Adventurous Spirit 32
And true to form Maria and Mrs Papadoplos did plan
a big country wedding. It was right there in the yard
between the two properties ans Ari and Essie asked.
Maria and Mrs P along with Delitha altered Mama's
wedding dress to fit Essie. Maria had worn it in her
wedding but Essie was much taller. All they did to
make it longer was to add a duster under the hem
and it fit Essie perfectly.
Mrs P made the wedding cakes. All were the same
recipe but with so any people she only made one
three layer with a silver heart on top and fresh
Nasturtiums trailing over the side. Each serving
of the oblong pans would receive a Nasturtium
flower on their piece.
The other foods would be made by friends and
Rasmussen would Barbecue while
Sophia provided breads and buns. Georgios
Nick and Zeus were in charge of liquor and
non alcoholic drinks.
Various people volunteered to keep the tables
clear of any trash.
Music was provided by local bands.
Soon The bands quieted to a slight humm.
A few very close friends came forward:
Mr Papadoplos spoke:
Love is the only flower
that grows and blossoms
without the aid of seasons
Mrs Papadoplos spoke:
I saw friendship strengthen
between Ari and Essie
their confident in the other
grew greater each day
with trust secure
Maria spoke:
My dear brother Ari so happy
with my dearest friend Essie
I welcome her to our family
as a sister I do love her so
Ari and Essie spoke:
You are here as my companion
along the path of life
my aid in understanding
the meaning of hidden truth
you are my dearest love
and that fact is cherished
I will love you forever
The wedding vows were performed
Not a dry eye on the grounds
Zeus and Omega came out tossing roses and other flowers saying
Let the bride and groom have the first dance
then we all dance and eat all the wonderful foods.
Ari and Essie swirled around the yard dancing hugging
and even a few kisses.
Maria and Nick joined in then the others. The band played on
more guests arrived and soon it was time to ring the bell.
“Ari and Essie, husband and wife, let us cut the cake and
make the wedding the best ever” said Rasmussen.
What a joyful party. New and old friends came to celebrate.
It was announced with the invitations that no gifts
to the bride and groom.
If you felt you needed to provide a gift then please
bring spare coins to distributed to the needy
fund. People brought their spare coins and the
cans filled quickly. All proceeds were to be donated
from the wedding party. That was sure to start
a trend. Nick and Maria were happy to see the
generosity. It would not only fill bellies with
food but also be used to help people with low funds
and in need of any medicines needed.
Off on a trip went Ari and
Essie. They had tickets to some where
neither had ever been. On the coast of
Live Your Life Your Way
Adventure awaits!
Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Live your best life while you can still remember it!
People’s opinions are just that, their opinions not mine.
I no longer care what they think.
Don’t wait until you get too old to enjoy your life on your terms.
Don’t allow people that don’t matter to dictate your happiness.
Catch up with mates for coffee or wine and cherish your family.
Life is too short to care.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Live your life!
Live joyously.
Love deeply.
Care with compassion.
Today is God's gift!
Use it to bring joy to others and yourself
! Give God glory for each moment.
Happiness is in your hands.
Do whatever you want and don’t care what anyone has to say.
The older I get, the less I care about what others think of me.
The older I get, the more I enjoy Life.
Yes, live your life as you want.
Hoping your dreams come true.
If there is something you want to do.
That you want to see. You can if you want to work hard for it.
Put a bit to the side in an account you don’t see.
You will be surprised how much you can save up.
For whatever you want.
I wear whatever makes me feel good.
I'm too tired to listen to what other people's opinions
are because they're only opinions.
I just choose to live my life the way I desire
because I'm too tired to change!
Every time my friend and I take a trip
I tell them when I act crazy or do something silly
so that these people don’t know us and I laugh.
They decided to go to Schoinoussa.
Schoinoussa belongs to the Lesser Cyclades complex,
located south of Naxos. Because of its small size
(9 sq. Km.) and location there are no frequent routes
from Piraeus and usually it is reached via Naxos or Amorgos.
There is no transportation or car rental on the island.
Schoinoussa is famous for its 18 wonderful beaches
with fine sand and natural shade.
Since it is not a tourist island, you can find the
old-fashioned Greek hospitality there.
A perfect place for the honeymooners.
© Julia A Knaake
Adventurous Spirit 31
Adventurous Spirit 31
“The miracle is this: the more we share the more we have.”
—Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015)
Ari and Nick came up to Essie's apartment.
Maria was in the kitchen finishing the wrapping of the
Melitzanokeftedes (eggplant dish ). Good you
came up my dears. Nick will you carry this hot
dish down for me. Ari your Essie is up in the
library. She's probably sleeping. Said she was
tired and going to go lay down with a good book.
“She had hardly any sleep. I'll go wake her.” said Ari.
“Why not give her another half hour or so?
