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1.1k · Mar 2014
A Cute little squirrel...
Judypatooote Mar 2014
Up on the roof top, a squirrel sat.
I stared at him, and he'd stare right back...

He shook his bushy tail, and across the roof he'd run.
but there he was again, I think he thought it fun...

He'd make a funny noise, like he was scolding me.
Again he shook his tail, and ran away with glee...

The next time that I saw him he was climbing in my tree.
This cute little squirrel, was playing a game you see...

by ~ Judy
True story....
1.1k · Mar 2015
THE TREES...
Judypatooote Mar 2015
The weeping willow, the maple
and the black walnut tree...

Reach out their branches
as if to say...

It's Spring! I just woke up
and I'm going to be...

The prettiest tree that
you will ever see...

The willow is weeping
for it's arms are very long...

They blow in the breeze
but they're not very strong...

The maple, her beauty
it shows in the fall...

Red, yellow, orange
and she grows very tall...

The black walnut it stretches
out over the field...

And is quite happy to provide
the squirrels next meal...

Their buds are just popping
as they reach for the sky...

Sharing their beauty
with the naked eye...

by ~ Judy
I wrote this poem last Spring....but I have moved and don't get to watch these trees bud any more...but I have this poem to remind me...another memory...
1.1k · Oct 2014
THE FIREPIT...
Judypatooote Oct 2014
The memories that were made around
THE FIREPIT
My husband had a great idea
I'll build a FIREPIT
It will be like camping.
So with the help of my dad
They dug the hole,
Added built in benches
It was grand...
We had breakfast, hotdogs, chili
Oh yes, Marys chili
She made it on our FIREPIT
We  added neighbors, and all our kids.
Of course samores were a big hit.
One night we hauled the little
Black and white TV out there
And watched THE BLOB....
With our just popped popcorn.
Back then SCARY.......
The stories that were told
Around that FIREPIT
Solving the worlds problems
Which seemed pretty simple back then.
The neighborhood was like a family.
The FIREPIT was a gathering place
for laughing, sharing stories,
And eating....
~
By judy
Fall was pretty special when my kids were growing up....cool evenings required a fire in the FIREPIT, with family and friends.
1.0k · Aug 2016
MY GREAT GRANDPA PETE...
Judypatooote Aug 2016
My great grandpa Pete
was a handsome man

I would look into his eyes
and somehow understand

His hair was all white
and his eyes power blue

He spoke only German
But I always knew

That he loved me, for you see
He would always share his rock candy with me.

He gave me a doll
with a painted face

It was made of oil cloth
and had no lace

It's torn and ripped
but that doesn't matter to me

Because when I look at that doll
It brings back a memory

My only memory
of my great grandpa Pete

My doll and my candy
Now isn't that SWEET?

by ~ Judy
My great grandpa Pete lived with my grandma....i would stop by after school and sneek up to see great grandpa Pete...a great memory...
1.0k · Mar 2015
THE ICEBOX
Judypatooote Mar 2015
American restoration....

While watching the program
American Restoration
An icebox was brought in
To restore, into a wine cooler.
A young man who was helping
To restore it, was puzzled.
Where did the ice come from?
There were no cords
We oldies forget that young people
Never had to use an ICEBOX.
This is my memory of
"THE ICEBOX...."
It was an insulated metal box,
Just like the one being restored.
Once a week THE ICEMAN
Came out to our cottage
In a big Insulated Truck.
To deliver a big block of ice.
I was always so excited to see him
Because he would always chip off
A large piece of ice for me.
That was what kids now call
A Popsicle.
The iceman would carry in the block of ice
And put it in the icebox for my mom.
And that ice would keep our
Milk, meat and eggs
Cold for a week....
~~~~~
Let me add that American Restoration
Did a beautiful job
Turning the icebox into a wine cooler...
They added refrigeration,
Shelving, and a cord.
and the ICEBOX it was no more...
American Restoration is a program on FYI station, and it will surely be back a memory or two...people bring in something they found at a sale for them to restore....an antique coca cola vending machine, an old antique coffe vending machine...turning them into something beautiful.
Judypatooote Dec 2014
When I was just a little girl
I'd wish with all my might...
That I might hear those jingle bells
Ringing in the night...
A stomping and a ** ** **
I'd know that he was real...
Oh yes, I do believe I heard
One of the reindeer squeal...

The room in which I spent the night
Was cold and filled with apples...
While hiding under the blankets so warm
I'd sneak a bite, well just to sample...
I finally fell a sleep that night
With dreams of what I'd find...
A bride doll, perhaps with brown hair
She was a beautiful sight...

Christmas morning I'd wake up at dawn
And creep on down the stairs...
The tree was lit with colored lights
And tinsel everywhere...
I'd hear a tinkling sound from bells
Bells hanging on the tree...
Oh I do believe in Santa Claus
For my bride doll was waiting for me...

by Judy
I know I posted this the first of Dec. but it's such a great memory, I'm posting again...along with a MERRY CHRISTMAS to all...PEACE be with you...
942 · May 2014
MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Judypatooote May 2014
MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I'm telling you I love you,
and thank you for all the
loving things you did for me...

MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
You were a mom who always
put me first.
I didn't realize it them...

MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I want to call you and say
go to the basement,
a storm is coming...

MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
What is that recipe
for plum cake?
Oh and also the tomato pudding...

MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Thank you for being such
a wonderful grandma to
my children...

MAMA CAN YOU HEAR ME?
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
I miss you oh so much...

