Image: Jojo, me and enncee Zack at Freddo's helpin' Jojo get to the stage it was a great night, Zack is a great emmcee, the welfare of performers is always paramount to him.

 

 

10.25 - 31:18) Yesterday things were going like a song

Till we landed then it all started going wrong

No lark waiting half an hour for a gate to disembark

Waiting for luggage seemed to go on for ever

Not so clever I found, when my case was to me bound

Zips broken obviously care not taken

Getting to the motel another delay, new roadworks on the way

At last before days end I was able to look see a friend

Becca messaged me to tell, Jojo was staying with her she’d not been well

I’d come over there’d be no debating, she said there was pizza waiting

Took it steady didn’t dash, me an’ Jojo hugged

Like the last 11 months had gone in a flash

We shared each other’s news and views

Then time to leave hopes of an early night were in vain

Hit more new roadworks again

 

32:19) Tried to get a sim card to fit my cell phone

To ring my friends on my way but things didn’t want to play

It was like the gremlins were having a field day

Two stores tried nothing working, no time for lurking

Not caught on the hop I’d a poetry workshop

An’ there’s no need for sorrow I’ll try again tomorrow

 

33:20) Called to collect Jojo, Becca said she was now home

A great companion on any poetry roam

A hug a chat then away to enjoy the rest of the day

Driving with eager intent, to find Red Travelers event

Driving with care we got there, all be it a bit late

Thom was there another great mate

An’ said has he does on every roam “Trev welcome home”.

 

Poems 34-36 written at the workshop, topics begin the first line

34: 21) Merit in mediocrity don’t try to do it all

Or fit it all on one shelf, have time for yourself

Don’t think mediocrity is in vain

It’s your life and you can always try again

 

35:22) My favourite type of work is doing

What I want to do and how I want to do it

If others don’t like it they can go and screw it

 

36:23) My favourite kind of music find conjures up imaged in my mind

Whatever the style can make me cry or smile

Taking me away from the drudges of the day

A favourite song can make a journey not as long

Something delighting to inspire my writing

My favourite kind of music will always be

The kind of music that moves and inspires me

 

11.04.25 – 37:34) At yesterday’s workshop we had a really great time

Sharin’ inspiration in free verse an’ rhyme

Sorted a phone than a shock

Credit card not there had it vanished into thin air

To the other shop bound, card found

Supper to go then let the rest of the evenin’ flow

We had fun chillin’ an’ doin’ nothin’ an’ restin when it was done

 

38:25) Jojo not well today, havin’ a hospital stay

Hope she’s alright don’t want her to miss any poetry night

Becca’s goin’ to let me know how things go

Hope she enjoys the rest an’ is soon back to her best

 

39:26) To the library I went again time spent

Transferring my poems to USB

Then decided to go and be at one with nature and nature be at one with me

The phone rang, the ringtone’s sang

Becca said she needed to get away

To wash Jojo’s clothes and get a shower

GPS programmed I was on my way

Goin’ to see Jojo an’ thinkin’ there’s no other place I’d rather be

 

40:27) Becca went away leaving me to stay so Jojo was not alone

I kept her updated by phone

When she came back things looked to be goin’ right

So, she’d stay the night

Hopefully no sorrow she said she’ll give me a ring tomorrow

 

12.04.25 – 41:28) Sun’s out as if to say, it’s gonna be another hot day

An’ I find Jojo is on my mind

First away, breakfast then provisions for the day

Bananas an’ water should do if there’s just us two

But first ring Becca see how things have gone

And what else will be goin’ on

It’s done things seem to be alright

Jojo’s had a decent night Dr’s visit to come

Where he’ll say she can either go home or have another night stay

I tell Becca what I’ve got planned, so I can be close at hand

An’ all, they have to do is give me a call

 

42:29) Once again the library the place to be, to put my poems on USB

The one on Spicewood Springs Road where I can upload

My latest work an’ if I get a call I can’t lurk

Got to be on my mettle, findin’ it hard to settle

Hopin’ Jojo’s getting’ well not goin’ through pain an’ hell

Becca calls to say “come over” an I’m away

 

43:30) On the way I see a fleet of Harleys in rows of two

Photo opportunity not to miss, that would be remiss

On his three wheeled bike there’s Mike

I ask he says “Hey, no problem snap away

Motorcycle Philanthropy their game, Wind Therapy Riders their name

Like other motorcycle groups you hear of or see

Striving to help the community whatever task it be

Helping the disadvantaged, raisin’ money for charity

No request unheeded, go where help is needed

What they do is no jape, each one a hero without a cape

 

44:31) Me an’ Mike chat an’ he tells me he was in the military

How it was grand, servin’ his time in England

An’ where an’ how he would love to be back there

I tell him many vets have said the same, “Oh to be in England again”

Then I say I gotta go, we shake hands an’ to his delight

I say I’ll look up the group’s website

An’ send the photos so he can see,

The one I took of him on his Harley an’ the one he took of me

 

45:22) At the hospital I can tell Jojo’s lookin;’ well

An’ to our delight she may be home tonight

So I stop a while an’ make her smile

Then I have to be away but say, I’ll see her before the end of the day

She’s a blood test at four, say what that has to say

An’ if it goes right, she’ll be home tonight

 

