Category Archives: Holidays

Dickens of a Christmas 2009

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Some you may remember my talking about our town’s annual “Dickens of a Christmas” last year, an event where they close off Main Street and have different groups performing, different shops with live scenes from the Victorian era in the display windows, etc. We almost didn’t have it this year. The group that had been organizing it was not going to be able to continue. But another group stepped up and took over, so we were happy to attend again.

I didn’t take many pictures because it held everyone else up and because there were a lot of people and often a clear shot was not available. But here are a few.

This was a dancing group that would occasionally pull in some of the observers.

On the store windows were signs with the names of the participating groups, and one of the signs for this group was:

That made me envision a bunch of dancing nuns. But they were not those kinds of sisters. 🙂

This was a neat window display.

The handbell (…choir? Performers? Players?) group made me think of Quilly.

I thought these were pretty nightgowns…

But the sign said they were…

Sorry about the glare. The photo I took without the flash was blurry.

Here is a scene from A Christmas Carol:

When we came by later, Marley was there, chains and all. Wish I could’ve gotten a shot of that!

Sherlock Holmes:

Quilters:

Florence Nightingale (the guy with the cap is a reflection of someone looking in — he is not in the scene):

Our one big downtown building lit up a window display:

These were not in a window display. 🙂 This is Jason and Mittu looking cute in the matching hats and scarves Mittu’s mom made for them.

Our favorite little brass group from last year wasn’t there — at least not in the place they were last year. If they were there somewhere, we missed them.

There was also a food court where area restaurants could set up a booth. We got a slice of pizza and later on hot chocolate and apple cider.

It was definitely a fun evening, and I hope the tradition continues!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most high: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Psalm 92:1-2.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

For flowers that bloom at our feet,
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear and see,
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Earlybird Thanksgiving Random Dozen

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Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting her usual Wednesday Random Dozen on Tuesday this week, since many will be making pies or traveling tomorrow.

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?

All the usual very traditional Thanksgiving fare.

2. Tell me something concrete that you’re thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like “hope.”)

Music and the means to play it.
Heat at the touch of a button, especially after having been without it for two weeks.
Books.
Films.
Food.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you’re thankful for.

Love, joy, peace, grace, forgiveness.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn’t have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

I think it was about 13 or 14 years ago we lived in GA and planned to come to SC to stay with friends, go to our old church and the Thanksgiving praise service the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, spend the night with them, and then drive to TN Thanksgiving morning to spend a couple of days with more good friends, my husband’s former pastor and his family. The first part of the trip went as planned with a great visit and a wonderful service. But pulling out of our friend’s driveway Thanksgiving morning, our car broke down. We had to have it towed in but had to leave it as no mechanics were working on the holiday. We rented a car and headed out to TN, stopped at a Burger King for our Thanksgiving lunch, drove over the mountains where Jesse got sick all over the rented car, and made it to our friends’ house in time for leftovers that evening. The rest of the visit was very nice: then we had to deal with the car issue afterward.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

Oh, just all the usual stuff — cooking, eating, napping, more eating. Sometimes we watch a movie or play a game in the evening.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

Yes, my husband, thankfully, takes on the job of getting everything off the bird that he can, and he saves a bit for our dog.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

My husband either prays spontaneously or asks one of the boys to while we’re seated around the table.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

No football. My husband and I will be napping at some point, I am sure.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

Bleah, I am not an oyster fan.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

Yes.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

Apple and pumpkin.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!

Not really. I enjoy every bite. 🙂

Check over at Linda‘s to find more participants or to join in yourself.

Veteran’s Day 2009

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“Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation.”

“Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: ‘ . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle . . . .’ On this Veterans Day, I ask all Americans to express their appreciation to our Nation’s veterans.”

President Bush, 2007 Veterans Day Proclamation

Along with honoring our veterans, I think their loved ones who stay behind deserve our support as well.

The Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.

I’m not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I’m not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I’m the one that’s left behind.

My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man.
and the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.

I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife.

–Shiela Gault

We appreciate you all!

salute

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt: Veterans, Military

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Theme: Veterans/Military | Become a Photo Hunter

I haven’t done a Photo Hunt in ages. I got super busy a few Saturdays in a row, and then just fell out of the habit — sometimes I’d look at the categories but couldn’t seem to come up with anything interesting.

But I have a few photos from a Veteran’s Day parade a few years ago plus a few in connection with my father-in-law.

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Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic. ~John A. Logan

The Photo Scavenger Hunt is hosted by TN Chick.

