Music to My Ears

Henry’s only fourteen months
And so his words are few;
His other sounds have meanings
That we struggle to construe.

But one thing he says loud and clear
Is “Nana” and, you see,
It brings a smile from ear to ear
For what he means is me!

While others have to wait until
He nails their name or rank,
I’m thrilled when I hear “Nana”
And it’s Henry I must thank.

Calendars

Each year they send me calendars
To garner a donation,
No matter if in years gone by
I met that obligation.

I must have half a dozen now
With varied scenes depicted;
But though they’re nice, those knowing me
Could surely have predicted

Not one of those would grace my walls
‘Cause even though they’re free,
The only calendar I want
Is one picked out by me!

Precautions

It’s good to take precautions
When you’re going on a trip –
Umbrella, bug spray, meds will ease
Your mind when in your grip.

Yet even if you’re more prepared
Than someone would advise,
There always is the chance that you’ll
Encounter a surprise.

For who can really tell you what
The future has in store?
And health or weather may act up
In ways not seen before.

So pack your suitcase to the brim
In full anticipation
That all your efforts cannot
Guarantee a smooth vacation.

Thanksgiving Bride

I got married on Thanksgiving
And what I remember least
Is the food out on the table,
Though it likely was a feast.

We were young and we were foolish –
Getting hitched on such a day,
But it’s thirty-nine years later
So it all worked out okay.

Still, tonight when I was eating
All that turkey and the sides,
I thought back to being one of those
Unique Thanksgiving brides.

Though in hindsight it was crazy
And we both kind of regret it,
When it comes to anniversaries,
We never can forget it!

Me-Time

I need some me-time,
Let things be-time,
Burden-free-time
To unwind.

But such flee-time,
Absentee-time,
Filled with glee-time
I can’t find.

So my plea, time,
Please agree, time;
Or you’ll see, time,
I’ll lose my mind.

Impending

The highway signs flashed “High Alert!
Tomorrow, don’t be driving.”
The day before Thanksgiving,
There’s a winter storm arriving.

So traffic crawled and inched along
Much slower than just slow
‘Cause everyone was on the road
To beat the coming snow.

You’d think that Martians had attacked
Or that the world was ending
When all that fuss is for some weather –
Lousy, but impending…

Picking a Pasta

Eeny meeny capellini,
Ziti, elbows, bucatini.
Vermicelli, farfalloni,
Gnocchi, orzo, rigatoni.

Alfabeto and linguine,
Cavatelli, fettuccine.
Penne, pappardelle and gigli,
Stelle, risi, tripolini.

Picking pasta gives you choices;
Any way, your mouth rejoices.
Think I'll go and boil me some - 
If it's cooked al dente - yum!