Tony Funderburk

Posted on June 29, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

A Healing Touch is yours for the giving.

What’s a healing touch?

First, I’ll tell you what it isn’t. A healing touch isn’t like what you see in the movies…where someone gets struck by lightning and suddenly they can touch people and cure diseases. A healing touch isn’t about making miracles happen wherever you go. It isn’t about you. It isn’t about me. And it isn’t really even about physical healing.

Healing touch can happen even without any physical touch. Has anyone ever “touched your heart” in a meaningful, lasting way? Well, did they actually touch your heart? Or wasn’t it actually a feeling you had inside?

Personally I’m not looking to be healed of all my physical problems. I don’t believe that’s a wise use of time. But I’m always looking for people who offer themselves up as a healing touch to their fellow human beings. And I’d like to think I have done and will continue to do that, too. There’s a place in the Bible where we’re told to “love your neighbor as yourself”. You don’t have to even believe in the Bible to know that’s a good way to be. So go and be a…

Healing Touch

From breath to breath
And heart to heart
Go share your gifts
And be the start
Of something good
And something pure
A noble cause
Steadfast and sure.
With lovely things
And lots of praise
To light up lives
And brighten days
Give good account
When life is just
And virtue builds
A higher trust.
Offer these things
That mean so much
And you will be
A healing touch.

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Posted on June 28, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Holding hands where the sky ends becomes a metaphor for time in a Rhyme Time poem by writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk.

I love metaphors and similes. I use them all the time. They’re some of the best ways of describing things without using the same ol’ dry and overused adjective descriptions. Like, today for instance. The title of this post (and Rhyme Time) is “where the sky ends“.

I decided to use “where the sky ends” as a metaphor for something involved in friendship. And I like to blur metaphors a little. To illustrate what I mean…I saw a definition of metaphor in one dictionary that used the example “I had fallen through a trapdoor of depression“. That’s a very obvious metaphor because your mind can almost literally see the trapdoor when it’s connected to depression.

Those kinds of metaphors are great. But I like to use them in ways that allow readers to sometimes come up with their own descriptions. Then, I know if they saw it the same way as me…or if it meant something altogether different to them. Today’s Rhyme Time is like that. I’d love to hear what you think I’m talking about when I use the metaphor…

Where The Sky Ends

We’ll be friends a long time you and me.
We have lots of places to go see.
With you right by my side,
We’ll run and fly and glide
To where the sky ends singing happily.

We’ll be friends when years have come and gone.
Others may pass by and carry on.
We’ll keep our bond alive.
We’ll walk and talk and drive
To where the sky ends right at dusk and dawn.

Let’s be friends through real and through pretends…
Up and down and rounding all the bends…
Like no friends ever were…
Whatever might occur…
We’ll still be holding hands right where the sky ends.

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Mind Your Manners

Posted on June 27, 2013 by TonyDecember 5, 2022

You’re a work in progress. That’s why you should mind your manners.

Be nice to other people. Why be mean anyway? What good could possibly come from it? Think about this…You probably like to get presents on your birthday or Christmas…right? And you probably like when there’s ice cream or cake for dessert. True?

Well, each time someone gives you presents or ice cream or cake, they’re treating you nice. And maybe they’re even giving you some of these things when you didn’t even do anything to deserve them. They just wanted to be nice.

The good thing that happens when you mind your manners and be nice to others is that it starts to spread around. Before you know it, others will feel like being nice, too. Just think about it…

…it could all start with you. Will it?

Mind your manners…

if you have some.
If you don’t, I wonder why…
‘Cause they sure will come in handy
When some strangers happen by.
You could use a “please” or “thank you”
And make someone smile today.
You could choose to just keep frowning
And have nothing nice to say.
But you should do unto others
As you’d have done unto you…
Even if none of the others
Do what you would like them to.
You can be a better person
When you give more than you get.
And don’t worry when you mess up.
God’s not done with you quite yet.

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Posted on June 26, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Have you ever sat down and thought about how unique you really are? It’s true. There’s not another person on the whole planet with the same fingerprints, DNA, or even the same brain as you. When you think about the work that went into making you, you should be glad to be yourself…and never wish you were someone else.

