Murdo Girl…A storybook life

Mary Francis McNinch

I’m Empress the dancing pig. I thought I’d found a dancing gig.

But when it never did pan out, my owner kicked my pig can out.

She took me to the GW store…My price tag fell onto the floor.

I fear no one will know my worth? My tutu barely fits my girth.

A real strange  nice person wanted me. She said her heart was filled with glee!

Cause no one knew how much I cost. Another chance for me, was lost.

Couldn’t they just take a guess? Then I could be a great success!!

The stranger said not to worry, for tomorrow she would hurry.

She said, “I’ll come and buy you honey, shine your crown, and give you money.

I’ll fill your empty hole inside. You’ll wear that purple crown with pride!”

She said she’d take me off this shelf and teach me to self-help myself.

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Well… that glorious life was not to be. Another person purchased me.

She didn’t give me a chance… to show her how this pig can dance.

She took me to an uptown store. Where I will be forever more.

She gave me a close inspection. She wanted me for her collection.

It seems I’m worth thousands more, than the price she paid at the Goodwill Store.

Though now I’m with the big deal pigs, I rather miss my dancing gigs.

Why am I worth so much dough? The me inside still feels hollow.

I was in this store a week or more, when I found a boy pig I adore.

My name is Emperor and I’m a boar. I don’t belong in this uptown store.

I will learn to dance the jig and we’ll find us a dancing gig.

I’m really not the marrying kind, but I fear they’ll make me fried pig rind.

The Emperor and Empress…, soon became a great success.

They danced the jig in every town and raised three piglets who built houses.

Murdo Girl…You don’t know what you don’t know.

Mary Francis McNinch

She walked into the school room. She looked out of place.

“Don’t sit by me,” I whispered. “Find some other space.”

She was totally disheveled from her head down to her feet.

There was not one thing about her that resembled clean or neat.

She looked my way and I knew at once that she could see me staring.

I guess it might have looked to her like I was rudely glaring.

She had no pride or money one who saw her would assume.

Thankfully, she chose a desk on the far side of the room.

She said, “Excuse me teacher. “I know I look a mess.

I had no time to bathe or put on a nice clean dress.

Late into the night, we heard someone knocking at our door.

A little neighbor asked us to watch, Joe, her Labrador.

A fire was burning in her house and the fire truck was coming.

When the siren started blaring, she knew Joe would take off running.

Mamma held onto Joe and I followed the little waif.

She went to watch the fire and I had to keep her safe.

The house burned to the ground as if it was made of paper-mache.

The family and Joe went to their Grandma’s house to stay.

We just moved to town and it’s my first day at this school.

Though I was late today, I almost never break a rule.

Thank you for your gift of time. I wanted to explain.

Though to worry about my dirty dress will make me appear vain.”

When she sat down at her desk, she looked calmer than before.

I turned my eyes away and began staring at the floor.

I could almost hear the stern voice of my otherwise sweet mother.

“Whatever you surmise, you must never judge another.”

That girl and I are friends, now. The awkward day… we never mention.

I learned my lesson well without further intervention.

Murdo Girl…I was on his mind.

Mary Francis McNinch1 Comment

It sounds like the name of a Willie Nelson love song doesn’t it?

It is a love song…but not like Willie’s. His is called, “You were always on my mind.”

We attended the Good Friday service at our church last night and my eyes kept going to the words on the screen that gave the theme of the story our preacher told so beautifully.

I took this inside a church in Rushford, MN

“For when he was on the cross, I was on his mind.”

Church the Beasterhops go to

Those very simple words say so much. I asked some friends if there was a song using those words and they didn’t know, so when I got home, I checked YouTube and found this song. It is so beautiful, I thought you might enjoy listening to it this Easter weekend.

Have a blessed Easter…

Meridian, Mississippi

Georgetown, Kentucky

Murdo Girl…Taco Tuesday

Mary Francis McNinch

I laughed at myself today. I went with my friends, Pat and Jerry to a doctor’s appointment and on the way back we stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch. I knew Jerry would insist on buying, and I didn’t want to run up the bill, but I love the Mocha Frappuccino they have at Dairy Queen and it’s over $3.00. As we were walking in, I noticed a big sign advertising taco Tuesday. On Tuesdays, tacos only cost $1.00. I ordered a Frappuccino and a taco.

I was enjoying my lunch when Jerry made the comment that these days, lunches were pretty expensive even at fast food places. I grabbed the bill to add up how much each of our lunches cost. I knew mine would be the least expensive… I gasped when I saw they had charged $1.99 for my taco. “It should have only been $1.00,” I said.

Jerry said, “Why? It’s not Tuesday.”

“I wish I had known that before I ordered,” I said. “I think having that sign sitting right where it practically hits you in the face makes you think it’s Tuesday and the tacos are $1.00. I didn’t even want a taco. I wouldn’t have ordered it if I had known it wasn’t taco Tuesday and the taco would be $2.00…therefore it didn’t offset my expensive Frappuccino.”