~~~
by ~ judy
To my mama who was always there for me...
937 · Mar 2015
MORNINGS..
Judypatooote Mar 2015
Morning is my favorite time of the day.
I'm always up early, downing a *** of coffee.
Time to take my Buddy out to play.
The sun is just coming up.
Buddy grabs his stuffed animal.
Today it was a giraffe.
And off we go down the street.
Buddy and me with my coffee cup.
The birds are singing, it's music to my ears.
How can such a little creature sound so beautiful?
It's funny how while walking you can see
nature in action. Tree's poppin, birds singing,
squirrels racing around the tree, for one has that one
walnut that fell off the tree.
Oh look theres two, three, four Mallard ducks,
on the ground under an evergreen...yes
fighting.
Walking by the creek I see a muskrat swimming,
and then dives into the hole on the side which would
be his home.
And Buddy look here comes another dog called Smokie
We meet and Buddy and Smokie wag tails and sniff
noses, and off we go in different directions.
By now I'm holding Buddys stuffed giraffe,
an empty coffee cup.
Home we go.
Now i'm ready to start my day.

~~~~~~~
by ~ judy
I wrote this last year...
Judypatooote Apr 2014
Bringing friends together,
in a Tea Room by the Bay...
The Tea Room was a chicken coop,
way back in it's day...
It even has hats and dresses
perhaps you want to play,
Bringing friends together,
For that delicious cup of Tea.
In a Tea Room that's so specical,
you want to stay all day....

by ~ judy
This tea room was made out of an old chicken coop, that has a round roof, like half a circle...the decorations are so precious, it is such a warm pleasant place to enjoy your friends. Thanks to Dee who makes it so special...
Judypatooote Jul 2014
Are we ever happy with
Mother Nature?

The Autumn leaves
So many
just fell off the tree,
With No color...
Color is what Autumn is all about
Mother Nature...
OR
What! It's 90 degrees out, this is fall,
When the weather should start to turn cold.
And you start a fire in the fire pit
Smell the Autumn leaves burning?
But no we are sitting here in shorts
Mother Nature...

Are we ever Happy with
Mother Nature?

Winter, oh my what a winter.
Beautiful Crystals of sparkly snow..
Lots of sparkly snow..
Schools closed..
Level three...
So cold...
Snow so deep...
OR
What a warm winter,
Please Mother Nature,
Send us some snow...
This is winter Mother Nature,
I want to make
Snow angels...

Are we ever happy with
Mother Nature?

Sunshine, thanks Mother Nature.
The buds on the trees
Are starting to pop.
The smell of the lilacs
Drifting through the air.
Spring has sprung...
OR
It was a bad winter,
Lost my rose bush.
The trees are late to bloom...
Spring, Mother Nature
Where is spring...

Are we ever happy with
Mother Nature ?

It's Summer time,
When the living is easy.
So Hot....
So much rain...
Scorched flowers
To Hot...

OR

It's The
Lazy, Hazy, crazy
Days of summer.
But it been so cold,
No rain,
Dried up brown grass.
Water bill goes up.

Are we ever happy with
Mother Nature?
To hot, to cold...
But that's Nature
I'm told...
And
Mother has nothing to do with it.
For years we complain about the weather. But the storms that have been going around the World, make me grateful for what I get...to hot, to cold...so what.
906 · Mar 2014
Crystals of Beauty
Judypatooote Mar 2014
When I woke up this morning
I was happy to see
new fallen  snow
laying before me.

It sparkled like diamonds
It was still falling down
Those crystals of beauty
that lay on on the ground.

Untouched beauty
not a footprint to be seen.
A sparkling, glimmering
sight indeed.

The shed was all covered
and so were the trees.
What an amazing sight
God has sent to me.

by ~ Judy
903 · Jul 2014
TIME PASSES.....
Judypatooote Jul 2014
Time passes...
While sitting on the steps
Waiting for the water company
To come and turn off the water.
My old home.
The one I grew up in...
Mom and Dads place,
Then my sons place.
Now sold..
Everything removed
But the memories...
Hard to turn off the tears.
I look at the iron railing
My dad made,
With marks pounded in it .
A curled end, with little rings
Between every other rail.
At Christmas I would tip toe down
And peek through the rails
To see if Santa arrived yet.
Dad made a bar in the basement.
On the front of it still
Are My initials JK
He cut them out for me.
I can't remove them now,
Because he used wood glue
To fasten them to the bar.
There is a shelf to devide
The dining room and front room.
Growing up we had a large fish bowl
On two of the shelves.
Angel fish,
And guppies...
Now shelves are bare.
A lot of stories to be told,
Created in this old house.
Giving me a lot of great memories.
Leaving this house
Is like leaving my mom and dad
Behind...
But I know they are
With me in my heart.
Thanks mom and dad
For giving me a great childhood.
Life changes,
As does the place to live...
Good bye
To my childhood home..
895 · Apr 2014
Mornings....
Judypatooote Apr 2014
Morning is my favorite time of the day.
I'm always up early, downing a *** of coffee.
Time to take my Buddy out to play.
The sun is just coming up.
Buddy grabs his stuffed animal.
Today it was a giraffe.
And off we go down the street.
Buddy and me with my coffee cup.
The birds are singing, it's music to my ears.
How can such a little creature sound so beautiful?
It's funny how while walking you can see
nature in action. Tree's poppin, birds singing,
squirrels racing around the tree, for one has that one
walnut that fell off the tree.
Oh look theres two, three, four Mallard ducks,
on the ground under an evergreen...yes
fighting.
Walking by the creek I see a muskrat swimming,
and then dives into the hole on the side which would
be his home.
And Buddy look here comes another dog called Smokie
We meet and Buddy and Smokie wag tails and sniff
noses, and off we go in different directions.
By now I'm holding Buddys stuffed giraffe,
an empty coffee cup.
Home we go.
Now i'm ready to start my day.

