GATI GREETINGS 2024/2025
GATI GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU
and a HO HO HO from SAN FRANCISCO
This is to say “Good-bye” to the year
and to make 2024 very clear.
I write this poem sometimes when mad.
I write it sometimes when feeling sad.
I write it as a word game, too.
It’s like a journal — all that we do.
I write it from beginning to December.
It helps my memory just to remember.
It makes me think. It makes me stop.
Like bubbles in a bath when they quickly pop,
there’s beauty in unexpected times.
I’ll share with you this year in rhymes.
OLYMPICS
19 days of relief we had
from politics, the 33rd Olympiad.
Women’s gymnastics Simone Biles, Sun Lee
We were glued to our computer and TV.
Synchronized divers - the Chinese excel
Many of our divers also did well.
Stephen Nedoroscik on the pommel horse spun.
He charmed us as he did everyone.
So many athletes were great but especially
Record-holder swimmer, Katie Ledecky.
Skateboarding, basketball, breaking, cycling,
International competitions — all exciting.
Sports are not our usual treat
Sometimes, however, we go out to eat.
We go to museums, the opera, movies,
I get together with retired colleagues.
We also to Golden Gate Park like to go.
It’s close and a very nice outdoor show
NOBEL PRIZES
NIHON HIDANKYÖ
The group that won the Peace Prize, to keep the world nuke-free —
Atom bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Han Kang from Korea, for Literature she won.
Fiction, essays, poetry . That’s what this woman’s done.
We’re moving along in science. All hail and please arise.
Let’s acknowledge those this year who won the Nobel Prize.
The one that’s given for Chemistry
Was for AI research in Biology.
HASSABIS, JUNIPER, BAKER - three men
Came up with answers, not easy for them.
Molecules in protein cells, Micro RNA --
A look at their structure - Protein Folding Code, they say
Future applications are in new technology,
medicine, energy, and sustainability.
The sun’s entire surface is now possible to see
From NASA’s SOLAR ORBITER and European Space Agency.
Here is the sun’s corona, we saw in the total eclipse.
Wow is this amazing, what this image depicts!
WAR
War is hell! The question is why?
Why do we know that, yet people still die?
For causes we may understand but still know
That after it’s over, the pain doesn’t go.
All is a loss, the destruction, the lives,
Emptiness, rubble, no smiles, just cries.
It seems right now there’s war everywhere
On a global scale, it’s a daily scare.
Civil strife in Myanmar, fighting in Sudan
Ethiopia, the Sahel. Armenia-Azerbaijan.
Israel in Gaza and Lebanon,
No cease fire or hostage returns - something’s wrong.
Russia in Ukraine; gangs in Haiti,
Taiwan, a country? U.S. - China rivalry.
Political backing, we have the funds,
How long before we start sending weapons?
Terrible times in the country UKRAINE.
Thought it would end. Are the Russians insane?
Our missiles, our bombs, our ammunition.
They do the fighting against the Russians.
They took the Crimea in 2014
Now they want everything else in between.
Led by Putin since 2022.
Zelensky says, they’ll fight till they’re through.
Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol,
Kyiv, Odesa, and towns that are small.
Destruction, madness, these are real wars,
Residential buildings, schools, and stores,
Churches, power plants, farms, hospitals
Objectives: territory — this war fulfills.
Not so different the ISRAEL-HAMAS war,
People are dying, seems hopeless. What for?
Oh yes, Palestinians want a homeland
And not to be governed by the Zionist’s plan.
The October 7th invasion by Hamas
Solutions are not an easy coin toss.
Hostages still held, resentment reigns.
Both sides do have legitimate claims.
Too many people have died, poor civilians.
Tragedy in Gaza for those Palestinians.
We see the pictures online and on TVs
This fighting continues. Why can't they cease?
But oh how awfully sad I feel.
The stories transmitted, I know are real.
What about hostage/prisoner exchange?
Oh so difficult to agree and arrange.
What about after the war, some new rules?
