New Years Prayer

Dear Lord,
In the New Year, we pray that You will guide us each new day in paths that are pleasing to You.
Lord, the new year gives us another chance to rededicate our lives to You, to study Your Word so that we know right from wrong and to act in accordance with Your commands.
Thank You for the sense of direction, purpose and peace we get from aligning our lives with Your Holy will.
We pray for the strength and the will to obey You each and every day of the new year, and when we fail, we pray for Your mercy, Your compassion, Your grace and Your love. Help us in the new year to be Your faithful servants.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen

By Joanna Fuchs

The Lovely Evergreen in Nature

Divine Art
by Joan Adams Burchell

Evergreens so beautiful -
dressed in virgin white;
Here and there, ornaments of colour -
God’s winter birds - a delight!

Cardinals, Jays, Chickadees,
and God’s beloved Sparrows -
All a part of His winter canvas
perfected by He who knows.

Snow that falls throughout the night -
untouched by human hand,
Is a vision of Holy loveliness
to those who understand.

Painters, photographers and poets, too,
try to capture the sight;
Skiers, children, enjoy it their way -
as they play with all their might.

Some look through their window-pane,
just admiring the view;
God sends it for those who are shut in -
not only for me and you.

How Great His Wisdom and Love for all!
He knows whate’er the season -
Creative paintings send LOVE all around
and that is God’s gift and reason.

Happy New Year To My Friend's

I wish you Health,
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family,
And peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature,
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities,
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generosity so you may share
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish for you a Holiday
With happiness galore,
And when it's done, I wish you
Happy New Year, and many more.

No Place at the Inn

The birth of Jesus in the manger (from the movie Ben-Hur, 1959)

Joseph and Mary entered the stable, the animals stirred and made some sounds, they had been asleep. It seemed good to Joseph and Mary to be in out of the weather, there was no room at the inn. Mary was very tired and weary from all the traveling, so Joseph made her as comfortable as he could on the soft straw, she was near giving birth. The little town of Bethlehem was very still and quiet this time of night, only the animals in the stable were awake, but no sound did they make.

Joseph was busy making a bed of straw in the manger for the baby to lie on. As soon as the baby was born Mary wrapped him in clothing and placed him in the manger, not a sound did he make. This is how our Lord and Savior came into this world, surrounded by stable animals, which must of felt the presence of something all inspiring.

They named him Jesus, and you can imagine the angels that were present, the heavens were rejoicing over his birth, and I am sure that trumpets were ringing out, singing his praise. Three wise men came in the stable to see this birth, they fell down and worshiped him, they had brought him presents.

Let us all remember the first day long ago, and praise his name, for he so gave us the gift of life. Let us reach out to those that are not as fortunate as us, let this season be merry and bright. It is hard to live as we should all the time but we have someone that will guide us along the way, believe in Jesus and you shall be saved. I wish all of my friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from my house to yours, God Bless you and your loved ones.

History of the Riga Christmas Tree

When searching for the historical beginning of the first Christmas tree, one must go very deep into the past. Just like Santa Claus one finds that the first Christmas tree was a combination of many different facts, legends and customs all starting in the Baltic countries and what is now Northern Germany. The first documented use of an evergreen tree in a Christmas celebration was in Riga, Latvia, in the year 1510 according to many sources,

Finland has Santa Claus, Russia has traditional handmade Christmas ornaments, Germany has Christmas markets. But arguably the most well known of Christmas traditions--decorating the Christmas tree--may have its origins in Latvia, and it's all but unknown. The location of the first recorded evergreen tree being used in a new year (Christmas) celebration was in Town Hall Square in Riga Latvia, just yards from the majestic Daugava River banks.

Riga has come a long way from those early beginnings. Surviving the harsh Soviet occupation for 50 years. Latvia is once again one of Northern Europe's most exciting places with great possibilities. Latvians look like and consider themselves Nordics.

By the early 18th century, the custom had become common in towns of the upper Rhineland, but it had not spread to rural towns. In the 19th century, the custom became popular among the nobility, in Britain the Christmas tree was introduced by George the third. Several cities in the United States with German connections lay claim to that country's first Christmas tree.

The United States' National Christmas Tree is lit each year on the South Lawn of the White House. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve and taken down the day after twelfth night (Jan. 6th) to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck. The term "Charlie Brown Christmas tree" is used in the United States and Canada to described any poor-looking or malformed little tree.

The first artifical Christmas trees were developed in Germany during the 19th century, though earlier examples exist. The trees were made using goose feathers that were dyed green, the size of the trees ranged from two inches to 98 inches, often the tree branches were tipped with artifical red berries which acted as candle holders. In 1930, the U.S. based Addis Brush Co. created the first artifical Christmas trees made from brush bristles.

Over the years since the first people celebrated the first Christmas tree in a far away time, we have since developed our own way of putting up our own tree and making it look beautiful. We even like to decorate outside, so to bring joy and beauty so others may see, in other words we are spreading the joy of the season. I am wishing all my friends a very Merry Christmas, may your spirit of the season touch your heart and your loved ones, God Bless everyone and remember it is a season to reach out and touch someone.

Thanks For Caring

I want to thank all my friends for coming by and leaving a kind comment on me being sick. I feel better and I am working on a new post, which will be on my blog by the week end. Thanks again, love Margaret

Defending our Oceans

Do you know what is happening to your ocean beyond the beach? Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface. The Ocean's contain roughly 97% of Earth's water supply. The Ocean's of Earth are unique in our Solar System, no other planet has liquid water, life on earth originated in the seas and the Oceans continue to be home to an incredibly diverse web of life. A staggering 80% of all life on Earth is to be found hidden beneath the waves and the vast global ocean pulses around our world driving the natural forces which maintain life on our planet.

The ocean's of Earth serve many functions, especially affecting the weather and temperature. They moderate the Earth's temperature by absorbing incoming Solar radiation (stored as heat energy). The always moving ocean currents distribute this heat energy around the globe. This heats the land and air during winter and cools the land in summer.

The oceans provide vital sources of protein, energy, minerals and other products of use the world over and the rolling of the seas across the planet creates over half our oxygen, drives weather systems and natural flows of energy and nutrients around the world, transports water masses many times greater than all the rivers on land combined and keeps the Earth habitable. Without the global ocean there would be no life on Earth. It is gravely worrying, then, that we are damaging the oceans on a scale that is unimaginable to most people.

We now know that human activity can have serious impacts on the vital forces governing our planet. We have fundamentally changed the global climate and are just beginning to understand the consequences of that, but just as serious, are the impacts on our oceans, the actual state of our oceans is a far cry from the natural norm. We need to defend the oceans now more than ever, because the oceans need all the resilience they can muster in the face of climate change and the potentially disasterous impacts this is already beginning to produce in the marine world.

The key threats to the ocean are; Cigarettes and cigarette filters, food wrappers and containers, caps and lids, bags, beverage bottles, cups, plates, forks, knives and spoons, beverage bottles (glass & plastic), cigar tips, straws, stirrers and beverage cans. There are so many more, oil spill accidents, domestic sewage, industrial discharges, urban and industrial run off, sea dumping, I could go on and on, but I am sure you have read of them all. Plastic waste kills many marine animals when they mistake plastic for food, to humans, these are items of comfort, if not necessity, but to marine animals, they can be a floating mine field.

The Earth's oceans are all connected to one another. Until year 2000, there were four recognized oceans, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic. In 2000, the International Hydro graphic Organization delimited a new ocean, the Southern Ocean (it surrounds Antarctic and extends to 60 degrees latitude. There are also many seas (smaller branches of an Ocean); seas are often partly enclosed by land. The largest seas are the South China Sea, the Caribbean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Take a walk along any beach anywhere in the world and washed ashore will be many plastic bags, bottles and containers and many other harmful items that are a danger to marine animals. This is so true, I have walked our beach (Lake Michigan) and have seen this and plastic too far out in the water to reach. When people leave our beach they leave so much garbage (even though the Park provides garbage cans, right on the beach for use). The wind blows all the loose stuff toward the water, I try to retrieve as much as I can and I am sure you do also, I feel so helpless about this situation.

It is important that we address the issues that affect the Ocean, 90% of sea creatures live in the sunlight zone, which is the zone most affected by global warming and oil pollution. We must stop these problems because if we don't, we will hurt and maybe even kill our sea life. Don't pollute the Ocean, Seas, Lakes , Rivers and streams, help preserve our eco-system. The more we recycle the less waste and debris will end up in these beautiful waters. I am sorry, I can't help myself, I wanted to get all this in, it is so important, and there is so much literature on Google about this, this is where I retrieved my information, thanks for listening my friends.

