HAPPY 4TH OF JULY - AND A POEM BY WALT WHITMAN

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his best as it should be blithe and strong, 

The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,

The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,

The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,

Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

The day what belongs to the day - at night party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

~Walt Whitman~ 

 First published in 1860 

Happy 4th of July!

AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT

Out and about the other day, not long after the 4th of July, we stopped behind this rider while waiting for the light to change.  It took me a second or two but I finally spotted him, the teddy bear between the flags.  Reflexes were pretty good and I had my photo in an instant.  Then the lights changed and rider and teddy bear went on their way, and hubs and I were on our way to meet up with our son for lunch, and then...

while in one of the stores with my two favorite guys, I spotted a patriotic pair of sunglasses.  I have to admit I was tempted but then I already had my own pair in the car.  I borrowed these for a second and made the peace sign and hubs had his cell phone out before I placed them back down again.  I guess I am channeling Winston Church who below can be seen sharing the V for Victory sign back in the day. 

Then Ringo Starr came along and made it into the Peace sign.  

So, happy belated birthday, two days before mine, to Ringo Starr and passing on peace and love like he asked us to, a nice sentiment that I am happy to do.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY - A WEEK OF QUOTES - PART 4

'Ragged Old Flag'

by the late and great

Johnny Cash

I walked through a country courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down."
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."
I said, "Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it."
He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down.
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"
I said, "I think it is."  He said, "I don't like to brag, 
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag."
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it, writing, 'Oh Say Can You See.'
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams.
And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.
On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II.
She hung limp and low by the time it was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land she's been abused.
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused.
And the government for which she stands
is scandalized throughout the land.
And she's threadbare and wearing thin,
but she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more.
So we raise her up every morning,
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up tight.
On second thought I DO like to brag,

'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

To All My American Friends here and abroad,

Happy 4th of July, with my thanks to everyone who serves and who has served, and to all those wonderful people who help others, whether it be in their profession or volunteer in any capacity. 

"No Republicans nor Democrats on Independence Day but all Americans, United not Divided."

A quote I heard recently and one I truly love.

Thanks for reading and stopping by.
Blessings and Peace to each and every one of you.  Wishing you Love, Happiness, Kindness, Tolerance, Patience and Respect, all those good things, and in receiving giving the same.
And once again, Happy 4th of July!

RANDOM PHOTOS

I haven't done a random photo post in a while, and I thought why not do a collection in this one.  The first photo shows a pretty color combination of Gerbara Daisies.  They were being sold in the front of one of our local supermarkets 

We decided to have a bite to eat before shopping, and after picking up a tray of vegetable sushi and a drink, we headed to the dining area.  After lunch we started in the vegetable section and bought bananas, mushrooms, a sweet red pepper, a cauliflower, a big bag of birdseed, and a few other sundries.  This was not a big shopping trip. We got into a conversation with our young cashier as she rang our groceries up.  We are always impressed with the friendliness of the staff here. 

A wasp landed on the patio door and it didn't budge for a long time.  I think they are building a nest inside the outside light fixture.  I don't really want to look inside.  They seem to build one every year. 

This was a print in our bedroom at the Airbnb the weekend before last. Thought it was pretty enough to take a photo of.  I have said that a few times.

I like the quote.  I can't remember where I found it.

These two photos were taken when we were driving through Culpeper, Virginia, on the Friday of the Memorial Day Weekend.  I would have liked to have gotten a better photo of the mural, but my reaction time is slowing down.  Maybe we will take a trip back sometime.  I think the figure is supposed to be George Washington who, among his many accomplishments, was also a land surveyor.  You can read all about that here if interested.  

Added note: If you go to this link you will see photos and more information on the mural.

Next are the Asiatic Lilies we found for sale outside another supermarket.  Thought they were lovely.

More lovely flowers. 

I found a postcard in my collection for the State of Virginia.  Not only pretty but informative.

This past weekend we took a ride up to Skyline Drive.  It was a sunny day but on the chilly side.  Should have been more prepared as we were both in short sleeves, the weather having been warm for the previous few days.  The only thing I knew about the weather was that it was going to be sunny, that it would be a great day for a drive, and it was. I will do a post of our trip later.  So what is the ice-cream picture all about?  We know a place on our way home, and the car knows how to get here.  It is nothing fancy.  Nowhere to sit down inside, in fact no inside at all for the general public, a building with a large menu of various ice-cream flavors and drinks, and a sliding glass window where you order.  The seating is outside to the right of the building, where you sit under a large canopy.  I got a hot fudge sundae and Gregg got his root beer float.  Forty-five minutes later we were home.

Thanks for looking at my random photos, and have a great day.