Chop Suey

Chop Suey

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 24, 2018

There's a meal my Mom would fix for me

Water Chestnuts, bamboo chutes, what could it be

Chow Mein noodles, soybeans and poured over rice

Pork and Beef, and it sure was really nice

Put a little Soy Sauce on it, and it will taste great

A special meal for me, that I always ate

Must be my Birthday, or a special day for me

I sure do love Chop Suey, no matter what day it be

Back then, I filled my plate

I was happy, because it sure was great

I still love Chop Suey, but don't eat it like before

I have it now and then, when I buy it at the store

Thinking back ro those days, are memories I cherish in my heart

The foods that Mom made, were a delightful work of art

She always did her best, delicious food for her family

She made each meal with love, and I knew that was the key

Every time when my Birthday came, she would fix Chop Suey, and it

was such a special day because I loved it. Sometimes she would just

make it, because she knew I liked it. It was always a special day when

we had it. Pork and Beef, perfectly cooked. Chop Suey vegetables added.

Poured over rice and Chow Mein noodles. Add a touch of Soy Sauce, and

it was the best. Thank you Mom!

Paper Fortune Teller

Paper Fortune Teller

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 24, 2018

I remember as a kid, my sister would approach me

In her hands she held a paper Fortune Teller, “Pick a Number and you will see”

Once you picked a number, she'd open it up to see

Next was picking a color, and that choice was up to me

After the basic choices, there would be more

I kept wondering, what else could be in store

Every Paper Fortune Teller, was different than the last

It was meant to tell my future, not to tell me past

When it came to colors, I would usually pick blue

Always wondering if what was written, would come true

You could use different categories in this game

It was fun to see, if it would turn out the same

Online, there are directions on how to make them too

If you follow directions, that's all you have to do

Make one to suit your interests, then when you are done

You'll have had a great time, and a little bit of fun

I wonder, what will your future be

What is it, that the Fortune Teller will foresee

Reminded me a bit of the 8-Ball that tells your future.

It was fun just to see what my sister wrote down.

I seem to recall making one too, and adding my own

future choices for others to try. It was enjoyable on

a rainy day. Or just any old day when not much

else was happening. Who else remembers these?

Running Bird

Running Bird

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 18, 2018

Her name was Running Bird, she couldn't fly

Rescued and given care, she would always try

A Gold Finch at birth, with all of her might

In this life, she put up a good fight

Then came a loud sound , she ran up a tree

Without her flight, it was the only way to flee

A woman at the window, watches with a smile

Not leaving her place, she's there for quite awhile

“I left my nest, so very long ago”

“She took me in, her caring I know”

“I wonder if the other birds knew”

“My courage came, all because of you”

“You gave me hope, despite my lack of flight”

“That in each day, I'd have your guiding light”

“I know, you'll be watching out for me”

“Your home is my comfort, when I think of thee”

Then Running Bird, ran up the tree high

The woman watched, as she began to fly

She flew by the window, but not for a final goodbye

“When I'm this way again, I'll stop in to say hi”

This is dedicated to a special woman who has a wonderful

heart filled with love for the creatures of this world. She

loves me, and I love her. I am as blessed as “Running Bird”

to have this woman's love. People, caring for the other

creatures in this world, is a good way to show your appreciation

for those we share this world with. Every thing here on this

planet is precious. Thank you Vicki!

Jigsaw Puzzle

Jigsaw Puzzle

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 10, 2018

I'm looking for that one piece, it could be anywhere

I find a different one, that goes over there

I start with the border, and work the others into place

When I'm working alone, I goes at a very slow pace

As I get more into it, it starts picking up speed

I sort through the colored pieces, that will give me a good lead

A thousand piece puzzle, is a good one for me

It's a great challenge, and now and then I have company

I like a beautiful scene, with lots of details throughout

To me, that's what doing a jigsaw, is all about

To sit down, and have a peace of mind

As I look for that one piece, I hope I'll find

Sometimes you pick a piece, never knowing where it will go

Looking over the puzzle and the box, “Oh, now I know”

I hate it when there's pieces missing

But it's part of life, and I won't be hissing

Give me a jigsaw, one piece at a time

Passing it by, would be such a crime

Interlocking, is truly the best kind

Yet, some border pieces, are too hard to find

A jigsaw puzzle, is perfect for me

To relax, and enjoy, quite naturally

During the Winter months, when I'm not

outside as much due to the cold weather.

I am working on a jigsaw, trying to piece

together the bigger picture. It is a challenge.

But with patience, and time, all will fall into place.

Sounds a bit like life, doesn't it?

Copy & Paste

Copy & Paste

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 8, 2018

Why should I copy and paste

To me, it's such a waste

It might be the latest trend

But it's not time I would spend

Use original words, and speak from the heart

Don't dribble off others, it smells like a fart

Nobody should have to copy and paste, it's a matter of will

These repetitious words, are like a bad tasting pill

I believe in the words, not the way that its done

These childish acts, are not for everyone

Drop the copy and paste part, write something new

Use your mind and heart, and that will do

Why does everyone feel, that if it says copy and paste

Then on their page, the same words must be placed

If someone jumped off a cliff, would you do that too

People will respect you, for being a original you

So do it right, by using your head

Don't act too quickly, go where you're lead

Exclude the words “Copy & Paste”

Then your words will be better embraced

This is for all the people who have words on their

page, which end in a Copy & Paste this to your

wall. It's a Pet Peeve of mine. I prefer originality.

