I am posting this here because I know Mark does some generous trading with a lot of you.
http://www.simplesite.com/CROCOSMIA/5330373
I thought maybe some of you would like to read Marks Christmas Story. He is a wonderful DGer from the UK. Mr Crocosmia has a wonderful site to browse. Please take a little time and view his photos. I didn't know there were so many varieties of crocosmia. It is truly an under used plant in our southern gardens. Cindy
I used his picture without permission so I hope he will forgive.
A Christmas Story worth reading
This site has remarkable photos of crocosmia flowers, the most beautiful
photos I've seen so far. Be warned thought that they are very tempting :)
And the story is truly beautiful too....
This message was edited Dec 19, 2006 10:58 AM
Yep, it a good story to help remind folks of what the holiday season is truly all about. Here several us take blankets and jackets down to the shelters. Some folks just have no idea how much some of the most simplest items are needed and a good wool blanket to them is like somebody else winning the lottery.
Mark is a sweetie, with a touch of the devil on the side ; ) . Makes life more intresting. Love hsi site and I hope he gets his National recognition. All them beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..tiful pics and flowers he has makes ya wanna take visit to the UK.
Hey, my mum just called round and i showed her what you wrote........................ she said, YEP THEY GOT THAT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO
She brought me some sausage rolls............................... anyone fancy one????????????????
MMMMMMMMMMMMM yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy!!!!
Starlight starbright, you make my heart shine.............................
LOL... I was gonna ask Mark if that was really his Grandmother and his own story, 'cause you know how the devil is... ;)
It is a wonderful story Mark!!! :)
~Gina
Mark that was a wonderful story. Every year here some organizations here collect old coats people donate.The Dry Cleaners clean them all for free and then they are given to the needy children at school
Nice to know there are people out there that still care............................
That story brought joyful tears to my eyes. Thanks you so much for bringing it to our attention.
Mark how wonderful of a story and I happen to know that it still does exist just look at all the people on DG and how generous they are to help a new person in need of a garden or Ursula to help another fellow DGer. Yes you all still exsist out there. Thank you for being you.
Beck
Mark, that is a wonderful story, I still believe in Santa, as I saw a miracle last year with I01's scanning equipment. That was the best Christmas I have ever had.
Sweet and touching story.
FOR ALL YOU NASCAR GIRLS!!!!!!!
A NASCAR CHRISTMAS.....
Twas the Race before Christmas and all through the track
Each driver was ready to make his attack.
The tires had been stacked by the pit crew with care
With hopes none of them would run out of air.
The drivers were belted all snug in their seats
Where visions of checkered flags looked mighty sweet.
When out of the infield there rose such a clatter
The crowd sprang to their feet to see what was the matter.
What sight met their wondering eyes as they rose
Twas Rusty Wallace punching somebody's nose.
With eyes like the eagles the spotters they came
And they turned on their headsets and called them by name
"On Spencer! On Petty! On Rudd and Jarrett! "On Cope! On Speed! On Ward and Jeff Burton! At the top of the curve ran 'em into the wall!
Now gentlemen, start your engines all!"
More rapid than lightning the Iceman they flew
With a sack full of cash and the Winston Cup too.
And then in a twinkling there came to the front
The bright rainbow colors of Gordon's DuPont.
Then Bobby Labonte flew by in a flash
While Martin had a breakdown and Spencer a crash.
Then all at once with a rush and a roar
There came a new car they had not seen before.
From bumper to bumper it was painted all red
North Pole Toy Co.was the sponsor they read.
With a little old driver so lively and quick
They all said at once, "Hey, this must be a trick!"
"A geezer like that shouldn't be driving here!"
"And why does his pit crew all have pointed ears?"
The next scheduled pit stop went kinda slow
For the old fellow stopped at each pit in the row.
He spent no time at all, but left gas and oil
A new set of tires, new tools for their toil.
He asked no endorsement, demanded no fee
And left only coal for the black #3.
Childress got on the com and said "Hey Intimidator ...
Want to chew him up now, or save him for later?"
Dale spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
He gave him a nudge, then broadsided the jerk.
But the old guy escaped with a zig and a zag
And crossed over the finish line, right at the flag.
The old man drove straight up to victory lane
Grabbed up the trophy and drank some champagne.
Thanked all his sponsors and took the cash too
Stole a kiss from Brooke Gordon, and then off he flew
As he sped out of sight, one last cry did they hear.
"Merry Christmas to all, better luck next year!"
and even you rednecks.......................LOL
A Red Neck Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the trailer
Not a creature was stirrin' 'cept a redneck named Taylor.
His first name was Bubba, Joe was his middle,
And a-runnin' down his chin was a trickle of spittle.
His socks, they were hung by the chimney with care,
And therefore there was a foul stench in the air.
That Bubba got scared and rousted the boys.
There was Rufus, 12 Jim Bob was 11
Dud goin' on 10 Otis was 7.
John, George and Chucky Were 5,4, and 3:
The twins were both girls so they let them be.
They jumped in their overalls, no need for a shirt,
Threw a hat on each head, then turned with a jerk.
They ran to the gun rack that hung on the wall.
There were 17 shotguns they grabbed them all.
Bubba said to the young'uns, "now hesh up ya'll!
