Mis-pronouncing can be costly

“Wheel of Fortune” fans were less than happy with the way one contestant was treated. Renee Durette was ruled incorrect when she dropped the “g” from the phrase “Seven Swans a-Swimming.” It cost her nearly $4,000 – and the game.



  Beware The Blurred Word

When appearing on a game show
And you want to win some money,
Avoid the judges’ “kayo” -
Keep your disposition sunny.

When you decide on the solution
And are all set to announce it,
Plan well your execution –
Be sure you can pronounce it.

©  2012  Jim Gordon

Increased activity at the Pole.

The North Pole is the scene of increased activity as Santa and his staff make final preparations for the night before Christmas. All indications are that lift-off will be right on time.



                On His Way

As Santa prepares for his flight,
That begins on Christmas Eve night,
The Elf and his deer
Should have nothing to fear
As they fly in and then out of sight.


©  2012  Jim Gordon

Merchants gear up for Black Friday, hoping it’s not a turkey in the face of the current economy.

Consumers prepare to enjoy parades, football and lots of turkey for Thanksgiving day. It’s their preparation to continue Christmas shopping.



        Give ‘em the bird

As we watch paraders strut
And football teams make downs,
Enjoy dinner, soup to nut;
And don’t drink too many rounds.

‘Cause the next day is Black Friday,
Which could leave us quite bereft.
It’s nice that, after shopping,
We have some money left.

As we spend from mall to mall,
Our goals could well get murky;
It’s fine to buy for loved ones;
Just don’t become a turkey.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Voters approve same sex marriage and smoking marijuana

Maine and Maryland are the first states to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote. Meantime, voters in Washington state and Colorado set up a showdown with federal authorities by legalizing marijuana use.



              Marriage and Marijuana

Maine and Maryland both cleared the decks
For marriage of folks of identical sex;
Colorado and Washington made it a point
To make it OK to light up a joint.
Will this be enough for gays and straights
To explode population in those four states?

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Candidates face off in second debate

President Obama and Mitt Romney let the sparks fly on their second encounter before the voting public. They faced off on topics ranging from the economy to women’s rights, and immigration.


          Thoughts of one debated at

I’m sitting here engrossed in all the drama
Between Mitt Romney and my president, Obama.
One seems a heavy weight, the other light
One’s considered left, the other, right.
But none of this is what will get my vote.
No, common sense is really all she wrote.
I sit and listen to each candidate erupt;
But my vote’s for him who doesn’t interrupt.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Pakistani girl in England for medical treatment

British doctors are treating a Pakistani teenager who was shot in the head by members of the Taliban.  Militants vow to kill the girl because of her vocal promotion of education for girls.

 

                 Time to Heal

The co-ed teenager from Pakistan,

Protected from those of the Taliban,
Is in the UK for medical care,
Guarded by those who took the girl there.

The Taliban says it's simply not fooling

In its opposition of all of that schooling
For women it feels should cover their faces,
Do what their told, and stay in their places.


©  2012  Jim Gordon

Biden and Ryan vie in Danville

The vice-presidential candidates are in Kentucky for their only debate in preparation for election day.



               Mates Debate

American voters continue to wait
As Biden and Ryan prepare to debate
And do what they can to guide the direction
Of how votes will be cast in next month’s election.
The pundits will judge how each man comes across
As each does what he can to win for the boss.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon