Old Glory

 I am the flag of the United States of America
My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!

I stand for peace, honor, truth, and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident . . . I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped.
I am saluted.
I am respected.
I am revered. I am loved.
And I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years...
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy,
the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines,
the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam,
and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there!

I led my soldiers.
I followed them.
I watched over them...
They loved me.

I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me,
and I was proud.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries
I have helped set free.
It does not hurt . . . for I am invincible.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country,
and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle . . . it hurts.
But I shall overcome . . . for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes
when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages
for my wounded comrades on the field of battle.
when I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers...
and when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.
I am proud.

My name is Old Glory.

Dear God . . . Long may I wave!


Written By:-Don S. Miller

Presidental Elections

This is just my personal opinion, you can agree with it or not, just expressing myself here.

I personally feel if your going to run for President of the United States, (our highest office) you should have to have served in our Military first at some point of your life. This way you personally have a first hand understanding of what the cost of our freedom is. Also they'll have a better understan...ding of how to handle things that come up in other countries

I also feel, in matters of Voting, if we as a voting American don't like the candidates selected, there should be an option for none of the above... PERIOD. Thus they should have to start all over finding and electing candidates for the Voting Americans to choose from.... (NONE OF THE ABOVE)

Also, every vote should be COUNTED! Not electorial votes... Maybe then more citizens might get involved and actually vote in our country.

Just my 2 cents worth

Peanut Blossoms

                                                     Peanut Blossoms


1 c. sugar
1 c.brown sugar
1 c. butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 (10 oz.) pkgs. chocolate kisses or peanut butter cups

Cream sugars, butter, and peanut butter. Beat in eggs, milk,
vanilla.

Stir in dry ingredients. Shape into balls and roll into additional sugar
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 min.

Immediately press a chocolate candy into each cookie.

Yield: about 7 dozen

BEST Marriage Advice

Always keep God 1st place in your Marriage, Family & Life

Choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other. Love is a commitment, not a feeling.


Alway...s answer the phone when your husband/wife is calling and when possible, try to keep your phone off when you’re together with your spouse.

Make time together a priority. Budget for a consistent date night. Time is the “currency of relationships” so consistently invest time into your marriage.


Surround yourself with friends who will strengthen your marriage and remove yourself from people who may tempt you to compromise your character.


Make laughter the soundtrack of your marriage. Share moments of joy, and even in the hard times, find reasons to laugh.


In every argument, remember that there won’t be a “winner” and a “loser.” You are partners in everything so you’ll either win together or lose together. Work together to find a solution.

Remember that a strong marriage rarely has two strong people at the same time. It’s usually a husband and wife taking turns being strong for each other in the moments when the other feels weak.


Prioritize what happens in the bedroom. It takes more than sex to build a strong marriage, but it’s nearly impossible to build a strong marriage without it!


Remember that marriage isn’t 50-50, divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100-100. It’s not splitting everything in half, but both partners giving everything they’ve got!


Give your best to each other, not your leftovers after you’ve given your best to everyone else.


Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to anyone else’s. God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!


Don’t put your marriage on hold while you’re raising your kids or else you’ll end up with an empty nest and an empty marriage.


Never keep secrets from each other. Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy.


Never lie to each other. Lies break trust and trust is the foundation of a strong marriage.


When you’ve made a mistake, admit it and humbly seek forgiveness. You should be quick to say, “I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”


When your husband/wife breaks your trust, give them your forgiveness instantly which will promote healing and create the opportunity for trust to be rebuilt. You should be quick to say, “I love you. I forgive you. Let’s move forward.”


Be patient with each other. Your spouse is always more important that your schedule.


Model the kind of marriage that will make your sons want to grow up to be good husbands and your daughters want to grow up to be good wives.


Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to anyone Else. God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!


Never talk badly about your spouse to other people or vent about them online. Protect your spouse at all times and in all places.


Always wear your wedding ring. It will remind you that you’re always connected to your spouse and it will remind the rest of the world that you’re off limits!


Connect into a community of faith. A good church can make a world of difference in your marriage and family.


Pray together. Every marriage is stronger with God in the middle of it.


When you have to choose between saying nothing or saying something mean to your spouse, say nothing every time!


Never consider divorce as an option. Remember that a “perfect marriage” is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each .


Writer : Unknown

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

Oak Tree

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods.  

As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right.  He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. 

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.  He remembered family who had passed on.  His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure.  His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration. 

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there..  And with tears in his eyes, he prayed: 

'Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life.  You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive.  I am sad, Lord, because I cannot.  I don't know how.  It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive.  As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive.  My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do:  Teach me to forgive.'

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder.  He opened his eyes.  Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.  He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground.  He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. 

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross.  He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face.  As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak. 

'Have you ever told a lie?'  He asked? 

The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.' 

'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?' 

The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.'  And the man sobbed more and more. 

'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked? 

And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.' 

'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?' 

The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.' 

As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - 'Yes, Lord'. 

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus.  When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. 

Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.' 

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. 

Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in. 

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it. 

