Party Animals

                                              "The Third-term Panic" by Thomas Nast, published 

                                                                            in 1874 by Harper's Weekly, on a      

                                                                 possible third term by President Ulysses S. Grant.

                                                           HARPER'S WEEKLY 

I pondered one day, just who started this mess

Of two party animals that cause us such stress.

This all needs explaining about these great goons.

It's the Dems. and the Reps. and their animal cartoons.

The donkey was first for a staunch democrat.

It was given to him who had thrown in his hat

For the campaign for president in 1828.

Andrew Jackson's his name. President was his fate.

It seems that a famous cartoonist named Nast

Then used the poor donkey to settle and cast

This animal firmly in a democrat cartoon.

And there it was set for those democrat baboons.

Thomas Nast was the same guy in 1874

Who used the cartoon as he had once before.

A jackass chasing animals that lived in a zoo.

But the elephant stood still to represent you-know-who.

The republican vote took the elephant as theirs

And decided that Nast had finally answered their prayers.

Harpers Weekly was the paper that started it all.

And now every paper has answered the call.

The Reps. and the Dems. for once got things their way.

And the symbols are enduring to this very day.





                                            

My Laundry Quandry

I opened the door to the laundry room
And decided to face my eminent doom.
I don't have to look, cause I know there's a ton.
Today is the day to get the laundry done!

I started to sort the whites from the reds,

And soon I had clothes towering over my head.

Then the pile toppled my way, so I started to run.

Oh, I've just GOT to get this laundry done!

And, wouldn't you know it? I heard the phone ring!

Hallelujah! It's about time someone called on that thing!

It's the hubby. Wants to know why his shorts he has none.

Would I PLEASE try to get today's laundry done?

"I know. I've been busy running errands and such.

No! I don't think that I have been shopping too much!
Yes. I'll get to it now. You can count on me, Hon."
Now I've REALLY got to get today's laundry done.

But, there's groceries to buy, and I've got this new book.
I've got supper to make, and I have nothing to cook.
Just then Cindy stopped by. Let's go have us some fun!
Yes. Tomorrow's a good day to get my laundry done.

BEWARE THE VILLIAN

He lurks in the shadows hidden by a cloth.

His moves are furtive and careful as a sloth.

He makes no sound to betray his trance.

He's careful and he's quick with every glance.

As a thief he knows his way around.

He must succeed, so he'll stand his ground.

If the mistress of the house gets wise,

She'll be on to his deceit and lies.

So he feasts his eye upon the prey.

A chicken leg lay on a tray.

And just as he's about to leap,

The mistress rises to her feet.

A vigil under the table is over.

It's Milkbone only tonight for Rover.

I'M NOT MYSELF TODAY

I woke up feeling out of sorts, with a headache on its way.

By the time I reached the office I knew I was not myself today.

But, who am I, I pondered, if I truly was not me?

How could I know I was not I if I knew I was not me?

There should be a simple answer to the question in my mind

Of who I am, if I'm not me, and where on earth could I find

Reliable sources willing to explain to me this day

Just who I am, since I'm quite sure I am not myself today.

The notion has occurred to me that if I were so inclined,

I could change who I am, become someone else, that is, if I could find

A person of certain standards, feeling a headache on its way,

And having that very strange feeling that they're not themselves today.

Perhaps they have this question that is preying upon their mind

Of who they are, if they're not they, and where on earth to find

Someone to give them answers and explain to them, some way,

Just who they are, since they're so sure they are not themselves today.

But, common sense and uncertainty left all those thoughts behind.

My coffee cleared my head and in the mirror I would find

That I was where I ought to be, and I dashed wild thoughts away.

It was really quite disheartening to find, I was still myself today.

You're Never Too Old

You're never too old to act goofy.

There's always a time and a place

When the moment allows for sheer pleasure

In making that silly clown face.

You're never too old to blow bubbles,

Or bounce on the kid's trampoline.

There's always good fun in the sprinkler,

Or dressing up for Halloween.

You're never too old to play Twister,

Or to ride on the merry-go-round.

Just chasing the kids with a squirt gun

Is the best fun that can be found.

You're never too old to act goofy,

For if you're too old to have fun,

You'll miss most of life's joyful moments

Because joy has never begun

.

Dust Bunnies Under the Bed

I've cleaned my house for forty years,

And I try to keep ahead.

But, every time a guest arrives

They find dust bunnies under their bed.

I can clean and dust almost every day.

Keep the rooms as neat as a pin.

But just when "honey" leaves his socks on the floor

All the neighbors decide to drop in.

It's amazing how everything stays in its place

When you're home alone day after day.

But the minute the kids bring the muddy dog in

The preacher comes by just to pray.

I don't understand how your friends always know

What the worst time to visit could be.

It seems like a magnet is drawing them in

When there's fighting 'tween "honey" and me.

If I leave the dishes to curl up with a book,

You can bet the doorbell will start ringing.

And, if I am sick or decide to sleep in,

It's a cinch that my phone won't stop singing.

So, I'll clean every day and keep up best I can.

And, on good days I might get ahead.

But, I know that if "honey's" mom visits today,

She'll find dust bunnies under the bed.

My Morning Rendezvous

Listening to the morning breeze,                                      

The gentle whisper speaks my name.

I often come to hear His call

And spend time alone in His embrace.

The early sun is soft and warm

And dances through the lofty pines.

I rest, alone, and wait to hear

Him speak. Serenity is mine..

He whispers promises so dear,

And comforts my uneasy thoughts.

My sometimes waining faith gains strength.

My heart longs for His forever love.

My morning rendezvous fulfills

The empty places deep inside.

He knows the words I need to hear.

He knows why I come. And He's always there.

No other love could ever thrill

The way He makes my heart delight.

No other place would I rather be

Than to spend these moments alone with Him.

The morning breeze calls out to me.

I know my Jesus. He knows my name.

My love grows stronger, and so, my faith.

I trust my love with each morning breath.