Happy New Year

Out with the old, in with the new. As we come to the end of another year I would like to wish all of you a Very Happy New Year, filled with Blessings galore.. It seems this year has flown by like so many others but when I think about all the things that's happened and the busy, fast paced life we're living in, it's no wonder one might say, where has the time went. A lot of good has happened this year.. I gained a new Daughter in law that I happen to love dearly.. I also gained another little great nephew that is sweet beyond measure... There's so many good things, they out weigh the bad.. I could never list all of them in a million years.. 

Two years ago this month I started this Blog, not knowing a single thing about blogging. And oh the joy it has brought.. So many wonderful friends that I'll cherish all of my days.. You've all made me feel at home in one way or another.. I know.. I get carried away sometimes with my poetry.. I go from one subject to another and  one never knows what to expect. Kinda like my mouth, I never know when to shut up..lol. I may not get around to each of your posts like I want to but I enjoy them tremendously.. Ya'll have been such an inspiration to me in so many ways... I am eternally grateful for each blessing you've given me and for being my blogging friend.. So I wish ya'll a year filled with abundant happiness and Joy.. May God continue to Bless each one.. Susie

When I Think Of January

                                                     When most people think of January

                                                      they think of the cold

                                                      winter's wrath has settled in

                                                      with a powerful hold

                                                      When I think of January

                                                       my heart dances to a song

                                                       I can hear the sewing machine now

                                                       as it hums on along

                                                       All of those quilts

                                                       I patiently piece together

                                                       will surely keep somebody warm

                                                       in January's harsh's weather

                                                       

                                                       I can't forget those trips

                                                       I take to distant lands

                                                       in my mind I travel often

                                                       with my pen in hand

                                                       With every little poem

                                                        my spirit surely does climb

                                                        and I live every moment

                                                        in every little rhyme

     

                                                         So when I look out my window

                                                         and see the January snow

                                                         I don't mind at all

                                                         if time is moving kind of slow

                                                         I know it can't be long

                                                         until spring rolls around

                                                         and it doesn't matter one bit

                                                         if I stay house bound

                                                         Susie Swanson, 2012

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I figured I better get back into the Blogging business or you all would think I'd forgotten you. We had a busy but very nice Christmas, except for a few that's got the crud.. That stuff is really taking its toll on people around here.. It was a rainy Christmas and very unseasonable to say the least.. Here I am complaining about the weather when some of you are having far worse, with the tornadoes and blizzards going on in other parts of the country.. We were in the high 50's yesterday and today we're getting strong winds and snow showers. Go figure !!  A very unusual and curious winter for sure.. 

I posted a while back about the New Year's Eve Possum Drop that's  held in our little neck of the woods and how the Group that call themselves P.E.T.A. ( people for the ethnic treatment of animals ) was trying to stop Mr. Clay from using a live possum at the event.. Well they accomplished their goal some what.. It basically was between the Wildlife Commission and P.E.T.A. The Wildlife Commission was the one that issued him the permit each year to keep the possum in captivity and P.E.T.A. found a judge to side with them and he said no more permits would be issued but it's going to be under appeal.The Event is scheduled to go on without a live possum.. Mr. Clay will not say who or what the guest of honor may be but the Event has been held each year since 1994 . He was quoted in the local paper as saying,  The two questions he hears most, are we going over the Fiscal Cliff and are we Going to have a Possum Drop. He's a hoot, that's for sure.  It started out as a family and community based event and now it's grown so much and so many people attend that they have to park them at a near by Community College and run shuttle buses to get all of the people in.And it's just a little country store with a small stage set up beside it.. It's called, Clay's Corner. They have a Womanless Beauty Pagent and church groups sing and lots of clean fun before the big event and absolutely no alcohol allowed on the premises. Clay makes sure of that.They  come from all over the country, like New York, believe it or not.,  He said , I ain't breaking any laws. Knowing him,there's no telling what he may come up with.. This all started when the Media got involved. The CBS Morning Show and CNN has covered it and I don't know how many more.. Oh well, another possum has bit the dust. He won't get free meals and board. I guess he'll have to settle for persimmons or garbage cans if he's lucky..

I wrote a rather long poem/story about this but I'm planning on putting it in my new book and didn't want to post it at this time..But Mr. Clay plans on reading it at the festivities.. There's suppose to be some P.E.T.A. folks there to make sure everything goes by the book..Ha, Ha, I'll just end with this..........They're not going to be to happy that's for sure.

Getting back to the poem and photos above. I didn't make these this year. I'm starting on a Pinwheel Log Cabin pattern after the holidays if I can get my head on straight that is. Hope ya'll have A Happy New Year.. Blessings, Susie

                                                  

                                                       