BB & TB

                                          Meet Tweedy Bird

Tweety Meets Blue Bird

 

                                        Tweety & Blue Bird Together

1. Meet Tweedy Bird, our newest addition to the family
2. Tweedy meets Blue Bird
3. Tweedy & Blue Bird together at last

We tried to get Blue Bird (BB) on our hands, he would get shakey
and then stand offish, he didn't mind me getting into the cage, just
if I held my hand in the cage or tried to get him on it, so after much
thought I'd rather have a calm happy bird then a shakey bird
frightened of us.

We went today and bought Tweedy Bird to keep him company.
Blue Bird still isn't sure of Tweedy but they are together. Tweedy
loves the swing (BB not so much) and Tweedy loves the rings
 (BB not so much).. BB loves the mirror with the treat compartment,
Tweedy tried to take it over and BB let her know he wasn't having it...
This should be fun watching them..

One of them is churping away happy as a tick on a dog, the other one
is on the purch just watching... HUMMN

Photo Share

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Underground Railroad

Im really amazed at how a lot of people don't know the real meaning behind these statues, so they vandalize them, complain about them being racist, etc.  (They Are "NOT" Racist)

The image of a black 'footman' with a lantern signified the home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. These are largely a northern thing, and weren't commonly found in the South until after WWII when northerners moved there and brought this custom with them.

The clothing of the statue was also coded.
A striped jockey's shirt meant that this was a place to swap horses, while a footman in a tailed coat meant overnight lodgings/food, and a blue sailor's waistcoat meant the homeowner could take you to a port and get you on a ship to Canada.

I always laugh when I hear black folks talk about how racist these are, because honestly, the cats who had them were likely the LEAST racist. Later, these came back into popularity after WWII, and they were again coded to show the white homeowners supported early civil rights efforts, weren't Klan, etc.

http://www.lawnjock.com/lawn_jockey_history.html

http://www.loudounhistory.org/history/underground-railroad-jockey-statues.htm

1 Peter 4.10 (NIV)

                                   1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has recieved to serve others
faithfully administering God's Grace in it's various forms.


Matthew 25: 37- 40 (NIV)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

By the Grace of God, I have never known what it's like to be hungry. We've always had plenty, and joyfully shared with others

I believe my calling is to Bless others with the gifts God has Blessed me with, If I see you hungry, I'll feed you, If I see you cold, I knit you a covering, If your lonely, I share my time and love with you

What are you doing with the gifts God has Blessed you with???

Blue Boy 3

Well here it is already Saturday 1/23/2016 and much to share with you about BB.

Blue Bird seems to be a very happy little bird. Most of the day light hours he's busy singing churping away, then when I finish the evening dishes he quiets down mostly for the night, but when we turn off the lights for the night, he's quiet as a mouse... smile

BB doesn't care if we put out hands in his cage.He's not flighty in the least, until today. Our first lesson in hand training. I just put my hand in the cage flat open and left it the cage while I gently talked to him for several minutes.. Yes he seemed to know something was different. He did get some excited but kept coming back to his purch to be close by, yet free to escape if need be.... Tomorrow we try again

Have a Blessed day one in all

Blue Boy 2

We made it through our first night together. This silly bird sings and makes so much noise, I had forgotten how much noise parakeets make with our last set of birds being finches (little computers sounds)

Funny thing, when I put my hands into his cage, he's not at all flighty/scared or anything un-usual. I think maybe by this weekend I'll begin to hand train him and see how that goes. For the mean time I just want him to get used to our walking up the his cage and chatting with him.

When all the lights went off last evening, he quieted down and remained quiet through-out the night. When Ron awoke this morning to let Snickers (our lil doggie) he turned on the light and low and behold, Blue Boy began his singing & noise... I told Ron, when the lights on, looks like its free for all around here... smile

So glad we got our new little friend, I've missed having the beauty of God's little feather friends making such lovely sounds to sooth our souls inside

Have a Blessed day one & all

Blue Boy

I know, I know, I said after my finches died no more birds for us, well we were up
at the Paws for Cause thrift store a couple weeks ago to drop off alot of things I
gathered together, and right there in my eye sight they had this nice big bird cage
on sale for $10.-, now I ask you could you pass it by, like I said, honey I think
we need to get this...

Today, we went to Scales & Tails pet store and yep, we got Blue Boy, just
couldn't help myself. I also got a travel cage $10....- in case we have to take
him to the vet or something. He has not stopped singing and making noise
since we brought him home... I'm a happy girl, Ron and I have alwys had
birds ever since we married 44 yrs ago...

1st photo is Blue Boy in his permant home cage
2nd photo, Blue Boy in his travel cage,

Proverbs 19

Fear-of-God is life itself, a full life, and serene -
 no nasty surprises. ( Prov. 19:23 MSG)

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rest content, untouched by trouble ( Prov.19:23 NIV)

Bloom Where Your Planted

                                           "Bloom where your planted"


 Stop looking at richer soul, better water system, or your neighbors
yard. Right where you are is where God wants you to be, make the
most of every day, every opportunity, and Bloom as you were meant to.

Stop all the what it's, if I lived here or there, if I could do this or that,
go to this school, work at this or that job, had a better employer, etc...
BLOOM WHERE YOUR PLANTED, right where you are right now.
...

You may not be where you desire to be, but know you can make your
life and that of others around you better, so pull up your attitude, put
a smile on your face, and make the best of your situation. Even the
worse situation ever looks better with a smile on your face, and
blooms in your heart