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Other Holidays

Epiphany

January 6

 

As keeping an actual Christmas tree up past Epiphany
is inappropriate, this is the day to convert the tree
to a January Snow tree, decked in blue, white and silver.
This one needs quite a few more snowflakes.

 
Thursday, January 6, 1999
501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 63089

~*~*~*~

Valentine's Day

February 14


This is a newly rediscovered treasure - a hand drawn Valentine from my father to my mother in 1945!
 

The first record we have of
Valentine's Day is from my favorite author, Geoffrey Chaucer (@1343-1400), in
The Parlement of Foules:

(NOTE: Chaucer is best read
in the original Middle English form.
If you don't know how to read Middle English,
do yourself a favor. Learn.)

***

"Under a tre (TREE) besyde a
welle (SPRING) I say (SAW)
Cupide, oure lord, his arwes (ARROWS)
forge and file:
And at his fet (FEET) his bowe al redy lay;

***

For this was on seynt Valentynes day,
Whan every foul (BIRD) cometh there
to chese (CHOOSE) his make (MATE),"

 

St. Valentine's Day

Let loose the sails of love and let them till
With breezes sweet with tenderness to-day;
Scorn not the praises youthful lovers say;
Romance is old, but it is lovely still.
Not he who shows his love deserves the jeer,
But he who speaks not what she longs to hear.

There is no shame in love's devoted speech;
Man need not blush his tenderness to show;
'Tis shame to love and never let her know,
To keep his heart forever out of reach.
Not he the fool who lets his love go on,
But he who spurns it when his love is won.

Men proudly vaunt their love of gold and fame,
High station and accomplishments of skill,
Yet of life's greatest conquest they are still,
And deem it weakness, or an act of shame,
To seem to place high value on the love,
Which first of all they should be proudest of.

Let loose the sails of love and let them take
The tender breezes till the day is spent;
Only the fool chokes out life's sentiment.
She is a prize too lovely to forsake. 
Be not ashamed to send your valentine;
She has your love, but needs its outward sign.

~ from The Path to Home (1919)
by Edgar A. Guest
(1881 - 1959)

"I am grateful for my knowledge of eternity, because the measly fifty years my husband and I might spend together in this life just isn't enough. We want it to go on. When we put our arms around each other, it doesn't matter what is happening outside our garden. The earth could be shaking and falling down around it, but here inside, everything is all right. For us, that is a start on something we would like to build on forever."

From "Trust That Deepens through the Years", The Ensign, March 1995, by Judy Abbott, reflecting on
her twenty-six years of marriage

@$@$@

Two beautiful links about Valentine's Day
can be found here:

marvelicious.com/valentine.html


 rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/valentine.html

Valentine's Not a Day to Be Ignored

- Jim Pettit, The Fayetteville Observer, Saturday, February 14, 2004
   Saturday morning:
   Today is Valentine's Day, a celebration both loved and loathed.
Most women love it, but men often grumble that it is contrived and shamelessly commercial.
   How guys feel is unimportant.  We just need to understand that a woman slighted on Valentine's Day does not forget.  Ever.  Any man who blows off Valentine's Day with his wife or other love interest is courting all right - courting disaster.
   Sheree Beck is working the last-minute rush today at Bob's Wine Shoppe, which she co-owns with Bob Accenturo.
   "Women started shopping about a week ago," she said, "but it is notorious that men will wait until Valentine's Day to shop."
   Champagne and other sparkling wines are always best sellers along with chocolate and balloons.
   "Valentine's Day is our third biggest day of the year," Beck said.  New Year's and Christmas are the others.		    Italian wines outdistance other import sales.  French products plunged because of the political tension over the war in Iraq and have not recovered.
   Beck said one surprise has been the customers' price range.
  "They're going with some of the high-end stuff this year, so the economy must be on the rise," she added.

   Some personal shopping tips:
* Avoid buying a woman sexy lingerie.  That's not really for her, but for the guy.  And she knows it.  Now if a woman buys sexy lingerie for the man - hey, hey, hey.
* No appliances or labor-saving items unless accompanied by something that is personal - such as jewelry or a favorite perfume.
* Never buy a guy a mushy card or any clothing with hearts on it.
02/17/04

St. Patrick's Day

March 17

If truth be known, all of my many Irish ancestors wore the orange of the northern Protestants and not the green of the Catholics, but on this one day of the year, everyone should at least pretend to be Irish and join in the fun.

March 17, 1983

 		March 17, 1985 March 20, 1985  March 7, 1992 Friday, March 10, 1999

400 Elm Street
Hillsboro, MO 63050

Lewis, Carol, Nathaniel,
Joshua and Randolph

Richmond, VA

Nathaniel, Carol and Dale

 Richmond, VA 501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089		 501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089

"Then take the shamrock from your hat and cast it on the sod,
It will take root and flourish still, though under foot it's trod."

