" COUNTING SHEEP"

I WOKE IN THE NIGHT AND COULDN'T GET BACK TO SLEEP.

I TOSSED AND I TURNED AND I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

STILL I JUST COULDN'T GET SETTLED BACK DOWN.

SO I TWISTED THE DUVET AROUND AND AROUND.

FIRST PULLED IT THIS WAY AND THEN PULLED IT THAT.

THEN I THOUGHT TO MYSELF OH! MY PILLOWS TOO FLAT.

I PUFFED THREE TOGETHER THEN FOUND THEM TOO HIGH.

MY NECK IT WAS ACHEING I BREATHED OUT A SIGH.

OH! I'LL GET UP AND MAKE A NICE CUP OF TEA.

ADD A TEASPOON OF BRANDY TO HELP RELAX ME.

ON MAKEING MY WAY THROUGH THE HALL TO THE LOO.

I TRIPPED UP AND FELL OVER MY OLD PAIR OF SHOES.

STUMPED MY BIG TOE AND GAVE OUT A YELL.

WHEN I SAT ON THE LOO IT STARTED TO SWELL.

WHAT WITH THE SORE ANKLE AND NOW MY BIG TOE.

I WAS FEELING QUITE GRIM WITH THE TOE SWELLING SO.

I DECIDED I MUST GIVE THEM BOTH A GOOD SOAK.

HOPEING THIS WEEK ALSO MY TOE WASN'T BROKE.

AS MY ACCIDENT LAST WEEK LEFT ME WITH A HOBBLE.

NOW MY BIG TOE I'M ON A KIND OF A WOBBLE.

FILLED UP THE BOWL AND I DID A QUICK TWIST.

THEN I SEEMED TO FEEL SOMETHING CLICK IN MY WRIST.

THE WATER IT STARTED TO SPILL OR'E THE SIDE.

ONTO ME AND THE FLOOR AND I STARTED TO SLIDE.

SLIPPING AND SKIDDING I FELL IN A FLASH.

THE WATER TEAMED OVER AND I FELT A BIG SPLASH.

ARMS IN THE AIR I REACHED OUT TO GRAB.

HOLD OF THE CHAIR BUT I MISSED AND WENT MAD

THE BOWL HAD TIPPED ALL OF IT'S CONTENTS ON ME.

A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES GLAD KNOWONE SAWME.

DRIPPING WET THROUGH LIKE A DROUNDED RAT.

I WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DOWNSTAIRS FLAT.

QUICK GRAB SOME TOWELS I THOUGHT TO MOP UP.

MY TEA HAD GONE COLD BY NOW IN THE CUP.

WATER WAS EVERYWHERE OVER THE FLOOR.

IT STARTED TO SEEP UNDER MY LAUNDRY DOOR.

I GRABBED FOR THE TOWELS FROM A CUBOARD QUITE NEAR.

WHEN I DID THE SPLITS  AND SLIPPED BANGING MY EAR.

ON THE HANDLE OF THE OVEN JUST TO MY RIGHT.

I CAUGHT MY REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR WHAT A SIGHT.

MY HAIR WAS WET THROUGH MY NIGHTDRESS AS WELL.

MY ANKLE WAS THROBBING AND MY TOE NOW WELL SWELL.

I FELT LIKE I'D HAD A GOOD CLIP ROUND THE EAR.

THINKING BLIMEY IV'E BEEN KNOCKED INTO NEXT YEAR.

I WASN'T GETTING FAR SO THE TOWELS I THREW DOWN.

STOOD THERE ARMS FOLDED ON MY FACE A BIG FROWN.

ALL THIS BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET TO SLEEP.

THINKING NEXT TIME I'LL CARRY ON COUNTING SHEEP.

YOU KNOW ME BY NOW AND I DO LIKE A LAUGH.

WELL IT WASN'T VERY FUNNY SO I RAN A HOT BATH.

I FILLED IT WITH BUBBLES AND LAID DOWN TO SOAK.

THE WATER SO HIGH I HOPED I DIDN'T CHOKE.

AS I LAY THERE AND WONDERED  ABOUT THIS AND THAT.

I SAID TO MYSELF I LOVE MY DEAR FLAT.

IT OVERLOOKS THE SEA WITH A PADDLE IN VIEW.

AND I CAN PADDLE AS WELL  IN MY KITCHEN  TOO.

