Old Age, by Balisha

   

A cold, calm, day here in N. Illinois. No Christmas post today. It's been hard coming up with posts about Christmas this year. We had our family Christmas on the 1st and with Joe's surgery coming up...we are trying to stay healthy and keep out of crowds. That's why reading your blog posts is so important this year. You've all kept this Christmas lover happy.



Thought I'd write a little poem about my life today...

Old Age...by Balisha


I wasn't told about being old..  until the age of 60..
When AARP said I could get discounts..I thought that it was nifty.
Proudly I presented the card, when I was out to eat..
However no one stood to give me a good seat.
I looked in every mirror... as I slowly passed them by..
I saw an old, old, person....and wondered was that  I?
My neck with skin so loose.. I hid with turtle necks..
My old gray hair, unmanageable, really looked a wreck.
My hands, I wanted hidden...they looked so full of wrinkles..
When I passed the ladies room...I often had to tinkle.
Oh, what has happened to the girl who used to have some zip..
She could carry the groceries in the house with a baby on her hip
Gardening, painting, reading  were her favorite things to do..
While taking care of babies and tying tiny shoes.
She went to work and did the bills and still cooked a healthy meal..
She did these things without a fuss...she was the real deal.
She did these things with gusto.....she tried her very best...
Until one day God looked at her and thought she needed rest.
So, now she's old and sits a bit...she's really lost her speed..
She takes her time and writes a blog for those of you to read.
She hopes that you will learn something from her poem this frosty morning..
Old age creeps in and takes it's turn without giving you much warning.
So, live your life and accept the changes that start before you know..
Pass by mirrors and just ignore the wrinkles that start to show.
"Old age ain't for sissies"  I've heard, and now I know it's true..
I think I'll visit my beauty shop and dye my hair a shade of blue :)
Balisha

Comfort...by Balisha

I woke up in the morning...the sleet was coming down...

I crawled out of my warm bed and looked up with a frown.

The skylights in the living room.. were being pelted so..

By sleet and rain...a mixture... bouncing to and fro.

I turned on yard lights, with a flash...of lightning in the air..

The yard was empty except for rain..no critters anywhere.

Turned off the lights and crawled in bed with down up to my chin..

I shivered once or twice just then... but found some comfort in,

This cozy nest that was my bed...how lucky is this soul..

To have a place so warm and nice when others are so cold.

So, this year when you're  complaining about your problems few..

Take time out to thank the Lord for things he's given you.

A home, for you, that's nice and warm.. and a table full of food..

A Christmas tree with presents and everything that's good.

I for one will thank him... for watching over loved ones all...

And keeping us all safe this year, family members big and small.

Balisha 



Lunch At Crumpet's, by Balisha

Lunch at Crumpet's by Balisha

We met at noon and traveled east to a little town not far..
The four of us laughed all the way in our Jeanine's fast car.
Mary said, "Where is this place that you are taking me?
I'm starved and farm land is really all that I can see."
We girls had been there many times and told her to just wait...
The drive is long.. but very soon you'll have a fancy plate.
The food is just for ladies...so delicate and neat..
It isn't a place for men who really would like meat.
We parked the car and crossed the street and went inside the door..
Such pretty things we were to see...of Victorian decor.
A book that held the menu... it told of tasty things..
The special for today was chicken ala king.
Shirley wanted bread pudding...she was reading of desserts..
We ordered pie and cake and ate till tummies hurt.
We talked of days gone by and recipes of older times..
Moms and Grandmas cooked from scratch their food was just sublime.
We left the restaurant later and made our way round town..
Trying on some hats and acting like a clown.
A clothing store was found just across the street,
More laughs when we saw swim suits that really did look neat.
At last the day was over and we were heading to the car..
We sighed a little sigh and got ready to drive far.
This day was so much fun...we gals decided on the way..
To do it once again when we need a day to play.

A Snowflake Coming Down..by Balisha

The plants were all abuzz a day or two ago. The calendar said spring... an exciting time I know. The pretty Mandevilla was leaning toward the sun.. She'd had enough of winter...her time inside was done. The seedlings all were talking in their trays a way downstairs, "To keep us in the basement really isn't fair. What's up with our Balisha...she hasn't got a clue, She's mad at Mother Nature and doesn't know just what to do." Balisha looks out the window and a tear comes to her eye.. A snowflake floating down has made her want to cry. Will we ever have a spring with days so warm and sunny? The critters all are hiding...this cold just isn't funny.She looks out the big front door and sees her garden fair, The hens and chicks are huddled in their planter on the chair. They haven't changed their color or begun to multiply.. The cold is what's the problem...we know the reason why. Gardeners practice patience each and every day.. This spring we'll need it more.. is all I'm going to say. I guess we better just ignore the weather man each day, And soon the temps will say...it's safe to come out and play. So, this morning it's April fair, and as I take a look around, I shade my eyes so I won't see.. a snowflake coming down. Balisha

The Storm and Little Black Cat..by Balisha

Here we are just waiting. Started to snow a couple of hours ago. Just a few flurries at first...now a little more significant. The out doors was a different color this morning. A little bit of a yellow in the sky. The wind hasn't started here...yet. Watching the Chicago news this morning, we saw that the wind was actually starting there. All of this bad weather is supposed to start a little later in the day. Weather people are all revved up. Bringing cots and food to work and a change of clothes. As I'm writing, I can look out the window, and it's looking like just a typical winter day in No. Illinois. Now, I'm thinking about the homeless...do they have shelter and food? I understand that our food banks are down in donations this winter. I saw that little black cat again yesterday, back by the woods. How does that cat survive during this cold, cold winter?I will be posting off and on during the storm..to let everyone know what is going on. I probably wouldn't have to do this...the weather shows will be doing the same, but it will give me something to do. So, everyone in this storm's path...take care and be safe. Balisha

Little Black Cat by Balisha

Little black cat...I wonder about you?

Are your little paws cold... do you ever mew?

Does someone feed you and give you a fresh drink?

Just seeing you out walking... really makes me think.

I should wonder about people suffering in the cold..

They live on streets, in cardboard boxes, is something I've been told.

I can't see these people out my window with a view..

I only see the kitten... so this is what I'll do.

I can take a few cans to the food barrel near the door..

Of my Church across the river... they always can use more.

When I get home and look for you...oh little cat so dear..

I'll know that you're responsible for helping me this year.

You helped me think of those poor souls... you planted the first seed..

Because of you, I'll rest assured that I helped someone in need.

So, when I see you walking by the woods out back today..

I'll say a little prayer for you..to keep you safe I'll pray.

3 pm...Looking out the window...getting really white outside. Visibility is getting poorer. Very windy. Bryce was over to shovel and get the paper. Somebody has to go to the mailbox..... I wonder who? Maybe if I take a catnap, Joe will go ;) Balisha

6 pm...It's dark out now. All I can hear is the wind. If I turn the deck lights on, I can see snow swirling and our blue spruce "Blue" tossing and turning. Blue is a big tree, so I takes a lot of wind to move this one. Now we have to just stay inside and wonder what is going on outside. In the morning...we will waken to a white world. Balisha