HE HAS RISEN!

Praise God! Christ has risen! Happy Easter!

(The Chapel at Joe Tucker Park, Helena)

This morning I attended a community sunrise church service. It was held outside at this little chapel in the park atop a hill, overlooking a small lake. I arrived early, no one was there, but within a half hour, this little outdoor chapel was filled with people. People from different churches, different denominations, different races, all coming together to praise HIM. It was a powerful experience and way to begin such a sacred day!I love the message wrapped up in a powerful jump start. I just wanted to wake the town in which I live, and shout, "He has risen!". I hope that your day begins with such blessings and joy. Happy Easter!-Leigh

New Day by guest Joan Wilson

I stood behind a woman about my age
In the slow moving check-out line at the grocery store
She was obviously impatient
Pushed by the need to be somewhere else
The young cashier was unaware of the woman's glare
The girl was in another world
Laughing and talking with the handsome young man
Beside her sacking the groceries
The longer we stood there, inching along
The more I became aware of the
Woman's frustration
And at that moment my eyes became fastened
On her beautiful white hair
Suddenly the urge came to tell her how pretty Her hair was
Lord!Is this the time to tell a stranger
Something like that?
The urge did not go away
So, finally I mustered courage
Inched up a bit closer to her
Leaned over her shoulder and whispered
"May I tell you something?"
She turned and gave me a cautious look and said shortly
"What?
I said, "Your hair is merely gorgeous!" It is so beautiful I can't take my eyes off it"That woman's face lit up like a Little child's on Christmas morning!A smile broke forth and she said"You have made my day!"The smile remained on her face As she pushed her grocery cart out the door Unaware she had made my day. For, at that moment I was reminded once again. There is tremendous power,In words!
Words can create
Words can heal
Words can deceive
Words can be so cruel as to
Strip someone down to naked shame
Lash them with words of condemnation
Leaving scars only God can heal
Words can slash with angry accusation or
Continually pick at small faults
Smothering someone a little at a time
Smothering their desire to live
Love words can cover someone stripped naked by shame
Comfort them in our Father's acceptance
Clothe them in Christ's glorious
Wonderful new creation hand me downs
What an honor for our Father to entrust us
With this power!
As I write, I am aware of the responsibility
Of the words I write It scares me!
But I know it is a holy fear from God
Reminding me to see the importance of my word usage
In my daily life
The importance of living what I say
For, when He wanted to communicate all He had to say too the world
He impregnated that perfect Word inside the human life of a virgin
Creating a whole new quality of human life
He destroyed the darkness of Satan's Lie you shall be as gods be your own god be independent from God
We are
Have never been
Will never be
Independent from God!
We could not breathe
We could not think
We could not exist without Him
Yet humanity has fallen under an
Illusion that we can be independent from God
No one! has ever been able to pull off that masquerade
Very often someone who is dying
Some one who has spent their life trying to be their own god
Will cry out at the end
Oh, my God
Help me!
I am so glad I responded to His prompting
To say those few plain
Unreligious words to that woman
For I see now it was Christ in me
Speaking Life to that woman!
More and more I see Christ
Coming forth out of His people
People dressed in plain clothes humanity
Many without church uniforms
Just plain clothes Christians
Not just preaching the Word
But living the Word
Living in intimate response
To His Spirit inside them

Hallelujah!
This is a New Day!
Love,
Joan
4/06/09

(The Cross at Sewanee, Tennessee)
A new day, indeed Joan, For today we celebrate, Christ has Risen! It is Easter Sunday! May you all share in the joy of the renewed spirit and the reminders everywhere especially this time of year)....reminders of HIS love for you, for me. Happy Easter!
Continued Blessings,
Leigh

A Few Words by Jimmy Buffett....

As I sit today, under a palm tree, I am listening to music that puts me in a "state of mind" that can only induce thoughts of island hops, cheeseburgers, volcano's, grapefruits and tiki bars.
So, as I listen, perhaps you might be influenced today by some of the words of Jimmy Buffett.
Y'all have a great weekend!

I just want to live happily ever after, every now and then.

I sell escapism.

I still consider it a summer job, though. So, I try to maintain that summer job as long as I can. But it's exciting to be able to have the opportunity to do things I always dreamed of as a kid.

I'm a big follower and reactor to weather.

I'm inspired by people who keep on rolling, no matter their age.