You both worked hard yesterday and today.
We'll call you.” said Maria.
Ari took his shoes off and went up to the library.
There she was fast asleep reading a Gladys Tabor
book. Essie had written on her paper pad:
It is better to love than to analyze. - Gladys Tabor.
He looked at her sleeping peacefully and made himself
comfortable in an over sized chair across the room.
He thought if I fall asleep and she wakes up she
will see me in the chair.
Reminiscing and remembering he and Papa's long
discussions about marriage he thought of Papas words:
There is only one way to unlock a heart,
I love you,
I cherish you.
Let me in please.
Ari fell asleep in the chair for almost two hours.
When he awakened to the smell of barbecued meat
wafting from the yard. A din of people talking and
laughing.
He also heard music. Looking around he saw that his
feet had been propped up on a foot stool. There was
a red plaid cover on his legs.
Essie was still on her love seat sofa also covered with
a quilt. Humm someone was up here.
Bet it was my dear Sissy. She loves
Essie and is elated I have finally found
the most perfect lady.
I thank my lucky stars in heaven for
that rainy night we met.
Bouncing up the stairs, making a racket
came Maria and Nick.
“Wake up you two. The party has started.
Good grief. The first time you both fell
asleep together and nothing to show for it.”
laughed Maria.
Essie, red faced, threw a pillow at her.
Ari went to Essie's side and said once
we are wed my dear you're going to have
to get a hard crust because you will inherit
my sister and all her antics.
You, Nick and I will try to make a lady
out of her. That will take forever.”
Maria pulled a fake set of tears and tried
to put on her best Sara Bernhardt act.
“I already love your sister the way she is
and I will be honored to inherit her.” said Essie.
“ Our wedding. Do you have anything in mind? Any plans?
Any wishes we should be planning together?” asked Ari softly.
“Yes, well Ari my personal wishes are that when we
set a date we really might have it very very simple.
Possibly right here downstairs right between Nick
and his Papas properties. In our gardens with all
of out beloved friends. You have had a lifetime
of relatives and friends right here. I am new and
have all your friends and some new people you or
Maria know. This is my only wedding and it is special.”
“You are special to me my love. This is my only wedding
also. Many years ago I was going to ask a lady
to marry me but that did not materialize.
She grew tired of practical me and ran off with another.
She did not love me. She loved my parents wealth
but my parents did not tell me. They let me learn
on my own. That is why I am so close to my dear
sister. You love her too and you know she tells it
like it is. That is why I love her.”
“Yes, as do I. Lets have her
plan the wedding here.” said Essie.
They heard Maria bounding up the stairs.
“Hey you two, you better be dressed. OK sorry
Essie I know you are blushing.
You have to get over that when you
marry into this family.” laughed Maria
as she popped her head into the room.
“Silly Sissy laughed Essie as she tossed
a small pillow at Maria. We were up here
talking about you.”
“Oh, wahoo was it juicy?” said Maria.
“No my dear sister you and Mrs Papadoplos
have a wedding to plan and all we want is
for it to be right here between this house and
Nicks. A sort of country with friends wedding.
We don't have a date set so we'll leave that
up to you and Mrs P. You better contact
Delitha and Georgios before they sale off
to some unknown port.” said Ari.
"Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things you didn't do
than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover." -Mark Twain
© Julia A Knaake
Adventurous Spirit 30
Adventurous Spirit 30
Ari consumed a teaspoon of pure honey in the mornings along with
a tablespoon of olive oil as did his ancestors of yore.
His Papa had told him as a child it was a kind of preventative medicine
that helps everything work better. It worked well for Ari and
Mr and Mrs Papadopoulas but his sister, Maria scoffed at the idea.
Essie saw Ari and his cousins do this practice every day so she
also started this routine along with always having a glass of water
with small slice of lemon or lime squeezed into the water.
She also chewed the rind eating the whole thing.
Maria winced every time she saw this and asked why.
Essie told her citrus was good for the body to prevent scurvy.
Ugg was Maris's reply. Then but why eat the rind.
Essie said so the body does not get parasites!
That kept Maria quiet. Anyone around would laugh inside and
say to themselves Essie can take care of herself in any situation. Bravo Essie!
Back in Mrs Papadoplos kitchen Maria presented
her with the Kourabiedes for the Share the Food program.
Ari and Essie had already filled the kitchen with fresh produce
and vegetables from the previous days purchase at the stand.
Mrs Papadoplos picked through the clothes to see if anything
needed repairing or buttons. No and dear Delitha had everything
bundled and labeled according to size,
and what the items were appropriate to use for.
Some of the evening gowns would be placed in the consignment shops
for tourists to carry back to their countries
and brag as a great buy in Greece while on vacation.
These shops would then use the monies collected for basic necessities
to help the Share the Food program. Everyone helped their communities.