I prefer leaving the Copy & Paste to your Wall off.

If people like something enough, they will do that.

Next week, we'll talk about why “I need a hug, I

wonder if anyone reading this will give me a hug”

bothers me so much too.

Michael

Michael

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 7, 2018

I met him here at the Harbor Tower one day

After chatting with him, I knew he was okay

At the time he had a bicycle, that he would ride

It was a blue one, and I'd see him ride it outside

I'd always joke around with him, that was me

He even took time to show me his family tree

Raised in the Keweenaw Peninsula, he's been everywhere

He has a long gray beard, and a head of gray hair

I saw him working, on a jigsaw puzzle in the lobby

I thought to myself, he's picked up a wonderful hobby

I'd visit with him, and soon I was involved

We'd take turns throughout the day, until it was solved

When he got a vehicle, he'd ask if I wanted to go Wal-Mart

We'd end up there, or Meijer, and I'd have a cart

We went looking at Christmas Lights one night

I took pictures, and they were quite a sight

“Well Buddy Boy, it's time for me to move away”

“But if I'm coming down here, I'll call you that day”

“I might even send a jigsaw puzzle to you”

“If I see a good one, you'll know what to do”

Some people said he was a drifter

I always thought of him, as an uplifter

He was a friend to many, who are living here

A good man, to me he is a friend who is dear

This is for a friend, Michael Kezele. Who became

my friend while he lived here at Harbor Tower.

Now he's moved on to Iron Mountain. But I don't

think I've seen the last of that man, and his smiling

face. But I'm sure he's making friends wherever he

goes.

The Hummingbird Moth

The Hummingbird Moth

© by Bud Lemire on Jan 4, 2018

Right before my eyes, what did I see

It wasn't a Hummingbird, in front of me

I looked again, what could it be

It was a Hummingbird Moth, flying by me

It had a long tongue, tasting the nectar of each flower

I must have watched it, for over an hour

“What an amazing creature,” came to my mind

As I watched its long tongue, start to unwind

Curled up in flight, released in the next flower

As I kept watching, too fast went the hour

I took pictures, from every angle I could

So I could share them with others, as only I would

That long tongue, reminded me of a long straw

In my mind's eye, that is what I saw

It must come in handy, to have a tongue like that

But you'd have to watch your diet, so you wouldn't get fat

I gazed at the Hummingbird Moth, and inside my mind

“It seems in each day, there is so much we can find”

I felt drawn in to the moment, as I watched it fly

So many beautiful creatures, we can see with our eye

I've only seen the Hummingbird Moth twice so far. But I

took many pictures each time. It was amazing to watch

and not scare it away as it went about its search for the

flower with the nectar that would satisfy its appetite.

Your Magic

Your Magic

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 11, 2017

You can be Kahlan, or in any story it seems

But most of all, you're the girl of my dreams

I'm swept away, to another place

Where you and I, occupy the same space

Caught up in the rapture, when I am with you

Of all the things you say, and everything you do

Your love speaks to me, in so many ways

Leaving me complete, and in a daze

Your love fills me up, right to the top

I can not hold back, I just want to pop

Your love is amazing, and so very deep

I'm so very happy, it's one we can keep

There it is, touching my heart

And it's also touching, every other part

You work your magic on me, in a special way

Your loves gives me strength, as I start each day

Oh, to be with you, it will be a pleasure

So many days, each and every one we'll treasure

Side by side, we'll make a great team

And so much we'll do, in between

Thank you so very much Vicki for all your magical

love that you share with me 24 hours every day. I

love how you make me feel. I love our time together

my dear Magical Woman. You are so very special to

me in all ways.

Repeat & Assure

Repeat & Assure

© by Bud Lemire on Oct 11, 2017

In my line of work, I am always in repeat

When I interact, with each resident I meet

In Assisted Living, or a Nursing Home

There's so much to do, I am never alone

“How many cards?” “How many tiles?”

I tell them, and I see all their smiles

“Where am I suppose to be, where should I go?”

“Is there something I should do, because I just don't know”

“I don't know how I got here, did I come off the street?”

“They sure are nice to me, I have a bed and food to eat”

“If I left this place, I know I'd lose my way”

“I guess I have it pretty good, so I guess I will stay”

“You know, I don't remember anything at all”

“It's like my memory, is behind a brick wall”

“Why can't I remember, isn't it a shame”

“I guess I am lucky, that I remember my name”

I tell them, they take good care of you

They tell you where to go, and what to do

So, where you are right now, is the best place to be

Take it from a Senior Companion, who knows better than me

Many of the residents have dementia. This means they can't

remember things that even happened 5 minutes ago. It varies

in cases, but you need to repeat everything, and you need to

assure them when they are doing something right.

The assurance you give them today, is something

worth repeating over and over again.