Belly Acres: True Stories, Observations and Funny Rhymes

By Erika Hamer and Renate E. Hamer

Just a little postscript - Why BELLY ACRES? Not that we were Belly Achers or owners of acres, it was just a fun idea! When Gilman and I and our three small children traveled in our first car, “The Little Engine That Could”, looking for a house, we encountered names like “Stony Acres”, “Meadow Acres”, etc. Gilman said, “We will name our place ‘Belly Acres’.” There was much amusement after we had bought the House on Chase Road, and a friend surprised us with a beautifully lettered and decorated “Belly Acres” sign which we put outside our back door. I remember the laugh of our family physician, Dr. Philip Fortin, when he came once to see one of our children. (Yes, doctors did that at that time!)

There are situations I recorded in my poems, which understandably were not exactly enjoyable for me, but I won’t bellyache about them because I hope for you, dear reader, they will be entertaining and amusing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669861652

Erika Hamer

When I came to America in 1947, got married and started my career as a homemaker, I still found time for several outlets for hobbies -artwork, painting, rug making, pottery, sewing and gardening. In 1972 I taught myself the letters of calligraphy, and soon after when I felt confidant in this new hobby, I started writing poems in calligraphy. I collected them in a booklet and gave copies to my family and friends. Encouraged by them and my husband, Gilman, I wrote a second book. Many times I thought I would like to combine all the poems of general entertainment into one book. With the help of my good friend, Sonja White, who helped me with advice and typing, and Bill Vining, my printer for many years, the time was right to make my dream come true. I thank Sonja and Bill for their patience and skill in working on this project.

Book preview

Introduction

When I came to America in 1947, got married and started my career as a homemaker, I still found time for several outlets for hobbies -artwork, painting, rug making, pottery, sewing and gardening. In 1972 I taught myself the letters of calligraphy, and soon after when I felt confidant in this new hobby, I started writing poems in calligraphy. I collected them in a booklet and gave copies to my family and friends. Encouraged by them and my husband, Gilman, I wrote a second book. Many times I thought I would like to combine all the poems of general entertainment into one book.

With the help of my good friend, Sonja White, who helped me with advice and typing, and Bill Vining, my printer for many years, the time was right to make my dream come true. I thank Sonja and Bill for their patience and skill in working on this project.

Just a little postscript - Why BELLY ACRES? Not that we were Belly Achers or owners of acres, it was just a fun idea! When Gilman and I and our three small children traveled in our first car, The Little Engine That Could, looking for a house, we encountered names like Stony Acres, Meadow Acres, etc. Gilman said, We will name our place ‘Belly Acres’. There was much amusement after we had bought the House on Chase Road, and a friend surprised us with a beautifully lettered and decorated Belly Acres sign which we put outside our back door. I remember the laugh of our family physician, Dr. Philip Fortin, when he came once to see one of our children. (Yes, doctors did that at that time!)

There are situations I recorded in my poems, which understandably were not exactly enjoyable for me, but I won’t bellyache about them because I hope for you, dear reader, they will be entertaining and amusing.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Memory

The Famous Bird

Like a Shakespearean Actor

House Hunting

The Handyman’s Paradise

Our Green Chalkboard

Thoughts in the Card Shop

Once there was a Chevy Coupe

Our Pets

My old Singer Treadle Sewing Machine

Bush Cherries

Planting Beans

There are days like this

Behind the Curtain – Our Choir

A True Fish Story

The Decision about Fishin’

Wave Bravery

The Salty Monster Men

Wintering on Horse Neck Beach

Bittersweet

Reading Proverbs

Facing Facts

Happy with High Fashion?

Talents

The Cathedral in the Pines

My Moonflower talks to me...

Mother’s Love

To Mama

New Hope with Time

Hubbard’s Scrapbook

A Young Person’s Thoughts on Father’s Day

Sea Edelweiss

Queen Anne’s Lace

A Special Breakfast

The Funny Ones, NO Thank You, The Good Old Days

The Wonder of Nature

Barking Dogs

Star Island Prayer

Memory

At Middle age we enjoy life more,

We are finally finished with the child raising chore.

We are surprised that even we can do

Things we always wanted to

But never had the time to do.

I feel real fine, no big complaint,

Except sometimes I wonder where my memory went.

It sometimes can