One of my Favorites

The Walrus & The Carpenter by Lewis Carroll aka Charles Dodgson

The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright--

And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there, After the day was done--

"It's very rude of him," she said,"To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead--There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand:

"If this were only cleared away,"They said, "it would be grand!"
"If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year.

Do you suppose," the Walrus said,"That they could get it clear?"

"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!" The Walrus did beseech."

A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beach

:We cannot do with more than four,To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him, But never a word he said:

The eldest Oyster winked his eye, And shook his heavy head--

Meaning to say he did not chooseTo leave the oyster-bed.
But four young Oysters hurried up, All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

Their shoes were clean and neat--

And this was odd, because, you know,They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them, And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last, And more, and more, and more--

All hopping through the frothy waves,And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stoodAnd waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things:

Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--Of cabbages--and kings--

And why the sea is boiling hot-- And whether pigs have wings."
"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried, "Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,And all of us are fat!"

"No hurry!" said the Carpenter. They thanked him much for that.
"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said, "Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides Are very good indeed--

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,We can begin to feed."
"But not on us!" the Oysters cried, Turning a little blue.

"After such kindness, that would be A dismal thing to do!"

"The night is fine," the Walrus said."Do you admire the view?
"It was so kind of you to come! And you are very nice!"

The Carpenter said nothing but "Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf--I've had to ask you twice!"
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said, To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far, And made them trot so quick!"

The Carpenter said nothing but"The butter's spread too thick!"
"I weep for you," the Walrus said: "I deeply sympathize."

With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief, Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter, "You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again? 'But answer came there none--

And this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one.

Ok so painting does suck a little...

(This post is on behalf of my grousing husband...who hates painting with a passion...)

My husband was hired to paint a friends barn-red porch white. Yes, easier said than done. Now I don't mind painting, but it is a loathsome thing to my husband. He spent 10 hours doing 2 coats of primer. I helped out for about 4 hours... it was 11:30pm before he got home. His poor back is so sore. If I could have taken the day off, I would have and helped him. We had the most trouble with all the screws sticking out of the ceiling from where they shingled the roof of it. Tore the roller and the brushes up. (good thing they are cheap!) And then there are tiny little nooks and crannies that need to be white or else you would definitely see barn-red. I am the messiest painter!!! By the time I went home, both hands were completly white, so was my red sweater and I had it ALL over my face and my hair. My husband on the other hand, had a teensy, tiny bit of paint on his pinky. Tell me... how is this possible? I didnt know you could stay so clean and paint at the same time. Its an anomaly.

He is getting a sprayer to do the paint job.... probably should have done that for the primer?? Well, it will be done today, and I am proud of him for stepping up and doing something that he hates in the name of service for others. He's such a great man!