Happy Saint Patrick's Day

These lines were written one day while sitting in a chinese restaurant. I know exactly how long it took-1 1/2 hours longer than I had for my lunch break and my co-workers, bless them, didn't get me fired. I like to think it was the leprechauns who took away my sense of time. They did that a lot. ; )

Often has my heart wandered
To an ancient home of lore
Over the great Atlantic
To Shannon's far off shore,
Where the music from the pipes
Is calling to my soul
To come a'dancing there
In the land of green and gold,
To dance with merriment
At the sound of flute and strings;
And, with every note it hears,
My soul is yearning to be free
To stroll among the hills
Where fairy people dwell
Waiting for the unwary
To bring them under their spell-
And to see them dance at midnight
With fire and delight,
Then at dawn-disappear-
As if never in my sight,
To stroll amongst the people
Whose ancestors are my own
And walk along the streets
Of the places they call home,
To feel a familiarity
With a long ago time,
with stone and rolling hill
That were left behind
By so many aching hearts,
Who left their homes and more
To travel 'cross the Atlantic
Far from Shannon's shore.
And sometimes in the wee hours
When sleep softly slips away,
My heart steals back to Ireland
And wishes it could stay
There among the green hills
Where music tumbles down
To cross the ocean and time
And calls me with its sound.

Melinda Lancaster

Sympathy Poems -

Having suffered a truly great loss in my life, I found some comfort in a certain card, a translation of a russian quote, that I found myself, but the instant I read it, I bought it for me. The gist of the poem was "yes, how sad that this person died, but how much sadder it would be if they had never lived." I read it many times over the years and it gave me comfort-in those grief stricken moments, when you don't even want to get out of bed, and in those subtle ones, when you realize you have something to tell them and you can't.

The themes behind sympathy cards are as varied as the people they are for.
A Mother's Quilt, for a quilter, that symbolizes her family
A Tree- symbolizing a family tree, with deep strong roots
A Road- that they still travel on with you, but have just gone on ahead
A Fisherman- patiently waiting for his family around the bend of a river

Each time I write a sympathy poem I am mindful of this unifying human condition of grief. And, I hope, that my words can bring some small measure of comfort, like the words in the card I bought did for me.

An Affair to Remember

I attended my first bridal show yesterday.WellWed magazine put on quite the show at the Cape and Islands Wedding Affair. Premier vendors from the area greeted guests in a carnival atmosphere and showcased the best they had to offer to brides and grooms,

Guests were greeted by super friendly, helpful event staff and a colorful, old-fashioned carnival theme.

I was able to attended seminars on planning, budgeting (Jessica Harris of Alden Blair Events and Emily Fronius of Party Cape Cod) and choosing your color palette (Patrice R. Milley of Patrice R. Milley Floral Designers).

I hear honeysuckle rose is the color this year.
Let me just say..."I had NO idea" and leave at that!

The only caterer I saw (not counting cakes and other confections) was Eat Yor Heart Out Catering.

From the lemonade to the edible spoons, delicious!

I'll be highlighting my favorite vendors over the next couple of weeks, but enjoy these pictures until then!
There were table settings-

Cakes and cupcakes-

Invitations and guestbooks-

Flowers-

and more!

In the end, it was a day full of good things to eat, lots of advice and ideas and fun!

{Norakaren}-Hand Painted Wedding Shoes

I am loving this idea!!
Hand-painted wedding shoes. I've never heard of it before. {Norakaren}-Hand Painted Wedding Shoes

WellWed Magazine

The Spring/Summer issue of WellWed Magazine is now available. Full of the best the Cape and Islands has to offer for weddings. You can find DKS Verse on page 190 as well as their website! I am thrilled to be part of this magazine!

I will be attending the Cape and Island's Wedding Affair on March 12th. One of the things I'm excited about is the Couture Fashion Show at the end! Come on out and enjoy the festivities!

A new Wedding Song?

My daughter,Katelin, and I had a great time last weekend when I took her to see "Tangled", the latest Disney adaption of the story "Rapunzel". One of the highlights was this song- "I see the Light" as soon as I heard it, I thought this will be a great wedding song! Here's to all of you, soon to be having that first dance as Husband and Wife.

American Spartans

THE MISSION OF AMERICAN SPARTAN INC IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT WOUNDED VETERANS, IN ORDER TO HELP THEM TRANSITION BACK INTO THE CIVILIAN WORLD.

As a US Navy veteran and an incredibly lucky to be American citizen, I am grateful to these men and women who put themselves in harm's way. That's why I am so happy to be helping with their first major fund-raiser.

Six marines have volunteered to hike 420 miles in keeping with the foundation's motto of "physically inspiring challenges" and on March 5th will be arriving at Park Semper Fi, finishing their journey.



The following poem was written specifically for this event and will be available at the fund-raiser.

You can learn more about this worthwhile cause here.
If you would like to donate, please see their website.

