(Edgar Albert Guest, 1881-1959)

It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell
Upon the days of bygone years, the days I loved so well;
But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know
A simple old Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago,
When all the family gathered round a table richly spread,
With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head,
The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile,
With mother running in and out and laughing all the while.
It may be I'm old-fashioned, but it seems to me to-day
We're too much bent on having fun to take the time to pray;
Each little family grows up with fashions of its own;
It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone.
It has its special pleasures, its circle, too, of friends;
There are no get-together days; each one his journey wends,
Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way,
Letting the others do the same upon Thanksgiving Day.
I like the olden way the best, when relatives were glad
To meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad;
The old home was a rendezvous for all our kith and kin,
And whether living far or near they all came trooping in
With shouts of "Hello, daddy!" as they fairly stormed the place
And made a rush for mother, who would stop to wipe her face
Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all,
Hugging them proudly to her breast, the grownups and the small.
Then laughter rang throughout the home, and, Oh, the jokes they told;
From Boston, Frank brought new ones, but father sprang the old;
All afternoon we chatted, telling what we hoped to do,
The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through;
We gathered round the fireside. How fast the hours would fly--
It seemed before we'd settled down 'twas time to say good-bye.
Those were the glad Thanksgivings, the old-time families knew
When relatives could still be friends and every heart was true.

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On this Thanksgiving day I am giving thanks to God for all of the many blessings I have received, and for my family and my friends. A special thanks to God for the friends I have met on spaces.  I have enjoyed getting to know you all and you have a special place in my heart.

Beth

on his birthday September 21, 2009. 

This is how Jim looked when I first met him in July of 1955.  I will always miss him but I am so thankful that he isn’t suffering anymore.

I am celebrating Jim’s birthday today by going to the dentist for a checkup.  Then afterwards I will go to the health department for my flu shot.  Then if it is not raining I will take some flowers to the cemetery.

Yesterday was a rainy cool day that didn’t get above  65 all day.  Partly sunny and upper 70s for today which sounds pretty nice.  I hope this is a good week for us all.

Hugs

Beth

I'm Proud To Be An American

Written By Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,

I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,

Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A., 

There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

Just one  more day until Independence Day.  I hope you all have plans that will be fun for you.  Just don't forget the true meaning of this day.

My son called last night wanting me to visit him.  I am not going to get back on the interstate until after the holiday.  I am seriously considering taking the back roads to the big city until the road construction is done.  lol  I feel fortunate to have made it home safely on Tuesday.

Last night I went to Cheddars with my friends Anne and Bill.  I have chicken tenders left over for lunch today.  No cooking required.  I have never had chicken tenders as good as Cheddars makes.

No great plans for today.  If it is sunny I think I will paint the back porch steps.  The ice melt from last winter really did a number on them.

Stay safe and be happy!!

I live just 3  blocks from where the fire is burning right now.

My beauty shop is just two doors down from where this is burning.

******UPDATE, the building was totally destroyed.  There were 3 apartments above.  The bookstore next door was destroyed.  Smoke and water damage to the rest of the block.

Hey, little bro, today is your birthday.  I know you are 8 years younger than me but I swear you look 8 years older.  Hey, don't hit me.  I was only kidding.

I remember the day you were born.  Ebby, Rae and I were sent next door while the monumental event occurred.  Yep, in the caveman days all births took place at home.  ;o)  As you became older you were somewhat (well, really a whole lot) of a pain in the behind.  Rae and I had to take care of you and we didn't like that one bit.  That was the reason we dumped you out of your carriage as often as we could get by with it.  Mom didn't like that and we were punished accordingly.

We have all grown older now (ancient actually) and I have kind of decided I like you a little (oh what the heck, I love you).

Celebrate wisely today with your new wife, Karen.  I know she will take care of you and will not dump you out of your carriage.

Love you lots little bro.  Happy Birthday and many more!!

lvb

While my sister and I were attending our brother's wedding close to St. Louis a few weeks ago we visited a Veterans Memorial in O'Fallon.  A lovely lady (a friend of the bride) that we met personally was largely responsible for establishing this memorial.  It honors not only the deceased veterans but also the living ones in the local area.  My battery in my cameral died before I could get the Air Force marker.  I really wanted it too as two of my brothers are retired Air Force Veterans.  My middle brother was a Navy veteran.  My husband served in the Army and was a Korean War Vet.

Beyond all of the markers there is a beautiful pond with benches around for seating.

My heartfelt prayer of thanks for the sacrifices our veterans are making to serve our country.  No matter what our view of the war is (and by now I think you all know mine) we must love and honor our veterans and keep them in our prayers.

Today, November 5, 2007, would have been my sister Mary Evelyn's  birthday.

I will always remember her and she will always be in my heart.

My sister Ebby is on the right.  Circa 1951.