Vision 2024

 

A New Year

It’s time for another vision board, 2024,

I started this last year and now I’m back for more,

One theme keeps coming to me, again and again,

Purposeful or intentional, deliberate is my amen,

By doing something deliberate, by getting off my phone,

Maybe even trying something new, out of my comfort zone,

Deliberately and diligently striving to lose my extra weight,

Ever year I say it, but I always procrastinate,

Every long journey begins with a first step,

Who can help me, if not self-help?

I refuse to be lonely and live to regret,

I may be old, but there’s life in me yet,

I think I’ll try aerial yoga at our local senior center,

I need to stay active all during this winter,

Social events at the clubhouse I will attend,

Maybe there I will make a brand-new friend,

Each day gets me closer to the finish line,

The rocking chair can wait, this is my time to shine!

Tammy Harvey

01/23/2024

Dairy Farm Visit

 

Dairy Farm Tour

With a knit hat, sunglasses, a puffy jacket and rubber boots,

My four-year-old grandson was ready to get back to his roots,

At the NC State dairy farm Museum, we were taking a tour,

Lots of excitement was in the air- and the smell of manure,

We saw the milking parlor and learned about the mixture of feed,

And how milk production was mostly based on the breed,

We watched bottle-fed calves as they bellowed loud “Moos”,

And everyone was required to wear covers over their shoes,

Each Holstein cow produced 9 gallons, milked twice/day,

Then were released to the barn where they mostly would stay,

The barn provided shelter, endless food, and a bedding of sand,

But if they chose to go out, there was plenty of land,

Their large bodies would sway as they walked slowly around,

But the majority of them laid down on the ground,

The digestive system of these animals is complicated and massive,

They eat 100 lbs. of feed every day, and are totally passive,

These cows live a life of luxury and charm,

On this very calculated and productive dairy farm,

We learned a lot of facts about the milk industry,

My grandson was marveled, but not more than me,

The experience brought back to me memories of old:

My father grew up on a dairy farm and he told,

 Of the treacherous cold mornings before going to school,

He was forced to milk cows, and he considered it cruel,

A dairy farm operation runs 24/7- no holidays, no breaks,

The dedication is utterly amazing, for goodness sakes!

Tammy Harvey

01/21/2024

My Aunt Bee

 

Aunt Bee and ME

So, I had a mastectomy, as you could probably tell,

All cancer was removed, and I’m doing very well,

I’m flatter than a pancake on the left side of my chest,

I’m reminded every day that cancer took my breast,

Yet every single day, when I get undressed,

 I am very thankful and know that I was blessed,

I didn’t have reconstruction, no that was not my choosing,

I did not really care that my breast I was losing,

I was more concerned about harsh treatments, and such,

The radiation or possible chemotherapy scared me very much,

The invasive part of my cancer was really very small,

No radiation or chemo was required for me at all,

Ductal carcinoma was my final diagnosis,

None was in my lymph nodes which is a good prognosis,

I elected to get a prosthesis to wear inside my bra,

It really does look natural, and I don’t mind it, I’m in awe,

My sister named it Beatrice, and she comes along with me,

But I chose to nickname her myself, and I call her my Aunt Bee!

She can be my constant companion, or sometimes I leave her behind,

I don’t intend to be disrespectful or flippant or unkind,

I know that Cancer is no joke, this I truly understand,

I have personally witnessed its devastation, unfortunately firsthand,

 My husband died quickly from a terminal brain tumor,

Aunt Bee is a little joke we have, sometimes you just need some humor!

Tammy Harvey 1/13/2023

Childhood song

 

Like a River, Ocean and Fountain

There is a song I learned as a child,

It is simple and repetitive.  It is meek and mild,

The verses of this song speak of the condition of my soul,

Analogous to water,

 “I’ve got peace like a river in my soul”,

 “I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul”,

“I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul”,

“I’ve got peace, love and joy like a river… in my soul”,

This song exemplifies how cleansed souls feel,

It is magical and surreal,

Refreshing water flowing,

Not knowing where it might be going,

A river, an ocean and a fountain of water, in fact,

Always moving and never going back,

The soul can be refreshed and made new,

Never to return to what it once knew,

A baptism of heart,

Brings a fresh start,

When the Holy Spirit is within,

The healing begins.

Tammy Harvey

10/15/2023

Let's All Get Together

 

Family Gatherings

Excitement fills the air all day, and I can hardly wait,

I must plan and prepare- for I don’t want dinner to be late,

The family’s coming over, and I am hosting tonight,

I’m keeping it simple, but trying with all my might,

To have a lovely holiday gathering, the time slips by so fast,

These times are special times and make memories that last,

To get everyone together is a feat that is not so easy,

This time of year, or anytime, can be hectic and very busy,

My three children are all married and settled into their own,

I blinked and when I looked again, they were all full-grown!

That they all live locally has made my life so rich,

Sometimes I just want to stop and give myself a pinch,

Now growing families of their own, we all are simply blessed,

And having them all here tonight is pure joy, I must confess!

How can I contain this excitement that I feel?

I guess I won’t contain it, as we share this humble meal,

Lots of  smiles  and laughter, with loud conversations,

Come to my house, you need no reservations!

Tammy Harvey

12/21/2023