I looked at Pat and Jerry who were enjoying the steak finger basket (Jerry) and the banana split blizzard and French fries, (Pat).

I looked at the receipt again. After adding it up according to what each individual ordered, mine was still the least expensive. The $2.00 taco wasn’t too bad, but Pat and Jerry both had French fries and they sure looked good.

We all laughed… Maybe you had to be there.

Give me a break. I only had four hours sleep last night.

Murdo Girl…Don’t write her off

Mary Francis McNinch

I planned to write some cards tonight and send them to friends who are having health issues. I also planned to send a few thank you notes. There are others whose birthdays are coming up. Wouldn’t it be something if I got their birthday cards out on time? I wrote a list of all of these people and it added up to an even fourteen. I then counted the cards I had available and guess what? I had an even fourteen.

I went down to my cottage and got all set up at my desk. That’s when my good luck ended. I had too many birthday cards and not enough get well cards. I had two sympathy cards which I didn’t need at all. While contemplating my next move, I started to look around the cottage and I realized I had too much of everything, everywhere. I no longer thought it looked inviting so I rearranged it all and by the time I was finished, I had a big pile of things I didn’t want by the door. I kept everything other people have given me. Now all I have to do is vacuum and feather dust.

It was nine o’clock by the time I finished and I still hadn’t written one card, so I began to write. In the first card I wrote, “I hope you’re recovery is going well.” I couldn’t believe I used the wrong your and ruined a card. Things went on like that for a while until I gave up. I’ll call them tomorrow.

To you from me…

If you’re feeling under the weather, or a test brought you bad news, we’ll send up prayers together and bring you casseroles and stews.

Is this a special birthday? We’ll help you celebrate. We’ll strive to make it your day and your birth year we’ll backdate.

We owe you a huge thank you. Our visit was the best. We were sad to say adieu. You know how to treat a guest.

You’ve achieved a milestone be it graduation, anniversary or retirement. The time it took to get here was definitely well spent.

So I’ve written all my cards. Now I just need your address. I’ll have to call you, anyway, unless I try to guess.

Murdo Girl…Funny feet

Mary Francis McNinch5 Comments

My poems of late are serious and not the least bit humorous.

Laughter is a lot more fun than tears.

I’ll try to strike another tone that might tickle your funny bone.

Let’s see if I’m able to switch gears.

I saw a man walk down the street. I swear he had two right feet.

He tried to sell me two left shoes.

“I have two right feet,” he explained. “One right is wrong,” he complained.

“I’ll make you a deal you can’t refuse.”

I looked at him in disbelief. I didn’t want to cause him grief

But what would I do with two left shoes?

My feet never cause me strife. One is left and one is right.

Yet I never pass up a good deal.

I paid him pennies on the dollar. Then I found one left was smaller.

It made my little piggy squeal.

I saw a man walk down the street and asked if he had two left feet.

He said, “No!” And I chose not to persist.

My left food hurt like heck on earth but I sure got my money’s worth.

And so did my podiatrist.

Murdo Girl…Yram snags a big one

Mary Francis McNinch2 Comments

After arriving back in Gun Barrel City, Yram Sicnarf realizes she needs to plan her next move. What to do? What to do? It isn’t long before she gets wind of the All School Reunion that’s likely to be held next July (2022) in MG’s hometown. Yram is now a roving crack-up reporter which means she must rove. Thankfully, she is also nearsighted and picks up on what’s going on more quickly than farsighted roving crack-up reporters. This project involves interviewing people from faraway places like California and Arizona. She has to wait three more weeks for all of the restraining orders to expire before she returns to Murdo, so it should all work out perfectly.

First stop is San Juan Something in California… where Lav lives.

Knock Knock…

Lav: We’re not home right now. Here’s a pencil and some paper. Please leave a message at the sound of the door slamming and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Yram: Lav! don’t you recognize me? I’m Yram… I’m the best friend you never had. I just want to come in and interview you for a very important publication. I even brought my camera.

Lav: Really? Will I get paid?

Yram: Sure…you get everything after certain expenses are taken out of my cut. Do you have any apple pie? I haven’t eaten in days. MG says your apple pie is the best! I can stay overnight if I need to.

Lav: What is this the subject of this interview? The only thing I’ve done for a year is walk my dog.

Yram: I’m here to ask you some hypothetical questions about your plans to attend the Murdo, SD All School Reunion tentatively scheduled for July of 2022.

Lav: Ask away, Rover…sorry all my friends are dogs.

From our porch…by Amy Masteller

Yram: really? Go fetch! Say…do you think you can hold it together until July of 2022? It’s more than a year away.

Lav: Do you know that MG and I wore gowns and crowns and rode on the back of a red convertible in the parade? I was Queen E. and MG was an eight year old. I have a little arthritis, but my teeth are still good. 