If I couldn't laugh I just would go insane, If we couldn't laugh we just would go insane, If we weren't all crazy we would go insane.

If it doesn't work out there will never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.

If life gives you limes, make margaritas.

Indecision may or may not be my problem.

Instinct taught me 20 years ago to pace a song or a concert performance. That translates into pacing a story, pleasing a reading audience.

Is it ignorance or apathy? Hey, I don't know and I don't care.

It's been wonderful for me, and I feel so privileged to have fans that are that loyal.

Moderation is the key so I work certain amout of time and then I take a certain amount of time off.

My mother insisted that her children read.

Older and wiser voices can help you find the right path, if you are only willing to listen.

People who think too much before they act don't act too much.

Phish and Dave Matthews really know their audiences and really treat them well.

Places I've lived since then had to have some kind of uniqueness and character about them. And logically Key West, and then Down Island. So, all of that stuff sort of had it's roots in New Orleans and went crazy.

Quitting doesn't enter my mind.

Searching is half the fun: life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party.

The stores and the things like that, the business side of things came out at the point when, I'd say probably in the early '70s, it looked like the year of the singer-songwriter was over, 'cause music changed in our time and the spotlight was out.

There's something missing in the music industry today... and it's music. Songs you hear don't last, it's just product fed to you by the industry.

These old ballparks are like cathedrals in America. We don't have big old Gothic cathedrals like they do in Europe. But we got baseball parks.

To describe my scarce leisure time in today's terms, I always default to reading.

We are the people our parents warned us about.

Well, I'm still here. Didn't have to go to rehab, and I'm not broke.

Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.

You know, as a writer, I'm more of a listener than a writer, cuz if I hear something I will write it down.

So, What is Alabama Football?

SO WHAT IS ALABAMA FOOTBALL? -copied, author unknown to Leigh

It is Wallace Wade.
It is Bear Bryant.
It is Gene Stallings.
It is this man in charge.


It is not Bobby Bowden, Phil Fulmer or Dennis Franchione.
It is the Rose Bowl.
It is hearing Keith Jack son call an Alabama game.
It is watching George Teague running down Lamar Thomas in the 1993 Sugar Bowl then rewinding it and watching it again.


It is hearing the first notes of Sweet Home Alabama .
It is the desire to beat Auburn at any competitive event that exists.
It is a houndstooth hat.
It is being ' Dixie 's Football Pride'
It is having enough pride to fight for your school but having enough class not to.
It is cheering the same amount for a first down on second and 6 as on fourth and 1.
It is watching Cornelius Bennett give Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein a concussion on that October day in Birmingham in 1986.

It is determining who you are going to date & marry by which team they swear allegiance to.
It is beating Florida in the SEC title when everyone said the game in 'The Swamp' was a fluke.
It is watching The Bear on the Jumbotron before a game in Bryant-Denny Stadium and almost seeing him leaning against the goalpost in the end zone.
It is right behind God and family.
It is spending a day at The Bryant Museum and still not seeing everything.
It is cool crisp autumn Saturdays where you can smell football in the air and feel it whenever there is a slight breeze.
It is watching The Bear get number 315 against Auburn .
It is watching The Bear get number 323 against Illinois .
It is hearing Paul Kennedy do the play-by-play when Van Tiffin kicked the 52-yard field goal against Auburn in 1985.



It is remembering the feeling of the upper deck at legion field rumbling due to feet stomping.
It is knowing how many days until the start of a season year around.
It is driving down Colonial Drive to see Bryant-Denny Stadium not the sorority girls.
It is getting chills up and down your entire body whenever you hear anything about the 1993 Sugar Bowl and the pride you feel because that night tradition ruled.
It is hearing The Bear's voice and having all the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up because you know no matter he said, it was something special.
It is hearing The Million Dollar Band play 'Yea Alabama ' and knowing it just does not get any better.
It is imagining hearing Penn State Quarterback Chuck Fusina ask Alabama linebacker Barry Krauss 'How close is it?' and hearing Krauss say 'About an inch, you'd better pass' right before fourth down during The Goal Line Stand in the 1979 Sugar Bowl.



