Pearl the Cat – Piano-Player!

Pearl the Piano Cat (1)

“Can your Cat – read and play the Piano?”

Received this picture from my brother,  Denny and his wife,  Judy – and I have to say that this picture is worth a million! I’ve seen pictures of different cats  – at or on the piano keys – but this picture is truly a masterpiece!

“Pearl” is his name and while playing the piano – takes time to read the music – just so he can play the music as  – it is written! Our ancestors came from England and their last name is “SMART”  – so I have to add that if you have the name  – you also have the “SMART” gene in your family and in your “PET’s” genes, too! Cats have nine (9) “LIVES” and I hope that “PEARL” is using most of his 9 Lives’ playing the piano!

If you have a picture that I can use here  – and put my “two cents” worth of fiction  – for the whole world to enjoy  – we certainly would appreciate hearing from You!


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“Suffering Cat-Fish!”

“Suffering Cat-fish”  just came to mind, today when I was listening to the radio – a report that  “NOW” – “Teachers,” “who are licensed to carry a gun – will be able to carry their guns to the class-room!”  Over the years, I have no idea as to when – but “Suffering Cat-fish” sounded like something to say when – for  some reason – something that needed to be said – and no other verbiage came to me fast enough – but – “Suffering Cat-fish?” What more can I say, today???

Maybe  – as I was listening to the “NEWS” – something better to say would have been – “Suffering People!” As with a lot of what I hear – it brings to mind – something that I remember as a child – some story of the family and a story so unusual – almost too hard to believe?

The way I remember something happening so long ago – was of a situation of violence happening to someone in the family – and the circumstances were almost too much for my very young mind to be able to comprehend – as when I was a young child – there was no “TV” that – would be bringing “VIOLANCE” right into the “HOME” and at all hours of the day! Children in my day of being very young – “were to be seen and not heard from” – and if – I was not keeping an eagle eye on my brothers – I would end up with a spanking – and I remember getting a few spankings!

One of my Mother’s brothers – they all attended the Holy Name Church and School in the late 1880’s –(the Church and School are no longer there in the North Saint Louis, Missouri area) – the big brother  – his name was Johnny  – of Mom’s was not doing something that he was suppose to be doing and  or was not paying attention – so the “NUN” – who always had in her hands – a very long type of pointer  – more like a “Horse-buggy –whip” – in that – if and when you got a “crack- type- snap” of it hitting you – you were well aware of being thoroughly – woke up – and now paying full attention – as the “NUN” wanted your full attention  – immediately!

Well, this situation may have happened too many times – and Johnny being very tall for his age – just went to  the window  – opened it and jumped out – this class room was on ground level and Johnny was not hurt – but he did quit school  – guess he had enough?

Today’s radio announcement seems to indicate – that – there is something seriously wrong between Teachers and Students in all the School Systems and the program that they are following. We need to get on the same  “page” and do something that we have done wrong – “RIGHT” – that which we had to take out of and do away with – the Almighty and the Ten Commandants! Our Fore-Fathers – always and before doing – or taking any new action – first sought the “HELP” from “ABOVE” and Prayed! We need to re-check our previous actions and deeds and now turn back and use the “TOOLS” that put America on the map in the – First Place!  On our paper “MONEY” in large print it reads; “In God, We Trust!” “Let’s DO It”

 

             


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“Had I been in Charge?”

When you belong to different organizations and there are a lot of things that you could do – do you volunteer? During the monthly meeting and everyone is sitting  and listening to what someone  is talking about – they are giving a financial report or discussing some event that will be coming up this summer  – and you r mind begins to wonder off in another direction instead of keeping your full attention – in the moment? Or would you say that you are giving some serious thought to what you would like to do – “if and only if “– you had some help to do this something  – but you need some help from the organization?

One of the ways that I would help different groups, that I was a member for – was in providing gifts for prizes at the events to be held, sometimes food and drinks – and just plain ole donations from out-side sponsors – if there was one person  available in the group – who would have the time to go with me to collect – from businesses and wherever we were given addresses to seek needed supplies – because as with all organizations , you do need paper goods of all sorts – down to the last plastic “FORK!” We would log all donations – and give out receipts to all the donors – for their tax accountant.

