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 St. Patrick's Day

Don't forget to wear your green, 'cause it's Saint Patrick's Day.

"You're as welcome as the flowers..." even if you're gay.

May the Irish luck be yours today - tomorrow, too.

Wishing you an Irish blessing for the whole year through.

May the winds be at your back and may the sun shine bright;

May you have a sober friend to drive you home tonight.

Whether you're a McNamara, Harrigan, or Corr

Hope the year ahead has naught but happiness in store.

Have Yourselves a Merry Christmas

"It's comin' on Christmas; they're cuttin' down trees..."

It's next week and, am I ready for it? Honey, please.

Haven't started decorating, haven't written cards,

Haven't strung a Christmas light (unlike our neighbors's yards.)

I just bought the tree and wreath; they're both completely bare.

Haven't started shopping 'cause it's frightening out there.

I'm supposed to pick our eldest up from Plymouth State;

There's a jack-knifed tractor-trailer on the highway... Great.

You won't see much rhyming from me in the coming days,

(And I bet that you are just as busy anyways)

So, if we don't get the chance again, I'm wishing you

Very Merry Holidays and Happy New Year, too.

A Thanksgiving Limerick

Not that we need it at my house.  (Recipe Courtesy of/http://www.pinterest.com/tripn_dicular/)

I'm thankful for family and friends

And hoping this limerick sends

Good fortune your way

For Thanksgiving Day

(Or else a bartender who blends.)

A Veterans' Day Limerick

Saluting the women and men

Who serve and defend us all when

The country's in need;

Thus proving, by deed,

They're mightier than any pen.

I Miss Trick-or-Treaters

No one in our neighborhood comes here to Trick-or-Treat.

There are just 3 houses down our long and private street;

There are some coyotes and no streetlights where we live.

We aren't worth the walk, despite the full-sized bars we give.

I remember Hallowe'ens when we would take the boys;

Autumn winds would rustle leaves and make a spooky noise.

Flashlights weren't a lot of help 'cause there's a lot of woods

On the way back home from other people's neighborhoods.

Thus, I cannot blame the costumed children who decide

There's too many places for a ghost or 2 to hide.

If I didn't live here, I would take one look then leave...

Maximize my chances somewhere else All Hallows Eve.

Happy Memorial Day

When you're at your barbeque this weekend, don't forget -

If you love America and freedom - thank a Vet.

I don't mean a thanks with words for words have proven cheap...

We made Vets a promise but it's one we didn't keep.

They embody virtues that have made this country great;

It's disgraceful some of them are dying while they wait.

Situation's FUBAR at the VA, I'm afraid.

They don't have the staff and those they've got are underpaid.

Congress needs to spend the money now and screw the cost...

Right away! Before another soldier's life is lost.

There are no excuses for non-treatment of our Vets;

We owe them our sacred honor and must pay our debts.

A Modern Irish Blessing

Clicking on the highlighted links will take you to some great Irish pub music.

May the roads rise up to meet you. May the sun shine bright.

May the good Lord keep you safe and sheltered in His sight.

Hope the pub you're sitting in does not run out of beer.

If you want the happiest St. Patrick's Day this year;

Ask before you kiss the Irish - you'll have better luck,

Pray some older ladies in the bathroom don't get stuck,

May you find a table, though the line is out the door.

Will you see me out there now? No, nay, never...  No more.

I remember many Drunken Nights out on a binge...

On St. Patrick's Day my face displayed a greenish tinge.

Too old for shenanigans; a glass or 2 - no more -

Lest the road that rose to meet me means I'm on the floor.

Happy Valentine's Day? There's an App for That.

It isn't just the Olympic rings that are hooking up.  (Photo/Courtesy of Detroit.CBS.Local)

Looking for a Valentine?  I hear that there's an app,

Popular because it's making "hooking-up" a snap.

Olympians in Sochi have been using it - a lot...

All those healthy, pretty people gathered in one spot.

Tinder lets them see who else is looking for a date

When they aren't out on the slopes or on the ice to skate.

Shows whoever's close to them who'd also like to meet

In between those moments when they're scheduled to compete.

Talk about a "target rich environment" to use.

They can still find consolation, even if they lose.

(As for me, I found my love the good, old-fashioned way.

Thank you darlin' Valentine...  I love you more each day.)

Seussilitis Interruptus

Have to get my butt in gear; I'm running out of time.

Happens to me every year, so I can't blame a rhyme.

Well before this Dr. Seussilitis bug took hold

I'd begin to hibernate whenever it got cold.

Christmas always sneaks up on me; my attention drifts.

Somehow, I am always searching for last minute gifts.

Once I get my act together I'll be back...  'til then

Wish you jolly holidays and peace on earth to men.

Have Yourselves A Merry Little Christmas.

Wishing you a peaceful and happy holiday season.

