Little Engine that Could

Sometimes everyone just wants to give up because life is hard. I want to use this poem to encourage you to never give up on yourself!

Be Determined
If you walk when you could run,
You might be missing out on fun.
If you stop when you could go,
You might just miss a chance to grow.
If you are silent when you should speak,
Some might think you mild and meek.
If you quit before you finish,
Your experiences you will diminish.
Determination steadily will fill your cup,
When you are down, but don’t give up.
Slowly, but surely, you will see,
Determination is the key.
Be determined to run a good race.
Be determined with a smile on your face.
Be determined to help the weak,
For they know you are neither mild nor meek.
Your determination will take you far,
And ultimately determines who you are.

By Tammy Harvey 2015

A great child's book about determination: The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

Batter UP!

With the third game of the 2016 World Series being played tomorrow, the Cubs and Indians battle it out for the title.  It seems like a fitting time to post my baseball poem. 

Bedazzled

Baseball rules! Baseball rules!

Like a bag of colorful jewels,

A sport played on a diamond field,

With grass as green as an emerald shield,

Crisp chalk lines 'n' base pads: opal white,

And topaz-colored soil, rich and bright,

The stitches on the baseball:  ruby red,

With an aquamarine sky overhead,

Bejeweled and bedazzled, a delight to behold,

Watching a baseball game is as good as gold!

Like a bag of colorful jewels,

Baseball rules! Baseball rules!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/23/2016

This poem is dedicated to the memory of Jean Coker, always an avid Cubs fan!

Around & Around, Up & Down

I've never been a fan of carnival rides, especially the roller-coaster types. I get motion sickness very easily. I have always fancied the carousel and it's beautiful artistry.


Carousel

The music box is so inviting,
The lights and mirrors are so exciting,
The painted horses, lions, bear,
Bright colors everywhere,
Up and down, around and around,
The shiny poles, the sights and sounds,
A carousel ride is for everyone,
Siblings, grandmas, fathers, son,
Never too old and never too small,
Never to young and never too tall,
To experience the thrilling carnival ride,
The mother standing by the baby’s side,
Holding the baby on the saddled horse,
With Dad waving and taking photos, of course,
Ever so gently and smoothly it runs,
Can’t find a better way to have fun,
When it stops, will baby be up or down?
Riding the carousel, the talk of the town.



Tammy Harvey
written: 6/22/2016


The carousel inside the Mall of America in MN, where we recently visited, inspired this poem.

Who's got the button?

I shared with you my obsession for fabrics, but I have another confession.  I also am obsessed with buttons.  I have a collection of old buttons from various sources.  When you read this poem, maybe you can understand why I like them so much.

Buttons

Button, button, who’s got the button?

Remember that old game we used to play?

A guessing game, at no expense, to pass the time away,

A slight of hand, to fool everyone,

Oh what we used to do for fun!

Buttons, now one of my favorite items to collect, in fact;

I like the old, nostalgic ones, still on the card, intact,

I like the used ones taken from old clothing and found in bins,

When I have to search them out among the needles and the pins,

The different shapes intrigue me; round, square, oval and more eccentric ones,

Two holes, four holes or ones with a shank; there are tons and tons,

Big or small, black or white, thick or thin, red, orange, or blue,

Nautical, whimsical, beautiful, feminine, and functional -any of them will do,

I think about the whereabouts these buttons have been to date,

Who wore the coat or blouse these buttons adorned; what was their fate?

Buttons have an important job, like birds of a feather,

Button down or button up!  They help us keep it all together!

Tammy Harvey  

written 6/13/2016

Here are a few of the many buttons in my collection:

Mama Drama

I am a huge fan of stage theater, any level:  from middle school to Broadway! Especially musicals!
I was fortunate enough to have "Mama Drama" living next door to me for many years.  Deborah was affectionately nicknamed by her students at a performing arts middle school in downtown Raleigh.
For years, I watched her pour heart and soul into the productions with the students reaping the benefits of her labor.  I was also fortunate enough to see many performances directed by Miss Deb.
I dedicate this writing to her:

Live Theater

The heavy stage curtains are closed; the house starts to fill,

House lights are up; ushers hand out the playbill,

Anticipation builds as the show time draws near,

The actors backstage are feeling butterflies of fear,

The audience is patiently awaiting the first act,

A music director appears and the orchestra is intact,

From the orchestra pit, opening instrumentals begin,

The lights in the theater start to slowly dim,

A spotlight shines front center stage,

The percussion, strings and brass turn the next page,

Rehearsals are over, the theater is packed,

Then suddenly the curtain is swiftly pulled back,

The set design is an incredible piece of art,

Actors and actresses begin to deliver their part,

An ensemble arrives and they break into song,

The cast is on a journey, and takes the audience along,

The costuming is brilliant; every detail is there,

The audience is swept into an imagery lair,

Act I, then Act II, then Intermission arrives,

Discussions are had between husbands and wives,

After leg stretching time, the house lights go dark,

The players on stage have all taken their mark,

Promptly and precisely, Act III commences,

The sights and sound are void of all pretenses,

The audience is once again drawn into the plot,

The play is almost over, like it or not,

Act IV, the finale, and then curtain call,

A standing ovation is given by all,

The cast, exhausted and elated, join hands for a bow,

The hard work was worth it, and they know it now,

As they leave the theater and the audience does too,

They know they will journey tomorrow anew,

A night at the theater:  a glimpse of show biz,

Theater; live theater, that is

Tammy Harvey

Written: 10/13/2016

Mark it sold!