~~~~~~~
by ~ judy
I love nature...
887 · Mar 2017
IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN..
Judypatooote Mar 2017
ITS NOT EASY BEING GREEN...

The 17th is a day when we celebrate
GREEN, whether we're IRISH or not...

It just seems like the thing to do
And it is my favorite color...

Where ever you go
You see people who hauled out that
GREEN shirt with a large
leprechaun drinking beer on it.
Once a year they wear that shirt
It will last forever...

Some dye their hair GREEN
And drink GREEN Beer
Jigs dinner....now I do love that
I wonder why Its not GREEN?

But soon I will take my
Shamrock off my front door
And my crazy profile picture
Off facebook
(YOUR WELCOME)
along with the shamrock banner
because,
"ITS NOT EASY BEING GREEN"
Judypatooote Dec 2015
OH YES, I DO BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS....
When I was just a little girl
I'd wish with all my might...
That I might hear those jingle bells
Ringing in the night...
A stomping and a ** ** **
I'd know that he was real...
Oh yes, I do believe I heard
One of the reindeer squeal...

The room in which I spent the night
Was cold and filled with apples...
While hiding under the blankets so warm
I'd sneak a bite, well just to sample...
I finally fell a sleep that night
With dreams of what I'd find...
A bride doll, perhaps with brown hair
She was a beautiful sight...

Christmas morning I'd wake up at dawn
And creep on down the stairs...
The tree was lit with colored lights
And tinsel everywhere...
I'd hear a tinkling sound from bells
Bells hanging on the tree...
Oh I do believe in Santa Claus
For my bride doll was waiting for me...

by Judy
This is one of my favorite childhood Christmas memories...
857 · Jul 2014
THE POPLAR TREE
Judypatooote Jul 2014
Today while walking my dog Buddy
Back by the little creek are Poplar trees...
This brought back memories
For as a child, and a little bit of a dreamer,
I would lay in bed and listen.
What a peaceful sound.
We were surrounded by Poplar trees
And with so many blowing in the wind
It sounded like rain,
A peaceful rain...
And in my dream
I would be running, and splashing
Hands in the air,
Letting those raindrops splash on my face
And in this dream
I knew only GOD could
Send me the beautiful Poplar tree
With such a peaceful sound...
I listened today and being older,
I just knew it was true..
It still sounds like rain
It is still peaceful
So...
To GOD I say
Thank you for the Memory
And
The Poplar Trees
This memory is from my days out to the cottage
854 · Jun 2016
My BUDDY
Judypatooote Jun 2016
When you are a child you want a dog to play with.
If your a girl you dress it up in doll clothes
you talk to it, put it in a buggy and push it around.
Thats what I did.
As an only child this dog was my buddy.
That dog's name was Trixie.

Then when you are in your second childhood
as a senior citizen you have a dog
who you talk to, he wiggles his tail
he goes for walks with you, sniffing every
blade of grass
and would eat his meal with me.
This dog's name was Buddy.

A dog is like family
whether you are young or old.
they capture your heart.
And then when they die
They break your heart.

RIP ~ BUDDY 16 years old....
852 · Sep 2014
Can you imagine?
Judypatooote Sep 2014
Can you imagine?
The time when being ask
To stay after school
To clean the chalkboards
And erasers was fun.

Can you imagine?
Waiting for the teacher
To pick you to
Take papers to the principle.
Yes, that was special.
And i never thought to peek.

Can you imagine?
Learning to do the waltz
And the foxtrot in gym?
Boys on one side of gym
And girls on the other.
Pick a partner...
No, no, boys are yucky.
That was grade school
When they really were.

I can't imagine not growing up
In the 40/50's
With kick the can,
Home made circuses
And running down to a friends house
And calling,
Can you come out to play?

I can't imagine not having a memory.

By judy
844 · Mar 2014
I'm a Procrastinator....
Judypatooote Mar 2014
Tomorrow, Tomorrow~
I’m a Procrastinator…

Do you put off today,
What you can do tomorrow?

Like I’m starting a diet today…
But if I just eat these last few
Pieces of chocolate,
I’ll start my diet tomorrow…

Procrastinator….

Every morning I get up,
And get ready to go exercise.
I think I’ll have an extra cup of coffee,
Oh shoot, two cups, I’ll go tomorrow…

Procrastinator…

Excuses, Excuses I am running
Out of Excuses…
Oh, I’ll think of one tomorrow…
Tomorrow, tomorrow….