Gone For A Few Day

I am going to my sisters for a few days and when I come back I have a new post. I am sorry that there is some time between my posts, some weeks it seems like time flys by and I did not post. I know some of you post every day and I envy you, see you next week, have a good day my friend's.

Friday the 13th Phobia?

Henry Ford would of hated 2009, and not just because it's been a tough year to sell cars. Ford as the story goes, refussed to do business on Friday the 13th, and this week marks the third time this year that the 13th will fall on a Friday, the most times it can happen in one year.

It's a day when people rearrange travel plans, delay surgery or just pull up the covers and stay in bed until its Saturday the 14th, convinced that even stepping out of the house would cause bad luck. They are afraid something tragic or ominous might happen. The phobia around the 13th is a cousin to triskaidekaphobia, the fear of number 13

The supposedly unlucky number, is the reason behind the explosion of Apollo 13, which took off at exactly 1:13 p.m. (1313 military time) on 4/11/70 (digits that add up to 13, naturally. It's the number that prompted FDR to alter his own travel plans on any day of the week that landed on th 13th, in a final act FDR died in 1945 on April 12, Thursday, day before the 13th. The origins of all the fear of the number 13 and Friday the 13th are open for debate.

Some say it has to do with a particular Friday the 13th in the 1300s, when some particular unlucky knights were burned at the stake. It may have something to do with Jesus Christ, who was crucified on a Friday after a Last Supper attended by 13 people one of whom was Judas Iscariot.
By Don Babwin====Associated Press Writer

My lucky number is 13, I am not affraid of anything associated with this number. I do feel for those that have any phobia associated with this number when it falls on a Friday.

Veteran's Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need, these brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back; they were proud to take a stand.
They left their friends and family; they gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God, they plowed into the strife.
They fought for freedom and for peace on strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives, in long and brutal wars.
Other veterans answered a call to support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for the essential skills they brought.
We salute each and every one of them, the noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today, and those who rest in a grave.
So here's to our country's hero's, they're a cut above the rest;
Let's give the honor that is due to our country's very best.
By Joanna Fuchs

This is to honor those that gave their lives, defending what we hold near and dear. They gave their all to put danger far behind us, some made the ultimate sacrifice, we admire and respect them all. GOD BLESS AMERICA

How The Great Lakes Were Formed

Have you ever looked at a map of North America and wondered how the Great Lakes were formed? The answer to that question lies in a period of Earth's geological history known as the "ice age." The term "ice age" refers to a period of the Earth's geological history when much of the Northern Hemisphere was covered by ice. The climate during this time period was much different from what it is today, with temperatures on the continents as much as 15 degrees C(27degrees F) colder.

The most recent Ice Age, known as Pleistocene Epoch, occurred between 1.6 million and 10,000 years ago. At least four times during the Pleistocene Epoch, large masses of ice, known as "glaciers", advanced and retreated over the surface of what is now North America. The last glacier, called the "Laurentide" began to form around 100,000 years ago. At its peak, around 18,000 years ago, the Laurentide covered almost all of Canada and extended into the United States, as far south as Chicago, Illinois, this massive glacier was almost 4 km thick. As the glaciers advanced, giant sheets of ice flowed across the land, leveling mountains and carving out massive valleys, which is a process known as "glacial erosion".

Around 14.000 years ago, the Laurentide began retreating and melting due to warmer temperatures. The geological changes caused by this resulted in the formation of the Great Lakes. When the glaciers began receding, their leading edges left behind ridges, glacial deposits, and other land formations. Evidence of this can be seen today in the topography of Canadian Shield, the Niagara Escarpment, the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Bruce Peninsula. When the glaciers melted, the resulting water, called "meltwater", filled huge holes left by the glaciers.

During this time, the lakes were much larger than they are now, and they had different river outlets. But as the ice retreated the St. Lawrence River Valley revealed itself as the outlet to the Atlantic Ocean and the lake levels eventually dropped to current levels.

Without the immense weight of the glaciers, the land began to rebound. Even today, virtually all of the land in the Great Lakes basin continues to rise at a rate of about 7.5 cm every 100 years. Today, rebounding of earth's crust, erosion, and changes in climate continue to alter the shapes and sizes of the Great Lakes. As one of the youngest natural features on the North American continent, the lakes remain a dymatic, evolving system. Our Great Lakes are in danger of being tapped into for fresh water by other states and even other countries.

I live on the shores of Lake Michigan, this is such a beautiful lake, it is so big we can't see across it. My teacher in grade school taught us how to remember the great lakes, they spell "HOMES", ===Lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Eries and Superior, isn't that cool.

Thanksgiving a day of Thanks

When we talk about Thanksgiving the traditional celebration feast automatically comes to our mind, in its entire splendor and grandeur. The annual occasion of Thanksgiving is in fact considered as a day of feast, celebrate and give thanks. Contrary to the popular belief, pumpkin pie, cornbread, roast turkey and all the Thanksgiving paraphernalia we see on the Thanksgiving dinner table do not owe their roots to the original meal of the pilgrims.

In 1621 a harvest festival was celebrated by the colonist (or pilgrims) to thank God for saving their lives and guiding them through the journey on the Mayflower and the following years of drought at Plymouth. The harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonist and Native Americans. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America.

Historians believe that on that Thanksgiving day almost 400 years ago the menu consisted of venison, roasted not stuffed turkey, wild fowl including duck, geese and even swans, fish, lobsters, pumpkin in some form, squash, beans, dried fruits, some sort of cranberry sauce and dried Indian maize or corn. Their sugar supply, brought over from the Mayflower was nearly exhausted by the time the first Thanksgiving , so it is widely surmised that wheat pudding may have been one of the only sweet dishes served

The pilgrims used many spices, including, ginger, nutmeg, pepper, and dried fruit in the meat sauces they prepared. Many of the meats were put on a spit and turned over five or six hours at a time to ensure it was evenly cooked. They did not have ovens, so pies, cakes and breads most likely did not make it to the first Thanksgiving dinner table at Plymouth plantation.

Today we enjoy delicious meals served in a warm home, possibly a football game can be heard on a near by TV set. Although there are many differences between the first Thanksgiving in 1621 and the holiday we celebrate today, the one tradition that remains constant is the celebration of being thankful.

The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.

George Washington during his first year as President, issued this historic proclamation that Thursday, November 26 as "A day of public Thanksgiving and prayer, and signed by Washington on Oct. 3, 1789. The first recorded Thanksgiving observance was held on June 29, 1671 at Charlestown, Mass. by proclamation of the town's governing council. October 3, 1863, President Lincoln issued a proclamation for observing the fourth Tuesday of November as the national holiday. In 1939 President Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November (so the Christmas shopping season was extended). After a storm of protest in 1941, again the holiday returned to the fourth Thursday of November. Today, it is celebrated the second Monday of October in Canada and on fourth Thursday of Nov. in the United States.

Sorry this was so long, but I like to get all the facts I can in. I am wishing all my friends a Happy Thanksgiving. We do live in a country that lets each one of us observe this day as we wish, and I am glad I live here in the USA, God Bless each of us and this great country.

Radium Girls

From 1917 to 1926 U.S Radium Corporation was engaged in extraction and purification of radium from carnote ore to produce luminous paints, which was marketed under the brand name "Undark". Their plant in New Jersey employed over a hundred workers, mainly women, to paint radium-lit watch faces and instruments. The Radium Girls saga holds an important place in the history of both the field of health physiics and the labor rights movement. The U.S. Radium Corp. hired some 70 women to perform various tasks, including the handling of radium, while the owners and their scientists (familiar with the effects of radium), carefully avoided any exposure to it themselves, chemists at the plant used lead screens, masks and tongs.

They mixed glue, water and radium powder, and used camel hair brushes to apply the glowing paint onto dial numbers. The brushes would lose their shape after a few strokes, so the U.S. Radium supervisiors encouraged their workers to point the brushes with their lips or use their tongues to keep them sharp. For fun the Radium Girls painted their nails, teeth and faces with the deadly paint produced at the factory, sometimes to surprise their boyfriends when the lights went out. The women, who had been told the paint was harmless, ingested deadly amounts of radium by licking their paintbrushes to sharpen them.

Many of the women later begin to suffer from anemia, bone fractures and necrosis of the jaw, a condition known as radium jaw, the x-rays used by medical investigators may have contributed to the sick workers and subjected them to more radiation. In 1922 Grace Fryer a former employee of the radium corporation had left for a better job at the bank started complaining her teeth began to loosen and fall out for no discernible reason. Her jaw swelled and inflamed, she went to the doctor, he used a primitive x-ray machine, he discovered serious bone decay, the likes of which he had never seen. Her jawbone was honeycombed with small holes, in a random pattern reminiscent of moth-eaten fabric.

