Family, Do we need them?

Family, Do we need them?

I received email note from my big sis
excited to see her name I opened quickly
my excitement soon turned to 'what's this'?
a terse note "please take me off your undisclosed list"

not a thank you, I enjoy hearing from you
or, do not send photos cause they take to long to come through
"I am on dial up and I am not computer literate
I have no end of problems that I don't know how to fix it.

they are causing problems, goes off line before they show"
..The last time I saw or talked to her was 9 years ago
nothing about what has been happening in her neck of the woods
put a real damper on my first correspondence since childhood

I was just keeping my family updated
I did think she would hate this
she does not write so I do not know how she is
just a terse note to take her off my list!

So, What do I make of this email?
that she does not have any time for me
I hear from one sibling out of three
It was Mum who was the glue of our family

I thought blood was thinker than water
I am almost young enough to be her daughter
yet she has not been much of mentor
we never shared anything like sisters

I had always hoped that we would grow closer
as I got older we would find something in common
we both love and being around our horses
any conversation I started all too soon ceased

It is not as if I have not tried
or let it get to me, for long after I cried
in lines of communication open she is opposed
but alas I have to take her off, I suppose

I guess some siblings will never be friends
even the same blood flowing through our veins
does not make one a close family ally
so what is she to me now, just a blood relly?

Yes I am hurting and I am mad as hell
but I am resilient so I will put up my shell
give it to the Lord so He can take this pain
and tomorrow I will be all smiles again

Amanda Martin-Shaver ©
13 May 2009

Working in America

Working in America

It was such a culture shock to work in the States
so far behind with their policies, they are not up to date
you are on your feet for hours. break time when you sit down
no wonder so many workers look drawn and wearing a frown

I remember working in these conditions in NZ back in the 70s
when my bosses were still in the mindset of the 'old school'
it was tolerable because we received good staff discounts
it was worth it and you were informed of the rules

Here, no one really wants to assist the new member to fit in
they make it harder and do not tell you where you can fall in
I guess you have to be a mind reader and know what to do
because no one is going to help, make a mistake and there is a to-do

Now, as I see it, supervisors do not require you to think
because if you did, then they see you as a direct threat
You could replace them, then where would that leave them?
why out of a job and searching the situations vacant

You cannot expect to get paid for what you are worth
they will only pay you, whom they can replace you first
Corporate America, leading business what I have been told
all Mom and Pops stores have been put out in the cold

One week's paid vacation, if you are lucky
paid on your yearly anniversary, now isn't that ducky?
you have to save your wage's for months to take that well earned break
Just so you can take your family to have fun down on the lake

Many employers do not give you health insurance
nor do they have a retirement fund in place
so many couples have to work to make ends meet
putting their children into day care centers, isn't that great?

So you work like a beaver all the years long
so you can put your children through college
so they can have the opportunities that you did not have
with their cell-phones, ipods, games, clothing, and latest fads

Amanda Martin-Shaver ©
11 May 2009

Chyna, Goodbye

All good and bad things must come to an end
so we say goodbye to our dear friend
we had you since you were six month old
but you had to get out, you couldn't be told

you were our Houdini, nothing was too hard
why did you have to escape, was it for a laugh?
I put you inside an electric fence
you slipped on through, it had no defense

It was not enough to get out, you had to take your sister
in the freezing snow we had to go and get you
lead you back through the neighbours land
or drive miles around the road lead you in hand

we put in a gateway and gave you more room
you were happy for awhile yet all too soon
you were out again and cut your leg real bad
you could have bled to death and made your Papa sad

We thought you would be happy with us for a long time
you are of such amiable nature, taking everything in stride
your papa had hoped you would both go for a ride
we waited until you were older so your bones were strong

All winter long this year you stayed inside
you did not even look, attempt to even try
yet as soon spring came, you were out again
until a neighbour called me up to complain

a very hard decision about you had to be made
we could not keep you anymore your bed was made
we put you up for sale and soon you were bought
and today you left on the trailer, going to the north

Papa could not be here to see you on your way
he could not bare to be around to give you a wave
he loves you, so don't forget to remember me
Goodbye dear friend, the month you turned three

At your new home their fences are sturdier and I think you will stay put
with your new owner who loved you on her first look
new playmates and new lessons, being ridden daily
you'll love it and I know you'll do dandy

Papa and I will come and visit you real soon
see how you are doing, and what you have learned
I know you miss Harmony as she misses you
I will tend her more daily so she will not be blue

Amanda Martin-Shaver ©
9 May 2009

Unwelcome Guests

This little fellow has been terrorizing me for weeks as I have
heard awful scratching, banging, clawing noises under the
house and around my kitchen cupboards area.
It scared me as I did not know what it could be but knew it
had to be a biggish animal.

Today 6 May I was looking out the bathroom window to see
where the horses were grazing and this fellow which I think
is a Groundhog (I am sure someone will correct me if I am
wrong) came into my view, so I quickly ran to the office to get
my camera and took these two photos from the window. I
went to try and sneak the back door open to take a better
shot but it heard me and took off running across the field and
hid in the wood brush pile.

My husband will bring a humane trap home and we will try
and catch him. I have to have him/her out from under the
house, if he becomes a problem. So far he hasn't and it was
not knowing what animal was living under the house that
scared me - now that he is identified I am OK. Fear of the
unknown..

Unwelcome Guests

Bang, crash, scratching, clawing
what in the world? is that sound of gnawing?
there is an animal under the house!
and by the bumping on the floor boards
he is much much bigger than any mouse!

This terrible sound of scampering heard
somersaulting, skittering, it's absurd
bumping, thumping right under my feet
which has me on the edge of my seat
then I hear it around the kitchen sink!

At times I hear it in the walls
has me running for the broom
beating the wall then the floors
I stamp my feet as I walk the room
get out and away you are doomed!

This has been going on for weeks,
which often has me quite freaked,
possum, raccoon, badger, feral cat?
I don't know, but please just scat
there is nothing here for you to eat

This never happens when James is home
same with the mouse, in the lounge he roams
I see a glimpse of him out the corner of my eye
I need a barn cat to cause his demise
our dogs are useless, I guess it is no surprise

I was looking out the bathroom window
to see where the horses were grazing
and there in front of me was this animal gazing
I rushed to the office to retrieve my camera
and took two photos through the window pane

It is a groundhog or Woodchuck in some States
looks a little like a beaver without a flat tail and big teeth
they eat your shrubs, grass and your garden greens
they live in a burrow, but he chose under our house
they dig holes and horses a leg, they can break

Just like the rabbits that we see plenty of
and with Koda contributing to digging big holes
our pasture will be like a wasteland, bare in spots
now that I know what is causing the grass to dry out
Unwelcome guests be gone, scat, shoo, or you'll be shot,

Amanda Martin-Shaver ©
6 May 2009