s much more difficult to say at times than supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Many times my plan for the day is to say \u201cno\u201d when asked to do something I truly don\u2019t have time to do. When someone says \u201cwill you?\u201d, or \u201ccan you\u201d I am sure I am saying \u201cno\u201d, but I hear my mouth say \u201cyes\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> I have also learned something else about myself. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it my way. My way is to follow the rules and not go by what always was. When there is no written rule to apply to the situation, I attempt to figure out what is best for everybody concerned. Now this doesn\u2019t always make everyone happy. At that point, another of my traits takes over. I am true to my astrological sign. I am a Taurus, and stubborn as a bull. I will patiently listen to your side, and it better be good, or I will continue with my way. I will allow you the task of taking over and doing something your way, but to date, I have had no takers!<\/span><\/p> One other thing. I respect authority. Therefore, I follow the rule of authority. That is, until I can diplomatically change the mind of the person in charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Time to go back to bed!<\/span><\/i><\/p> What is that sound? \u2013 by Carol Armstrong<\/b><\/p> What is that sound?<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I hear it from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day.<\/span><\/p> Is it a plane?<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The roar of a plane comes softly, gets louder,<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0then softer, then goes away.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not roar or come and go.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a plane, I know.<\/span><\/p> Is it a train?<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The sound of a train is the clickety-clack of wheels<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on the track.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It comes and goes, and in between, the whistle blows.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound does not come and go, and I do not<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0hear a whistle blow.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a train, I know.<\/span><\/p> Is it rain?<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When rain fall softly and gently or hard and heavy,<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0it makes different sounds, as it hits trees and<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0roofs and falls to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is dark with clouds, the rain will fall.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the sky is blue, there is no rain at all.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My sound is always the same, and does not come and go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not rain, I know.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0What is that sound from outside and far away,<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0always the same night and day?<\/span><\/p> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I do not know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t It’s impossible \u2013 by Pat Simpson<\/b><\/p> to learn to plow by reading books\u00a0<\/span><\/p> to sneeze with your eyes open<\/span><\/p> to ask a baby not to cry<\/span><\/p> to keep the ocean from rushing to the shore<\/span><\/p> to tell the sun to leave the sky<\/span><\/p> to give a girl too many flowers.<\/span><\/p> Said no one ever\u2026!<\/span><\/p> “I LOVE smelly shoes.”<\/span><\/p> \u201cI wish weekends never existed.\u2019<\/span><\/p> “This lettuce sure beats having cake!”<\/span><\/p> \u201cI absolutely hate chocolate.\u2019<\/span><\/p> \u201cLet\u2019s make COVID great again.\u201d<\/span><\/p> \u201cLet’s try to catch COVID again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t