Lucy's Musings

Lucy’s Musings

“I just wake up sometimes and a poem is in my head, so I write it down”

Lucy McGuire

God’s Way God’s always there With His love and His care Anytime I have a need.

He saved me by grace, I should give Him first place And let Him take the lead.

But He gave me free will Said He’d be with me still If I chose to go my own way.

But I’d be in a mess I have to confess If God acted a lot like me.

He’d say, “Sorry my dear, I have others to hearYou’ll have to wait ‘til I’m free.

When I’ve nothing to do I’ll get ‘round to you And that’s the way it will be.”

But God’s way is best I’ve really been blessed That He’s not at all like me!

Brotherly Love The morning has come and a new day is here I wonder what the new day will hold.

I’ll try to do better than yesterday And do what I’ve always been told: Not to go my own way, but just learn to obey The words of the Father above.

To put God in first place and not on the shelfAnd try not to htink too much of mself.

When my neighbor is hurting and needing to cry I’ll show him I love him, I can if I try.

For he is my neighbor even when he is cranky, He is my neighbor- even if he’s a Yankee!

Sugar is Sweet, but Honey is Better Seeing honeysuckle on the fence and violets under the trees, I enjoyed being alone with them “Till I saw the honey bees.

They were gathering nectar For the queen of their hive, Also pollinating many things And helping them to survive.

They are also making honey For their queen and us to eat The flavor that it gives Just simply can’t be beat.

So- when you see them working They are doing their God given job.

So watch where they goThey’ll go to their hive or maybe a tree A treasure trove of goodness And, just think- to you, its’ free!

For Years For years I worked hard from day light till dusk To care for my daughters and son.

I cleaned and I cooked and wherever I looked There was ssomething more to be done.

My children were taught to know wrong from right And at night I hugged them and kissed them goodnight.

I taught them to opray to their Father and His Son, And when sleep closed their eyes, My day’s work was done.

But now they’re all grown and I’m left all alone.

So I moved to Ashbrook with my bed and my phone.

My steps are not sure and my eyesight is bad.

I miss all the things that once I had.

I cannot recapture the things that I miss, So I gather with friends and we just reminisce.

The Doctors I’ve gone to the doctors for this and for that.

One tells me I’m heavy One says that I’m fat.

When he tells me I’m fat I get very huffy I’m really not fat I’m just pleasingly fluffy!

Crazy?

I saw my neighbor out in his yard.

And what I saw looked very strange.

He was just standing there and continuing to stare.

And I thought he was very deranged.

Then he moved to the right, Almost out of my sight, And he suddenly gave a shout He dug in his hoe and what do you knowHe pulled a large male mole out!

Well, I misjudged again.

I know it’s a sin to criticize all I see.

When all along I was in the wrong and the crazy one was ME.

Driving I drove and drove Around the town To find a certain store.

It wasn’t here and it wasn’t there, And I had to look some more.

I was becoming very tired And really out of sorts, When I spotted there a young man Wearing some baggy shorts.

He told me exactly where to go So I followed his directions.

And when I finally saw the store, My face got very red.

I had passed it many times before.

I must be out of my head.

You won’t believe what happened As I started to open the door.

I thought and thought and to my shame, I couldn’t remember why I came.

You might think it very funny And I am very sure you do.

Don’t laugh so very hard at me nowSomeday it could happen to you!

Painting I looked at the picture I’d painted.

It filled me with remorse.

For the painting looked awfully sillyI’d put the cart before the horse.

For the horse should be pulling the cart If he wanted to win the race, But I have the thing all backwards And I’m sitting with egg on my face.

I have to destroy the painting And do it all over again.

So I’ll wash the egg right off my face And I guess I’d better begin.

Next time I paint a picture And make sure that it looks quite real, I’ll keep my mind on my paintingBut I’m really not sure that I will.

Suzie Our Suzie is great! what she does is first rate.

And believe me it boggles my mind.

She plans all the games to exercise our brains, and hobbies of various kinds.

But that’s not the bestshe does more than the rest of the things I mentioned above.

She sings up a storm And she’s loaded with charm, And she’s very easy to love.

So give her a star- and I’m sure that by far She deserves much more than we give.

I’ll remember her ways the rest of my days And respect her as long as I live.

Ode to Roger When the inmates of Ashbrooke Need something done If the windows get stuck and the water won’t run, They turn to Roger to find what is wrong.