And it’s no small thing to be yourself. There’s all that learning you have to do when you’re a kid. Things like how to eat with a spoon and fork. Or how much 4+3 equals. Or why tadpoles turn into frogs. The list is endless. And it’s your job to get all that information into your brain. There’s no one else in the whole universe who can do that for you. So,

Be Yourself.

Wow…this sounds really hard, doesn’t it? Well, that’s the funny part. It’s not hard at all. You just have to be yourself, open your eyes and ears, and let all those fun things flow into your head. Before you know it, you’ll be overflowing with wonderful facts and figures. Then you’ll be able to help someone else be himself or herself.

So, be thankful you’re alive, today. Get ready for all the wonders of the world. And remember…
God loves you, and so do I.

If you work to be yourself, I think you’ll find…
Being someone else won’t even cross your mind.
You’ll be busy being you.
It’s the best thing you can do.
Be yourself, a grand design, one-of-a-kind.

And for you adults…here’s the same encouragement to you in a short song called
“You Are The Brand”

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How To Fly

Posted on June 25, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Have you ever thought you’d like to learn how to fly a plane? Or, are you like me…and you’ve wondered and even dreamed about flying…without a plane? Just you…in the air…zooming around, flying through clouds, skimming over the ocean.

When I was in grade school, way back in the 20th century, I read tons of books. I couldn’t get enough. In fact, I think in one school I read every book they had at my reading level and then went in search for other books. My favorites were the books where the main character could do or see things no one else around could.

And I remember a couple of them had flying in them.

I was so intrigued by flying that I also began to watch birds more intently. I’d draw them, particularly in colored pencils or watercolors. It’s amazing how fragile the bones in their wings are in spite of the beating they take in flight. Awesome design.

An ironic thing about my interest in birds and flying is that I’ve had a fear of heights for as long as I can remember. I’ve flown many times, and I’m mostly OK with that. And I don’t have a problem being on high mountains or mountain roads. But what I don’t like are high buildings or similar high places. You can’t get me next to a 32nd floor window. No way!

I remember being in a brand new building, Transco Tower (now called Williams Tower) in Houston, Texas when it was brand new in 1983. We went up to the 60th floor (or somewhere close to that) and got to look around before there were any tenants. I stood at least 10 feet away from any windows, and we could actually feel the building sway. I was ecstatic to get my feet back down on solid ground.

So, I stuck with my flying preferences…which are found in a fertile imagination. And if you’re interested in that, maybe you’d be interested to know:

How To Fly

I can teach you how to fly…
Only if you don’t ask why
We don’t have wings.
‘Cause when you learn how to fly,
And you’re high up in the sky,
You’ll find out things.
Things about the stratosphere…
Not like things you’re used to here.
You’ll love it there.
There, the sky is your playground
Flying friends are all around
You in the air.
Getting there is easy, too.
All you really have to do
Is close your eyes.
Then imagine way up high…
Just imagine how to fly
In your own skies.

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Posted on June 24, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Walking In A Whirlwind, this Monday's Rhyme Time writing from writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk.

Do you ever find your mind overflowing with rhythmic, poetic thoughts? Well, I do…all the time. I can be working on something else entirely when suddenly a phrase will pop into my head. And not just the phrase, but also how the phrase should be read…in other words…what rhythm it should have. This was the case just a few minutes ago. I was minding my own business (literally) when suddenly I saw 4 words flash across my mind’s eye: walking in a whirlwind

Fortunately much of the time when this happens I’m at my computer keyboard, so I can quickly jot down the idea for future reference. This time I started to jot down the idea, and other thoughts began to form, and before I knew it I had my Rhyme Time all written down. I started with the initial idea, felt the rhythm of the 6 syllables, and the next line spilled out. Then I began to envision what a child might see in the middle of an imaginary tornado.

Of course, when kids imagine something like a whirlwind or tornado, they also imagine themselves being able to fly through it and see things no adults can see. Walking in a whirlwind makes total sense to them. It’s no more difficult than flying like Peter Pan or living in a hobbit house in the back yard tree.

