Rob's family

Each girl made me cry today. Gretchen wrote me a poem (below) and Melinda a photo video collage with her playing piano for the background soundtrack. My Dad He looks best in his robe patterned in plaid. That is my dad. I’d never have a reason to call him a bother. That is my father. If I ever wanted to play golf, for sure he’d be my caddy. That is my daddy. If I ever gave him a suggestion, he’d never say “Nah.” That is my da. When I feel sad, he is always there. That is my père. He tells stories even better that Aesop. That is my pop. He never ceases to make me happy. That is my pappy. ~Gretchen

I am the ghost of Town Severe Bearing a story that you must hear A tale from Halloween night That I am sure that will give you a fright The ship I boarded on was dark The ship of the voyage I would embark Behind me I heard a howl Making me let out a loud yowl I prepared for something obscene But 'twas only a ghost, Yelling "Happy Halloween!" -G. Coleman

Green is something alive: Leaves and plants, Clovers and grass. Green is certainly A color with class Green can be a food in your fridge: A grape or an apple. A pear or a lime. Green is a color That's simply sublime. Green is a lizard, Green is a frog That's hopping and hopping Through a green bog. -- Melinda

Elephant Days The elephant that lay a – graze Happy to lay, in the haze Watching her daughter as she plays 10 beautiful, beautiful ballets Is happy to give lots of praise. She remembers when she did that Way, way back in the days The Sun I am the warmness, I am the light. I shine real high, but not at night. I am a medium star, Right at the bar. People depend on me to live, To give the light I always give. My job is really fun. Yes, I am the sun. Geese The geese fly high, high, high in the sky. To them, worries to not apply. They have no wait, no stand-by. If geese can do it, why can’t I? Ice Cream Ice cream has a certain gleam. It has a taste, just like a dream. It seems to whisper “Why don’t you eat me?” I like it very much. Do you agree? Writing My pen twirls across the paper. I am the character. I decide whatever I want to be. I am in charge. I am me. Reading Do you want to sail a ship, Fly an airplane, Be a lion, And create a space ship, All in one day? If you do there is a...

Gretchen very much wants to get her poetry published.  Here's her latest - she is sending to Zoo books. People aren’t amazed with my bird shape of a figure. But I can talk, sing, and dance like any one of you. I am attractive and pretty with my smooth, rainbow colored feathers. I can learn just about anything you teach me to do. My scent is a mixture of tropical fruit and warmth. I can fly high in the sky, anytime I want to. I can screech loudly, sing beautifully, or talk. Putting things together, I am glad to be a beautiful, exciting, and talking parrot.