~by judy
Judypatooote Mar 2014
Imagination...
Isn't it Grand?

We had a rolling kitchen door,
and I would play elevator.
All by myself...

Going Up!

Because as a child the
elevators in the stores
had an elevator operator,
who would call out the floors,
and they had beautiful
music playing, that is why it is
called elevator music...

Imagination...
Isn't it Grand?

I would get in my dads Mercury
car, grab a cattail from the ditch
and pretend I was driving to the carryout.
I'd pretend the music was playing
while pretending to be smoking
the cattail...I even would put my
arm out the window
pretending it was the turn signals.
All by myself...

Slowing Down!

My dad would take me to the carryout,
in the summer while at the cottage.
I would always con him into buying me
Chocolate Cow pop, and a sucker...
Worth the ride...

Imagination...
Isn't it Grand?

While at the cottage, to pass time away,
I would walk down the beach
where trees had fallen into the water.
In my mind I was a gymnast.
I would jump on the tree which
was large and old with big branches
sticking out of the water.
I would hold my arms out to the side,
sing a song and walk like a gymnast...
All by myself...

BUT...

If I got bored, mom would have me
weeding the sand, down on the beach.
so if I complained, then my mom would
Use her Imagination...

Imagination...
Isn't it grand?

by ~ Judy
Imagination....there is not enough going around...
823 · Jan 2016
TIME GOES BY SWIFTLY....
Judypatooote Jan 2016
Time goes by swiftly
but I remember it well...

For daddy would walk down
with a fun tale to tell...

I would put on the coffee
and we would sit out back...

At the table he made us
for enjoying our snacks...

Now daddy and hubby
are no longer around...

But I think of them daily
I can almost hear the sound...

Of them laughing and talking
I wish they were still around...

Remember time goes by so swiftly
take time to play...

Enjoying each other
and each and every day...

by ~ Judy
A memory of my father and husband....it's been 21 years....
821 · Nov 2014
THE COOKIE JAR
Judypatooote Nov 2014
The cookie jar
Came from grandpa T
It was empty
He left that up to me
It looked like
An old time phone
Some times i'd bake
And sometimes i'd buy
But it was always filled
With cookies inside
My kids grew up
And no one checked
They'd be surprised
To see that dog bones
Were there instead...

By judy
812 · Mar 2014
Time goes by swiftly....
Judypatooote Mar 2014
Time goes by so swiftly
but I remember it well...

For daddy would walk down
with a fun tale to tell...

I would put on the coffee
and we would sit out back...

At the table he made us
for enjoying our snacks...

Now daddy and hubby
are no longer around...

But I think of them daily
I can almost hear the sound...

Of them laughing and talking
I wish they were still around...

Remember time goes by so swiftly
take time to play...

Enjoying each other
and each and every day...

by ~ Judy
A special time in my life.
811 · Jan 2017
A MOMENT IN TIME...
Judypatooote Jan 2017
Time goes by swiftly
but I remember it well...

For daddy would walk down
with a fun tale to tell...

I WONDER WHAT TALE MY DAD WOULD TELL NOW. DAD WAS A DEMOCRAT, MOM A REPUBLICAN.  I NEVER REMEMBER HEARING THEM TALK POLITICS. I REMEMBER THINKING, I HOPE  DAD WINS CAUSE JFK IS CUTE...***!

I would put on the coffee
and we would sit out back...

At the table he made us
for enjoying our snacks...

WHAT WOULD DAD THINK ABOUT SO MANY COFFEE FLAVORS, AND SO SO MANY DIFFERENT BEERS. I KNOW HE WOULD SHAKE HIS HEAD IF HE KNEW I HAD FATHEAD BUMBLEBERRY BEER IN MY FRIG.

Now daddy and hubby
are no longer around...

But I think of them daily
I can almost hear the sound...

Of them laughing and talking
I wish they were still around...

ONCE I WAS YOUNG AND BEING A MOM , POLITICS WAS THE FARTHEST THING FROM MY MIND.  NEVER HAD TELEVISION ON EXCEPT MAYBE CAPTAIN KANGAROO OR BARNEY FOR THE KIDS.

Remember time goes by swiftly
take time to play...

Enjoying each other
and each and every day...

IT'S A NEW TIME IN LIFE, AND IF YOUR LUCKY LIFE GOES ON. WE AS AMERICANS HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER AND THINK POSITIVE. NO MATTER IF YOUR RED OR BLUE SUPPORT YOUR NEW PRESIDENT.
What would dad think? This is now a changed world....from politics, to beers...
789 · Mar 2015
BECAUSE WE CAN...
Judypatooote Mar 2015
BECAUSE WE CAN....

Why is it so important
to leave that snowman hanging
On your front door
Until it stops snowing?
BECAUSE WE CAN....

Why is it so important
To switch that snowman up
For a Valentine heart
All red, pink and frilly
On the first day of February
Hoping someone
Remembers you with
A red rose or a box of candy?
BECAUSE WE CAN...

Why is it so important
On the first day of March
To turn everything green
For St. Patrick's day,
Green hair, green beer
And a huge green shamrock
Hanging on your door
Green is Contagious
After all it's the color of money
Who doesn't love that and
BECAUSE WE CAN...

