Thursday, November 3, 2016

Life is Really Good

Life is good and has been for 77 years.
But, there have been a few times for tears.

Life is full and I've done it all.
But, I wish I could have visited Ireland's Dahl.

Life is marked by many creative endeavors and they were a ball.
But, why couldn't I have better at 'em all?

Life is fulfilled by my sons and their brides.
But, I love their five offspring for their special sides.

Life is many loving companions and each was unique.
But, I often did not appreciate their remarkable chic.

Life was good as a rover.
But, hey, it's not over.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

How I Feel About You .... It is True

It is True

Every time I made love with you, it was rapture.
It is true.
Every time I held you, it was warmth.
It is true.
Every time I smiled with you, it was happiness.
It is true.
Every time I fought with you, it really hurt.
It is true.
Every time we talked, it made us closer.
It is true.
Every time we made up, it was such relief.
It is true.
Without you, I am the loser and so are you.
It is true.
I don't know what to do, help me through.
It is true.


How I Feel About You .... It is True

It is True

Every time I made love with you, it was rapture.
It is true.
Every time I held you, it was warmth.
It is true.
Every time I smiled with you, it was happiness.
It is true.
Every time I fought with you, it really hurt.
It is true.
Every time we talked, it made us closer.
It is true.
Every time we made up, it was such relief.
It is true.
Without you, I am the loser and so are you.
It is true.
I don't know what to do, help me through.
It is true.


Tuesday, August 23, 2016

I Am Lonely Again

Life is periods of fulfillment; followed by loneliness.
T'is streaks of happiness; followed by floods of sadness.
I am lonely again.

Life is frenetic work; followed by calming rest.
T'is spikes of mania; followed by troughs of balm.
I am lonely again.

Life is filled with creativity; followed by moments of doubt.
T'is fraught with special outcomes; followed by nothing special.
I am lonely again.

Life is sometimes loving deeply; followed by streams of boredom.
T'is torrents of strong feelings; followed by peaceful coexistence.
Oh, I am lonely again.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Tommy and Jimmy Were Friends

I remember my first memories of the Hale Family Reunions.
Tommy and Jimmy were always in the way of the older cousins.
We were pals; ignored by 'em all.

I remember running between Grandpa's and Uncle Des' homes. There was food and drink everywhere and the adults were around the dinner table arguing politics, religion and war. 

I remember Tommy Quinn; cousin and friend.
He was older and wiser; never lordly, and always good to me. He seemed to be a favorite of my father; easy to have around.

I remember one trip between Mason City and Madelia. We were in the back seat of our 49 Ford Coupe; giggling while laying a trail of Dad's cigarettes all the way from here to there.

I remember Tommy and Jane playing tennis with Dad; the laughter was loud and the competition was keen. Dad loved these two young marrieds ; Jane was a special girl in our lives.

I remember Olio Margarine stored in the cooler in Hale's Super Market ... kneaded with yellow dye packets ... special contraband from trips to Iowa ... colored olio was unlawful in Minnesota!

I remember spending many an evening playing cards and board games in Tommy 'n Jane's Madelia homes ... we had a ball .... can you imagine laughter louder than that?   

I remember the cousin I sought out first at family gatherings. We had such a wonderful history together as boys and young adults. Tommy and Jane's family always came first; such a beautiful troupe all growing up in Madelia, Minnesota.  

I remember a Sioux Falls dinner party with Tommy and Jane. We had you over from Madelia to spend the weekend. Only after the lasagne dish broke in half and spilled onto the orange shag carpet, did we laugh so hard that our bellies ached and our eyes watered beyond belief ... what fun we had that weekend.

And, I remember that Tommy and Jane clearly loved one another ... and the boy and girls that sprung from that love. You have had a blessed life ... thank you for sharing it with Cousin Jimmy and The World. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Trips to Chicago

When I was a boy, I remember trips to Chicago
They were summer trips to see dad's bother-in-laws and SPORTING EVENTS.
I remember cousins Johnny and Ellenor and Uncle Louie and Aunt Marge.
I remember the Homewood house along the IC Railway.
I remember Johnny's upstairs bedroom overlooking the front lawn. 
And, I remember the kitchen where food was aplenty, card games galore and arguments went on into the night..

When I was a young lad, I remember coming of age in Chicago.
They were a teenage dream come true.
I remember riding in Johnny's convertible.
I remember our trips to The Indiana Dunes.
I remember Johnny's blond girlfriend with a great figure.
I remember her female friends who taught me "the rumble-seat ropes."

When I was an adolescent "man," I remember the games my dad loved.
On numerous trips to Chicago, we took the train to Soldier's Field to see the College All Star Game.
I remember the times when we cheered for Alex Karris, Paul Geil, Kenny Ploene, Willy Fleming, Paul Horning and Crazy-legs Hursh.
I remember attending White Sox games and Cubs games .... I once saw a triple play and a few grand slams.
I remember cheering for Minni Minoso, Jim Landis and Ernie Banks!
My father was a "sports nut," and it is genetic!

When I was an impressionable teen, Uncle Louie would take me past the jaguar Dealership on the way to his office.
He would promise me that someday I could have one of my own.
Hard work was the payment for such a luxury ... I remember wanting one so bad.
I remember visiting Uncle Louie's office at Illinois Bell ... he was so loved by his many employees, friends and co-workers.
I remember that he'd finish work early so that we could hop the subway (The El) to Wrigley Park to catch a Cubs-Cardinals game.
Uncle Louie was such a wonderful guy. He loved his sister, Al and the Hale children. I could feel his love.