I love the words to this song. We all know them, but take a minute and really read them. Especially verse two.
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Francis Scott Key
Rampart: 1.a) a mound of earth, rubble, or similar material raised around a place as a fortification. b) such a fortification together with a stone or earth parapet capping it. 2. anything serving as a bulwark or defense. Webster's College Dictionary 1992
Now folks, turn off that there computer and go hug your family and thank God that someone sat behind a rampart with bombs exploding around them so that YOU MAY BE FREE.
God Bless Our Soldiers, past, present and future.
God Bless America.
God Bless You.
Showing posts with label thankfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankfulness. Show all posts
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Monday, November 1, 2010
Perspective.
The following is an article I first wrote for my church newsletter for the December 2006 issue.
Over the last month I've been working my way through The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, I've finished Vol. I and I can now tell you the plot to every Sherlock Holmes story ever written. Here you go... Someone comes to good old 221-B Baker Street with a set of events/facts. These all add up to person A being guilty of something, ol’ Sherl sees the facts from some off the wall viewpoint and puts them together to show that in actuality person B is really the guilty party. He then employs various ways of proving himself right.
I'm not a big fan of Halloween, it's seemed to me that it just encourages greed and gluttony...things we try to teach our kids to avoid. However, wanting to allow my 3 year old some fun and not be known as "that mother" -- you know, the mean one who doesn't allow anything "unwholesome" (read enjoyable) in the house -- I tried to find some way to celebrate this non-holiday with a good message. So, instead of going out and collecting a bunch of candy (no I wouldn't let him eat it anyway) we stayed on our front porch and gave candy away. He had a blast!! He loved seeing all the costumes and got a big kick out of putting candy in the various containers....or throwing it at the folks when too excited. Since we had approx 100 folks come through our neighborhood in the 2 hours we were out there he saw many fun costumes and had many folks exclaim over him. He actually looked a LOT happier than the kids (and adults) that were busy filling up their pillowcases. As we sat there refilling our bowl to be sure we didn't run out of candy ("Need more candy for kids mom!!") It went through my head that it truly is better to give than to receive. Sonshine learned all about giving and I enjoyed a very nice greed and gluttony free Halloween.
OK, we've all heard the glass half full or half empty bit before. But, truly, something as simple as a change in the perspective you're viewing a set of facts/events from could change the way the whole picture looks. My Grandma used to say that we decide each morning if we're going to be happy that day. Also known as "You can get glad in the same shoes you got mad in." As we spend the end of this year reviewing the events that have passed, let's try to look at them from a different perspective. Maybe it isn't so much the event itself that is bothersome as much as how we are viewing it.
I challenge each of us to start the new year off deciding to be happy with whatever comes our way. And keep looking for just how to make lemonade out of that great big lemon you've been handed.
Love you
Sarah
"When someone gives you free fertilizer for your garden, you don't complain about the smell." Earlene Fowler
Over the last month I've been working my way through The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, I've finished Vol. I and I can now tell you the plot to every Sherlock Holmes story ever written. Here you go... Someone comes to good old 221-B Baker Street with a set of events/facts. These all add up to person A being guilty of something, ol’ Sherl sees the facts from some off the wall viewpoint and puts them together to show that in actuality person B is really the guilty party. He then employs various ways of proving himself right.
I'm not a big fan of Halloween, it's seemed to me that it just encourages greed and gluttony...things we try to teach our kids to avoid. However, wanting to allow my 3 year old some fun and not be known as "that mother" -- you know, the mean one who doesn't allow anything "unwholesome" (read enjoyable) in the house -- I tried to find some way to celebrate this non-holiday with a good message. So, instead of going out and collecting a bunch of candy (no I wouldn't let him eat it anyway) we stayed on our front porch and gave candy away. He had a blast!! He loved seeing all the costumes and got a big kick out of putting candy in the various containers....or throwing it at the folks when too excited. Since we had approx 100 folks come through our neighborhood in the 2 hours we were out there he saw many fun costumes and had many folks exclaim over him. He actually looked a LOT happier than the kids (and adults) that were busy filling up their pillowcases. As we sat there refilling our bowl to be sure we didn't run out of candy ("Need more candy for kids mom!!") It went through my head that it truly is better to give than to receive. Sonshine learned all about giving and I enjoyed a very nice greed and gluttony free Halloween.
OK, we've all heard the glass half full or half empty bit before. But, truly, something as simple as a change in the perspective you're viewing a set of facts/events from could change the way the whole picture looks. My Grandma used to say that we decide each morning if we're going to be happy that day. Also known as "You can get glad in the same shoes you got mad in." As we spend the end of this year reviewing the events that have passed, let's try to look at them from a different perspective. Maybe it isn't so much the event itself that is bothersome as much as how we are viewing it.
