Veterans Day 2015

Six years ago, I gave my thoughts about Veterans Day here.  My three older brothers and my Dad all served our country by enlisting.  Our family saw all three branches of military service represented (Navy/Army/Air Force).  Here's one of my favorite pics of my Dad.  

 

It couldn't have been easy to make a decision to join a branch of the military, But I think many people feel the way I do, and as I did back in 2009.  I am so proud to say I am an American.  I am so honored to know that millions voluntarily step up to serve to protect us.  I'm so privileged to say, openly and from deep in my heart, 

GOD BLESS AMERICA - LAND THAT I LOVE

And call me dorky, but I feel strongly about our flag, as well.  So to my friend who doesn't want to be credited for this picture (you know who you are!), thanks for the awesome picture of our flag!

Whether or not you are working this day, please know that there are millions in our nation who are grateful for your service to our nation.

THANK YOU!

The Start of the Three-Day Weekend

Ahhhh!!!  Saturday!! The beginning of a three-day weekend!  I got an early start in the garden (was it before 7 a.m.??) and my PG came out to help after he got up.  All we got done so today (so far) is weeding.  Because we had a warm spell in March this year, I think my garden decided to take off way early in providing the kinds of growth I don't want.  But now we're ready to dump the compost material on the ground and help make the soil easier to work with. 

So I can't say I have a whole lot of gardeny type pics to show you.  Well, except for the ginormous Mr. Lincoln roses.  They have never opened this big before.  Hmmmm...might it be the up side to last year's garage fire at the neighbor's? 

And I have this rosebush that seems to have all different shades of pink in its roses.  If I keep up with deadheading the old flowers, it will bloom all summer. 

This little guy is one of a whole family living under my hostas.  I usually see them in the morning as I leave for work.  But today, I think the weedless dirt was enticing.  He rolled around in the dirt before making a meal of my azalea that no longer has beautiful pink flowers. 

But most of my entertainment today came from our winged visitors.  Saw these house finches.  She was incredibly vocal with him.  Almost scolding him.

 Next thing you know, he's feeding her.  I guess nagging does work sometimes.

Then I caught these sparrows.  Hehehe...I know what they're doing!!! 

And Mr. Robin decided it was time to get ready for his Saturday night date.  Bathing, primping.  Oh, yeah!!

Amazing how we can take our human behavior and superimpose it on the animal world, don't you think?  Well, at least it's fun to imagine!!

Now, what is not lost on me this weekend is the reason for the extra day off.  No matter how you feel about the current state of our nation and the politics that seem to invade every inch of our lives, we are still a nation that celebrates freedom.  And that would not be possible without the sacrifices made by those who defend us.  Because freedom isn't free.  There's been a huge price paid.  And this weekend is set aside for us to remember those who paid that price. 

Say a prayer of gratitude for a soldier.  And one for his/her family. 

Before you bite into that burger!

To Those Who Protect Our Freedom

It's been about a month since I've posted.  For some reason, I've been unable to come up with anything I felt was blog-worthy.  So without warning, I disappeared!!  To those few who frequented my blog, I apologize for not giving advance notice.  Who'd have thought I'd be that quiet for that long?????

Today, I have a good reason to speak up.  Because today we honor those who served to protect our freedom. 

As I mentioned back in my 2009 Veteran's Day post, my dad, brothers, and uncle who emigrated from Ireland served in the Navy, Army and Air Force.  Luckily, none of them saw combat, even though they served during World War 2 and the Vietnam War, respectively.  That doesn't make the jobs they had any less important.  Even those in the battlefield know they need the behind the line support to keep things running.  But I have to say, growing up I rarely heard any conversations that involved the time they served our country. 

I will admit I don't keep up on topics of the day.  I don't watch the news every day.  When I do hear of a loss of one of our troops, my heart hurts for the family. 

But keeping up with the news from Afghanistan is not what this post is about.  This post is meant to honor each and every individual who took a step forward and said, "I want to defend this country."  Because without them, my kids and grandkids might not be allowed the freedom to say what they think. 

I am so proud to say I am an American. I am so honored to know that millions voluntarily step up to serve to protect us. I'm so privileged to say, openly and from deep in my heart,

GOD BLESS AMERICA - LAND THAT I LOVE

Celebrating our Independence!

When I was in high school, I really couldn't get the whole significance of studying history. SNOOOOOOZER classes.  Somewhere along the way to having grown kids, I found history.  Maybe it was a combination of scrapbooking and genealogy and realizing that, duh, my ancestors had something to do with history!!  Not sure!  But when I think about what was involved in making this country free, I'm amazed. 

One of the best movies that I've seen about our country's struggles to become independent was the movie "John Adams" released in 2008.  It's a multi-part made for TV movie, so you need to take it in small doses, but it's really a great look at the sacrifices these people made to break free from their ties with England.

This may make me sound like a mega-dork, but I have always felt a tug at my heart when I hear and sing the Star Spangled Banner.  And when I pledge allegiance, I feel the allegiance.  I love this country.  I love that there were men who sat around discussing what it meant to be free.  I love that they decided to put it on paper.   

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

On this day the celebration of our independence, I just want to say a prayer and thank those who have fought for our freedom. And in this crazy time when there are threats to change the interpretation of that constitution, I pray that those whose voices have long been silent will step forward to be heard.

To my dear blog friends, I hope you have a fun filled weekend celebrating your freedom with your family and friends.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!