I would like to thank Elizabeth Giles of Maximum Capacity Events
for contacting me about this event.

And though I am Navy through and through, in the spirit of the event, "Semper Fi"

Custom Wedding Gifts-Artist Spotlight #2

When I got married, at my reception, I have to admit, people sat where-ever. True, and all these years later, having been involved in weddings and seeing established protocol, I'm horrified!

There are some really cute place cards out there, but as I bounced around looking at different options and sites, I fell in love with Belle Jardine Seating Charts.

Their designs are beautiful and best of all-handmade! As I've mentioned in the past, I'm not artistically inclined. Ok, let's be real-I can do an ok copy of something, but put a paintbrush or the like in my hand and I'll pretty much go-um,now what?! That's why I am so impressed when someone makes something beautiful with the wonderful gift of talent. And that is what Theresa Willyard has.

Just look!!

I'm always interested in why people do what they do. Here's what Theresa had to say about Belle Jardine-

"A couple years ago, my sister, Barb, was getting married and asked me to make a seating chart for her wedding. I think my reply was "Of course I will. What's a seating chart?" She explained that a seating chart is used instead of place cards, so I went online to find examples. I then came up with my own version that had white cala lillies and a blue background, which matched my sisters colors and flowers. The guests' names and table numbers were placed over the background. When it was finished, not only did Barb love it. but the vendors at the hall were very complimentary. My sister told me I should consider opening a business making custom seating scrolls, which I did. Thanks, Barb!"

I love the colors and wondered what kind of paint she used.

At this time, all of the backgrounds are painted with watercolor paint. I like to explore new ideas, though, and would not hesitate to use something different if it created a desirable effect that could not be achieved using watercolor paint.

But, she's also added a new element-Sparkles!!







It's common knowledge that I have some of the worst handwriting, I think second only to my daughter. Though Terri uses established fonts, I am definitely impressed by the fact that they are drawn and hand-painted.

I thought it must be quite a challenge to come up with these designs, but she had this to say-


"If a bride wants something different than one of the painted examples shown on my website, we would discuss what she wanted and I would create something new for her. Actually, each of the charts/scrolls shown in the gallery were at one time created for a specific bride. If she wants something extremely different than what I offer, I would certainly entertain the idea to see if I would be able to come up with something that would make her happy... The brides are so different in their choice of design, color, fonts,etc., that every one is both fun and challenging to create."

One of the challenges she does face is a rush order, but even that doesn't stop her from making a bride happy!

"I will say that very recently I received a call requesting a seating scroll for a wedding that was only a week away. Normally I require at least a month or more. The bride was so sweet and, fortunately, I was able to clear the way enough to put it together for her."

Can you believe she did this in a week!?!


I noticed that the scrolls were displayed on a special easel and wondered where a person gets something like that, or what could be used instead.

"I do supply the easels and garland for those in the Metro Detroit area. For those outside of the area and in other states, I find the hall usually has a floor easel they will allow you to use. Another option which is quite inexpensive is a table top easel."

And she is so versatile! Not only does she do scrolls for other types of events...

What kid wouldn't love something like this at their birthday? What a fun way to compliment a theme!

...and this makes a very special momento from a momentous occasion.











...she also does other artwork as well.

though she has "been concentrating mainly on seating scrolls these days."

And there is definitely a lot that goes into making one of these scrolls. Theresa gives a nice overview of the process.

"The process is fairly simple and the correspondence is done almost exclusively by email. Normally a future bride (or groom) will visit my website and fill out the "Quick Quote" page in which she answers several pertinent questions. At that time I will email back a price quote. If she decides to use my services, she lets me know if she liked a particular scroll shown on the Gallery page or whether she would like me to create something different. She gives me a variety of information, including her colors, what font she would like, whether she has a theme, etc. From this information, I design and paint the background, then email a photo of the finished background to the client."

To read and see how this scroll was made, look here!


I thought, "WOW, with all that, there must be some important timeframes to keep in mind."

"As far as time restrictions, I love to have as much time as possible. Since the scrolls are each hand made, I can only do two or three each week. If the order is placed early, I can reserve the date for that particular client. The other date that is important is two weeks before the wedding when the guest list is due. This is very important because occasionally there is an error with the printing and I want to make sure there is time to have it reprinted if necessary. In addition, about half of my scrolls are shipped out of state, so there is delivery time to consider."

What do you like most about working with brides and grooms?

"The thing I love most is working with the clients and giving them a seating scroll that truly makes them happy. This is such an exciting time in their lives and I am honored whenever they choose me to be a part of such a special day."

"I would like to thank all the clients who have allowed me to do the work that I love. And also, a very special thanks to you, Melinda, for asking me to be a part of your blog."

And I would like to thank Theresa for sharing her craft. For myself I hope to be able to offer her services to my clients as a special way to display their poem. But for the time being I will leave you all with this...

