Memorial Day Services

I attended two Memorial Day Services today.

The first at the Confederate Memorial Chapel. The event was well attended with hardly a vacant seat left in the chapel.

The Latane Camp Color Guard posed after the ceremony for a few photographs.

The Virginia Flaggers were on hand to mark the occasion and show support for the return of the flags to the chapel.

Chapel event photos

This afternoon I headed down to Blandford Cemetery for the Memorial Day Service there honoring two soldiers from NC, Sgt. D.A. McIntosh and Pvt. W.A. Vickers.

The weather was lovely for the outdoor service. A gentle breeze kept any thought of discomfort at bay.

Blandford event photos

Memorial Day

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mom's that I know.

May you have a joyous day filled happiness.

Thank You!

Thanks to all of the Administrative Professionals out there.

You keep things moving!

Saturday In Richmond

I started off my weekend, cleaning out the totaled Camry in preparation for its departure. It was amazing the 'stuff' that had accumulated in the trunk and elsewhere. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I did manage to 'FIND' all the missing umbrellas, travel mugs (and others), and assorted other items. Most of it made its way back into the house, where it belonged.

What didn't need to go into the new car made it straight into the trashcan. Now just to complete all the paperwork and get it back to the insurance company on Monday and I can call that a done item.

I even managed to slip out to my parents house for an hour or so in the morning to show off the new Camry. PLUS spend some time chatting over coffee, with the occasional bird photo thrown in before we all got the day off and running.

It was a great day with the VA Flaggers on Saturday at the Confederate Memorial Chapel and the VMFA. The city was celebrating "Civil War and Emancipation Day" and providing bus service to over 25 Civil War sites around the city. Needless to say that traffic was heavy from that, but it was also a gorgeous day in the capital and people were everywhere.

One couple, Civil War/Living History Reenators, came down from Pennsylvania in period attire to visit the various Civil War locations. They made a stop at the Confederate Memorial Chapel and together with the Lester's from Gordonsville, also dressed in period attire, were quite the hit with a photography class that was out learning about lighting. Photos of the day found here.

Mr. Lester, became quite popular as he posed in uniform on the steps of the chapel. He was the absolute center of attention. I'm sure the

photography students left with some delightful photographs.

Not to be left out the ladies in their beautiful dresses, if captured just right, looked like they stepped out of photos of the time (must make sure that modern era items are not in the frame). The photo came out quite well with the Confederate Memorial Chapel and the garden in the background. The sepia tone gave it just a hint of that it could have been from the 1860's. More photos of the ladies.

I had opportunity to tour the United Daughters of the Confederacy Headquarters building (open to the public for tours).

The Confederate flags flanked the massive doorway entrance. That was spectacular site, one I'm sure we won't see again for some time. (I don't think I've ever seen a Confederate flag outside the doors - with the exception of the First National that is flying on a flagpole hidden behind a huge evergreen tree).

Of course a Saturday would have been complete without loads and loads of photograph of the VA Flaggers in action.

Shame On You VMFA. Return the Flags. Restore the Honor.

Happy Easter to All!

Bounce in Reflection

Bounce taking in the sights from the backseat.

I took Bounce out yesterday evening for a short ride. He had so much fun poking his head out the backseat window. While we were stopped at a light, conditions were just perfect for this shot through the side view mirror.

Spring Sunset

I was out by the Swift Creek Dam this evening and captured the sunset. In the lower right corner you can see the reservoir. Give it a couple of weeks and the reservoir won't be visible for all the leaf cover.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Another Fine Saturday

It was beautiful Saturday afternoon on the Boulevard. It was a great day to get the word out to passers-by about the need to restore the flags to the Confederate Memorial Chapel. I really liked the photo of the glasses with the chapel in the reflection.

Saturday Flagging Photos

I ventured around the property and city before the afternoon's event began and snapped a few Spring photos. The trees in the city were beginning to bloom. 

The birds were singing, pansies had been planted and a number of Spring bulbs had already popped up and were beginning to bloom.

Bounce's Adventure

This afternoon, Walter took Bounce out for a jaunt around Rockwood Park. The ensuing story made me chuckle all afternoon.

It seems that while walking along the nature trail, Bounce discovered the pond. Now, I know that he really likes to play at the edge of the water, splashing and smacking at it, but her got a bit more than he expected this time. Walt say he we right up to the water and started to play around, sticking his nose in the water and blowing bubbles. Fun stuff, right up to when he stepped a bit too far away from the edge of the pond and ended up shoulder deep in the pond. 

After recovering from that shock, he came upon a couple of trees that had fallen and were suspended over the pond. Curiosity got the best of Bounce and he took a stroll along the tree trunk. That is until he slipped and ended up back in the pond with his front paws on the tree trunk and I sure an extremely put out look on his face. I can only imagine what would have been going through his mind. Walter says he had that "how am I going to get out of this" look. He finally made it back to shore. 

They went from there on to the dog park, where Bounce, literally bounced about for an hour or so. The comments from some of the other patrons were about his ability to bounce. Having bounced out at the dog park he was off for a treat from Hardees. 

Followed by a surprise visit to the Pet Smart for a 'BATH'. This was his very first time at the groomers, who remarked when he was picked up about his bouncing abilities. Hmmmm, wonder how we ever came up with his name.

Once home he has retreated to his crate to snooze for the rest of the day.