I challenge each of us to start the new year off deciding to be happy with whatever comes our way. And keep looking for just how to make lemonade out of that great big lemon you've been handed.
Love you
Sarah
"When someone gives you free fertilizer for your garden, you don't complain about the smell." Earlene Fowler
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
don't be a cow!
driving to and from work I pass a handful of different herds of cattle. The other day I noticed a cow and her calf eating at the fence line.
I wish I'd taken a picture!
Have you ever seen a cow eat at the fence line? Do you know what they do?
They cram their heads through the barb-wire fence and stretch their necks as far as they can while the barbs are poking their shoulders so that they can steal some of the grass from the other side of the fence.
Nevermind that it's EXACTLY THE SAME as the grass between their hooves.
Now, if you took that cow and walked her around the fence to the same spot that she was stretching to eat....can you guess what she'd do?
uh-huh, cram herself through the barb-wire fence to eat the grass that had been between her hooves, all the while trampling the hard earned prize of only moments before.
Why?
Because the grass is always greener on the OTHER side of the fence.
In the busyness and bustle of life it's easy to get lulled into a bovine mentality. In the midst of the lazy days of summer we long for the structure of school, during the full school calendar we long for the spontaneity of summer.
and there's always that desire that's just out of reach which will somehow make our lives oh-so-much-better, the grass that is oh-so-much-greener than what's currently under our feet.
Goals are a wonderful way to ensure that you're moving in the desired direction. However, we must remember to take an appreciative look inside our fence. Take stock of those wonderful things that lie easily within reach before we set our sights beyond the barb-wire.
and remember, "if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it just means there's a septic tank buried under there somewhere...." John Gray.
So, here's my reminder to myself:
Don't Be a Cow!!
I wish I'd taken a picture!
Have you ever seen a cow eat at the fence line? Do you know what they do?
They cram their heads through the barb-wire fence and stretch their necks as far as they can while the barbs are poking their shoulders so that they can steal some of the grass from the other side of the fence.
Nevermind that it's EXACTLY THE SAME as the grass between their hooves.
Now, if you took that cow and walked her around the fence to the same spot that she was stretching to eat....can you guess what she'd do?
uh-huh, cram herself through the barb-wire fence to eat the grass that had been between her hooves, all the while trampling the hard earned prize of only moments before.
Why?
Because the grass is always greener on the OTHER side of the fence.
In the busyness and bustle of life it's easy to get lulled into a bovine mentality. In the midst of the lazy days of summer we long for the structure of school, during the full school calendar we long for the spontaneity of summer.
and there's always that desire that's just out of reach which will somehow make our lives oh-so-much-better, the grass that is oh-so-much-greener than what's currently under our feet.
Goals are a wonderful way to ensure that you're moving in the desired direction. However, we must remember to take an appreciative look inside our fence. Take stock of those wonderful things that lie easily within reach before we set our sights beyond the barb-wire.
and remember, "if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it just means there's a septic tank buried under there somewhere...." John Gray.
So, here's my reminder to myself:
Don't Be a Cow!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Me and My Muse
Susan Werner has a song called "Courting the Muse".
This song's been playing in my head a lot lately. By the way, if you don't know Susan Werner, check her out. I saw her in a one lady show 10 years ago and was most impressed!
Stephen King has said many times in his author's notes that he likens getting a story idea to his "muse has shat on his head".
I've been thinking about my muse a lot lately. I think she must be similar to Fawkes the Phoenix and has spent the last 6 months as a pile of ashes. I've been hoping that means that she'll arise with a whole bunch of new ideas for me.
Well, over the last couple months she's started circling my head again....pooping here and there, I'd occasionally get hit with an idea, only to have it roll off my back where it'd be lost before I could grab it. I'd come to the conclusion that the poor muse was constipated! I kept offering her prune flavored crackers....and waited, and waited, and waited for results. Finally, last week, I filled her water bowl with a warm prune juice and Sprite mixture. After all, it's my NEVER FAIL Constipation rememdy.
And as of today, I now have 5 new quilts in my mind and 3 blog posts (counting this one).
So, for the next few days I'll be easy to find. Just look for the girl covered in wet gooey muse shit.
:-) and loving it!
This week I'm thankful for an unplugged muse.
This song's been playing in my head a lot lately. By the way, if you don't know Susan Werner, check her out. I saw her in a one lady show 10 years ago and was most impressed!
Stephen King has said many times in his author's notes that he likens getting a story idea to his "muse has shat on his head".
I've been thinking about my muse a lot lately. I think she must be similar to Fawkes the Phoenix and has spent the last 6 months as a pile of ashes. I've been hoping that means that she'll arise with a whole bunch of new ideas for me.
