Surname - Armentrout - his Claim to Fame -
But - What’s in a Name?
Maybe like the Mick - O’s - n’ Macs -
Let us consider a Reversal, or some Redacts!
Could it mean - Son of ‘Arm’?
Or even - Son of ‘Trout’?
It’ll do no Harm -
Let’s Figger it Out!
Trout en arm - could mean Fisherman?
Arm en trout - Really Good - Caught by Hand?
Methinks of Robin Hood - and his Merry Band -
Livin’ off the Land - Catch as Catch Can!
Anyways - Way Way Back in May 26th of ’47 -
A Lil Red-Headed Boy-Chile Dropped from Heaven!
He was Little n’ Skinny n’ kind of - Scary -
So - Dad said: “Let’s call him Gary!”
Out in West Virginy - n’ them thar Environs -
‘Tweren’t much to do - ‘ceptin’ Shootin’ Critters -
So’s - they didn’t Breed many - Alfred Lord Byrons!
But - Cats n’ Dogs - n’ Families - had Litters!
Shootin’ Squirrels n’ Rabbits n’ some Dear Deer -
Gary was a Marksman - Sharp-Shooter - Expert Even?
I’m guessin’ he started with a Twenty-Two - then - 30-30 -
or Thirty-Ought-Six - getting’ his Kicks!
Shootin’ Targets - Shootin’ Critters -
Shootin’ Craps - Shootin’ Cans -
N’ a Pool-Shootin’ Son-of-a-Gun -
Well - I’ll Be - Hot Damn!
Well - this Country Boy got his Education -
Then decided to go - Serve his Nation -
Joined Up - The United States Marines -
Became one of them thar Fellas - Called Gy-Renes!
Did a Tour over in Viet Nam -
Think he was a “Tunnel Rat” -
Don’t talk much about It -
So - That is That!
A Quieter life was his next Stint -
Up in Iceland - Doin’ “Secret Stuff” ?
I ain’t Sure - But here’s a Hint -
Decoding Messages? Like I said - Enuff!
Returned Home - and met his Love -
She - Rosemarie - more a Peace Dove!
‘Twas April 26th, back in ‘Seventy-Five -
Thirty-Four Years - Well - Sakes Alive!
On Twelve-Fourteen of ’81 -
They had a Girl - Not a Son!
Cute Lil Bugger - had her First Breath!
Elizabeth - later Dubbed ‘Beth’ -
Then on Six-Eleven of ’85 -
Along came Eric - Full of Jive!
This Family of Four Struggled -
Like we All do - Finances Juggled!
All this While - what did Gary Do?
Don’cha Know - he went Postal!
Yep - Machine Operator n’ Postal Clerk -
Nigh onto Thirty-Some Years - He’s the Most-al!
A Tough man at Cribbage to Beat -
He’ll Steal your Points - Oh so Sweet!
Always Ready - with a S**t-Eatin’ Grin -
Cut the Cards - Let’s Begin!
Been many a Year - since we played Chess -
He’s a Thinker - with whom you Don’t Mess!
Ponder - Wonder - Think - Think - Think -
There Goes your Queen - Quick as a Wink!
Now - New York Times Cross-Words - we Both Enjoy -
Sometimes his Aid - I do Employ!
“Hyland - you are a Nasty Man -
Find the - Right Word - If you Can!”
Gary’s Mean n’ Lean - n’ a Real Good Helper -
Not afraid of Work - Never Helter-Skelter!
If ever a Project - Need a Hand?
Just call Gary - He’s The Man!
Oh - Yeah - Almost Forgot -
He makes some Mean - Strong Coffee -
N’ drinks it by the Pot -
He likes it Black - n’ Really Hot!
My Sister Rose - who Was a Good-Looker -
Always said: “Gary, you’re a Good Cooker!”
Now I’ve finally Reached the End -
I’m Proud to call Nephew Gary - FRIEND!
Happy Birthday! Gary -
And Many, Many Happy Returns!
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
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