She always loved to dance

She always loved to dance.  Amy would drag me out to the Community Center every Friday and Saturday night. Me complainin' and her knowin' it was all fer show. I loved dancin' as much as she did, least I did when she partnered me. Two-step, boot scoot, black Cadillac line dancin', the style never mattered much to her, not even the words, just the base line.  That deep thumpin' rhythm, anything that got her feet tappin' or her hips swayin' was all the encouragement Amy needed to get out on that floor, pullin' me by the hand. 

I never was really sure who was doing the leadin' and who the followin' - both on the floor and off.  A real firecracker, my Amy, always teachin' me as much as I was teachin' her. Never mattered no how, long as I kept a steady quick, quick, slow  goin' she would spin and twirl to her heart's content. Me smilin' like a dang idjit at how happy she was, tryin' to make sure she didn't bump nobody or stumble and get hurt.

I'm dancin' with her again, a waltz this time. My little girl's all grown up now.  I walked her down the aisle today and gave her to another man. It'll be his job now to see she's happy, and to lead her through life's next dance.

I hope you enjoyed this,

Rain

The Rules According to Mom and Dad - Poem

Do as you're told or we'll spank your bum
Yes we have candy but you can't have none
Do as I say and not as I do
Stand straight, don't slouch, tie up that shoe
Wash your hands before supper; brush your teeth before bed
Don't run in the house or watch our faces turn red

Always wear clean underwear
Don't hit, punch, steal, lie or swear
Don't touch yourself there your palms will grow hair
And whatever you do remember to share

When I call out your name don't shout WHAT just come here
Get that finger out of your nose, your eye, your ear
Look before crossing; you'll make us so proud
Don't swim after eating, your music's too loud

Quit making that face it'll stay that way
This isn't a restaurant you'll eat what I say
Don't go out like that you'll catch your death of cold
You'll understand these things some day when you're old

Phone if you're late, be home by ten
And no I don't mean in the AM
To thine own self you should be true
No, that doesn't mean you can dye your hair blue

If your friends jumped off a bridge would that make you go?
Well you can't. Why? Because I said so
The rules still go on and you know it's true
The craziness aside I still love you

And now that I'm old and I also have kids
I finally understand why you said what you did
Although you have cursed us with kids just like us
We promise not to send them far away on a bus
We'll try to be patient and honest and true
And teach them the lessons we learned well from you 

Written for my Dad over 17 years ago...

Rain

Emily Jane - Loose Lessons

Emily Jane Scrimshaw was your typical teenager, or so she liked to believe. At the start of her final year of high school, as she sat across from the Phys-Ed teacher, Mr. Hawthorn, Emily smiled. Not a friendly smile, or a contagious smile but one stemming from satisfaction. The burly man before her stared at her schedule as though his scrutiny might reward him with some kind of explanation. There were only four classes listed for the entire year. His blue eyes lifted from the bright yellow stationary.

“You’re sure this is right?”

Emily nodded in a self-satisfied manner and tried to explain to him once more why she had so few classes listed.

“I didn’t take any spares for the past two years; I opted to fill those time slots with classes. I also didn’t bother with my optional classes. The first option I took was French and the second one I filled in with Biology.”

“But it says here you have finished both Biology and Chemistry 30, yet you only have Math 20. Students are not allowed to take the 30 level science classes without having completed at least Math 20 first.”

She shrugged and repeated the question she started with when she first sat down. “So, will I be able to put all four of these classes in the first semester and then just come back for graduation in June?”

“I’m sorry, Emily. Clearly you have worked very hard for the past two years, I assume your goal was to finish high school in two and a half years?” At her nod he continued. “That was an admirable goal but you should have perhaps spoken to someone before embarking on such a huge task.”

Emily’s stomach did a slow roll when Mr. Hawthorn broke eye contact with her, his eyes darting

Circle the Moon

The fog cloaked everything in new garb; even the most innocent sapling turned dark and sinister. She was waiting for John. He was late and she was getting worried. A small crease formed between Sara's eyes as she strained to see beyond the thickening mist. John had chosen this night for the two of them to meet because of the full moon. Its glow would help them get to their special clearing without flashlights.

She glanced skyward and shifted her position slightly on the tree she was resting against, trying to gain a better view of the unusual moon. The fog had softened its edges; muting its light and making her feel as though she was seeing a reflection on water. Surrounding its outer rim, a thin white ring tinged with red and humped like a ripple gave more emphasis to the watery illusion.