"Someday I'm Going to Write The Stories of My Life" compiled by John A Elliott 2024

"Someday I'm Going to Write The Stories of My Life"

compiled by John A Elliott 2024

Way back many years ago now, during 1958 a new rendition of a song came out, by one of my mother's favourite singers, Michael Holliday, and that song called "The Story Of My Life" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzk0bdlDr3Y has become the inspiration for me here today. I must admit I've always loved that song. Of course little did I know back then that I'd one day be writing short stories, of glimpses into my life...

My life is a tapestry, woven from the threads of experiences, and for one individual, that tapestry is rich with colour, texture, and design. At 74 years young, this article writer has lived a life filled with creativity and craftsmanship, a life that begs to be shared through stories that inspire and resonate.

As an artist, the world has been both a canvas and a muse. Each brushstroke tells a tale of inspiration drawn from the beauty of nature and the complexity of the human experience. The art I've created is not just a visual feast but a narrative that speaks from deep within my soul, capturing moments of joy, sorrow, and wonder. Sometimes emotionally happy, yet as an artist I've lapsed into deep depressions and frustration of not being able to achieve my vision of the work I'm trying to create on the canvas's before me. Similar to a frustrating writer's block, a dark cloud descends and progress is cut short.

The toymaker's chapter would be one of whimsy and delight. Toys, after all, are not mere playthings; they are vessels of imagination, gateways to worlds unbound by the rigidness of reality. Crafting toys is crafting dreams, giving form to the boundless creativity of a child's mind, and in doing so, preserving the purity and innocence of childhood itself. Being in a position, to actually design and create such wonders, sometimes, were just magical, as the design ideas just seemed to float through my mind, almost without effort on my part. So where did these designs and creations really come from. Some of my toy ideas just came to me from within my dreams as I slept.

As a wood craftsman, I have shaped the very majestic woods of the oak, ash, beech, walnut and pine into works of function and artistry. Wood, with its grains and textures, have been a companion of mine through my many years, teaching me patience and precision, reminding me, that even within the rough, there is potential for beauty.

Sewing and Quilt making weaves its way through the narrative as a testament to the warmth and comfort of home. Each quilt I've created is a patchwork of stories, a collection of fabrics each with its own origin, coming together to provide solace and a sense of belonging. Many were memory quilts from the clothes of a loved one. The many hours of sheer concentration, skill and love went into every single creation..

These would be the stories that are waiting to be written, the reflections of a life lived with passion and purpose. They are the stories that remind me that it is never too late to share our journey, to inspire others to create, to dream that impossible dream, and to live fully.

And so, the promise hangs in the air, and just like those famous lyrics, "Someday I'm Going to Write, The Story of My Life," and when that day comes, the pages will fill with the stories of my life not just lived, but crafted with the same love and attention as the art, toys, woodworks, and quilts, plus many other crafts that have defined me over the years, and made me into the person I am today.

ARTWORK by DALL-E 3 (AI)

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"STOP SEARCHING FOR TOMORROW" by John A Elliott 2024

"STOP SEARCHING FOR TOMORROW"

by John A Elliott 2024

Stop searching for tomorrow,

For tomorrow never comes,

It's a mirage on the horizon,

A trick of distant drums.

The future is a promise,

That time seems not to keep,

A whisper in the darkness,

A secret that we reap.

Seize the day, they often say,

And they're not wrong,

For the present is the stage,

Where our lives just play along.

The dreams of tomorrow,

Are seeds we plant today,

Water them with action,

Don't let them fly away.

For every moment wasted,

Is a chance that slips,

A page unwritten,

A kiss that never meets our lips.

So, stop searching for tomorrow,

Embrace the now with heart,

For in the art of living,

Today, is the perfect start.

Let's not wait for the stars,

To align in the sky,

The time to shine is now,

Let your spirit fly high.

Tomorrow is a mystery,

Today is a gift,

Open it with joy,

And let your spirits lift.

So, dance in the rain,

Laugh in the sun,

Live every moment, as if your last,

Until this day is done.

For when tomorrow comes,

It's today once more,

A fresh start has risen,

To love, and to explore.

So stop searching for tomorrow,

It is just a dream away,

Live life for today,

And your dreams will come your way.

ARTWORK by DALL-E 3 (AI)

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"DECADES OF TIME"

"DECADES OF TIME"

(author unknown)

Marie and her 15-year-old bunch of Cajun girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen, next door to the Bayou View Restaurant, because they had only $6.00 amongst them and T-Boy Landry, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that street.

10 years later, the group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because the beer was cheap, the restaurant offered free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover charge, and there were lots of cute guys.

10 years later, the group of 35-year-old Cajun girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because the frozen daiquiris were good, it was right near the gym and, if they went late enough, there wouldn’t be too many whiny little kids there.