Will there be wisdom or voices of fools?
As I sit here, safe in my home.
Nothing I can say in prose or a poem
That would make a difference, but wish as we may
The war will stop, and for PEACE we pray.
The students had their say — tent camps and loud protests
A Palestinian state and down with Zionists.
Biden made his thoughts known to Netanyahu
To bring an end to the conflict — Arab vs Jew.
Too much blood has spilled. Anger remains.
The longer the war goes on, for sure no one gains.
Can they get farther, beyond who’s to blame?
It seems for now, no, and that is a shame!
Is there anyone ready and is anyone willing
To stop the killing? STOP THE KILLING!
One year on, when things had gone far,
Israeli forces killed Yahya Sinwar.
From Gaza, Hamas’ October 7th attack,
He was the architect, with a target on his back.
Would the hostages then be released?
Could the war stop - could it be ceased?
Was Israel ready, after all they’d done?
Killed Ismail Haniyeh in Iran,
Killed Hezbollah’s Nasrallah in Beirut.
These were their leaders, their sweetest fruit.
Was this the time to talk of “Peace”,
Not easy to find in the Middle East?
But when is ever a “best time” to try
As innocent people continue to die?
Things change in places all over the earth.
I can’t keep track of each death and each birth,
But one thing is SYRIA, there is no doubt
Bashar al-Assad and family are out.
The rebels’ offensive paid off, now to seize,
New opportunities, return of refugees.
I try to keep current; more news will appear.
I will continue with updates next year.
MOSTLY POLITICAL - DONALD TRUMP
The hush-money payment case remains with us yet.
A memory from this year, we cannot forget.
The story is this: TRUMP told Michael Cohen to pay
STORMY DANIELS to be quiet; to go away,
Cover-up of their affair. Say it wasn’t true.
One hundred thirty thousand dollars, would certainly do.
DONALD knew; he planned the scheme
And said the money would never be seen.
He lied, said, “’s for my presidential campaign.”
That didn’t fly. His lie was so lame.
GUILTY on all counts, the jury agreed.
On all 34 crimes, GUILTY indeed!
PRE-ELECTION
BIDEN and TRUMP on my birthday they met
At 6 o’clock our time, the CNN set.
For a debate. started off very weird.
BIDEN’s voice groggy and soft as we feared.
And somewhat too fast his words got slurred
Making it seem that his thinking was blurred.
Then came the DONALD, his plan was no doubt:
“Don’t answer the questions. Just keep blurting out
Nonsense and lies, and do be absurd.
Do it with gusto, just look assured.”
The two questioners tried to stay on time
Asked about abortion, immigration, and crime.
About inflation, and whether the vote would be
Something that this time TRUMP would agree.
TRUMP answered no question, was on constant attack
And JOE looked like he had been stabbed in the back.
BIDEN tried to answer with statistics and facts
TRUMP praised himself and his low corporate tax.
BIDEN started off nervous, looked like everything went wrong.
But things did get better as the time went along.
But that was too late, the damage was done
Some even were thinking that he shouldn’t run.
It hardly could be called a real debate.
‘Twas a performance.TRUMP thought himself great.
‘Twas style over policy. BIDEN didn’t know that
And TRUMP was as clever as a smart alley cat.
He knows to show energy, his presence, his command
He was a puppeteer with the strings in his hand.
The only thing I have to say
Both were campaigning the very next day.
Joe was just fine with the teleprompter and crowd
And DONALD did his thing, feeling quite proud.
There was some talk to replace the nominee
But only a few at the DNC
Got on that bandwagon. Donations rolled in
And off they both went, each hoping to win.
BUT . . .
The real surprise, an assassin shot at TRUMP
While he was campaigning, he was on the stump.
A tragedy averted, a bullet missed his head
An AR-15 rifle, almost killed DONALD dead.
Punched his fist in the air, showed he lived to fight,
Luckily in that moment he turned to the right.
It braised TRUMP’s ear, killed one man, injured two.