There’s a dazzling process an imaginative young mind goes through…from a sudden beginning of an idea to a sudden end. I don’t pretend to completely understand, but I do understand when I completely pretend.

Walking In A Whirlwind

Walking in a whirlwind
I saw how the world spinned…
Topsy turvy tumbling…
Silly, dizzy stumbling.
Upsy daisy daydreams…
Isn’t that the way dreams
Spark imagination
Leading to creation?
Make your minutes matter.
Focus chitter chatter.
You could get your knees skinned
Walking in a whirlwind.

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Posted on June 23, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Life is not a tightrope walk...or so says writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk

Life is not a tightrope walk. Oh sure, there may be lots of challenges that feel like it, but there’s so much more to it than that.

Today, there was a very anticipated and talked about event where a tightrope walker actually skimmed across a cable over the Grand Canyon. I couldn’t help think about his wife and kids. I remember this young man’s grandfather falling off a cable to his death years ago. Or was it his great-grandfather…but no matter. The point is, taking your life into your hands isn’t really a right anyone has. And whether you can admit it or not, there are people who would be affected if you did something like this and didn’t survive.

And what would it all be for? A place in a book of world records? A chance to show you’re the one person (for now) with enough nerve to risk your life for a stunt? I believe when we all leave this mortal life, we’ll find out some very interesting facts about daredevil stunts. But then…maybe I’m just a fuddy duddy killjoy. Time will tell.

In the meantime…here’s a circus poem inspired by the event of the day…

Toby And The Tightrope

Toby walked a tightrope like a tiger on its toes.
He wanted nothing more than to be walking through the sky.
He could feel the beating of his heart inside his ears,
But Toby couldn’t stop himself from walking somewhere high.
People came from miles around to watch him do his stunts.
They’d stand and eat their popcorn and some cotton candy, too.
Little kids would point and ask why Toby walked on ropes,
But there’s just no good answer for what lots of people do.
One day Toby walked the rope up to a swollen cloud,
And lightning zapped him in the toes and sent him tumbling down,
No one ever found him, and a mystery arose…
But then nobody cared when a new circus came to town.

Podcast: Embed

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Posted on June 22, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk's self portrait titled "Contemplation".

There are a few varying degrees of thought about the act of contemplation. For instance, from a Platonic philosophical view, contemplation might actually be necessary for the soul to ascend to some form of good or other divine form.

In different religions contemplation is synonymous with meditation and/or prayer. There’s even a stone statue by Albert Toft called “The Spirit of Contemplation” where a person appears to be slouching…even on the verge of reclining…in a very fancy chair. And you’ve probably seen the famous “Thinker” statue or at least a copy somewhere. And it seems many have spent hours contemplating what the “Thinker” might be contemplating.

I said all this because once upon a time there was a poet who spent a few brief moments next to a meadow enjoying a blue, spring sky. Taking pen to paper this poet wrote about what he saw and combined it with what he had been mulling over that day. And the result was…

Contemplation

There was nothing but a pretty, blue sky…
But then a redbird joined the high.
Always, there’s nothing that’s alone.
How can there be a heart of stone?
That’s why I contemplate:
Why does anybody hate?
If they would only wait for an answer,
They would find
There are some who are kind.
They’re standing right behind to lend an answer.

There was nothing but a pretty, clear brook…
But then someone wrote about it in a book.
Always, alone shall gather friends
With joy that lasts and never ends.
That’s why I contemplate:
Why does anybody hate?
If they would only wait for an answer,
They would find
There are some who are kind.
They’re standing right behind to lend an answer.

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Posted on June 21, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk, asks: Are you a prima donna? If so, which kind?

If you look up prima donna in a dictionary, the first definition you get is “the chief female singer in an opera or opera company”. These days she might be called a “diva” or “leading lady”. It’s actually a positive description.

The second definition, however, deals with ego. The dictionary I’m looking at says “a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance”. Wow…that’s not very flattering when you get right down to it. And you know what?

I’ll bet the second definition of prima donna is the one you’ve heard of or heard used most often. Am I right? Yeah, most of the time when you hear it used, someone has a certain look on their face…and their voice gets all nasal…and you hear “she’s SUCH a prima donna”. To really drive home the point, they emphasize “such”.

