The Real Me: Joanne W. IversonHe dreamed about her last night.
She called him on a whim.
He was glad she had.
Why did he still light up when so many years and loves had passed?
Why did she call?
She loved the photo he sent to her of his latest find at the flea market.
A beautiful, old-fashioned ladies jeweled purse.
Like the one she would have kept to recall their last date.
And her most cherished memory of him.
Here are the lyrics from “I’ve Been Here,” a song written by Charles Dumont, Michel Vaucaire and Earl S. Shuman and recorded by Barbra Streisand. Happy New Year, all.
Draw me no maps, vow me no vows
No vague “Perhaps,” just here and now
Tomorrow’s dream is not my dream
It comes too late and I can’t wait.
The river runs with one remark
“Get on your way, it’s growing dark.”
And so I live to have my way
To get and give each burning day.
And if in time I find my love
He’ll find that I’m no frightened dove, and then, too soon, young love is passed
It’s tender leaves fall off too fast.
Each rising hill, each falling stream
Cause to fulfill each day’s new dream
Some brighter road to fly along
Some stronger wine, some wilder song
And when I’m gone don’t shed one tear
The world will know that I’ve been here.
Merry Christmas to all! Here’s a special story about something that has become quite an adventure for me and my husband Millard. Since April 2023, Millard has collected grandfather clocks – big clocks, little clocks, even statues made from clock parts. I’ve included some pictures below for you to get a peak at our wonderful collection!
Millard combs through Facebook Marketplace to see what is available, and anything within driving distance is good for us! He takes the clocks apart, pivots the various cabinets and disassembled clock ware to fit into our car, and puts them back together once we are back in our house.
In all, we now have 35 clocks and they are a joy to behold, situated in various rooms on our first and second floors.
For me, particularly, they have developed distinct personalities. And they have inspired the story below.
The Story of the Boy and the Clocks
The little boy and his little dog entered the house filled with clocks. Very quickly, he realized that he could not find his way out. He was scared. He then finds the Queen clock to help him – but she is closing down for the night. “Go away, little boy, and your little dog, too!” she chimed.
The little boy rushed into the hallway to find his way to another room. He found a very pretty clock who said out loud, “Call me Rosy Vivien, sit here with Rosy Vivien.” But the little boy walked away, still frightened.
He then walked into the next room and saw nine little soldier clocks, standing at attention, starting and playing out their chimes, doing their best to outdo their nearby sister clocks. He stepped back when his little dog bit at them, teasingly. He then returned to the room with the Queen, who had decided to wake up and let in the curious customers like him who wanted to examine all the amazing chimes and bells. Still, the little boy was frightened. But now the Queen reassured him, “Please don’t be afraid, for I can show you big grandfather clocks just delivered from Santa for special people like you.”
The little boy was thrilled. No longer scared, he returned to the room with the solider clocks and discovered then that something had disturbed them and they had stopped marching. Their hearts were slowing down, and their pendulums were slowing to the beat. All the other clocks in the room looked up and frowned.
The little dog barked loudly and the boy tried to fix the clocks but he couldn’t. That’s when Mr. Millard came with more clocks – and he fixed the solider clocks in no time. And the little boy was no longer afraid.