Why is it so important
To finally haul out that cute
Easter wreath
The one with a little bunny
And speckled eggs
With Easter grass hanging down.
And a few jelly beans scattered around.
Its now on my door
BECAUSE WE CAN...

Why is it so important
That we change with the season
What hangs on our front door?
We have Spring flowers,
4th of July, halloween,
Thanksgiving and the beautiful
Christmas wreath...
WHY?
BECAUSE WE CAN...

By judy
Judypatooote Aug 2014
Getting ready to go fishing,
Started the day before.
Dad would hook up the water hose
To a pump that pumped water
Out of the creek in front of our cottage.
He would water the lawn
So the earthworms would
Show there heads
Or
Tails...how can you tell?
As soon as it got dark,
My dad would say grab your Flashlight..
So out we would go
To find those earth worms.
Or as a fisherman would call them
Nightcrawler's...
I loved catching those worms
Almost as much as i loved fishing.
And i usually went out barefooted.
It was like finding a treasure
When my flashlight would spot one.
And i could snap that worm up
Faster than they could hide.
We would each have a can
To put our worms in.
When we had a few dozen
My dad would put them in a bait box
With moss.
Those worms had it made.
Until the next day.
We would get up at day break
And head on out on Lake Erie.
With my fishing pole, my snacks,
My book (in case fishing was slow)
And our worms...
Gone fishing...
Who would admit to a favorite memory of catching worms, but me.
768 · Mar 2014
Life was so innocent....
Judypatooote Mar 2014
Life was so innocent
years ago...
I would dance
while my mother would sew...
She'd haul out the tap board
made of wood...
and tell me to practice
I knew I should...
Mom was a seamstress
sewing was her game...
costumes she'd make
for me in a day...
I had sparkley tap shoes
they sounded so good...
Hop shuffle step step
I'd dance on the wood...

by ~ Judy
A memory from my dancing school days...
741 · Apr 2014
A day in the playpen...
Judypatooote Apr 2014
A day in the playpen
who could ask for more...

I was the princess
who they all adored...

There was uncle Al,
uncle Vic and uncle Rudy...

Who jumped in the playpen
for babysittting duty...

They took over everything
from bottle to bear...

Now I know they were silly
but it shows that they cared...

by ~ judy
This is true, for I have a picture to prove it...my three uncles jumped into the playpen with me, I was standing, in front holding on to the sides, with a surprised look and I was around 1 years old...I had a crazy funny German family...thank God my mom took pictures, for I wouldn't remember anything of those good old days when I was stuck in the play pen....
732 · Oct 2014
Halloween is almost here
Judypatooote Oct 2014
Halloween is almost here
What are you going to be this year?
I think i want to be a Witch..
I ask her mom, she said she switched.
Now she wants to paint her face
And be a Vampire, well that's just great.
Little girl, don't look so mean...
your meant to be a beauty queen.
Halloween time...yesterday a witch tomorrow a vampire, but to me she will always be a beauty queen.....my granddaughter Zola...shes 5.  
727 · Jan 2015
I'M HAVING A MEMORY...
Judypatooote Jan 2015
I'm having a memory...
It's hot out,
I'm young,
I have a good body,
(well better body)
I'm in a two piece bathing suit,
Covered with baby oil
Mixed with iodine,
Laying on my chaise lounge,
With the sprinkler misting me,
Drinking a cold ice tea,
Two sugars and lemon,
Listening to Al Green sing...
Oh dear,
I just woke up,
Al Green is still singing,
But I'm flopped in my lazy boy chair
With my memory pillow
In back for my back...
The two piece bathing suit
And good body are gone...
And it's white outside...
Where did the time go?

By Judy
It's cold out.....and I really do love listening to Al Green....
Back in the 50's I lived in the sun....sun is good for you I heard...
And yes we mixed baby oil together with iodine it was like a copper tone.
Little did we know what that sunshine could do to you...
I'm still safe, but several of my dear friends have skin cancer...
719 · Jun 2014
HERE COMES THE ICEMAN...
Judypatooote Jun 2014
Back in the 40's
We had an icebox at our cottage,
to keep our food cold.
It was an empty insulated box,
with shelves for the food,
and on the bottom sat the block of ice.
Once a week the iceman
would deliver a large block of ice.
I would always race on over our
little bridge to meet him.
It was like seeing the ice cream truck arrive.
The iceman would always ask me
if I wanted a chunk of ice...
I suppose it was standing there
in the heat with those
big puppy dog eyes that got him.
There was nothing that tasted as
good as a cold chunk of ice
on a hot summer day...
Unless...
it was a cold bottle
of chocolate cow pop...
Something as simple as a chunk of ice...was like the biggest treat ever.
715 · Mar 2014
Happy first day of SPRING.
Judypatooote Mar 2014
It's the first day of SPRING today.
But how do we know it?

It's the first day of SPRING today.
But it doesn't show it.

It's the first day of SPRING today.
The snow is melting,
Melting, melting
The grass is brown,
Just look around.
The sun is shining,
I'm happy to say,
It's going to be a good day today...

