Some Thoughts on Independence Day 2022

I am an American. I recognize only one loyalty higher than allegiance to our flag — faith in God. I acknowledge that America and God, the physical and the spiritual, are inseparable. America was founded by people of faith and grew to greatness by His grace. I pray that we will always be the instruments of His will.

I am an American. I weep over the fact that American history is no longer taught in our schools. In its place is a worldly, cynical skepticism inculcated by authors and educators at war with our basic values.

I am an American. I cringe at the collection of connivers, cowards, clowns and quacks that passes for our political leadership. I wonder that so many of my compatriots have no idea what America means and show no gratitude for the blessings that are theirs.

I am an American. My ranks grow thin; the night closes in. Whether I will be the last of my kind or the vanguard of their resurgence, only time will tell.”

~Don Feder

 

A blessed Independence Day!

 

Peeking In

tempus locus veritas      

(Time reveals the truth) 

Laurel's Rose

One of my hopes for these times is that the truth will be revealed. 

Golly! Is it the last day of June? Unbelievable. June has been a rough month for a few of us. I am praying mightily. I know a number of us are dealing with health issues. God is good and He hears us when we pray.

I spent the month hobbling about using canes. Nothing like a torn hamstring to lay a person low. Last night, Laurel informed me that she has been diagnosed with Shingles. Good heavens! 

So the 4th of July may become the 20th of July for our family. In the meantime, I am wishing you and yours a blessed 4th, in spite of everything.

Love,

Vee

Comments are closed today because this post is a formatting mess and I am frustrated. 😏

Independence Day 2020

Before more time slips away, I wanted to share my Independence Day. I had thought that, since my daughter would be working and my son and his family would be up Bangor way, I would spend my day alone. Nope! I spent the day with my sister and part of her family.

A 4th of July Welcome

 One niece spent her time hiking. Hiking? Who hikes on the 4th of July?

The rest of us were far more sensible and stayed home eating and holding the baby.

This little girl was the center of attention. She's two months old now and staying awake longer and longer.

First Cousins Once Removed


Laurel was on her way to work an overnight shift and had just enough time to hold the baby.

I really like the photo above and below. The one above shows my sister looking on all smiles and the photo below shows where her lips usually are when she's holding her grandgirlie. ☺

I did not snag a picture of my brother-in-law Steve (who did all the grilling) nor of Anneke's big brother. That I will remedy by popping in a video of him meeting and greeting a turtle, shared by his mom. I have never seen a turtle run so fast!

It was a wonderful, enjoyable day. God is good. 

Twelve years ago today, John and I eloped. He was one of the best decisions I ever made. After he passed away, after only such a short time, I questioned myself. Today, I can smile and thank God for allowing John to be a part of my life. He was a love and so very good to me.

Thank you for your visit.

Day Trip

Found myself wondering just now, if I dated the photos, whether you could figure out the post all by yourselves. ツ I wouldn't be at all surprised! 

We are having a few rainy days, which is fabulous because the lawns have been getting crunchy. It began raining not long after I finished mowing the lawn Sunday and is still going.

Both the photo above and the photo below were taken on Monday, June 29, 2020.

The photo above and the two below were taken on Thursday, June 25, 2020. That was the day my daughter's car wasn't ready from the repair shop so she decided to take my car home to her house with me in it. Her campfire roses have grown into a lovely hedge just as she hoped when she planted them two years ago. They are such beauties and a photo doesn't do them justice.

I don't know what kind of roses these are, but they are also doing well this year. I bought a swimming suit this year just to use at the pool. It was a pleasant hour floating about. After that, we had our supper right there on the lower deck. 

A few cuddles with Charlie in the evening... Charlotte was under the bed. She did arrive in my bedroom late in the night to give me a wee kiss on the lips. I appreciated that. 

The next morning, Laurel said, "Day Trip! Call Aunt Kim and ask if she wants to go."

6-26-20

She did! And off we went. What a glorious day it was. Blue skies and very warm weather.

Our goal was to find the new Cabin Masters Store in Manchester. Not too difficult at all.  

Edited to Add: I had no idea so many were watching Maine Cabin Masters. Silly me! In that case, you might be interested to revisit the episode where this building was featured:

A Home for the Cabin Masters

Just a few of their wares. I can't reveal all because there's a birthday coming up. 

There were lots of tourists there. This is a bit of a problem because they are supposed to quarantine for two weeks. A number of them said that they didn't have time for that as their vacation is only two weeks long.