It is almost coming to tears whenever Alabama loses to Auburn or Tennessee .
It is The Kick. It is The Goal Line Stand. It is The Desperation Block.
It is purposely not wearing any clothes with the colors orange and blue.
It is the Third Saturday in October.
It is not needing an alarm clock on game days, you sit bolt upright in the bed long before the alarm goes off because you know that it is a gameday, you can sleep after the bowl game.
It is walking into a stadium and knowing Alabama will win the game no matter who they are playing because is just the way it is supposed to be.
It is the saying 'Offense wins games, Defense wins national titles.'
It is the Bear Bryant 'A'.




It is getting to the stadium hours before the game just to be there.
It is walking into another team's stadium and having those fans hate you because you are from Alabama .
It is the pride that a father has when he brings his children to a game so they may cherish the tradition.
It is the hit by Roman Harper in the 2005 against Tennessee that meant everything



It is beating LSU in Baton Rouge .
It is hearing the crunch as a linebacker dressed in crimson and white hits a running back dressed in orange and blue.
It is the pride you take in being every team's rival.
It is pulling for any team that is playing Auburn .
It is pulling for any team that is playing Tennessee .
It is singing Rammer Jammer period.
It is wishing both teams could lose when Auburn plays Tennessee .
It is knowing that the SEC Championship is a birthright.
It is being respected and feared at the same time.
It is holding up four fingers at the end of the third quarter.
It is not caring about a Heisman Trophy.
It is knowing what 'Mama Called' means.
It is whipping Auburn 31-7 in Jordan-Hare Stadium when nobody picked you to win.
It is NOT 'The Jungle'.
It is The Catch.


It is having 21 Southeastern Conference Titles.
It is having 12 National Titles.
It is more than I can ever mention in this list.
It is class.
It is tradition.
It is Alabama Football.

And it's about time, to all the legion of tide fans!

I hope I don't offended any Auburn fans. I went totally against the one rule and married one. And we are civil enough to root for one anothers team when we don't play one another and when the standing are not compromised. But, we have had a long drought in our luck. I am just so happy to have a rebirth in our team and in our Coach Saban.

Roll Tide Roll!

Fat Bottomed Girl Eats Crow

Dullbert busted me on my Thursday Thirteen. I guess that is why I put into parenthesis (probably)-never say never, huh?

He left a comment that said, "#2 and #13 I guess the "G-ram" tatoo is not happening. However about #11.... "Somewhat larger than average bottoms You Make The Rockin World Go Round" just doesn't sound right ?"

For my number eleven I stated under the title, "Thirteen things I will probably Never do", "11. Use the word F-A-T to anyone or about anyone. It is a bad word in our house." He busted me. He is right. He has taken notes....I LOVE Queen. LOVE. I love them and I love their music. And my favorite Queen song is, (hold your breath.....) "Fat Bottom Girls", to which I sing it at the top of my lungs. I say it. Actually, I sing it, I don't say it. Does that count? I still confirm that I don't actually say the word. But I just love that song. So, I wanted to say it here, in any case I have fixed myself a big plate of crow.....




Incidentally, a funny story regarding that song, (Hey! For the Love, here's one for your post!) My brother in law (the artist) is one who will argue about anything and everything. He is one of those that is always right. Always. At least in his own mind. Nothing anyone can say can convince him that is isn't.
We were on vacation a few years ago. As always, I broke out into that song when he suddenly interrupted me to say, "You are singing it wrong, dimwit! It's flat bottom girl.

"Flat?", I laughed, as did Big Daddy who chimed in, "Who's the dimwit? It's Fat, dimwit, Fat Bottomed Girls?"
"No it isn't. It's Flat. As in the girl has a flat a$$ from riding on her bike...FLAT"

And so it was that the great 30 minute long argument ensued. Then my brother in law, "the artist" wanted to "phone a friend", I was elected to phone his pick person, Leslie D. (on speaker phone) and put the question in such a way without putting emphasis on either word (it was that technical a procedure).

"Leslie, What is the Queen song called where in the end it states, "get on your bikes and ride?"
Leslie immediately said, "Oh-yeah, that's Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen".

Artist snapped, "No it isn't! What is with you people! Ya'll don't know the song"
Still he didn't believe me-or even we-so we had her confirm via Internet. To this day he refuses to accept defeat. And if it is brought up or the song comes on in our presence he will deny and sing it as "Flat Bottomed Girls". Now get on your bike and ride.

