Happy Mother's Day 2019

 

Wishing all the mothers in my life a happy day,

With the hope our rotten children won't forget to say

"Thank you Mom, for all the many things you've done for me

Because, without mothers, where would any of us be?"

"Mother" isn't just a word for women who gave birth,

She's the one who loves you more than anyone on Earth.

Mom's the one who props you up when you aren't feeling strong,

She's the one who has your back when everything goes wrong,

I know that I'm very lucky...  My Mom's still alive:

Healthy, active, social, and alert enough to drive.

Her son and her daughters count our blessings every day,

Not just on some random Sunday in the month of May.

Happy 21st Birthday Darlin'!

 

We do not have children now...  Both sons are young adults.

We've been raising them for years; we're thrilled with the results.

Youngest son turns 21 today... There'll be a crowd;

Family who love him and the parents he's made proud.

Sitting here - remembering the day that he was born -

Looking back on all the years and trying not to mourn

For the end of childhood and the turning of a page,

Starting a new chapter as we reach this milestone age.

Going out for Mai Tais - which he swears will be his first...

Maybe so, although I'm pretty sure he's quenched his thirst

On a beer or two or six before but, what the hell,

If he's happy and his college grades are doing well?

This is it! Your time to shine, my darlin'... Have some fun.

Happy Birthday - and a few suggestions for you son:

Take it easy when in pubs and don't debate a punk.

Call an Uber and remember - No one likes a drunk.

In Memoriam - Senator John S. McCain III

 

With the passing of a patriot like John McCain

My hopes for the country that he loved went down the drain.

No one else has shown the courage he showed 'til the end;

Few have tried to reach across the aisle and make a friend.

(My dad shared a room at the Academy with John

And the stories of the escapades those two went on

Kept us entertained and made me love John even more...)

Would have made a better President than Bush or Gore.

Sixty years of service to the country he adored;

I'm sure heaven has already welcomed him aboard.

He was an example to us all throughout his life.

Praying for his friends and family and lovely wife.

Happy 23rd Birthday Darlin'

Our son says nobody likes you when you're 23...

I suspect he's quoting Blink 182 at me.

Since our eldest will be turning 23 today,

Want to tell him he should not believe a word they say.

I know lots of people who think he is pretty great;

Funny, smart, and handsome and, on this auspicious date,

As we celebrate another birthday with our son,

We hope he discovers 23 is lots of fun.

It's an age when you're considered one of the adults;

Old enough your education's showing some results,

Young enough you haven't started dragging your caboose

But, when you screw up, you still have youth as an excuse.

Hate to disagree but Blink 182 is wrong;

Twenty-three's the perfect age, so don't believe their song. 

It's your year for doing all the things that you enjoy...

Trust your mom on that and Happy Birthday darlin' boy.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

 

I have got a cookie recipe that's quite a hit.

Only problem I've encountered is I'm writing it

With this rhyming bug of mine so, do excuse me, please...

Seussilitis ain't ideal for sharing recipes:

Place 2 sticks of softened butter in a mixing bowl.

Add a cup of packed brown sugar. Crack in 2 eggs (whole)

Plus another cup of  sugar (granulated, white)

And 1 cup of peanut butter.  Blend 'til smooth and light.

1 and one half teaspoons baking soda. Then add 1

Teaspoon baking powder, half of salt (You're almost done.)

2 and one half cups of flour; bag of chocolate chips.

Mix, then chill the cookie dough (and wave good-bye to hips.)

Roll the dough into a ball and then in sugar, too.

Place the balls on cookie sheets and grab a fork, then you

Press down. Put them in the oven (350) to bake

For 10 minutes... Couldn't be much easier to make.

Look Out World

 

I now clutch my brand new passport in my sweaty grip...

Empty pages beg for stamps; it's time to take a trip.

If he had his druthers, Mr. S. would rather stay

Here at home. He doesn't like to go too far away.

Luckily, my younger siblings have the travel bug...

When I start to feel the pull of distant places tug

One of them is sure to also want to come along;

Nice to be with those you love if anything goes wrong.

So, the only question left is where we ought'a go.

Brother wants Oktoberfest in Gemany, although

I've heard that it's crowded; filled with drunken college kids.

I think that I'd rather go and see the pyramids...

Or go on safari or to Italy or Spain -

See if rain is really falling mainly on the plain.

Maybe I can talk my younger brother into Rome.

We can find drunk college students staying here at home.

Happy 80th Birthday Mom!

(Can you believe this woman is 80?)

