'That' Child

A shadow slips out the door

and glides silently down the hall.

If my eyes hadn't been open

I'd have not heard him at all.

He stands at the window

with nose pressed to the glass.

Dream of the fun of the day before

Playing with friends in the green grass.

All around him the stars

Shine so bright

Yet he stands there

No thought of fright.

When Dad checks on him

By quietly padding down the hall

Wondering why 'That' child

Thinks this is an 11 o'clock ball.

'That' child is simply silent

With thumb in his mouth,

He'll not utter a sound

You'd about think him a mouse.

But for the fact of the

 now silent bed,

You know that he's missing

And from his room has fled.

So out to the kitchen

Dad silently goes

It's time to tred softly

and watch those toes.

He leads a sleepy

But wide awake child

Back to his bed

Where you hope he stays 'while.

And peaceful sleep

with fall over us again.

A Boy & His Calf

'Oh, dear', he sighs, as he glances at the clock. 'I've gotta get out there. They be letting the cows back in.' And he hurriedly shovels the rest of his breakfast into his mouth. 'Good-bye, Mom. Thanks for the breakfast', as out the door he goes. I won't see him for another hour or more.

Earlier this spring I would have declared that child could tell time. The barn schedule was a bit different then, they would let the cows out around 10 and he knew when it was that time.

In the middle of play he would jump up and announce it was time to 'go let the cows out'. Or he'd be using the bathroom. (Which is not a simple thing for him. He has to strip all clothing because 'It might get dirty, Mom.') He'll come flying out of the bathroom, 'Gotta get to the barn. They letting the cows out.'

Now they let the cows out soon after milking. So he gets up around 7, get dressed and heads out the door. Most often it's even before I'm up, and he won't be back in 'til close to 9. He loves helping to let the cows out for their daily exercise and then re-tieing them in their stalls. And he takes this job very seriously, and rarely misses a day.

One day to his delight there was a 'red boy calf' born. He loves 'boy calves', and does not like the 'girl ones'. Anyway, his dad gave it to him, as long as he takes care of it.  And he has been doing an awesome job at it. Now and then I need to remind him in the afternoon and then he quickly declares he wants to 'sell the dumb thing'.

So far this calf hasn't a name, other then 'the dumb calf', 'my boy calf' or 'the red bull'. He is quite proud of the little guy. He was happy to inform me one day 'I rode the wild thing', the poor thing was only a few days old. If he'd try it now, he'd have the time of his life trying to stay on it.

The calf has just been weaned from the bottle. So Collin is enjoying the easier feedings, without a butting calf, who could about bull him over. (No pun intended.) I was quite proud of him when he took the bucket of milk out for the first time. He used the wheelbarrow-2 wheeled feed cart thing to haul the pail. The wheelbarrow is about to much for him to handle but he figured out how to get it under the fence and up the heifer pasture to the calf's pen. I'm not sure how much milk that calf got for his supper!!

My little boy is growing up so fast!! I can hardly believe he is becoming such a 'little man'. Where is time going??

I am treasuring each moment, I love these memories we are making. One day he'll no longer want to sit in my lap for a story, he won't be so quick to snuggle up beside me for a hug and some 'I love you's'.

I love you, Collin.

Raising Boys

I scrub the wall of fingerprints,
Pick up the mounds of clothes.
I sweep the dirt that shoes track in-
Wish I could use a hose!

Meals are served from dawn to dark,
Dirty dishes crowd the sink.
Just when they're washed and put away-
Everyone wants a drink!

The washer pulls the dirty grime
From pants worn thin and patched.
They look so very neat and clean-
Yuck, look what the pockets hatched!

Broken bones and bloody knees,
I should have been a nurse.
I take it all in shaky stride-
Just grateful it's not worse!

Screams and shouts and arguments
Test the keeping of my cool.
They left the neighbor's faucet on-
See their new front yard pool!

A soothing bath is ecstasy,
A reward at the end of my rope.
Raising boys isn't really bad-
But first I must wash the soap!

A rose can say I Love You,
Orchids can enthrall;
But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,
Oh my, that says it all!

(Roberta I. Teague)

Where's Bear???