WAKEING EACH DAY AT THE CRACK OF DAWN .

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I STARTED TO YAWN.

THE NEXT THING I KNEW I WOKE UP FEELING FINE.

I'D DRIFTED TO SLEEP IN THE BATH IT WAS NINE.

SONEXT TIME I CARN'T SLEEP IV'E FOUND ME A  CURE.

I'LL SPILL A BOWL OF WATER ON MY KITCHEN FLOOR.

STUMP MY BIG TOE AND BANG MY LEFT EAR.

THEN MAYBE WHO KNOWS I MIGHT SLEEP TILL NEXT YEAR.

I'M TAKEING THINGS STEADY NOW ONE DAY AT A TIME.

I'M GLAD I'M STILL HERE THOUGH TO WRITE

"MY SIMPLE RHYME" .

HAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Astoriasand.

 

" SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP"

 

THIS WEEK I WENT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.

WITH MY LIST TUCKED IN MY PURSE.

SO HERE IS HOW MY DAY WENT.

WRITTEN AS USUAL IN VERSE.

A PINK LEATHER PLAY BOY WALLET.

WITH KEY RING FOB TO MATCH.

A FISHING STOOL FOR A FRIEND OF MINE.

TO SIT ON FOR HIS CATCH.

FOUR NOVELS FOR MY SISTER.

HAS SHE JUST LOVES TO READ.

AND IV'E CRAFTED HER A BOOKMARK.

WHICH LOOKS VERY NICE INDEED.

I STOPPED AT MARKS AND SPARKIES.

AS I LOVE A BROWSE AROUND THERE.

AND I PURCHASED SOME LOVELY FRILLY'S.

IN THE FORM OF BLACK  UNDERWEAR.

AT THE SPORTS SHOP I BOUGHT A SWEATSHIRT.

FRED PERRY PALE BLUE WITH STRIPES.

AND ALSO A MATCHING SMALLER ONE FOR

THIS PERSONS DEAR WIFE.

NIKE HAD SUCH A LOT OF CHOISE.

SO THIS PRESENT EASY TO GET.

AND a SELECTION OF PASTEL NOTEPAPER.

INCLUDING THE LITTLE NOTLETs.

I USUALLY INSERT STAMPS WITH THESE.

THEN THIS PERSON HAS NO EXUSE.

TO WRITE EACH WEEK AND TELL ME.

ALL OF THE LOCAL NEWS.

THE LIST SEEMED NEVER ENDING.

BUT I STILL PLODDED ON MY WAY.

I KNEW I WOULD BE WEARY.

BY THE ENDING OF THE DAY.

SHOPPING ONLINE IS EASY.

BUT I LOVE TO TOUCH AND FEEL.

THE QUALITY OF THE GARMENTS.

AND SEE THEM ALL FOR REAL.

I STOPPED FOR A CAPPACHINO.

TO REST MY ACHEING BACK.

WITH A CRUMBLY FLAPJACK THAT TASTED GOOD.

I LOVE MY MORNING SNACK.

OFF ON MY WAY AGAIN I STROLLED .

THE BAGS WERE GETTING MORE.

MY FEET THEY STARTED ACHEING.

AND MY HEELS WERE FEELING SORE.

STILL I HAD TO CARRY ON.

AS I WASN'T GOING HOME.

WITHOUT HALF MY LIST ALL BOUGHT AND TICKED.

OR THEN I KNEW I WOULD MOAN.

SO I CALLED INTO THE HANDYMANS.

A GARDEN SIGN TO CHOOSE.

WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE PRINTED ON.

THE PRICE IT WASN'T GOOD NEWS.

OH! BLOW IT I SAID TO THE HANDYMAN.

GO ON  IT'S BUT ONCE A YEAR.

AND WHEN THEY OPEN IT CHRISTMAS MORN.

I KNOW IT WILL BRING THEM  CHEER.

WITH THAT ALL ORDERED AND PAID FOR.

I THEN SKIPPED ACROSS THE ROAD.

TO THE MINI BANK TO ASK IT NICE.

SOME MORE NEW NOTES TO UPLOAD.

COR BLIMEY! I DO LOVE GIVING.

BUT IT'S GETTING RATHER DEAR.

EVERY TIME CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND.

I VOW I WON'T DO IT NEXT YEAR.

WELL NOW IT IS HERE AGAIN SO QUICK.