The last thing we wanna do is wake up yer Maw."
Maw was expecting and needed her sleep,
So out they crept out the door without making a peep.
They all looked around, and then they all spit.
The young'uns asked Bubba, "Paw, what is it?"
Bubba just stared he could not say a word.
This was just like all of The stories he'd heard.
It was Santy Claus on the roof, darn tootin'
But the boys didn't know they was about to start shootin'!
They aimed their shotguns and nearly made a mistake
That would have resulted in venison steak.
Bubba hollered out, "don't shoot, boys!"
That's Santy Claus And he's brought us some toys.
The dogs were a-barkin' and a-raisin' cain,
And Bubba whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.
"Down, Spot! shut up Bullet! quiet, Roscoe and Enos!
Git, Turnip and Tater and Sam and Bosco!"
"Git down from that porch! git down off that wall!
Quit shakin the trailer, or you'll make Santy fall!"
The dogs kept a-barkin' and wouldn't shut up,
And they trampled poor Pete Who was only a pup.
Santy opened his bag, And threw out some toys.
Bubba got most, but left a few for the boys.
Since the guns had been dropped he just might not die.
He jumped in his sleigh, told his reindeer to hurry.
The trailer started to wobble santa started to worry.
Just as the reindeer got into the air,
The trailer collapsed, but Bubba didn't care.
He was busy lookin' at all his new toys.
Then a thought hit him, and he said to the boys:
"Go check on yer Maw, make sure she's all right.
That roof fallin' on her could-a hurt just a might."
But Maw was OK, and the girls were too.
They fixed up the trailer it looked good as new.
And as for Bubba, he liked Old St. Nick,
But Santa thought Bubba was a pure-in-tee hick!
Bubba had a nice Christmas, and the boys did, too.
And the Taylors wish a Yee Haw Merry Christmas to you!
LOL... yeah, that really puts me in the spirit!
This line is classic, though: "And a-runnin' down his chin was a trickle of spittle."
LOL..................... I knew it would sweetie......!!!!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I love rednecks.............................
Ahhhhhhhhhhh my love, a side of you I never knew you possessed.. A poet..LOL
I loved them both..any more?................Hugs Lauri
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I have lots........................ have a look at the parking lot one sweetheart................ its for all the hard working moms!!!!
This message was edited Dec 24, 2006 11:11 AM
Mark, you've changed your user name! Shall we refer to you as Mr.C now? LOL
I loved your story! Thank you for sharing.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
Neal
Neal............................ you can refer to me as whatever you wish!!! LOL
But yes Mr. C sounds good to me..................................
You have a Wonderful Christmas too.............
Mark
is this the story about the little boy giving his friend a coat and another lady not charging him the complete price for the coat? if this is the story then this is what i did. after i read the story i asked my children if they knew anyone who might not get something that they really wanted for Christmas. my son has a little best friend that comes from a troubled home. and my son, jack, loves his friends and his family whoever they are just because they are his. he said his friend, jesse, wouldn't get much for Christmas and the person who usually got his Christmas was in the hospital. so i asked him what he wanted to get his friend and he said he wanted him to have a nintendo game cube. so we found one on ebay that was used. it didn't come yet and that was a disappointment but when it gets here there are going to be 2 very happy little boys. thanks for that story because jesse is going to get something that he really wants this year because of it. barb
Barb
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, that is so sweet.........................!!!!!!
Shame it didnt arrive in time for christmas.......... but they are still gonna be very very happy!!!!!!
Marks story hit a sentimental cord with me....I had a Dad like his grandmother. In our neighborhood we had a family that was poor, each year the kids wore the same coat, made sleds out of cardboard,ect.. and just didn't have a lot. Dad would take me shopping and he would ask.."Is there somone not on your list that you can think of that could use a few things?" And I would say the family name down the street. And we would go about playing Santa. We would buy something for all the children and then a necklace and a tie or gloves for the parents. Then we would wrap them, and wait for dark. When it got about 8pm Dad would pack the gifts and me into the car and off we would go. Dad would park down the street and I would hop out run up to the door, put the bag of gifts down, ring the doorbell and run like h...the wind. By the time I got back in the car and driving down the road, Dad and I would be laughing like fools. It just felt so good to make someone happy and be sneaky about it too! I never forgot that, and admit that i've done it a few times with my own children....I think it teach's them a great lesson about sharing, and being grateful for what you have.
Marks Grandmother and my Dad were cut from the same cloth...if you ask me..we need more "fabric" like that on this earth!
This message was edited Dec 26, 2006 9:22 AM
How very true Pixie and not just at Christmas , but through the whole year long. There is a big differnce between wants and needs . it would be nice to have all our wants, but our hearts should always be open to supply peoples needs whenever we can , anyway we can.
Life takes many twists and turns. No matter how we think our futures are going to go or how much we plan, the unexpected can and does happen. Someday we all may be on the " need" end.
There is no greater joy than seeing the smile of relief and tears of joy on someone face when they thought hope was lost or stress removed when a need has been fulfilled.
Aw cool story. Now that's the spirit of Christmas. Keep up the good work!!!!!!! Buttoneer (greenhouse gardener from Pennsylvania, USA)