And the calendar says!
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING....

by - judy
Silly, silly me...
705 · Mar 2014
Fishing with my dad...
Judypatooote Mar 2014
To fish, I'd sit in the front of the boat.
On a cushion that my dad said would float...

I'd grab a worm, and bait the hook.
And then sit back to read a book...

But first I'd tie that line on my toe,
and when that fish bit, I would know...

I use to catch quite a few
How many, only me and dad knew...

An after noon of fishing and sitting in the sun
sounds kind of dull, but it was always fun...

by ~ Judy
I also caught the worms that we fished with...I was about 8 or 9 at the time.
679 · Oct 2014
WHEN
Judypatooote Oct 2014
Finding an old friend
from years ago
when we were young
and not so slow...

WHEN ~ THEN

We would pass in the hallway
on our way to class
saying "hi" with a smile
as we walked past..

WHEN ~ THEN

It's Friday night
are you going to the game?
Of course lets meet
on the corner of Starr and Main

WHEN ~ THEN

We would meet our classmates
in the stadium to cheer
Warm in our mouton coats
The 50's were good years...

WHEN ~ THEN

The game would be over
we'd walk home in the dark
back to the corner
where we would then part...

WHEN

Now to the stadium
we still go
but now our grandkids
are putting on the show...

by judy
Oh what a difference years make. When we could walk by our self and never fear that danger was near. If I could bring back anything from the olden days it would be that feeling of never having to look behind you, or whats around the corner, and who to trust....
669 · Mar 2014
The Peace is Surreal...
Judypatooote Mar 2014
The peace is surreal
in the woods at the park...
It's beauty is special
I speak from the heart...

I grew up here
when I was a child...
this place could
always make me smile...

As I pass the trees
I look up to see...
A baby raccoon
looking down at me...

There's a deer on the right
munching on a scrub...
and the birds they are singing
while fluttering  above...

While walking the boardwalk
with my camera in my hand...
I capture the beauty
and that is really grand...

by ~ Judy
A memory from my childhood days...
666 · Mar 2017
THAT FIRST WARM DAY....
Judypatooote Mar 2017
THAT FIRST WARM DAY...
I remember when I was in grade school
Which is now called middle school
That first warm day
I would rush home from school
Run upstairs and dig out my shorts
From the  cedar chest
Where mom store our summer clothes.
They always smelled like cedar,
But it didn't matter
It was spring and warm outside.
And I was determined to wear shorts.
But mom was cautious
It's too early she would say...
Your going to get sick
That is what they thought back then
There was nothing better then
Slipping on your shorts
on the first warm day of Spring  
running down to a friends
And calling their name
Can you come out to play
There was nothing like the smell
And the warmth of
THAT FIRST WARM DAY....

by Judy
I still get that feeling on the first warm day, but no cedar chest, just totes, and no more shorts, but I will dig out a few capris...and I want to plant flowers...
This winter was a warm one, and even though it was January or February we had days that I wanted to haul out summer clothes and set my patio up with beautiful blooms.
665 · Mar 2014
WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK...
Judypatooote Mar 2014
Back in the old days, when i was a just a kid. We would walk through snow that was 2ft tall. So quit complaining. Did you ever hear that...well i did as i would walk 1 mile everyday 4 xs a day, to school and back...

Back in the old days....

Spring, summer, fall and winter.
If we wanted to get somewhere
WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK...
Whether to a swimming pool,
A football game, or the ice cream shop
WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK...
On days of thunder storms,
Pouring down rain,
we put on our raincoats, because
WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK...
On days when i was not at my cottage
I'd walk to a friends house and we
Would walk to Navarre Park swimming pool
Because
WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK...

I think back to those days, life was simple and safe.

I would walk to football games and walk home in the dark....teentown....and walk home in the dark...simple and safe....that was back in the 50's....there was no fear...perhaps that was because we were young or just lucky ....

WE WOULD HAVE TO WALK....

By~judy
Kids don't know how lucky they are. Parents drive them near and far....
663 · Mar 2015
WANDERING KIDS...
Judypatooote Mar 2015
Wandering kids from down the street,
would stop by my house to see if I could play...
They'd stand out front and call my name,
your friends are here, my mother would say...
Back in the 40's you never rang a bell,
you would stand out front of a friends house and yell...
Can you come out and play today?
We are planning a circus I would hear my friends say...
Can I, can I, mom can I please?
ok she said, but watch crossing that street...
I'd join the wandering kids, for we had work to do,
Some brought stuffed animals, it looked like a zoo...
They piled the animals in a wagon for the parade,
with a sign hanging on the back, it would say...
Come to the Greatest Show on Earth,
it's only 2 cents, you'll get your money's worth...
Our bicycle's had crepe paper weaved in the wheels,
and streamers were flying from the handle bars, it was a big deal...
The parade it had started, we go around the block,
we'd wave at the neighbors, and always give a shout...
The circus would take up most of the day,
for we even had acts with costumes to play...
The neighbor moms would come to watch the show,
they'd all line up and sit in a row...
We'd serve them koolaid for only 1 cents,
and they'd always smile because it was money well spent...
And when the show was over, and the mess was picked up,
we'd all go home for our supper, and jump in the tub...
Ah, yes those were the days, no video games, no cell,
just walk to your friends house and give a yell...