A series of doctors attempted to solve Grace's ailment, they took notice of high number of deteriorated jawbones among local women, it took very little investigation to discover these women had been employed by the same watch-painting factory at one time or other. Grace decided to sue, but it took two years for her to find a lawyer willing to take on U.S. Radium. A total of five factory workers, dubbed the Radium Girls, joined the suit. The right of individual workers to sue for damages from corporations due to labor abuse, was established as a result of the Radium Girls case.

In the wake of the case, industrial safety standsrds were demonstrably enhanced for many decades. The case was settled in the fall of 1928, before the trial was deliberated by the jury, and the settlement for each of the Radium Girls was $10,ooo (the equivalent of $124,ooo in 2009 dollars) and a $600 per year annuity while they lived and all medical and legal expenses incurred would also be paid by the company.

In 1968, the Center for Human Radio biology was established at Argonne National Laboratory. The primary purpose of the center was providing medical examinations for individual dial painters. The five "Radium Girls" died in the 1920s and 1930s . Their sad fate was sealed when they dipped paintbrushes into radium paint and sharpened the brushes with their mouths, many other former factory workers died of radium poisoning without finding justice. Later medical research would determine that radium behaves much like calcium inside the body, causing it to concentrate in the teeth and bones. In 1949 the US Congress passed a bill making all occupational diseases compensated, and extended the time during which workers could discover illnesses and make a claim. Thanks to the Radium Girls success in bringing attention to the deplorable conditions in US factories, industrial safety standards in the US were significantly tightened over the following years, an improvement which definitely spared countless others from similar fates.

The first time I heard about these girls I was watching a show on TV I felt so bad for these women and thought I would tell their story, which does not have a happy ending.

Memories Are Made Of This

Our family is very sad today, my husbands older sister passed away unexpectedly early Sunday morning. Her name was Delores, she was such a great lady, her husband died a few years back and was cremated, so she wants cremated, have her ashes mixed with his and taken back to Flordia to a designated place.

Memories of our family and childhood are what shape our personality and who we are. Whether we like it or not, our personality is formed by our parents, brothers, sisters, and the environment that we grow up in. We can only grow as people when we choose to confront our past, only then can we move forward in our lives.

Memories
by Judy Burnette

The winds blow gently on my mind
Reminding me of you;
I smile . . . I close my eyes
Knowing dreams do come true.

I see you there in the center of my heart
I stand in your warm embrace;
I see the love in your eyes
I gently caress your face.

Memories are a precious gift
We have shared the old, we will make the new;
I hold you close, though we are miles apart
My best memories were made with you.

We all have memories, both good and bad. Is there someone that you made your best memories with? If so after reading this poem, close your eyes and relive those happy moments.

There's A Reason

There's A Reason
by Claytia Doran

I was always taught, there's a reason
That people do the things they do,
Though you may not always like them.
Their heart hides a secret from you.

If they're quick to bite your head off
Or constantly brag and boast,
Remember, the people we like the least
May need our love the most.

Could it be they had been abused
Or even ridiculed all their lives?
These are the type of hurtful things
That make sure their heart survives.

But, the heart that survives is hardened
And, on the seas of life, they coast.
Remember, the people we like the least
May need our love the most.

Women in World War Two

As in World War One, women played a vital part in this country's success in World War Two.At the end of WW2, those women who had found alternate employment from the normal for women lost their jobs to the returning soldiers. Many young girls found jobs in domestic service, the wages were still only 25p a week. The women between the two wars had full voting equality with men. In 1928 a law was passed stated any person over 21 could vote-male or female.

Women were called on to help on the land and the Women's Land Army (WLA), their work was vital as so many men were called into the military. The government tried to make out this was a glamorous job, in fact the work was hard. In 1943, the shortage of women in factories and on land lead to the government stopping women from joining the armed forces. They were given a choice of either working on land or in the factories.

Many women decided that they would work in a factory, their work was in all manners of production, from making ammunition, making uniforms to aeroplanes. They worked long hours and some had to move to where the factories were, those who moved away were paid more.

In the military all three services were open to women, women were also appointed as air raid wardens, but women could not train as pilots of war planes. Women were also used as secret agents, their work was exceptionally dangerous as one slip could lead to capture, torture and death. Women was also important in entertainment.

The war ended in Europe in May 1945, at this time there were 460,000 women in the military and over 6.5 million in civilian war work. Without their contribution, our war efforts would have been severely weakened and it is probable that we would not have been able to fight to our greatest might without the imput from women. Rosie the Riveter was the name given the iconic image representing women during WW2 on the home front war effort.

Hitler captured foreign women to work as slaves in his war factories. Many of these slave workers, male and female, deliberately sabotaged the work that they did-so in their own way they helped the war effort of the Allies.

13 Fascinating Facts about Halloween

1.) Halloween is always celebrated on October 31st.

2.) Halloween is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2000 years to the time of the Celts who lived in Britain.

3.) Halloween is correctly spelt as Hallowe'en.

4.) When Christianity came to England and the rest of Europe, November 1st became All Saints Day and the night before became known as All Hallows Eve and eventually Halloween.

5.) It is thought that the colours orange and black became Halloween colors, because orange is associated with harvest and black is associated with death.

6.) Black cats were orginally believed to protect witches' powers from negative forces.

7.) A pumpkin is really a squash, and comes from the same family as the cucumber.

8.) The biggest pumpkin in the world tipped the scales at a whopping 1,446 pounds. It was weighed October 2004 at a festival in Canada.

9.) The very first jack o'lantern was made out of hollowed out turnips.

10.) If you see a spider on this night, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you.

11.) To meet a witch, put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night.

12.) About 99% of pumpkins sold are used for Jack O'Lanterns at Halloween.

13.) The record for the fastest pumpkin carver in the world is Jerry Ayers of Baltimore, Ohio. He carved a pumpkin in just 37 seconds.

Just some fun facts to know, I am sure there are many more. Have a very nice Halloween, be safe and please when driving watch out for all the little gobblins out there trick and treating.

Make-Believe Is Not Just For Kids.

this power of make-believe just for children or can the grown ups join in? The answer is we can to a certain extent. We enjoy the theater, plays and the movies, all which is mostly made up stories for our enjoyment and entertainment. The great dream merchant Disney was a success because he believed make believe was what everyone needed.

It is not unusual for children to have invisible friends or to believe their teddy bears can talk. I think their ability to suspend reality and play make-believe is a wonderful gift. Studies show that children know the difference between make-believe friends and reality., but they choose to travel between the two worlds. I envy this ability, it is a bit like magic.

We all enjoy magicians and their magic tricks, some parents hire magicians for their childrens birthday party's. Even as adults we still feel the sense of awe and joy from imagining what we see is real or not make believe. Unfortunately, most adults think this is just for kids. They grow up and imaginatian gives way to logic. I think this is sad. As adults, we need to use our imagination more often and watch how kids go between the real and the pretend when they play make-believe.

As adults we like make-believe in different forms, we no longer believe the items we own can talk or we no longer have imaginary friends. We turn to other made up things, some like to read fiction books, go to plays and the movies, we know most movies are just someones imagination put down in book form for their readers to enjoy. The movie makers do the same, most movies are taken from an author, who happened to capture a movie production companies attention, most movies are make-believe and others are real life stories.

Also as grown ups we have our children s best interest at heart. We should encourage kids in their pretend play, the purpose is to stimulate their creativity and get them to use the power of their imagination, this gets them to think outside the box. Childhood should be full of enchantment , whimsical characters and curiosity.They grow too soon and realize the world can be a bit confusing then pretend, and some children hang on to make-believe longer than others.

Sudden Impact—Target Earth

History has always been my first love, my history teacher always told me she wish all her students were as interested as I was. It probably was because she knew how to make it interesting. I like to read about things that effect our mother earth, even though these metorites came to earth thousands of years ago they are interesting and still we receive small ones even to this day.

An impact event is the collision of a large meteorite, asteroid, comet, or other celestial object with the earth or another planet. Small objects frequently collide with earth, I am going to write about only five craters, the Barringer, the Rio Cuarto, the Hebbury, the Waber and Manson, Iowa the Manson crater is the largest crater in the United States.

Barringer Crater; There is a giant hole in the ground east of Flagstaff, Arizona, nearly a mile across and over 500 feet deep, this impacted earth 50,000 years ago and the dry Arizona climate has kept it close to impact-fresh ever since. Geologists for years insisted it was a dead volcano. This crater is owned by the Berringer family, which bought it in 1903 and today has made a tidy sum as a tourist attraction.

