Beautiful leaves of emerald green.

Through the spring and summer I have seen.

Yet as the autumn winds begin to blow.

Comes the flight of the leaf painter,

from where I don't know.

Like a touch magic, the colors appear.

As the wind plays a dance for everyone to hear.

With a touch of their wand,

they bring a new look.

To the mountains, the meadows,

and down by the brook.

Colors of Yellow, Brown, Orange and Red,

The beauty of Autumn spins in my head.

Laid awake I have, so late at night,

To watch the painters in their flight.

Fast asleep I have fallen without the chance.

To watch the painters perform their dance.

As it all goes away when the snow starts to fall.

Fond memories of Autumn I will always recall.

 for  Progressive KIDS 

This little boy is what life's all about.

Mama's little man, and loved no doubt.

He makes no demands, and he does no harm.

Up at six, when he hears the alarm.

A smile on his face, waiting for mother to say.

"Good morning son", "It's a wonderful day."

A cute little hug, and a little wet kiss.

Mom, it just doesn't get any better than this.

It's off to day care, where he plays with the boys.

Laughing, giggling and chewing on toys.

Lunch, a snack and a nap or two.

So when he's picked up, he's all smiles for you.

Strapped in his seat, and on his way home.

Where the rest of the family, just won't leave him alone.

After playing, eating and having a bath too.

He's ready mom to cuddle with you.

Then it's off to bed, with his face all aglow.

As if to say 'I love you mom", "But you already know".

Fast asleep in his crib, and away from all harm.

He dreams of tomorrow, till the six o'clock alarm.

 for  Progressive KIDS 

A Waddie was a cowboy without a home,

From round up to round up these cowboys would roam.

Master horseman they were, with a very keen eye,

Watching over the herd as the days went by.

A horse was their friend, and a saddle a must,

The stars were a map through the trails of dust.

Open sky was a roof, and the ground was their bed,

A blanket for warmth, and a saddle for their head.

They lived off the land, and made their own way,

Letting no challenge stand in their way.

Friendships were valued as integrity and trust,

But hard work and honesty, were always a must.

A schedule to meet, and rough country ahead,

They never stopped pushing to the nearest railhead.

Thoughts of a good meal, and some money to spend,

They had dreams in their hearts as they reached the trail end.

 for  Progressive KIDS 

It's a time of the year when feelings run deep,

And children are excited and unable to sleep.

We each have a wish we hope will come true,

and a million things we all hurry to do.

We shop for our loved ones, one by one,

Hurrying and hoping we have time to get it all done.

The house is filled with the sent of spice in the air,

Mother has been baking, and there's goodies everywhere.

The days pass by as quickly as Santa's reindeer,

As family and friends wish each other good cheer.

The paper boy, the mail man, the old couple next door,

We wish them a happy holiday, with a smile and more.

We marvel at the children with their faces aglow,

Waiting for Santa, they fall asleep, 

and off to bed they go,

After a nights dreams, they awaken to see,

That Santa has come and left the presents

 under the tree.

As they gather around the tree to open the gifts galore,

There's paper and ribbon all over the floor.

And I recall the wish, I hoped would come true,

To spend the day with the people I love,

the children and you!!

 for  Progressive KIDS 

Cowboys and Indians were a part of the west.

Pioneer families and settlers made up the rest.

A horse was your friend and a saddle a must.

The stars were a map through the trails of dust.

Open sky was a roof, and the ground was a bed.

A blanket for warmth and a saddle for your head.

Friendships were valued as integrity and trust.

But hard work and honesty were always a must.

They lived off the land, and made their own way.

Dreams in their hearts, struggling day to day.

These special people carved the land of today.

Letting no challenge stand in their way.

It was the vision of tomorrow and the right to be free.

That these people passed on to you and to me.

 for Progressive KIDS 

Stars in the sky and a coyote in the night.

Campfire glowing, everything is all-right.

I'll take the first watch and you take the last.

Try to get some sleep, for the night passes fast.

A lot of cattle to move and a long way to go.

We'll start at dawn, for the going is slow.

Ten days to drive them to market from here.

Wild animals, weather, and rustlers I fear.

A schedule to meet, and some rough ground ahead.

With my blanket and saddle, I'll head off to bed.

for Progressive KIDS 

Carousel horses are magic you know,

And there are no limits of where you can go.

Dreams can come true if you really believe,

Imagination and magic are thoughts that we weave.

Laughter and music are part of the joy,

from the oldest adult, to the littlest boy.

With a smile on their face, and a twinkle in their eye,

The children all watch the horses go by.

A ticket to ride, and a dream in your heart.

Hold on to the reigns, and the magic will start.

The carousel, the carousel, it's a magical place,

The magic can be seen in every child's face.

 for  Progressive KIDS 

Carousel music and horses flying fast.

It brings back the memories of a forgotten past.

It brings back the thoughts of being a kid.

Carnivals, candy apples, and things that we did.

The Carousel, the music, and the horses too.

All have a way of becoming a part of you.

Around and around in magical dreams.

The horses come alive, or so it seems.

The laughter of children and the smile on their face.

The Carousel, the Carousel, it's a magical place.

 for  Progressive KIDS 

A single rain drop, a million or more,

We take our umbrella as we go out the door.

An errand to run, or a walk in the park,

A trip across town, some after dark

Rain brings out the child in me, that time had forgot,

As I watch the kids stomping in puddles

across the parking lot.

At the end of the day, when the race has been run,

I lay by the fire and think of warm summer sun.

Then it's off to bed all tired and beat,

The rain plays a tune on my window till I fall asleep.

Then it's up in the morning to start a new day,

When the suns peaking through 

and the rains gone away.

Glad as I am to see the sun once again,

I silently wait for the rain to begin.

The rain brings to me the air that is clean,

It helps the flowers to grow, and the grass to stay green.

For it's the beauty of nature that I love to see,

And it's the sun and the rain that bring it to me.

 for  Progressive KIDS