Oh dear!!! Not in right mind at moment....sorry Songbird, of course it's you!

Bram.

Follow Your Dream

Follow your dream...take one step at a time
And don't settle for less, just continue to climb.
Follow your dream...if you stumble don't stop
And lose sight of your goal, press on to the top.
For only on top can we see the whole view
can we see what we've done and what we can do
can we then have the vision to seek something new...
Press on, and follow your dream.

~ Amanda Bradley ~

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Each Life Affects Another

We may not always realize
That every thing we do,
Affects not only our lives
But touches others, too!

For a little bit of thoughtfulness
That shows someone you care,
Creates a ray of sunshine
For both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
Someone a helping hand ...
Every time you show a friend
You care and understand ...

Every time you have
A kind and gentle word to give ...
You help someone find beauty
In this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
And loving ways bring love;
And giving is the treasure
That contentment is made of.

- Amanda Bradley

“It only takes one smile to offer welcome...and blessed be the person who will share it.
It only takes one moment to be helpful...and blessed be the person who will spare it.
It only takes one joy to lift a spirit...and blessed be the person who will give it.
It only takes one life to make a difference...and blessed be the person who will live it.” - - Amanda Bradley

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"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!" - Amanda Bradley

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Always Have a Dream

-amanda bradley-

Forget about the days
when its been cloudy,
but don’t forget your hours in the sun
Forget about the times
you’ve been defeated
but don’t forget the victories you’ve won
Forget about mistakes
that you can’t change now
but don’t forget the lessons
that you’ve learnt
Forget about misfortunes
you encountered
but don’t forget the times
your luck has turned
Forget about the days
when you’ve been lonely
but don’t forget
the friendly smiles you’ve seen
Forget about the plans
that didn’t seem
to work out right
but don’t forget
to always have a
dream.

Before the Ice by Emily Dickinson

"Before the ice is in the pools,
Before the skaters go,
Or any cheek at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow,
Before the fields have finished,
Before the Christmas tree,
Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!"

I like Emily Dickenson but had never seen that one Renee, it's lovely, thanks!

Bram.

Christmas in the Olden Time by Sir Walter Scott

Heap on more wood! — the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We’ll keep our Christmas merry still.
Each age has deemed the new born year
The fittest time for festal cheer.
And well our Christian sires of old.
Loved when the year its course had rolled,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all his hospitable train.
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honour to the holy night:
On Christmas eve the bells were rung;
On Christmas eve the mass was sung;
That only night, in all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donned her kirtle sheen;
The hail was dressed with holly green;
Forth to the wood did merry men go,
To gather in the mistletoe,
Then opened wide the baron’s hail
To vassal, tenant, serf, and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And ceremony doff’d his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose.
The lord, underogating, share
The vulgar game of “post and pair!”
All hailed with uncontroll’d delight
And general voice, the happy night
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
The fire with well dried logs supplied,
Went roaring up the chimney wide;
The huge hail table’s oaken face,
Scrubb’d till it shone, the day to grace,
Bore then upon: its massive board
No mark to part the squire and lord.
Then was brought in the lusty brawn,
By old, blue-coated serving-man;
Then the grim boar’s head frowned on high,
Crested with bays and rosemary.
Well can the green-garbed ranger tell,
How, when, and where, the monster fell;
What dogs before his death he tore,
And all the baiting of the boar.
The wassail round in good brown bowls,
Garnished with ribbon, blithely trowls.
There the huge sirloin reeked: hard by
Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas pie;
Nor failed old Scotland to produce
At such high tide her savoury goose.
Then came the merry masquers in,
And carols roar’d with blithesome din;
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong.
Who lists may in their mumming see
Traces of ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visor made
But oh! what masquers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
’Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
’Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft would cheer
A poor man’s heart through half the year.

(From Scott’s epic poem Marmion, 1808)

Bram

Thanks for the poem Bram. I really like it a lot. It is beautiful! From your friend, Renee.