The Share the Food boxes, bags and other items were
packed and ready to be taken to the warehouse to be
sorted and distributed to the less fortunate ones.
Maria quoted:
“I have found that among its other benefits,
giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
—Maya Angelou (1928-2014) Poet, dancer, producer, playwright, director, author
The food and clothing was a big hit with Share the Food.
The vegetables were needed to go with the many packages of frozen fish
and other sea foods donated by Nick, Zeus and Omega.
Zeus and Omega were also the ones that collected herbs
many timeless hours while on long walks. They both spread the word
about Sharing the Food especially for the elderly. They were both
great ambassadors an knew how to get to the heart strings
of those lazy ones that would rather let the food extras like fruit and nuts
waste in their gardens than pick it up and place it out front for
Zeus and Omega to put on the truck Nick was driving.
Only a few days later Maria and Essie made the Melitzanokeftedes recipe
for Mamas Eggplant.
Ari and Rasmussen had planned a big party and
Mr and Mrs Papadoplos had been invited. Maria was a bit nervous
but Essie told her to just say she got the recipe from an elder on the beach
when they were on their last trip. “Why not say the truth. The elder knew
your Mama and she made it to share at the beach outings we attended
and now I have the recipe to make for Ari when we have our own home.
I just tweaked the story a little bit.
But then again if you want to tell it exactly the way It happened
and risk hurting a dear ladies feelings then have it your way.
Either way I will back you up dear sister to be.”
“Oh you are so sly and diplomatic
and have been hanging around Omega too much Dear sister to be.
I'll do it your way and be safe.”
Essie said she was tired and was going up to the library to relax.
She left Maria in the kitchen.
Essie pulled a small book off the shelve and made herself
Comfortable in one of the huge over stuffed chairs to read.
A Sanskirt proverb written by Kalidasa
yesterday is
already a dream
and tomorrow
is only a vision
but today,
well lived
makes every
yesterday
a dream of
happiness and
every tomorrow
a vision of
hope
That did it. She went right to sleep dreaming.
Passing Thoughts
No Clue What People Will Think
When I Pass On
But I Hope It Will Be Only
The Good Times And
The Fun Times
They Had With Me And Will
Have Laughter
In Their Hearts
Instead Of
Sadness And
Melancholy
That Can Not Be Fun
The Things I Still Do With
Passed loved Ones Is
Say Out-loud
Or Think
A Thought To Them
What Else Is There To Do
One Can Be Sad And Gloomy
Or Go On With Life
I Prefer To Go On With Life
And Not Allow
Sadness or sorrow
Melancholy To Rule.
Keep On Floating Down
The Unknown River
Of Life
Towards New
And Uncharted
Destinations
©Julia A Knaake
Adventurous Spirit 29
Adventurous Spirit 29
The week vacation went too quickly. The trio had to head back home
to their regular lives. Maria was missing Nick and she and Essie
were eager to try the Melitzanokeftedes recipe for Mamas Eggplant
again. This time up in Essie's kitchen. They were thinking about
Mrs Papadoplos feelings.
Essie and Ari went out to the beach for a last night stroll.
Essie was quiet and in deep thought.
“What are you thinking about my love?” asked Ari.
“At the end of the day, its not about what you have or
even what you have accomplished in your life. It's
really about who you have lifted up, and given back.”
Said Essie.
On the way home Maria and Essie stopped at the shop
that sold kitchen towels and pot holders again. They
went in to shop while Ari went in a different direction.
He ended up in an antique shop. There was a nice
two seat bench and foot stool he had his eyes on
made of oak. He bought them on the spot and carried
them wrapped in a long red and white oilcloth.
Back at the truck he had secured them. He then went
to another shop that sold plain sturdy baskets for carrying
fruit and vegetables. By then Maria and Essie had
finished their shopping.
“Looks like brother's been doing some shopping. What did
you get besides baskets?”
He said stuff for Essie and Omegas garden and a
tablecloth for the picnic table. Rasmussen Sophia
should be making some fine barbqs and bread.
That table will need a sturdy cover to wipe.
About two hours down the road they stopped
for cool drinks and a bite to eat at a taverna.
Next door was a fruit stand run by the small children
of the taverna owners. They explained they
were learning gardening from their grandparents
and helping out while grandparents were
back at the garden.
Ari liked young entrepreneurs and decided to
give them a small lesson in salesmanship.
Quickly he found out this brother sister team
were no pushovers.
He, Essie and Maria filled the baskets with
fruit and vegetables.
The grandpa came to the stand with some
small cardboard boxes with live herb plants.
Ari said he would take them all. The Taverna
made excellent Baklava and Kourabiedes (Almond Cookies).
Maria tasted them and asked if she could buy a dozen.
The owner said she could buy all of them because they
were not selling quickly. Maria said they were delicious
Kourabiedes.