The Secret Service is at fault, should’ve known what to do.
THEN . . .
Republicans held their “elephant” convention
Milwaukee was ready. It was their intension
To crown their King DONALD as the party’s nominee
With MAGA hats, ‘merican flags, & “keep our country free.”
Donald thanked God for divine protection
Then forward he moved for the rest of the election.
TRUMP was there nightly, bandaged one of his ears.
He presented his choice for VP to loud cheers.
J.D. VANCE from Ohio, a Senator comes he,
A young Marine, conservative, a wife and family.
Speaker after speaker, they shouted, “U S A!”
Country Western music — all in constant play.
The Trump boys spoke, Ted Cruz, Tim Scott,
Franklin Graham prayed, Hulk Hogan did what
A real entertainer would do in the end.
Showed off his TRUMP shirt “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
TRUMP was the real show, his 90-minute rant
We heard his words: ‘Bout unity he can’t!
His dark view of this country — I call it “Trumpified”.
He could only criticize, his method’s to divide.
BIDEN OUT KAMALA IN
An unexpected move, JOE BIDEN, he did,
Agreed to step down from his Presidential bid.
KAMALA said she was rarin’ to go
Awakened the interest in the young and the old.
A former prosecutor with a certain toughness,
Some say she’s tenacious and also fearless.
She was a Senator, a Deputy D.A.,
D.A. in San Francisco, so now you may say,
“That makes me lean, in her direction.
I do like her, yes, though she's not perfection.
But she’s a woman and that is appealing.”
Her speeches, meetings, town halls, all revealing
Her stands on the issues, her personality.
We watched, then we voted. The majority
Worried about housing and inflation,
The state of the economy in our nation;
Healthcare, immigration, national security,
Democracy, autocracy, and Christian purity.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, years and years in D.C.
Made history himself, left an incredible legacy
As Senator, as VP, and as President.
A bad debate, age, Covid. So he went
And spoke to the people, decided not to run
Held out for the term and then said, “I’m done.”
BIDEN backed KAMALA, his own loyal VP.
She welcomed it and saw it as a great opportunity.
For 4 days straight, I watched TV
The goings-on at the DNC,
There in Chicago with speakers galore
All to show what the Dems stand for.
The National Anthem the Dixie Chicks sang
On the final night, KAMALA, did her “thang”
TIM WALZ, her choice for the VP
Her acceptance speech done exceptionally.
“I know where I stand,” she noted right and wrongs.
“But I also know where the U.S. belongs.”
What a great kick-off for her campaign!
Trump must’ve been worried ‘bout how he could gain
Votes in the election by November 5th
I had hope, felt Joy. It’s KAMALA I was with!
GUNS
I get my cues from the families
Of Sandy Hook parents who’re begging us, please
To all join in their anti-gun campaign.
Let me now, try to you explain.
Too many shootings and too many guns
Congress should ban assault weapons.
Regulate ghost guns, separate pieces and kits,
Unserialized, untraceable, no requisites.
Expand background checks. Raise minimum purchase age.
Ban high-capacity magazines. Do engage. Show your rage.
Tell those in Congress: “Pass Federal laws now.
Otherwise more die. Speak up. We all know how.
“Historic relief” BIDEN called it, we learned
American hostages to home returned.
The Germans, part of this spy exchange
Complicated but, it was arranged.
U.S. and Russia, it benefited each,
So difficult these results to reach.
NEWS OF THE CLIMATE
While “Helene” then “Milton” cat 5 storms destroyed
Houses and highways, treating trees just like toys.
From Florida to North Carolina we see
People drowned, winter events, oh so many!
In Nepal, floods and downpour for days.
Roads and bridges, all washed away.
No food, no water, homes gone, people died.
Rescuing those with no place to abide.
Climate change made it 10% more intense.
Science deniers say it makes no sense.
The problem is fossil fuels; the atmosphere’s warming.
It’s holding more moisture; we must then take warning.