Well, over the last couple months she's started circling my head again....pooping here and there, I'd occasionally get hit with an idea, only to have it roll off my back where it'd be lost before I could grab it. I'd come to the conclusion that the poor muse was constipated! I kept offering her prune flavored crackers....and waited, and waited, and waited for results. Finally, last week, I filled her water bowl with a warm prune juice and Sprite mixture. After all, it's my NEVER FAIL Constipation rememdy.
And as of today, I now have 5 new quilts in my mind and 3 blog posts (counting this one).
So, for the next few days I'll be easy to find. Just look for the girl covered in wet gooey muse shit.
:-) and loving it!
This week I'm thankful for an unplugged muse.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday Thankfulness.
Evansmom over at Just Sayin does a bit she calls Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday she makes a list of things that she is thankful for that week. I happen to think this is THE BEST idea!!
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
1) I am thankful that my kids have special needs. I've learned so much from them and the special situations that arise from their special needs. (more on this topic can be found here)
2) I am thankful that my hubby can always make me laugh. Regardless (or irregardless as he likes to say) of the situation. It's part of the reason I married him.
3) I am thankful for my co-workers. I am very fortunate to work with a great group of folks at the hospital. I've worked in hen houses before and it makes the whole experience miserable
4) I am thankful for the internet....for through it I found my husband and many dear friends. According to blogger...this is my 1,000th post...whoa.
5) I am thankful for hooligan kisses. Sonshine's always been a lovey dovey guy, but Gator's just gotten into a phase where out of the blue he'll walk up and give me a kiss on the cheek. And then when I kiss him he wipes it off!....So of course I have to keep kissing him (and he wipe each time) till I win and get one planted to stay!! Sugars is also in a kiss mommy phase. Only she's all noise no kiss...she'll even "kiss" you without even looking at you!!
My favorite spot to kiss is between the bridge of the nose and the eyebrows. Where's you favorite spot for hooligan kisses??
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
1) I am thankful that my kids have special needs. I've learned so much from them and the special situations that arise from their special needs. (more on this topic can be found here)
2) I am thankful that my hubby can always make me laugh. Regardless (or irregardless as he likes to say) of the situation. It's part of the reason I married him.
3) I am thankful for my co-workers. I am very fortunate to work with a great group of folks at the hospital. I've worked in hen houses before and it makes the whole experience miserable
4) I am thankful for the internet....for through it I found my husband and many dear friends. According to blogger...this is my 1,000th post...whoa.
5) I am thankful for hooligan kisses. Sonshine's always been a lovey dovey guy, but Gator's just gotten into a phase where out of the blue he'll walk up and give me a kiss on the cheek. And then when I kiss him he wipes it off!....So of course I have to keep kissing him (and he wipe each time) till I win and get one planted to stay!! Sugars is also in a kiss mommy phase. Only she's all noise no kiss...she'll even "kiss" you without even looking at you!!
My favorite spot to kiss is between the bridge of the nose and the eyebrows. Where's you favorite spot for hooligan kisses??
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thankfullness and Goals
Evansmom over at Just Sayin does a bit she calls Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday she makes a list of things that she is thankful for that week. I happen to think this is THE BEST idea!!
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
yeah, I know it's Wednesday already....so shoot me.
I am thankful that this is my last night to work this week!!
Full speed ahead mommy-time!
I am thankful that I neither teach Kindergarten nor work ER. I've had glimpses into both this week and can't imagine more aggravating jobs!!
I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband who takes very good care of me.
I am thankful that I have dusted off my Mightymom cape, and found my sense of humor hidden in the toe of my left superhero-boot.
I am thankful that there are about 30 people who stop by my blog each day....and that 5 of them even leave me COMMENTS!!
My goals this week are:
1) make 5 ornaments with the kids
2) finish applique-ing the 3 blocks from Gator's quilt
3) begin the embroidery on the kid's newborn footprints
4) get rose bushes and other day lily plant in the new bed.
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
yeah, I know it's Wednesday already....so shoot me.
I am thankful that this is my last night to work this week!!
Full speed ahead mommy-time!
I am thankful that I neither teach Kindergarten nor work ER. I've had glimpses into both this week and can't imagine more aggravating jobs!!
I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband who takes very good care of me.
I am thankful that I have dusted off my Mightymom cape, and found my sense of humor hidden in the toe of my left superhero-boot.
I am thankful that there are about 30 people who stop by my blog each day....and that 5 of them even leave me COMMENTS!!
My goals this week are:
1) make 5 ornaments with the kids
2) finish applique-ing the 3 blocks from Gator's quilt
3) begin the embroidery on the kid's newborn footprints
4) get rose bushes and other day lily plant in the new bed.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday Thankfulness!
Evansmom over at Just Sayin does a bit she calls Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday she makes a list of things that she is thankful for that week. I happen to think this is THE BEST idea!!