My mom is extraordinary. Don't take it from me;

Anyone who's ever met my mother would agree.

She raised six kids on her own.  She's always in the loop.

She holds us together and we're still a tight-knit group.

Mom is a retired nurse. I'm told that she was great.

It was her vocation and, although she started late,

All her patients loved her because she would start to sing

Anytime a phrase reminded her of anything. 

She is warm and nurturing; a "Mom" to many strays...

Strangers she would welcome to our home on holidays.

It's a compliment when someone says I have her face.

(She was once a beauty queen who finished 2nd place.)

And my mom's still beautiful, although she's 80 now.

When we went to school together, I remember how

Handsome, younger men would flirt with her - 'cause she was fun...

Never mind the fact they weren't much older than her son.

My mom is a lady though; she oozes upper class.

Always gracious - even dealing with a horse's ass.

Calm in any crisis.  I am always filled with pride

When I have this stylish woman walking by my side.

She's been slowing down of late, but I still can't keep up.

Do her loved ones know we're lucky that we've got her? Yup!

Happy Birthday Mom!  May you have many, many more:

Healthy, happy, knowing you're the one we all adore.

Dear Tina... I DID Warn You, Right?

Really?

I have a step-sister and I like her very much;

We have met a few times now; we try to keep in touch.

Mostly it's through Facebook but I'm noticing, of late

She has started "liking" posts of symbols that I hate. 

Saw her just the other day (both parents have been ill;

She flew up to stay and help...  They're lucky that she will.)

We met at the Rehab - where I fear that I was rude -

Said I thought hers was an idiotic attitude.

She and I both took an oath and swore that we'd protect

And defend this country...  Therefore, with all due respect,

Why on earth would she choose to support another flag?

It's a hurtful, racist symbol, I began to nag.

"That's not what it stood for," she politely disagreed.

She said it meant something else before the slaves were freed.

Maybe so, but that IS what it symbolizes now.

Then I asked why she'd post Southern symbols anyhow?

Both of us are from the North...  I couldn't see the sense,

With the situation in society so tense,

Why she'd "like" the battle flag of rebels from the South

I'm afraid I lectured her...  I couldn't shut my mouth.

On and on, until the poor girl's eyes began to glaze:

False flag operations and the tricks that Putin plays.

Once I got to Sanskrit symbols used in ancient art

I could tell she wasn't gonna have a change of heart.

Looks as if we two must both agree to disagree,

'though I warned her she might still get snarky posts from me.

But, I'd best be careful not to make her really mad;

Not when she's the one who's down there, taking care of Dad.

For Casey and Luis

Old Sturbridge Village

Going to another wedding - this one's for my niece.

Now I have to find a gown to wear that's made from fleece.

Wedding's at Old Sturbridge Village; part of it's outside.

There's a horse drawn wagon for the guests who need a ride.

All the rest of us will walk down quaint - but muddy - streets;

Forecast says it's gonna rain (unless, of course, it sleets)

And we'll miss a play-off game; the Pats play Tennessee.

I suggested they postpone... The bride did not agree.

I pray that the happy couple has a happy life.

Hoping that this journey they begin as man and wife

Leads to years of joy and love together for these two...

(If I have to freeze than it's the least that they can do.)

Not So Happy All Hallows Eve

Happy Hallowe'en, my friends.  Enjoy your tricks and treats.

Watch out for the little kids in costume in the streets.

Trick or Treating's been postponed 'til Friday in my town

Due to winds which made some trees and power-lines come down.

Chelmsford's not the only town affected locally,

My sister in Dracut's yard has got a fallen tree.

Schools are cancelled...  Still, I'd bet most kids are feeling sad;

Now they've got no place to wear the costumes that they had.

'though I understand tonight's impossible to swing,

I'm afraid November 3rd still lacks a certain zing.

It is not All Hallows Eve - October 31st...

Just another night for eating candy 'til we burst.

Happy 23rd Beloved

 

Sunday we will celebrate our anniversary,

'though it's not a major milestone year at 23.

Didn't know back then, when I became my best friend's wife,

It was the beginning of the best years of my life.

Thanks to him, I haven't had to worry.  Life is good.

Raised two sons together in our lovely neighborhood.

Nowadays, I love him more than on the day we wed...

I don't even mind he hogs the blankets in our bed.

If I started counting blessings rather than the years

It would take forever and I'd bore you all to tears.

But, if he is half as happy as the man's made me,

He is also hoping for another 23.

Happy 20th Birthday

Happy birthday darlin'...  May you have a hundred more.