by ~ Judy
Spring is here and it makes me think of my childhood... A simpler time
645 · Apr 2017
~~~THE TREES~~~
Judypatooote Apr 2017
The Trees...
The weeping willow, the maple
and the black walnut tree...

Reach out their branches
as if to say...

It's Spring! I just woke up
and I'm going to be...

The prettiest tree that
you will ever see...

The willow is weeping
for it's arms are very long...

They blow in the breeze
but they're not very strong...

The maple, her beauty
it shows in the fall...

Red, yellow, orange
and she grows very tall...

The black walnut it stretches
out over the field...

And is quite happy to provide
the squirrels next meal...

Their buds are just popping
as they reach for the sky...

Sharing their beauty
with the naked eye...

by ~ Judy
The trees are so plain until they get fully dressed.
627 · Mar 2014
My Great Grandpa Pete
Judypatooote Mar 2014
My great grandpa Pete
was a handsome man

I would look into his eyes
and somehow understand

His hair was all white
and his eyes power blue

He spoke only German
But I always knew

That he loved me, for you see
He would always share his rock candy with me.

He gave me a doll
with a painted face

It was made of oil cloth
and had no lace

It's torn and ripped
but that doesn't matter to me

Because when I look at that doll
It brings back a memory

My only memory
of my great grandpa Pete

My doll and my candy
Now isn't that SWEET?

by ~ Judy
As a person gets older, memories become more important.
625 · Jan 2015
I WAS JUST THINKING...
Judypatooote Jan 2015
I WAS JUST THINKING....
Every summer at our cottage
We lived without a phone.
Why we didn't even have a TV.
Back in the '40's
BUT WE SURVIVED....
Then when we returned home
For winter months
We had to share a 2 party line
With someone we never met.
Excuse me, would you
Please hang up.
Oh yes you or they could
Listen in to the conversation.
BUT WE SURVIVED....
I never dreamt that we would
Go from a huge dial up phone
To a tiny digital phone
That would be wireless
And connect to your iPad
And your computer .
Share not only conversations
But pictures, video's and poems.
Now my computer is in the
Fix it shop
And I am left with only
iPhone and iPad
HOW WILL I SURVIVE?
By Reading....
A Novel thought..

By judy
Lost without my computer...but I WILL SURVIVE..... Lol
624 · Aug 2016
WHY, WHY, WHY?
Judypatooote Aug 2016
As I sit here on my patio
Watching the cars go by.
I think how peaceful this day is
As I see the USA FLAG flying high
Then inside I go, turn on the news...
And ask myself...WHY, WHY, WHY...
Do I watch this news
There is nothing good to hear
Another shooting,
Another storm, fires
and politics...WHY, WHY, WHY...
Hilary hates Trump and
Trump hates Hilary
We already know that
Isn't there something good to share?
I guess it doesn't help
To have ABC and CBS news apps
On my phone....ALERTS, ALERTS, ALERTS...
ooops there goes one now...
Catch ya later...

Judy
Life was so simple back when we didn't hear everything per news media.
620 · Apr 2014
IT'S EASTER MORNING...
Judypatooote Apr 2014
It's Easter morning
I can hear my kids say...

Whose going to find
All the eggs today...

Did he hide them outside
Behind a tree...

Under a branch
Just waiting for me...

Or inside when
We were asleep...

He was mighty quiet
I didn't hear a peep...

Check behind the flowers
On the TV...

He usually leaves one
There for me...

Yes, the bunny was busy
He had quite a load...

How does he do it?
It's Magic I'm told...

by ~ Judy
My first ever Easter Poem, reposted....
612 · Jan 2016
BECAUSE WE CAN...
Judypatooote Jan 2016
BECAUSE WE CAN....

Why is it so important
to leave that snowman hanging
On your front door
Until it stops snowing?
BECAUSE WE CAN....

Why is it so important
To switch that snowman up
For a Valentine heart
All red, pink and frilly
On the first day of February
Hoping someone
Remembers you with
A red rose or a box of candy?
BECAUSE WE CAN...

Why is it so important
On the first day of March
To turn everything green
For St. Patrick's day,
Green hair, green beer
And a huge green shamrock
Hanging on your door
Green is Contagious
After all it's the color of money
Who doesn't love that and
BECAUSE WE CAN...

Why is it so important
To finally haul out that cute
Easter wreath
The one with a little bunny
And speckled eggs
With Easter grass hanging down.
And a few jelly beans scattered around.
Its now on my door
BECAUSE WE CAN...

Why is it so important
That we change with the season
What hangs on our front door?
We have Spring flowers,
4th of July, halloween,
Thanksgiving and the beautiful
Christmas wreath...
WHY?
BECAUSE WE CAN...

By judy
I always change the wreath on my front door. I love Holidays.
Judypatooote Dec 2014
When I was just a little girl
I'd wish with all my might...
That I might hear those jingle bells
Ringing in the night...
A stomping and a ** ** **
I'd know that he was real...
Oh yes, I do believe I heard
One of the reindeer squeal...

The room in which I spent the night
Was cold and filled with apples...
While hiding under the blankets so warm
I'd sneak a bite, well just to sample...
I finally fell a sleep that night
With dreams of what I'd find...
A bride doll, perhaps with brown hair
She was a beautiful sight...

Christmas morning I'd wake up at dawn
And creep on down the stairs...
The tree was lit with colored lights
And tinsel everywhere...
I'd hear a tinkling sound from bells
Bells hanging on the tree...
Oh I do believe in Santa Claus