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
I am thankful that life is never dull!
So, on Saturday a couple weeks ago Gator-boy did this:
And on Monday 2 days later he did this:
sigh.
that Friday we went to the Orthopedic Specialist who said that the elbow was all better and he got the splint off...
and the tooth is still hanging around...although a bit lower than it used to be, oh well, straight teeth are overrated anyway!
I am also very thankful for the 2 folks who have attempted to win the Silly Goose or Smarty Pants awards so far with this week's words. And even more thankful for those of you who are going to give it a try before Thursday
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
I am thankful that life is never dull!
So, on Saturday a couple weeks ago Gator-boy did this:
And on Monday 2 days later he did this:
sigh.
that Friday we went to the Orthopedic Specialist who said that the elbow was all better and he got the splint off...
and the tooth is still hanging around...although a bit lower than it used to be, oh well, straight teeth are overrated anyway!
I am also very thankful for the 2 folks who have attempted to win the Silly Goose or Smarty Pants awards so far with this week's words. And even more thankful for those of you who are going to give it a try before Thursday
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Thankful Tuesday
Evansmom over at Just Sayin does a bit she calls Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday she makes a list of things that she is thankful for that week. I happen to think this is THE BEST idea!!
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
By the way, there are still only THREE entries for Thesaurus Thursday this week...GET OVER THERE AND GIVE IT A TRY!
I am thankful that at least one of my kids looks like me....even if it means he "looks like a cab with both back doors open" as subvet said today. Sonshine...I'm sorry that your ears stick out so far, if you want when you're older we'll get yours fixed like I did mine in 7th grade...till then you should adjust your haircuts to NOT emphasize those ears. (I'll remind Daddy of this before he takes you for your next haircut!) :-)
I am thankful that my hubby is such a wonderful stay at home dad. It's a hard job and he does it well
I am thankful that this is my last night to work this week. I is tard.
I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to weed that flowerbed this week it's AWFUL!
I am thankful that my little girl wants to talk to me...all.the.time....every.second.I.am.awake..and a sometimes when I'm asleep!
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
By the way, there are still only THREE entries for Thesaurus Thursday this week...GET OVER THERE AND GIVE IT A TRY!
I am thankful that at least one of my kids looks like me....even if it means he "looks like a cab with both back doors open" as subvet said today. Sonshine...I'm sorry that your ears stick out so far, if you want when you're older we'll get yours fixed like I did mine in 7th grade...till then you should adjust your haircuts to NOT emphasize those ears. (I'll remind Daddy of this before he takes you for your next haircut!) :-)
I am thankful that my hubby is such a wonderful stay at home dad. It's a hard job and he does it well
I am thankful that this is my last night to work this week. I is tard.
I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to weed that flowerbed this week it's AWFUL!
I am thankful that my little girl wants to talk to me...all.the.time....every.second.I.am.awake..and a sometimes when I'm asleep!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday Thankfulness
Evansmom over at Just Sayin does a bit she calls Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday she makes a list of things that she is thankful for that week. I happen to think this is THE BEST idea!!
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post (have you played yet??) I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
Things I am thankful for:
I am thankful that I have a loving husband who will drop everything just to listen when I call from work to vent off my frustrations.
I am thankful that my kids are all starting to talk. Every week they are more intelligible.
I am thankful that I work with wonderful people.
I am thankful that our country has the potential to be an even greater place to live in the future.
I am thankful that I was born in America and never had to face choosing between a career, a family, or moving across the world in the hopes of a better life....as have many of my coworkers.
I am thankful that I got off my butt and walked the hospital floor for 15 min during the dead of the night tonight....for details see tomorrow's goal post!
I am thankful for all of the kind folks who leave comments on this blog and brighten my night.
There's my list...one for each day between today and next Tuesday. So, now it's your turn...what are you thankful for??
Seeing as how I already have a regularly scheduled Thursday post (have you played yet??) I'm going to join her on Thankful Tuesday!! And I encourage you to join here on Tuesday and then go there on Thursday to double your weekly thankfulness!
Things I am thankful for:
I am thankful that I have a loving husband who will drop everything just to listen when I call from work to vent off my frustrations.
I am thankful that my kids are all starting to talk. Every week they are more intelligible.
I am thankful that I work with wonderful people.
I am thankful that our country has the potential to be an even greater place to live in the future.
I am thankful that I was born in America and never had to face choosing between a career, a family, or moving across the world in the hopes of a better life....as have many of my coworkers.
I am thankful that I got off my butt and walked the hospital floor for 15 min during the dead of the night tonight....for details see tomorrow's goal post!
I am thankful for all of the kind folks who leave comments on this blog and brighten my night.
There's my list...one for each day between today and next Tuesday. So, now it's your turn...what are you thankful for??
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