Soooo Spring is one week away? I'm not sure about that. . .
Last week, my dear elderly neighbor from the Ukraine told me that they have a saying in her country when March 1st comes around:
"Vinter ist fight mit de Spring,"
she told me in her lovely Eastern European accent. We laughed about it then, as the balmy sun felt good on our faces. But today I believe her. So when I peeked at this morning's #Haiku #Poetry prompt over at Ronavan Hester's site,
Ronovan Writes
where the prompts are "Twist&Shout," well, I was doing a little shouting myself!
The Fight is On
Oh, but how could I resist some other memories fluttering in when that prompt came this morning? . . . Almost 50 years ago, and my teenage brother put on the radio and tried to teach this clumsy little sister how to "Do the Twist" with Chubby Checker. His moves had me laughing hysterically, as I vainly tried to copy what he was accomplishing.
He is the brother who left this earth, just a few years ago, when Heaven called His name. I wonder if the angels are enjoying his gift of music today?
where the prompts are "Twist&Shout," well, I was doing a little shouting myself!
The Fight is On
The snow twists the Spring
As Winter shouts loud in place
Who wins the war now?
--Bettie GilbertOh, but how could I resist some other memories fluttering in when that prompt came this morning? . . . Almost 50 years ago, and my teenage brother put on the radio and tried to teach this clumsy little sister how to "Do the Twist" with Chubby Checker. His moves had me laughing hysterically, as I vainly tried to copy what he was accomplishing.
The Dance Moves
My rhythm is weak
So lacking to twist and sway
Instead, SHOUT with song!
--Bettie Gilbert
He is the brother who left this earth, just a few years ago, when Heaven called His name. I wonder if the angels are enjoying his gift of music today?
"My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you"
And because sometimes, we just have to find
the JOY in a snowy, wintry day:
The first one is so true for people in the midwest and Northeast, but here in Florida it's going to get down to 32 and 30. So many plants are in bloom, too.
ReplyDeleteWow, 32 and even colder at 30 is so cold for Florida! I'm so sorry for you, and for the beautiful blooming plants! Hope the warmth returns soon! Thanks for stopping by here!
DeleteBettie, I love this! Reading your words brought a smile to my face. :) We didn't get snow but we are having cold weather this week which makes it hard to believe spring is just around the corner. I know you miss your brother, but what lovely memories you have. :) Blessings to you my dear poet/sister/friend! xo
ReplyDeleteDear Gayl,
DeleteI'm glad you found smiles here today! :) We have to smile while we're waiting for those springlike days to return, right? Yes, God has blessed me with many wonderful memories of my brother. I'm praying for you this week, as you miss your Mom also. Many blessings to you too my sweet poet/sister/friend! xo
Enjoyed this. Thanks much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments! I am glad you stopped by here today!
DeleteBettie - I read the prompt as immedietly thought of the song twist and shout. I love the memory it brought back to you of such good times of laughter and joy with someone special, who no longer is in the earthly realms. I have a memorial service in a few hours for our dear pastor and memories will come flooding back to me as well. I am your neighbor at Meg's #TeaAndWord today
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
DeleteI am sorry about the loss of your dear pastor! I will keep you in my prayers today, as you share at his memorial. What a Blessed Hope we have to know that those dear ones we long for will join us in a beautiful reunion someday! Now that's something to really shout about! --Blessings to you!
Thanks for the chuckles with the song, Bettie. I do remember that song. Also the Beatles' "Twist and Shout." I'm sorry about the loss of your brother. I love the picture of him teaching you the twist. I especially love the first haiku. That's exactly what is happening here in SD, too. We had some warmer days and I saw a pair of house finches checking out the nesting place my husband put outside my office window. Then we had almost 5 inches of snow and it's so cold again. I looong for the Spring! But God is faithful. It will come! Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteDear Trudy,
DeleteI am so glad that you found some smiles here today! We are so blessed to be able to share fun memories with each other, aren't we? What a precious Lord we have who understands all of our longings and aches. Even if we are longing for a spring-time that seems delayed! You are right, God is so faithful in all of His ways! Love and Hugs to you too dear friend! xo
Oh, dear friend! I am SO sorry you lost your precious brother! I know you must miss him terribly. Music is such a propeller back to good times, isn't it? I cry when I hear a banjo ring, because my dear Daddy played one, and the Lord called him home to be with Him. Bluegrass will always hold a special place in my heart because of him. Your poetry is beautiful, as always...God bless you and comfort you when you miss your brother. Sending love and hugs your way!
ReplyDeleteDear Cheryl,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words of comfort! Yes, isn't music such a gift to us? God plants such memories in our souls through those moments shared in a song. I am so thankful that He has given us such dear ones to wait for, to be reunited with Him! May you know His comfort also my friend! Love and Hugs to you too!
I live in the Midwest and I am definitely sick of snow! How fun that snow propelled you into wonderful memories of your brother. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, we are so ready for spring around here! By the way, thanks for your smoothie recipe a few weeks ago over at your blog, I've been making them, and finding a little more energy in my day! Which is a small miracle in itself! :-) Blessings to you!
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ReplyDeleteHa this is divine, Bettie! I love reading other's memories. Snow again wow! I long for warm lately. It's not that I don't like snow (I love it) but we only have the ugly cold without the pretty LOL. Give me bird's nest and such and I'll be on my way!! God bless you friend!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Meg,
DeleteOh, yes, I would much rather be looking for bird's nest and butterflies too also! But, hey, at the least the snow is melting, and is down to piles here and there now. :-) I'm glad you enjoyed stopping here today. Springtime blessings to you, friend! xo
Spring is definitely winning here, Bettie! We've got crocuses and daffodils bravely sprouting and NO snow whatsoever. But I do live in a temperate part of the UK, and we have such mild winters too compared to you. I especially love the first haiku as it made me chuckle!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your brother, but what a sweet memory this prompt has evoked for you. I also remember trying to do the twist to this song by Chubby Checker and the Beatles singing Twist and Shout. Happy days! I did write a few haiku in response to the prompt but never got round to publishing them. Maybe next time.. Blessings and love to you, dear friend. I guess you find the twist as hard to achieve as I do these days! xoxo
Oh, Dear Joy, you brought a smile to me also, trying to picture us doing the twist now. We can dance in our hearts, though, right? :-) Enjoy the spring blooms for me! Even though the snow has melted down to just piles here and there, I think the blooms are still several weeks away. I am finding the discipline of paring down my thoughts to just the few words that are in a Haiku to be another of those "stilling" methods to quiet my soul. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue this, Dear Friend! Hugs and Blessings and Love to you! xo
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