New Years Eve 2013

“How Lucky Am I”

By:  Janette Spencer Sprankle

On this New Year’s Eve

As I’m sitting in my house,
I think about the past year
And all I’ve shared with my spouse,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

Of course I have thought

What the New Year might bring,
Maybe some happiness and joy
When the bells at midnight ring,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

Sometimes I feel cold

As the furnace kicks on,
And as the fire in the stove is glowing
I start to feel comfy and warm,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

I have food in the fridge

I have clothes on my back
A roof over head
With a bed to lay down for a nap,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

 I know where my kids are

They are safe and sound,
Other folks don’t know
Where theirs can be found,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

I woke up this morning

With more health than not,
I feel abundantly blessed
Because there are those who did not,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

There is so much I’ve never

had to endure,
Like danger and battle
And all that’s unsure,
And I think,…..how lucky am I.

And so now with my heart

As it overflows with love and concern,
Are wishes for those in need
For blessings like warmth, love, homes and all that they yearn,
Because I think it’s their turn to say,……how lucky am I.

My prayer is for all Americans to spread love, affection and warmth around them and make it a point to SMILE!  Go out of your way to help those in need.  They may have nothing, but we have everything!  We have so much to be thankful for.  We need to appreciate what we do have and strive to make our country stronger and an even better place for our children and for our children to raise their children and grandchildren.  They are the future!

Happy New Year to all, from my home to yours!

Love to all,
Janette

 

 

Christmas Time - 2012

It’s Christmas Time In My Little Town

December 2012

By:  Janette Spencer Sprankle

It’s Christmas time in my little town,

We now have a little snow on the ground.

All the colored lights and décor are on display,

And soon it will be time for Santa and his sleigh.

From the center of town to the south and the north,

To the east and west, it’s all coming forth.

The Christmas Star on the mountain with its white lights,

Reminds us of Jesus and his birth Christmas night.

The town clock when it chimes has an angelic sound,

Especially at Christmas when home folks are around.

The love that I’ve felt from when I was young,

And the Christmas carols of my youth and all that I’ve sung.

My little town seems to have a special touch,

It welcomes all back because they love it that much.

There isn’t many towns that are quite like mine

Especially right now at Christmas time.

The holiday season is a favorite for sure,

There is so much I feel right down to my core.

I know my town has been blessed in deed,

Living here provides all my wants and my needs.

So many memories I hold in my heart,

All my family and friends played a very big part.

During this “Season of Love” come wishes from me and my crew,

A Christmas that’s Merry and a Happy New Year to you!

LOOK AT THIS MOON

This was a post on Facebook today that I am sharing.  I thought it was interesting.

"For much of the world’s Northern Hemisphere, October 29, 2012 is the night of the full Hunter’s Moon. Watch it rise in the east as the sun goes down. Like any full moon, the Hunter’s Moon will shine all night long. It’ll soar highest in the sky around midnight on October 29 and will set in the west the following sunrise. Officially, the Hunter’s Moon is the full moon after the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. This year, the Harvest Moon came in late September. That’s why this moon in late October bears the name Hunter’s Moon. Generally speaking, we can say the moon stays full all through the night tonight. But to astronomers, the moon turns full at a well-defined instant, or when it’s most opposite the sun for the month. That happens today at 19:49 Universal Time (or 2:49 p.m. Central Daylight Time in North America)".

Full Moon

 by Janette Spencer Sprankle

Full Moon and some clouds

And the top of a tree,

Makes it oh so pretty

For all to see.

(Picture taken 9:24 p.m. 10/1/12)

Saidee - Our Angel Dog since 9/16/11

Thinking about our Saidee Girl,.....can't believe it's been a whole year ago last night we said goodbye to her. 

Happy Labor Day 2012

Labor Day

By: Janette Spencer Sprankle

9/3/12

The first Monday in September

We celebrate this day,

In honor of the hard working people

Who live in the USA

Labor Day means the end of a season

The ‘Dog Days of Summer' will soon be gone,

While we anticipate the onset of autumn

We’ll see longer hours between dusk and dawn.

The kids are headed back to school

The baseball season is coming to an end,

Football games are upon us

And winter is just around the bend.

Labor Day consists of fairs or parades

Maybe going on an end of season picnic,

There are those having backyard barbeques

Whatever you choose will sure to be terrific.

We definitely have someone to thank

For the first Labor Day was back in 1882,

Our ancestors and predecessors made it happen

It may not have,…..if they had not pursued.

So everyone enjoy the three day weekend

Get your work and family life back in balance,

For now is the time to get it all done

And enjoy the last days of summer’s fragrance!

