So for today, it started out with the potatoes. My sister, God bless her, gave me a bag of potato eyes this year. She had been saving those darned things for months. Her intent was for me to become a farmer. Of course, I didn’t want to disappoint her so off I went in search of a suitable spot to make a potato bed. Mind you it was that time of year when the flies are as thick as thieves and by the time I finished, I swear I weighed in at 10 pounds less then at daybreak.
But back to the potato planting … what were those instructions? Did she say 6” apart or 6” deep and was I supposed to till the soil or dig a trench. Hmmm! I shall be living off the land come Fall.
The Quilt on the Back of the Chair
During the shelf project, I starting thinking about old treasures – comfort, feel good, things; things that bring back special memories. Mabe’s birthday is coming soon and with that I pictured an old patchwork quilt and the words of a poem kept coming to mind. With shelves up and still time left in the day, I started writing. It will be her birthday present.
The Quilt on the Back of the Chair
© 2018 Beulah Peyton Bouzane
(originally written for Mabe, a treasured friend)
Our friendship is like a handmade quilt
Which never shows signs of wear
For the threads are strong
And the bonds we’ve made
Are stitched with love and care.
Even when troubles are testing our souls
And there is nothing either can do
The quilt of friendship
Has wrapped around
To somehow see us through
The colours are bright and cheerful
Each block is a story told
And in the middle
A layer of warmth
That weathers every cold
And just to know we each stand by
Whether tears or laughter we share
A warm handclasp
Which always holds true
Like the quilt on the back of the chair
At the End of the Day When the Night Closes In
What a wonderful day! You see what I mean by that feeling of accomplishment, that satisfaction one feels at the end of the day when the night closes in. I don’t recall when this all started for me – the day, the month, not even the year. I just know it was a long, long time ago. I made a commitment to myself that every day I would do something. Not something so grand that it would be unrealistic or unachievable. It could be as simple as washing the dishes, helping a neighbor, planting potatoes, writing a poem or building a shelf – but it had to be something.
When the Night Closes In
© 1971 Beulah Peyton Bouzane
At the end of the day when the night closes in
I want to look back and know
I accomplished something no matter how small
And that it allowed me to grow
I want to be sure at the end of the day
I’ve caused no hurt or pain
that I’ve reached out and in some small way
have been part of another’s gain.
I want to be sure when twilight comes
When I stop to rest a while
No matter the cares that came my way
I’ve taken time to smile