Yram: A lot can happen in a year. Is there anyone in Murdo who will remember you? What year did you graduate?

Lav: I didn’t graduate from Murdo High School. I just go to all of the reunions.

Yram: Gotta go! I just remembered something. I have a bigger interview to snag.

Yram: So Queen E… something tells me you’re still dreaming of becoming a cheerleader. Love the pompoms and the band hat.

“Is this the burning of the MG?”

Murdo Girl…Still learning

Mary Francis McNinch

Today I heard a friend is leaving

Another called to say hello

I prayed for one I know is grieving

Must I accept life’s ebb and flow

Light shines in the midst of darkness

It comes from more than just the sun

Music acts as a catharsis

Sparkling eyes follow the fun.

Joy is something we can choose

A good friend often tells me so

There’s much to gain or much to lose

Should I accept the status quo

I’ve learned new lessons recently

Though I am not of tender age

The truth can be found easily

Written on a single page

No matter how another treats you

Treat them as you wish to be

Relationships will begin anew

When this is done consistently.

Life will still ebb and flow

All decisions won’t be fair

Those who see us change and grow

Will soon believe we truly care

Murdo Girl…A Jellystone stop

Mary Francis McNinch1 Comment

When life gets overwhelming, you should take time to reflect, and decide what you must do and what you can neglect.

If a friend needs your support then you really must assist. Do everything you can for them. They should top your list.

If the house needs cleaning and the laundry is piled high, make them two and three in case someone should stop by.

We have many kids and grandkids and some other family members. I forgot a birthday once and everyone remembers.

I love taking part in the activities I’ve selected. I will admit there are a few I have seriously neglected.

We fire up the motor home and load up all the pets. We travel everywhere we can, so we’ll have no regrets.

I’m getting so confused. What number am I on? I’m pretty sure that I have almost all the numbers wrong.

I’ll switch number one and two and leave out number four. I’ve already forgotten what I’m doing all this for.

I have more tasks to add but some I’ll have to skip. I have three number ones so I’ll just shoot from the hip.

How many friends have I lost touch with? Do I owe some thank you notes? A get well card or five with sympathetic quotes?

I had such good intentions when I began this blog. I thought I had the answers but instead I’m in a fog.

We’ll be home today. It’s the end of our vacation. I wonder if I should 86 this jumbled up creation.

We’re staying at Jellystone RV Park. They have a petting zoo, Yogi the Bear riding on a fire truck, a place called Kountry Kreamery with homemade ice cream, and all kinds of other things. We happen on to some pretty fun places.

The petting zoo
The walking trail
Yogi Bear
Yogi on the fire truck
Waiting for Heidi to meet us for lunch

Murdo Girl…Was it something I said?

Mary Francis McNinch1 Comment

Yram: If you expect every day to be a good one, you are setting yourself up for a big disappointment. MG and Kip got off to a bad start yesterday and it went downhill from there. I laid low. Sort of. I’m not alldumb. (Mom’s word.)

I will enumerate what happened…

1) MG raised her voice while trying to convince Kip that it wasn’t a good idea to hook the Jeep up to the RV in the drive where Lagoon RV people might be trying to get out of their driveways. He said he had already asked the people it would affect. I didn’t…I mean MG didn’t know that.

We were lulled into thinking the day had turned the corner. I, (Yram), began to relax and file my nails.) Below are a few pics taken early in the day.

2) They went to 3 places to fuel up. The first 2 were out of diesel. At the 3rd place, when we were about to leave, a large pelican, who appeared to be injured, landed in front of the RV and we couldn’t move without running over him. Some lady called the game warden and while we waited, MG had to guard the poor bird so people pulling into the station wouldn’t hit him from the other side. That’s why she didn’t get pictures. Before the warden got there, the big pelican suddenly just flew away and landed in this field.

Next to that field, was a field on fire.

3) shortly after leaving the gas station, we heard something flapping. Apparently the wind from the night before had messed up the gear that turns the awning over the slide-out and it was loose. Kip pulled off of a very busy highway to take a look which didn’t make MG too happy, but this time she kept her mouth shut.

4) Shortly after finally making it back onto the highway, a rock hit the windshield and put a little crack in it. This didn’t make Kip too happy.

5) Then, MG discovered the refrigerator hadn’t switched over from electricity to propane when they disconnected that morning. This didn’t make Kip or MG too happy. Thankfully, things stayed pretty cold until they got it hooked back up to electriciry last night.

At the end of the day, we had only covered 160 brutal miles. Since I haven’t had very many riveting interviews on my roving reporter assignment, I tried to ask a couple of open-ended questions last night, which apparently was the wrong thing to do…geez. I sure wish the dogs and cat could tell their stories. I bet that would sell a lot of newspapers.

Make her go away. She doesn’t make me happy.

That’s all for now. Your roving reporter, Yram Sicnarf.

Molly…your neighbor wanted you to see this. She bought it at a store in Fredericksburg called, Remember Me.