My Christmas Card To You

                                                      Every name is a blessing

                                                      upon this list of mine

                                                      somewhere our paths have crossed

                                                      in another place and time

                                                      Perhaps it was years ago

                                                      or only yesterday

                                                      but every person on my list

                                                      has changed my life someway

                                                     A simple hug or conversation

                                                     a friendly smile or meal

                                                     a spoken prayer to God above

                                                     has helped me grow and heal

                                                     Perhaps God went through you

                                                     and wove his magic twine

                                                     in some small or kindly deed

                                                     to touch this heart of mine

                                                     You wished the gray clouds away

                                                     and prayed for rain instead

                                                     I raised my eyes to heaven

                                                     and found a rainbow overhead

                                                    Worldly things that trouble me

                                                     just seems to disappear

                                                     knowing you are always there

                                                     across the miles or near

                                                    You restore my faith, love and hope

                                                     a bond that will never cease

                                                     so many wonderful family and friends

                                                     brings to me an inner peace

                                                    Each day my list continues to grow

                                                    and each name I hold so dear

                                                    each one has brought Christmas joy

                                                    everyday of the year

                                                   This Christmas Card I give to you

                                                   is more than just a wish

                                                   it's a thank you to God above

                                                   for putting you on my list

                                                   Susie Swanson, 2012

I will be taking a break from Blogger until after the Christmas Holidays.. With so much to get done and so little time left to do it in.. I want to wish each one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.. May God Bless each one of you. I cherish your friendship more each day.. With Love, Susie

The Most Innocent

                                                 The most innocent life

                                                 is the face of a child

                                                 who has never known strife

                                                 and only knows how to smile

                                                With a smile so wide

                                                 it can melt any heart

                                                 so much love inside

                                                 can fill a waiting cart

                                                The gentle soul within

                                                 much joy does store

                                                 plenty of happiness without end

                                                 for a time and hopefully more

                                                The calmness of peace

                                                fills an empty soul

                                                comes from the most least

                                                and reaches its goal

                                                An angel God does send

                                                like a flower in bloom

                                                no knowledge of sin

                                                or darkness and gloom

                                               The more innocence lives

                                                the world will surely gain

                                                from what it will give

                                                to a world full of pain

                                               A glorious little life

                                               sent from heaven above

                                               to entertain all

                                               with unselfish love

                                               Susie Swanson, 2012

                                               May God be with them all..

                                              

                                                 

I Miss You Mom

                                                     My heart is heavy laden

                                                     many tears I have cried

                                                     since you went away

                                                     my heart is so empty inside

       

                                                     You were my guardian angel

                                                     my best and dearest friend

                                                     you taught me lessons to live

                                                     and stood by me until the end

                                                     I miss our many talks

                                                     you made each day so bright

                                                     your courage and cheerfulness

                                                     was a gifted, shining light

                                                     The picture of your face mom

                                                     the memory of your touch

                                                     and so many other things

                                                     I've come to miss so much

                                                    You'll never leave my thoughts

                                                     or leave my heart behind

                                                     I'll always keep you close beside

                                                     and forever on my mind

                                                     Save a place for me mom

                                                     I know it can't be long

                                                     when soon I'll join you there

                                                     and I'll finally feel at home

                                                    Susie Swanson, 2012

                                                    In Memory Of My Mother, 04-19-27----12-13-97

Christmas Miracles

                                                    Christmas bells are ringing

                                                    on every corner street

                                                    the little kettle she holds

                                                    against the snow and sleet

                                                    Her wrinkled hands are cold

                                                    on this sacred, Holy night

                                                    she rings her little bell

                                                    under the street corner light

                                                    Her mind wanders back

                                                    to that Christmas long ago

                                                    he held her ever so tight

                                                    and left in the fallen snow

                                                    Her one and only love

                                                    bid her a sad farewell

                                                    with a long and gentle kiss

                                                    while Carolers sang Noel

                                                    No letters did she receive

                                                    years of heartache instead

                                                    for the one she has lost

                                                    she fears is long since dead

                                                    She toils to help the needy

                                                    like every Christmas before

                                                    her home is now so empty

                                                    there's no one to open the door

                                                    She hears the Carolers singing

                                                    the songs she loves so well

                                                    time to go on home

                                                    with sadness she does dwell

                                                    Stepping from the street corner

                                                    the car blared its horn

                                                    laying crumpled upon the ground

                                                    this birthday, when Christ was born

                                                   A bright light did descend

                                                   two lovers did embrace

                                                   they rose towards heaven

                                                   so much joy upon their face

                                                   Two hearts joined as one

                                                   the place where it all began

                                                   where there's love God dwells

                                                   Christmas miracles does transcend

                                                     Susie Swanson, 2012

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers.. I'm doing lots better and getting stronger each day. I wrote this one before I got sick and I've wanted to post it but didn't feel like it.. I'm sorry if I've neglected each of your posts and it looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do.. Oh how I've missed each one.. Thanks again, Susie

Strangers Are Friends

                                                     God knows no strangers, He loves us all

                                                     The poor, the rich, the great, the small

                                                      He is a friend who is always there

                                                      To share our troubles and lessen our care

                                                      For  no one is a stranger in God's sight

                                                      For God is love, and in his light

                                                      May we too, try in our small way

                                                      To make new friends from day to day

                                                      So pass no stranger with an unseeing eye

                                                      For God may be sending a new friend by

                                                        Helen Steiner Rice

A quick update to let all of you know I'm still having health issues and trying to plow through some antibiotics . When I say plow through, that's just about all one can do.. They Are Rough..I Suppose to go this week and get some Dental work done and hopefully feel more up to par if the Antibiotics doesn't get me first. I will  visit your great posts when I can and I hope all has a Nice Week. Blessings, Susie