Our country’s suffering, so China & Taiwan,
India, UAE, also Oman.
Those who are smart are asking for change.
Those who deny it, are somewhat deranged.
Pay attention to those who refuse
To listen to science, ‘cause then we all lose.
Kudos to Britain, to coal, said farewell
On September 30th, good news they could tell.
142 years it’s been around
The last coal-fired power plant, stopped and shut down!
Deadly flash floods filled the streets in Spain.
Valencia in one day, a year’s worth of rain.
Thousands evacuated, livelihoods shattered,
hundreds died, mud, debris. What was the matter?
Houses were ruined, cars washed away,
No question - climate change. No more to say!
THE ELECTION Tuesday, Nov. 5
Waited and waited for Election Day,
Hoping to put something new into play:
A woman President, my hopes were high,
But after the votes came in, numbers don’t lie.
The Republican DONALD TRUMP did surprise us
As more and more votes he got, upset I was.
Stayed up past midnight; It got very late.
The numbers kept growing; there was no debate.
Electoral College votes, more than he needed.
Got the popular vote, too, so KAMALA conceded.
He thanked his supporters, so now it begins.
We feel bad and sad. We lost and he wins.
Another four years — his mission is clear:
Immigrants, watch out!. You’re not welcome here.
He’ll raise the tariffs on goods from abroad,
Undermine NATO, stop domestic fraud,
Drill baby drill, get oil from our soil.
No care for climate change, air they will spoil
While corporations say, “No harm in that.”
And their bottom line grows, real big and fat.
Restrictions on abortions, women shan't decide,
Laws passed so once again, some folks must hide.
Education under fire; public schools must go.
Tax breaks to the rich; they’re the folks you know.
You are a felon, been impeached twice before.
Keep out of jail. Just lock the White House door.
Things you have said that you plan to do.
As “dictator on day one” - yes that will be you!
In charge of health care, it’ll be RFK
He’s anti-vaccinations, throws science away.
For ELON MUSK, it’s TRUMP’s newfound friend,
He’ll give the job, to inefficiency end.
He now gets all the government contracts
An insider who knows how to slap those backs.
He made a big deal ‘bout the economy.
So DON the Miracle Man. We’re waiting to see.
In fact, stop the wars, make peace with Iran,
Tell Putin where to get off. Oh yes you can!
We all will be watching. Show what you’ve got.
We wish you good luck. It’s for this you fought.
Advice we can follow; KAMALA was right
“Fight fueled the campaign, but don’t concede the fight.”
The analysts say, they knew all along:
‘sthe economy, stupid. That’s what was wrong.
It came down to what EGGS and GAS COST
As the ultimate reason why Democrats lost.
TRUMP’s a felon, a phony, and a liar to boot.
His “Hush Money Trial” over; most don’t give a hoot.
The jury found him guilty, business records falsified.
He never seems to tell the truth. That means that he has lied.
Three cases still he faces, two ‘bout voter fraud.
One in the state of Georgia, the other much more broad.
He wanted the 2020 election to be overturned
He said that BIDEN didn’t win and all those votes he earned.
He wanted all the legit votes be thrown out by Mike Pence
And thus we know his crime’s defined as “interference”.
He encouraged supporters to the Capital go
“On Jan. 6th, storm it. That you’re mad as hell, show.”
When TRUMP left the White House, classified docs took,
Obstructed the government, when they came to look.
More litigation will follow this man,
But now that he’s won, he’ll pardon whom he can.
First is himself, then fellow followers in jail.
We’ll see in January, “Hail our President, hail!”
His reply this: “It’s a daily renewing.”
Usually his day ends at 2 in the morn,
but then he sleeps through like a baby newborn.
Takes ZOOM classes; has a writing routine,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays - with seniors he’s seen.
Autobio memories and poems he writes.
at Ruth’s Table Gallery, sometimes Thursday nights.
Still plays computer chess and analyzes games
Watches great players with such chess champ names
As DING LIREN and MAGNUS CARLSEN,
Wins lots of matches; has fun with them.