"The locals associate them with Christmas so they do
not buy and the tourists are all in a hurry and complain
the powdered sugar is messy. So take them all. I will
give you a good price and even box them up."said the owner.
You have a deal said Maria. We have many people we feed
in our village. They will be happy to eat them up quickly.
This is why we bought many fruits and vegetables from
the stand. We also bought the herb starts for our
elder neighbors who garden and donate many fresh
greens to our Share the Food program.
The owner asked for a phone number or address saying
when the figs are too plentiful and drop to the ground
she would call them to harvest for Share the Food. Often
others we know will have grains and nuts to share if you
do not mind picking.
Maria said Ari and Essie will scramble up the ladders to pick
and she would bring a folding table to pack the fruit and nuts.
The deal was made.
Back at the house of Essie the goodies were all unloaded.
Rasmussen had the grill going, Sophia her delicious breads
baking in the wood oven. Zeus and Omega in charge of
salads and Nick at the bar with alcoholic and non alcoholic
drinks on ice. The truck was unloaded with the precious
filled baskets under cover out of the sun.
Ari's surprise for Essie and Omega was a lovely two
seater bench to set near the garden for well deserved
rests and the little foot stool for Essie to use in her kitchen
or library.
“It's for the hard to reach shelves in
your kitchen and up in the library. Let's go on up
and see how it works.” said Ari.
Up the steps they both went alone. No one followed
because they all wanted them to be alone.
When into the kitchen Ari carried the stool
up to the library while Essie put packages away.
Ari pulled a package from his pocket and placed
ti on a top shelf. A note attached saying :
Open me and say yes. Inside a modest engagement
ring that had been his Mothers.
He said to try the stool she did and saw the
package opening it. A large smile and the
most wonderful kiss to seal the yes I will.
Out the open top window Ari howled
“She said yes, she actually said yes”
everyone cheered especially Maria
who had been in on the surprise.
© Julia A Knaake
Adventurous Spirit 28
Adventurous Spirit 28
When you drop that pebble in the lake
the ripples spread out and out,
one friend brings another
and the chain of love lengthens and strengthens.
A productive day is ahead and
progress will move us in a forward environment.
Essie wrote this on a paper pad next to her bed
but Delitha had called her and Maria to a quick breakfast
before they were to meet Philomena and the others on the beach.
This was an extra early meet so they could all get together
to give a surprise welcome to the neighborhood for Faustina and little Joey.
Her husband, Peter already was welcomed by the men.
They all worked together well. Faustina was painfully shy
and felt out of place in the fishing village.
Essie seemed to be the only one she communicated with.
“Essie we will not be here and Delitha
will only be in and out. Philomena said
she will gather the others to welcome Faustina.
They have planned a house warming party
on the beach until the apartment is ready.
We will gather things and wrap them.
Maria and I made welcome cards from
you, Maria and I. Now all we have to do
is make some gifts.” said Delitha.
“ I have two sets of kitchen towels,
a couple of potholders and a measuring cup
that I bought in a shop on the way here.
I will donate.” said Essie.
Maria asked was that the shop we stopped at
on the way here? The one we stopped at for
Cold drinks and fruit?
Yes I bought them for myself for upstairs.
I will ask Ari to stop there on the way back
if it is open. I can get the same thing on
the way home. They also had some place mats
and a red and white checkered tablecloth
I liked but could not decide what to purchase.
I stopped to see if they had wooden spoons
and a large bowl for salad. We had to go.
At the beach Philomena was almost dancing in
her new sand pads. Hugs and kisses for Maria
and Essie all around.
The ladies had all been there since early morning
when no one else was on the beach. The men all
came early to put together a picnic table to
hold the gifts and a large cake Philomena and her
daughters made the night before. All sorts of
gifts were piled on the table. Two new clothes
baskets were filled with many household gifts
and necessities right down to clothes line and pins.
The other basket a bit empty. Delitha Maria and
Essie placed their gifts in almost filling the basket.
Next were sturdy cardboard boxes filled with
packages of staples and seasonings for cooking.
Yet another filled with pots and pans and a
few dishes. The cake at the very end .
Everything was covered with a sturdy plastic cover.
Ari and Essie took off down the beach to meet
up with Franklin, Faustina and their little boy Joey.
They saw them heading toward the beach. Franklin
was told about the party and to get his wife and
son to the beach.
“Hello and welcome to a party on the beach. One of
many to come for you three. While we men are
working the ladies are making a lunch for all
and cleaning the beach. We have signs this is a
private beach but often tourists or the stuff
they toss overboard wanders in on our beautiful
beaches. Sometimes the younger ladies walk
the beach with metal detectors and find the
most delightful items. Anything of value is
sold and given to our treasurer Philomena and
she uses it to fund anything to maintain our beach.”
said Ari.