Even with a week to go I'm almost out of time.

Christmas season isn't good for writing things in rhyme.

When I start to think about something I want to say

I will get a line or 2 then - poof! It goes away.

Always start to think about something I have to do,

And I'm sure what's true for me is also true for you...

Even if you're organized (which I am, clearly, not)

Sometime late on Christmas Eve you'll find that you forgot

Something that you had  to do which you did not get done.

My advice to you is; let it go and just have fun.

Hold your family extra close this Christmas.  Pray for peace.

May the joy and love you have do nothing but increase.

Since I can't be sure when next I'll have the chance to write

May I wish you all, right now, a Happy Christmas night.

Blessings for the New Year (which is when I will be back;

Hopefully to find I haven't lost my rhyming knack.)

Happy Thanksgiving (A Little Bit Early)

Norman Rockwell's iconic Thanksgiving.  Notice how he doesn't show you what this poor woman's kitchen looks like...  Or mention the fact that she's only 42?

Here I sit - the place a mess - Thanksgiving on the way
(In the winter we're the hosts for every holiday).
Have to get up off my bum and go and clean the house;
Don't want to embarrass either children or my spouse.

Thankfully our guests are all extended family...
They're aware of what they'll get when they come visit me.
There'll be lots of food and drink and, if you've room, there's pie.
There'll be food to take with you when you must say goodbye.

There'll be people who you love and they all love you back
If you can ignore the fact the china's got a crack,
Carpet is a little worn, and Bailey always sheds,
And (with Dr. Seussilitis) I use wine for meds.

Since there is so much to do and there's so little time
I will not be back before Thanksgiving for a rhyme.
Thanks to those who, in my youth, invited in a stray.
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday.

Happy Hallowe'en

It's October 31st; tonight is Hallowe'en.

We aren't "trick or treating"; my youngest is 15.

Wearing masks and begging candy - cute if you are small -

Not as cute, however, when you're more than 6 feet tall.

He is disappointed; this was, once, his favorite night...

Moonlit leaves that rustled in the wind and caused a fright,

Dressing up and seeing friends in costume on the street.

He is not the only one who's missing "trick or treat."

No one comes to our house; the driveway's dark and long,

Yet I still buy candy bars, although I know it's wrong.

Guess who'll eat the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups tonight.

If you're guessing that it's me, I'm thinking you'd be right.

Happy Birthday America - A Little Bit Early

Happy Independence Day!  I'll be at the parade

Where I'll stand and cheer each time the anthem's being played,

Stand again - salute the flag whenever she goes by,

Make sure I get up for vet'rans, so I don't know why

I bring any chairs to this - I'm always up and down.

Thank God it's a short parade we have in my small town.

(By the way, I know today is really just the 3rd

But I have potato salad on...  It must be stirred.)

Didn't want to miss the 4th, but I won't be around.

When you live where I do, opportunities abound.

Many people pack a lunch and go to see the Pops

Playing on the Esplanade - They pull out all the stops.

When they do The 1812 the Old North Church bells ring.

We will watch it on TV 'cause - not for anything -

Could I drag my darlin' spouse back to the river Charles;

He was not a fan of the post-concert traffic snarls.

We'll pursue our happiness at home on our back deck.

That means I'll be busy because, right now, it's a wreck.

(Cannot let the guests suspect their hostess is a slob)

Then I have some ears to peel for our corn on the cob.

So, I'm sending wishes now to you and all of yours

Happy Birthday everyone - on all our shining shores,

'cross the amber waves, on purple mountains - out of reach.

Yikes! I've started sounding like a bad Mitt Romney speech.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day to my mom; Laurel.

Wishing Happy Mothers' Day to those of us with kids...
Even those, like me, who wish (at times) to open bids;
Sell the rotten child who's talking back to me... And then,
I remember why I love the stinker once again.

May be something simple like an extra hug or kiss...
Thank yous you do not expect; the fact they didn't miss
Telling you, on Mothers' Day, how special that you are.
Little things like that (with mothers) get you pretty far.

Hope your children don't forget... And, for the rest of you;
'though I'm not your mother and can't tell you what to do,
Still, I'd strongly recommend that you take my advice;
Call your mothers Sunday... And, some flowers would be nice.

Valentine's Day

          

Flowers, card, or candy? Out to dinner? Glass of wine?

What do you have planned this year to please your Valentine?

Hope you have a lovely time, whatever you both do

And, for those who aren't in love, don't let yourselves be blue.

There are lots of kinds of love deserving of attention.

Romance gets a lot of press today but may I mention

Love for friends and family (especially our mothers)?

How about, this Valentine's, we share that  love with others?

Try to smile at strangers.  When you're driving, be polite.

Pass love on to those you meet and 'though it may sound trite

Bet you'll find you get more back than you can give away.

              Sending love and light to you and yours this Valentine's Day.