Image: A local comic book store, we were due to go to Mexico but it rained so we visited a comic book store instead. My first ever visit, was impressed, and there werre free video games in te back room. Later we visited The Musuem of South Texas History 

 

 

 

 

24.11.22 – 91) Woke once more to a sky of grey, it’s Thanksgiving Day

It’s quiet an’ I’m remembering yesterday

On the car St George’s flags flying with pride

At Clark’s the Royal Standard flying outside

“Welcome back” I heard a neighbour say

As welcoming hugs were the order of the day

An Clark was overjoyed with news of what had been

English newspapers and their tribute to our beloved Queen

I rang home with news to cheer, Saying “Clark’s at last I’m here”

But really in the main, it was great to cuddle Ivy again

 

92) Mario out, Clark still in bed, emails an’ facebook read

Warmer here to my delight, even though it rained all night

But I’m feelin’ like a colds on its way, hope the tablets keep it at bay

An’ hopefully plenty of elation, at my first ever Thanksgiving Celebration

 

93) Thanksgiving, another highlight of my current tour we talked, we joked

No doubt there’ll be more. But first see what Nianna has in store

Really lookin’ forward to what she’s cookin’

An’ in the main, great to see her again

Cos’ we ain’t seen, each other since 2019

When we were both givin’ our best

At the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Fest

 

94) Into the car and away, pick up Barbie on the way

Soon our gang of four is knockin’ on Nianna’s door

Nianna’s lookin, fed up sayin’ it ain’t no lark the dinin’ room is in the dark

Fearin’ the worst we decide to hug first 8

Then a search an’ the circuit breakers found, light now shinin’ all around

Food laid out we take our plate, I’m invited to say grace

Containing the excitement I feel at my first Thanksgiving meal

 

95) We talked, we joked, we laughed, shared stories

Of our past mishaps an’ glories

Unravellin’ stories of our travellin, An’ our repast was sure a blast

It seemed all too soon it was over an; we had to go

But no need for sorrow, some of us are goin’ to Mexico tomorrow

 

25.11.22 – 96) Hopes of Mexico were in vain, a day of continuous rain

Not feeling blue, we found something else to do

Went down to the comic bookstore

A modern-day version of the heroes I’d seen before

Scarlet Witch, Silver Surfer and many more

An there was no lack of free video games in the back

Lunch then unravel the mystery, of South Texas’ history

Overturning many a page as it started in the stone age

Then more, how it grew, the Mexico/America war

History of river, rail and more and up to a certain date

Local military service to commemorate

And the building itself when, it was a jail in 1910

At five it closed and we were away thinkin’ tomorrow’s another day

 

26.11.22 – 97) Day come alive, it’s a Scavenger Hunt, a team of five

It should be but sadly there’s only three

Me, Nianna an’ Zac, soon we’re on track

Clues on cell phones show the way, but mine doesn’t want to play

So we make do with only two

We did our best an’ weren’t bereft, in third place when we left

Nianna suggests we go, somewhere I was ten years ago

So down the road we ran to Quinta Mazatalan

Parts I remembered from before an’ more

In the main great to see it again

Wind dropped sun got stronger we stayed longer

I remembered the last time I was there, capturing a sign that said beware

It was no more but I remembered my poetry score

How nice to se it had grown, more exhibits shown

Good to find, the place had ecology in mind

No mystery as it promoted natural history

Plenty of photos taken then away, to carry on the rest of the day

Lunch, then back to Clarks and were talkin’

He decides to snooze an; I take Ivy walkin’

Together as one in the afternoon sun

We’re back an’ I got photos to download an; poems for my blog

They’re eventually done an things is goin’ right

Cos’ we’re celebratin’ Mario’s birthday tonight

An’ the Scavenger Hunt, how did we do, out of 100 we were in position 22

 

27.11.22 – 98) Outside the sun I wake thinkin’ last night was fun

Mario celebratin’ his birthday with his chums

An’ today he’ll be celebratin’ at his mums

While the rest of us go, on a jaunt to Mexico

Brunch at Zamorrah’s then we’re found headin’ South Lasflores bound

Camera in hand I walk over the Rio Grande

Take photos to show river an’ turtle in it below

Then see what’s goin’ down in that li’l border town

Sidewalk vendors offerin’ their wares touts for the stores offerin’ theirs

Lookin’ in one shop I thought “Hey

they got medication in here banned in the UK”

Plenty of offers to deplete your coffers

Dental treatment cheap no appointment needed

Candy shops sought an’ candy bought

They got a good deal an’ we went for a meal

Everything in order as we went back across the border

No trouble at all, making our way, back to the USA

Away an’ the suns goin down as we drive back into town

An’ what more can I say, other than “It sure was an interesting day”

 

99) At the house it’s dark, no sign of Clark

Still away, celebrating Mario’s birthday

So I take Ivy for a walk an’ get my computer work done

Then take her out for another one. Really nice takin’ her out twice

Clark an’ Mario return we chat a while an’ they turn in

An’ I’ll soon I’ll be turnin’ in too

Cos’ tomorrow I’m at a High School called Valley View

 

