Pretty Petty Poetry Newsletter
January
1st, – Happy New Year
Hello and welcome to Pretty Petty
Poetry Newsletter, and this will be a monthly newsletter.
If there are blue
lines under sentences, it’s a link.
I’m Amanda D. Petty. I was born in 1982,
drowned at 22 months old and live in a power wheelchair, and I’ve got Spastic
Cerebral Palsy on my left side of my body, and I’ve got speech impairment. In
2001, God gave me a very powerful gift of poetry. In January of 2012, I thought
of writing poetry for other people. On July 10th, 2012, “Pretty
Petty Poetry” has started!
My Thoughts: I got this from my
friend. You need a tissue. Enjoy.
Two
Choices:
What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there
isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning
disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would
never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated
staff, he offered a question: “When not interfered with by outside influences,
everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn
things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where
is the natural order of things in my son?” The audience was stilled by the
query.
The father continued, “I believe that when
a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the
world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it
comes in the way other people treat that child.' Then he told the following
story: Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing
baseball. Shay asked, “Do you think they'll let me play?” I knew that most of
the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also
understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed
sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his
handicaps. I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting
much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, “We're
losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on
our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.” Shay
struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team
shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys
saw my joy at my son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's
team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth
inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits
came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the
field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands. In the
bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and
the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled
to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their
chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew
that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the
bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to
the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning
aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in
softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung
clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the
ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit
a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over. The
pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to
the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of
the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's
head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams
started yelling, “Shay, run to first! Run to first!” Never in his life had Shay
ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the
baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to
second!” Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and
struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second
base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team, who now
had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball
to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions
so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's
head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him
circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, “Shay, Shay, Shay, all the
Way, Shay!” Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help
him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, “Run to third! Shay,
run to third!” As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the
spectators, were on their feet screaming, “Shay, run home! Run home!” Shay ran
to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand
slam and won the game for his team 'that day’.” said the father softly with
tears now rolling down his face, “the boys from both teams helped bring a piece
of true love and humanity into this world”. Shay didn't make it to another
summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making
me so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little
hero of the day!
AND
NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY: So many seemingly trivial interactions
between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of
love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a
little bit colder in the process? A wise man once said every society is judged
by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
May your day, be a Shay Day.
My Spiritual Thoughts: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints/Mormon: I
think we don’t need this part this month.
If you’re a
Spiritual person of any religion, I would love to put your thoughts in the
newsletter. Don’t be afraid, I won’t be scornful. Just e-mail me at: prettypetty2010@gmail.com,
and put in the “subject bar”: “My Spiritual thought for the Pretty Petty Poetry
Newsletter”. I would like to have them before the 1st of the month
or sooner. I won’t put your name. But, I will put your religion.
The News: Nancy and I are still doing the poems.
There are two new sonnet styles: “Sonnet Sequence” and “Divine Sonnet #14” are
now on my site. I’m promising you: the rest of the “Sonnet Styles” are coming! This
process is difficult.
I’ve got bad news. There are just 20 Sonnet
Styles. The Orpheus Sonnet is too hard for me. So, I will not do that one.
Also on my site is new style: “Psalm”. This
one is an uplifting style.
There will be new styles coming.
Hang-Out
with a Poet:
Starting on March 20 at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Utah, USA, I’ll be answering your
questions about poetry and me on Facebook, ONLY. If you have a Facebook
account, get your questions ready. I just need your Facebook name for this chat
room. Reply to this part if you want to talk to me before the 18th
or sooner. This is because I want to hang out with my fans. If this is a hit,
I’ll be doing this again in 3 months.
Attention
to the Poets:
I’m looking for someone who can take over “Pretty Petty Poetry” after I’m with
God. Yes, you read it right. I’ve got a very strong feeling that my life is
short. I don’t know when I’m going or how. I feel like this is my responsibility
to look for someone. Please, don’t reply back by asking questions. I’ve got
very high standards, and I will test you. If you are truly interested, let me
know with a poem.
A
Songwriter:
Jake Martin, a professional singer, sang my poem, “Hear Me” and also played the
guitar. My friend, Eric Storey, and his band mate, Mark Harris also played the
guitar. When Eric told me this, I started to cry of happiness because I NEVER imagine, thought, or dream of this.
