.
Ode to Michele on Her 65th
.
She tried her best and in the past harassed us,
But she just couldn’t slip December 2nd past us. [Bill]
No way Michele, c’est vrai, forget it,
Here’s something even tous can’t edit. [Julie]
--- ---
At Passover time, we’ve been asked to tell
How our ancestors in Egypt used to dwell. [Sandy]
Then life with Pharaoh began to unravel,
And the Jewish folks were forced to travel. [Marshall]
Michele’s clan offered a similar story,
Though not quite the same in stature or glory. [Sandy]
From Egypt Michele was forced to flee
And now the rest is history. [Marshall]
From Cairo to London to Hong Kong she wandered.
Why not NYC and San Francisco she pondered
Around the world, from many lands she reported.
She moved so often you’d think she was deported. [Kim]
Along the way on her various stops,
She perfected her journalistic chops. [Andrew]
She worked in Vietnam -- sans bon bons,
But left when we let Saigon be Saigons. [Ken}
The war in Asia filled her with strife,
Then Paris offered her the good life.
But there was much more to see,
So off she was to Tel-Aviv.
Someone told her Rockwall would be great,
But there are far better places in this state.
So Austin is now her home sweet home,
With so many friends, never again to roam.
--- --- ---
At the paper she wrote news, features and shorts.
She did everything else, except for sports. [Andrew]
Michele ruled over the business desk domain.
With her in charge, it was never quite the same. [Kim]
In Washington her prowess grew.
She wrote a column, front pagers, too. [Ted]
She was our expert on topics like NAFTA.
She quit smoking then, she knew she’d hafta. [Debra]
She returned to Austin and the Legislature,
Always working hard because it’s her nature. [Ralph]
Green card in hand she wanted more,
Hoping to be counted in the electoral score. [Barbara]
Because Michele is nobody’s fool,
She knew her citizenship could be dual. [Ted]
She called a congressman, one of San Antone’s.
Became a Yank, saying “Let them eat scones.” [Ken]
She conquered Austin, then took on the Capitol,
Where she found the bastards all so laughable. [Ross]
-
She loves kids, but carolers made her jangle.
When on deadline their tiny necks she’d strangle. [Renee]
Among her good friends is ex-Mayor Bruce Todd,
But even he should not sing “Feliz Navidade.” [Elizabeth]
-
Since she was good at telling others what to do,
Consulting was a natural thing to pursue. [Bruce]
George Dubya Bush and Karen Hughes,
Soon others were seeking her vociferous views. [Renee]
Cornyn and Carole and the GOP,
But enough politics, it was time to flee. [Bill]
-
So once more, it was back to the paper,
And the big pink dome for a final caper. [Linda]
And soon, she recalled, this took a lot of meds.
So she fled down the street, until she got to St. Ed’s. [Ross]
Nobody who went there had ever talked faster,
So in no time at all, they declared her a master. [Sharon]
-
In front of her class, she stood 4 foot 10,
And all of her students wanted to sign up again. [Bruce]
She had the kid reporters all in a tizzy.
Michele barking orders would make anyone dizzy. [Mary Ann]
But she remade the program until it was stellar,
Leaving her mark on every girl and feller. [Elizabeth]
----- ----- -----
She taught everyone from far and near,
And along the way married an engineer. [Ralph]
We’ve seen lots of weddings, but her’s was a treat.
Not often do you see a couple that sweet. [Mary Ann]
We grew to know Robert as a really great pal,
And all know for certain he picked the right gal. [Linda]
Their home is up on the mountain of cat.
Where friends always find their welcome mat. [Ted}
Through all the years and all the hard work,
Her family and friendships she never did shirk. [Barbara]
She’s always made time to see that we feel
Her love and kindness, and know that it’s real. [Debra]
We’ve bragged on Michele, though we all have our flaws,
Thank goodness for flexible immigration laws. [Ken]
----- ----- ----- -----
So today you’ve reached 65 years.
Happy birthday to you, and to Britney Spears! [Julie]