Just lately heard of a woman that had found a small acreage of ground near a Church – this would be nice for the inner City youth groups of children that really had no way to enjoy the summer – as some children go off to “CAMP” for a couple of weeks – and usually they all like the “FUN” and GAMES” that are available. So, this “woman”  brought her ideas and what she had found to the “GROUP” that she was “VOLUNTEER” for – and they all like the idea – that they would offer a “Summer Day Camp” for children and got more Volunteers that could offer Crafting Sessions – Working of Wood Projects – Nature Classes – Nature Classes with Hiking – Sports – also food and drink donated for all the Day Campers.

With the Volunteers all working together and lots of children attending – seems that this idea is producing good fruit and with the children enjoying – and the adults all cooperating  – this “Day Camp Project” – was a very “good idea ” – made possible through the willingness and the helping hands – of Volunteers working for the greatest good – the good of our children!

At the end of the summer and the progress reports all came in – the  Church groups would like to give the “woman ” – the woman behind this event for “Summer Day Camp” – a little recognition for this venture that seem to work so well  – a “Luncheon” was planned for her honor and so the invite went out to her.

At the “Luncheon” there was a lady – who decided to take the floor and announced – “Had I been in charge – things could have been done so much better – with a lot fewer mistakes and  the whole “CAMP” idea would have much better – my way!”

Have you ever found that  – in a case  like this – someone who is not at the meetings  and or did not  help – when the new project was started – will show up after  – all is said and done – will knock all those who gave  of their time and talents freely and without pay  –   will now mortify and knock the good efforts of the Volunteers – but,  we all know that the Almighty will give good credit to where it really should go –  when not received here and  now  – in  His Heaven – where all good is recorded – for all eternity!

 


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“Birthday Memories” – p.4

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This is the “Best of Birthday Cards” to receive – has everything  you will  actually – receive for your Birthday!

“Chloe” has the face of a dog – that no one could ever refuse to give “her”  the best of homes  to live in – and her – very smart  pup, “Clancy” with the “PARTY HAT” on  his head, is telling  – “Miss  Claire” –  “If you  will – ask my  MAMA, “Chloe” for a “PARTY-HAT”  – so that you can come inside  and join  “us” in   all the fun and games we are going to have – since  “Mary Ellen”  is giving a big “PARTY” for all of her “favorite friends” – which includes –  “US!”  “Aren’t you glad you are one of her favorite friends?” And,  Miss Claire’s reply  is – “MEOW  –  MEOW  – – MEOW” –  translated, means =  “YES “-   “I am glad to be  – one of  “MARY ELLEN’s”  favorite  friends!”

“Clancy!”  – “You had better start behaving yourself and tell your friend, Miss Claire, that  –  that “Wheel-Barrow of Gifts ” is only for all of the good and special Friends, – you see how I am sitting here  – head held high – and with my best  and most “LOVABLE FACE” on  – ready to “WELCOME” more of  “MARY ELLEN’S”  favorite guests!” ”  “OKAY!”  “YOUR Orders are ‘Barked Out’   loud and clear!”

Thanks, to my brother,  Denny and his wife, Judy  – for sending this wonderful “Birthday Card” –  – this card has animal pictures that remind me of the real  “live” animals –  that are “live”  members in the family,  with the same names as I called these on this card – I just love when the animals talk to us – they have such expressive faces – you can hear what they are saying! “Don’t  you just “LOVE” when your “favorite friends”  can express the words  – that they want to say to us?”


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“Birthday Memories” – p.3

It is good to have your “Birthday” near the weekend – because you can for sure celebrate your “Birthday” over the entire weekend but stretch it out for the whole week! With everyone so busy or should I say – more busy now than years ago,  so with a whole week – everyone can be a part of the party celebration  – sometime within the week.

So, continuing with some “Birthday Memories” – as requested by my Grand-daughter, Alyssa – I have one more to add.

In the 1960’s –  we had to come to Saint Louis, Missouri – since my husband, Lee had to have a very serious surgery and he only trusted the Doctor in St. Louis – that had perform the same type of surgery years ago, on him. So, here we were and with the needed recovery time after Lee’s surgery – we were living in Saint Louis, for five (5) months – and one of the months was September!