I'VE SOFTENED ONCE AGAIN.

AND MY SHOPPING FOR HIM AND HER AND THEM.

MY LIST IS  ALMOST THE SAME.

I BOUGHT ROLLS OF CRINKLY PAPER .

IN SPARKLING PINKS AND BLUES.

RIBBONS CHIFFON TO WRAP ROUND THEM.

AND SOME SANTA CARRIERS TOO.

FOR A FEW GOODIES FOR THE CHILDREN.

ADDED EXTRA'S TO POP IN.

PLUS A VARIETY OF WONDERFUL COOKIES.

IN A GAY COLOURED CHRISTMAS TIN.

I MANAGED TO GET MY LOAD HOME.

JUST DROPPED THEM ON THE MAT.

GOT CHANGED INTO MY EVERYDAY CLOTHES.

AND SUNK DOWN FOR my AFTERNOON NAP.  (HA).

OH! DEAR THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST TRIP.

BUT I'LL HAVE TO MANAGE SOMEHOW.

I DIDN'T DO TOO BAD AT ALL THOUGH.

AS I'M HALF WAY DOWN MY LIST NOW.

TOMORROW INTO ANOTHER TOWN.

THEN I'M HOPEING THE LOT I'VE GOT.

WHO SAYS ITS A PLEASURE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

TO SHOP TIL YOU DROP.

HAAAAA!!  NOT ME !!

Astoriasand.

 

 

 

"THE PHONE CALL"

             "THE PHONE CALL"

I HAD TO MAKE A CALL A REFERANCE NUMBER TO GET.

THIS WAS MY WORST EVER PHONE CALL YET.                   

THE USUAL RECORDING TELLING WHICH KEYS TO PRESS.

SO I DID THIS CORRECTLY BET YOU'VE ALREADY GUESSED.

A VOICE SAID WE ARE BUSY.

THERES A TWENTY MINUTE WAIT.

WHILST I WAS STOOD THERE WAITING.

I WAS THEN TOLD TO PRESS EIGHT.

A VOICE THEN SAID SORRY I SHOULD HAVE PRESSED TWO.

THEN THIS FORIEGN CHAP CAME ON.

AND SAID CAN I HELP YOU.

HE ASKED ME FOR MY HOUSE NUMBER.

POST CODE AND ALL THAT.

I SAID IT'S NUMBER SEVEN.              

NOT A HOUSE BUT A FLAT.

OH! RIGHT HE SAID CAN YOU PLEASE.

JUST HOLD THE LINE.

I SAID IF YOUR NOT LONG.

THEN THIS WILL BE FINE.

IT WAS AGES BEFORE HE RETURNED TO THE LINE.

I WAS ALMOST OUT OF PACIENCE BY THIS FLIPPING TIME.

WELL LETS JUST SUPPOSE MY NAME IT IS WHITE.

I'D TOLD HIM THREE TIMES BUT HE COULDN'T GET IT RIGHT.

SO HE ANSWERED MRS ROBINSON I CANNOT FIND YOU.

I'LL JUST GO ASK MY BOSS MAN WHAT I HAVE TO DO.

I WAS REALY ANNOYED AS I WANTED IT RIGHT.

SO I SHOUTED OUT WAIT!!! MY NAME IT IS WHITE.

HE SAID OH! OF COURSE I'LL TRY AND GET THAT RIGHT.

LEAVE IT WITH ME I WON'T BE A TICK.

I ACTUALLY THOUGHT HE WAS TAKEING THE MICK

WHEN HE RETURNED HE ASKED ME MY NAME.

I SAID IT'S NOT CHANGED IT'S STILL JUST THE SAME.

I TOLD HIM AGAIN MY NAME AND FLAT SEVEN.

AND I LIVED ON THE COAST AND NOT COUNTY DURHAM.

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO BE TOLD.              

ONCE AGAIN HE REPLIED I AM PUTTING YOU ON HOLD.

I THOUGHT TO MYSELF I CARN'T BELIEVE THIS.

WILL HE EVER BE  RIGHT OH  HOW I DO WISH.

FORTY MINUTES PASSED HE STILL HAD NO CLUE.

WHERE I DID LIVE AND A NAME GIVEN NEW.

LETS ALL REMEMBER MY NAME IT IS WHITE.

BUT  ROBINSON HE SAID I WAS SO WOUND UP TIGHT.