And when Susie starts singing He joins in the song.

His voice is great, like Caruso or Bing.

It’s just as good as birds on the wing.

I could listen all day to his ...(?)

And whenever he sings, It just makes my day.

When his singing is over He has leaves to rake.

Well he can do anythingJust give him duct tape!

Anniversary Way back in history a young man Full of the zest for life, Figured the time was coming To find himself a wife.

One day he spotted a beauty As sweet as she as fair, He made up his mind to wed her And popped the question right there.

The marriage was always a good one, For he loved her tenderly.

She always loved him just as much, It was very plain to see.

The years brought children to bless them, To add to their family tree, And a few troubles to test them, Just the same as you and me.

The years have increased in number, And more branches on the tree, And many years of happiness.

Now the number is sixty-three!

Debbie Debbie is versatile, she does many a chore.

I don’t know the things that she did before.

She greets us in the morning with her “Hollywood Wave” And I’ve never once seen her even looking grave.

She calls Bingo cards and Pokeno, too.

And deals out the quarters To give the winners their due.

She shoves around tables and also the chairs And helps those who need her To help down the stairs.

She does so much more, I would run out of space So let’s keep her right here, She’d be hard to replace!

Sue Sue’’s horses are gone and her saddles, too.

But she kept all her ribbons and her old boots too.

She was a cowgirlnow her title is new: She’s now known in Butler as “Bootscootin’ Sue”.

Driving I drove and drove Around the town To find a certain store.

It wasn’t here and it wasn’t there, And I had to look some more.

The Menu

I took a bite of lettuce And covered it with dressing, I’ll nibble on it a little bit I was becoming very tired Now for out dessert, of sorts,what should I try?

After I’ve said my blessing. And really goody!there I seeait’s that tasty WhenOh, I spotted young man pecan pie.

I’ll take large slice Wearing somea baggy shorts.

I looked at the menu That nice.

He told mesounds exactlyvery where to go To see what they had.

And if it’s small, histoo directions.

It’s chicken and dumplings So I followed I’ll just order TWICE. That can’t be too bad.

And when I finally saw the store, That blows My face gotjust very red. my diet Now what else do I see; sorrow I had Much passedtoit my many times before.

It’s that awful spinach! thishead. today, I mustBut be I’ll outeat of my I’ll just let that be.

And I’ll diet tomorrow.

It might help me get You won’t believe what happened A little bit lean, As I started to open the door.

But, heavens to Betsy, I thought and thought and to my shame, It’s so VERY GREEN! I couldn’t remember why I came.

You might think it very funny And I am very sure you do.

Don’t laugh so very hard at me nowSomeday it could happen to you!

Hobbies When I was young and healthy and would do things just for fun, I tried my hand at bowling.

Believe me I never won.

I tried to aim for the middle To make all the ten pins fall But they ended up in the gutter Not hitting anything at all!

But my team was doing much better Making a strike or a spare And I’d just sit there and mutter, I guess that I really didn’t care.

So I took up a different hobby That was very much more my style.

And now I’m doing my painting And finding it more worthwhile.

So I do what I can do better To pass the time of day, And leave the bowling to others And they are glad that I’m out of the way!

Driving The Ant

I drove and drove The ant is the busiest creature Around the town That I have ever seen.

To find a certain store.

He’s moving this and carrying that It wasn’t here and it wasn’t there, Kim was just standing there No wonder he’s so lean.

And I had to look some more.

When she became aware He’s storing food to feast upon Of a loud and veary strange noise.

When it’s too cold to roam.

She was all alone, not one else was home I was becoming very tired That’s fine for him; And really out of sorts, Not even one of the boys.

He can go where he wants.

When I spotted there a young man But he better Wearing some baggy shorts.

Whe went to the window and to her surprise Stay out of my home!

He told me exactly where to go She had a porch full of turkeys.

So I followed his directions.

She couldn’t believe her eyes.

She went to the door to shoo them away, And when I finally saw the store, Cause they looked like they’d come A turtle My face got very red. is slow To spend the rest of the day. ssteady ofbefore. pace I had passed itBut many times She went back to the window not really trying to win a race.

I must be out He’s of my head.

And was surprised to see an old male turkey.

And much to her glee, But I’m inhappened a hurry You won’t believe what She said, “Why he’s staring right back at me!” get things done.