The Rio Cuarto Crater; There were ten depressions, four of substantial size. There is a string of lakes spanning 19 miles, as the result of about 10 oblong meteorite craters, the shape and alignment of the lakes suggests a low angle impact. The crater lakes have been dated at less than 10,000 years old. These craters are in Argentina, and they came in from the northeast.

The Henbury Meteorite; This is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is west of Alice Springs .The 13 to 14 craters range from 7 to 180 meters in diameter and 15 meters deep, they were formed when the meteor broke up before impact. The Henbury meteorites themselves are very distinctive and unique with a beautiful ocher-red patina from the Australia outback soil, the craters are about 5,000 years old.

The Wabar Crater; This site covers about 500 by 1,000 meters, and the most recent mapping shows three prominent, roughly circular craters. The impact did not penetrate to bedrock but was confined to local sand, making it particularly valuable as a research site. The sand was turned into black glass near the craters. the impact area suggests that the body fell at a shallow angle and moving at entry speeds of 40,000 to 60,000 km., it is estimated the impact was thousands of years ago. These craters are in the vast desert of southern Saudi Arabia, the most desolate place on earth.

Manson, Iowa; The largest crater in the United States. The Barringer Crater in Arizona might be the most picture-worthy crater, but in order to find the largest crater you will have to travel to Manson City, Iowa, it is 24 miles wide and was created 74 million years ago when a metorite crashed to earth. Only problem is a later ice age wore the crater smooth and filled it with rocks from far North, leaving the site as flat as a pancake. Researches believe at one time that this metorite caused the deaths of the dinosaurs.

In the past 540 million years there have been five generally-accepted, major mass extinctions that on average extinguished half of all species. The largest mass extinction to have affected life on earth was in the Permian-Triassic, which ended the Permian period 250 million years ago. Some believe that dooms day is not long in coming. I pray for Mother Earth and for mankind to take care of her like she takes care of us.

What Does Melancholy Mean?

mel·an·chol·y [mel-uhn-kol-ee]

–noun
1. a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged; depression.
2. sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.
3. Archaic.
a. the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to cause gloominess and depression.
b. black bile.

–adjective
4. affected with, characterized by, or showing melancholy; mournful; depressed: a melancholy mood.
5. causing melancholy or sadness; saddening: a melancholy occasion.
6. soberly thoughtful; pensive.

The word melancholy is used both as a noun and adjective and you can use the word for a very deep feeling of sadness. Usually the word is used for a kind of sadness the reason of which is hard to explain and the feeling also lasts a long time. As an adjective the word can describe anything that makes you feel sad and you can use the terms melancholy thoughts and melencholy memories to describe sad thoughts and memories respectively.

I am not trying to make the impression that I am sad all the time but haunting thoughts from the past do drift across my memories, and some have left a deep impact on me. I am sure there are others out there that have the same thing happen to them. Even the word melancholy is sad sounding.

I think we regret things we have done and would like to relive them, perhaps we also would change some things. I think I mostly regret having to make the decision to have my pets put to sleep, it makes me feel like an executioner, I really hate that feeling. Perhaps this crappy weather we are having has made me feel melancholy.

I would like to hear what my friends think about this word, we have all experienced this feeling. I don't think melancholy is the same as depression, once I read about depression. The book said if you can resound from your feelings and not dwell on them, then you are not sick with a long term depression. I hope I remembered it right, it was something like that. I know one thing that keeps me happy is visiting all you friends.

Simple Gifts of the Shenandoah River

A couple canoes through the quiet waters of the Shenandoah River in Bentonville, Virginia.

Let your imagination go along with the flow of this great river.

Gilded by spring sunrise, the Shenandoah ripples and rolls gently into the misty light. There is muscular exuberance in its rapids, danger in its floods. But on most days the river welcomes even novice explorers with lyric grace. Virginia naturalist Henry Heatwole called this a land of "small and simple pleasures." Carrying bits of fall's color, the North Fork sparkles over aquatic grasses carpeting its stream bed

Massanutten Mountain matches curves with the South Fork, watching over Page Valley and the Blue Ridge rising in the east, here ridge and river find accommodation, folding around each other, ancient comrades settled comfortably with time. The river, hip deep, crystal clear, bath warm and just 30 or 40 yards wide, soothing both to the eye and overheated body.

Bound by mountains a quarter of a billion years old, the river meandering forks drop sharply from highland headwaters, flowing northward to their confluence at Fort Royal. From there a single channel continues for 60 miles to meet the Potomac. Beginning and ending above the fall line, the river never meets the sea.

The waters of forgetfulness do not flow in this valley, where even the sky seems to remember the storm of civil war that blew up and down the Shenandoah. Each May historical reenactors join Virginia Military Institute cadets on New Market battlefield. They honor valor, Union and Confederate alike. Reminded of old struggles, we remember to treasure peace flowing through the land, gentle as the river.

From the National Geographic, December 1996

Weather Rock

While driving around last week end we stopped at an ice cream place to get a cone. We were sitting in the car eating our cones, I noticed this large rock in the lawn and above it was this nice sign;

Weather Rock,
Present Conditions;
IF DRY -- SUNNY
IF WET-- RAIN
IF WHITE-- SNOW
IF GONE-- TORNADO

I just thought it was cute and wanted to share with my friends. Just wondering if there are any other weather rocks around the country, if so please let us know.

Remembering September 11 th, 2001

Early in the morning on September 11, 2001, nineteen hijackers took control of four commercial airlines en route to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Boston, Newark, and Washington, D.C.. At 8:46 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower, followed by United Airlines Flight 175 which hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. Another group of hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. A fourth flight, United Airlines Flight 93, whose ultimate target was thought to be either the United States Capitol or White House, crashed near Shankville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m., after the passangers on board engaged in a fight with the hijackers.

During the hijacking of the airplanes the hijackers used weapons to stab and/or kill aircraft pilots, flight attendants and passengers. These reports came from phone call passengers made reporting what was going on. On Airline Flight 93, the black box recordings revealed that crew and passengers attempted to size control of the plane from the hijackers.

Three buildings in the World Trade Center Complex collapsed due to structural failure on the day of the attack. The attacks created widespread confusion among organizations and air traffic controllers across the United States. There were a total of 2,993 deaths, including the 19 hijackers: 246 on four planes (with no survivors), 2,603 in New York City in the towers and on the ground and 125 at the Pentagon, 24 people remained listed missing. More than 90 countries lost citizens in the attack on the World Trade Center.

I think this is enough information, we all know the story, all of America and other countries were glued to their TV sets. I guess we all know where we were and what we were doing that day. The horror of that day still lives in the hearts of the American people, it is like a bad wound that won't heal up, our heartland was violated in such a way we have a hard time feeling safe in our homes and forgiveness towards those that created this wound.

PLEASE FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG===THIS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11th===GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT WE LOVE.

Romancing the Road

I love to read The National Geographic, it is so entertaining and informative, I don't know a person that does not enjoy it. I have enjoyed it for the last fifty years, the articles in each and every issue is really great, and they have covered every nation and it's people, and has given us so many interesting facts, that we might have never known.

Tired of the interstate's green-sign, fast food sameness? Head for Arizona where a long stretch of old Route 66 survives, offering a nostalgic journey through one slice of Americana. The storied road once linked big towns and small from Chicago to Los Angeles

The road that carried generations of Americans west, became a relic of sweeter, calmer, slower times in 1984 when the last stretch of Interstate 40 was completed outside Williams, Arizona. Something precious was taken from us that day, the serendipity of travel. What romance could there be in speeding from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean on five connecting superhighways? How could we dream if there wasn't even time to dawdle? Route 66 never really died, no matter what the maps may say. The road lives on in our memories of an era when the great adventure was getting there, not just being there and nights on the road were full of neon signs and round-the-clock diners and melancholy exhilaration of being alone and rootless and going someplace, anyplace.

So coming back onto the old ghost road, the 158 miles in Arzonia from east to Seligman to Topock on the Californis border, this is one of the longest drivable segments left of the original Route 66, designated now as a historic state highway. The people still living on Route66 know they are living in yesterday, but people love the old road because this is where you go looking for who we used to be.

Along this road west it is written a requiem for the nation's westward migration, on a highway the spanned nearly 2,500miles from the corner of Michigan Avenue and Jackson Boulevard in Chicago to Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, reaching across three time zones, eight states, and hundreds of towns. Parts of the highway followed the ancient Osage Indian Trail. Route 66 had many names Postal Highway, Will Rodgers Highway. and etc., but only one stuck: the mellifluous 66, bestowed by the federal government in 1926.