I ASKED MAHEO

Written by a Northern Cheyenne Indian Woman

who lives in the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

near Busby, MT. She gave it to my husband while up there

on a church work assignment in June 2012.

I ASKED MAHEO

I Asked Maheo to take away my pain, Maheo said, No.

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked Maheo to make my handicapped child whole, Maheo said, No,

his spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked Maheo to grant me patience, Maheo said, No.

Patience is a by-product of tribulations,

It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked Maheo to give me happiness, Maheo said, No.

I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked Maheo to spare me pain. Maheo said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly care and brings you closer to me.

I asked Maheo to make my spirit grow, Maheo said, No.

You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. Maheo said, No.

I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked Maheo to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me.

Maheo said........Ahhh, finally! You have the idea.

I asked Maheo to send me friends......He sent you.

Maheo (also spelled Maheo'o and other ways.) This is the Cheyenne name for the Creator (God.) Literally his name means "Great One," and he is often referred to as Great Medicine or the Great Spirit. Maheo is a divine spirit without human form or attributes and is rarely personified in Cheyenne folklore. In some myths, Maheo is referred to as Heammawihio (or Heamaveeho,) which means "Spider Above." This may be an appellation borrowed from their Arapaho kinfolk, who referred to the Creator this way to differentiate him from the earthly Spider figure. Maheo is by far the more common name. It is pronounced similar to mah-hey-yoh in Cheyenne.



A Heavenly Birthday Celebration Is In Store

I wanted to do something in honor of what would be my Dad's 84th birthday on the 7th of August.  I was looking through some pictures and saw this one that Nathan had put the boarder around in a photo program.  I also started thinking about dad and mom's dog Kelpie that mom gave to one of the great grandsons and who had been given the first name of Spencer.  He is the son of Kadie and Mike the live up in Montana.  Kelpie truly loved it up on the ranch and became a good friend to all the Briggs kids, especially Spencer.

Kelpie, the Black Beauty

By: Janette Spencer Sprankle

Written:  August 2012

She was his black beauty

My Dad loved her so,

She would follow him always

Where ever he’d go.

She was his dog, his companion

He had many before,

But she was his last

Before he entered Heavens door.

When she was still with Mom

She was sweet as could be,

She was loved by us all

But Spencer needed a buddy.

It wasn’t long after Dad left

When Kelpie went to her new home,

On a ranch in Montana

With a lot of room to roam.

She would run and she’d romp

And catch lots of rocks,

She would play with the kids

Whom she loved a lot!

Kadie said she was the ‘queen’ dog

They all definitely agreed,

For there were other dogs on the ranch

Who had to concede.

She loved being with the Briggs

Where she played all day,

When on August 6th she decided

She needed to be on her way.

She ran her last run and caught her last rock

And while looking towards the sky,......

She saw ‘Rainbow Bridge’ in the distance

It was time to say ‘goodbye’.

It had been a beautiful day in Montana

The day before Dad’s birthday in 2008,

When Kelpie decided it was time,…..

She couldn’t have picked a more perfect date.

It was to be Dad’s 80th birthday

Can you imagine his surprise,

In Heaven at the bridge where they met

With a smile and sparkles in his eyes.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY

TO MY DAD!

He would have been 84 years old

On August 7, 2012

A Memorial Day Tribute

Over the Memorial Day weekend I didn't post anything on Facebook or my blog.  I had received an email from my friend Mardell.  The subject was:  Wonderful Dog Story. This story really touched my heart and I have been thinking about it ever since.  One because it was Memorial Day weekend and two, because I work around our Veterans every day and know some of the challenges they have after returning home from overseas and wartime situations.  There really isn't a day that goes by I don't think about and appreciate those "Heroes" who gave their lives for all of us here in America that has allowed us to keep our freedom.  This story is about a dog and his owner to which I wrote this poem about.  For those who read the story (because I know some of Mardell's email contacts are the same as mine), I hope it had touched them the way it touched me.  It is kind of lengthy, but I hope you get out of the poem what I got from the story.



A Memorial Day Tribute to Paul Mallory, A U.S. Soldier

By:  Janette Spencer Sprankle
May 2012

Today I read a wonderful story
In an email from a friend,

I couldn’t help but share it too

A special message it did send.

It was about a US Soldier

One who fought a fight of war,

I cannot help but shed a tear

It made my heart fly high and soar.

You see this special soldier

Had a friend he left behind,

In a shelter he was kept

For someone to love him and be kind.