Hope you smile so much it makes your facial muscles sore.

That still wouldn't make us even...  These last 20 years

You have made me grin and laugh until I was in tears.

You have brought such joy to us, my love, that we'll forgive

Those few times I wasn't sure if we would let you live.

But, I'm really glad we did...  Especially today.

Who wants peace and quiet from their children anyway?

Renovations

 

I just got a dye-job on my hair - erasing years.

Hadn't realized how ancient graying hair appears.

Problem is that, once you start, it's kinda tough to quit...

When gray roots start growing back, it's gonna look like shit.

I don't tend to bother with appearances that much;

Don't wear make-up, jewelry, accessories, and such...

But we're going to a wedding with a "hipper" crowd

For my sister's daughter... She said, "frumpy's not allowed."

So, I'm getting all dolled up...  I even did my toes.

Went out shopping with my Mom and bought some sexy clothes.

Don't think I can keep this up 'cause it's a lot of work.

Frumpy is much easier and I'm a lazy jerk.

The Labor Day Classic

 

I have not played any golf this summer...  Not one hole.

Haven't even swung a club nor given putts a roll.

But, I'm in a tournament - The Classic - Labor Day.

I'm a former trophy winner, so I have to play.

Do not get the wrong idea. It's a family thing.

I won't be the only person taking their first swing

At the dimpled ball when we are teeing off on 1.

At this invitational, we mostly play for fun.

We'll have lots of "swing oil" with us, ride around in carts,

And I'm sure that we'll play brilliantly - in fits and starts.

It's not really for the trophy that we golfers strive

But that thrilling feeling from one single perfect drive.

Happy 19th Birthday Darlin'

My handsome, smart, funny, youngest son and his dad.

 

This birthday's the last one I'm the mother of a teen;

19 years ago our son arrived upon the scene...

We thought he was perfect then and, frequently, still do.

I cannot believe - next year - his age will start with 2.

Our poor son will always be my little boy to me,

Never mind the fact that he's already 6 foot 3

(Plus, I swear, the boy's still growing taller everyday)

And the brownish hair I had is now completely gray.

Evidence the years are quickly passing I ignore

Even as I wish our son a happy hundred more.

But, if I should live to see that, hope it won't annoy

Him to learn that, even then, he'll be my little boy.

Empty Nest Syndrome

With our sons away at school our home's an empty nest

And, though life is good, it also lacks a certain zest.

Now that it is just we three - my husband and our dog -

You might think that I'd be busy working on my blog.

But, instead, I'll take a nap or read another book

And my only challenge is deciding what to cook.

Lately I've been cleaning closets...  It's a task I hate.

(I'm a sloppy housekeeper.  It's a genetic trait.)

All this free time's made me crazy.  Know how I can tell?

I have felt the urge to clean the basement up, as well.

Ask the folks who know me and I think they'd all agree

Something drastic must be wrong 'cause that is not like me.

Happy 21st Birthday Darlin'

 

Oldest son turned twenty-one today.  That went by fast!

Something I did not believe when told so in the past.

Pregnancy felt endless and my labor longer still...

(Obstetrician would have died that day if looks could kill.)

It seems only yesterday they placed him in my arms,

When I swore that we would keep him safe from any harms.

'though we swiftly learned that life, sometimes, won't go to plan

It's not long, at all, from child to boy to fine, young man.

Happy Birthday darlin'.  Now that drinking is allowed

I know you'll remember all you've learned and make us proud:

Nothing's less attractive than some loud, obnoxious drunks

Except for the aftermath...  On knees and blowing chunks.

Unsolicited Advice for the Boston Red Sox

(Photo/Courtesy of Shanyn Kelly Walsh)

Boston Red Sox win their games when my sister attends;

They should give her tickets - free (plus extras for her friends.)

Don't know how she does it...  Could it be her Irish luck?

I just know that, when she's there, the Red Sox do not suck.

Beach Rentals?

The beach house we'd come to love has recently been sold

And the other place we rented in the days of old

Is too small to fit us all now that the kids are grown,

So - this year - our annual vacation plans are blown.

Started the tradition back in 1998;

All of us together at the beach and it was great!

Couldn't find a house to rent this year that's big enough,

Plus we're busy with this kitchen renovation stuff.

My whole clan's in mourning for our weeks spent at the waves;

Whole days at a stretch when everybody's kid behaves...

Does somebody know a place?  Has anybody seen

Somewhere on the beach, that welcomes pets, and sleeps 15?