I wrote a little poem, when I was in college, while I was feeling somewhat literary returning back to my dorm after my English composition class. Once I wrote all the words, I went down to the basement of my dorm where there was a piano in a tiny study room. I sat down and composed a song. I still have the printed words in a small, spiral notebook…complete with chords written out in the phrases. As I read it today, I could actually remember it. I won’t sing it for you, but here are the words. See if you can tell which definition I was using for…

Prima Donna’s Song

Think of the music and me.
I will be the song you hear.
Close your eyes and deeply listen.
For you, the song will be sweet.
Notes will travel in a caravan
Like delicate flowers
Embraced by morning sunshine…
A firmament we’ll lionize in peace.
I will glorify the music
By writing it for you.
It will please the ears of many.
Neither one of us will ask the reason why.
We will taste the sweetest nectar
Of our own satisfaction,
And the feeling will be priceless.
You will be my prima donna.
So I’ll light the scented candles
For our enhanced eyes to see by,
And we’ll write the gentle music.
Neither one of us will ask the reason why.

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Posted on June 20, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Hidden Messages in a poem by writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk.

If you’re a writer, maybe you’ve occasionally written stories, or poems, or books with hidden messages. If so, why?

Did you want to see if anyone could mine your lyrical ore and find those nuggets? Or did you want to truly say something so you wouldn’t forget, but you only wanted to remind yourself? Or did you have some hidden reason for your hidden messages?

Today, I’m gonna share a poem I wrote that has hidden messages.

And guess what…I remember that I did that, but I can’t remember all the messages or the reasons why. Has that ever happened to you? But I actually like that I can’t remember because it means I’ve moved on. I’ve allowed those thoughts and feelings to have their place, and now they have their place in the past…where they should be.

So…if you think you can come up with any hidden messages in this poem…and if you can come up with any reasons for them…share your thoughts with me. Here’s a quirky poem called…

For The Love Of Remandee

On a cold and windless morning
With a magical, icy mist…
There flies a raven across a ravine.
The tips of its wings are kissed by the dawning sunlight.
It carries a message to the chateau of Cheron.
The message reads…

There lies a man
In an auburn casket
Whose heart has been stilled by the cold.
His life had its shortcomings…
He wasn’t old.
Ferry him awhile lest, by chance,
He lives again.
Be kind to the poor soul.
He died bleak and penniless.
Death stole his wealthy future.
He was to be a writer
Writing stories for the world,
But it seems apathy was a spear
Aimed at his heart and hurled.
Therefore he died of hunger to be seen.
Pity poor Remandee.

So fly splendid raven,
And end your long journey.
Give Cheron the message
For the love of Remandee.

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Love Poems

Posted on June 19, 2013 by TonyMarch 22, 2025

As much as I love poems…writing them, reading them, sharing them…I’ve almost never shared any of my old love poems. For one thing, they tend to be sappy, syrupy, and irrelevant after a while. For another, they’ve mostly been just a private release for me.

But I’m gonna break my “rule” on love poems and share a very old one today. I wrote this back in 1978. Even back then I’d write something, or many things, every day. And a lot of the time I’d be somewhere where I didn’t even have paper. This one was like that. I had these feelings of loss and optimism and I needed to jot them down.

I was working as a carpenter, at the time, and all I could find was an invoice for some cabinet quality plywood. So, I grabbed it, yanked my carpenter’s pencil out of my toolbelt, and printed my rhyming thoughts. (the pencil wasn’t exactly good for cursive writing)

Today, I came across the very faded piece of paper, and I figured it would be a good idea to transfer the words to digital for safe keeping. So…don’t laugh…here comes one of my love poems…

To The Sands

To the sands I wrote a message
Of my dedication here.
I wrote it to the sands
‘Cause I knew they’d shed no tear.
As I thought of how I’d loved her
And was turned away at last…
I became constantly idle
Always thinking of the past.
Love had once again denied me,
And I numbly turned away.
Just forsaken by the distance,
There was nothing I could say.
From the sands there came a message,
And it made my throat go dry.
It said “never give her up…
Even if she makes you cry.
You know you’ll always love her,
And you’ll need her even more.
So believe that you can do it,
And she’ll love you even more.”