The soldier’s friend was a big black Lab

The best friend the soldier had,

It was just the two of them for years

And to leave his dog made the Soldier sad.

Six months before the dog was left

Paul received a call for Iraq,

He knew he may not return back home

In the war he came under attack.

They advertised the dog’s name as “Reggie”

This dog didn’t respond much to it at all,

He was sad and lonely and laid in his kennel

With him was a message from his owner Paul.

A stranger that came to “Reggie’s” town

He’d only been there a while, but alone,

Although the folks were very friendly

The stranger needed a companion in his home.

He went to the shelter where “Reggie” was

After calls from other folks,

They said the stranger was the best of many

This is what we decided, and it’s you who we will coach.

With all of “Reggie’s” belongings

There was a pad he used as his bed,

A bag of toys. mostly tennis balls and his dishes

And a sealed letter, the new owner finally read.

Paul wrote, my dog seemed to always have

Two balls in his mouth at a time,

He always tried to have three in there

But he hadn’t managed it as yet,… but that was fine.

The next thing the new owner read

Was that “Reggie” wasn’t the dogs real name,

The new owner was the first to know this

“Tank” is the dog’s name that he claimed.

Once the stranger read all about this

He said “Tank’s” name several times

"Tank" perked up his ears and wagged his tail

And knew he had a new owner he could call ‘mine’.

"So whatdaya’ say we play some ball?"

His ears perked up again and he now had a plan,

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"

And off to the other room “Tank” ran.

It’s amazing what the story revealed next

I could not help but cry,

For when “Tank” came back in the room again

Three balls in his mouth, and his tail flying high.

So Paul Mallory, rest in peace my friend

Your dog “Tank” loved you first when you took him home,

And now with his new owner who’s thankful to you

For without your letter, “Tank’s” name he would never have known.

‘Thank you Paul Mallory and all of our Veterans who fought for our freedom that cost you your lives,….we HONOR you! To all of our other Veterans that are still away from home and to those that have returned but who have also paid dearly for their service to our country, ....  I write this note with much Respect and Love – Janette

At the end of this story it read:

A veteran is someone who, at one point, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including their life.'

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."

(G. K. Chesterton)



A BEAUTIFUL STORY - by a taxi driver in NYC



A Facebook friend shared this story that was,......

Shared by:  Kahayne Henry

A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.  There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard abox filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.  They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.  'Nothing,' I said.  'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.  You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.  We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.  But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

I don't know about you, but this gives me faith there is still hope for human kindness in this world!

Five Years Later

It's Sunday morning, April 15, 2012.  Yesterday, I was secretly thinking, and had a day of secret tears and memories of  not only my dad, ..... but my mom too.  I can't express what I feel for my mom and what she has meant to me.  She has been a source of strength, to not only me but my sisters as well.  I think she has been strongest of all of us this past five years in so many ways.  I felt a need to be with her and my sisters yesterday, I'm not sure why I didn't call them all up and say, 'let's spend some time together', but I didn't. So now it is 'today' and 2 a.m. in the morning.  I'm still thinking and remembering.  

This picture is one Clydene posted on her blog a while back.  I am pretty sure she enhanced it in her photo program to make it crisper, if you will.  It seems I remember this very day when mom took this picture of dad and his four girls.  I believe our dog's name was "Queenie".  Dad always had a dog it seems.  This one was so pretty and looked alot like "Lassie" from the old television series.

In Memory Of

My Daddy

By: Janette Spencer Sprankle

April 15, 2012

My Daddy was as sweet as can be

He’d hold my hand while walking with me.

My daddy and me had the widow’s peak

Sometimes he’d give me a kiss on my cheek.

He wore his glasses, and I did too!

Our eyes were both the color of blue.

I'd run to meet him at the top of the lane

He worked all day and didn’t complain.

Sister and I would play his songs

He’d tap his feet and sing along.

My daddy would take us for Sunday rides

With the girls in back and mom at his side.

Around his fingers he’d twirl our hair

As we sat on the floor in front of his chair.

Some of his favorites were some of mine

Like tomatoes and melons fresh off the vine.

These are things I remember real well

There’s a lot more memories I’d like to tell.

These were those of my childhood

I will never forget them, I never could.

Forever in my heart, I love you Dad!

A Poem For Cheryl On The Retirement Of Her Daycare

God Knew You Would

Care-A-Lot!

A Poem for Cheryl by Janette

April 2012

When God sent you to this earth

He had something on his mind,

It would take a special person

Who would show their love and be kind.

It was twenty-four years ago

God said, “It’s now the time for you,

To be a caregiver for the little ones,

This is what I brought you here to do”.