HIS VOICE THEN ECHOED VERY QUICKLY AND SAID.

CAN YOU PLEASE RING TOMORROW

MY COMPUTERS GONE DEAD.

WITH THIS I YELLED OUT OH! THANKS VERY MUCH.

IS THIS ALL THATS OFFERED WHEN I GET IN TOUCH.         

HE REPLIED WELL I'VE PUT YOUR DETAILS IN NOW.

AND I'LL TRY TO HAVE REFERANCE BY MORNING SOMEHOW.

THANKYOU MRS ROBINSON FOR CALLING OUR LINE.

HAVE A GOOD DAY TILL WE SPEAK ANOTHER TIME.

NOT LIKELY I SAID WELL NO WAY WITH YOU.

YOU SOUND A RIGHT CHIMP AND BELONG IN THE ZOO.

I PUT DOWN THE PHONE AND SAID Grrrrrr GIVE ME STRENGTH

I'LL MAKE DO WITHOUT A FLIPPING REFERANCE.

SO MY NAME NOW IS ROBINSON INSTEAD OF BEING WHITE.

AND MY ADDRESS NUMBER THREE HE'S STILL NOT GOT IT RIGHT.

THIS PHONE CALL TOOK UP AN HOUR OF MY TIME.

AND I WASN'T EVEN GIVEN AN 0800 FREE LINE.

SO NOW I'V DECIDED TO WRITE A FEW LINES.

YES I'M GOING TO SEND HIM A SIMPLE RHYME .

I'LL SEND IT FIRST CLASS SO QUICK TO ARRIVE.

WELL THATS IF HE'S STILL HERE AND HE'S STILL ALIVE.

INTO HEAD OFFICE EXPLAINING MY CALL.

I BET YOU THOSE MONKEYS DON'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL.

I'LL WAIT FOR MY REFERANCE BUT WON'T BUILD UP HOPE.

COS BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR THE BOSS MANS A DOPE.

                     

SATISFACTION I'LL GET GIVING  MY PIECE OF MIND

WRITTEN QUITE PLAINLY IN MY SIMPLE RHYME.

Astoriasand.

HAAAAAA!!!  IT WASN'T FUNNY THEN.

BUT I CAN LAUGH NOW.

                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

         

                       VIVA WINNERS!!!!

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WINNER.

WE ALL KNOW THIS IS TRUE.

SO TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE WON IN YOUR GROUP.

I'D LIKE TO "CONGRATULATE"  YOU.

ALSO TO SAY A BIG THANKYOU.

TO TWO LADIES WHO'VE  WORKED HARD AT THIS.

AND LETTING US ALL KNOW THE NEWS TODAY. 

NO CHAT ROOM ON SATURDAY WE'LL   MISS.

ANOTHER  THANKYOU TO EVERYONE.

WHO VOTED FOR MY BLOG TOO.

I'M PROUD OF MYSELF AS A PENSIONER.

AT MY  BLOG BEING NOMINATED THROUGH.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS TODAY.

LETS ALL OF US BLOGGERS SHOUT LOUD!!!!!.

YOU ALL DESERVE WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED.

YOU ALL SHOULD  BE VERY  PROUD.

YES WE KNOW THERE  ARE LOTS OF BLOGS SPECIAL.

BUT YOURS HAVE THAT LITTLE BIT MORE.

THATS WHY US BLOGGERS VOTED FOR YOU.

AS THE SPECIAL ONES WE ALL ADORE.

ONCE AGAIN  " CONGRATULATIONS ".

SHOW YOUR  WINNING GRAPHIC WITH PRIDE.

RIGHT THERE IN YOUR JOURNALS.

IN ABOUT ME SECTION AT  SIDE,

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND CELEBRATE.

TELLING YOUR FRIENDS ONLINE.

AND THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO EVERYONE.

WHO VOTED FOR KATH'S SIMPLE RHYME.

I REALY DID APPRECIATE THIS .

NO WORDS CAN EVER EXPRESS.

AND I HOPE WE ALL GET OUR PROBLEMS SOLVED NOW.

AS  AOL'S  BEEN  IN  A MESS.

I KNOW SOME WILL BE  DISSAPOINTED.

AT NO CHAT OR VIVA BALL.

SO I'M  SAYING MY GRATEFUL THANKS HERE RIGHT NOW.

TO EACH OF YOU ONE AND ALL. 