For my bride doll was waiting for me...

by Judy
This is one of my favorite memories...my bride doll had my hair on it. When I got my long hair cut, mom had it put on my bride doll...Still have her, but she is showing her age...more so than I am....:)
609 · Mar 2014
A single rose....
Judypatooote Mar 2014
A single rose,
with color so bright...
Caught the raindrops
that fell that night...
The next morning
the single rose held up her head...
while soaking up the sun,
the raindrops she shed...

by ~ Judy
607 · Jun 2014
TRIXIE...
Judypatooote Jun 2014
When your an only child
and have a dog,
that dog becomes your best friend.
My dogs name was Trixie
a little fox terrier
who was as gentle
as a best friend could be.
We would sit underneath
the dining room table
while mom sewed, and
I would dress Trixie up
in baby clothes
and push her around
in my doll buggy.
As a best friend
Trixie just layed there
like she knew she should.
Why should she,
because I talked her into it.
Dogs understand things
more than we realize.
But....
One Christmas Eve
Trixie ate a whole bowl of
chocolate German *** Candy.
Imported from Germany
And....
She lived to wag her tail for us.
that candy had real *** in it.
She wagged her tail, and staggered
as she walked.
Trixie never chewed up things,
or bothered anything,
but...
it was Christmas Eve
and I think that the devil
told her to do it....
My best friend Trixie
lived for many, many years
and they say chocolate can
**** a dog, and certainly
*** didn't seem like it
was made for a dog.
But...
Having Trixie as my best friend
made my childhood days
really fun.
When your a child a dog is a best friend, and as a senior citizen they again become ones best friend...now my best friend is called Budy.
595 · Aug 2014
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
Judypatooote Aug 2014
The first day of school
was a special time.
The kids would be happy
and the mother would cry.
We would start the day
with a prayer and the pledge.
And sing the Star Spangle Banner
With our hand on our heart..
We would learn reading
and writing and arithmetic.
Make projects into a beautiful
gift for mom or dad.
Out for recess, playing dodge ball
and then a race.
Everything went well
until you get a ball in the face.
At lunch time I would walk
home a mile each way.
Mac and cheese
then back for the day.
Everyday we did the same thing.
we'd listen to teacher
or visit the principal.
He would smack you with a ruler
on the back end.
and when we got home,
we'd get smacked again.
The first day of school
in the simpler time.
When they would teach
you the ABC's
And read you a nursery rhyme.
You learned from the first day of school.
By the teacher who knew the golden rule.

By judy
In simpler times...
588 · Jan 2016
IMAGINATION...
Judypatooote Jan 2016
Imagination...
Isn't it Grand?

We had a rolling kitchen door,
and I would play elevator.
All by myself...

Going Up!

Because as a child the
elevators in the stores
had an elevator operator,
who would call out the floors,
and they had beautiful
music playing, that is why it is
called elevator music...

Imagination...
Isn't it Grand?

I would get in my dads Mercury
car, grab a cattail from the ditch
and pretend I was driving to the carryout.
I'd pretend the music was playing
while pretending to be smoking
the cattail...I even would put my
arm out the window
pretending it was the turn signals.
All by myself...

Slowing Down!

My dad would take me to the carryout,
in the summer while at the cottage.
I would always con him into buying me
Chocolate Cow pop, and a sucker...
Worth the ride...

Imagination...
Isn't it Grand?

While at the cottage, to pass time away,
I would walk down the beach
where trees had fallen into the water.
In my mind I was a gymnast.
I would jump on the tree which
was large and old with big branches
sticking out of the water.
I would hold my arms out to the side,
sing a song and walk like a gymnast...
All by myself...

BUT...

If I got bored, mom would have me
weeding the sand, down on the beach.
so if I complained, then my mom would
Use her Imagination...

Imagination...
Isn't it grand?

by ~ Judy
Growing up an only child, i had to use my imagination to fill my days.
585 · Jul 2014
A CHILD IS BORN....
Judypatooote Jul 2014
A child is born
First words
Mama or Papa
A smile, A giggle
patty cake, patty cake
Crawling
the start of getting into everything.
then first steps
and into everything

A child grows into a TEEN
they think they know it all
can I borrow the car
do you know how to drive?
Of course....
Do you have insurance?
Don't you?
Can I borrow a few bucks?
Did you pick up your clothes?
Duh! yeah, (they were under the bed)
Along with a empty dish or two...

Then they grow into an adult.
find their mate
don't need the car
don't need the bucks (from you)
have children
and it starts all over...

WORRY...
But now, it's grandchildren...
and so worth the worry...

P>S>  My granddaughter Megan is having her second brain surgery. The good news is it's not cancer, but very dangerous. Her sister Ali passed away 9 years ago with cancer, she was 17. I think about the worry I talk about, but how does my daughter manage to survive.
I was just listening to a song, LIFE AIEN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE...so faith and prayer are needed, and I would appreciate a prayer for Megan, for she is 28 and wants a BEAUTIFUL LIFE....THANKS, judy
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