(This is the title of the book I am working on now.)

I have been on a 95-day cruise to Australia, New Zealand and a lot of islands.

A great way to start my 90^th year. I had time to do a lot of searching through my collection of ‘yesterdays,’ that I have storied in my brain. It reinforced my opinion that I am living a wonderful life. If anyone was ever blessed it has to be me. My life is filed with a family I am proud of, friends that understand what a friend is, and more adventure than I ever deserved.

In past comments you have told me you enjoyed my poems. It gave me joy. I know nothing about how you should write a poem, I just write what I feel in my heart. These are two that have been very significant to my mental stability if I have any. I hope they may speak to you too, even if just a little bit.

ATTITUDE

Changing my path

(I WROTE THIS IN 1979)

I HAVE TRIED TO LIVE BY IT EVER SINCE.

MY CREED

It is today, not tomorrow.

This is today, yesterday is history.

Every morning when I wake up it will be today.

I will start each of my todays with a positive attitude.

I will not criticize anything for it accomplished nothing.

I refuse to utilize my time at things that accomplish nothing.

Today has one thing in which I know I am equal with all others, time.

We draw life’s paychecks in hours, minutes, and seconds; no favorites.

Today I will not waste any of my given time.

The minutes I wasted yesterday are already too costly.

Today I refuse to use my time worrying about what might happen.

Instead, I’m going to utilize my time by working to making good things happen.

Today I am determined to improve myself.

For tomorrow someone may need me to help them.

I must work hard today so I will not be found lacking tomorrow.

Today I must accomplish something, and not waste any of my limited time.

Today I will do the things I should do.

Today I will stop doing things I feel are bad for me.

The end of each week I will be a better person than when it started.

My worth to myself and others is in direct proportion to the way I utilize my time.

Things in my world are not different.

I will not imagine what I would do if they were.

I will make my life a success with what I have now.

I will arrange what time I have to make the most of my talents.

I will take time for my people.

I will not wait till tomorrow to say, I love you.”

I will treat everyone I encounter in life as a true friend.

If I do these things, it will be a good day for me, and those around me.

I DID THE BEST I COULD. I HOPE IT WAS AS GOOD AS I SHOULD.

and,

I wrote this many years ago.

When I read it now, as I live my 90^th year, it seems much more relevant.

(I wrote this while sitting on the beach watching the waves rolling in.)

Patience is a Virtue

Hi there old salt.

Your kind of in-between, aren’t you?

Your face is smooth or nearly so,

Ah’ But your edges give you away.

Your swells peak up and break, gently.

They roll in, caress my toes, then disappear around my feet.

If I were to take you at your word,

I would run and fling myself into your embrace.

I would jostle your white caps and

Relax among your peaks and hollows.

But I know better than that.

Even as I watch, you are losing control.

You grow impatient.

I have noticed it at times.

Even like now when you are calm.

That upheaval of emotion that comes

Just when you don’t expect it.

That one breaker that is less controlled

Then all the rest, shows your impatience.

It does not caress my toes and

Then depart through the sand.

Ho! It grabs at my knees and

Pulls at me with fierce enthusiasm.

There is no need my friend for your impatience.

Think about it.

From you I have learned to be strong,

Without a show of force.

From you I have learned to be placid,

But never complacent.

In your depth I have had great joy,

And near death.

You have taught me to trust,

But never to rely.

I have learned what I do is important,

And what I would like to do stays insignificant.

No, my friend, be not impatient.

Two billion years ago I was created from you.

I would not deprive you if I could.

Yours is a millennium, mine but half a grain of sand.

Do not be inpatient,

We will be as one in due time.

Until then my friend,

 I will visit you as

 often as I can.

I have kept my word and I think

Due time is on the horizon.

The good thing is I still

Need binoculars

To see it.

TOMATEOTS