The party was started and Franklin, Faustina and Joey
were introduced as the new family residing in number 1.
Soon the gifts were presented. Faustina wept with
happiness. “Our whole household was lost
in that awful fire. Even Joeys kitty perished. We
were so thankful and blessed that we survived.
You are all so kind and we thank you.” sad Faustina.
Off the men carried the new items up to the new
home. Only Franklin knew it had been sparsely
furnished. Ari and Essie had provided new beds,
mattresses and bedding. It would be up to
Faustina and her new friends to pick out the rest.
A new stove and refrigerator were from
Delitha and Georgios. They would have to
do their own decorating.
Franklin now had a steady job.
Back on the beach most of the children
were getting to know Joey.
Two children had walked away. Only a few
had noticed. They whispered something to
their Mother. She nodded her head and they
headed back to their home.
The party went on and they finally returned
carrying a basket and a bag.
They asked Mama to ring a bell. Then Joey's
father motioned him over.
“What is it Papa?” he asked.
“Your new friends have a gift for you. Come see
what they brought and remember to thank them.”
Inside were two little kittens. One as white as salt
the other as black as pepper.
Joey was elated.
“Thank you. Thank you. I will call them salty and
Pepper. Papa can we make a kitty house on the porch?”
“I think that can be arranged.” replied Franklin.
The party continued. Franklin and a friend
picked up the couples auto and brought it
within a safe distance to a safe parking area and
unloaded the items taking them up to the new home.
By the time the party was finished there was a little
kitty house on the porch with a secure door
so kitties did not get out at night and wander.
They were still kitties and later the door would be
latched open. All was a lovely day turning into
an amazing night.
Back at the yacht the five friends talked about
the day over a glass of red wine. All was well
and productive another day.
© Julia A Knaake
Adventurous Spirit 27
Adventurous Spirit 27
Georgios and Ari left very early I the morning. Leaving a note for Delitha.
Georgios explained they had a short time to work with the men who would
be tending to the renovation. These men were very good workers and would
be left on their own after they left. Georgios and Ari wanted to be sure
there were no shortcuts to save money. Ari and Georgios was going to
make sure all electric and plumbing would be up to code for safety.
The men were well paid for their labors with a bonus for good workmanship.
Before left for the beach the mail flew in and the box with the sand pads
had arrived. Delitha and Essie followed instructions and assembled them for
Philomena. This would be a great surprise indeed. A light breakfast was
prepared and a large pan of cinnamon buns Delitha removed from the freezer
was placed in a cardboard box to carry to the beach. “I made many sweets
and other baking items at home. They are frozen and as I need them I
bring them out to thaw and sometimes heat a bit. I do not want to spend
my time to visit my friends and their children at the oven. They always
have a big pot with them on the beach for cooking seafood soup. Some
will bring a grill for fresh fish. We want to enjoy our time together.”
Essie was quiet and Maria asked why so serious. Essie said
Good times with friends are memories you'll never forget.The best
memories you'll ever have are those enjoyable moments with friends.
Please don't take friends for granted.
Maria and Delitha backed away out of Essie's hearing range where
Maria said: “She is so right for my brother. I hope so much they
will plan a life together.” Delitha shook her head a yes.
Both ladies went off into the pantry collecting chocolate bars.
Essie called out asking where they had gone to.
“We're almost ready to go and I forgot the chocolate bars for
the kids.” answered Delitha.
“May I have one for the little boy I taught how to fly a kite?
He is new here and has no friends yet.”
“Yes you may and why don't we get him and his Mama over
closer to the beach to meet the other ladies and children”
came from Delitha.
Philomena was there and the first to meet them. “Look at me! I am actually wearing ladies trousers.
They are so much more practical for me to wear on the beach.
I thank you dear Essie from the bottom of my heart. I can actually
get around better at home. I am working in my garden alone. I feel so alive.”
Delitha told her to wait and see the gift Ari and Essie had for her today.
“Ari had it flown in on the mail plane then boated over to our yacht.
They brought out the sand pads and after trying them out Philomena,
Delitha,Maria and Essie all jumped with joy and started dancing
in a circle singing.
Piraeus children
from my window, I send off
one, two and three and four kisses
that reach the harbour
(as though) one and two and three and four birds
how I wished I had
one and two and three and four children
once they would all grow up
to become "dashing" lads, for Piraeus's sake
no matter how I search, I cannot find another harbour
to make me "wild" over, as much as the Piraeus
where, as soon as night falls, (it) pours out "songs" for me
and its "pen-sketches" changes, gets filled up with children
as soon as I walk out my door
there's no one I would not "love"
and as I go to sleep at night
I know that, I know that I will be dreaming of him (/her)
gems, on the neck I set
and a bead (as a) charm
for at night I await,
as I go out to the harbour
a certain "stranger" to find
no matter how I search .
https://lyricstranslate.com
The other ladies came over to see what the festivities were.
