In Memory of All Veterans

While we DO love the extra day off, the barbecues, picnics and other gatherings with family and friends, it is important to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I and has come to be a time to honor and remember those who have served and currently serve in the U.S. military, as well as those who died for our freedom.

It is the

VETERAN,

not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the

VETERAN who

salutes the Flag,

It is

the

VETERAN

who serves

under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,

AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

Enjoy your long weekend, everyone, and take time to thank a soldier or remember a Veteran.

In the Garden Again!

This morning while I was checking the progress of things in the garden (ever on the lookout for tomato hornworms…..I truly despise those nasty things), I heard some rustling in the Hummingbird bush. Ah, I see that one of the kitten seeds has grown and is now invading the rest of the garden!

This is the little guy we have name Taz – he and his two siblings, Sam and Dot, are absolutely fearless. They are also just a teensy bit hard on some of my plants, but oh well, they are so darn cute that I haven’t the heart to admonish them! The “bush” he is invading is actually very tall, and he is about six feet up in this shot!

Now you see why I grow everything in raised beds or else is a very well fenced off area. Although I must admit it has been an uphill battle with the stray and feral cats we care for, not to mention my two dogs – but I have managed to cultivate my little part of the world and everything is coming along quite nicely.

I see the serrano peppers are ready to pick again!  YUM!

And I should have quite a few cherry tomatoes for the salad.....

But I don't think I'll be using the old pot belly stove for any cooking this weekend - good thing I have a komado and a BBQ grill!  Sheesh!  These cats are taking over!  This is Miss Kitty - the matriarch of the strays cats.  She loves to explore and will climb into anything with an open door!

Thank you for walking through my garden with me today!

Thursday Morning in the Garden

I love gardening - I grow herbs, vegetables, flowers........and some odd things...... 

I truly do not recall planting kitten seeds - but as they say, the proof is in the pudding!  And then there is the very strange tree.........

This tree blooms every year before the leaves sprout - isn't this an unusual blossom?  The tree is full of them and they only last one day before they drop off.  Does anyone know what the name of this tree is? 

I do grow the usual varieties of veggies, herbs, etc. but I wanted to share a couple of the more unusual things that grow in my garden. 

Enjoy your day! 

National Day of Prayer

Today is our 59th observance of the National Day of Prayer.  While the law formalizing its observance was enacted in 1952, prior to that our country was called to observe a day of prayer - once by the Continental Congress in 1775, once by President John Adams in 1798 and again by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.  John Adams called for citizens of all faiths to pray "that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it."  Abraham Lincoln stated "...it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."  God tells us in 2 Ch 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  Our nation desparately needs to be healed and protected from the dangers which threaten it.  I am blessed to live in a country where I may take a moment to bow my head in prayer - both in thanks for this wonderful land we live in and to petition the throne of God for healing of this land.