I know…sappy. Full of false optimism and angst. And I’m so glad that isn’t me anymore. But I thought maybe you could relate to feelings that change. Maybe I’ll share some other love poems…but you can stop me if you wish. 🙂

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This Life

Posted on June 18, 2013 by TonyFebruary 5, 2023

This life you’re living is the only one you’re gonna get. It’s not a dress rehearsal for something more or something grander. The good news is…you’re an eternal being. Not the skin you’re in, but the spirit and soul of you. If you’ve lived more than twenty years, I’m sure you’ve thought about this life and what it means. Somewhere inside you is a tiny voice.

Just be still and listen. And the voice will assure you eternity is real.

In spite of what you might learn in school or in a so-called enlightened society, you will either live or at least exist forever. And while you’re in the skin that you’re in it’s a good idea to discover as much as you can about truth. Yes truth. Find out if truth exists. I say it does, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Truth is tenable…maybe even elevenable. Seriously, it matters.

Once you know in your heart of hearts that truth exists, you may find yourself asking where did it originate. And that can lead you on a quest toward paradise. I won’t give away any more of the plot. Just remember a couple of these things…

When someone tells you to question authority…start with them.

When someone tells you truth doesn’t exists…ask them “is that true?”

And when someone tells you the material world is all there is, ask them which material in this world showed them this.

OK…enough of my soapbox…now a little rhyme time maestro…

This Life

Sometimes the silence is too much.
Sometimes I just can’t get my fill.
And then there are times when nothing works right,
But even then I love it still.

This life…holds surprises up its sleeve.
Yes, it really can deceive you if you turn your head.
But this life is the only chance we’ve got,
And it doesn’t take a lot to know the fire must be fed.

The snow reminds us of our youth.
And the leaves remind us of our years.
The sun is everybody’s smile.
And the clouds are everybody’s tears.

This life can be difficult at best.
It can put you to the test with a knowing smile.
But this life doesn’t last so very long.
And we all will move along in just a while.

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Posted on June 17, 2013 by TonyApril 3, 2023

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk, shares some thoughts about those Monday Morning Moms

On Monday morning, moms all around America get out of bed, go to the kitchen, and start making breakfast for kids, dads, and even a little something for themselves.

This isn’t earth-shattering news. In fact, it isn’t even all that newsworthy. Especially when you consider these moms go through that same routine every other day of the week, too. But what makes it worth talking about, to me, is that these ladies never seem to get the appreciation they deserve. And I’m not talking about setting aside a day to honor mothers. I’ve never been a fan of calling one day a year “mother’s day”. (same with father’s day, but that’s another story)

When you consider how many days a mom makes breakfast, lunch, and dinner (snacks too) for her kids, her husband, and even her kids’ friends…well…she should be regularly honored. You should just want to buy her a present just because. Not because it’s “mother’s day”…just because. Because you love and appreciate all the things she does…even if you don’t always think to tell her thank you.

Don’t get me wrong. I know there are actually bad moms out there. I’ve read the horrible stories in the news. But that doesn’t phase me. I know the vast majority of moms overflow with the special love God gave them. And the vast majority of them love sacrificially which has been described as “no greater love”.

So here’s to you this Monday morning, moms!

Monday morning moms are the very best kind.
They get your week started in the best frame of mind.
They nudge you a little when you’re falling behind.
Monday morning moms are how love is defined.

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Posted on June 16, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Writer singer illustrator Tony Funderburk says Happy Father's Day 2013: It's YOUR Day

It’s Father’s Day 2013. So, all you dads out there…it is YOUR day. But I have a suggestion for you. Don’t make it all about you. If your loved ones want to lavish you with love and attention, that’s just plain awesome. But there is a risk (for some) in gathering in too much of it…and this makes room for selfishness to take over.

Instead, you might use your special day to present a very special image. An image of someone who knows how to lead…leading with love. Dads have a responsibility to show the rest of the family how to be strong. And strength is best displayed in love.