Route 66, this stretch in Arizona, ends near a bluff overlooking the Colorado River, only the stone foundation remained from the old Red Rock Bridge, the first railroad trestle ran over this bridge, it hadn't survived as part of the road west either. It was now painted white and now supports a natural gas pipeline. There weren't any markers around to retell the history of a restless nation's journey. But reaching across the river was a new wide span, part of I-40, and over it sped a stream of cars and trucks to remind us how much times have changed.

(excerpt from National Geographic, September, 1997, issue)

Living From The Heart

Every year I give to the Veterans disabled society. For over 60 years, they have been there for wounded veterans, fighting for them at every turn. For over 60 years, America has trusted this society to help vets become productive members of society. They are a non-profit organization.

I received a calendar, as a gift for my donation, it has some of the most beautiful quotes posted on each month, if any of you friends have received this calendar you will already have read the quotes.

*When we become wise, our lives are lived from the heart.*
*To love someone is to know the song in their heart, and to sing it to them when they have forgotten the words *
*Where friends meet the heart is warm and life is simple*
*Love is not, just, looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction*
*You hold in your hand a precious gift=the freedom to be who you want to be*
*Free yourself by dancing with the wild flowers, wherever you find them*
*Sometimes our dreams, like a cats whiskers, are soft and elusive= and sometimes we build them, stitch by stitch, like a well loved quilt*

Sixty years ago, when United Spinal Association was founded, veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders were confined to hospital beds, some were given only 18 months to live.With help from the Americans, our advocacy and modern medicine changed all that. These efforts has gotten the vets out of the hospitals and back into the community.

But going back to their families and friends, they faced a completely different challenges= a nation that was unprepared and unable to accommodate their special needs. Jobs, transportation, housing, and education were largely unavailable to paralyzed veterans. In today's world a lot has changed to accommondate the vets.

I hope all of you enjoyed this tribute to a fine association, that has dedicated its time and efforts for our men and women who have served our country and came back not able to function as they once did. God Bless everyone.

Pork Chop—A Miracle

Trevor Fallis (age 7) of Mount Pleasant, Mich., holds kitten Pork Chop.

I read this in our newspaper on Monday the 17th and thought I would pass it on to my friends, who love animals. I am always up for a human interest story.

Other than being a bit smaller than his two siblings, Pork Chop seems to be the picture of health. That wasn't the case when the fuzzy kitten stopped breathing during an emergency visit to the local vet, who used mouth to mouth resuscitation to bring him back to life, this in its self was something of a miracle.

Pork Chop, 9 weeks old, got into the trash, along with his mother, and started munching on the remains of a pork chop,it became lodged in his throat .His owners tried the Heimlich maneuver, patted his back and put water in his mouth in an attempt to dislodge the meat, but to no avail.

They could not get an emergency visit with any vet that night. The next morning, Pork Chop was gasping for air, they called the vet, rushing the kitten to the hospital. The vet thought the kitten had a cold because his nose was running. Using a veterinary instrument, the vet reached into the kittens throat and pulled out the obstruction.

Then to the vets horror, the kitten laid down for a minute, "and then the little kitty died," the vet told them the kitten was not going to make it. The little boy, age 7 years, began to cry, so the vet put her mouth over the kittens nose and mouth, rubbed its belly and soon the kitten began to breath again. Pork Chop was put in an oxygen room on a heating pad, and he was soon ready "to go".

The family went ahead with their camping trip, taking Pork Chop along so he could be nursed back to health. His growth is still slow, he will stay with his owners but his siblings will find a home. The little kitty that had not been named before his ordeal, will henceforth be known as Pork Chop.

Labor Day—How It Came About—What it Means

Labor Day Parade, Union Square, New York, 1882 - Wikipedia

Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday, observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday orginated in 1882 as a Central Labor Union of New York City sought to create "a day off for the working citizens". Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1894. This came about two months after the May Day Riots of 1894. All 50 states have made Labor Day a state holiday. Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as a symbolic end of summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880's. The celebration was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday, a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organization," followed by a festival for the workers and their families.

Records show the first labor day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Today, Labor Day is often regarded as a day of rest and parades, picnics, BBQ's, firework displays and different public events. I know our town goes all out for this day. Some schools may have already started their fall schedules.

The vital force of labor has added materially to the highest standard of living, therefore, the nation should pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership==the American worker.

We will be celebrating this day this year on the first Monday, which is September 7th, 2009. I hope my good friends celebrate with much fun and be safe in whatever you do.

Thought For The Day

I don't usually jot down thoughts for the day, but I really liked this one and wanted to pass it on.

Love knows no limits and true friendships last a lifetime,
get back in touch with someone today,
you'll be glad you did.
God bless you all.

Pop Goes Bubble Gum

Who doesn't like to chew gum, it makes our mouth's feel good. and it tastes good. Kid's have always loved bubble gum and like to blow bubbles. I write this for my grand-son Drew, he is grown but still likes to chew bubble gum.

The bubble gum has gone through a lot over its long history. In the early 1900s, a man named Frank Fleer tried to come up with the perfect bubble gum recipe for his candy company. He experimented with a lot of gum recipes to find it. His first bubble gum however turned out to be too sticky and his recipes never sold.

In 1928, Walter Diemer was working as an account for the Fleer Chewing Gum Company in Philadelphia, what he was doing in his spare time was playing around with new gum recipes. His latest batch was less sticky than regular chewing gum and it stretched more easily. He took his discovery to a grocery store to test it, all the gum sold out in one day. Walter brought his invention to the Fleer Company, it was named and marketed as "Double Bubble" gum. Before long the folks at the Fleers Company was teaching salesman to blow bubbles., to demonstrate exactly what made this gum different from all other gums. The only food coloring in the factor was pink, Walter used it, that is why bubble gum today is pink and when the final cut for the gum was done it was sprinkled with powdered sugar. This is probably why it tastes good when put in your mouth. Walter Diemer stayed with the Fleer for decades, eventually becoming a senior vice president. He never received royalties for his invention, his wife told the newspapers that he did not seem to mind this, knowing what he'd created was reward enough. Sometimes he'd invite a bunch of kids to the house and tell them the story of his wonderful accidental invention and then he would hold bubble-blowing contests for them.

People have enjoyed chewing gum-like substances in many lands and from very early times. Some of these materials were thickened resin and latex from certain kinds of trees. Others were various sweet grasses, leaves, grains and waxes.

Bubblegum has come a long way from Bazooka Bubble gum, did you know the average American chews 300 sticks of gum a year. In the United States, total retail sales of chewing gum (including bubble gum) is over $2.0 billion. Over the years we all know lots of different brands of bubble gum, they are; Bazooka, Bazooka Joe, Double Bubble, Hubba Bubba, Big League Chew, Bubble Yum to name a few. There are also different flavors, baseball cards with sheet of bubble gum included and even Trident makes bubble gum. In the Guinness Book of World Records we have a person, Chad Fell, he blew a bubble gum bubble measuring 20 inches.

I have found many articles, through Google, about bubble gum, I thought I would share a little of the bubble gum history, but I enjoyed knowing more about my grand-sons favorite gum.

Half a Century

Photo curtosey of dawnzy58

This is half of 100 years, many things has happened, our lives are made better by many different inventions. We have went from just plain old TV to HDTV, to very narrow screens to ones the size of your front room wall. Large cars to mini-coopers, from plain old phones to cell phones.

Fifty years ago on July 30th, 1959, my husband and I stood in front of a Justice of the Peace and said our wedding vows, wow, it is hard to believe it has been that long. I have posted our wedding pictures on my Family Pictures page. Today we will celebrate with the family.

We have two sons, Douglas Wayne, who will be 49 years old in September. Our son Ronald Thomas, was 46 years old this last June. We are still very active, our son's help us with things we can not do anymore, we are pretty healthy, except Doug and myself have contacted poison ivy, boy is this stuff itchy. We got it from hanging up a bird nest just off our lawn in the tree (poison sumac), which I did not know it was one.

I want to thank my friends for coming and commenting on all my posts over the last year. Hope all of you have wonderful anniversary's, birthday's and birth's of your children and grand-children, just have a wonderful life, God bless all of you.

Doggone It

Photo curtosey of emdot

Every summer I really get peeved at what I am about to write on. I love dogs and do not like to see how they are treated in summer months in our town.

First of all, you should not walk them on hot days, after all they have on a fur coat, lets see you wear a heavy coat while walking in the hot weather. Besides sidewalks are hot and burn the dogs feet.

Second, I never see any person carrying a drink for the dog, only for themselves. You could carry a water bottle for them and stop once in a while and squirt a little water in their mouth.

Third, I think it is cruel to make a dog run along side a bike, I never see the person stop to let the dog rest, and most dogs can't stop because they are on a leash. How would you like it if someone put a collar around your neck and made you run along side the bike, and most of the bikes are moving at a pretty good rate. Another thing is the roller blades, dogs are running pretty fast to keep up.

Fourth, Most little dogs need a break by being carried until their legs are rested. I hate to see the dogs pulling their owner in hot weather on different things.

Fifth, The owners could let their dog walk in the grass on the bike paths.

Sixth, I hate seeing dogs left in cars while people shop in the heat.

Seventh, My friend Linda has one, keeping dog's tied up all the time without attention.

These are just some of my pet peeves, let me hear what yours are about this matter. I know that the owners of these dogs love them, but do not take precaution in the hot weather.

Birth Of A Refreshing Idea

Old Coke sign curtosey of Dominic's Pics

The Coca-Cola company started 110 years ago as a small, insignificent one man business. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest companies in the world. The first chairman of the company was Dr. John Pemberton and the current chairman is Roberto Goizueta. The demand for the product has made this company into a 50 billion dollar business.

Coca-Cola was invented by Dr. John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist. He concocted the formula in a three legged brass kettle in his backyard on May 8, 1886 by mixing lime, cinnamon, coca leaves, and the seeds of a Brazilian shrub. Coca-Cola as he called the beverage, made its debut in Atlanta's largest pharmacy, Jacob's Pharmacy, as a five cent-non carbonated drink. Later on, the carbonated water was added to the syrup to make the beverage that we know today.

Coca-Cola was orginally used as a nerve and brain tonic and a medical elixir.Coca-Cola was named by Frank Robinson, one of Pemberton's close friends, he also penned the famous Coca-Cola logo in unique script. Dr. Pemberton sold a portion of the Coca-Cola company to Asa Candler. He was forced to sell because he was in poor health and in debt. In time, Candler acquired the whole company for $2,300, Candler did a lot during his time as owner. On January 31, 1893, the famous Coca-Cola formula was patented. Dr. Pemberton never realized the potential of the beverage he created, he sold his business prior to his death in 1888.

In 1892 Candler incorporated a second company. The Coca-Cola Company (the current corporation), and in 1910 Candler had the earliest records of the company burned, further obscuring its legal origins. By the time of its 50th anniversary, the drink had reached the status of a national icon for the USA.

Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time on March 12, 1894. The first outdoor wall advertisement was painted in the same year. The first bottling company for Coca-Cola was 1899, the site was Chattanooga, Tennessee. Coke concentrate syrup, was and is sold separately at pharmacies in small quantities, as an over the counter remedy for nausea or mildly upset stomach.

In 1985 the Coca-Cola Company made what has been known as one of the biggest marketing blunders. The company developed a new formula in efforts to produce a diet coke. They invested 4 million dollars into research to come up with a new formula. The decision to change their formula and pull the old coke off the market came about because taste tests showed a distinct preference for the new formula. The new formula was a sweeter variation with less tang, it was also slightly smoother. This was a mistake, consumers jamed the line to coke objecting to the new taste and the company was looseing millions a day. On July 10, 1985, eighty-seven days after the new Coke was introduced, the old coke was brought back in addition to the new one.

The Coca-Cola Company has, on occasion, introduced other cola drinks under the Coke brand name. The most common of these is Diet Coke, Caffeine-Free-Coca-Cola, Diet Coke caffeine-free, Coca-Cola Cherry, Coca-Cola Zero, Coca-Cola Vanilla and special editions with lemon, lime or coffee. The actual production and distribution of Coca-Cola follows a franchising model. The Coca-Cola Company only produces a syrup concentrate, which it sells to bottlers throughout the world who hold Coca-Cola franchises for one or more geographical areas. The bottlers produce the final drink by mixing the syrup with filtered water and sweeteners and then carbonate it before putting it in cans and bottles, which the bottlers then sell and distribute to retail stores, vending machines, restaurants and food service distributors

A few catch ups; After 1904, instead of using fresh leaves, Coca-Cola started using "spent" leaves-the leftovers of the cocaine-extraction process with cocaine trace levels left over at a molecular level, today they use a cocaine-free coca leaf extract. In January 2009, C0ca-Cola stopped printing the word "Classic" on the labels of 16 ounce bottles sold in parts of the USA. 1940's, during the war, 64 bottling plants were set up around the world to supply our troops.

Some slogan over the years; 1886 "Coca-Cola-Delicious-Refreshing, Exhilarating. 1929 "The Pause Thar Refreshes". 1943 "A Taste All It's Own". 1954 "For People On The Go". 1971 "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke". 1993 "Always Coca-Cola". The Coca-Cola bottling system grew up with roots deeply in local communities. This heritage serves the Company well today as people seek brands that honor local identity and the distinctiveness of local markets. As was true a century ago, strong locally based relationships between Coca-Cola bottlers, customers and communities are the foundation on which the entire business grows.

I really like to research this history, but like all companies it is impossible to write down everything that has gone on. I sure would like to find some of the real old memorabilia, such as coke bottle, advertising items and some of those beautiful old serving trays with those old time gals on them. Have a great summer, get out and enjoy yourselves.

The Old Barn

Old Barn photo courtesy of Robb North

I have set out by the fields, unnoticed and unused for about fifty years. The old house has long been torn down and removed. I was built about a century ago of sturdy timbers and with loving hands, the neighbors came from miles around to help with the building. I was so proud to stand up straight and tall, I even had a nice red shiny coat of paint, which has long faded.

My hayloft was always full of hay and the children would play in the hay for hours, even the family cat slept here and had her kittens. The stall's were always full of cows and horses. I loved the sounds that were made here and when night came the doors were closed, it felt safe and comfortable. The only sound was the wise old owl, the bats flew in and out, I could hear the soft breathing of the animals, I forgot to mention the scurrying of thr mice.

Now I am lonley and dusty, spiders and mice are my only company, my doors have been closed for nearly fifty years. The hayloft still has hay waiting to be used. The stalls have only cobwebs clinging to there sides, they were cleaned out long ago.

Today, I heard a creak, then my front doors slowly swung open, a lady came in very slow as if not to disturb the ghost past. The air in here has not been disturbed for half century. The back doors was also opened, this created a soft breeze, it came in to mingle with the dust that had been in here for years. The smell of the fresh breeze brought back memories of a time long ago, it swirled the dust around and blew it out the back door. I could even feel the hay move a little.

Something bright and shinny was creeping in the front doors, it was warm and friendly, I recall it and remember how it warmed me in the early morning. She was still in here, I can feel her walking around, it felt so good to have someone in here. Then she opened a small door, went in, looked around and approched a small shelf, reached out her hand and found what she was looking for. Years ago, when she was a young child, and they were moving away, she put the turtle she had made at school way back in the corner of the shelf, she promised the turtle she would come back for it someday, and was glad no one had found it.

As she was closing up the old barn she turned to whisper a promise to the old barn, she also would return and rebuild the old home she once lived in as a child. Do we have treasurers that we have tucked away and promised some day to be back. I know we all clean out closets, old boxes and drawers to find at our surprise things we still have from long ago. The treasure from the past can spark many a memories, perhaps given by a loved one we no longer have with us.

Celebrate the 4th 0f July

John Trumbull's famous painting depicting the signing of the Declaration.

Americans celebrate July 4th as Independence Day because it was July 4th, 1776 that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia adopted the final draft of the Decleration of Independence. Following its adoption, the Declaration was read to the public in various American cities, whenever they heard it patriots erupted in cheers and celebration.

In 1777, Philadelphians remembered the 4th of July, bells were rung, guns fired, candles lighted and firecrackers set off. However, while the war for Independence dragged on, July 4th celebrations were modest at best.

When the war was ended in 1783, July 4th became a holiday in some places. In Boston it replaced the date of the Boston Massacre, March 5th, as the major patriotic holiday. Speeches, military events, parades and fireworks marked the day. In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday.

While the Fourth is celebrated across the country, historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia draws huge crowds. Philadelphia holds its celebration at Independence Hall, where historic scenes are reenacted and the Declaration of Independence is read. The Declaration and the American Revolution have since inspired freedom-seekers the world over. Overtime various other summer time activities also came to be associated with July 4th, including historical pagents, parades, picnics, games and many more outdoor activities.

I hope you have a very safe July 4th, and go out and celebrate it with your town. Be safe above all, light your fircrackers and sparkles with care, just have a wonderful time and say a prayer for our country and the fore-fathers who drafted the Declaration, may they rest in peace.

History of Galapagos Islands

Photo of Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

These islands are located just below the equator, 600 miles off the coast of Equador in South America. There are around 19 volcanic islands and range in different sizes. The oldest island are over 4 million years old, while the youngest islands are still being formed today. The islands has fascinated people for hundreds of years. There is so much wildlife; such as Penguins, tropical birds, albatross, blue footed boobies, pelicans, gull birds, hawks, finches, snakes, iguanas, totties and the Komodo dragons and much more. Sounds like a wonderful place to visit, no wonder Darwin fell in love with this place.

