Rainy Day in Spain

School was out! Andres and Michaela ran down the steps and into
the cool, gentle rain!
Reaching into his backpack, Andres displayed his treasures.
“Michaela, I need to send these postcards to my friends in America.”
Glancing at her watch, Michaela gasped, “If we hurry, we can just
catch the bus that runs past the post office!.”
Splashing through puddles down the winding cobblestone path
they sang, “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”

Andres and Michaela arrived at the bus stop just in time to leap over the rain
filled gutter and climbed on the bus!
They wound around and through the streets of Salamanca until they
finally reached the post office. The two friends had to wait in a very long
line to mail Andres’ cards but didn’t mind at all. They laughed and visited with
all the people around them. What a wonderful place to practice their Spanish!

With the cards safely mailed, Michaela and Andres began to look for another bus.
They’d be back home in no time!
Splashing through puddles down the winding cobblestone path
they sang, “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”

Suddenly, Michaela stopped and whispered, “Andres, I smell something
wonderful!” Andres hesitated, drew in a deep breath, and pointed toward
a merchant’s cart that was parked nearby.
The street vender was selling chestnuts roasted over an open fire. Excited and
extremely hungry, Andres and Michaela paid the man and chomped on the nutty treats as they splashed through puddles down the winding cobblestone path
and sang, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... ”

A bus pulled up to the curb and the friends leapt on without a care in the world.
But…the bus took them to the middle of nowhere. The driver told them to get off or
pay again for the ride back to the station. Unconcerned, Andres and Michaela stepped
out once again into the rain, because they weren’t sure that this
bus would get them back home.
They splashed through puddles down the winding cobblestone path
and sang, “It rains in Spain and their chestnuts are never plain.”

Andres pointed to the end of the street where another bus had just
pulled up, and they raced to catch it. Once seated, Andres and Michaela assured
each other that this must be the bus that would take them back home. They
began visiting with some very nice people sitting beside them who helped them
find the right bus stop. Thanking these wonderful new friends, Andres and
Michaela made their way to the door and slid out into the rain.

What a wonderful adventure! Andres mused, “Michaela, I think we just
lived a children’s book!” His friend smiled and they
splashed through puddles down the winding cobblestone path
and sang, “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”

****This is a true tale of an adventure that Andy and his friend, Michele, had earlier
this week in Spain. I just added a few lyrics:)

Stubby the White-winged Dove

(Stubby is a dove that has visited our porch feeders everyday
since March. Her beak is broken off.)

The Runaway Blaze

Once there was a little boy who decided to run away.So he told his Gransie, "I just think I'll run away!"

"If you run away," whispered Gransie, "I will run after you. You are my precious Blaze."

"Well, if you run after me, Gransie," Blaze insisted, "I'll become a fluffy cloud and drift way up high into the sky."

"If you drift up high above the earth," Gransie said,"I'll become a balloon and soar with you on the wind."

"Gransie!" Blaze exclaimed. "If you become a balloon, I'll become a bumblebee and zoom way up in a live oak tree."

"Blaze, if you buzz away to a beehive, I'll become a beekeeper and find you in the midst of a thousand bees," assured Gransie.

"Well....well....ummm," Blaze uttered nervously, "Gransie, if you find me in the middle of that beehive, I'll become a big lizard. And I'll be camouflaged and no one will ever be able to see me."

"If you become a camouflaged lizard, Blaze, I will become a beautiful rock that you can rest upon," Gransie insisted.

"But, Gransie," Blaze was frustrated! "If you become a rock, I'll just....I'll just.............become a giant sunflower and grow up tall toward the sun."

Gransie sighed, "And, Blaze, if you become a sunflower and grow tall, I'll become a farmer. I'll water you and love you, and I'll always take care of you."

"Oh, my goodness, Gransie!" Blaze shouted.

"If you become a farmer, I'll just have to change

into a perch and jump into a very deep pond!"

"Blaze, even if you jump into the deepest pond in the world, I will get Grandpa to cast his fishing line way out into that water and catch you." Gransie giggled.

"GRANSIE, if Grandpa goes fishing and catches me, I will become a tumbleweed and roll down the road to places far, far away!" Blaze blared loudly.

"If you become a tumbleweed, I'll just rev up my Harley and follow you wherever you go, because you are my precious grandson, Blaze," Gransie calmly said as she placed her arm around Blaze's shoulders.

"Oh, brother," Blaze shrugged as he looked up at Gransie. "I might as well just stay where I am and be your grandson."

And so he did.

"Let's go make some deer burgers,"

whispered Gransie.

Hmmmmmm???

I stepped into the garden early this morning

When much to my surprise,

A familiar hum buzzed past my ear,

And a streak of emerald flashed before my eyes.

Is it really you my little friend?

The feeders are filled. You won't be deprived.

But it's still 43 degrees outside.

The spring blossoms haven't even arrived.

Did you notice the new trellis where our jasmine will grow?

Grandpa put it up only last week.

You and friends can waltz in and out of the vines

And play a game of hide and seek.

Where is Old Maggie? She was sick when you left

And couldn't see or get around.

We lost her a couple of weeks ago.

Her memory stone is here on the ground.

Have we planted the vegetable garden?

Of Course, we're way ahead of you!

The harvest is bound to be plentiful,

And you'll have a fantastic view!

Hummingbird, please, no more questions!

Sip your tea. Build your nest once again.

There'll be time for visiting later,

As our springtime adventures begin.

The Legend of Maggie Mae

Our precious angel~~April 1, 1995-March 16, 2011

On my fortieth birthday,

Pa brought me a big surprise.

She had shiny black hair

With two enormous black eyes.

We named our Yorkie, Maggie,

and took her everywhere.

Adorable and loving,

She looked like a tiny bear.

Early each spring, busloads of children

would come from Gransie's school, of course.

They'd see the goats, the chickens,

and gather the eggs,

tour the gardens and ride the old horse.

We sang around a little fire roasting marshmellows

but the highlight of the day

Was when Puddin' the Wonder Dog

and her sidekick, Maggie, would do tricks

and come over to play.

One day, old Puddin' up and died

And Maggie was at her wits end.

I don't think she ever got over that loss.

She'd roam around and look for her friend.

Several years later, a neighbor called us up

from a couple of pastures away.

He said Maggie'd shown up with her body guards

and assured us that she was okay.

Bruiser, the Rottweiler, and our old coon dog, Missy,

were there right by her side.

Treats, drinks, and rubbins' were enjoyed by all

'til the Garrett taxi arrived.

She spent years chasing rabbits through the prickly pears

with only dust clouds in her wake.

But she got very old, her eyes grew dim

It was all her tiny body could take.

You gave us years of love and joy.

Thank you, Dearest Friend!

We'll miss you everyday, Maggie,

Our love and your legend will never end.

Adventures with Flat Stanley

Favorite Song and Story

I spied a lacy daffodil

dancing in the Texas breeze.

She invited me to join her.

I ran over and fell to my knees.


"Is it time for you to bloom, My Dear?

The fields are still so bare."

The words had scarely left my lips

When buzzing filled the air.

A bee gently lit on her yellow skirt

And scurried quickly inside.

He didn't stay long,

Got his treasure and flew,

On the wings of the wind

He did glide.

"Oh, Daffodil, please stay with me

And shine your golden light.

You'll be the most glorious bloom in my garden

And make that corner so bright!"

"I'm welcoming the springtime,

gathering bees, and drawing you near.

When my work is done,

I'll rest in the earth,

And return to you, Gransie,

next year!"

Mr. Sun

This song is for Blaze! I love you!