Eric said that he had to add 6 words, 4 in the beginning and 2 at the end,
because of the timing, and I am fine with that. Eric’s son, John D. Storey put
some of my personal pictures to the song. I have the link on my poetry site. Here’s
the link: http://justexample2.blogspot.com/p/lyics.html. The song sounds
like a lullaby: soft, reverent, and very sacred. Thank you Jake, Eric, and Mark
for giving me this. Thanks John for putting my pictures with my song.
Learning
German:
Nancy Lowe gave Rosette Stone in German. Guess what? I’m learning German.
Great
news:
I am Google Search now. A friend said that I’m famous now. No, I’m not; I’m
just blessed.
I will not read my poem in “Poem of the
Month” because it’s too hard for me. Sorry.
Poetry Reading: It
will be on Saturday, March 7th, at 1:00 pm (Mountain Standard Time).
It will be held at the LDS
Church in Liberty, Utah, USA. EVERYONE
IS WELCOME! Religion IS NOT a requirement. Come and
enjoy with us in a “poetic” night.
About the Readings: The reading is
about an hour long because of my Spastic in my CP. Within that hour, you will
feel God’s Spirit. I usually bring about five poems to the reading. Anyone can
give their feedbacks. Before and after, we say a prayer. Then, we have
refreshments. It’s a truly spiritual experience that you won’t have again. You
can bring your friends. Also, you can bring a poem or just listen.
RSVP is required.
Your Thoughts:
I truly want your thoughts on this poem:
Summer Heat
By-Amanda
D. Petty
Summer
heat is like a fire.
You
can get burned
If
you don’t get under a tree.
It
can last for a day or years.
At
times, there are clouds or wind
To
cool things off.
There will always be a summer heat.
Poem of the Month: I write two or three poems a day, and I want to share my
best one of the month.
This is a
new poem, and it is a Spiritual. Enjoy.
Be Still, My Soul
By-Amanda
D. Petty
Fears have my ears,
But, worried not heart.
Doubts have my body,
But, fret not figures.
Thou have my soul,
I tell it,
“Be still, my soul.”
Silence the world with Thy gentle
touch.
Still soul, He will come.
Thou see the restless.
I say,
“Be still, my soul.”
Pain has my heart,
But, concern not lips.
Devil has me,
But, I will not obey.
Just wait soul, Christ will save me.
I know He will.
Just be still, my soul.
Quiet the noise with His words.
Still soul, He will be here.
Waiting and waiting is difficult, I
know.
But, He will come.
Just be still, my soul.
Lyrics of the Month: Poetry has a plethora of styles, and my ultimate favorite
is lyrics.
I’ve
been bullying when I was young, and I thought they was having fun. But as an
adult, I know they weren’t. Please, stand up, and stop hurting people with our
words. Will you stand up against bully with me? Please, share this if you will.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begg0NKhiK8
Want help: If you want to help with “Pretty Petty Poetry”, you can!
I am looking for some volunteers to help with the desktop wallpapers and
getting me clients. I can’t do everything by myself anymore, too stressful.
For New Comers: This is MY
idea to do this business. Everything you see is me alone with the help from
God. This is a part of “Pretty Petty Poetry”. I’ve been studying English with
the help from a professor, Nancy Lowe, from Weber State University, Utah, USA
since October of 2011. For more information:
www.prettypettypoetry.blogspot.com; everything is there.
The World’s Holidays: This is a celebration of all the holidays in
the world. If I miss any, please tell me.
Australia: January 26th, Australia
Day
Cuba: January 1st, Triumph of the
Revolution
Haiti: January 1st, Independence
Day
Nauru: January 31st, Independence
Day
Northern Mariana Islands: January 8th,
Commonwealth Day
Sudan: January 1st, Independence
Day
Very Unique BUT Real Holidays: I’m going
to share with you the monthly, weekly, and daily holidays. Note: I am not making this up. (An * in front of the day means that the observance is on
the same date every year regardless of the day it falls on.) Enjoy.