Woo hoo howled Maria and Delitha. The men had come over to the beach
for hot drinks and breakfast. “Ari, Ari, come see. The sand pads
are working well called Maria.Everyone was elated to see their friend
walking upright in the sand. Ari called Essie to him whispered something.
He called to Maria o save him four helpings of breakfast and they would be right back.
As soon as they got around a bid sand drift Ari kissed Essie
she responded back.
“I want you to come with me and introduce that little boy's Mama
and hime to me so they will not be so shy. Her husband works for me.
They will be living in the house of our father soon. It is almost ready
to mve into. I would like you to come with her up to the living space.
I want you to help her pick out colors and furniture so they will be comfortable.
Maria said for you to do that and she will get the other ladies here to
welcome the family. I hear she is a very shy woman and the little boy
does need friendship with the other children here.” Will you do that?
“You know I will. I even have a chocolate bar for him right now.”
© Julia A Knaake
Thoughts 7
Thoughts 7
My Angel Do Not Be Sad
My child. Why do you weep?
You are at peace now.
Father I hurt.
My child this is Heaven
there is no pain here.
Father I hurt in my soul.
My angel do not have tears
you are here to shine.
Father I am not worthy.
My child you are perfect.
I made you perfect.
Father I have flaws.
No My cherished child
It was time for you.
Father I left my loves.
My angel they have you
in their hearts forever.
Father I will not see them.
My child yes you will
You will see them every day.
Father I will not touch them.
My child yes you will
this is Heaven above all.
Father I will not see them.
Dear child you will see
your loves forever.
Father I will not hear them.
My child you are new here
you will be able to be with them.
Father my wing feathers fall.
My child each time your loves
see a feather they will feel you.
Father I feel better now.
Yes my child, you will feel the
warmth, the shine you are free.
Father thank you, I am home.
©Julia A Knaake
The Many Shades of Red
The color of blood spurting
violently from anger and rage
In danger from wrath and malice
The Many Shades of Red
Roaring fire heating the hearth
creating a warm feeling to bodies
with vibrant radiance of glowing logs
The Many Shades of Red
With the love, passion and desire
of two lovers longing with lusty
sexuality sensitized by romance
The Many Shades of Red
The strength of leadership with
courage, vigor and willpower creates
stress with determined action
The Many Shades of Red
©Julia A Knaake
Thoughts from He to She
You are attracted to the shy one
Do not tell me that M'dear
You are unique with star-like fun
Showing curiosity with no fear
Your sweet childlike purity
No way trying to be coy
That is a rare obscurity
Instead of the cunning ploy
Sadly all the women I am knowing
Keep what they feel under covers
You with wind blasted hair blowing
Have many unknown following lovers
Lady I feel you under value the worth
You have in and around your presence
At the very early hour of your birth
You emit a feeling of extreme pleasance
I find your vivid color of life compositions
To be more to me than just entertaining
Not even overtaken by cunning magicians
You unknowingly encourage our sustaining
Strength to carry on throughout the day
Our long unpleasant daily tasks at hand
Until we hear your sweet voice say
Today we will laugh as it is my command
©Julia A Knaake
Angel on the tree
Looking down
At you and me
Your presence
Is warming
So pleasant to see
Feeling the warmth
Seeing the glow
You spread smiles
To everyone you meet
Happiness spread
Fondest Memories
Always remembered
Eternal Angel
©Julia A Knaake
WE ARE US
YES WE ARE A PAIR
A PAIR OF LOVING PEOPLE
WHO WILL VALUE THE HEART
FEEL LOVE AND DEEPLY AWARE
IT'S NOT JUST THE WORDS
SAID TO FLATTER, JUST AGREE
WITH THE STATEMENTS, WE HEAR
OUR NEEDS ARE VERY SIMPLE
SIMPLE BUT DEEPLY OUR WANT
WE ALL NEED TO LOVE
BE LOVED. BE HELD. BE.
I CHERISH YOU WITH LOVE
COMPLETELY YOU ONLY YOU. YOU.
YOU ADORE ME WITH LOVE
YES I THINK WE ARE
BECOMING A PAIR, OUR HEARTS
SEEM TO PUMP MUCH OF
THE SAME FLAVOR OF BLOOD
WE LOOK AT THE MOON
SIMILAR SQUINTS OF THE EYES
TRYING TO SEE THE HORIZON
EACH TO THE OTHER LOVER
YES A PAIR OF PEOPLE
WHO EACH VALUE TRUE LOVE
IN THE DEEPEST FELT WAY
NOT JUST CASUAL FLATTERING WORDS
LOVE TO YOU! MY DEAREST.