I guess I like quilts because I love fabric so much.  Even as a child I had an obsession with it.

Fabric Obsession

At my mom’s workplace, Jackie’s Fabrics was nearby,

I walked down there as a child, browsing around with a sigh,

A maze of round tables, I meandered through,

Bolts were neatly wrapped, the ends were tucked in too,

Yards and yards of beautiful fabric, a sight to behold,

Enticing me, but “look don’t touch” is what I was told,

Sewing notions hung on racks and just about every wall,

Large pattern books were open: Simplicity, Butterick, McCall,

In large metal drawers, patterns safely filed away,

Unless someone bought them, that is where they’d stay,

The spools of thread were sorted in shades of the same color,

And oh, the buttons on the cards, an assortment like no other,

A cutting table, measuring sticks, and heavy fabric shears,

The sound of those shears cutting was music to my ears,

So many different textures, prints, colors – so much to be made!

Remember Dotted Swiss, chenille, crushed velvet, leather and/or suede,

Lace, terry cloth, polyester, tulle, satin, flannel, corduroy,

By now my head was spinning and I couldn’t take it anymore,

I’m still in love with fabric, even now that I am old,

Only now when I find it, they can mark it sold!

Tammy Harvey  

written:  6/25/2016

Needles and Pins

Mam-maw L made dutch doll quilts, and Mam-maw P made polyester quilt tops by hand.
I learned to machine quilt in 1996 at a class held at my church. Although I have made a handful of quilts since then, I still consider myself a novice at it. I am in awe of some of the more complex designs. I am currently making a t-shirt quilt for my niece from her husband's shirts.

Heirloom
Needles and pins,
Fabric in bins,
Scissors and thread,
Blue, orange and red,
A sea of colors, delightful and bright,
Time stands still while day turns to night,
Snip, Snip, snip, and measure, measure, measure,
An heirloom, artwork, something to treasure,
Colorful pieces have shapes of their own,
Put into pattern and then they are sewn,
When squares upon squares are placed end to end,
The beautiful quilt top has a magical blend,
Side by side, the rows make it complete,
Hum, hum, hum, the machine keeps the beat,
Then batting is added and sandwiched between,
The top and the backing so crisp and so clean,
It’s time to add stitches, petite and so steady,
Slowly but surely, it’s soon to be ready,
Add binding on next makes the final touch,
The quilt makes me smile; I like it so much,
I think I will use it to bring comfort and joy,
And pass it on down for generations to use more.

Tammy Harvey written: 7/24/2015


My first queen-sized quilt I completed in 2001. It's the log cabin pattern.

Time to Rest

In this fast-paced world, here's a reminder to give yourself a break:

Relax

Put up your feet, recline your chair,

You’re not going anywhere,

Time to rest, work can wait,

It’s okay to rejuvenate,

Doing nothing can be healing,

When overwhelmed and tired you’re feeling,

Take the time to help your mind,

Settle down and unwind,

You can give yourself a break,

When a quiet time you take,

It will help to calm your soul,

That should really be your goal,

So don’t feel guilty if you slow down,

Stop the running all around town,

Keep your busy spirit strong,

With relaxation, you can’t go wrong.

Tammy Harvey

written: 6/23/14  

The Battle is Real

If you battle depression, I hope you will find this poem helpful.

Hope wins

I am grumpy; I am in a bad mood,
I want to feel better; I don't want to be rude,
My body is tired, and my emotions are teary,
I want to feel strong, but instead I feel weary,
I need to get rest to renew my own mind,
I want to be cheerful; I want to be kind,
I haven't a clue what's come over me,
It's a dark cloud; a boat drifting at sea,
I think I have fallen into a deep pit,
Where is my clever and humorous wit?
Is there no light at the end of the tunnel?
Or am I spiraling down a huge funnel?
I want to get out of this pit of despair,
I need to recover; I need to repair,
I don't want to ride this merry-go-round,
A glimmer of hope is yet to be found,
Where's there is a flicker, there could be a flame,
So I'll continue to hope without any shame,
To beat the depression rising within,
I need to stay positive and let hope win,
Let me say it again,
Hope wins.

Tammy Harvey
written:  5/30/2016

Push Me

Swinging

The grass is worn beneath my feet,

There’s a dirt-filled hole below the seat,

The seat is a hard, wooden board,

Hung from the oak tree by strong chords,

I hop right on, my hands hold tight,

I push off the ground with all of my might,

I lean way back and pump my feet,

It’s like I’m flying in my seat,

Swinging on my homemade swing,

Really is the coolest thing,

All my friends want a turn,

They watch me first so they can learn,

The backyard is the place to be,

If they want to swing like me!

Tammy Harvey 

written:  2/24/2016

This poem is for my great niece Ellie, who will turn 3 years old tomorrow!!

She loves swinging!