As I started toTo open the door. can’t even enjoy I thought andIthought and to my shame, Then she got on the phone and called her mom.

The things I’ve won.

I couldn’t remember why I came.

She said, “My dear, guess what is here” She was entertaining the So- itwho you think You might think verydofunny original “Peeping Tom”! life do. best?

And I am veryEnjoys sure you theatturtle Don’t laugh soI vote very for hard me nowHe’s happen passed the test.

Someday it could to you!

The Turkeys

A Turtle

Driving

Country Joy

I drove and drove Around the town To find a certain store.

It wasn’t here and it wasn’t there, And I had to look some more.

I was becoming very tired And really out of sorts, When the seeds and the plants lay resting When I spotted there a young man Beneath a blanket of earth, Wearing some baggy shorts.

The rain started gently to nudge them He told me exactly where to go To rise and begin a new birth.

So I followed his directions.

The April rain came streaming down I rushed outside to join the fun My window with a ping AndAnd when finallythings saw the seeI what thestore, spring has done.

To tell me that the time had come My There face got veryflowers red. blooming beneath my feet were To welcome in the Spring.

I had passed it many timesonbefore.

And leaves appearing trees, I must out were of mysinging head. a mating song Thebe birds The sun came out and asked the rain That floated to me on the breeze, To come another day YouOld won’t believe Bessie, ourwhat cow,happened was feeding her calf For the sun had planned to encourage As IWho started to open door.it caused me to laugh. wobbled sothe much, Plants to bloom that very day.

I thought and thought and to my shame, I couldn’t remember whygood I came.

I marveled at all the things we’ve been given To make our life a pleasure YouSo might think veryfor funny I thank myitGod His unwrapped gifts AndHe I am sure youwithout do. measure. hasvery given to us Don’t laugh so very hard at me nowSomeday it could happen to you!

Waiting for Spring When February is ending I can’t wait to welcome spring.

For cold days will soon be ending Just think what the spring will bring.

Autumn Bounty

The flowers, the birds, the soft breeze, The list just goes on and on, But I will be very happy When the long cold days are gone.

When leaves changed their clothing From green to orange and red, The time has come to tell me To put my garden back to bed.

The world just seems to come alive When things begin to grow And busy days will be back again And warmth will replace the snow.

I preserve the things God gave me To use throughout the year To feed my freinds and family Without a single fear.

But I must be very thankful For whatever my life will bring, For now I’m alive and still breathing Everyday, not only in the spring.

God supplies my every need So I try to do His will.

My cup runneth over, For His words He will fulfill.

So I gratefully thank my Father For His mercy and His grace And someday up in Heaven I’ll thank Him face to face.

Driving Snow

I drove and drove I sit in my chair Around the town To find a certain store.

And watch the snow.

It wasn’t here and it wasn’t there, My thoughts go back And I had to look some more.

To long ago. becoming tired As a child of seven,I was I thought it wasvery Heaven really To slide on my sledAnd down the out hill.of sorts, When and I spotted I was young and healthy full ofthere fun a young man And plenty of timeWearing to kill. some baggy shorts.

He told me exactly where to go I followed hisfire directions.

I remember a partySowe had by the With cocoa and cookies to eat.

And when finally But time has descended uponIme nowsaw the store, My face got feet. very red.

And I’m lucky to stand on my I had passed it many times before.

I must bedecided out of my What’s more my teeth have to head. leave With only a few intact.

Youthat won’t I’ve accepted the fact I’vebelieve grownwhat old, happened As coming I startedback. to open the door.

And my youth is not I thought and thought and to my shame, So I sit in my chairI couldn’t remember why I came.

And watch the snow You deep. might think it very funny That is getting so very And I am you do.

I don’t want to slide down thevery hillsure anymore.

All I want to do is Don’t sleep. laugh so very hard at me nowSomeday it could happen to you!

Sitting with Jesus I knew the day was ending For the sun was going down.

I had been so very busy All I could do was frown.

I’ve been rushing here and rushing there To do so many things.

It seems I’m always busy, The time has flown on wings.

When I look back to view my day, Have I ever faithfully stopped to pray?

Then I knew the thing that I must do, To humbly thank Him for friends like you.

I knew my Best Friend was waiting For my worldly thoughts to end, And to join HIm in sweet communion, For He has many souls to win.

Then peace descended upon me And love surrounded us there.

