Billy Boy

(February 25, 1993)

This birthday you'll be fifty-two,

    I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.

Also believe me Billy Boy,

    having you in my life is pure joy.

It is not often in life,

    you find an adult who is child like.

But you are still very grown up,

    even when you tried to ride a bike.

Even if our children don't agree,

    I am glad you decided to marry me.

We have our differences it is true,

    but with you you bugging me I'd be blue.

You know how to pout like a little boy,

    when I say NO to buying you a particular toy.

You also know how to make me feel glad,

    when all I can think of is being sad.

I don't think I'd have had the courage to

    work through cancer or the stroke,

If you had not been there to tell me

    all of your rotten old jokes.

We married for all the wrong reasons,

    but we can count on each other in all seasons.

We have come to know that it's true.

    wehn we're together we are never blue.

I hope I can be as lucky as you,

    when I turn fifty-two.

But that won't be for a long time

    'cause if I grew that old it would be a crime.

Yes you are lucky don't you see,

    because you had the great sense to marry me.

You have grown a lot since we got married.

    I'm not talking about the extra weight your body has carried.

You are now a more confident fellow,

    who is intelligent and resourceful.

Some who knew you in the past would not

    believe it, but you are truly forceful.

So have a Happy Fifty-Two,

    And alway remember I love you.

SHE-WALKS-SHE-FALLS-DOWN-SHE-CRIES

(February 25, 1993)

She-Walks-She-Falls-Down-She-Cries,

    is a name she was once known by.

Her correct name is Eva Marie Rose,

    my baby sister, whose patience I could always try.

John Wilson gave her this crazy name,

    when she was a very small child.

Trying to keep up with older brothers & sisters,

    as a toddler she fell down a lot and cried.

Her walking has greatly improved as well it should,

    since now she is forty-five.

Because I am publicizing this face,

    I will be lucky to escape her wrath alive.

She now drives a truck an eighteen wheeler,

    to earn her living, if you can believe it.

She and her husband Ray are a team, they drive

    most every day, no matter how crummy the street.

Her four children are Faith, Charity, Grant, and Christian.

    and she has done a great job of raising them.

Her family has moved so many times, I swear

    it's hare even for the post office to locate 'em.

Her hair started to turn grey at sixteen,

    but she has colored it so much,

Information on what color it really is,

    even her hairdresser won't divulge.

I am not her favorite sibling,

    but then why should I be?

I was the the one who often tipped her out of her

    bassinet when she was just a baby.

Eva, you have turned into a marvelous adult,

    which is not surprising to see.

You get all your best characteristics

    from your sister Lou Ann & of course most of all from me.

This poem is to celebrate your birthday,

    but one thing I must know about,

Isn't it time to tell the truth, and end the argument,

    "Wasn't it your turn to turn the light out?"

Happy birthday, little Sis,

    Having you to argue with  is what I often miss.

Many Happy Returns of the Day,

    May your delightful smile never ever go away. 

Phone Message

(January 25, 1993)

Hello,

    This is [XXX-XXXX]

Complaints have been registered

    by both friend & foe,

Saying my "Happy Holiday"

    message had to go.

I'm not a bad sport

    and I won't hold a grudge

I took the message off, but

    on this point I won't budge.

My new message will rhyme

    and I'm happy to report,

I will under no circumstances

    be short.

So hold on to your hat

    and curl up with your phone

Remember leave a non-singing message

    right after the tone.

We may not be home, or

    we're just monitoring your call.

So speak up clearly & leave a

    message once and for all.

Remember this experience

    both foes and friends

And never complain

    about my singing messages again.

If you're still listening to this

    you didn't remember the trick

To go straight to the machine,

    you have to push the asterisk.

Now that I've had my share

    of fun, leave a message quick,

All of this talking and rhyming

    is making even me sick.

Untitled Answering Machine Message

(date unknown)

OH THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL

    AND YOU'VE REACHED THE REINDL HOUSEHOLD,

NO ONE CAN COME TO THE PHONE,

    BUT PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AT THE TONE. 

WHEN WE FINALLY GET UNBUSY,

    WE WILL CALL YOU RIGHT BACK WE PROMISE.

HUM HUM HUMMING HUM. . . . . . . . . . . .

BY NOW YOU'RE READY TO KILL ME,

    SO I GUESS I'LL STOP THIS HUMMING

READY SET HERE WE GO

    YOU FINALLY GOT THE TONE.

 Jeanne

(August 6, 1993)

She came for a year

    as a LVC volunteer.

She had some interesting times & some fun,

    unfortunately she even met Milwaukee's Cryptosporidium.

She cheerfully tackled each assigned task,

    doing even more than was asked.

Most of the neighborhood children she knew,

    they will miss her, especially Nicole & Matthew.

Chronological age qualifies her as a senior,

     but she is more active than many her junior.

Jeanne & Interim Pastor Ed,

    proved being retired does not equal dead.

So Long, and GOOD LUCK, we will miss you so much,

    Please travel with care, we will try to keep in touch.

Our fervent PRAYER is that God will bless Jeanne and her parish.

    Memories of her Lincoln Park will always cherish.

Lynne

January 8, 1993

As President of the Council for the last three years,

    you have helped me though a valley of tears.

You learned the hard way what roofs were about,

    when the raccoons made it impossible to keep the rain out.

As a co-chair of the Outreach Committee,

    you helped us learn our neighborhood, and city.

You supported Lincoln Park's MICAH membership,

    though some older members thought your mind had slipped.

A VBS teacher extraordinary,

    you used Walter's yarn while he was busy elsewhere.

Communion you take to the homebound,

        and a more caring person will never be found.

As Comptroller for Greater Milwaukee United Way,

    you are one of the reasons they are still active today.

When you go to Madison to stude,

    I hope you will remember this old fuddy-duddy.

Lynne, please give me a phone number to call,

    you know I'll need help, if not now, then in the fall.

My prayers are with you now and always,

    and may we get together soon, in happier days.

Thank you for being a friend,

    I hope our friendship will never end. 

42

(September 12, 1986)

It's a lovely day.

    The rain's gone away.

But I'm a little blue,

    'Cause today I'm forty-two,

This double twenty-one,

    Leaves me wishing for some fun.

But I need a day,

    To just get away.

A place in the sun,

    Where some thinking can be done.

Really it's not fair.

    My whole life's up in the air.

This birthday should be banned,

    Or maybe just canned.

Remember me, I made it through,

    And you can too.