Loves to go for coffee at Peet’s
Drives to Noah’s Bagels, at Lakeshore, there eats.
Stays up-to-date on news of the day
By hearing what the Hungarians say;
On HIR-TV, they rant and complain
Gets their perspective on ORBAN ’n' UKRAINE.
Spends lots of time on his FACEBOOK feeds
Posting his own thoughts, and messages reads,
Watches FOX and YOUTUBE and NETFLIX,
Music, opinions, trailers, film clips.
Had a heart scare, went to the ER
But that’s a place he’d rather be far.
Trying to keep healthy, tries not to fall
Takes many pills for bp and cholesterol.
GURDJIEFF is still his go-to philosophy.
Keeps close to friend GEORGE emails regularly.
I support him; he supports me.
It’s still the two of us - FRANK and SALLY
DAVID this year turned 51,
Childhood is over, and midlife has come.
Works on movies, for the Testing Group, a QC
Tests DVDs, Blu-rays for compatibility.
For the Heart Association on their website,
Did DEI work so as to make it right.
Decided to prepare for and not to wait,
Enrolled in two classes at Dominguez Hills State
Online courses, to teach at a college
Teaching Film Studies and using his knowledge
Of specific films and theoretical stuff.
He prepared coursework, and it was tough.
Wrote the syllabus with objectives and a test,
Learned actual techniques, and what works the best.
Re-wrote his resumé, did a cover letter to use
And what to expect when he gets interviews.
Out of his comfort-zone, “taught” for a class,
Enjoyed it, learned things, and yes, he did pass.
Now he’s quite ready to join in a pool,
To find a job opening at the right school.
Listens to podcasts — politics, movies,
Goes to the AERO, great movies he sees.
Likes the after-show, the Q & A s
Directors, actors, writers of screenplays.
Tries to keep healthy, takes daily walks,
Keeps in touch with us, with daily talks.
Drove up to see us, a few days got away,
That was in April, ’twas a short stay.
October his birthday, flew up from LA
LANA flew from Texas to SF on the Bay.
Breakfast in Pacifica at the Fairfield Inn
Ocean walk on the sandy shore, Nature is a win.
FRANK, DAVE and I went to BAMPFA in Berkeley
Democracy Noir, anti-Orban documentary.
Saw his friend Les, drove out to Concord.
Old times and politics — they never get bored.
Three days only, but a lot to remember.
Bussed it to SPIRIT at LAX
Red eye at midnight, “All’s well” said his text.
Called and said, “till 1 we’re delayed.”
Did take off, flew all “night”, safe landing made.
Walked from Chelsea to midtown Broadway
Back again to Fairfield Inn, hotel he stayed.
Walked again to the play, "Juliet and Romeo",
Had his ticket & his seat, did enjoy the show.
Walked back to his hotel tired but satisfied.
Seems quite able to get around. He’s his own tour guide.
Disaster is my Muse was the documentary
About Art Spiegelman, shown at the IFC.
Dave had a ticket; Art was in the house.
Q&A covered comic art and MAUS.
Walked about an hour so he could see
International Center of Photography.
“Ode to New York”, nice exhibit, they did hang,
And signing her own books — Jessica Lange.
His hotel had NETFLIX, Emilia Perez on
And Sunday got up early, but not before dawn.
Walked around Chelsea, got food, thought he’d see
Went over but did not go in the Whitney.
Found his way to the train, to Newark to fly.
Caught his plane back to LA., bade the East Coast good-bye.
SALLY’S LIFE ANALYZED
My computer desktop is a tell-all
of what’s on my plate winter, spring, summer, fall.
Divided in folders that say what is me
Most of it relates to family.
One fourth is about MATILDA’s Trust
As a co-Trustee, being such so I must
Keep track of court dates and lawyer’s requests
My sweet aunt’s children are doing their best
With greedy intentions they hope they will win
But I’m not willing to just give in.
Something I really hate to do,
Accepting an outcome, that never was true.
