Sick Leave!

Yeah, I think I may look a little like this right now, actually worse, lol!  I've tried to downplay being sick, hoping it would go away.  Isn't that what a lot of us do?  Maybe not...but, I usually refuse to admit I'm sick!  I have been to the Doc and received the much sought after Z-Pack (whatever that means) for bronchitis, so I'm on the road to resurgence!

I just wanted to come by and let you know, I'm flying at half-mast right now and hope to spring back, and fly upwards soon!  I haven't been on blogger for a few days now, and, I can see I have missed a few posts.  And, I will catch up...you'll see!  I see I'm missing my 3rd and final chapter of 'Stockings for Mary'.  I just haven't posted it yet, but will soon...I guess it will be alright to post after Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful and cheery Christmas holiday...here we go into the new year!

2013

I'm still in awe that we crossed over into the millennium to the year 2000!

Well, must go rest for a little while...thank you for stopping by.  

Will see you soon!

♥

Stockings For Mary * Chapter 2 'Hotdogs and Cocoa'

What we know so far is that Mary has lost her dwelling and has gone hunting for a new one in a better part of the city.  Her spirits are high on this day...let us continue.

***

Another hour ticked by, and, yet another...still no sign of anything that would provide shelter for Mary.  As the noon hour approached, she started making her way back toward the city.  Mary had managed to scrape up $1.79 from the streets and alleyways as she walked, and was looking forward to visiting her favorite hot dog vendor, Eddie.  She could get a nice plump hot dog with all the trimmings, and a hot cup of cocoa for $1.45 from Eddie's wagon.  And, Eddie always had some juicy news of happenings within the city...maybe he could help her find shelter for the night!

Just then, Mary heard a soft voice behind her, calling her name.  "Mary? Mary Tidwell?  Is that you, Mary?" She turned her head back just slightly and saw a lovely woman-a familiar face, though she couldn't place it just right off.  Once again, the lady who looked to be in her 40's, called out.

  "Mary, it's me, your Aunt Sophie.  Don't you remember me?  I know it's been a long time, but surely you remember me, your mother's sister.  Please stop, I've been looking for you these past few months."

Mary slowed her pace and finally stopped walking.  She turned around to get a better look, and, yes she did recognize her Aunt Sophie.  Sophie reached out to hug Mary, but, Mary pulled away, showing no emotion.  "Please Mary, can you forgive me?  What you must have been going through!  I am so sorry.  When your parents were killed I was out of the country, unable to acquire passage back in order to attend the funeral.  I, then, was so ashamed, I just couldn't show my face, having left you alone to fend for yourself.  My shame has gotten the best of me, and I knew I must find you and try to make amends.  Mary, we need each other.  Please-say something."  Mary's eyes welled up with tears, and she reached for her aunt with open arms.  It was the first hug Mary had felt in the years since her parents' passing, and, darned if it didn't feel good!  Sophie and Mary hugged more, and they cried and they laughed as they walked along.  Sophie offered to take Mary for a nice dinner in a lovely restaurant, but Mary insisted on taking Aunt Sophie to meet Eddie, the hot dog vendor.  "He makes the best hot dogs in town, and the warmest, creamiest hot cocoa ever", Mary bragged. 

They talked as they ate, and shared their life experiences from the last few years.  Then Mary tried to excuse herself...she had confided to Aunt Sophie that she lives on the streets, and, having lost her shelter, was alley-shopping around for another one.

"That is entirely out of the question!" Sophie exclaimed.  "Mary, I have taken a nice little apartment just a few miles from here with a beautiful view of the city.  I have an extra bedroom, and...I plan to stay.  You MUST come live with me and start a new life.  You can resume your education, and do the things you've only dreamed of.  Please say yes!"  Mary was so filled with joy, yet, tried to remain cool before she answered.  And, answer, she did!  "Are you certain you want a roommate Aunt Sophie?  I'll try not to be too much trouble.  I can cook only a little, but, I can sweep floors and wash dishes with the best of them.  Of course, I'd love to live with you! I've been so lonely and my feet are always cold out here.  Thank you so much for finding me, Aunt Sophie!  When I awoke this morning, I knew this day would be a good one!  And, look...the sun is shining even brighter now that you're here!"

With that settled, Aunt Sophie and Mary hooked arms, and headed toward the city, singing happily,

'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.'

***

Hello, dear ones.  Now I know you think this is the last of it...but, beware!  I've become long-winded in my old (scratch that)  age, and, there are a few things I just can't leave unattended.  Can you handle one more chapter in a few days?  I've almost got it finished.

***

We've got a couple of birthdays-two of my favorite entertainers.  I just have to make mention of them, and wish them well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Who is this handsome devil?

Keith Richards * December 18, 1943

One of the best guitarists and songwriters of all time!
This guy still rocks!

And, this lovely lady?

Miss Barbara Mandrell * December 25, 1948

A multi-talented, singer/entertainer and musician

The first, and only female to win the Country Music Assocation

'Entertainer of the Year Award' twice...

until Taylor Swift equaled her.

***

And, while I've got you here, that is, if you get the chance-stop by Karo's new blog.  He decided to give it a go with his 'Rockabilly' interests.  You can find him on my sidebar as:

Rock A Billy Rock.