FOR NOMINATING MY JOURNAL

SORRY I DID'NT COME FIRST.

but I LOVE MY HOBBY OF SIMPLE RHYMES

AND NOW I'M DYEING OF THIRST. (HA)

SO I'LL CATCH YOU ALL LATER EVERYONE.

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME.

 I'M HAVING MY CUP OF TEA NOW.

 SO BYE

FROM MY SIMPLE RHYME .

WOOPEEEEEEE  WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!

Astoriasand.

 

 

 

"GAMES WE WOULD PLAY"

   GAMES WE WOULD PLAY.

I'VE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOLDAYS TODAY.

OF NO PARTICULAR YEAR.

SO HERES MY RHYME I HOPE YOU ENJOY.

AND THE PICTURES I'M PLACING HERE.

MY SUBJECT TODAY IS OF GAMES WE WOULD PLAY.

I'M SURE YOU REMEMBER THEM TOO.

I DON'T SUPPOSE I'LL NAME ALL OF THEM.

BUT HERE ARE JUST A FEW.

SKIPPING TO RHYMES IN THE PLAYGROUND

US HAPPY GIRLS BACK THEN.

AND THE LADS HAVING FUN WITH THERE MARBLES

BOLLIES GLOGGIES REMEMBER THEM.

ANOTHER GAME WAS THE WHIP AND TOP.

ON TOP A PATTERN WE'D DRAW

IN PASTEL COLOURS WITH the CHALK.

I'VE NO IDEA REALY WHAT FOR.

WE WOULD SET THE TOP OFF SPINNING.

ROUND IT WOULD WIZZ SO FAST.

WHIPPING IT HARD TO SEE IT SPIN.

HOPEING YOURS STOPPED UP LAST.

HERE'S A BRILLIANT PICTURE.

OF A GAME WE'VE ALL PLAYED IN OUR DAY.

DO YOU REMEMBER DRAWING ONE .

ON THE PLAYGROUND OR ON THE CAUSEWAY.

HOPSCOTCH DO YOU REMEMBER GIRLS.

BET MY LIFE YOU DO.

WELL FOR THOSE OF YOU HERES A PICTURE

JUST TO SHOW ALL OF YOU.

WHEN SMALL AND WE WERE IN NURSURY SCHOOL.

A FAVOURITE ALSO OF MINE.

WAS RING A RING A ROSES.

I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW THAT RHYME.

OH! AND NOW SPRINGS TO MIND ANOTHER  ONE.

BUT I NEVER COULD GET THE KNACK.

TWAS A TINY BALL AND A SHINEY SET.

OF FIVE LIKE STAR SHAPES  NAME OF JACKS.

THEN SINGING ORANGES AND LEMONS.

WE WOULD ALL LINE UP IN A ROW.

UNDER THE ARCH OF TWO JOINED HANDS.

WE WOULD ALL BOB AND GO.

THE IDEA WAS THAT THE VERSE WAS SUNG.

THEN THE HANDS BROUGHT DOWN AND CAUGHT.

THE LAST MAN GOT HIS HEAD CHOPPED OFF.(HA)

WELL THIS IS WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT .

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE ONE CALLED PICK UP STICKS.

I'M AFRAID I'D FORGOTTON ABOUT THIS.

SO I'LL JUST POP IN THE PICTURE.

THEN THERE WAS THE YO-YO

UP AND DOWN THIS DID GO.

MOVING IT GENTLY WITH YOUR HAND.

NOT FAST JUST PRETTY SLOW

ALSO TWO BALLS AGAINST THE WALL.

RECITEING AS WE DID SEND.

THEM BOUNCING UP ALTERNATLY.

HOURS ON END I HAVE SPENT.

THERES MANY MORE I COULD MENTION.

BUT MY RHYME IT WOULD NEVER END.

SO I HOPE YOUV'E ENJOYED YOUR TRIP BACK IN TIME.

REMEBERING HOW WE'D PLAY

AND I HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED THE MEMORIES.

IV'E PLACED IN MY RHYME TODAY.

Astoriasand.

 

 

THE MAKEOVER

                     "THE MAKEOVER "

IV'E NOT HAD MANY FRIENDS IN LIFE.

BUT ONE I'D LIKE TO NAME.

HAS BEEN SO VERY KIND TO ME.

AND NEVER DOES COMPLAIN.

SOME DAYS SHE  IS NOT GOOD YOU KNOW.