You did just that and that is why

It was you the parents chose,

To help nurture and love their children

To help them grow and grow.

You held the smallest of little hands

And guided them along the way,

You gave many hugs and showed you cared

You went outside with them to play.

You comforted them and pampered them

And rocked them in your arms.

You showed them they could trust in you

You wooed them with your charms.

You’ve dried the tears of many a child

You encouraged and reassured them no doubt,

You taught to them the many lessons

You showed them what life was all about.

You gave every child the tools they needed

To go and explore what all they could do,

Some are grown now with careers of their own

They may not have done it if it weren’t for you.

In 1988 you founded this business of “Love”

You never once said, “I cannot”.

And although it is time to say ‘good-bye’

Never forget

it will always be,…..your “Care-A-Lot”

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have
the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

St. Paddy's Day - 2012

An Irish Kind Of A Day!

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2012

By: Janette Spencer Sprankle

I wasn’t born in Ireland,

but it’s a place I long ta’ see.

They say it tis’ the Emerald Isle,

and as green as green can be.

I love the Celtic music,

it’s what I love ta’ hear.

The strings of harps and violins,

is music ta’ my ears.

In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day,

tis’ fun to play and carry on.

To dance a jig, or two or three,

and sing all the Irish songs.

It’s an Irish day of feast for sure,

To celebrate the Patron Saint.

It’s Irish bacon n’ cabbage for eats,

tis’ a day of no restraints!

Yes, another year has come to pass,

The days have come and gone.

Let’s celebrate and have some fun,

With all the Leprechauns!

A wish for all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day,

no matter the wind, the rain or snow.

Remember our land will soon awake,

in the Spring the flowers will grow.

So get up and put on the green I say,

and look fer’ that pot o’ gold.

For if yer’ lucky and look long enough,

ya’ might triple what’s in yer’ billfold!

Happy Birthday Suesie! - March 3, 2012

Wishing my Sis-In-Law a Very Happy Birthday!

Such a sweet lady and we love her so much!

Suzanne Sprankle Wilson

By: Janette

April 4, 2011

This is my Sister-In-Law Sue

She’s as awesome as she can be,

She’s thoughtful and generous

And will always mean the world to me!

She’s an artist in her beading

The most beautiful pieces around,

Whatever you need she’ll do for you

She’s the best sister-in-law to be found.

She is full of love and so much kindness

She’s always right there to always share,

If a friend calls and says “I need you”

She doesn’t hesitate, and is always there.

Since we were young and in high school

We became the best of friends,

We shared activities and lunch times together

This friendship would never end.

Yes, we became sister-in-laws

But to me it’s so much more,

I don’t know what I’d do without her

She’s all that, and a lady I truly adore!

Love you Suesie!

Happy Birthday Mom,....Isn't She Beautiful!

Nadine Fry Spencer
February 23, 1931

The day got away from me really quick! After getting off the van in Farmington, I ran over to Layton to pick something up for a certain 'someone' and headed over to my Mom's house. My sister, Clydene pulled a dinner together for those of us that could be there to help celebrate Mom's 81st Birthday. I was trying to come up with a post for the blog, but ran out of time tonight. The picture above was taken back in January of 1994. I love this picture of her. Anyway, I thought I would re-post the poem I wrote last year for her 80th and added one more year. Everything written in the poem still holds true. So Happy Birthday Mom! Us four girls couldn't have asked for a better one! Love you so much!
You'd Never Know It,....But She's Eighty + One
By: Janette Spencer Sprankle

It isn't very often
and all would agree,
You'd see an eight-one year old woman
with her original knees.

The sparkle in her eyes
is where it's always been,
We won't cnt the transplant
in her eyes of the lens.

The hips are truly hers
they haven't been replaced,
No tightening anywhere,
not even in her face.

Now her boobs are her own
nothing fake we all know,
She's even got her original
'Fry' mouth, ears and nose!

She's had some cleaning out
of the spine within her back,
There's been a fix on her arm
although all is intact.

The only part that's not
in their original form,
Are her upper & lowers
with which she was born.

Her smile has always been
the one we adore,
It Radiates true beauty
and goes right to the core.

So Mom keep on smiling
you are awesome as can be,
We all love you dearly
and please don't forget,....

Take care of them knees!

Happy Birthday N8 ! ! !

Another birthday for our #2 son, Nathan already! Can’t believe how time flies. Wishing you a Happy Day N8! We love you!  (This picture is of him and Pamela, his wife). 

My 11 lbs, 2 1/2 oz.,22 inches long boy was born in Concord, MA 37 years ago on January 20, 1975!