10 years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because the martinis were big, and the waiters wore tight pants and had nice buns.

10 years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good, the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of hot flashes), and they served fish which is good for your cholesterol.

10 years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because the lighting was good, and the restaurant had a senior citizen discount.

10 years later, the group of 75-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because the food was not too spicy, and the restaurant was handicapped-accessible.

10 years later, the group of 85-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for supper. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Bayou View Restaurant, because they had never been there before.

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"STOP WAITING FOR TOMORROW" by Becky Hemsley

"STOP WAITING FOR TOMORROW"
by Becky Hemsley

One time I met a man

Who only had a month to live

And I asked him if he had

Any advice that he could give

He said “I wake each morning

Knowing I am going to die

So each day must remind me

I am blessed to be alive

You see, my life’s on countdown

As each hour is unfurled

I know the clock is ticking

On my time here in this world

But what you’re overlooking

Is that it’s the same for you -

You know that I am dying

But forget that you are too

So make the most of sunshine

And go dancing in the rain

And sing a little louder

When your favourite music plays

Notice nature’s colours,

Savour everything you taste

Stop waiting for tomorrow

‘Cause you’ve got no time to waste

And could you say convincingly

That you’d have no regrets?

If just the next few days or weeks

Were all that you had left?”

And then my breath caught quickly

When he turned to me and asked

“Could you say that you died happy

If this day had been your last?”

*****

Becky Hemsley 2023

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Lovely artwork by Olga Shefranov (at PaintsPassion on Etsy)

From my fourth collection here: https://a.co/d/9OU8lGH

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"THE BLONDE AND THE DUMMY"

"THE BLONDE AND THE DUMMY"
(author unknown)

A young ventriloquist was touring Sweden and, one night, he was doing a show in a small fishing town. With his dummy on his knee, he started going through some of his standard dumb blonde jokes.

Suddenly, a blonde woman in the fourth row stood on her chair and started shouting:

"I've heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype Swedish blonde women that way?

What does the colour of a woman's hair have to do with her worth as a human being?

It's men like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community, and from reaching our full potential as people. It's people like you who make others think that all blondes are dumb!

You and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against, not only blondes, but women in general; pathetically, all in the name of humour!"

The stunned ventriloquist started to apologize, but the blonde interrupted and screamed:

"You stay out of this! I'm talking to that little sh*t sitting on your lap."

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"A WISE SUITOR"

"A WISE SUITOR" (author unknown)

Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, lived a king who had a beautiful daughter. She was twenty-five, and perhaps it was the time to marry.

One day, four suitors came from afar and asked for her hand in marriage. Each of them was handsome, strong-looking, and had the perfect male body.

The princess came up to them and said,

"I don't care about your looks, I don't care about your strength, I'm not going to marry because of that. I will only marry a man who is wise and intelligent. Now, my father is going to ask you a very puzzling question, and whoever answers the question correctly will marry me. Good luck!"

At that moment, the king asked the four suitors the question,

"There was a talented hunter who never failed to catch his targets. Whenever he went hunting, he always killed an animal and brought it home. One day, the hunter became sick with a respiratory illness caused by a type of bacteria. Ever since then, it had been impossible for him to catch an animal, and he always returned home from the forest empty handed. Why is that?"

For several minutes, the four suitor racked their brains over the challenging question. Just then, the first suitor answered,

"The hunter's illness affected his eyesight, which made him unable to identify his targets."

The king shook his head and muttered,

"Wrong answer!"

The second suitor said,

"The animals in the forest had known the hunter to be a threat, so they all went into hiding and never appeared again."

The king shook his head again and muttered,

"You are wrong!"

The third suitor said,

"The hunter's equipment had developed a fault, that was why he could no longer catch an animal."

The king shook his head yet again and muttered,

"Well, that's wrong too."

The fourth suitor thought for a long time and finally came up with the smartest answer. He said surprisingly,

"Well, since it's a respiratory illness that the hunter became sick with, I'd say it's a whooping cough. It means that all the times he went hunting, he was coughing and coughing, which scared all the animals away. A hunter with a whooping cough will never catch a prey."

Struck with amazement, the king widened his eyes and exclaimed,

"Wow, correct! You're such a wise and intelligent young man! You're the one who will marry my daughter!"

LESSON TO LEARN:

Nowadays in our world, smartness beats strength and good looks. Be smart, be Intelligent and be wise!

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"THE YOUNG BOY AND THE SIX COINS"

"THE YOUNG BOY AND THE SIX COINS"
(author unknown)

There was a boy who was always happy and cheerful. One day, he went to an old man and asked him,

"Sir, what is the biggest destroyer of happiness? I have a happy nature and I'm chatting and laughing most of the time. However, I fear that one day, I'll become sad and sorrowful. Tell me how to stay happy and positive everyday."