FLY HIGH AND YOU SOAR
PLEASE DON'T SNAG A STAR
AND PULL IT TO EARTH
WE, OTHERS NEED STARS WHERE
THEY ARE TO GUIDE US
GUIDE US ON OUR WAY
WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE US
BEING DEEPLY LOVED BY ANYONE,
SOMEONE, THAT GIVES US STRENGTH
LOVING SOMEONE DEEPLY GIVES COURAGE
©Julia A Knaake
Imagination
You sit quietly
off in your mind
While all the rest
are loud and mouthy
Blaring Indistinguishably
Crazy Noises Abound
Your mind full of images
Ideas and sensations
Vivid images run wild
How would you eliminate
Those irritating images
With imagined changes
©Julia A Knaake
YES this is a count your blessings moment
Every time I don't get what
I want I pull up my cow gal boots
Jump on a dry cow pie
And float down the stream of life
Whatever way the stream takes me
To the left, the right or full speed ahead
God is the guide so we go by the map
©Julia A Knaake
Our Family Circle
Once one
Then two
We multiplied
Quickly grew
Outsiders came
Their needs
We helped
With love
Our friendship
Multiplied and
We Are Family
©Julia A Knaake
Premonition
Sometimes you just have a feeling
that something is amiss. A quiet veil
of stillness overtakes surrounding area
. You stifle any noises around your
personal space. It is quiet and soon
the idea enters your thoughts. No one
is there except you. No one speaks.
All is quiet. Sometimes moving images
fill your brain. It is like a short movie.
Everything happening you never saw before.
It never happened. You never thought of
anything like this would happen.
Shaking your head to free yourself
from this dreamlike idea. It gets tossed.
Somewhere in your brains files.
Then one day it comes true.
Even years later.
The whole short movie becomes true
It was real. On future hold. “Eureka!”
©Julia A Knaake
Natures Slipcover
Today the snow fell
The piles were high
Clouds quite dark
Children playing
Building snow balls
Sneaking up on friends
Tossing hard, laughing
They knocked em' down
Autos skidding to a stop
The skies threatened more
Some with power outages
A tree uprooted a line
Water power went down
The roof was booming
Snow crashing off trees
Sounded like freight train
Over our heads. Boom!
We ate dinner expecting
To use our candle light
Alas! Mother Nature
Changed her mind
Rain! first lightly
More steady now
What comes tomorrow
©Julia A Knaake
Thoughts 6
Thoughts 6
Laugh Within Your Heart
Smiling comes with a grin,
curving the lips up like a cup
that becomes infectious to all.
laugh within your heart...
Your laughter is always inside
just waiting to come out
and soon the merriment starts.
laugh within your heart...
First its a little hee hee -
a hey, drifting into louder
audible sounds
laugh within your heart...
It's creating a state not been in
a long while. Happiness is looking up!
Soon its contagious and you have a ball.
laugh within your heart...
Others whose happiness has died
will keep up a roaring bout
spilling smiles from their hearts.
laugh within your heart...
Always you will hear hurrah
we almost split our belt buckles
when your laughter made the rounds.
laugh within your heart...
© Julia A Knaake
The Garden Riders
Hello my name is Colette but call me Gigi
I love my rider and his gentle caressing touch
I am a motorcycle riding down the road
winding, twisting and turning every curve
My bright color is sexy candy apple red
we stop in the country in a colorful garden
The flowers are bold, ugly the will never be
the trees sway and the grasses are so mild
We stop to rest under the tall leafy trees
I rest and cool down while he has some lunch
My owner is pleasing and good to me
keeping me in running order very much
My rider is wiry and not a heavy load
he's smart and safe but with lots of nerve
A rider must be joyful and lively and not dead
our love for one another will never harden
My tires are the best that take us to see
all the countryside on roads that are wild
Riding along and singing in the cool breeze
my owner and I really like each other a bunch
© Julia A Knaake
Can collector
Tirelessly up and down the street
Mr. Sid busily collected the cans
toiling with his endless energy too.
collecting cans all day long.....
Every day he continually rummaged in and out
looking through all the boxes and large bins
walking the long streets with a shopping cart.
collecting cans all day long.....
His appearance is shabby but very clean
and to everyone he happens to greet
he will give all a large infectious smile.
collecting cans all day long..
...
Never from his mouth is anything obscene
even if someone spouts "you dirty bum"
you see he is not a bum, just a little poor.
collecting cans all day long.....
People notice his shoes big for his feet
others notice he also collects pans
for various animals and his dog "Boo".
collecting cans all day long....
.
" Mr. Sid, Mr Sid" all the children shout
circling around like sharks with big fins
they love him and he is so kind with a big heart.
collecting cans all day long...
..
He talks to them about not being hurtful or mean
then gives them balloons as they run down the street
waving and laughing because that's his style.
collecting cans all day long...
..
