Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2017-47

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IN THIS ISSUE

• In Heroic Stories, Betty J. Rosentrater writes about two little boys´ efforts
• Barbara Wear sends a story of the far away and infinitely near
• Catherine Nesbitt forwards some medical advice for seniors
• Irene Harvalias sends an example of Canadian racism
• Tom Telfer shares some thoughts for people who take life too seriously
• Tom also suggests some interesting videos

Betty J. Rosentrater of California writes about

MISSION DONATIONS

My sons - hyperactive, red-haired Ray and super-sensitive, artistic Eldon - were excited and happy. At four and six they no longer needed to tiptoe quietly through the house during the day while their Poppy slept. Finally, the family could eat breakfast together. And he would be back home in time for play before supper. My husband had been working night shift setting type at a publishing house in Kansas City, Missouri. But now that wretched night shift was at an end.

Once again we were a family with a father at home. The boys followed Poppy everywhere, "helping" him with all his projects. Mealtimes meant good conversations as well as food. Evenings were a time for family singing with the guitar. The boys´ day was neatly tied up with nighttime stories and tuck-in time. How they enjoyed having their father to share all of life´s activities!

Since he was home evenings, my husband sometimes went to the city mission (a shelter for homeless men) where he played the accordion and sang. Ray and Eldon sometimes accompanied him. It wasn´t often that a cute little blonde boy and wiggly little redheaded child came to such a place. Their happy ways and friendly manner touched these wayward, discouraged men.

After the service the boys visited with the men who´d come in off the streets to escape the cold and get a meal.

All went well until one night Eldon realized there usually were no women or children at the services. And the men at the mission were very sad. He wondered if they went home at night. It seemed they didn´t have a home. He was puzzled and confused.

Thanksgiving was coming. "Will they go home to their families so their boys won´t be unhappy?" Eldon asked me. He was deeply disturbed to learn they wouldn´t be with their families. He felt sorry for boys without fathers to enjoy. He couldn´t understand why the men wouldn´t go home. For days he brooded. Then he had an idea.

"I can get the men to go home. I´ll make them homesick and then they´ll want to go home. I´ll talk to them and make them remember about fun at home. I´ll just love them." His eyes shone in happy anticipation.

The little fellows worked long hours - making dozens of apples into turkeys with cardboard parts the likes of which you´ve never seen. At the mission they handed out their "love turkeys" with smiles and hugs. Eldon was right. Simple, childish love stirred dried-up memories and longings. Many men did go home to spend that Thanksgiving with families.

Several months later my husband needed heart surgery, but there was no money for it. When these derelicts learned of our problem, they sacrificed some wine and even food money. Touched by the boys´ love, they responded. The miracle of love inspired them to reach beyond their own pain - to help two little boys keep their Poppy.

ED. NOTE: To comment on this story, or to get your own free subscription, click on

http://www.HeroicStories. org

Barbara Wear shares this journey from the incredibly large to the unbelievably small:

Catherine Nesbitt forwards this helpful information:

SENIOR´S MEDICAL ADVICE

I don´t understand why prescription medicine are allowed to advertise on TV, or why anyone would think of trying one of the medicines after listening to the laundry list of warnings of possible side effects. But this is definitely an exception!

• Do you have feelings of inadequacy?

• Do you suffer from shyness?

• Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

• Do you sometimes feel stressed?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Cabernet Sauvignon is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident. It can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you´re ready and willing to do just about anything.

• You will notice the benefits of Cabernet Sauvignon almost immediately, and with a regimen of regular doses, you´ll overcome obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want.

• Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past. You will discover talents you never knew you had.

Cabernet Sauvignon may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it, but women who wouldn´t mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side Effects May Include:

Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-nightStrip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.

Warnings:

• The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

• The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

• The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to think you can sing.

• The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster, and better looking than most people.

Chardonnay, Scotch, Vodka or Bourbon may be substituted for Cabernet Sauvignon, with similar results!

Please feel free to share this important information!

LIFE IS A CABERNET, OLD CHUM

Irene Harvalias forwards this example of

CANADIAN RACISM

Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to scream "racism" these days.

A customer asks, "In what aisle could I find the Newfie sausage?"

The shop assistant asks, "Are you from Newfoundland?"

The guy, clearly offended, says, "Yes I am. But let me ask you something. If I had asked for Italian sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian?

"Or if I had asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German?

"Or if I asked for a kosher hot dog, would you ask me if I was Jewish?

"Or if I had asked for a Taco, would you ask if I was Mexican?

"Or if I asked for Polish sausage, would you ask if I was Polish?"

The shop assistant says, "No, I probably wouldn´t."

The guy says, "Well then, because I asked for Newfie sausage, why the hell did you ask me if I´m from Newfoundland?"

The clerk replied, "Because you´re in Home Depot."

Tom Telfer shares these items of

INFORMATION

for those of you who take life too seriously;

The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes.

Support bacteria - they are the only culture some people have.

A conclusion is the place where you get tired of thinking.

If at first you don´t succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried.

Experience is something you don´t get until after you need it.

Success always occurs in private and failure in full view.

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Tom Telfer forwards this link to a flash mob playing Ode to Joy in Nurnburg:

And for a much different kind of music, Tom sends the URL for a competition among a group of rock´n roll dancers:

In 2015 Canada´s Synchro Skating group won first prize as shown in this video:

The city with the highest disparity between wages and housing costs in North America is not in the US; it is Vancouver. Read about it here:

The citizens of British Columbia, Indigenous and non indigenous, are fighting against the Texas company Kinder Morgan, which want to increase the oil tanker traffic in our local waters by 700%. Check out this campaign video:

A company in Japan has built an impressive robot power suit that can help paralyzed people to walk again:

ED. NOTE: my apologies for the short length of this issue. I had a fall, which was not serious- no bones broken - but it shook me up, and Jay had to lift me up to my feet. I´ll do better next week - I hope!