Here's one last piece of artwork by Theresa Willyard, titled "Misty Mountain"

and a poem I wrote years ago....

Mist in the Mountain

Mist in the mountain
A church on the hill
Peace descending
All is still.

Green all around me
Silence abounds
Except for my step
On solid ground.

Mist in the mountain
Brings rain on the wind
Washing me clean
And cooling my skin

Grandeur and harmony
Lay out ‘cross the land
Beauty to savor
Untouched by Man

Mist in the mountain
Nature’s amazing grace-
Is it mist from the mountain
Or tears on my face?

M. Lancaster

The Winner is.......

Nichole who won the "Theme Contest"! Nichole's theme of a (job)search,combined with other choices for the job, getting lost and not giving up, with a touch of fate and destiny added in for good measure, will be a fun and challenging poem to write!

Thanks to all who entered. There were some really interesting choices given and my mind was quite active working out ideas for all of them. The "Mulch Theme" though it didn't win, really occupied a lot of thinking time!

Shakespeare in Love

One of my all time favorite love poems is this sonnet by Shakespeare. At first glance it doesn't seem like much of a love poem, but it's got a clincher for an ending!

SONNET 130

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Jimmy Stewart and his dog Beau

One of the most moving poems I ever heard was by Jimmy Stewart on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Everytime I saw Jimmy Stewart on this show he had some little poem or other that he had written, most often they were quite fun and I would laugh with the audience at his wonderful humor.

The following poem was aired on The Tonight Show in 1981 and is part of the collection "Jimmy Stewart and his Poems" by Crown Publisher, Inc. You'll need some tissue by the time you get to the end, but it's well worth the reading. You can also listen to it here.

"Beau"
by Jimmy Stewart

He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all.
When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.

Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.

He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.

He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.

On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.

He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.

But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.

We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.

He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.

And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.

And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.

And there were nights when I'd feel this stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
and I think I know the reason why.

He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.

And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.

And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.

Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.

Have I told you Lately...that I simply hate all this snow???

No, wait that's not how it goes.
It goes-"Have I told you lately that I love you".

"Have I told you Lately" by Van Morrison
is my favorite all time love song,I find it to be brilliant in it's simpleness, and who doesn't need to hear how much they're loved and make a difference.


Have I Told You Lately that I love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

For the morning sun in all it's glory,
Meets the day with hope and comfort too,
You fill my life with laughter, somehow you make it better,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

There's a love less defined,

And it's yours and it's mine,
Like the sun.
And at the end of the day,
We should give thanks and pray,
To The One, to The One.

Have I Told You Lately that I love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

There's a love less defined,
And its yours and its mine,
Like the sun. And at the end of the day,
We should give thanks and pray,
To The One, to The One.

Have I Told You Lately That I Love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

Take away all my sadness, fill my life with gladness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

Take away all my sadness, fill my life with gladness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.

You can listen to it here.

Love is in the Air

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and I am a romantic at heart! So, from today until February 14, I'll be posting some of my favorite love poems. They won't always be what you might expect! But to start it off, one of the most well known of all.

From "Sonnets from the Portugese" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Let's "share the love" and post some of your favorite pictures of "love". Here's a few of mine!

My grandparents, Martin and Mildred Flynn on their 68th wedding anniversary

My step-daughter, Angie and her daughter, Ely

My daughter, Katelin, and I

Katelin and her constant companion, Fox

Round and Round we Go on the Carousel

I absolutely love carousels. I always wanted a horse while growing up and riding the painted ponies at the fair led to wonderfully imagined adventures. And what greater adventure than starting a new life as a married couple??? That's why I love the idea of a wedding themed around a carousel-there's music, fun, ups and downs and the ultimate prize-the brass ring (ok, it's golden and it's a wedding band, even better!)

There are several venues around the country that offer carousels-locally, on Cape Cod, there's the Sandwich Heritage Museum and Gardens. The carousel is a true antique, at 100 years old, but the oldest running carousel is here on Martha's Vineyard!

This carousel

Photo credit-Jennifer Mayo; Jennifer Mayo Studios


at Shadowland at Silver Beach, St, Joseph, MI makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding.

Photo credit-Jennifer Mayo; Jennifer Mayo Studios

Your guests will love these carnival-themed invitations

by Jolie Paperterie
and a whole line of carnival-themed accessories

including, menus, placecards, table cards, and favor accessories will delightfully round out your carousel theme!

As for the cake, there are so many ways that this theme could be represented, but for some inspiration- a carousel cake, too pretty to eat!; a ticket cake; and for something truly beautiful to top it off-a sculptured glass wedding cake topper!

Life can be a merry-go-round,
full of all those ups and downs,
but it's also a wonderful ride,
especially the day you become a bride.
The groom, is riding right along
while the band plays the wedding song.
The day is a blur, it goes by so fast,
Oh, but Love, Love is made to last!
M. Lancaster

Photo credit-Jennifer Mayo; Jennifer Mayo Studios