Happy 4th and catching up

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Glorious 4th

Happy Independence Day! I’ve always loved this quote from John Adams’ letter of July 3, 1776, in which he wrote to his wife Abigail what his thoughts were about celebrating Independence Day, with his original spellings:

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

No guns or pomp or illumination here today — Jim is grilling hamburgers later on and we’ll have Grandma over and maybe get into a rousing game of Scrabble. 🙂 Often we’ll flip back and forth through whatever TV channels have a patriotic concert going on. I hate that we can’t have fireworks in our city limits–we used to get a few specialty ones like little tanks that shot off sparks while it rolled down the street and such. In past years we’ve made it out to some of the bigger displays in the areas, but somehow we didn’t this year. I don’t really like the heavy traffic, but I do enjoy the fireworks. We did go to an Army band concert last night in a downtown park.

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I chuckled at how they described their concerts as “missions.” I guess in the military everything is a mission. It was a great night for it — clear and not too hot. There was a nice breeze after the sun started going down. We got a kick out of watching one older man with a walker really getting into the music — standing up much of the time, clapping or moving his hands in time to the music. It was the first time we had been to an event at this park, and we enjoyed it.

It’s been a whirlwind week. I had the ladies’ ministry newsletter/booklet due this week, and Jesse headed for camp on Monday for the week and Jim was out of town the first part of the week, so I thought it would be a great time of quiet to dig into it. But somehow Monday and Tuesday ended up being consumed with errands and other tasks. I was praying the Lord would give me a really good day working on it Wednesday, and He did. It’s really neat how I was writing something that had been on my mind for several weeks, and then this week in my reading from a devotional book and Bible study book, there were sections on the very topic I was writing about that contributed to my thinking and rounded out that section (thank you, Lord!). Thursday was pretty much taken up with Grandma’s birthday, and then the Lord gave me another good day to finish it up Friday. I was really hoping that would be the case and I wouldn’t have to work on it today — I wanted to be able to do family stuff today.

I didn’t get to the computer last night to “play” until evening yesterday, so I figured it was probably too late for the Friday Fave Five. I caught up with some of your blogs then, but it will probably take me a day or two to catch up with everyone.

There’s more “news” but this post is way long already, so I’ll leave you with a few scenes from Grandma’s birthday.

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Jesse was at camp and Jason was working during this and the band concert, but Jesse got home today and Jason gets off early tonight, so we’ll all be here for dinner.

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Concentrating hard on the Scrabble board. We have to tone it down a bit because she fusses with us over words that don’t make sense to her, like xi and xu. But sometimes when you can play a high-point letter in a way that makes two words at one time using a double or triple space, it’s just too good to pass up. 😀

Father’s Day

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Father and son tieI had a hard time deciding what to post for Father’s Day! I had some things I’d posted in past years that I really liked, and I know I have readers now that I didn’t have then, but there were so many I couldn’t decide which to post. So…I am going to post a new one from my files and put links back to some of the old ones if anyone has the time or interest to look back at them. Of course, I won’t be offended if you don’t — they’re just there for you to enjoy if you like.

Our thanks, O God, for fathers who follow in Your way,
And who, with glad and trusting hearts, exalt You ev’ry day.

Our thanks, O God, for fathers who show, by word and deed,
Commitment to Your will and plan, and Your commandments heed.

Our thanks, O God, for fathers who meet You oft in prayer,
And who, for all life’s toil and care, find strength and wisdom there.

How blessed are the children who in their fathers see
The tender Father-love of God, and find their way to Thee.

Author unknown

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I’m wishing a Happy Father’s Day to my husband and step-father and thinking of my father, who passed on a few years ago. Happy Father’s Day to any dads reading as well!

Honoring the fathers in my life

Dad’s Famous Sayings

Favorite Father’s Day poems here and here

Jokes for Father’s Day

Favorite quotes about fathers

Fathers and sons, good and bad

Paul Harvey on Fathers

A couple of memes about dads

And, finally, I didn’t post this one, but I think I received it in an e-mail a while back, and Rob at ivman posted a job decription for dads that is both funny and poignant.

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Flag Day

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Someone mentioned yesterday that Sunday was Flag Day, and one of my sons said jokingly, “So, we’re worshiping the flag?’ No, not worshiping, but revering, respecting.

The closest thing I can liken it to is a wedding ring. What it symbolizes is more important than the symbol, but the symbol holds a special place in the hearts of its owner, too.

It’s sad to me that the flag is not more highly regarded than it is by and large these days. Maybe we’re too far removed from the days of waiting, hoping, praying through the night to see if “the flag was still there.” I think we take our freedoms too much for granted.

I posted this last year, but it is a good reminder.

I Am Old Glory

I Am Old Glory: For more than ten score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans.

Born amid the first flames of America’s fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states.

Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions.

Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.

They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.

They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men.

So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.

Originally written by Master Sergeant Percy Webb, USMC.