~ Dion Boucicault, "The Wearing of the Green ( adapted from the traditional Irish ballad), Stanza II

   The History of Saint Patrick's Day as told by The History Channel
Friday, March 17, 1999   Friday, March 17, 1999
501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089		   501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089

~Irish Gold~

These look like heavy gold "coins".


Pile a big pot and it becomes the pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow!


East to make, and YUM!
 

Ingredients:
24 Ritz crackers
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 cups butterscotch chips

 

Directions:
Spread half of the crackers with peanut butter.
Top each with a second cracker.
Melt butterscotch chips according to package directions.
Dip sandwich cookies into butterscotch.
Place on waxed paper to set.

ENJOY!

 

Thanks to
Railene

This St. Patrick's Day Recipe
brought to you by:

http://thepartyworks.com/crafts/theme-crafts/irishgoldcoins.htm

 

Movies to Watch

The Quiet Man (1952) ****
Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959) ***

www.marvelicious.com/stpatrick.html .rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/stpatricks.html

April Fool's Day

April 1


This is my next to least favorite holiday, for the simple reason that I very much dislike practical jokes,
which seem to abound on this day.
Go figure.
 I prefer my humor to arise naturally and organically from situations and life as we find it, not arranged and contrived.
 Far too often practical jokes can backfire.
 Not funny.
 
marvelicious.com/aprilfools.html rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/aprilfool.html

~*~*~*~

May Day

May First

rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/mayday.html

~*~*~*~

Mother's Day

Second Sunday in May

 



 

  

 

May 11, 1997
501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089
Carol

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her."

- Proverbs 31: 28

~*~*~*~

 "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.
All I am I owe to my mother.
I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

- George Washington
(22 Feb 1732- 14 Dec 1799)

 (This quotation courtesy of
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE of the DAY from http://www.selfgrowth.com
Saturday, May 10, 2003).

~*~*~*~

"A mother is the truest friend we have,
when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us;
when adversity takes the place of prosperity;
 when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine,
desert us when troubles thicken around us,
still will she cling to us,
and endeavor by her kind precepts
and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness,
and cause peace to return to our hearts."

- Washington Irving
(3 Apr 1753 - 28 Nov 1859)

(This quotation courtesy of
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE of the DAY from http://www.selfgrowth.com
Saturday, May 10, 2003).

~*~*~*~

"Everything I am or ever hope to be, I owe
to my angel mother."

- Abraham Lincoln
(12 Feb 1809- 14 Apr 1865)

~*~*~*~

"Youth fades; love droops,
the leaves of friendship fall;
A mother's secret hope outlives them all."

- Oliver Wendell Holmes
(29 Aug 1809 - 7 Oct 1894)

(This quotation courtesy of
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE of the DAY from http://www.selfgrowth.com
Saturday, May 10, 2003).
 

~*~*~*~

"Bring up your children in light and truth."

- Doctrine and Covenants 93: 40

~*~*~*~

"A mother that is successful in raising a good boy, or good girl, to imitate her example and to follow her precepts through life, sows the seeds of virtue, honor and integrity and of righteousness in their hearts that will be felt through all their career in life; and wherever that boy or girl goes, as a man or a woman, in whatever society they mingle, the good effects or the example of that mother upon them will be felt; and it will never die, because it will extend from them to their children from generation to generation."

- Joseph F. Smith
 (13 Nov 1838 - 19 Nov 1918)

 

 

THE READING MOTHER

I had a Mother who read me things
That wholesome life to a child's heart brings -
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh that every Mother were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a mother who read to me.

- Strickland Gillilan
(1869 - 1954)

~*~*~*~

"Whatever I may have accomplished in life,
or may still accomplish, will be due
in a large measure to my mother."

- George Albert Smith
(4 Apr 1870 - 4 Apr 1951)

~*~*~*~

"The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security, her kiss, the first realization of affection, her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world."

 - David O. McKay
(8 Sep 1873 - 18 Jan 1970)

Courtesy of my sixth son, Dale, on Mother's Day, 05/11/03
Thanks, Dale!

~*~*~*~

"She who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come … deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God."

- David O. McKay, 1953
 (8 Sep 1873 - 18 Jan 1970)

~*~*~*~

The Watcher - Mother

She always leaned to watch for us,
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate;

And though we mocked her tenderly;
Who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there.

Her thoughts were all so full of us
-- She never could forget!
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet,

Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late --
Watching from Heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.

