for Mother She agreed to move to respite care
with its unfamiliar view and borrowed chairs so that I might not worry while on vacation. At ninety-seven, she did not want to leave her home of nine-plus years, her independence, her schedule, her friends, but moved to the strange facility with its new faces and unfamiliar rules so that I might not worry. While I thrived in the cockpit of our sailboat with my husband of forty-three years, she nearly died. Today, we walked to our favorite bench and listened to the song sparrows singing so that I might not worry. Alongside frost-touched hydrangeas, we spoke of things that mattered, the song the sparrows were singing, how the magnolia will lose its leaves, how I must learn to let go so that I might not worry.
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“Put Your Oxygen Mask on First
plodding along the street
head down afraid of falling heel to toe heel to toe in the early frost of autumn cold sad scared heel to toe heel to toe You take my hand and I look up as dawn’s light lavishes the earth with exuberance heel to toe heel to toe I will not fall heel to toe heel to toe heel to toe As we motor-sail through
the Manitou Passage I lean into distant memories of forget-me-nots populating Pyramid Point the red trillium peeking through shadows on South Manitou Island the surprise snow blanketing the dunes of Sleeping Bear and add the pink rainbow of dawn touching the skies of Leland this morning content strengthened unaware of the storm that will swallow us when we reach port and the importance of this time in the passage He erased the smile she used to wear everywhere and now, guarded, gifts only to the robin awakening with song at daybreak. “I’m automatically attracted to beautiful women,” Donald Trump said in a 2005 conversation caught on a hot mic. “I just start kissing them, it’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything . . ."
Nineteen women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. In May 2023, a jury concluded that Donald Trump had sexually assaulted and defamed one of them—E. Jean Carroll—and awarded her $5 million. A second defamation case produced an $83.3 million judgement in January 2024. Culture starts at the top. Vote for Kamala Harris.
The first time Mother and I saw the windmill turn its blades was when her twin flew from Albuquerque to Holland to celebrate their 90th birthday. The second time was nearly eight years later, her first day home in two months. Thursday, she walked to her bench at the Jane Tree Corner on Windmill Island and back to the parking lot with Wheelie (her walker). As many of you know, it is not a short walk! I lugged a wheelchair—just in case—forgetting there are miracles within things like excellent therapy, a strong will, and the prayers, encouragement, love, flowers, cards, and snippets from so many people across the western hemisphere. Thank you. Short, Humorous, Rhyming Poems There once was a woman named Jane
Whose love it was easy to gain. She'll give you a hug That makes you feel snug And she always sees sunshine in rain. H.M. of Michigan __________ Lady Jane There once was a Lady named Jane, Whose heart was as grand as her name. She loved her family and friends With a love that never ends, And all that love lived forever as a gift to you and me. J.T. of Texas __________ Wishing a quick recovery To dear Jane McKinney Who deserves nothing but the best Including a better snippet! 100-year-old B.L. and the “non hard-rhymer daughter,” S. L., of Florida __________ Life can be hard Times can be a little tough Pull up your big girl panties And say “That’s enough!” S.H. of Canada __________ Getting it Done Lady Jane is building strength To walk inside her door; Her goal grows closer all the time, With brighter days in store. Her spirit is indomitable, Her faith beyond compare; No wonder she impresses folks Who give her loving care. We know that in our golden years It can be hard to heal, But perseverance is the key To even out the keel. And so this little snippet Is coming to a close, But great rhymes are never-ending, As any poet knows! E. S. of Wyoming __________ When I was born I was brought into a home Soon I got married We built a small home We always liked the beach Lumber was put together for a magical home Now we are old We went to a retirement home When we see Him We will really be home J.H. of Michigan __________ Your mind is a rockin’! Your will is like steel! You exercise daily! Just avoid a cartwheel! Despite what your therapist Wants you to do Be firm: “No!” to backbends! And no high-heeled shoes! Soon you’ll exclaim To that wonderful staff “Sayonara! Adios! As you exit and laugh. J.R. of Michigan __________ For the mother of Mary, I really must say. Here's hoping your hours are brighter today. Some silliness, laughter is always in style So get out for that walk, we need your sweet smile. Roses are red, violets are purple No more soda for you, It just makes you burple. By now you are home and feeling no pain No more of your shenanigans, don't do that again! Ok, I will finish, I really must go, but have a great day- Sue and Jim say, "hello". S.C. of Michigan __________ There once was a family Who met once a year The time we had was lovely Because we hold all to be dear J.S. of New Mexico __________ To try to write a snippet I’d certainly need to equip it With a way to be funny And with the correct iambic and intelligently appropriate metrical structure that would rhyme. J.R. of Michigan __________ If we walk on the grass we best be wary. Poop on our shoes makes Rubin contrary! J.M. and M.M. of Michigan July was tough for Mother. A series of mishaps landed her in Medilodge of Holland for rehabilitation. She’s determined to go home. Many people are intent on helping. To say thank you, we decided to write short, humorous poems to make everyone smile. We call them “snippets.”
Learning about electrolytes Michael likes blue. Dawn prefers cherry. We haven’t found anyone who really likes berry. For a bottle of orange, we traded a cherry. But we have to admit we’d rather have berry. Like Rubin, my brother enjoys a good rhyme. Tom says that’s because he drinks lemon-lime. Experiencing Therapy With her athletic prowess Mother’s wowing the team, as she learns to move safely and builds up her steam. She works hard in therapy so we can go walking to our favorite benches and do lots of talking. Celebrating healing Cards of encouragement adorn a wall in her room. When she looks that direction she’s a flower in bloom. Family gathers each day in the courtyard at 3:00, sharing love and laughter which we know are key. Can you think of a “snippet”? Please send it our way. We all could use humor To get through a rough day. For the staff at Medilodge of Holland and family and friends When I say the lake is like glass I mean the kind of glass on which I once loved to skate, back in the days when I waited patiently for the Zamboni to shave the frosted chunks off the ice and the pools of water to evaporate. I remember lugging a weathered canvas duffel into an empty women’s locker room and dumping the second-hand gear on the floor—the padded shorts with suspenders, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards (none of it flattering)-- and lacing a snug pair of boy’s skates on my feet, tying my hair back to fit a helmet on my head, shoving a mouthguard between my lips, sliding hands into oversized leather gloves, grabbing my stick, and waddling out the door to join the guys, determined no one could tell me what I could and couldn’t do. So many injuries against the glass. Do you, too, remember the ceilings? I wrote the essence of this poem on the 7-hour motor-sail from Ludington to Frankfort, before President Joe Biden decided to step aside and support Vice President Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States. If she is elected, and I plan to do my best to make that happen, our country would become the 60th country since 1960 to elect a woman as head of state. The splintering of glass would be heard by young girls around the world and the light of hope would shine on us all.
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Author, Poet, Photographer
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