I love this poem as well:

Off with your hat as the flag goes by!
And let the heart have it say;
You’re man enough for a tear in your eye
That you will never wipe away.
You’re man enough for a thrill that goes
To your very finger-tips–
Ay! the lump just then in your throat that rose
Spoke more than your parted lips.
Lift up the boy on your shoulder high,
And show him the faded shred;
Those stripes would be red as the sunset sky
If death could have dyed them red.
Off with your hat as the flag goes by!
Uncover the youngster’s head;
Teach him to hold it holy and high
For the sake of its sacred dead.

~ H. C. Bunner

Graphic fis courtesy of Anne’s Place.

Memorial Day

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I receive e-mails from the Good Clean Fun list by Tom Ellsworth, and on some holidays, particularly patriotic ones, he includes a serious note. This past week he included the history of Memorial Day, which I thought was interesting and would like to share with you:

I want to be serious for a moment and talk about the holiday which will be celebrated here in the United States on Monday.

Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors those men and women who lost their lives serving their country. What we celebrate as Memorial Day today, began at the end of the Civil War. Family members of the many soldiers slain in battle would visit the grave sites of their fallen relatives or friends and decorate the graves with flowers.

On May 5, 1868, General John Logan proclaimed this day a holiday through his General Order No. 11. The day was entitled Decoration Day and was first observed on May 30, 1868. The northern states celebrated this day every year, but the southern states celebrated a day similar to this on a different day until sometime after World War I.

In 1882, the name Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday of May every year. Over the years it has come to serve as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.

I am truly grateful for the freedoms which we enjoy today. Too often, we take these gifts for granted, little realizing the sacrifice which was involved in ensuring that these freedoms continue to be a part of all of our lives. Be honest, how many of us think of Memorial Day as just another chance for a three-day weekend? A chance to go the lakes or beaches or mountains? A trip to Disneyland or Six Flags or some other amusement park?

If you are here in the United States, please remember to display the flag, not just for the day but for the whole weekend. Let’s not forget the real reason for having this holiday. The quote below says it all. Please take the time to read it.

Take care everyone.

Tom
(HM2, USN 65-69)

He also has a really neat story after this history, which you can read here.

“It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they died, they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for their county, for us.
All we can do is remember.”

— Ronald Wilson Reagan

Remarks at Veteran’s Day ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia,
November 11, 1985

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We don’t really have big plans for the day. It’s a rainy, drizzly day, and Jim grilled outside the two previous weekends. We had company over the weekend who left this morning. I think we’re just laying low, enjoying the day off, eating leftovers, and being thankful for those who made it possible to do so in peace.

Honoring Mom

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I’m thinking about Mother’s Day a week late since we postponed most of our celebration due to all the busyness last week.

I was saddened recently to read Albert Mohler’s thoughts that “Mother’s Day is a bad idea.” I agree with some of his points: it’s wrong to passively neglect or actively dishonor one’s mother and then try to assuage guilt with a card and flowers on Mother’s Day. And I do agree some sentiments are over the top: sometimes when buying cards I have wondered if they were made for real people at all. Sentimentality, though, is often in the eye of the beholder. What might seem “gushy” and over the top to some might seem just right to another. And, yes, most holidays have become too commercial, but that doesn’t mean we need to do away with them completely. There are multitudes of options between going all out and not celebrating at all.

I consider Mother’s and Father’s Day and many holidays  in the same way I think of Thanksgiving: we’re supposed to be thankful all the time, but there is something special about that one day and taking special care and thought into pondering just how much we have to be thankful for and the One to Whom we owe our gratitude. So with a day dedicated to parents: it’s one of the ten commandments to honor our parents, and Mother’s and Father’s Day is just one way to do so. It’s not that we save up our honor all year for this day: we honor them all the time, but this special day we focus on them, their love to us, and all they have done for us, and let them know we love and appreciate them.

I did not always honor her as I should have. I wrote more about learning to do so at the end of this post. A couple of years ago I wrote Things I love about my mom. I won’t repost it, but I did enjoy reading over it again. I only wish she were still here for me to honor, but I do honor her memory.

Today I wanted to share a couple of poems I’ve seen around the Internet.

This one was seen at The Sparrow’s Nest:

A Mother’s Day Prayer

I said a Mother’s Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.

I thanked God for the caring
you’ve shown me through the years,
for the closeness we’ve enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you’ve done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!

~Author Unknown~

Often this day can be painful to those who aren’t mothers and want to be. I saw this prayer at Quill’s Cottage and thought it beautifully encompassed many different types of mothers.

A Mother’s Day Prayer

God our Creator, I pray:
For new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for those who are tired, stressed, or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children that they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and to do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen

~ Author Unknown

Here’s some other previously published Mother-related thoughts:

Mother’s Day funnies
Mother’s Kisses
A few Mother’s Day poems