- Margaret Widdemer
 (30 Sep 1884 - 14 Jul 1978)

Courtesy of http://www.oreenscott.com/mothers_day_poems.htm

~*~*~*~

 "A mother's love is something
That no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
And of sacrifice and pain."

- Helen Steiner Rice
(19 May 1900 - 23 Apr 1981)
 
<http://momsplace.www1.50megs.com/magiccut.html> marvelicious.com/mothersday.html

~*~*~*~

Armed Forces Day

Third Saturday in May

bright.net/~jimsjems/armed.html

~*~*~*~

 Memorial Day

Last Monday in May

This is always a day of quiet introspection for me. We generally begin the day by putting out all the flags, attending a local memorial service (where the playing of "Taps" and the firing of the twenty-one gun salute never fail to make me come unglued),
and returning home to watch old war movies on television.

 Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War. A hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920).

While President Lyndon B. Johnson officially declared Waterloo NY the birthplace of Memorial Day in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings. Memorial Day was first officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. Its first observance was on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

It is now celebrated in almost every state on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress in 1968 to ensure a three-day weekend for Federal holidays). Several southern states have an additional, separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Recently, a "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution has been sponsored ("S. Con. Res. 100") by Senators Bob Kerrey (D., NB) and Chuck Hagel (R., NB). It was first initiated by No Greater Love in 1997, at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps.'"

 Sources and related links:

General Logan's General Order 11 [suvcw.org/logan.htm]
Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920 from Duke University). [memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/ncdhtml/hasmhome.html]

And for the most beautiful links, see:

marvelicious.com/memorial.html rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/memorialday.html
bright.net/~jimsjems/memorial.html

~*~*~*~

D-Day

June 6, 1944

    This day has a particular and solemn observance in our home.
My father, Major Millard Robert Buckley, M.D. of Richmond, Virginia,
was the Regimental Surgeon for the 29th Division,
and as such participated in the first hour of D-Day on Omaha Beach in Normandy.
For his actions that day, he was awarded a Bronze Star.
Had he reported a fuller account of his activities, he would no doubt have received a Silver Star.
He was of the firm belief, however, that medals were for heroes, and the heroes were all dead.
 He died suddenly, unexpectedly, and peacefully at home in Newport News, Virginia
of a massive coronary thrombosis on Monday, April 25, 1960 at the age of 52-1/2.
My mother always said he was killed in the war. It just took him 25 years to die.

 This photograph represents a miraculous find I made on the Internet. The man kneeling on the right, tending the wounded soldier on Omaha Beach, is actually my father!
My sister and I were able to recognize him
by his cheeks, his stance, his hands,
and his boots (which my fourth son, Joshua, still owns).
 
6 June 1944 18 Oct 1963

FOR MY DADDY'S FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE D-DAY EXPERIENCE, CLICK HERE.
 

umkc.edu/lib/spec-col/ww2/Dday/index.htm

Movies to Watch

1. D-Day, the Sixth of June (1956) **
2. The Longest Day (1962) ****
Save the best for last:
3. Saving Private Ryan (1998) ****

~*~*~*~

Flag Day

June 14

bright.net/~jimsjems/flagday.html

Father's Day

Third Sunday in June

"Can you think of anything as magnificent
as being a father?"

~ from Love at Home ~ Starring Father (1976)
by George D. Durrant

The Father of Girls

When you’re the father of boys,
How you worry,
But when you’re the father of girls,
You do more than that,
You Pray!
From the time of diaper and pin,
‘Till the time they cry, "don’t come in!"
‘Till the time you gown them in white,
And give them away,
You worry, you worry,
You worry, night and day!
When she’s a plain little girl,
How you worry,
But when she’s a beautiful thing,
You do more than that,
You pray!
Boys come ‘round when they want a date,
Girls may only stay home and wait,
When she’s out you sit up all night,
With her first baby toy!
You trust her, but worry,
‘Cause you were once a boy!
When you’re the father of boys,
How you worry,
But when you’re the father of girls,
You do more than that,
You pray!

Words and Music by Ervin M. Drake, 1967
Sunday, June 20, 1982

"My father didn't tell me how to live.
He lived and let me watch him do it."

~ Clarence Buddington Kelland

 		400 Elm Street
Hillsboro, MO 63050
Brent - age 10; Lewis - age 11; Nathaniel - age 2;
Paul - almost 39; Joshua - age 5; Randolph - age 8

"A girl's father is the first man in her life,
and probably the most influential."

~ David Jeremiah
marvelicious.com/fathersday.html Sunday, June 17, 1990
501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089
Brent - age 18; Paul - almost 47; Adrienne - almost 3; Randolph - age 16; Nathaniel - age 10;
Joshua - age 13; Dale - age 6; Lewis - age 19

The bottom photograph was taken on the morning of our most memorable Father's Day. It was actually the last one with all seven of our children at home; Lewis was married four-and-a-half months later.

