POEMS...THOUGHTS....AND SOMETHING GOOD~

" LIGHTEN UP "
(sung to the tune of..if you're happy and you know it!)

When life's got you overrun,
then lighten up.
Think of all the good you've done
and lighten up.
If your job is just half done and
Your battle's just half won,
Pat yourself on half your back
and lighten up.

If you're feeling loaded down
then lighten up.
Shrug your shoulders, sing a song,
and lighten up.
With a friend or two beside you
And the Savior's love to guide you-
Lighten up!
(Chieko Okazaki)

~Eight Basic Facts About Memory~

The fact that people don't stop you when you ask them to stop you
if you've told them this story...
Doesn't mean that you haven't told it before.

The fact that you're only buying a couple of items at the store
Doesn't mean that you don't need to bring a list to the store.

The fact that you've put the passports in a safe place that
they couldn't possibly get lost
Doesn't mean that you actually, currently know where they are.

The fact that you've parked your car carefully
Doesn't mean, when the movie is over, that you will
still recall where you parked the car.

The fact that you rushed upstairs because there was something you
desperately needed in your closet
Doesn't mean, once you get there, you'll recollect why you came.

The fact that you've known a person for thirty-five years
Doesn't mean, when you go to introduce him, that you can
count remembering his name.

The fact that you said good-bye and walked out the door
Doesn't mean that you won't be back immediately in order to get
all the things you left behind.

And the fact that...
And the fact that...
And the fact that, the fact that, the fact that...

I guess it's slipped my mind.

" THE PLEASURE OF AN ORDINARY LIFE "

I've had my share of necessary losses,
Of dreams I know no longer can come true.
I'm done now with the whys and the becauses.
It's time to make things good, not just make do.
It's time to stop complaining and pursue
The pleasures of an ordinary life.

I used to rail against my compromises.
I yearned for the wild music, the swift race.
But happiness arrived in new disguises:
Sun dancing in a safe and quiet place.
The pleasures of an ordinary life.

I'll have no trumpets, triumphs, trails of glory.
It seems the woman I've turned out to be
Is not the heroine of some grand story.
But I have learned to find the poetry
In what my hands can touch, my eyes can see.
The pleasures of an ordinary life.

Young fantasies of magic and of mystery
Are over. But they really can't compete
With all we've built together: A long history.
Connections that help render us complete.
Ties that hold and heal us. And the sweet,
Sweet pleasures of an ordinary life.

(These last two poems are taken from a little book I like,
"Forever Fifty and Other Negotiations" by Judith Viorst)

~NOW FOR SOMETHING LIGHT AND YUMMY~

~CHICKEN CABBAGE SALAD~

1 head of shredded cabbage, (or 1 large bag)
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
3 T. toasted almonds
1 T. sesame seeds
1 pkg. Chicken flavored Ramen noodles, crushed
2 green onions, diced
a little salt & pepper to taste,
Mix together...

Dressing:
1 seasoning packet from the Ramen noodles
2 T. sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 T. white vinegar
Mix up, add to cabbage mixture
right before serving.


I hope you enjoyed your visit here today my sweet friends,
and that you have enjoyed the thoughts...
I hope you'll enjoy the salad too...
Have a great week!