The story of two brothers who discover an underground Rootland and gain a new friend. Originally conceived by Tom Leone in the mid 60’s, Elaine immediately wrote the story in rhyming verse. It’s now brought to life in full color in 2021.
Grandy Says:
Grandy says it’s a disgrace
That she has such wrinkles in her face.
I looked up close and she let me touch
But I just see dents where she smiles so much.
Grandy just twinkles. Her heart has no wrinkles.
Spooky Luke
The Carey kids like scary stuff.
In the game they play the most,
Lucie is the human being
And Lucas is the ghost.
Charlie
Charlie and his cousins always have a blast
As soon as they meet on any street,
They start playiing Gotcha Last!
Temporarily Unavailable
I’m a stick- in -the -mud who is stuck in the mud
And I don’t want to go out and play.
I don’t want to talk or go for a walk
So just leave me alone
For today.
Just for today. OK?
The Visit
He brings light with him
When he comes in and then
After he is gone
It gets quite dark again.
THE WRONG APPROACH
The salesman shook my Grandy’s hand,
Said, “WHAT a pleasure THIS is!”
Then said, “What’s your first name, Dear?”
And Grandy said, “It’s MRS.”
Side Swiped
While I was finishing my burger
And looking at the pies,
And not paying attention,
My brother ate my fries.
A Different Variety
In Grandad’s backyard garden,
He grows vegetables to eat
But Grandy’s corn and onions
Are growing on her feet.
(Mom says those onions
Are called bunions).
The Dinkey Bird
When my special, every-Thursday-antiquing f riend of 50 years passed, her dear children appeared on my doorstep bearing pieces we had found together on endless treasure hunts and presented them to me. “Doesn’t it make you SAD.” someone asked, “to have these things?” Oh, no! On the contrary! I recall with great joy each and every bush that we beat in New England to find EVERY one! Anyway, among the treasures was a carved wooden plaque of a whimsical bird unlike any we had ever seen. Dot called it “The Dinkey Bird” and bought it immediately. She referred to a well-loved children’s verse by Eugene Field of the same name.
When I inherited The Dinkey Bird, I added color to it, thinking it should be in a child’s room somewhere. But I haven’t been able to part with it because I like to think that Dot Hartzog is waiting for me someplace “where the dinkey bird is singing in the amfalula tree” and it is an everyday sweet reminder of a rare and wonderful friendship.