46:33) I got to the venue in plenty of time to do my rhyme

It wasn’t to far, Yorkshire flags flying on my car

Then it was wait, cos’ the sign-up sheet was late

I’m here for the first hour then away

If there’s time and I can’t lurk so they may have to wait to hear my work

 

13.04.25 – 47:34) The open mic started late I didn’t fear the worst

They brought out the sign up sheet I got in first

Called to the stage I say, “Is it really a year since I was last here

Tel them about Jojo then make a start three poems recited from the heart

All three read, hands shaken, “awesome” said

Then back to he hospital Zack says when you get there

Give Jojo our love and care. I did, that was last night

So first get some breakfast and gasoline

The in the morning sun, back to he hospital I run

To show I care cos’ Jojo’s still there

 

48:35) Up the 183, forgot the GPS, where to turn off I’ll guess

Then remember the way, past Loop 1 Expressway

They’re saying things weren’t right, she’d had a bad night

I get there and find she’d had a nightmare of the worst kind

Now it’s day so let’s chase those demons away

Let the doctors see what can be done, we get her eating again

An’ I decide I’m gonna stay for the day we’d have been together anyway

If I could I’d do more cos’ that’s what friends are for

 

14.04.25 – 49:36) Yesterday’s past, lookin’ forward to today

Jojo came home yesterday, given the ok

Rest up the thing to do, after what she’s been through

For me Kick Butt always a delight, An’ I can always depend

On being welcomed like a long lost friend

On first then away to make sure Jojo had settled ok

She had we sit a while, had a chat an’ smile

Before I left for the night, glad things had gone right

Now this morning day is dawning

I’m back an’ hope to make her smile by doin’ her scrambled eggs

An’ doin’ ‘em Yorkshire style

 

50:37) Breakfast had for Texas Lass an’ Yorkshire Lad

Take the route to Brushy Creek Park Lake

Avoid the toll get there an’ a gentle stroll

Then sit and feel the breeze blowin’ through the trees

Park ringin’ to the birds singin’

As we’re listenin’ sunlight on the water glistenin’

Walk a while, sit a while an’ smile

Then in the noonday sun, back home we run

Jojo’s given her best, now an afternoon rest

Cos’ we want things to go right, at Freddo’s open mic tonight

 

51:38) We set off in what I though was good time

To Freddo’s for our night of free verse rhyme

Early slots missed, sign up sheet quite a long list

Others had been, we signed in at 16 and 17

But without doubt Thom was pleased to see Jojo up and about

On stage a welcome message to send

Welcome back Jojo hopefully well on the mend

But if she begins to feel rough, we’ll say enough

Go home and rest cos’ her health comes first when put to the test

 

52:39) Freddo’s got underway Thom got up to have his say

The others followed, on the stage they went

Jojo forgot her poem but it’s not in vain She’s at my side writing again

Watchin her writin’ is so delightin’, just hope she gets to do some recitin’

 

53:40) Evenin’ still rolling on Jojo still writin’

Artists comin’ an’ goin’ talent really flowin’

I’m still hopin’ there’ll still be time for Jojo to let her talent flow

She can have priority if need be I’d happily swap her place with me

 

15.04.25 – 54:41) Sky’s lookin’ grey today

But there’s temperatures in the 80’s on the way

Gonna be as hot as hell

I’m reflectin’ on last night an’ it went well

After what seemed an age Jojo was back on stage

Knowing her plight Zack changed the order

So she could get hone early after givin’ her best

Home for a well earned rest

An’ I’m thinkin’ as we’re drivin’ back. “Thanks and God bless you Zack”.

 

55:42) So to see Jojo I run an’ a chance to get my laundry done

Pick up some fruit along the way

Something to nibble on throughout the day

After breakfast, out once more, to see part of Austin I ain’t seen before

Photos taken and back we run Dr coming at one

Work out a health plan for the better

For Jojo to carry it out to the letter

Lunch then we got some more places to see, enjoy the scenery

Relaxin’, not doin’ anything overtaxin’

Sit in the shade an’ feel the breeze

Round the lakes in Cedar Park then home for supper before dark

 

16.04.25 – 56:43) Austin Part 1 it’s my last day, outside it’s a sky of grey

First task of the day, see if Jojo’s okay

Take her medication as she should, keep her feeling good

It was fun yesterday an’ before it was done, supper was nectar to the lips

A sandwich made with tater chips

 

57:46) Breakfast foe Jojo, butter spread

On two decent slices of toasted Italian bread

Just right, bought from Walmart last night She’s lookin’ well we all can tell

Then we’re away for the first part of the day

Exploration to the fore somewhere we’ve never been before

East Metropolitan Park a good bet, ain’t been there yet

Sign for it often seen, yet I’ve never been

A break from the strife. Lakes an’ local wildlife

Away from the traffic hustle an’ city bustle

The homeward bound, call for doughnuts from the best shop around

Been there before, I know the score

Bought an’ enjoyed, no confusion, a great sugar infusion.

Then an afternoons rest so at OPA tonight we can give our best

 

58:45) Off to OPA we went with the best intent

GPS to show an’ tell us where to go

Over the Colorado River it’s goin;’ like a song, then it went wrong

Soon I’d learn I’d taken a wrong turn

Despair gettin’ stronger, the journey gettin’ longer

No to worry, we arrived in plenty of time to share our verses and rhyme

And by Gods good grace, we found a parkin’ space