Desert Messenger

December 17, 2014 www.DesertMessenger.com 19 Quartzsite Chiropractic at the Quartzsite Medical Center Just west of Carl's Jr. on W. Main St. Dr. Michael Cole, D.C. Providing Chiropractic Care to Quartzsite! 602-791-0584 DR. COLE IS BACK! For more information call Dr. Michael Cole, D.C. ' 315 E. Ironwood, Quartzsite (next to the QIA) Here we go again! We are loaded with goodies! Furniture, Glassware, Yard Art, Antiques, Collectables, Linens, Jewelry. Lots of Vintage Items...and Great Prices! We're Now OPEN RON & PATTY'S DIECAST Collectibles & Apparel Located AT THE MAIN EVENT Corner of W. Main & Quartzsite Blvd. 704-575-6719 NASCAR ACROSS FROM BURGER KING Nature's Nuggets BUYS & SELLS GOLD Nuggets - Jewelry- coins Call Richard 928-927-5479 • 435-730-3388 In Quartzsite over 15 Years! Gold Sand Concentrates Placer Gold 24 Mesh Size up to Nuggets Quartzsite Licensed Business by Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretch- ing, exercise, relaxation, medita- tion) THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT San Luis Obispo, California I'm never around children any more. Before I had my own busi- ness (Jane of All Trades), I was a teacher. I used to be around children a lot. At one time, I had my own preschool, although I called it a PLAYschool (The Little Red School House in Moses Lake, Washington), but that was many, many years ago -- another lifetime really. I also taught Children's Lit- erature at the college there and was a substitute teacher (kindergarten through high school) after my two children were old enough to be in school. I always found a way to be around children, even after I stopped teaching. Traveling with Gypsy Jane One of the many things I did as part of my business (I WAS the business) was being a Nanny for a few hours up to a few weeks. The part I liked best was being a live-in Nanny while parents went on trips anywhere from one to three weeks. The children and I had a great time: reading stories aloud (includ- ing Harry Potter), going on outings (hikes, picnics, parks, etc.) and cooking food that they enjoyed. It gave me great joy to be a "mother" again and to give parents peace of mind -- that their children were safe while they were away. I said in my Nanny information sheet: "You can be assured that I will treat your children as if they were my own." Ah, what I would give to have just one day back with my own children when they were small, because once that time is gone, it is gone forever. Often my children would ask for my attention when there was a pile of dishes in the sink, washing to do, and errands to run. At that time, long ago, I'm so glad I said to myself: "Ten years from now, what will you be glad you did: the dishes or played with your children?" You know the answer. That's why this morning, just a few days before Christmas, I re- ceived an early Christmas present. Once again, I was in the restroom (like in the story "Daddy, the Lady Helped Me".) I was a little taken back when I saw a very small face peek under the stall door to see if anyone was there. I was. Then I heard some very frustrated sounds. "Do you have a problem?" I asked. "Yes," came the reply, "I can't get the door open." "Just a minute," I said, "I'll help you," and fl ashes of the story I'd written in Key West, Florida came back to me. When I opened my door, I found a small, angelic-looking little girl with long, golden curls, about four- years old wearing lovely, lavender pants and jacket made of very soft material. "Look what my Grandma gave me," she said, referring to her SEE GYPSY PAGE 20

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