They started this foolish litigation
In hopes to win by intimidation.
If they were so keen on making me the foe,
They should’ve tried this trick, many years ago.
It’s my cousin DEBBIE and her husband STEVE.
They’re underhanded. That, I believe.
I had to give a deposition
to their lawyer; ‘twas an imposition
but necessary to get this court case closed
November 22nd , all facts exposed.
With nothing to hide and the truth be told
December 18th, I in the courtroom
My lawyer always appears on ZOOM,
Another long year will have gone by.
They want a settlement. I say, “Nice try!”
And so it continues; the lawyers get paid
No matter how many appearances I’ve made.
A second fourth of my computer screen
My brother’s artwork — I hope can be seen.
CK Contemporary is the gallery where a few
Of DAN’s paintings are. They’re lots you can view.
I made a catalogue, on Shutterfly.
“Exhibits” his paintings — they’re not just to buy.
This is a first step to letting folks know
That I am quite ready his paintings to show.
If you are curious and want to know where,
click on this link. It’s an online share.
As I age and see all my things
I think of the value of each and it brings
Feelings of . . . well, this is tough.
So I decided to catalogue stuff.
African artifacts, carvings, textiles
Drums, masks, and puppets, linens in piles,
Things from around the world — all truly prized
Identified by place, date, size — finally organized.
The first was my brother’s art; took photos of all.
The second were paintings and things on each wall,
In closets and cupboards, on shelves on display.
I catalogued with photos and an index, a wa
To see in one place what we had acquired.
’Twas a big job, and it did get me tired.
But after these two, another plan I had.
All the music that belonged to my dad.
His name was Sam. He played the violin.
To look at his music, a way to begin
To know his repertoire and compositions.
Studies and etudes and practice positions.
First I pulled out each separate drawer,
was overwhelmed as I saw more and more.
So revealing, my dad’s music life
And how Ella organized all — what a wife!
Both are gone and their legacy is mine,
But now that I’ve a catalogue, I’m feeling fine.
Having this organized and it’s all done
Is like a lottery that I have won.
The other half has my photos and files,
KEVIN SMITH book notes, documents in piles,
Folders of trips, and Kaiser notes,
Pictures from everywhere - planes, cars, and boats,
Financial info, forms I might need,
Poems I’ve written, and dates I must heed,
Benedict Canyon before the sale
and copies of accounting and important mail.
Films I’ve made, house inventory,
Catalogues of art work, for each a story.
Memories of trips and past good events,
A city outing or our stays in tents,
Folders for friends, for FRANK and for DAVE,
Never-ending old stuff, plus new paths to pave.
I can see clearly with what I am dealing.
Look at your own, it’s really revealing.
On June 17th did in ophthalmology
DR. NEIMEYER, cataract surgery.
95% promise that after would be
A plastic replacement to improve what I see.
True now for distance I have no need,
But computer glasses plus those just to read.
Had a tooth pulled, then put on a crown.
Nothing’s as good as was there the first round.
As we get older, always something to fix.
I drove down to Pebble Beach, at Spanish Bay
Stayed overnight ‘cause RONDA did pay.
Such a nice birthday, March 19th together.
We ate and talked, you know, “birds of a feather”.
Seven hours, Highway 5, yes, we dared
to drive to LA, August 3 to 11th stayed
Giving me time to record what Dan made.
At Santa Monica airport shot Dan’s big art,
Cleaned up the back space and organized part
of the Barker Hanger; I had a plan.
Welcomed to see the place — that was BETH ANN
We talked about DAN and what I could do
I said my job was to follow through.
Took some short day trips, highlights of each:
Festival of Chariots, Hari Krishna, Venice Beach.
Dinner with RONDA Italian food had;
Japanese Museum, donburi, not bad.
Delivered Francis’ prints to auction LAMA
Woodland Hills visit to GEORGE & MARTHA.
LANA, this year became 59
Still in the workforce. She’s doing just fine.