It IS your day…so make good use of the attention you’re getting. Raise the standard high for your kids. Don’t make it easy for them to outshine, outgive, or outlove you. A dad’s words and deeds can forge strength and courage in young hearts. But a dad’s words and deeds can also sting, scorch, and scar young, impressionable hearts.

Remember this…in this world of hurt, pain, distrust, violence, and hate…you should be the beacon on the hill for your kids. You should be their strongest source of faith, hope, and love. And love should be the greatest of these.

It is your day.
You can step up to it.
You can run right through it.
It is your day.
You can drive the highway.
You can want things “my way”.
It is your day.
You can make love linger.
You can point your finger.
It is your day.
You can keep or give it.
You can truly live it.

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Posted on June 15, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Writer singer illustrator, Tony Funderburk, shares some rhyme time about the The Very First Day

The very first day I can remember, in my life, was when I was approximately two years old. Considering how many years it’s been since then, I think that’s astounding. To be clear about this…I don’t actually remember being two. But I’ve always recalled something that happened to me when I was very small, and my dad once told me he didn’t see how I could remember because I would have been only about two.

So…that’s how that goes.

Anyway…today I was thinking about the very first day in my life. I was the firstborn, so I got to be that “first experience”, in the world of procreation, to my parents. And of course, I must’ve been incredibly adorable. 🙂

Well, thinking of firsts…and thinking of the wonder of life…got me to pondering. And when I ponder, I almost always wander into rhyme time. This pondering was no different, and that’s how I came up with…

The Very First Day

Before there were created things, and darkness filled the air…
No world or human beings were existing anywhere.
Then God created earth and sea and all the heavens too.
There was no sun, no moon, no stars, and only God shone through.

He looked down at the waters and the dark face of the deep.
The earth was still and quiet just as we are when we sleep.
He said, “Let there be light” the way a perfect, true God could,
And then He saw the brand new light and knew that it was good.

Then God divided light and dark, and darkness He called Night.
The light would be called Day, and it was pleasing in His sight.
That evening and that morning wouldn’t be the total sum…
No, that was just the very first day…five were yet to come.

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Summertime Fun Facts

Posted on June 14, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Someone passed around an article called “summertime fun facts“, and I’m a sucker for things like that…well, sometimes I am. Anyway…I read some things about summer I had never known before. Like how a theatre in New York began offering A/C to its audiences in the summer as a means of drawing a crowd. It worked like a charm.

Some other things I didn’t know about summer…

The first bathing suit for women was created in the 1800’s with long, woolen bloomers
The average American eats 15 pounds of watermelon a year…mostly in summer.
August is the busiest month of the year for travel

Well…since I put a lot of my thoughts into daily rhyme time, I figured I’d share some more of the facts in a more poetic and hidden way. And that’s how I came up with…

Summertime Fun Facts

(aka…betcha didn’t know)

When a dog is a star or a constellation,
And the temperatures rise all across the nation…
Everybody wears shorts, and they skip the slacks.
These are just a few summertime fun facts.

When the days are longer and the water park’s busy,
And it’s so hot and muggy that your hair gets frizzy…
Snow cones and ice cream are favorite snacks.
That’s just a few more summertime fun facts

You’ll know it’s real hot when a cricket chirps more
Or you stand and watch the barbecue by the back door…
Or you have to ward off the mosquito attacks.
Now, these are less fun summertime fun facts.

But you’ll be home all summer ’cause there ain’t no school…
And you’ll see your best friends when you go to the pool…
And you’ll eat watermelon and you’ll get to relax…
Yep, these are the best summertime fun facts.

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Posted on June 13, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Writer, singer, illustrator Tony Funderburk says...when you get 13 questions from a three year old, be ready to give 13 Reasons Why

If you’ve ever been around a three year old for very long, you may have experienced the “why syndrome”. Inquisitive little minds want to know…need to know why. For some reason this popped into my head this morning, and I decided to write answers to things little kids ask “why” questions about. It just so happened that I came up with 13 reasons why. So, that’s how I got the title to this blog post…which will also be the title to this Rhyme Time.