We went out for lunch to an old-fashioned diner where the waitress arrives at the vehicle if its lights are on. We all ordered old-fashioned red hot dogs. I don't remember the last time I had one. So good. 

After that, we visited my niece and her kiddles. No pictures! I can hardly believe it. We left my sister with her daughter and grands as time was growing short and Laurel wanted to be sure to get her car before the shop closed. The day went by much too fast. 

This tomato tart was prettier than it tasted, though it did taste pretty good. What else can one do on a rainy day besides bake and put up a blog post? 

Tomatoes on the Windowsill

It s unlikely that I'll be back in time to wish you holiday greetings so...

🇺🇸Happy Independence Day!🇺🇸

It Was Hot and Cold

Documenting only without commentary. I know that my family was not thrilled about picture taking. Comments will be closed again. 

the end...

Happy Birthday, America!

May your celebration be bright and blessed!

If you are a citizen of the United States, I have a strong recommendation for you. Make time in the next few days to listen to this presentation by David Barton as he teaches about the founding fathers. The presentation is Happy Birthday, America. It thrilled my heart and blessed my spirit.

Now scoot...don't you have a BBQ to attend? A parade to see? A beach to lie on? ツ

 (Comments are closed so that you can fully enjoy the day.)

A Family Fourth

It was a different sort of a 4th of July for our family and a very good one. 

For longer than I care to count, my family has been planning a get-together with dear and long-time friends of ours. Get-togethers used to be oh so simple when we were just two young couples and our children. With the passing of time, eight have become 20. Another daughter born, and four of the five children now married with children of their own. So today was a happening. It was just what the grandsons 

needed — lots of kids and lots of fun. Auntie Laurel simply stretched her wings and became an auntie for the day to all the kid crowd. She does love to plan fun things for children and then she plays, too, which they really love. There was water balloon fun, wiffle ball, streamer tag, walks to see the ocean and the ospreys, and a great game of kickball that even the grown-ups participated in. Well, not the oldest generation of grown-ups. Instead, we sat around chatting about our lumbago. ☺

Good thing that my friends and I left it with the kids to arrange. That, obviously, made it more likely to happen. Facebook made it easy. It really was a great day and I am so happy that nearly all made it. Only one had another engagement that could not be missed. I am also sorry that John missed it because how he would have loved it, too.

ツ

Happy Independence Day!

Source

Beautiful images...it touches all the bases!

A wonderful day to all my fellow citizens of the United States and a wonderful day around the world — A peaceful day, a free day, a better day, a day blessed by God.

An Empty Plate

First scheduled for May 27, 2016, I skipped over a few  scheduled posts for this one because strawberries may be on everyone's North American weekend menu with the holidays both Canada and the US are celebrating. Long may freedom ring!
***
An empty plate can be a lovely thing...

but that is not what a plate is for! *

Oh my! This was so delicious! John even decided that a strawberry pie could be a nice change from strawberry shortcake. At our house, that's big news. You can find this recipe at Kitty's. 

* All due apologies to Mr. Shedd who once said, "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."

Happy ~ Happy ~ Happy Holiday

Popping in to wish you a blessed, wonderful, safe 4th of July!

(We'll chat about the substitute header next week.)

Comments are closed so you can scoot!

ツ

A New Week

Ahhhh Monday...a week spreads before me; How shall I fill it? 
First I should say that we did get our celebrations in even if they were slightly delayed. We went to a state park on the coast where we couldn't see the water for the trees. (It's an ongoing complaint of mine. ☺)

I suppose that we could have stayed at home to play on a rain-soaked lawn, but everyone had a good time and sometimes going elsewhere is the thing. That field was so waterlogged that every step was squishy and Jake in red up there took repeated baths in puddles. In the end, the players gave up and took off their shoes and socks. 
~*~*~*~

~ghostly perhaps ghastly~
This is an anniversary week so John and I have more celebratory plans. Yes, that is our one and only wedding photo. Thank you for your sympathies.☺ 
I am hoping that we can do better for Donna's photo challenge (see sidebar). The years have not been kind. We are older, plumper, grayer, and more wrinkled. We are dragging a bit. Have been reading a lot about how to take a proper and flattering photo. (Those articles are gathered and posted by Donna and you can find them by clicking the button.) Last night, I saw a commercial that said something like "you're the only one who can take a good photo of yourself" and I thought true... No one has taken a good photo of me yet. LOL!
So that's all I have for today. Will catch up with you after my chores are done.