A True Random Act of Kindness

I witnessed a real life event, that mimicked the Liberty Mutual commercial about watching out for one another.

Outside of the one of the entrances to Chesterfield Towne Center on Thursday afternoon, I watched as a man stopped his car, got out and called to a woman that was on the sidewalk. She walked over to his car where he handed her money that she had dropped on the pavement. As she was walking away he, got back into his car an pulled away.

It was awesome to see someone doing the right thing. There a could have been so many other outcomes, but I am sure that this event will be one that she won't forget for a long time.

24 Years Ago

24-years ago this morning, my darling daughter, Danielle Leigh came into the world.

She showed her feisty side right from the very start by sticking her tongue out at the doctor as he delivered her.

To my darling daughter, may you have a wonderful birthday!

No Debit Cards!!

Here we are almost 350 miles from home only to discover that most of the businesses DON'T take DEBIT CARD or CREDIT CARD!!!!

How do restaurants and especially the courthouse function without accepting at least a Debit Card?!

Thank goodness that Mom & Dad brought some cash. Looks like I'lll be waiting to make any purchases whatsoever until we begin our journey back home, and then only once we leave the area.

Passing of Family

 It has been a sorrowful time for the family, over the past several weeks we have lost two of our older family members. They will be greatly missed.

Aunt Jo, was the one responsible for me becoming involved in genealogy. There are days that I curse those trips - the genealogy just kind of 'sucks you in'. Yet in the end it is always great to know where your family came from and what they endured.

Happy 7th Birthday!!

To a Wonderful Granddaughter!! May you have a very special day!

Love, Grandma

Celebrating

Touring Richmond

Great friends came into Richmond for the weekend and I had the opportunity to be tour guide for the day on Saturday.

We began our morning at the Great Shiplock Park near Tobacco Row. Having only passed by myself it was interesting to see the level difference between the canal and the river. On Saturday it was approximately 15 1/2 feet. It is impressive to reflect on how much a part of the Richmond economy the canal was in 1800's and amazing how they were to able to accomplish this type of engineering feat.

A quick Google search for the best place to go for breakfast in Richmond, had us stopping by Millie's Diner on Main Street. Best breakfast may have been an understatement. Definitely not your 'usual' place. I would have never picked it, but looks are definitely deceiving. The line to get in for Saturday brunch began lining up shortly before they opened and it was a full house the whole time we were there.

We headed over to the State Capital for a tour, while waiting for it to begin, we had the opportunity to explore the grounds. The fog being quite heavy hid many of the skyscrapers surrounding the Capital Square making for a very peaceful morning.  We began our tour of the Capital with a security check (I did find out something interesting here though - citizens are allowed to bring firearms into the Capital building as long as they are holstered and the carrier has the proper concealed carry permit).

The new underground extension was beautiful. You would NEVER know you were underground. They did a fantastic job of mimicking natural lighting. The statue of Thomas Jefferson is positioned under a rotunda just like the one of Washington on the second floor of the Capital.

The renovations that were done look fantastic! The tour guide was very informative and I even learned a few things during the tour. For instance I didn't know that during the War of Northern Aggression that the Capital building had served as the home to the legislature for both the state and the Confederate Government.

Next stop - the White House of the Confederacy - now tucked almost inside of VCU/MCV. The parking deck at the hospital was completely full, but we were blessed to find a spot on 12th Street within easy walking distance. Our guide, of the house, was very informative. I found it very interesting that one of the Davis sons had a fully functional miniature cannon with which to play. I'm certain that he must have rattled the nerves of his nanny, mother and neighbors.

The gardens behind the White House are lovely and a breath of fresh air in an area completely surrounded by the hospital and college.  I bet the gardens are delightful in the Spring and Summer. I wonder if they looked anything like they do now during the time that the Davis' resided here - perhaps not with their son waging war in the backyard with his miniature cannon!

Westward we went out Monument Avenue to have a look at the Confederate Monuments that line the avenue.

Our last stop for the morning was the Confederate Memorial Chapel. I miss timed our arrival and we missed the chapel being open to the public. We did have opportunity to visit with the Virginia Flaggers who were there working to have the flags returned to the chapel.

More Photos from The Day

And the Answer IS....

As I was mulling over the lack of response from the White House regarding those secession petitions that had been signed I came across this article on the Blaze, read for your self, but the bottom line is the White House says that there is "NO RIGHT TO SECEDE."

The Modern version of "The Little Red Hen"

So this is fair share ??

"Who will help me plant my wheat?" asked the little red hen..

"Not I," said the cow.

"Not I," said the duck.

"Not I," said the pig.

"Not I," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself." She planted her crop and the wheat grew and ripened.

"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.

"Not I," said the duck.

"Out of my classification," said the pig.

"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.

"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.

"Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.

"That would be overtime for me," said the cow..

"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.

"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.

"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.

She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share but the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."

"Excess profits!" cried the cow (Nancy Pelosi)

"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck (Barbara Boxer)

"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose (Jesse Jackson)

The pig just grunted in disdain (Harry Reid)

And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.

When the farmer (Obama) came, he said to the little red hen, "You must not be so greedy."

"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.

"Exactly," said Barack the farmer. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."

And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand."

But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'party' and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established.

Individual initiative had died but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.

And perhaps...this is the end.

And the next week, there was no bread, or anything else to eat. So, they all starved equally.

(Got this one in my email.)