The Galapagos Island were first discovered by accident in 1535, when Thomas Berlanga's ship was carried out to the islands by the ocean currents. Later in 1835 the islands were studied by Charles Darwin, he was fresh out of college when he went on his expedition to Galapagos Island, aboard a ship named HMS Beagle.

Darwins very radical idea on the structure of the living world transformed biology from a collection of curious but disconnected facts into a vigorous and unified science. His theory of evolution by natural selection originated during a five year voyage around the world as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle.The first crude navigation of the islands was done by Ambrose Cowley in 1864. He named the individual island after some of his fellow pirates or English Noblemen, later they were renamed.

The Galapagos Islands are a place born of fire. In the last 200 years a remarkable fifty plus eruptions have occurred, some threatening the fauna and flora, some creating new land, such as the lava flow on Santiago Island, this was unseen in Darwins time. As the tectonic plates move (at a rate of about 5cm per year) the volcanic activity moves with them, creating newer islands to the west and reducing activity of older islands to the east.

The islands animals are unique in the world, do to its exotic wild life and environment, that can only be seen in the group of beautiful and enchanted islands located in the Pacific Ocean. The animals in the Galapagos are unafraid of man and they are so different from any others found elsewhere. This fact make visitors wonder about their very existence on our planet. Galapagos Islands wild life is one of the major attractions and there are thousands of visitors a year.

There are a few islands that have inhabited towns, most of the islands do not. Two of the islands have airports. The towns are small but are well equipped with modern conveniences.You are not allowed anywhere on the island without a tour guide and not allowed off the trails. The high season for tourists to visit is usually June to August. Tourists with interest in the volcanic origins may prefer to visit in the cool dry season, when conditions are more pleasant for hiking. I enjoyed posting this and I hope you enjoy it as well.

A National Treasure—Yellowstone National Park

Emerald pool in Yellowstone National Park.

The park is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, from which it gets its name. The park spans three states, stretching from Wyoming out into Idaho and Montana, the largest area is in Wyoming. The park allows animals to run free and undisturbed. There are bears, elks, bison, birds and more. Travelers can drive or walk through the park at their own will.

In 1872 Ulysses S. Grant set aside as a park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. However within twenty years financial support begin to dwindle, because of the lack of the ability of the common man to see the glory of Yellowstone Park. With the luck the railroad began to cater to the common tourist, bringing money and visitors to Yellowstone. Also, due to the mass production of the automobile the visitors to the park quadrupled. In 1970 attention strayed away from the History of the park and became more interested in conservation.

Camping is a favorite activity and hiking the many trails. There is camp grounds, such as, Slough Creek Campground, this is a major favorite spot in the park. The Other favorites are, Old Faithful Inn Hotel, fits beautifully into its surroundings and it is completely built of logs and is located within the park boundaries. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is also located within the park boundries, it is a modern get-a-way, has enormous fireplace. You had better make hotel reservations well in advance for these popular hotel's, due to their central location. In 2004 Yellowstone Inn celebrated its 100th anniversary, with a year long celebration.

Yellowstone Park is the largest park in all the states. It has some of the most famous park features, such as Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon and freely roaming herds of buffalo's, its the largest wild life preserve, an enormous lake, the Continental Divide and over 1,000 miles of trails.

Over 600,000 years ago the central portion of the park exploded and collapsed, leaving a smoldering caldera 28 by 47 miles in size. There is evidence that the area was used by hunters for at least five thousand years. The first white man to visit the park area was probably mountain men and John Colter an adventurer who wandered throughout the area and also trappers. The Hayden Geological survey of 1871, piqued public interest and the work of painter Thomas Morgan.

Yellowstone Hot Spot is a section where the thickness of the earths crust is extremely thin, the magma below the crust is less than two miles. The planet's internal heat is closer to the surface here than anywhere. Water seeps down through the ground here, until it is superheated, it begins to rise and eventually returns to earth as a geyser, this trip from surface to surface may take 500 years.

There are many creeks and rivers in the park. Firehole River flows toward the Upper Geyser Basin and this river is warm all year round. Lewis River has a falls named after it, this river is in the south central portion of Yellowstone Park. Yellowstone Lake is in the central portion of the park, it is the largest lake in the world, over 7,000 feet, the coast of the lake is over one hundred miles in length, this lake was once twice its size.

Steam rises from volcanic hot springs in Yellowstone.

There is so much to write about, this park is so fascinating and full of history. There are rumors that the volcanic part of the park could erupt, but scientist do not know when it might happen. They have sensors all over the park, monitoring thie activity of the magma. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did posting it, but this only touches on the information about the park.

Poems to Enjoy

I went to garage sales again today and picked up some picture frames with sayings and I would like to pass them on to you.

And Sweetly Sing; by Marion West

A little bird with feathers brown,
Sat singing on a tree;
The song was very soft and low,
But sweet as it could be.

And all the people passing by
Looked up to see the bird.
That made the sweetest melody
That ever they had heard.

But all the bright eyes looked in vain,
For birdie was so small,
And with the modest, dark-brown coat
He made no show at all.

"Why, Father" little Alice said,
"Where can the birdie be?
If I could sing a song like that
I'd sit where folks could see."

"This birdie is content to sit
Unnoticed by the way,
And sweetly sing his Maker's praise
From dawn till close of day.

"So live, my child, through all your life,
That, be it short or long,
Though others may forget your looks,
They'll not forget your song."

Dear Friend, I Remember You

If I could go back in time, back to yesterday
We'd share secrets once again, and plan each special day
In snow and sun and rainbows, those days of you and me
Lovely times, God blessed, a friendship meant to be
Dear Friend, I live and thank you, for precious memories true
When I remember yesterday, I remember you.

My friends I hope you truly enjoy these as I did. I really cry when I read poems and think of the people that have wrote them for all to enjoy. I have always wanted to write poems but just can not seem to put it together right. I do also enjoy reading other posts with poems. Hope you enjoy a great summer.

Quotes to light up your life.

This collection of quotations on love, life, happiness and success has been thoughtfully compiled by someone who truly believes in the power of words and how they impact feelings and attitudes. These thoughts have been collected over the years, and have been shared with close friends and loved ones. All the authors are not known, please share these wonderful thoughts with special people so that their true meanings will live on forever.

"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are."

"There are those who pass like ships in the night. Who meet for a moment, then sail out of sight with never a backwards glance of regret; folks we know briefly then quickly forget. Then there are friends who sail together through quiet waters and stormy weather helping each other through joy and through strife, and they are the kind who give meaning to life."

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about."

"Time is- Too slow for those who Wait; Too swift for those who Fear; Too long for those who Grieve; Too short for those who Rejoice; But for those who love, Time is Eternity."

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get others interested in you."

"You can use most any measure when you're speaking of success, You can measure it in a fancy home, expensive car or dress. But the measure of your real success is one you cannot spend. It's the way your child describes you when talking to a friend."

This little book was given to me by a little old man last Friday, at a garage sale. I read it and was impressed at its contents, there are about fifty quotes in all, but I felt like putting some of them on my post for others to enjoy.

"Love is like the five loaves and two fishes. It doesn't start to multiply until you give it away."

"A friend is a present you give yourself."

"May you always find new roads to travel; new horizons to explore; new dreams to call your own."

In Flander's Fields

In the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres a Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on May 2nd, 1915 by a German artillery shell. He was a friend of the Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae. John was asked to conduct the burial service owing to the chaplin being called away on duty elseware. It is believed that later that evening John began the draft for his famous poem "In Flanders Fields."

On November 11, 1995 Lt. Col. Graham Parker, was in Ypres, he led the poppy parade to the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. There was a heavy rainstorm and the crowds lining the route quickly put up many different coloured umbrellas.

The Armistice Day service at the Menin Gate Memorial that year was commemorating the 70th anniversary of the battles of 1915 in the Ypres Salient. Graham's thoughts turned to May, 1915 and a soldier's cemetery close to Ypres. The powerful image of poppies growing among the graves there in portrayed in the poem"In Flanders Fields." These images of poppies on the old Flanders battlefields and the umbrellas on a wet November day in Ypres were Graham's insporation fo the Poppy Umbrella. The Poppy Umbrella helps raise funds for Service charities.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead, Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to hold high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

This is a tribute to all the world soldiers that have given their lives, so we may be free. This Memorial Day is also to our brave soldiers that are still in harms way and the brave ones that have been through the battles and made it home. We must also remember the ones that have been wounded and some have a long way to recovery, also the ones that may not recover to live as they once did. God bless every country, lay his hands on the lands and make them whole once more, peace be to all humanity, Amen.