Selling for hotels, she knows this “biz”
Thought she’d try something else, but no wiz
At “senior housing” — trained, tried it out,
But after a few weeks, she was in doubt,
So back to selling for hotels again —
Phone and computer, at this she can win.
On hot Texas days, she swims in her pool.
Watches movies on NETFLIX, those she thinks are cool.
To S.F. for DAVE’s birthday came she.
And returning for Xmas with TONY ’n RILEY.
They’ll be here after a Portland stay,
Her sister DEELYN, she’ll see on the way.
A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN did appear
People excited from Mexico to Maine,
The moon although smaller, the size seems the same.
From Earth’s vantage point as we looked to the sky,
The moon was moving, its shadow, oh my!
Covered the sun with darkness, yet a glow
The sun’s atmosphere looked like a halo.
The corona was there, four minutes of fun.
People clapped and danced until it was done.
TONY (65) at the Marriott Fairfield Inn,
As manager, that’s where he longtime has been.
Likes his job, good at it too.
His staff is well-trained and knows what to do.
He plays golf, cooks and gardens, likes to read,
Loves his granddaughter — yes indeed!
Now lives at home, soon must find his career.
After graduation, went with TONY and brother MATT
On a European sojourn, and really liked that.
Stayed in England with his aunt, then went to Amalfi,
The beautiful coastline in old Italy.
Had fun, got sick, as all travelers do,
But learned a lot and has broadened his view.
In March he came to San Francisco
Hung out with MATT, his older bro.
They came for dinner in our dining room
Then talked to LANA and TONY on ZOOM.
ALAN & STEPHANIE (36) VALPONI
(She’s the daughter of Frank’s son ZOLI)
Live in Modesto, they and their dog
In central California, away from the fog.
KELEB’s now 11 and their other boy
Is in high school. His name is TROY (14).
ALAN’s still working for GALLO wine
And STEPHANIE’s working for E Co online.
FRANK keeps in touch, thanks to FaceBook.
This picture’s so nice. Y’all take a look.
My good friend DUANE HUDSON died. He was a fellow PCV.
Teachers in Lagos, Nigeria - United Christian Secondary.
Brings back memories, 1964 it was.
Our travels, our visits - for 60 years it does.
Every year as we get older, the kids next door get older as well.
There’s SAMMIE 8 and JOSEPH 5 with both moms KATIE ’n' MICHELLE.
We just love those two cute boys. They visit when they’re not in class
Or playing Lacrosse, learning the flute, or practice making a soccer pass.
We watch a movie or read a book
Draw pictures or eat something I cook.
Watching them grow up is lots of fun
Amazing to notice, so different each one.
Here’s a small story about a small tree —
Planted for my mom, a Meyer lemon for SHIRLEY.
We named it “Little Cytron”, pet project of mine
Almost died many times, finally one sign:
A tiny lemon was growing, noticed one day.
Happy to see it, we thought how we may
Have made it past all problems. But “Holy shit!”
Someone cut the branch with the lemon on it.
How could they see it as they walk by?
Behind the succulents, off to the side?
How easy from happy to sad were we.
Every time we looked at our little lemon tree.
But then in October on another green stem
A little green lemon appeared again.
Watching it daily, our hope was renewed,
And we smiled again, as it slowly grew.
So much to write, but nuf sed for now.
Get used to the President. I don’t know how.
Here’s wishing that people in the world do want peace.
Here’s hoping for fighting in wars will soon cease.
Here’s positive thinking that you will just be
Strong and steady, clear-thinking, healthy.
Here’s to a new year when days will be filled
With worthy happenings that make you thrilled.
Be grateful for friends and close family.
You’re in our thoughts.
FRANK, DAVE, & SALLY
It's been one
ReplyDeleteheck of a year alright! Good luck to us all in 2025. I have a hunch you will have plenty to write about. I think about your sweet mother often. My first Christmas all by myself but I am making a good friend of myself. Starting to stabilize. Best wishes to you and yours.