No rest on earth could be better Than Jesus and me sitting there.

Loving Loving is sometimes hard to do, But God has said that I must.

He first loved me and also you, What He said we can always trust.

Would I ever be willing to give my child Or maybe myself away To die for strangers as Jesus did To help them on their way?

But I dont’ have to earn my way at all Or pay any kind of bill For Jesus paid it on the cross His promise to fulfill.

So love as He loved In your daily walk As you go about your day.

Show everyone you love them No matter how or when.

It could lead them straight to Jesus, And another soul would win!

Love The meaning of love is misused a lot As you enjoy many things.

You admire the flowers about you That are blooming in the spring.

I think you mean you like them, And are very glad they’re there, But Love has a beatter meaning That shows you really care.

God showed us that He loved us all Enough to give His Son. And Jesus also loved us Including everyone.

Now you know the real true meaning When you use the words, “I love”, For God has shown us humans The real meaning from above!

New When you buy a thing at the market That has a moving part, You get a book of instructions To help to make it start.

If it goes bad, just take it back, They’ll replace your broken part.

ButWhen you get a brand new baby, With moving parts galore, The Bible is our instruction book.

You won’t need anything more.

Just follow the instructions it gives you.

Then you have done your best.

Your job has now been finished, And God will do the rest.

Alive I’m stitting in my chair With my feet in the air They say it is good for my heart.

But if that’s the case, why does my heart race?

And it feels like I’m falling apart.

My hearing is bad and I wish that I had A remote that was built in a birth.

Turn it up, turn it down, To adjust the sound, Just think what that would be worth!

Other things have gone wrong, But the list is so long It would almost fill a book.

My eyes have gone south With my teeth from my mouth And I can’t even sing a song.

My feet are so slow, But I’ll have you to know I’m doing the best that I can.

God keeps me alive So I’ll give Him high-5!

Cause He’s the only One who can.

Your Promise A Promise A child sat by the window To see his dad arrive, For he had promised to get him And take him for a drive.

He waited and waited longer, Till it was too late to go.

The child was broken hearted, For his father didn’t show.

This was not the first time It happend to the child.

And when it happened this time It almost made me wild.

So I try to be more careful About the things I say, And then not break a promise As his father did that day.

As you travel along life’s pathway And you view the things you do, Some things have made you happy, But trouble has found you, too.

Trouble can not overcome you If you’ve given God your life.

For He promised to always be with you, In pleasure and in strife.

So live the life He gives you, And be thankful for every day.

For one day life will be over And you’ll be in Heaven to stay.

For the cross has truly saved you And promised a second birth, Then you wil be in Heaven Leaving your troubles on earth.

So now you should help your neighbor To know all these wonderful things.

So he can some day join you, And claim all the blessing it brings.

Lucy McGuire with her first Nosey Nellie book.

In this book of collected poems, Lucy shares her

humorous side with musings about people, herself, life and its happenings, and God’s presence that brings peace.

You’re never too old to accomplish something new. Lucy McGuire was 94 when she published her first book.

Asked how she came about that project, she replies, “I woke up one morning, and the Lord said to me, “Write a children’s book!” Lucy wasn’t about to tell the Lord no. She remembered a gourd head doll with a long crookneck nose and her character was born: Nosey Nellie.

“God put it in my mind to write it, Lucy says, “Cause I could never do it on my own. And the pictures were hard to paint- especially with these eyes.” (She has failing eyesight with macular degeneration.)

Lucy hadn’t written any books before, but she had enjoyed painting for many years. After visiting Arkansas’ War Eagle Fair, she took some lessons in the Missouri hills, then continued painting for a local craftsman in the Smokey Mountains for a number of years.

Her first printing of 50 “Nosey Nellie Visits the Farm” disappeared in less than two weeks. The local newspaper interviewed her for a feature article, then the library asked her to do a book signing. Her friends at Ashbrook Manor bought them for grandchildren, and soon she had sold more than 250 books.

Christmas was coming, and Lucy decided that children needed to know about the real Christmas story, so she labored on her second book, “Nosey Nellie Finds the Real Christmas”. It was just as popular as the first book.

“I didn’t plan to write anymore,” said Lucy. “It is just too hard to see to paint.” But then Easter came, and Lucy, then 96, finished the set with the story of the real Easter, “ Nosey Nellie Finds a Best Friend”.

Copyright 2017 Farmington, MO $7.00