God so Created

Once upon a time, long, long, ago the world was new, not a creature stirred upon its face. The water was fresh, the sun shone upon this land, not a tree was disturbed, the wind blew through their leaves and scurred along the green grass. There was rippling brooks, small lakes, large oceans, hugh mountains and vast deserts. He made a moon to light the night and a sun to brighten the days.

This land was made by a God, who looked out upon it and it was beautiful, everything was pure, not a creature roamed upon it, this made God sad. God had made a glorious heaven for his angles, that sparkled like the morning dew and is pure in every way, but, he wanted more, he must of been lonely. There was no one to enjoy all his creation but himself. He wanted something to swim in the waters and someone to walk upon the earth. I wander what the feeling was like to talk to God and have him talk back, I don't mean like in prayer, but, like Adam did.

God first created the living creatures, cattle, and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind. He was still lonely, so he made man after his likeness, from the dust of the earth came man. God gave man dominion over all creatures of the land. God caused man to fall into a deep sleep and he took one of his ribs and thus he made woman. Man said this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman. The man was Adam and the woman was Eve.

God put man into the beautiful "Garden of Eden," and told him he could eat freely of every tree in the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that you do eat from it"thou shalt surely die." The serpent was the temptation that caused Eve to eat the apple, but we have many more temptations today to cause us to sin. Eve ate the apple and so did Adam, therefore they were cast out of the garden.

I think when I was writing this post I was thinking of how virgin the world was at one time. Sometimes when you are walking in the woods you come upon a part of the forest you know has not changed for hundreds of years. This gives you a good feeling and you would like to sit right down and not move for a long time, it's almost like how God felt when he made earth.

No wonder God destroyed the earth once, I can see why, they were not treating it right and man had gotten to wicked. My question is, why has it taken God so long this time? We certainly live in a more wicked world today and we are destroying the earth that our Lord created for us. I guess God is going to let man do it this time around. Sometime I can see the earth and God's arms holding it like you would a baby, and God saying to man in a loud voice, "I gave it to you to take care of," and now look at it. I know in the bible God said next time it would be destroyed by fire. This does bring up the global warming, could this be the fire?

Laws Need Changed

I don't know about you, but I am tired of reading in the newspaper and hearing on TV about criminals murdering others and only getting a few years. I also think they should pay for murdering and tourtureing the victim and I mean more than jail time. We should make an all out effort to change the criminal laws in this country. I am for capital punishment, I don't believe a person has a right to kill another and get away with it.

You see it every day or hear about it, a person commits murder, the victim is either killed before or after they are abused and violated, some are more violent than others. If the crime is not planned but a random act of violence, this is considered 2nd degree. It is punished by imprisonment for life or any term of years. Does this seem fair to you, the victim is dead no matter if planned or if the criminal just felt like it. Every state has its own laws on murder cases and some states does have capital punishment.

Lot of criminals like to plea insanity, or they were depressed, it was self defense or they did not mean to do it. Some get away with this kind of behavior and fool the courts. There were 520,000 people murdered around the globe in the year 2000. Two fifths were young people between the ages of 10 years to 29 years, who were killed by other young people. I just thought I would write this to see what you think of all these killings, seems to me that there are more and more violence on people. What prize does the criminal that goes to jail get, three meals a day, clean uniforms and a hobby if they want.

I also think the lethal injection shots is such an easy way out for criminals. What about the victims that were so brutally treated and some tortured. I can't even imagine how those families feel to know a loved one was treated this way and then murdered. I cry every time I read about a child that has endeavored this kind of treatment and how frightened they were before being murdered. Come on America wake up and lets change some criminal laws and keep these people out of our world. One more thing domestic violence is on the rise, I believe this is because of our economical condition and unemployment.

2009 swine flu outbreak

My dear friends I am writing this, hoping we may all be safe from this new flu strain. On the news today they showed the states that are most effected by this. I don't know anyone that is not scared every time a new flu breaks out or any other new illinesses. I never like to hear the word epidemic used to describ how bad a flu is.

The 2009 swine flu outbreak is an epidemic that began in April 2009 with a new strain of influenza virus. The new strain is commonly called swine flu, but some authorities object to the name and it is also called Mexican flu, The outbreak is believed to have started in March 2009. Local outbreaks of an influenza-like illness were first detected in three areas of Mexico, but the virus responsible was not clinically identified as a new strain until April 24, 2009. Following the identification, its presence was soon confirmed in various Mexican states and in Mexico City.

Within days, isolated cases (and suspected cases) were identified elsewhere in Mexico, the U.S., and several other Northern Hemisphere countries. The new strain is an apparent reassortment of four strains of influenza A virus subtype HINI. Analysis at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the four component strains as one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). One swine strain was widespread in the United States, the other in Eurasia.

Recommendations to prevent infection by the virus consist of the standard personal precautions against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanatizers, especially after being out in public. Do not touch the mouth, nose or eyes, as these are primary modes of transmission. When coughing, it is recommended cough into a tissue and disposing of it, then again washing the hands.

This is just a little run down of this terrible strain and some ways to prevent you from catching it. Please my friends take care and be safe. I pray for the whole world in this situation.
From: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dangers of Global Warming

1. Flooding; We have all seen the pictures of disappearing glaciers and the predicitions of rising sea levels. Most people live close to the sea, but many are in denial about the impact of global warming.
2. Shortage of water; Many areas could be hit by droughts, especially once glaciers that previously fed rivers have disappeared. As weather becomes more turblant, we can expect more extreme droughts, many heavy rains would not give much relief.
3. Famine and disease; Higher temperatures will increase risk of tropical diseases, such as malaria, in previously temperate zones. Starvation is one of the biggest unconscious human fears that may well become a reality that is daily displayed on TV.
4. Migration and refugees; Migration will stress the infrastructure of many cities, even if they are not effected by climate change. Shortage of supplies and water will be effected by these migrations and many countries will stop refugees from crossing their borders.

In the country of India 1,500 farmers commited sucide due to no water for their crops; "The Huffington Post."
Scientists say the best places to study global warming are the coldest regions on earth. Glaciers disappear due to global warming, collapsing ice sheets, thawing permafrost, shrinking glaciers and thinning sea ice is the focus of a yearlong, worldwide scientific extravaganza known as "International Polar Year". Warming is felt most sharply in the far north, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average.

I believe in global warming and if people took the time to investigate this situation they will start believing what the scientists are saying. Our TV is always having specials on this condition, our earth is suffering and who will pay for it, us.

Polar bears are drowning, scientists have documented for the first time multiple deaths of polor bears off Alaska. The bears drowned after swimming long distances in the ocean amid the melting of the Artic ice shelf. The bears spend most of their time hunting and raising their young on ice flows. In September 2004, when the polar ice cap had retreated 160 miles north of the northern coast of Alaska, researchers counted 10 polar bears swimming as far as 60 miles off shore. Polar bears can swim long distances but have evolved to mainly swim between sheets of ice. Four days later researchers returned and found four dead polar bears floating in the water. Alarmed by the swift changes, the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council, a consortium of the state's tribes, urged the U.S. government to enact mandatory program to reduce global warming.

I would like to know what my friends think about global warming. Are you conserned about it or do you not think it is happening? I always value your opinions.

Pet's & People

One of the best things we have in life is our love for animals. When we decide to choose out pets, we have made a life time commitment to take care of them through out their life. Some pets live longer than others, especially cat's and dog's. They require love, interaction, exercise, proper nutrition, veterinary care and grooming. They also love our attention and affection, in return our pets provide us with unconditional love and acceptance and are true and loyal friends.

They offer us a safe haven and the opportunity to be who we genuinely and truly are without facade or pretense or affectation. They allow us to lower our guard and display emotions and share feelings we might not feel comfortable sharing with another human being. They lower blood pressure and improve our heart rate, decrease worry, fear. stress, loneliness and depression.

Through our animal companions we learn much about ourselves, of life and death and of mortality and immortality. We observe our pets as they grow from infancy to childhood to adolescence, adulthood, maturity and then old age. Many of them along the way experience illnesses of many kinds and pass on before their time, some require life time medication. We all know the feeling that we get when our pet becomes to ill to go on, we know they will be at Rainbow Bridge, waiting for us, but the decision is so terribly a painful one and heart breaking.

Many people who do not have pets are not aware of the powerful emotional and spiritual connections that those of us who know live with and love them share with our animal companions. Grief is the normal, natural and healthy response to loss of any kind. Above all, we respect and appreciate the beauty, nobility and grace of our animal companions and the gifts they bring us.