Thank you:
Google
Yahoo
Wikipedia
Keith Richards
Barbara Mandrell

And, thank you dear readers for coming by.  I love to see you! The final chapter of 'Stockings for Mary' will be posted soon.  Have a safe and joyous holiday!

And beware of the Grinch!  hehe!

Stockings For Mary * Chapter 1 'The Rude Awakening'

The cold, December night sent chills through Mary's body as she moved closer to the fire to get warm.  She always tried to keep her distance from the others so as not to bring too much attention to herself.  No need to become close to these people...one never knew how much he or she could trust them in desperate times.  Yeah, they all seemed nice enough, but Mary refrained from answering questions, and giving too much of herself away.  It was bad enough, now that someone had made off with her meager shelter...a cardboard box cast out, that had previously housed a new refrigerator.  So, here she stood with the others, trying to stay warm and contemplating her next step for survival.  With Christmas around the corner, there should be plenty more boxes available, waiting to be picked up by the sanitation department, unless Mary got there first!  Why, there should be a lot to choose from, and Mary should hit pay dirt!  But, oh, on this night, her legs and feet were suffering tremendously from the frosty air and the cold concrete beneath them, as were the others around her.  

She caught herself humming 'Silent Night' quietly, hoping no one would hear, and, then her mind wandered back to the last time she sang the carol out loud with her mother and father.  It was three years ago, when Mary was just fourteen, the three of them sat in front of the fireplace in their modest home singing Christmas Carols together, marveling at their brightly lit Christmas tree, and the stockings that adorned their fireplace.  It was a joyous occasion, that would be the last of Mary's fond Christmas memories.  After the accident that took both of her parents' lives, Mary was left alone in her sadness.  Her parents' home and furnishings were auctioned off by the state to pay off debts, and, with no apparent family members to be found, Mary was placed in foster care.  Being a vivacious teen, she became unhappy and restless...thus, it became evident that her time within the present confines had come to an end.  So, with her meager belongings, the following year, Mary slipped out on a summer night, and did not look back.  A series of small-time jobs delivering flyers, washing dishes and mopping front stoops, barely kept Mary going, and there was little chance for further education at this time.

Sometimes Mary became angry at her predicament...after all, whose fault was it that her parents perished after that horrible truck hit them?  They were on route to her school Christmas pageant, when they were hit head on while crossing a bridge, and forced off the bridge into the icy waters of the river.  Later, there would be the devastating double funeral with Mary there, accompanied by her school teachers and a few friends.  Sadly, no one could avoid what inevitably came next.  Mary lost everything else along with her precious parents.  And, in her mind, she was destined to roam through the streets of life alone.  At the city foster care center, Christmas was celebrated as well as it could be with a wonderful tree, caroling, good food, and, even a jolly old Santa Claus bearing gifts for all.  But, Mary still felt the emptiness, that engulfed her, and the loneliness brought on by the absence of her loving parents.

After a tumultuous night's sleep within the alcove of a long ago abandoned dress shop, Mary awoke just before dawn, feeling vigorous and ready to go hunting for her next abode.  Quietly she moved through the sleeping street tenants, making her way to the back alley that would lead her to a more prosperous part of the city.  And, she whined to herself, "Oh, will my feet ever be warm again?"  It was hard to find socks on the street.  Mary was able to acquire a pair of tennis shoes from one of the churches the previous month, but no one seemed to have any socks.  "Maybe today I'll find some", Mary mused optimistically.

 By 9:00 AM, having combed the better neighborhoods, Mary still hadn't found a proper box for her dwelling.  Even though the air was crisp and cool, the day was embraced with a beautiful, bright, and heartwarming sun.  And...Mary just knew she would score in a big way on this day!

***
Greetings, my dearest readers, and, Happy Holidays to you all.  I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter of my Christmas story for the year 2012.  I'm afraid the story escalated somewhat, as I wrote, and wrote, and, wrote!  I will have to post Chapter 2, let's say in 2 or 3 days if that works for you.  

***
In the meantime, I would like to congratulate the 'Rolling Stones' on their 50th anniversary!  This group was formerly the 'Bad Boys' of rock and roll in the 1960's, having come to the USA on the 'coattails' of the Beatles, so it is said.  Actually, their fishing boat ran aground, (or amuck), somewhere on the New Jersey shore as they tried to head off  'The Beatles' arrival!  Well, needless-to-say, they lost a few months to 'The Beatles'!  But, they're still here!

Really, I'm kidding!  I have always adored the Rolling Stones, and, watch their concerts when they become televised.  I got to see them in concert in Dallas, Texas in 1988, and it was fabulous!  They have endured the 'rock' of time, and, I applaud these guys!

Mick, Keith and Charlie
NY * December 8, 2012

*** And, now, I must make my way back to reality...where temps in Fort Worth are expected to take a major nose dive tonite and tomorrow! I'm getting my woolies ready, and, dusting off that wool coat!  I think Christmas is REALLY in the air this time-no 80° holiday for us, eh?

Take care...thank you so much for coming by.  If you get a chance, say hello.  I will post Chapter 2 in a couple of days.

 I would like to thank Thisisme at Southhamsdarling (her blog link is on my sidebar) for inspiring me to write this little Christmas story! I don't think she meant for me to write a book tho!  I'm trying to keep it short!

Love to you all! xxoo

Thanks also to:
Google
Yahoo
The Associated Press
'The Rolling Stones' *** YAY!