January Monthly Observances
Adopt A Rescued
Bird Month
Apple and
Apricots Month
Artichoke and
Asparagus Month
Bath Safety Month
Be Kind to Food
Servers Month
Birth Defects
Month
Book Blitz Month
California Dried
Plum Digestive Month
Carnival Season
(1/6 to 2/21/)
Celebration of Life
Month
Cervical Health
Awareness Month
Financial
Wellness Month
Get A Balanced
Life Month
Get Organized
Month
International
Brain Teaser Month
International
Change Your Stars Month
International
Child-Centered Divorce Awareness Month
International Creativity
Month
International New
Year’s Resolutions Month for Businesses
International
Quality of Life Month
International Way
finding Month
International
Wealth Mentality Month
Learn to Ski and
Snowboard Month
National Be
On-Purpose Month
National Braille
Literacy Month
National Clean Up
Your Computer Month
National Glaucoma
Awareness Month
National Hot Tea
Month
National Mail
Order Gardening Month
National
Mentoring Month
National Personal
Self-Defense Awareness Month
National Personal
Trainer Awareness Month
National Polka
Music Month
National Poverty
in America Awareness Month
National Radon
Action Month
National Skating
Month
National Soup
Month
National Slavery
and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Stalking
Awareness Month
National Volunteer
Blood Donor Month
Oatmeal Month
Rising Star Month
Self-help Group
Awareness Month
Self-Love Month
Shape Up US Month
Teen Driving
Awareness Month
Train Your Dog
Month
Tubers and Dried
Fruit Month
Thyroid Awareness
Month
Unchain A Dog
Month
Walk Your Dog
Month
Worldwide Rising
Star Month
January Weekly Observances
New Year's
Resolutions Week: 1-4
*Celebration of
Life Week: 1-7
*Diet Resolution
Week: 1-7
*Silent Record
Week: 1-7
*Someday We'll
Laugh About This Week: 2-8
Home Office
Safety and Security Week: 5-11
National Folic
Acid Awareness Week: 5-11
National Lose
Weight/Feel Great Week: 5-12
International 3-D
Week: 7-10
Elvis' Birthday
Celebration Week: 8-11
*Universal Letter
Writing Week: 8-14
*Cuckoo Dancing
Week: 11-17
National Vocation
Awareness Week: 13-19
National Soccer
Coaches of America Week: 15-19
Sundance Film
Festival: 16-26
*National Fresh
Squeezed Juice Week: 17-23
Bald Eagle
Appreciation Days: 18-19
International
Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week: 18-26
*Week of Christian
Unity: 18-25
Clean Out Your
Inbox Week: 19-25
Healthy Weight
Week: 19-25
Hunt For
Happiness Week: (Third Full Week)
National Activity
Professionals Week: 19-24
National Nurse
Anesthetists Week: 19-25
National
Handwriting Analysis Week: 19-25
No Name Calling
Week: 20-24
Sugar Awareness
Week: (Third Work Week)
World Leprosy
Week: 24-29
Kid Film
Festival: 25-26
Catholic Schools
Week: 26-2/1
Meat Week:
(Begins on Last Sunday)
National Cowboy
Poetry Gathering Week: 27-2/1
National Medical
Group Practice Week: (Starts fourth Monday)
International
Hoof Care Week: 28-31
US National Snow
Sculpting Week: 29-2/8
January Daily Observances
*Copyright Law
Day: 1
Commitment Day: 1
*Ellis Island
Day: 1
*Euro Day: 1
*First Foot Day:
1
*Global Family
Day: 1
*Mummer's Parade:
1
*New Years Day: 1
*New Year's
Dishonor List Day: 1
*Polar Bear
Plunge or Swim Day: 1 (Coney Island, NY)
Rose Bowl Game: 1
*Saint Basil's
Day: 1
*Tournament of
Roses Parade Day: 1
*Z Day: 1
*55-MPH Speed
Limit Day: 2
*Happy Mew Year
for Cats Day: 2
*National Buffet
Day: 2
*National Motivation
and Inspiration Day: 2
*National Personal
Trainer Awareness Day: 2
*National Science
Fiction Day: 2
*Pet Travel and
Safety Day: 2
Rabi'i: 2
*Drinking Straw
Day: 3
*J.R.R. Tolkien
Day: 3
*Memento Mori
"Remember You Die" Day: 3
*National Chocolate
Covered Cherry Day: 3
*Dimpled Chad
Day: 4
Earth at
Perihelion: 4
*Pop Music Chart
Day: 4
*Tom Thumb Day: 4
*Trivia Day: 4
*World Braille
Day: 4
*World Hypnotism
Day: 4
*Bean Day: 5
*Bird Day: 5
Blue Monday: (First
Monday of the Year.)
