While some lessons are hard for us to see,
Our London Planes shares one with me.
When a branch of my life falls off to rot,
I can just reach across and fill that spot!

I’ll have time on my hands so indeed I insist,
A good way to start is a things to do list.
I made me that list put the most important on top,
Marking new beginnings with goals when to stop.

Retired at last and anxious to start,
I got out my list eager to rip it apart.
Laid it down for my shower, for shaving and such,
Forgot were I put it and looked for it much.

I’ll take my eggs scrambled with bacon and cheese,
A little butter on toast and some black coffee please.
The to do list would be handy, no guessing required.
This had my energy flowing and my mind all inspired.

Right after the dishes and sweeping the floor,
The trash to the curb outside the back door.
Where could the list be, could it have fallen behind?
If that be the case it will be real hard to find.

While gathering trash and picking up a few things
I needed my list to see what this day brings.
I tucked in the bed sheets taking up all the slack,
I’ve learned to double my knees without bending my back.

I’ll just make a new list, must have thrown it away
I really would like to have started that day.
But 2001 was an extremely short year
It takes longer than that just to get me in gear.

Well, everything that’s left on my new list to do
Will now have to be done in 2002.
Initially I thought ‘twould be lots of fun
To complete the whole list in 2001

It’s not the new mornings that boggle my mind
Still finishing yesterday puts me behind.
I rearrange my list and set a new goal
By the end of the day, I’m back in the hole.

When I discovered the alarming, raw truth
I suddenly realized I’m no longer a youth.
And with retirement designed to set a soul free,
I’m folding my list until 2003.

Written by Grandpa John
In 2001

I have built over 200 “fancy” Li’l Bug Cabins and have given most of them to be treasured by rapidly moving little hands and feet skinnying over backyard lawns and grasses.
One day I got a phone call,
“We’ve got a problem with one of your Li’l bug cabins.”
I didn’t remember ever promising a lifetime guarantee, but I was curious so I asked what the problem was.
“Our grandson put a cocoon into the Li’l bug cabin.”
“Yes?”
“Well, it hatched and now we don’t know how to get the butterfly out.”
That was an exciting reward for me which made the answer come easy.
“Take the Li’l bug cabin apart, don’t harm the butterfly and come get another bug cabin.”
That worked out great. A concerned little boy became involved in a relaxed rescue and release. He knew he would be able to give the butterfly freedom and get a free replacement for the Li’l bug cabin that he would intentionally ruin.

I called her Joy,
Because she looked happy.
She seemed to be wherever I went,
I knew that one day I would have to give her back to the world.
Here she is, on my arm riding the waives.
I’m not real sure that it’s Joy but I think it is because she looks happy.
I knew that one day I would have to give her back to the world.
Joy plays many games, from food inspector to buzz landing upside down on the ceiling.
I’m not real sure that it’s Joy but I think it is because she looks happy.
Today we went for a Joy ride. She usually rides inside with me, but today she chose to ride on the outside of my windshield. I’m not real sure that it’s Joy out there but I think it is because she looks happy.
When I started driving, Joy was contently moving all her legs in concert, exploring the outside of my windshield. She may have been sight seeing or simply scoping the curved glass for a new experience I don’t know. But she looked happy.
At 15 MPH Joy was still roaming about the windshield looking happy.
25 MPH. Joy is settling down a bit but still Joy looks happy.
40 MPH With one final leg movement Joy kicks in concentration.
45 MPH Joy thinks about forgetting happy while she glues her feet to the smooth glass.
55 MPH Joy is exercising her wings in a rapid flutter and she’s stretching out her legs about 4”. I ’m not real sure that it’s Joy but I think it is because she looks happy.
60 MPH It appears like Joy is beside herself. I think her body might be in a different county from where her legs are cranked down. But If the curved windshield isn’t playing tricks on me, I think she still looks happy.
While racing along at 65 MPH, suddenly I notice I’ve given Joy to the world!
This is a true story except for those parts that aren‘t.

I received the following invitation from a very supportive blogger and I quote - .
“I was thinking about being 'in a frame of mind' the other day. I would like to see you blog about that some day.”
Thanks for a complimentary invitation but I’d like to ask for lots of help from all of you. Please answer ten simple questions.
What glues the corners of our current frame of mind in place?
Are there tools available for us to remodel our frame of mind if desired?
Can the I doctor dislodge splintered frame of mind imbedded in our mind’s eye?
If our current frame of mind makes us appear square, what changes could help us influence the décor in an Oval Office?
Does my frame of mind always reach the edges of the entire picture?
If I change my frame of mind, will that change my personality?
How do I know when my frame of mind is getting stale and needs to be changed?
When we become change artists should we number our frame of mind inventory so we can warn people, “Beware I’m wearing number six frame of mind today!”
If I would stuff the contents of your frame of mind alongside the contents in my frame of mind, would I double it’s value?
How can one best repair a rotten frame of mind, keeping it from crumbling into nothing?