In memory of III

A very close childhood friend of mine died suddenly one year ago today.  This poem is in his honor. Sam McCarty Murphy III.   March 8, 1962- Sept 19, 2015
He was a true outdoors man.

We Remember Him

As the beauty of nature is all around,
The memories of him can always be found,
We remember him during twilight hours,
When the sun rises up and there's dew on the flowers,
We remember him when the sun is high,
But the white fluffy clouds are low in the sky,
We remember him as the afternoon breeze,
Brings a fresh breath of air with the sway of the trees,
We remember him in the smallest of things,
From the rocks on the ground to the songbirds that sing,
Our thoughts of him will not stop,
Like the haze lingers up on the mountain top,
His memory lives where he found joy,
Ever since he was a boy,
As the beauty of nature is all around,
The memories of him can always be found.

Tammy Harvey  

written:  9/28/2015

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Campfire
Snap! Snap!
Puff of smoke; Igniting sticks,
Flames grow thick,
Crackle! Crackle!
Blazes higher,
Fire appearing; As desired,
Pop! Pop!
Logs are glowing,
Charred and crumbling; Black is showing,
Burn! Burn!
Burning lightly,
Once was ebbing; Now is slowing,
Stoke! Stoke!
Heat abounds,
Heat for those who gather round,
Smoke! Smoke!
Swirling high,
Clouds of smoke fill the sky,
Going! Going!
But at last,
Firewood burns up really fast,
Gone! Gone!
Barely smoldering,
Red embers on the ground,
That is all that can be found.

Tammy Harvey
written: 6/10/2014

The Adventure of a Lifetime

You Might Be in Minnesota
If you accepted an invite to the Gold Mine “Resort”,
And you took a plane then a car, ‘cause the trip was not short!
You might be in Minnesota.
If you’re eager to catch some Northern Pike,
And you traveled past the town of Buyck,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the bald eagle in flight makes your heart swell with pride,
And to reach your cabin is a 6-mile wilderness ride,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the closest small town is 30 miles away,
And you’re “unplugged” from the world for most of your stay,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the scampering of chipmunks gives you delight,
And there’s a good chance you’ll be viewing the Northern Lights,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the darkness at night is as black as coal,
And the silence and stillness refresh your soul,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the Vermillion falls is a sight to behold,
And you’re lodged at a place where they once mined for gold,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the bark of the birch trees is as white as snow,
And the local people end their sentences with “ya know?”
You might be in Minnesota!
If you love the outdoors and adventure calls,
And just to the north is International Falls,
You might be in Minnesota!
If you watch a sea plane take off from Crane Lake,
And pulling up the anchor has made your back ache,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the river is lined on both sides with rice grass,
And the guys that are there are catching Rock bass,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the fishermen gather each night for a meal,
And exchange the day’s stories, most of them real,
You ARE in Minnesota!
Tammy Harvey

Written at Gold Mine “Resort” on a brown paper grocery bag on 9/9/2016

Tiny but mighty

I can't tell you how much fun I had using a tiny little stove on our recent trip to a remote cabin in Minnesota! Or can I?...

The Little Stove that Could
We recently rented a cabin in the sticks,
The meals for us I had to fix,
The tiny white stove was circa “old”,
But it worked well and had no mold,
It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen,
Really small but really clean,
The Easy Bake oven came to mind,
The tiny oven was a one of a kind,
I had never cooked with gas before,
I carefully opened the tiny door,
It scarcely would hold a loaf of bread,
“I really like this”, was all I said,
The front right eye was my pick,
And it got very hot, oh so quick,
I boiled the water in the pot,
Spaghetti for dinner, like it or not,
Next day, we’d have grilled cheese,
Any excuse to use the stove, please,
The strangest thing that I did prepare,
Was a rock or two that I placed there,
In the oven to get nice and warm,
A “heating pad” in a primitive form,
It eased the back pain as it should,
The little stove that certainly could

Tammy Harvey
Written: 9/12/2016

I just returned from an adventurous trip to Minnesota where I experienced life in a remote and primitive cabin for a week. No phones, no internet, no television, but we did have running water and electricity, a rustic cabin but with a bathroom and shower, plus a small kitchen for cooking. It was peaceful and beautiful. The weather was perfect, and the fishing was fine.

A Sentimental Goodbye

Working at a florist, I have had the opportunity to meet many people in need of funeral arrangements. This spring a family requested a casket spray for their matriarch Betty Lou.  It was most memorable to me because at the family's request, our manager went to Betty Lou's house and cut flowers from her own yard to put in her special memorial.  I was very impressed by the sentiment in that arrangement and how beautiful it was.  Betty Lou's garden inspired this poem:

Betty Lou's Garden

It was the most beautiful display of colors and textures I've seen,
It was lively; it was soft; it was laden with green,
The casket spray in memory of Miss Betty Lou,
Was a garden of inspiration and it was then I knew,
She was a very special lady & family member,
The flowers were so fresh and oh so tender,
They were chosen from her own backyard,
Letting  her go must be really hard,
Lace hydrangea, white nandina, only the best,
The petunias were added as she did request,
It was one of the most meaningful flower memorials,
I've ever had the pleasure to see, in my days making florals,
Many thanks for allowing us to be a part,
In keeping Betty Lou close in your heart.

Tammy Harvey for Preston Flowers     written:  5/27/2016

Seasons change

With the dog days of summer almost behind us, we welcome in cool, crisp fall days.  In honor of the changing of our seasons, a poem called Beautiful Sky:

Beautiful sky, 

Clear and warm,

Puffy clouds begin to form,

Gentle rain falls to the ground,

Springtime makes another round,

Beautiful sky,

Hot and bright,

Fireflies show up at night,

Crickets sing and frogs croak too,

Summertime has come anew,

Beautiful sky,

Cool and crisper,

Leaves are changing like a whisper,

Colorfully they tumble down,

Autumn now has come to town,

Beautiful sky,

Frosty and cold,

Snowflakes shine like silver and gold,

A soft white blanket covers the land,

Wintertime, your entrance is grand,

Beautiful sky,

The whole year through,

Four seasons were made for me and you.

Tammy Harvey   written: 8/27/2015

Sleep Tight

There is no substitute for a good night's sleep.

Sleep…

Mr. Sandman makes his rounds,
Now you are drifting toward sleepy town,
Warm and cozy in your bed,
Laying down your weary head,
Slumber falls upon your body,
Sleep is sure to quickly follow,
Quiet and rhythmic is your chest,
Escaping to a place of rest,
Peacefulness and sweet dreams,
Prayers and feeling so serene,
Forgetting all about your worry,
No work, no thoughts, no hassles, no hurry,
Needing to refresh your soul,
No toss or turning is your goal,
Until the alarm sounds in the morning,
Awaking you without warning,
Yawn, stretch, awake, and rise,
Keeps you healthy, wealthy and wise,
Rise and shine, like the sun,
A brand-new day has just begun.

Tammy Harvey written: 7/16/14