"Oh you gonna take me home tonight (please)

Oh down beside your red firelight

Oh you gonna let it all hang out

Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin world go round

Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin world go round

Get on your bikes and ride

Oooh yeah

them fat bottomed girls

Fat bottomed girls

Yeah yeah yeah

Fat bottomed girls"

Forgive me, as I sang it.

Hope by Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

Many people have seen and read this piece by Erma Bombeck. I love it. It is advice that we should all follow. I have this taped to the side of my fridge as a reminder of what is truly important.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's; more 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it. Live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day.

The Search for Marie Leveau

I love to walk the coast line and hear the ocean, sometimes in a whisper others in a triumphant shout. It dances along the shoreline. I also like to head to the area state parks and walk the trails in search of wildlife.....and Marie Leveau. That is huge with my children. It is a must when we go down to go to a swampy area and search for "her". Please don't read more into it than what it is and give me a tongue lashing. Marie Leveau, while she was an actual person involved in "bad things", to the children-as she was to me as a child- she is something of "Boogie Man" persona. Haven't you heard of Marie Leveau? I loved the Bobby Bear song as a child, as I was always (and still am) drawn to mysteries. She is a mystery of great folk lore and legend. I always found the song to be mysterious and kind of spooky. Much like I did "The Witch Doctor". Both of these tunes from my childhood, are also a part of my children's childhood memories. Thus, it is where the hunt for Marie was conjured up. It is also a great way to get the kids to join me in a day of exercise, but they haven't caught on yet. Many times they now pull me down the trail. My children were listening to the song about the swamp as we made our way for a day of hiking. Then while we were hiking on a swampy trail and the younger two decided to were on the hunt for Marie. My oldest had to stir the pot by making shriek noises in an attempt to scare the younger ones. Thus is routine now. It is memories we are making, traditions. It is moments like these that I love to be on the coast.Here are the lyrics of the song. My children find it very humorous.

Marie Leveau

Down in Louisiana where the black trees grow lives a voodoo lady named Marie Leveau
She got a black cat tooth and a mojo bone and anyone wouldn't leave her alone
She go (greeeeeee) another man done gone
She lives in a swamp in a hollow log with a one eyed snake and a three legged dog
She got a bent bony body and stringy hair And if she ever seen you all messin' round there
She go (greeeeeee) another man done gone
And then one night when the moon was black into the swamp come Handsome Jack
A no good man like you all know when he was lookin' around for Marie Leveau
He said Marie Leveau you lovely witch gimme little charm that'll make me rich
Gimme million dollars and I tell you what I'll do this very night I'm gonna marry you
And it'll be ummmmmmm another man done gone
So Marie done some magic and she shook a little sand Made a million dollars
and she put it in his hands Then she giggled and she wiggled
and she said hey heyI'm gettin' ready for my weddin' day
But ol' Handsome Jack he said goodbye Marie
You're too darn ugly for a rich man like me
Then Marie started numblin' her fangs started gnashin'
Her body started tremblin' and her eyes started flashin'
And she went (greeeeeee) another man done gone
So if you ever get down where the black trees grow
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Leveau
If she ever asks you to make her your wife Man you better stay with her for the rest of your life Or it'll be (oheeeeeee) another man done gone

Go here to listen to the song sample, perhaps you will recall: http://music.yahoo.com/track/1260170

So, next time you find yourself walking through a wooded swampy area, beware of the lady that lives in a log and on the hunt for a man....or it'll be (oheeeeeee) another man done gone!

Twas the Night before Christmas (Batteries Not Included)

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Batteries Not Included)...

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse. Instructions were studied and we were inspired, In hopes we could manage, "Some Assembly Required."
The children were quiet (not asleep in their beds, While Dad and I faced the evening with dread: A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot! And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!
We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat, Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete! Too late for last minute returns or replacement; If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!
When, what to my worrying eyes should appear, But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear. With each part numbered and every slot named, So if we failed, only we could be blamed.
More rapid than eagles, the parts then fell out, All over the carpet, they were scattered about. Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand, "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand." And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact, That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact.
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night, With "Assembly required," till morning's first light. We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, 'Till our eyes, they went bleary, our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin, Before we attached the last rod and last pin. Then laying the tools away in the chest, We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, And not have to run to the store for a thing!"
"We did it! We did it! The toys are all set, For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose, I grateful went, though I suppose.
There's something to say for those self-deluded, I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!~(copied)

I'm making it on my own

...................................................................I'm making it on my own. That's the name of a song I wrote when I was 17 years old. Yes, that was 20 years ago. I still haven't given up the dream of becoming a rock star. Someday...