The question is asked, the search begins… “Where’s bear?” we ask the owner. He just lifts his hands and shrugs his shoulders, making the voice inflections for “I don’t know?” Can’t you just see the delight in his eyes? The thought that 'Maybe I hid it hard enough this time they will have to let me skip my nap".

“Where’s bear??” The cry comes from this corner and that. Looking in all the places the child had been that morning. In the crib, Mom and Dad’s bed, the kitchen drawers and cupboards, but no bear!!! The toy box, full of toys, you really need to dig, but you know it couldn’t have gotten so deep in such a short time, cause you know he had him this morning, he always crawls out of bed holding it’s paw. So you continue to search, the toy barn, the cows and tractors, they just look at you without a word, not knowing either. The little boy who played with them, had bear by his side, but took him with, when the next toy caught his eye. So we look in the trunk of the little green car, that sings “Here we go round the big red barn” many times in a day… but it to is empty, only cracker crumbs of yesterdays drive thru’ snack.

“Where’s bear??” Again the question is asked, again, minds are searched through to remember the spots the little boy played at in his morning adventures. Oh, right he was in the spare room on his Father’s desk, perhaps that little bear went along in there. But no, the bear was not there either, the tractors were still in straight lines, like Dad put them. Surprisingly enough!!! But that bear is still missing…

“Where’s bear???” This time it is getting serious!! If we can’t find that bear… Mom would not like to know what the next days would hold. SO we DIG DEEPER!!! Now looking under all beds, in the closets, who knows where he went while Mom was in another room… In the bath tub, in the dresser drawers, if he puts his own socks away, perhaps he thought bear needed to be put away too. But no, all those spots are 'BEAR-LESS' too!!!

“Where is Bear???” Dad has been helping too… “Mom, think, think, think, where all was he?” “Oh, yes, he was with me in the basement while I was doing the wash.” So with a quick run down stairs, just knowing that he would be down there, she feels so giddy. Her baby can go take his nap… it is later then the little guy normally goes down, and she feels the need to FIND that BEAR!!! After a quick look around, she sees no bear… “Oh, where, oh, where can he be” she cries. Even looking under the bottom step down there. As there is a board that makes everything that falls behind the steps slide to the bottom. And he isn’t there. We really need that much loved little bear. Who once was white, but now is a dirty gray. Who once was a soft fuzzy bear, but now is matted and lumpy. Who has a pink ribbon, but it’s owner is a boy. Who had 3 tags on its rump, but now has remnants of 2. Yes, two little hands rubbed those tags until there is not much left!!! It is really in sad shape, been thrown up on, sat on, washed in the washer more times then we know, went on trips to CO, PA, & more, been to town countless times, lost in stores and steps retraced, been left behind at home, and returned for. All because we CAN NOT LOSE BEAR!!!

“Where is BEAR??” Dad begins to dig deeper still… looking in cracks and corners. Over turning things that are still in their normal spots, this house is beginning to look quiet a sight. But Bear is going to show up soon, he just has to. Not many spots are left to look in. The question is asked, “Was the dog in here?” But mom says “NO, that dog don’t come in unless there is crumbs that need cleaned up and she hasn’t the time for a broom, or… her hubby lets him in.” So that is out…

“Bear” “Bear” we call his name, hoping he’ll answer… maybe he’s tired of his hiding place and is ready for his owners clammy embrace. And to feel those tiny hands around his chubby stomach, to be cuddled in the crook of his arm for a long nap. “Please, Bear answer us.”

All at once comes that joyful cry!!! “I FOUND BEAR!!!!” And Mom and son go running to see… yup, it’s him alright!!! And looking no worse for the wear. “Where was he?” mom asks. “Oh, under the basement steps“, was the reply. “But I looked there,” she answers. “He was up a couple steps, stuck on something before hitting the bottom.” “Oh” was her relieved sigh!!!

Here is BEAR!!! Now, baby dear, you may go take your much needed, and behind schedule nap. So after placing him in his bed, we turn to the dresser grab a nuk. And the parents look at each other with a sigh…“Now where is his NUK????”

Written By Lois Martin Aug.06
All Rights Reserved

This was written when my oldest was just 1 1/2yrs old. -He's now almost 5!!! I still smile when I read it, and I love the memories it brings back!! He was an answer to our prayers, and a total delight to us. (He still is!!)

Linked to
 'Finer Things'
Feel Good Friday