Joyce and Bob

The town, it's grown around them
They've somehow stayed the same
A gentleman and lady
Their Southern Charm remains
When music fills a warm night
Friends treasure the joy it brings
Nothing short of magic
In this world of "things"
 A home that smells of comfort
A gracious family place
Her happy art adorns the walls
We're blessed to share such grace

Let's Dance

Chris is going to write a little tune to this. Pat and I need to go dancing!


When will we dance again, my love
When will we take the time
Let's not miss another chance
To join hands, yours and mine

The years are passing oh, so fast
We must not wait, you know
Music waits for no one
You see, we have to go

Before it's late, before regret
Move to the rhythm tonight
The two-step unforgotten
We'll dance to our delight!

Samantha, Andy, Lucinda

In this world of "Look at Me!"
I'm thankful, Lord, for what I see
In my three children, fully grown
Most unselfish strength they've shown
Not just in looks do they excell
But Grace in all things their lives tell
With hearts as big as any need
Always giving, never greed
I wonder how they came to be
Such special kids, to Pat and me

Letter to Editor, Kerrville Daily Times

To the many folks in our town who give their time to those less fortunate, whether they be people or our four-legged friends.

To volunteer is to share yourself
Not money, gifts or food
It's time well spent, not really missed
For someone else's good

At Freeman Fritts, a walk or pat
That says "You're not alone"
To cats and dogs whose only dream
Is to have a forever home

But there's a bonus to the giving
The tables turn, a lesson
When offering any time at all
You get back more in blessings

for Chris's new tune...

It's hard to imagine
that You were a babe
The King of Creation
asleep in the hay

Held by your mother
and guarded with care
God sent you to save us
He put you right there.

They came to adore you
from near and afar
The mighty, the lowly
by way of a star

Please help us remember
just why you came
From Your home in heaven
to call us by name

Your life changing message
We pray all will hear
Our hearts can hold Christmas
each day of the year.

Henry's Friends

Who is this one
Who comes each day
They seem to spy
A mile away
And run to greet
That smiling face
Then stop and beg
(Sometimes with grace)
And some a little
Jealously
To have first bite
Of a delicacy
He seems to think
It's just the treats
That bring them faithfully
To his feet
But I see more
With my heart and eyes
Dogs know true friends
We should be so wise

Your Grace

Your Grace
Is sufficient for me
Your Grace
Warms my heart and sets me free

When I'm lost in a world
Of jealousy and greed
I fall down on my knees
And know you're everything I need

Your Grace
Is sufficient for me
Your Grace
Warms my heart and sets me free

I see things taking place
Of which I've no control
But I feel Your Spirit moving
From the bottom of my soul

Yes, Your Grace
Is sufficient for me
Your Grace
Warms my heart and sets me free

If I feel small and helpless
And fearful of the night
I only need remember
Your power and Your might

Oh Your Grace
Is sufficient for me
Your Grace
Warms my heart and sets me free

You created perfection
No sorrow, no strife
Now I pray for redemption
For sin in my life

But Your Grace
Is sufficient for me
Your Grace
Is sufficient for me!

That Place

Do I see what wasn't there
As I wander in this mind
To a place in peace I shared
With loved ones caring, kind

Can I remember all in truth
Must I see too, the forlorn
Do I add an untrue touch
To that place where I was born

Years seem to dim and fog the past
A curtain drawn across all time
Fading out a hurtful moment
Healing hearts, both yours and mine

I can't go back to mend or change
So recall the good, untorn
And know I left a piece of heart
In that place where I was born

I can't return nor would I want
To rearrange or calm a storm
I'm thankful for the music there
In that place where I was born

Life's Song

The country songs I listen to
All tell of love gone bad
Of shattered hearts and unfilled dreams
Just sung to make us sad..

But life is not all trouble
We're proof that this is true
Through ups and downs we've lasted
Just me....and you

I long to hear a song of hope
Of promises unbroken
Where years together satisfy
Love's words not always spoken

We've kept on dancing through the years
Though sometimes stepped on toes
Ever faithful to the beat
That leads us where life goes

Here's to a song of happiness
Of blessings, not of strife
No more words depressing
A truer tale of life

Our special little Dobie Gray was hit by a car yesterday...

Can you hear me little Dobie?
You left so suddenly
How our hearts ache with your going
You were just curled up with me
Are you with your long lost mommy
Played with Kit, seen Eartha yet
Please have a purr for little Max
He'll be a friend I'll bet
We'll so miss your tiny meowing
That let us know your every need
You're far too young to leave us
May God take care, I plead
One day we'll be with you
Where no hurtful thing is done
With precious pets and loved ones
And time spent with the Son

for Marianne

I had some sad, sad news today
A dear friend passed away
It has been 57 years
Since we said goodbye that day

Together at school, at church, at play
Never a cross word one
As children we were content to be
Little girls, having fun

We'd sit under a backyard tree
In summer, pets about
Sewing clothes for favorite dolls
Future designers, no doubt

And then my family moved away
Days on end of tears
Across the miles our letters sailed
Through many growing-up years

Her voice was like an angel
An artist in many ways
I'd love to see the drawings
She did in later days

Our Christmas cards packed full of news
Of weddings, children, grands
How faithful year by year they came
Despite all life's demands

I always felt I'd see her
Again in these long years
Now I know that's not to be
And so, I shed more tears

But then I think how blessed I've been
To have had such a friend
And I feel sure in Heaven we'll meet
Friends together again

Never Enough

This is one I wrote awhile ago also - just now getting around to putting it on the blog...