Funny how when you are 17 you think you have experienced almost all of life and it's offerings.....how little did I know......

Don't think you can pull that intimidation crap with me
I know what your about, translucent is what I see
Honey, I'm not easy, I can hold my own
I'll be the one standing when the others have come and gone
I have seen the broken hearts, it always gets to me
I have seen those down and outs, I can spot a bad seed
I am stronger than I've had you believe
No, I'm no fool, I'll be gone, freedom is what I seek.
I'm making it on my own
Those wasted years have come and gone
Life on the outside, living on the edge
pushing all the buttons, driving in the wedge
I'm making it on my own
I've had to crawl through the mud, see I've got the dirt under my nails
Don't want no manicure's for I don't want to hide the tales
I'm not taking any free rides to have glory by others coat tails
I am true to myself, no my soul is not up for sale
I've walked through hell, I've had a glimpse of Paradise
I've made my bed and I'm the one that's wise
True, all of this you may not understand
But this "write off" will prevail, for I'm on the road to the free land
I'm making it on my own
Those wasted years have come and gone
Life on the outside, living on the edge
pushing all the buttons, driving in the wedge
I'm making it on my own
Sometimes, I can't help but fantasize
But I am living in the real world, I've wiped the cob webs from my eyes
Through all of this, I have learned what life's about
sometimes it is a struggle and sometimes you might want out
I've witnessed those that played with fire and I've seen some get burned
It's true by your mistakes that you have to live and learn
But when there's no one to justify the truth, my friend
Sometimes you feel like you are searching meaninglessly for an end
I may be crazy, but I am sane
I play by my own rules, I don't play by others games
Life is a mirrored image but sometimes I don't want to see
I'm not asking for a hero or a testimony
I'm making it on my own
Those wasted years have come and gone
Life on the outside, living on the edge
Pushing all the buttons, driving in the wedge
I'm making it on my own
Yeah, I'm making it on my own.

A poem by Maya Angelo

(Photo by Big Daddy)

TO A PHENOMENAL WOMAN by Maya Angelou

When I was in my younger days, I weighed a few pounds less, I needn't hold my tummy in to wear a belted dress. But now that I am older, I've set my body free; There's comfort of elastic Where once my waist would be. Inventor of those high-heeled shoes My feet have not forgiven; I have to wear a nine now, But used to wear a seven. And how about those pantyhose-- They're sized by weight, you see, So how come when I put them on The crotch is at my knee?
I need to wear these glasses As the print's been getting smaller; And it wasn't very long ago I know that I was taller. Though my hair has turned to gray and my skin no longer fits, On the inside, I'm the same old me, the outside's changed a bit. But, on a positive note... I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I am so grateful for the blessing in my life that are my friends. To you all, I love you.

The Journey of Life

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................This rain, it washes the tears from my face
And with it the pain......
Outstretched road ahead, endless
Behind me are the mountains I have climbed
The dirt under my fingernails, it tells the story
It tells of how I climbed and struggled to reach the top, triumphantly
Yet only to look ahead and see hill over hill,
mountain beyond mountain.
This rain, it washes away the dirt......
Outstretched road ahead, endless
I walk this traveled road of dreams
My feet, they bleed
Behind me the pathway is stained with my blood
It is symbolic of the long way I have traveled to come this far
This rain, it slowly washes away the stains
I look ahead, a long way to go to uncertainty
It is a long road that vanishes into the ridges of rising purple mountains
The sun, it dries my face as it does another day
and above this outstretched road
the one that seems so endless, above it, a rainbow.

Poem by Leigh Bratina, August 1993

Photo courtesy of Photo Bucket

Katrina's Gone

Katrina's Gone, a song by Leigh Bratina

Photography by Leigh Bratina

It washed away the homes and cars
...washed away the baseball park
...washed away everything we had ever come to love.
Lives filled with disaster, it was more than most could handle
We hit our knees and pleaded to the Lord above
Just know that there's someone out there,
there are those that truly care
As displaced as you are, with certainty we will see that you will find your way home.

