Stock Market Fell Along With Me

Poems have been hiding from me. I'll find them again soon.

I was at a Cursillo last weekend and I developed my reaction to the high mold level. It started with a sore throat and then I started coughing. The weekend demanded a lot of my time and I wasn't able to eat correctly and sleep enough. My blood sugar rose and I began coughing more and more.

Sunday evening I came home and slept.
Monday I wasn't feeling well enough to go to the gym. I went out for small duties I do at North Star and met with my co-pastor to set our preaching dates from January through Easter. Then I came home sat to watch congress pass the "bail out". It's of interest to me because much of my income now depends on the stock market. As the vote (which everyone promised would succeed) went south, the stock market dropped and so did my healthy feelings.

Of course, the stock market didn't cause me to feel sick, but it didn't help.

I awoke at the normal time this morning. I don't feel like going to the gym. I still cough a lot. But I face this day knowing things will get better. The prayer group at Paradise will be praying for me.

I will soon feel like working on my sermon.
I will soon be writing poetry.
I will face each day knowing that God is with me and the God who sees a sparrow fall to earth also sees the things I need.

As you read this blog, will you pause a moment and thank God for being with you?

About My Book

How about a commercial?
I have sold about 130 books personally. A few have been purchased on line. I'm simply trying to cover the cost of producing this book. When that is done I will be ready to print another book. I make more money on the books I sell personally. If it is someone at a distance, it is just as easy profitable for you to order it on line. Any bookstore can order it. If you live a distance from me, go to your local bookstore or Barnes and Noble or Borders.

To those who live in the area, I would like to remind you that Christmas is coming and these would make wonderful gifts.

I am also looking for speaking engagements. Most clubs are always looking for speakers. I would be happy to give a program on poetry and read a variety of my poems. I would have books with me that I would be willing to autograph. I am charge $11.00 (which includes tax).

On October 19th, I am scheduled to attend worship at McMurry and then I will have books for signing following the service. I also plan to have books with me at the District that afternoon.

On October 26th I will be attending the Centennial at Turney and I will have books with me.

I am Larry Linville and I approve this commercial.

Spider's Web

Spider’s Web
Larry Linville

I was mowing the yard the other day.
A big spider web was right in my way.
Big fat spider was looking at me.
Don’t know what he did but I had to pee.

The web collapsed as I drove away.
I don’t know what the spider had to say
when I came by I looked for him again
on the web he was starting to spin.

The next afternoon the web was in place.
He stared at me with his big ugly face.
A piece of paper was hanging for me
and he pointed so I’d be sure to see.

It had a poem he wrote in his fright.
I guess he’d written it during the night.
As I took time for the spider’s verse
it really made me fell so much worse.

“This human ran right into my home.
He had no hair, he was a chrome dome.
He tore my web from where it had rested.
A web that lasted when it was tested.

“He seemed to enjoy what he had done
even though he seemed to quickly run.
I think he was sad but I can’t be sure.
That look on his face seemed to be pure.

“I wrote this poem in case he can read
to tell him I forgive him for his deed.
Perhaps next time he’ll keep his route clear
as he remembers that I am still here.”

Natural Sugar

Natural Sugar
By Larry Linville

Coming from the grocery store
with the Starbucks lady by the door.
She offered a drink for me to taste
and I said, “I can’t” and rushed with haste.
“I am a diabetic”, I said.
She looked at me with the greatest dread.
“It’s natural sugar,” said sweet Sue.
“I’m a natural diabetic, too!”

Talking To A Computer

Talking To A Computer
By Larry Linville

I called to report a power loss.
A nice computer answered me.
It told me which buttons to push
so I pushed button number three.

It helped me listen in English
by just pushing the number one
and it gave me many numbers
til I had my report fully done.

Would you believe a had a call
from their computer very quick?
And it said they had my report
and then shortly I heard a click.

I wondered out loud how it would be
if my computer could only reply.
I don’t know how I would do it
but I’d really like to try.

If we could get computers
to talk to each other alone
we could do so many things
while computers talked on the phone.

I realize I’m an old man
and not up to date with what’s new.
So if we already have it,
don’t tell me – just keep it to you.

Warm Birth -- Cold Death

Warm Birth – Cold Death
By Larry Linville

Her birth was such a happy day
with her family gathered around.
Her helpless form warmly welcomed
as her parents hearts would pound.

Over four score years later
she laid lonely in a bed
in a cold sterile hospital
with only nurses at her head.

She had no friend or family
at her bedside as she died.
No one to wipe away her tears
of her loneliness as she cried.

She stood at bedsides through her life
as a dedicated nurse.
she watched veterans as they died
in loneliness and even worse.

It may appear she was alone
in her final transition.
But she was in the special care
of the Great Physician.

Old Coffee Taste

Old Coffee Taste
By Larry Linville

I first drank my coffee
as a kid on the farm
in the long cold winter
it made me feel so warm.

With fresh cream from our cows
and one sugar or two
such nice liquid dessert
by the time I was through.

When I left the old farm
and that cream in my cup
I went on a diet
my sugar I gave up.

The taste of my coffee
never tasted the same
and I’m just not so sure
what else I ought to blame.

I tried to recapture
that old special taste
but all of my efforts
only went to waste.

So I guess I’ll settle
for my coffee plain
and drink when I have to
and I’ll never complain.

They

They
By Larry Linville

“They are all just a bunch of drunks,” he said,
about the folks in the poor side of town.
“I pick up their garbage and I should know”
As he put every resident down.

A young man served a church for those fine folks.
He preached to them and sat with them to pray.
He often ate at their kitchen tables
and he was angered to hear them called “they.”

He said to the man, “there’s a difference, sir,
Between what I have seen and what you say.
I see them as Adolph and George and Frank,
and you, my friend, simply see them as they.”

It was silent in the mayor’s office
and the garbage man turned and bowed his head.
The mayor rejected his proposal
and accepted the young pastor’s instead.