Divorce Monday: 6
*Epiphany or
Twelfth Night: 6
National Weigh-In
Day: (First Monday after New Years)
"Thank God
It's Monday" Day: 6
*Three Kings Day:
6
*Harlem
Globetrotter's Day: 7
*I'm Not Going To
Take It Anymore Day: 7
*International
Programmers' Day: 7
*Orthodox
Christmas: 7
*National Tempura
Day: 7
*Argyle Day: 8
*Bubble Bath Day:
8
*Earth's Rotation
Day: 8
*National English
Toffee Day: 8
*Midwife's Day or
Women's Day: 8
*National Joy
Germ Day: 8
*Show and Tell
Day at Work: 8
*War on Poverty
Day: 8
*Balloon
Ascension Day: 9
*National Static
Electricity Day: 9
*Panama's Martyr
Day: 9
*National Cut
Your Energy Costs Day: 10
*League of
Nations Day: 10
*Cigarettes Are
Hazardous To Your Health Day: 11
*Learn Your Name
in Morse Code Day: 11
*National Human
Trafficking Awareness Day: 11
Fruitcake Toss
Day: 11
No Pants Subway
Ride Day: 12
*Make Your Dream
Come True Day: 13
National Clean
Off Your Desk Day: (Second Monday)
*Public Radio
Broadcasting Day: 13
*Rubber Duckie
Day: 13
*Stephen Foster
Day: 13
*Caesarean
Section Day: 14
*International
Kite Day: 14
*Dress Up Your
Pet Day: 14
National Poetry
at Work Day: (Second Tuesday)
*Organize Your
Home Day: 14
*Ratification
Day: 14
*Humanitarian
Day: 15
*Appreciate A
Dragon Day: 16
Get to Know Your
Customers Day: 16
*Nothing Day: 16
*Religious
Freedom Day: 16
Tu B'shuvat: 16
Women in Blue
Jeans Day: 16-17
*Cable Car Day:
17
*Hot Heads Chili
Days: 17-18
International
Fetish Day: (Third Friday)
*Judgment Day: 17
*Kid Inventors'
Day: 17
Polar Bear Swim:
18
*Pooh (Winnie
The) Day: 18
*Thesaurus Day:
18
*National
Sanctity of Human Life Day (or Pro-Life Day): 18
Martin Luther
King Day: 20 (Observed)
*Popcorn Day: 19
*Tin Can Day: 19
*World Day of
Migrants and Refugees: 19
World Religion
Day: (Third Sunday)
National Day of
Service: 20
*Camcorder Day:
20
*Penguin
Awareness Day: 20
*Inauguration
Day: 20 (traditional)
*National Disc
Jockey Day: 20
Robert E. Lee
Day: (Third Monday)
Inauguration Day:
21
*National Hugging
Day: 21
Rid The World of
Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day: 21
*Squirrel
Appreciation Day: 21
*Answer Your
Cat's Questions Day: 22
*Celebration of
Life Day: 22
*Roe vs. Wade
Day: 22
Data Innovation
Day: 23
*National
Handwriting Day: 23
*National Pie
Day: 23
*Snowplow Mailbox
Hockey Day: 23
Women's Healthy
Weight Day: (Last Thursday)
*Belly Laugh Day:
24
*Beer Can Day:
24
*National
Compliment Day: 24
*National Peanut
Butter Day: 24
*Talk Like A Grizzled
Prospector Day: 24
AFRMA Fancy Rat
& Mouse Day: 25
*A Room of One's
Own Day: 25
*Macintosh
Computer Day: 25
*National Irish
Coffee Day: 25
National Seed
Swap Day: (Last Saturday)
*Opposite Day: 25
*Robert Burns
Day: 25
Soup Swap Day: 25
Visit Your Local
Quilt Shop Day: 25
Grammy Awards: 26
*Lotus 1-2-3 Day:
26
*National Peanut
Brittle Day: 26
*Toad Hollow Day
of Encouragement: 26
World Leprosy
Day: 26
*Auschwitz
Liberation Day: 27
Bubble Wrap
Appreciation Day: (Last Monday)
*Holocaust
Memorial Day: 27
*International
Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust: 27
*Thomas Crapper
Day: 27
*Viet Nam Peace
Day: 27
*Data Privacy
Day: 28
*National Kazoo
Day: 28
*Thank A Plug in
Developer Day: 28
*Curmudgeons Day:
29
*Freethinkers
Day: 29
*National Puzzle
Day: 29
*Seeing Eye Dog
Day: 29
*Thomas Paine
Day: 29
*Inane Answering
Message Day: 30
*Appreciate Your
Social Security Check Day: 31
Chinese New Year:
31
Fun at Work Day: (Last
Friday)
*Inspire Your
Heart with Art Day: 31
National Pre-school
Fitness Day: (Last Friday)
*Street Children
Day: 31