Katrina's gone and left her calling card
We shall never forget
These times are so hard and left victim's lives a shattered mess.
The wounds will heal and hearts will mend, don't see it as an end
We have to continue to pray and hoping for the best
Katrina's gone, left so many alone.....Katrina's gone.

It tore lives apart, but brought a nation together
There is a silver lining to everything
And this lesson will live on forever
Reach out to the hands of your loved ones as well as those of a stranger
It takes a country to carry a burden and this we will shoulder together
We will prevail, we will carry on
For Katrina's gone

Katrina's gone and left her calling card
We shall never forget
These times are so hard and left lives a shattered mess
The wounds will heal and hearts will mend, don't see it as an end
We have to continue to pray and hoping for the best
Katrina's gone, left so many alone, Katrina's gone.
We must hold the hands of both strangers and our neighbor
Katrina's gone, left so many alone, Katrina's gone.

I Deserve Better

I Deserve Better by Leigh Bratina

I am so blessed to have the wonderful group of girlfriends that I do. We are so fortunate to have one another. Recently I have had *2* dear people who are very close to me dealing with a straying spouse. In our little group, we all offer support it in different ways. I actually wrote this song in 1993 and found it not long ago. I thought it is the perfect little ditty to try and to offer up some support to my friends, knowing their lives are much better to be rid of someone that cannot be trusted. For you , my girlfriends..........


I deserve better by Leigh Bratina

Gazing out my window at the rain, it trickles down
Thinking about last night; I knew the day would come around
I put up with all your stories, 'bought into all of your lies
but baby, as of last night there'll be no more alibi's
I deserve better than this, and she deserves you
So softly you'd whisper that I was the only one
Yet you ran off to another when it was over, said and done.
But it's all over now, I've heard your last lie
You took a match to this one, I don't even owe you a goodbye
I deserve better that this and she deserves you
Waiting up late at night and you don't come home....
Knowing this isn't right, I'm used to sleeping all alone
I deserve better than this and she deserves you.
I'm sick of all your sweet talking, alibi's, kissing up, little lies
All your messing 'round
Your darned little cheatin heart, it can't be found
I deserve better than this and she deserves you.

Modern Day Pirate

Modern Day Pirate, By Leigh

I live a pirates life

It's what I love the most

Put on some 25 SPF

head out to the coast

Yes, I'm a modern day Captain Kidd

I live my life by the seat of my pants

I'm the Captain of my own ship,

at the helm....watching the ocean dance.

The innocence of childhood friendships

This poem came from my self poetry book. I started writing in it when I was in middle school. I still write in it. The poem was written in October of 1994 (I was 24), as I reflected on my life and the changeslife brings. It was written about my friends, Jenny and Greg, I will love you both forever!  No matter how much time passes, how many mountains or bodies of water may seperate us...... where I am, where I go......you go with me. I think you will recognize the locations in the poem. It brought back wonderful memories.

The sun is setting now and clouds are closing is
Three kids sitting on an old flat rock where an Indian jumped in sin
So young and innocent, they thought life was theirs,
that all they needed to get by was a wing and a prayer.

Dogs barking in the distance, Kids lying on a pier
The weather was cold and brisk but their time together was dear
Talking about the future and what it could hold,
never knowing that tomorrow was when the world would all unfold.

Patience pays off as the stars begin to shine
sharing secrets about their dreams they believed the whole world was kind
Friends for life-it was a bond that they would never break
but then things took a turn when one made a shattering mistake
The other two were so supportive, but were confused as with any white lie
But a friend is a  forever friend and my friend was worth the try.

Sometimes its sad how life goes on
They no longer are able to share the secrets between one aother but the memories, they remain
The still have each other although  distance keeps them away
Though they are connected by heartstrings and these will never fray.

Memories take me back to yesterday,
my heart aches at times to realize that there is so much left to say
you never know when your time is up, I have learned this the hard way

Life is precious and so shortly lived
I hope they know how much I love them and my heart to them is what I give.

Today as I watch the sun go down behind the mountains
And the moon rise above the trees
I cannot help but think back and recall, when it was just us three
Driving through the streets so wild and recklessly never wanting to be found...
We were running away from it all, knowing what the other was thinking without muttering a sound

Through each other we lived life to the fullest
And this alone brings a smile to my face, because our innocence was always the truest and our friendships will never be replaced.