FLY LITTLE WING, UPON THE WIND OF HEAVEN'S LOVE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

 

As we grieve for the loss of so many little angels, think not of our suffering, but of their flight to perfect happiness. I dedicate the playing of this song to the families and friends of all the "Little Wings" of Sandy Hook.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Zd8fEsQAk


FLY by Celine Dion

Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light

BROKEN HEARTS FOR SANDY HOOK AND OUR NATION

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, 
Our life, our sweetness and our hope. 
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, 
To thee do we send up our sighs, 
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, 
thine eyes of mercy toward us, 
And after this our exile, 
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! 
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, 
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 
Amen.

ENDLESS PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS

May our Lord give strength and courage to all those who are affected by the horrific evil that took place in our schools today.  

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Everyday change something. Change one little thing and in time you will have amazingly changed everything. The truest challenge is to be brave enough to change yourself.  Embrace change as it cannot be avoided, it is to be celebrated! 

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC

© All Rights Reserved

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?

Tony Walker

An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar was closing. So the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that will sober him up.

Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face. So he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom.
When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and was sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting, "So, you've been out drinking again!!"

"What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an innocent look.

"The pub called -- you left your wheelchair there again."

* * * * * * * 

A man walks into a bar one night. He goes up to the bar and asks for a beer.

"Certainly, sir, that'll be 1 cent."

"ONE CENT!" exclaimed the guy, the barman replied "Yes."

So the guy glances over at the menu, and he asks "Could I have a nice juicy T-Bone steak, with chips, peas, and a fried egg?"

"Certainly sir,"replies the bartender, but all that comes to real money."

"How much money?" inquires the guy. "4 cents", he replies.

"FOUR cents!" exclaims the guy. "Where's the Guy who owns this place?"

The barman replies, "Upstairs with my wife."

The guy says, "What's he doing with your wife?"

The bartender replies, "Same as what I'm doing to his business."

MELT IN YOUR MOUTH RUGELACH FOR HANUKKAH!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

 

I may not be Jewish, but I grew up in Brooklyn, and I know a good Rugelach when I taste one. This is my recipe for a really great Rugelach! Happy Hanukkah ! 

Ingredients:
1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup raisins

3 tablespoons orange marmalade

1 egg white

2 tablespoons water

 Directions

1. Combine cottage cheese and 1 cup of butter in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, then gradually stir in the flour. Dough will be sticky. Divide dough into thirds and wrap with waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
2. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees . Lightly grease a baking sheet.
3. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup of butter with the brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans, and raisins. Set aside. Roll one ball of dough at a time to a 9 inch circle on a floured surface, while keeping the remaining dough chilled. Spread 1 tablespoon of the optional orange marmalade over the circle. Gently press 1/3 of the nut mixture into the dough. Cut the circle into 16 wedges. Roll each wedge tightly, starting with the wide end. Place the cookie point-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. Beat the egg white with the water in a small bowl, then brush the mixture onto each cookie.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

THEY DON'T MIX!

Tony Walker

How many of you have heard that you should never go into business with friends?

How many of you are living proof of this?

In 2012 my comedy troupe, Drop Dead Comedy, celebrated it's 10th anniversary.

In 2012 my comedy troupe, Drop Dead Comedy, died.

In 2012 my comedy troupe, Knock 'Em Dead Comedy, was born.

Crazy accusations, arguments, people caught in the middle, financial squabbles, lawyers & lawsuits. Serious shit over a small comedy business.

Never go into business with friends? Oh yeah.... we were FRIENDS!!

Listen to me.... do not go into business with friends! 

Enough said... until the lawsuit is over that is.

SINTERKLAAS IS COMING TO TOWN!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

As a teacher, each year I celebrated "Sinterklaas Day" with my classes. One reason is because I'm part Dutch (on my mother's side), but the real reason is because it's so much fun! My children would make cardboard wooden shoes and paper carrots and hay to place outside the classroom the eve of Sinterklaas Day. Sure enough, the next morning, December 6th, when they came back to school, Sinterklaas had visited, leaving candy, cookies and other treats in their shoes.

In Holland, during the last week of November, Sinterklaas arrives aboard a steamboat from Spain. He rides a white horse and his assistant, Zwarte Piet. They travel to Amsterdam where huge crowds greet them. The children are on their best behavior because if they are naughty, Zwarte Piet may swat them with a stick or take them back to Spain in his big bag.