BUT SHE BATTLES ON AND TRIES.

NOTHING IS TOO MUCH FOR HER.

AND SHE NEVER EVER PRY'S.

WELL TODAY I THOUGHT IT MY TURN.

TO GIVE HER A LOVELY TREAT.

SO IV'E BOOKED FOR HER A MAKEOVER.

SO SHE WILL LOOK SO NEAT.

THE APPOINTMENTS IN THE MORNING.

I KNOW THIS WILL BE FINE.

SHE'S A VERY BUSY LADY.

BUT I CAN CATCH HER ANYTIME.

SHE DOES HAVE THE ODD PROBLEM.

OF HER OWN I MUST CONFESS.

AND SOMETIMES SHE GETS ALL WORKED UP.

LIKE ME IT COULD BE STRESS.

SO THE MAKEOVER WILL BE IDEAL.

DON'T YOU ALL AGREE.

JUST A LITTLE THANKYOU.

FOR BEING KIND TO ME.

SHE NEVER NEVER ARGUES.

OR NEVER ANSWERS BACK.

WHEN TROUB;ED SHE GOES SILENT.

TILL SHE FEELS RIGHT BACK ON TRACK.

SHE VERY PLEASANT TO LOOK AT.

MODERN SLIM  AND BRIGHT.

HER FACE IS FULL OF COLOUR.

EVEN ON A NIGHT.

I'M PRETTY HARD OF HEARING.

BUT SHE ALWAYS SPEAKS SO PLAIN.

I NEVER HAVE TO ASK HER.

TO SAY THAT LINE AGAIN.

I'M HOPEING WHEN THE MAKEOVER.

IS FINISHED AMD COMPLETE.

SHE'LL ACT SO VERY DIFFERANT.

AND FEEL BETTER FOR HER TREAT.

ODD TIMES SHE KINDA HAS ATTACKS.

AND FINDS IT HARD TO TELL.

JUST WHATS REALY WRONG WITH HER.

I PRAY THAT SHE GETS WELL.

I TELL HER I DO HOPE THAT.

THIS THING WILL SOON BE GONE.

BECAUSE I THINK THE WORLD OF HER.

SHE'S SECOND BEST TO NONE.

SO IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND LIKE MINE.

WHY NOT DO THE SAME.

TREAT HER TO A MAKEOVER.

IT REALY IS YOUR GAIN.

SHE'LL REPAY YOU WITH HER KINDNESS.

AND NEVER LET YOU DOWN.

BETTER TO SMILE ALONG WITH HER.

THAN WEAR A MISERABLE FROWN.

BY THE WAY HER NAME IS E. MACHINE.

SHE'S CHANGED MY LIFE SO MUCH.

SHE'S MY VERY DEAR COMPUTER.

WHO KEEPS ME SO IN TOUCH.

WITH FRIENDS AND ALL YOU BLOGGERS.

I FOLLOW EVERY DAY.

SO I'M HOPEING AFTER TOMORROW .

IN TIP TOP SHAPE SHE'LL STAY.

NOW WHEN YOU RISE EACH MORNING.

THINK OF MY  SHORT RHYME.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE WITHOUT YOURS.

AND SPEND A LITTLE TIME.

GIVE HER A NICE MAKEOVER.

SHE THEN WILL ACT  LIKE NEW.

BECAUSE I KNOW WITHOUT HER.

YOU ALL WOULD BE SO BLUE. Haaaaa!!!!

AstoriasAnd.

 

"THE OLD FASHIONED TIN BATH "

ONCE AGAIN I AM JOTTING A STORY.

WAY BACK FROM THE PAST.

IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY.

HOW TIME GOES BY SO FAST.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT OUR BATH NIGHT.

WHEN I WAS JUST A KID.

ALL NIGHT LONG BOILING WATER.

THIS IS WHAT MOTHER DID.

KETTLES ON THE COAL FIRE.

COPPER SET POT SHE HAD TO FILL.

GO OUTSIDE AND GET THE BATH.

OFF THE WALL NEXT TO  WINDOW SILL.

WHEN THE WATER WAS BUBBLING AND BOILING.

SHE WOULD FILL THE BATH NEAR TO THE TOP.

GET OUT A PIECE OF LINOLEUM.

AND ONTO THE FLOOR SHE WOULD DROP.

THE BATH WAS MADE OF TIN BACK THEN.

