Ties That Bind

Many artists, some that I know quite well, created a beautiful Art Doll to be auctioned off in September to raise money for Ovarian Cancer research. Please visit the link and do what you can to help this very important cause:
http://www.scrapbookroyalty.com/tiesthatbind.html

National Drawing Day

I was unaware of National Drawing Day until I read about it on Jessica's blog: http://web.me.com/jwesolek/cre8it/Blog/Blog.html
I hope everyone will dig out those colored pencils, markers, paints, pens, etc. and just DRAW something - even if it's just a stick figure! I will if you will!

Memorial Day

NO, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

copyright by CDR Kelly Strong, USCG, (Ret)

I watched the flag pass by one day.

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,

And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square and eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him

Had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign soil?

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea?

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?

No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,

When everything was still

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That taps had meant "Amen,"

When a flag had draped a coffin

Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No, freedom isn't free.

Words to Taps
(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps
below are the most popular.)

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

Tribute to My Mother

Three years ago today my dear mother passed away. We all miss her so much!!! She was so beautiful, smart, loving, funny, talented, classy, and amazing!! She was a pro at cooking, designing, crafting, decorating, sewing, caregiving, building, mothering, grandmothering, wife-ing, sistering, daughtering and so much more. She taught each of us so much about life and love and handling disappointments and celebrating victories. We are so blessed that she gave so much of herself to each of us. We love and miss you so much, Mother!!

Heart Warming Video

Another Tree Hugger

This is my Little-Little (great niece) yesterday on a family outing. She hugs trees like I do - what a sweetie-pie!

Snow in Alabama!!

It is SO rare to have snow here in the south but today we have about 2 inches on the ground - it is so beautiful!! These pictures are from my windows.