It's never enough, whatever the cost
In time, in dollars and all those we've lost
Who else in this wide world is ready to go
When disaster comes, across the globe

We're taken for granted in all that we do
It's never enough, I wonder, do you?
We're hated by many, but why we must ask
Our hearts are so willing whatever the task

To aid in trouble wherever it falls
We are Americans, our duty calls
In all situations we're first to that place
For the hurting, the hungry, we go with God's Grace

There's always assistance for those in need
Whatever the country, ignoring the greed
But it doesn't matter, we're doing what's right
A sign of our liberty, heart and our might

Peace of the Sand and the Sea

I wrote this quite a while ago, and Chris has put it to music...

There's a city in Texas, a treasure by the sea
Where the palm trees bend to the wind
Where the sky meets the water, that's where I long to be
With a feeling of calm I depend
The city lights sparkle across the way
Old Blue Ghost glows hauntingly
You can surrender all troubles, set all cares aside
In the peace of the sand of the sea
See the gulls soaring high, o're frosted waves
As the breeze gently touches your face
Watch the dolfins play and the sail boats glide
In endless blue, with grace
Friendly faces of folks walking hand in hand
Passing children at play in the sand
There's never a hurry for those who stay
On beautiful Corpus Christi Bay

Light of the Moon

I reach my arm across the tangled place
Hand meets day's bristles gently on your face
Through moonlit window age does not seem clear
Knarled fingers, age spots almost disappear
Your kiss is light, my hand falls to your chest
You fold it, lay it back and then we rest
With sun that rises, harsher than the night
I see that time indeed did not take flight
It's hard to think we've spent these years so soon
If choosing light, I'd surely pick the moon

Samson

Even though I had to take Samson back to the shelter, I continue to visit him, take him on walks, and will til he has a home.

I thought that you were mine
I prayed that I'd have you, in time
What wonderful visits we had
And each time I left, you seemed sad
But things just weren't to be
Your past haunting you, and me
A human who didn't deserve
A puppy they should have loved
Instead you were abused
Which left you scared, confused
Now you're not trusted to be
Kind to many, but me
And so, I must take you back
For friends there, you won't lack
My heart is breaking for sure
But we both must endure
I weep for what might have been
My beautiful boy, my friend

Warm Spot

Hopefully I can get Chris to write music for this corny country song....

When you get up at night to go and pee
You leave a little warm spot, for me
I scoot on over right onto your space
When you get back you push me back in place

We're growing older and our nights are strange
It's hard for all our bones to rearrange
We wonder what will hurt next time we turn
Better to be still, you'd think we'd learn

Now it's my time to get up from the bed
I notice that the cat is on your head
That might seem strange for some folks, but not us
With kids back then, now animals we fuss

We'll slumber in a little while for sure
There's majic on it's way, a certain cure
All pains subside, our heads begin to nod
When wine and melatonin do their job

It really doesn't matter how we sleep
The only thing I ask is that you'll keep
A promise that you'll never fail to leave
That special little warm spot just for me.

I See

My cousin Chris came up with this idea, knowing how I felt about losing Max, wrote the first line, and also put this to music....

I see how you loved him, I know how you feel
He's a part of your soul, that death cannot steal
You're told to get on with your life, (fill the space)
But know in your heart that he can't be replaced
They reach out to comfort, who've been through it too
Your tears cannot stop now, the pain is so new
How can you believe that one day you'll not miss
Your constant companion, his welcoming kiss
Past many tomorrows, through endless dark nights
You long for the feel of him, he brought such delight
How well you remember the look in his eyes
An expression of love, so faithful and wise
Perhaps you'll get over, the sadness and yet
Though time helps to heal, you don't want to forget

Little Dobie Gray

Dobie is a kitten that was dropped off at our house, simply starving

I don't know where you came from
Tiny, furry, bag of bones
Dropped off without a single care
That you would find a home
I held you in a single hand
Your huge eyes terrified
Starving, needing Mommy
You couldn't even cry
I wasn't looking for a cat
Memories of Max so dear
But now it seems you have my heart
All curled up, purring, near
Yes now my little Dobie
On my pillow in sweet sleep
Growing, full of life and fun
HE intended you for me

Freeman Fritts Animal Shelter

This is for all the wonderful volunteers and staff at the no kill shelter

This is a place of comfort
A shelter from despair
For all of us who had no one
There's kindness, love and care

The humans here are special
They speak with tender voice
Reaching out with loving hands
For us who have no choice

Of course we'd like to have a home
With special treats and such
To go on walks and chase a ball
Is that asking too much?

'til then we'll be content
And know that we are blest
Because we're safe here with our friends
Who always give their best!

Ruidoso Respite

It's beauty is ignited by the piercing sun

A monsoon shower freshens copper dust

Sweet sunset over mountain when the day is done

The colors of this land, an urgent burst

Sunflowers seem to glow among the feathered green

The winter's snow has ordered summer's dress

O'er rocks the subtle rushing of an ice cold stream

As we make our way up in the vast pine forest

A valley view from hilltop is an artist's scene

While horses graze in pastures grassy, dense

From mountain top the village looks serene

And ravens dance for us, their audience

Our Texas heat is stifling now, although it's home

We always find a respite in this place

With friends here, such good fellowship we're shown

We'll soon return, souls at rest, with God's good grace