THREE FOOT OVAL OR OBLONG IN SIZE.

BUT IT WAS SOMETHING SHE WAS REAL KEEN ON.

WE WERE CLEAN AND SHONE WITH PRIDE.

ME AND MY SISITERS THEN LINED UP.

ALL FOUR OF US IN A ROW.

FOR OUR TURN WAITING ALL TO BE SCRUBBED.

ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.

I REMEMBER SHE USED ON US LIFEBOUY SOAP.

NO PERFUME OR ANYTHING AS SUCH.

SHE COULDN'T AFFORD THOSE LUXERIES.

FAMILIES DIDN'T HAVE MUCH.

SHE WOULD THEN WASH US ALL REAL THOROUGH.

RUBBING OUR HEADS LIKE MAD.

THEN TOOTH COMBED OUR HAIR AFTERWARDS.

WINDING IT UP IN RAGS.

THIS WAS TO MAKE OUR RINGLETS.

OR OUR HAIR SO CURLY AND NICE.

OR SHE'D PUT IT IN PLAITS IF WE WANTED.

SO WE DIDN'T GET ANY HEAD LICE.

ONE AT A TIME SHE'D THEN  DRESS US.

OUR NIGHTIES IRONED AND  ALL WARM.

THESE HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE FIREGUARD.

TO KEEP US FROM FLAMES AND HARM.

THEN HOME FROM THE COAL MINE MY FATHER WOULD COME.

BLACK AS THE ACE OF SPADE.

HIS DINNER PUT OUT ON THE TABLE.

IN AN EARLIER HOUR MUM HAD MADE.

AFTER HE'D EATEN THE MEAL THEN.

WE SISTERS WENT INTO THE ROOM.

MOTHER WOULD THEN HOT THE BATH UP.

FOR FATHER TO GO IN SOON.

WHEN DAD WAS ALL CLEAN AND SPOTLESS.

HE WOULD SIT ME UPON HIS KNEE.

AS I WAS THE YOUNGEST OF ALL THE FOUR.

SO HIS BABY HE USED TO CALL ME.

HE WOULD THEN TELL US ALL AN OLD STORY.

<FONTCOLOR=#800080>

MY SISTERS ALL GATHERED ROUND.

EXCITED WE  SAT THERE IN SILENCE.

NOT A WORD OR ANY SOUND.

WHEN MOTHER HAD CLEANED THE BATH OUT.

AND PUT THE LINOLEUM AWAY.

HE WOULD GO HANG THE BATH ON THE NAIL  AGAIN.

READY FOR NEXT BATHEING DAY.

HE'D PLEASANTLY THEN SHOUT COME ON GIRLS.

UP THE DANCERS WE'LL GO.

THIS MEANT THE STAIRS UP TO OUR BEDS.

VERY TIRED HE'D FOLLOW UP SLOW.

ALL TUCKED IN AND GIVEN A KISS.

GOODNIGHT AND GODBLESS WE DID SAY.

HE WOULD THEN ANSWER YES MY LITTLE LAMBS.

ALL YOU THANK GOD FOR THIS DAY.

HARD TIMES BUT HAPPY WE'D DROP OFF TO SLEEP.

ME THINKING I KNOW WE ARE POOR.

BUT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF LOVE IN OUR HOME.

THE BEST GIFT OF ALL I'M SURE.

AND EVEN TODAY I THINK YOU'LL AGREE.

HOW LOVELY IT IS TO SEE.

CHILDREN ALL BATHED AND CUDDLY AND WARM.

AS ME AND MY SISTERS THREE.

THE TIN BATH MIGHT HAVE BEEN UGLY.

HARD WORK FOR MOTHER AND DAD.

BUT IT KEPT US ALL SO SPOTLESS AND CLEAN.

IT'S THE BEST THING THEY EVER HAD.

MYDAD USED TO SAY TO US DAILY.

IN A HUMBLE SORT OF A WAY.

BE THANKFUL FOR THESE  SMALL MERCY'S

IV'E REMEMBERED IT TO THIS DAY.

SO SIXTY YRS ON AND DOWN THE LINE.

I'M WRITING AGAIN WITH PRIDE.

ABOUT  OUR GOOD "OLD FASHIONED TIN BATH".

WHICH HUNG ON A NAIL OUTSIDE

HA HA I CAN LAUGH NOW.

ASTORIASAND