Nothing Compares

Teddy Bears

Plush animals of all kinds show children we care,

But nothing compares to the teddy bear,

Soft and cuddly, there is no disguise,

A tail, two ears, and big bright eyes,

Two arms and two legs, he does no harm,

Fits right into the crook of a little one’s arm,

Easy to hug and snuggle at night,

And scare away creatures who give them a fright,

Sometimes a teddy bear gets worn to the thread,

But the child insists on taking him to bed,

He gets dirty and sticky, can get smelly too,

He needs to be washed, but it’s really hard to do,

The bear is missed when he is away,

In sight of the child is where he must stay,

An American favorite right from the start,

A teddy bear is close to a precious child’s heart.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  February 4. 2017

Fish, fish, I got my Wish

Ode to a fisherman
Some think that fishing is a waste of time,
A mindless, endless waste of time,
I, on the contrary, disagree,
And I have the facts to support me,
It is a decisive, deliberate game of wish,
Between a mammal and a slippery fish,
It is a recreation, a hobby, a sport, if you will,
To see if I can catch an unsuspecting bluegill,
I have the right tackle and the wiggly worms,
I don’t mind the smell or the slimy germs,
I push the worm gently onto the hook,
And cast my line into the babbling brook,
The bobber I put at just the right place,
The lead sinker pulls the bait to just the right space,
I wait and watch the bobber do its dance,
Up and down, up and down, I am in a trance,
Waiting tranquilly for the fish to hit,
Because I, the mammal, will outwit,
Suddenly, a tug and the bobber goes under,
How big will he be? I stop briefly to wonder,
The triumph of catching my fish is quite near,
I know that I have him, so there is no fear,
I reel him into the edge of the bank,
He surfaces the water and I give a big yank!
Oops! He falls right off of the hook,
And escapes back into the babbling brook,
He takes my bait and swims happily away,
With patience, I’ll be back for him another day.
Tammy Harvey Written: January 30, 2017

Freshly brewed

The Addiction

Sweet Tea, that’s right, sweet, iced tea,

I’ll admit I have an addiction to thee,

With ice and lemon, in my favorite cup,

Freshly brewed, not instant, I drink you up,

Refreshing and tasty, on a hot summer day,

Sweet and cold, I like you that way,

It’s a Southern tradition and it’s in my genes,

With barbeque on a bun, coleslaw, and baked beans,

With steak and potato or chicken and rice,

Or with a juicy cheeseburger and fries sounds nice,

At a picnic, or a ballgame or at a fish fry,

Sweet tea, you are my coffee, I don’t know why,

Would I drink you, sweet tea, hot from a pot?

No, certainly not!  I would certainly not!

 Sweet, iced tea is my beverage of choice,

“Ok, I’m an addict!”, (said in a loud voice)

Sweet Tea, that’s right, sweet, iced tea,

I’ll admit I have an addiction to thee!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  February 1, 2017

Rays of Sunshine

Sunbeams

Have you ever noticed sun rays streaming through a window pane?

Catching the dust particles in the air like pouring rain?

Casting the shadow of the window frame onto the floor?

Glistening the glass like never before?

Like tiny spotlights on microscopic stages,

You are reading, but you’re not turning the pages,

Time stands still when the rays capture your eyes,

A colorful spectrum appears, to your surprise,

As the sun passes behind a cumulus cloud,

Like thunder clapping, though it isn’t loud,

You suddenly jar back into your own time and space,

It is a beautiful journey without leaving your place,

Watching the sunbeams dance and then rest,

Are times that make your soul feel its best

Tammy Harvey

Written:  February 1, 2017

Prim and Proper

I don't remember tea parties, but I do remember making mudpies.


Tea Parties
China teacups, little dishes,
Matching teapot, filled with wishes,
Dainty lace, edged with pearls,
Tiny chairs for little girls,
Prim and proper, lots of giggles,
Can’t sit still, squirms and wiggles,
Dolls and dress up, fairy tale dreams,
Through the window sunlight streams,
Sparkling jewelry, teddy bears,
Long summer days without cares,
Pretend to eat cupcakes topped with sprinkles,
Rosy cheeks, and eyes that twinkle,
Tea parties bring so much joy,
Unless you are a little boy.



Tammy Harvey
Written: 8/31/2015

The Old-fashioned Way

This is a true story of how we helped our Mam-maw wash clothes in the hot summer time when we were children.  This process took place, not in the house, but in the workshop.  Well water was used to fill the tub.  We used old empty 1-gallon paint cans to carry the water for the flowers.  Not a drop was wasted.

Wash Day

Mam-maw washed with a wringer washing machine,

It did a great job getting everything clean,

But the effort it took to wash clothes and then dry,

Was extremely painstaking and I remember why,

Surrounded by his paints, ladders, tools and a table saw,

The wringer washer was kept in the workshop of my Pap-paw,

My Mam-maw was cautious in letting us help,

“Get away from the wringer” she would constantly yelp,

Using the same soapy water, she washed while we sat,

From the wringer, she took them, flatter than flat,

The wash water was drained into small buckets for us,

To carry and water her flowers:  daisies, iris…dianthus,

A new tub of fresh water was drawn for the rinsing,

By now, we were bored and needed convincing,

To help her out, because the job was not done,

Oh, but we were tired and it was no fun,

Rinsing clothes took on the same routine,

Now the clothes were all flat, but they were pristine,

With an apron full of clothespins, she hung them end to end,

Like a beautiful necklace strung in the yard, she strategically pinned,

At dusk, the taking-down began;  the tub of rinse water was drained,

We had to water flowers again, because it had not rained,

Wash day the old-fashioned way is a laborious task,

Of course, I would do it all again, if my Mam-maw were to ask.

Tammy Harvey

Written: 6/11/2016

The Joy of Flowers

Mother's Day will mark 7 years since I started to work in my local floral shop.   In that time I have learned there is power in flowers.

Flower Power

Everyone knows that April showers bring May flowers,

But do they realize the joy the flowers bring?

When the landscape blooms, it’s a beautiful thing,

Don’t diminish the power of flowers, oh dear!

It’s flower power that spreads abundant good cheer,

From the youngster clutching dandelions to give to his mother,

To the dozen red roses bought for a significant other,

From the thoughtful husband to his very surprised wife,

Flowers are a part of everyday life,

To the Birthday girl receiving flowers on “her” special day,

To the bride’s perfectly stunning bridal bouquet,

From a get-well, I’m sorry, or congratulations on your new baby,

To Happy Valentine’s Day, Happy Mother’s Day, or for no reason, maybe,

Flowers are sent and received everywhere,

Occasionally with chocolates and a teddy bear,

Balloons also accompany them, you know,

So, don’t take for granted the flowers that grow,

Don’t diminish the power of flowers, oh dear!

It’s flower power that spreads abundant good cheer,

Ask me how I know this profound piece of news,

I work in a floral shop, and we cure the blues!

Tammy Harvey

Written: 01/16/2017

I enjoy a garden-look flower arrangement, and the many different containers available.