See if you can figure out or come up with the “why” questions to these…

13 Reasons Why

Because you went first last time…
Because there is no more…
Because your hands are dirty…
Because I waxed the floor…
Because you just ate dinner…
Because we’re leaving soon…
Because we can’t afford it…
Because you use a spoon…
Because our friends are coming…
Because it caught my eye…
Because it’s way too early…
Because it isn’t dry…
Because I felt like writing
These 13 reasons why.

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Posted on June 12, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

It’s true that the brightest lights are in the darkest places. I’m sure you’ve also heard it said “it’s always darkest just before the dawn”. There’s a reason people come up with sayings like these. It’s usually because someone has gone through some terrible times and thought there would be no way out.

But lo and behold…we all can get through those dark times if we just stay the course. It’s only in giving up that the dark times win. Eternity is written on the tablet of your heart. That means you’re an eternal being. The you that you see in the mirror isn’t the person you will always be. It’s the you inside your body that goes on.

And when you refuse to let the troubles of this world keep you down, you can win. Then, you just might find yourself helping someone else win too. Believe me you will overcome and see…

The brightest lights
Shine into dark hearts
And chase away
The cold and dark parts.
The brightest lights
Help us see clearer
And love the one
Who’s in the mirror.
The brightest lights
Are in the flowers
That make us smile
In troubled hours.
When loved ones hurt
Or lose their fights,
We need to be
The brightest lights.

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Posted on June 11, 2013 by TonyMay 25, 2024

There's a rhyme and reason for these hot summer days. Writer singer illustrator Tony Funderburk says "enjoy".

When you’re young, still in school, and ready to go barefoot, those hot summer days are heavy on your mind. You start to picture yourself in a sparkling, clear pool with your friends. Or maybe you see yourself walking down white, sandy beaches.

It just seems like it takes forever for those days to get here. You do your best to keep your mind on your studies. But try as you might those daydreams of endless fun creep up in the back of your mind. Then they crawl right up behind your eyelids, and you’re floating away from your class and everyone in it.

Have you ever noticed how the older people are…the more they talk about how fast time goes by? When you’re young, those hot summer days seem to go on and on. But old people will tell you things like… “just wait kiddo, before you know it you’ll be my age, and you’ll wonder where the years all went”.

They seem so silly. Then one day…they’re right.

So…enjoy your hot summer days this summer. And don’t fret about what’s happening tomorrow. There’s enough in today to keep you busy all day.

The temperature is rising
On the weather dial outside.
So we should get the garden hose
And make a water slide.

Hot summer days feel cooler
When we swim down in the stream
And we run back home for dinner
And we find homemade ice cream.

As the evening sky grows darker
We go lie out on the grass,
And we hear the old folks talkin’
‘Bout how fast the years all pass.

Then we wonder why they worry.
Guess it must just be their ways.
We’ve still got our whole vacation
To enjoy hot summer days.

Now, jump on the The TRUTH. And be part of the growing band of believers who wanna show the world that life has Rhyme and Reason because God is Real.

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Posted on June 10, 2013 by TonyMarch 7, 2023

Tony Funderburk says "be a friend". It's good for your heart.

I remember a long time ago I bought a birthday card for a friend. My favorite kind of birthday card was always the one that had a great picture on the front and was blank inside. That way I could write my own verse. Anyway…on this particular card I wrote a whole poem, which I don’t remember…and I don’t have a copy, but I do remember one line. It said “She said to have a friend you must be a friend“.

I’ve always liked that saying. If you think about it, it would be pretty hard to have a friend, if you weren’t able to be a friend. What good would it do that other person? What kind of friendship would they have if you were always taking from them and never giving back?

Right…it wouldn’t really be a friendship. It wouldn’t even be a friend boat, or dinghy, or canoe. It would be more like a friend unicycle and you wouldn’t be able to ride it.

So…you can do some things like Sally and Bobby and Sandy and Isabella in the poem below. Or you can make up your own way to be a friend. The main thing is…don’t let another day go by without you showing someone you care.

Silly Sally likes to dilly dally…
With knobby Bobby at the downtown lobby.
Dandy Sandy has some handy candy…
When Isabella drops her pink umbrella.

You can share kids…if you care kids…
You can do it here and there kids.
Set your heart free…you can start free…
And don’t let it end…now go be a friend.

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