With all of our families – or I should  say, most of the families and the more important senior citizens in the family –  would now have a chance to help me celebrate one of my “Birthdays” with me  and as a family  – like we used to  – while temporarily living here. Naturally, different family members had to ask me – “WHAT would you like and something that you are going to be able take back – home when Lee is ready to travel?” That is one thing that I hate to say – because- I always feel that there really is nothing that I have to have – and I hate to have people going in debt for something for me, when what I really enjoy is just having lots of time to visit with someone – reminiscence about old times and times to come and any and all kinds of stuff – whatever is current?

There was one thing that I could use  – and so – I let the word out that I could use one of those collapsible type baskets that are used to carry all of your crochet and embroidery work and needles and or threads – needed to work – whenever and where ever you have to spend hours “WAITING!”  The time, that we were in Saint Louis, I was always “WAITING” – “WAITING” for Lee either for Doctor’s visits – and or when he was in the “HOSPITAL” and he would be sleeping – I was not about to wake him – especially after just being operated on – he needed his rest – so I could just open the sewing- basket and started doing something – productive  – while “WAITING!”

Would you believe that – at the “Birthday Party for me” – I received three (3) “SEWING BASKETS” – they were all different and each one had unique and better differences than another – so I started putting each of them to good use. Each “Sewing Basket” carried a different project that I would be working on – and I was really glad that a small hint here and there – and some of the family were able to find just the best of gifts for me – because I still have and use those “Sewing Baskets!”” “Just so you know – everybody – I LOVE YOU – and am Grateful and Thankful for a wonderful “FAMILY” that does things – that create wonderful ‘Memories’ for me – forever!”

 


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“Birthday Memories!” –p.2

My Grand-daughter, Alyssa called me yesterday and at her request – I’m writing about Birthday Memories – that stand out – this is one that I’ll never forget!

When we were living in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – early 1960’s  – my husband really like to get me something that  I would not get for myself – but something – exceptionally different  – something over and above the usual run of the mill – things that couples would  not normally do. Always, Lee would ask me what I wanted – and this would go on for days – giving me lots of time to really give some real thought to different things of what would be coming my way – and that he wanted me to be for sure – because generally – you just cannot return- special order gifts – and never would you return a gift you received from your husband!

Well, it was getting close to my “BIRTHDAY” and I do not see anything hidden anywhere – and I do not overhear any conversations with anyone of anything special? I even said, “I changed my mind – I don’t think that, I want  – what I said that I really wanted – can we change to something, else?” Lee’s reply, “You said you were for sure and there is no way to change it now, it will be delivered – so you will be surprised!” Well, the suspense was killing me – looks like – I will just have to like – whatever comes?

So, on my “BIRTHDAY” – we get ready to go to our restaurant – and I ask, Lee – “Will I have to wait, till we go back home – after work for my birthday surprise – or will something be delivered to me at work?” Lee’s reply, “It is too complicated to go into – now – but after work – your surprise will show up!” So, all day – I tried to figure out what the surprise would be?

Lee was in a hurry to get us home –  and as soon as we pulled into the drive-way – “get ready – for we are going somewhere extra special for dinner and dancing, okay?” So, as soon as we were dressed for the evening affair – off we were and soon pulling into the “Yankee Clipper” – somewhere that I had not been! Dinner, drinks, dancing and something different – they had a “Fortune Teller” who came to your table to read your palms – if you so desired? This sure was something I would have like to have done, but never on my own – so I had my hands read – and everything was delightful!

So, for me  – this was just great – it seem to be late- as we were driving – Lee, said – “There’s an “Auction” going on – how about us going in and  seeing what they have?” “Sounds good to me – never been – would like to see how they do it and what they have!” We took a couple seats on the left of the room – right on the aisle. Different things were going around for future bidding and one of the employees, I’m guessing – Lee knew , was showing him a couple of what looked like  estate rings – that were soon to be coming up for auction. One of the rings, from an estate – came up for auction and Lee was bidding on – which I could hardly believe and was successful in the final bid. This ring was the most beautiful surprise  and just for me – something I would never have dream  possible?  But, that was Lee – always the best – He always said, “It only coasts 10% more to go first class!” “This was an unforgettable “BIRTHDAY!”

 


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