Thursday, May 26, 2011

Memorial Day 2011

Keepers of the Peace


Beginning with the end of our Civil War in the USA, good people have honored those that have given their life to make sure that we have freedom. They have suffered for us. Their families have endured the pain of lost. Their friends have cried because they will not see them anymore. 

We have this holiday because of those that have died for us not because someone decided it is a good time of the year to give employees some time off. Yes, we will have get-togethers with family and friends. Eat a lot. Play a lot. Laugh a lot. There will be parades. And we will enjoy our day.










During your celebrations remember what this day really means: those that died for YOU.


I found it interesting to learn why Memorial Day (Decoration Day) is celebrated during this specific time of the year. If you would like to know why then you can read more here: Memorial Day


 In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

                                   We are the Dead. Short days ago                                        
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

We Shall Keep The Faith
by Moina  Michael
We cherish, too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
But lends a luster to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

 Wishing you a safe, fun-filled Memorial Day!


 Elaine

Saturday, May 14, 2011

A Lick and A Promise

SOME OF YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THIS
(FOR  THE REST OF YOU IT WILL BE A LEARNING SITUATION)
A LICK AND A PROMISE


Yes, these are some of the sayings that were used when I am a youngster. I remember them well. When I was growing up I use to say these but over time their use have faded out. Think I will start back using some of these to get a rise out of someone. They probably will not know what I am talking about.

'I'll just give this a lick and a promise,' my mother said as she quickly mopped up a spill on the floor without moving any of the furniture.

'What is that supposed to mean,' I asked as in my young mind I envisioned someone licking the floor with his or her tongue.
'It means that I'm in a hurry and I'm busy canning tomatoes so I am going to just give it a lick with the mop and promise to come back and do the job right later.

'A lick and a promise' was just one of the many old phrases that our mothers, grandmothers, and others used that they probably heard from the generations before them. With the passing of time, many old phrases become obsolete or even disappear.  This is unfortunate because some of them are very appropriate and humorous. Here is a list of some of those memorable old phrases: 

  1. A Bone to Pick (someone who wants to discuss a disagreement)
  2. An Axe to Grind (Someone who has a hidden motive. This phrase is said to have originated from Benjamin Franklin  who told a story about a devious man who asked how a grinding wheel worked. He ended up walking away with his axe sharpened free of  charge) 
  3. One bad apple spoils the whole barrel (one corrupt person can cause all the others to go bad if you don't remove the bad one)
  4. At sea (lost or not understanding something)
  5. Bad Egg (Someone who was not a good person)
  6. Barking at a knot (meaning that your efforts were as useless as a dog barking at a knot.)
  7. Barking up the wrong tree (talking about something that was completely the wrong issue with the wrong person)
  8.  Bee in your bonnet (To have an idea that won't let loose )
  9.  Been through the mill (had a rough time of it)
10. Between hay and grass (Not a child or an adult)
11. Blinky (Between sweet and sour as in milk)
12. Calaboose (a jail)
13. Catawampus (Something that sits crooked such as a piece of furniture sitting at an angle)
14. Dicker (To barter or trade)
15.  Feather in Your Cap (to accomplish a goal. This came from years ago in wartime when warriors might receive a feather they would put in their cap for defeating an enemy)
16.  Hold your horses  (Be patient!) 
17.  Hoosegow ( a jail)
18.  I reckon (I suppose)
19.  Jawing/Jawboning (Talking or arguing)
20. Kit and caboodle (The whole thing) 
21.  Madder than an wet hen (really angry)
22. Needs taken down a notch or two (like notches in a belt usually a young person who thinks too highly of himself and needs a lesson)
23. No Spring Chicken  (Not young anymore)
24 .Persnickety (overly particular or snobbish)
25. Pert-near  (short for pretty near)
26. Pretty is as pretty does  (your actions are more important than your looks)
27. Red up (clean the house)
28. Scalawag (a rascal or unprincipled person)
29. Scarce as hen's teeth  (something difficult to obtain)
30. Skedaddle (Get out of here quickly)
31.  Sparking  (courting)
32. Straight From the Horse's Mouth  (privileged information from the one concerned)
33. Stringing around, gallivanting around, or piddling  (Not doing anything of value)
34. Sunday go to meetin' dress  (The best dress you had)
35. We wash up real fine (is another goodie)
36. Tie the Knot  (to get married)
37. Too many irons in the fire  (to be involved in too many things)      
38.Tuckered out  (tired and all worn out)
39. Under the weather  (not feeling well this term came from going below deck on ships due to sea sickness thus you go below or under the weather)
40.Wearing your 'best bib and tucker'  (Being a ll dressed up)
41. You ain't the only duck in the pond  (It's not all about you)

Well, if you hold your horses, I reckon I'll get this whole kit and caboodle done. Please don't be too persnickety and get a bee in your bonnet because I've been pretty tuckered out and at sea lately because I'm no spring chicken.  I haven't been just stringin' around and I know I'm not the only duck in the pond, but I do have too many irons in the fire. I might just be barking at a knot, but I have tried to give this article more than just 
A LICK & A PROMISE!


Thanks to my cousin for sending me this.

You only get one life so make it fun.
Elaine

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Thank God for our Mothers
If life were without water, where would we be?
If life were without mothers,
There would be no you or me.
We all need to take hold, of how precious life really is,
and not take for granted the gift of love and the ability to give.
Thank you to God for creating us all
For giving us our mothers
So we can stand proud and tall.
Humans are no accident, no mistake or error
We sometimes live our lives in fear of this,
Even to the point of terror.
But when the truth is told, and recognized by all,
God does not create rubbish. He knew what he was doing when he created
me and you, but the best gift of all, is giving us loving, caring
Mothers who love us unconditionally through and through.
None of us are perfect, that includes ourselves and family.
Hold onto how precious we are and thank God for our mothers.
Amen
Julia Hunt




To see last year's Mother's Day post: Thank You Mother     A special post to all of our Mothers that are no longer with us.


 May all Mothers be blessed this day and always...
Elaine