On the night of December 5th, Dutch children place their wooden shoes by the fireplace and fill them with carrots and hay for Sinterklaas' white horse. If they were good, Sinterklaas will replace the "horse chow"  with gifts and candy. In many homes, there may be a knock at the door, or the ring of the doorbell and Zwarte Piet's hand may be seen throwing candies and cookies into the room and quickly shutting the door. When the door is finally opened, there is a basket of gifts wrapped in funny or unusual ways, with special poems or rhymes attached and signed by Sinterklaas himself.

One of my favorite traditions is the giving of initials in solid chocolate! Sinterklaas Day is celebrated with parties and a great deal of merrymaking. Christmas Day, however is a time for family get togethers and church services.

I think it's a great way to help children to learn about other cultures and appreciate diversity. I say we celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Las Posadas and Santa Lucia Day ! Share stories from La Befana to the Elf on the Shelf - whatever spreads joy, helps bring families together, and fosters learning and appreciation of other cultures! There are many excellent books that tell the stories of Winter Holidays, explain the meaning behind holiday symbols and songs,and include fun and educational activities.
Here are a few that I've used myself:

Monthly Idea Book (December)   Karen Sevaly

Mailbox Magazine (December and also The Best of Mailbox)

The Return of the Light (12 Tales From Around the World)   Carolyn McVickar Edwards

Christmas Keepsake - A Treasury of Best-Loved Stories and More   Annette Cable

Celebrate Christmas Around the World    Beth Stevens

Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World  Heather Conrad

Around The World Through Holidays: Cross Curricular Readers Theatre    Carol Peterson

The Real St. Nicholas: Tales of Generosity and Hope from around the World   Louise Carus

ANY of the National Geographic Holidays Around the World   Deborah Heligman

ROYAL BABY ON THE WAY?

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

 

The news is out - Princess Kate and Prince William are expecting. Reportedly, a friend of Kate's blabbed the news last week. A representative for the royal family made the following statement:
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby.  The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news." The representative also confirmed that Princess Kate had been admitted to the hospital.
"The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is very acute morning sickness. It requires hydration and supplemental nutrients. Princess Kate has not yet reached the 12 week mark in her pregnancy. The royal couple is expected to make a formal announcement sometime this month.

As William's first born, the baby will be next in line to the throne after his, or her father. Yes- boy or girl, this baby has a pretty good chance of being a monarch! Since almost 2 billion people watched as Kate and William were married, I imagine this pregnancy and birth will be in the spotlight over the next several months.

Let's hope the baby is healthy, happy and is allowed to grow up free from the craziness of the paparazzi that had so plagued the Royal Family.

WALK ME TO THE MOON

Jillian B. Hart

Walk me to the moon

To the place

Where all that we once imagined might be

That place that dreams could touch

Above and beyond the light

Untouchable triumph and majesty

Banishing darkness in a sea of stars

In what was once our field of dreams 

Walk me to the moon

To that place I still dare to remember

Young love... 

Faithful, constant, bright & foolish... 

Believing you never run out of time. 

The willingness to give

Without getting in return

Without needing. 

Knowing you are enough. 

Walk me to the moon

To that place I think of 

With a haunted flutter in my heart

when memories swim in my eyes and escape down my cheeks

Bathed in a light once so pure 

That it blinded us

Walk me to the moon

That place daydreams are made of

Lift me on the summer breeze

And angel wings

To that place that cannot be

But forever is

Walk me to the moon

That place in your heart

With the warm glow

It cannot be hidden

Like the full moon's light

It'll always be... 

Whenever you need it

Feel the warmth - that's where I'll be

Wrapped around you embraced by our memory

Walk me to the moon

That place where I see the reflection 

Of smiling eyes... 

Brighter then sunshine

Where healing goes on and life survives

Banishing darkness in a sea of wishes, in that endless sea of stars

Loving your life doesn't mean that you forget having been blinded too

Walk me to the moon

That place where Memories... 

Always paint a picture in the sky

Every detail changes

Yet the love remains the same 

Love and light are eternal 

Flood me with warmth

that forever dances in my dreams

brilliant as moonbeams at ebony's darkest edge