28.11.22 – 100) Breakfast, admin, an then I see it’s nearly ten

Give Clark a shout an’ take Ivy out. When we’re done away I run

Don’t wanna be late for my speaking date

Along the Interstate I fly to Valley View High

I see they closed the Jackson Road ramp so earlier I decamp

GPS acknowledges what I’ve done, towards Jackson I run

Turn right an’ what’s seen are familiar landmarks from 2019

Like followin’ a well worn track, sure feels good to be comin’ back

Then take it steady arrive, go in an’ get ready

Soon to classes I’ll give, a talk about where I live

Part of the time, share my stories in rhyme

Help ‘em get the hang of my Yorkshire twang

They get to see what comin’ to Texas means to me

An’ all to soon it’s the end of the afternoon

I drive back knowin’ I’ll be, back at Clarks in time for tea.

 

29.11.22 - 101) As has been the recent norm the mornin’s warm

I’m wonderin’ if I’ll go down a storm

Last day at Valley View Early Campus and High

I know the way having passed yesterday

GPS first heeded, then not needed

Arrive in plenty of time to share my life an’ rhyme

Classes get underway, I’ve plenty to say

A pleasant task an’ some have questions to ask

An’ some were wanting to be knowin’

About the Yorkshire phrases my tee shirt was showin’

About shutting the door and more

What it said about being frustrated or exasperated

Went down well, then time to tell about the time I do my rhyme

An’ give info about where I live, three classes done away I run

An’ one thing’s clear, I can’t wait to come back next year

 

102) I get back to Clarks not a moment to soon

He’s going out, it’s afternoon

Hails me with a greeting, invites me to his meeting

With friends every Tuesday soon we’re makin’ our way

To Starbucks bound the table we gather round

There’s five an’ the conversation comes alive

We’re chatting away an’ I’m asked about things in the UK

We talk about other things an’ whatever life brings

When it ends, I say goodbye to my new friends

 

103) Back at Clarks no time for further talkin’ Ivy needs walkin’

Clark doesn’t have to ask, it’s always a pleasant task

In the afternoon sun it’s great to watch her run

Chat with the neighbours an’ more, always an enjoyable part of my tour

Then it’s back before it’s too late, bring my admin up to date

Nothin’ to taxin’ then time for relaxin’

Watch a video about my hometown, I see how well it goes down

Clark thinks it’s really neat when it shows my house in Lower Oxford Street

Yes what really goes down is the history behind the town

Castleford a former Roman town on the River Aire,

Hopefully one day Clark an’ Mario will be there

 

30.11.22 – 104) Wednesday an’ there’s a cool wind blowin’

For a moment I thought it was snowin’

But it was just small leaves blowin’ from the trees

It’s quite delightin’ as I’m sat writin’

Listenin’ to the wind blow an’ watchin the trees swayin’

Almost as if they’re playin’

Earlier a nice sight an’ sound, watchin’ the rain fall an’ hit the ground

Now time to end this score as I sit an’ listen to the wind once more

 

105) No time ot be blue we got shoppin to do

An’ I got to try to buy. Something just right for a special night

Slight delay, coffee on the way. Present sought an’ bought

Day on track, lunch an’ back as was our will to sit an’ chill

An’ make sure everything’s right for Amy’s birthday party tonight

 

01.12.22 – 106) We could tell Amy’s party went well

Had a ball. Good time had by all

Now day is breakin’ an’ coffee I’m makin’

Soon I have to be away for my last full day

Cos’ I’m gonna be, raisin AIDS Awarenes with my poetry

 

107) Poems in bag ready, I’m away drivin’ steady

Ain’t far in my car been before reciting, recitin’ many a poetry score

I’m thinkin’ in the main, “Great to be goin’ back again”

Clark’s directions couldn’t have been better, followed to the letter

Soon I’m there, site map tells me where I want to be

To block U I’m bound, it’s soon found. An’ I get to know

There’s been a change, they want me to close the show

It’s agreed, let others take the lead

Should be a blast, I can do more poems goin’ on last

 

108) Event gets underway, the other speakers have their say

Giving their best, audience listen with interest

As they abrade, progress made, from cryin’ for the dyin’

To medicines becoming stronger, infected people living longer

But still the situation calls for education

Acceptance and Sympathy, Compassion and Empathy

An’ ignorance at the illness once thought a mystery, confined to history

 

109) First half over time to take, a lunch break

Sit an’ chat, chew the fat

Clark was here but the temperature was droppin’

Feelin’ the cold he wasn’t stopping’

But like the rest, he’d shown great interest

Shorytly after he departed, the second half started

I thought like as not it was a shame he was goin’ to miss my slot

First presentation went really great.

What is HIV/AIDS followed by a debate

What was so good is that it was easily understood

An’ I’m lookin’ forward to the time, I get up an’ share my rhyme

 

110) The afternoon wore on an some went

Not many for me but I still gave 100%

From the word go I let the emotion flow

Power to impart I read from the heart

At the end I pause, take the applause

An’ smile thinkin’ “Yup once again it’s all worthwhile