One day, in spanking brand new clothes, he was seen
collecting cans but in a truck, as he was not dumb
he won the big Lottery and was poor no more.
collecting cans all day long.....
© Julia A Knaake
Circle of you
Where does the future
of any human take them
when they walk the
twisting winding roads
of their life through
the ups and downs
of everyday living
turning at each bend in the path.
It is a fact that you are born live and die.
No one of us are able to change this cycle.
There is no way possible
because it is fact not fiction.
Some are born with a silver spoon
getting everything they desire
while others have nothing
but struggles every moment of their life.
Often the life you live is through circumstances
beyond your control often repeated by your
care takers although many pull out of this
repetitious circle making their lives better
and more bearable throughout the years.
When death finally takes you
often there are words about you
kind or unkind bringing you home full circle.
Do you know the circle of you?
© Julia A Knaake
Taunting to rule
the fear still lingers in the background
tauntingly reminding you what was there
with the mental and physical scars
...fear still taunting to rule
the slightest memory of an event
will open the forgotten memory banks
stiffening your nerves opening your senses
...fear still taunting to rule
the hairs on the back of the neck are wound up
and you pull and twist at your hair
the thoughts and memory of it still mars
...fear still taunting to rule
trying to forget is good for a difficult dent
and is working because you give thanks to friends
who help mending your fences
...fear still taunting to rule
© Julia A Knaake
Thoughts 5
Thoughts 5
A yellow Leaf
yes it is falling so very free
twisting and twirling all around
away from the sky so blue
using all its mighty power
finally unhinged from the tree
falling to the ground
to decompose and turn
a new and spring into a dear flower
© Julia A Knaake
To Dream
To dream of a good life
with the happiest of times
bringing all goodness within.
of someone that loves without hurt...
This can be a wonderful rewarding thought
inside chambers of the human heart
as you continue making it come true
of someone that loves without hurt...
It is very good to watch and wait
observing them from near and far
for the signs that are good or bad.
of someone that loves without hurt...
It is a hard task to do without strife
when the strong feeling climbs
your heart will tell you when it begins.
of someone that loves without hurt...
The heart flutters and soon is caught
into leaps and bounds and never apart
because your live now is never blue.
of someone that loves without hurt...
To dream of this one is not too late
when your heart does not want mar
because dreaming is not a passing fad.
of someone that loves without hurt..
© Julia A Knaake
Opposites Do Attract
With the good point being
even tho' on the opposite
ends of a teeter-totter of
interests and personalities
The true balance is when
they meet in the middle
the sparks do fly high
bombs burst in the air
Spring has sprung fire
from an ever yearning
eruption of volcanic love
and devotion for each.
© Julia A Knaake
Teacher
Oh my student may I say
go away strict and formal
come here free-flowing moves
dance in your own form
in your own personal expression
wear your chosen garments
perform barefoot, and
...skip and run
do freely come and dance...
with all your heart
and soul
dance...dance...dance
.
© Julia A Knaake
A Passion
A real passion can only
come from your own soul.
No one else can create
your passion because only you
are the creator. Others can guide
you gently or forcefully
but only you can create.
You must live your passion as only you can do
no matter what the consequences.
You alone are the creator.
You have to make it work for you
and only you are able to do this work.
Sometimes our passion leads others
to think we are quite loco
in our ideas and actions
but this is the real passion
that is coming from your soul.
You must learn that you and you alone
are responsible for your
passionate actions. You are your own
passionate person and you
must go for it like there is no tomorrow.
how will you know if you
never try to make your very own dreams
come true to you.
Life is beautiful and life is wonderful.
© Julia A Knaake
Lifted Away
The burden of sorrow has been lifted away
now that I feel you in my heart.
Our love shared
by one another will never be apart.
When I thought I would never hear
your sweet voice again my heart grew heavy
with sadness the tears springing
heavily down my warm cheeks.
The thought of never hearing your sweet voice
speaking names we had given each other
tore a hole into my soul and I felt my life
without you would be so empty.
Then what joy you gave me when you felt my sadness
and spoke reassuring to me
there would always be a way
for we are two halves that make up a whole.
You will always be in my heart
I will always be in your heart.
We share a bonded love
and will never be apart.
© Julia A Knaake
Thirst for learning
A new mission is always on our minds
A sponge ekes every new and wonderful thing we hear
The want to feel and experience everything new and dear
Wanting to reel it all in to feel smell and experience new
Why do you race we ask the driver at the race track
They say because it is exhilarating and fun to do
It is the thrill of the competition the win or the loss
Often the training and the sacrifices...
monies spent and lost on the race car
too many times away from home and loved ones
we look at the Kentucky Derby races and see all the
wonderful horses and wish they could all win..
but there will be success and heartbreak
as only one will be the winner on that big day.
What might be the next mission for you....
Do you thirst to learn....feeling and thirsting
© Julia A Knaake