The old man thought for a moment, then nodded and said,

"Alright, I'll tell you what you want to know. But before I tell you, you have to agree to do something for me."

The boy asked, smiling at his serious face,

"Okay, sir, what is it?"

The old man answered,

"There's an empty drum in my backyard, I want you to fill it up with water. I'm too old and weak to fetch water from the river. If you do that, I'll reward you with two coins. Two coins, all for you, boy!"

The boy was suddenly filled with excitement and enthusiasm as he was in great need of money. He grabbed a bucket and hurried down the stream to fetch the water. A short while later, he went back to the old man and told him he had filled the drum with water.

However, the old man said,

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, there is another empty drum in my kitchen. Would you mind filling it up as well? I'll offer you another two coins as a reward, a total of four coins! You'll buy a lot of things for yourself with all that money. Four coins, all for you, boy!"

The boy was so determined to get the four coins, he didn't think twice about it. He quickly took the bucket and rushed down the stream. In no time, he had already filled the drum with water. However, when he returned to the old man, he said,

"Oh my goodness, I'm such a forgetful old man! I forgot that there is another empty drum in my garden. If you can fill it up with water too, I'll add extra two coins to your money and you'll get six coins altogether. You'll have a lot of money for yourself. Six coins, all for you, boy!"

A look of cheerful excitement flashed across the boy's face. He found himself thinking about what he would buy with all the money, he couldn't control his emotions. It didn't take long for him to fill up the third drum and return to the old man. He was tired and exhausted. However, instead of offering the boy the six coins, the old man frowned and mumbled,

"Oh, no, I think I'm the most forgetful old man in the whole world! I forgot that I have no coins with me. I'm so broke, I don't have any money to give to you. I'm sorry, but you have to go home empty handed! Nothing for you, boy!"

Upon hearing that, the smile on the boy's face suddenly vanished, replaced with a look of sad surprise. His happiness was completely lost and replaced with sadness and disappointment.

Just then, the old man surprisingly hugged him tightly for a moment, then smiled broadly and said to him,

"Don't worry, boy! The truth is, I've got some coins for you! Everything I did was an intention to teach you a valuable lesson about life. When you asked me to tell you what the biggest destroyer of happiness is, I came up with a plan to make you sad, so that I can teach you properly and effectively. Listen, the biggest destroyer of happiness is your EXPECTATIONS. It's because you expected six coins from me, that's why you became sad when you didn't get them. When we do something for others, we tend to expect some favour or feelings from them which may not happen. Most of the time, our expectations are too high or unrealistic to be fulfilled by someone. We expect people to love us because we love them. We expect people to be good to us because we are good to them. We always expect things to go our way. All of these things can easily cause frustration, disappointment, discouragement, stress, anger and resentment. However, if we lower our EXPECTATIONS of people and understand that they won't always live up to it, we can stay happy in life."

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"MOUNTAIN CLIMBING" by Becky Hemsley

"MOUNTAIN CLIMBING"
by Becky Hemsley

Grief is one of the biggest mountains you’ll ever have to climb.

Not least, because it’s one that you absolutely won’t want to.

And people may talk of ‘getting over it’.

But the truth is,

I don’t think we ever do.

And that’s not to say that we don’t end up on the other side of the mountain. I’m not saying that we’re stuck in one place forever.

But, rather than getting over it…

Perhaps we find a cave we can walk through which brings us out on the other side. It may be dark and dim and difficult, but we make it through into the light.

Perhaps we find a path around the mountain that leads to the other side. It may take a long time and it might be unsteady and precarious, but we make it round.

Or perhaps we just slowly edge our way past. A little up, a little through, a little round. Step by step.

No, I don’t think we get over it. It is too big, too overwhelming.

Too insurmountable.

So instead we get through it.

Round it.

Or quite possibly,

we just get by.

******

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful image by Snehal Pendurkar

"Mountain Climbing" is from the book 'When I Am Gone'

https://a.co/d/iTbpJ7E

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"WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW" by Becky Hemsley

"WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW"
by Becky Hemsley

Have you ever considered

that, at any given moment, you are exactly who the world needs?

That you're the tune to someone's lyrics when no other melody seems to fit.

That you're the stars to someone's sky when it is drowning in inky darkness.

That you're the moon to someone's ocean when it cannot find its way back to the sand.

And it might not be forever.

Songs end,

the sun rises

and the tide turns.

But maybe for a while - maybe in this moment -

you are exactly where you're supposed to be.

Because it gives you a chance

to sing, to shine and to make waves.

And your light,

your music,

your guide...

Oh the world needs it.

It really, really does.

*****

Becky Hemsley 2024

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by Ed Perkins (@ededperkins via Instagram)

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