Our family was asked to give all the talks in church that morning. As a surprise gift to Paul, I arranged to have the children sing the interlude hymn, "Love Is Spoken Here" (words to the right). It is a lovely song, sung first through in unison, then splitting into two-part counterpoint. They started off beautifully, with Lewis' rich baritone voice leading Brent and Randolph on one part, the three youngest boys on the other part, and Adrienne looking adorable,
snuggling in Lewis' arms.

As the song progressed, Lewis began to choke up. One by one, remarkably in descending age order, each boy followed suit (along with most of the congregation). If there was a dry eye left in the chapel, it surely fell victim as well, when at the song's end, sweet little Adrienne, as if on cue, leaned over and kissed Lewis gently on the cheek. It was a beautiful, spiritual moment ~ the best present we could have given their father.

Love Is Spoken Here

I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.
I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.
Her plea to the father quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful love is spoken here.

Mine is a home where every hour
Is blessed by the strength of priesthood power,
With father and mother leading the way,
Teaching me how to trust and obey;
And the things they teach are crystal clear,
For love is spoken here.

I can often feel the Savior near
When love is spoken here.

Words and Music by Janice Kapp Perry, 1980
(b. 1938)

Independence Day

July 4, 1776

Emeline Melissa Harty
b. 14 Oct 2001

From Billy Turner of TX – 06/26/03:

The local paper asked me and the other Dallas area mayors to provide a short piece on what Independence Day means to me. The next day I e-mailed this to the reporter and she thought it was great. So often we do not take time to reflect on such things, much less to write it down so that it might be read by others. I readily admit that I became quite emotional thinking about my dad in this context. Hope you enjoy.

June 24, 2003

Independence Day, the Fourth of July, means different things to different people. Hot Dogs and hamburgers, lemonade, watermelon, home-made ice cream, family and friends flood my memory bank. I also remember Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes and massive fireworks displays, not to mention the patriotic music that still sends chills down my spine. The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and the Battle Hymn of the Republic will stick with me for evermore; but most of all I remember my father, that proud man who served his country well as a U. S. Marine. Seriously wounded at Iwo Jima, he came home to live the “American Dream.” He married, bought a home, had a son and worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He never talked about the war or his wounds, but I found out after he died in 1990 that he left a big part of himself on that hell hole in the South Pacific. What does Independence Day mean to me? It means freedom, liberty, sacrifice and service. Thank you dad and for others like you who paid with their blood so that we can live free, independent yet inter-dependent lives in the good old U.S.A.

Bill Turner - NNHS, Class of '65

Mayor, Ovilla, Texas

4th of July 1967

A Soldier’s Story

It was July 4th, 1967. John Howard (NNHS class of '66) was 19 years old, 
and his platoon (101st Air borne Division) were out on patrol in Viet Nam.
They had not had baths in months.
They found themselves in a little open area in the jungle,
surrounded by hills with a riverbed that was dry but still had a stream.
The walls around the riverbed were about 7 ft. tall and about 20 or 30 ft. across.
In the middle there was a stream.
Not having had baths for months, it seemed safe enough to jump into the water, which was not very deep.
Instead of setting up a perimeter like they should have,
the men began to throw off the equipment and clothes and get into the water.
Not long after, they began receiving enemy fire, pinning them down in this small riverbed. 
Humor prevailed even in a life threatening situation.
The sight of nude soldiers returning fire wearing only boots, steel "pots", a
nd ammo belts while trying to get clothes on at the same time was just too hilarious. 
The hysterical image of a lot of bare rears in his face still makes John laugh.
They could not get out as they were pinned down and had to call in the Air Force
who dropped napalm on the enemy so the soldiers could clear out safely.
Miraculously, no one was injured.
It was the 4th of July and the napalm lit the sky up like fireworks.
The only thing missing were the hot dogs!
The humor seemed to outweigh the danger that day.
God was surely present...

- Cheryl Mays Howard (NNHS, Class of '66) of VA - 06/27/03

Thanks, Cheryl - and John!

The Infantryman

The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who,
under normal circumstances is considered by society
as half man, half boy.
Not yet dry behind the ears,
not old enough to buy a beer,
but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work
and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's..
but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate..
he was probably an average student,
pursued some form of sport activities,
drives a ten year old jalopy,
and has a steady girlfriend
that either broke up with him when he left,
or swears to be waiting when he returns
from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop
or rap or jazz or swing
and 155mm Howitzers.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now
than when he was at home
because he is working or fighting
from before dawn to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling,
thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds
and reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite to you the nomenclature
of a machine gun or grenade launcher
and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines
and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop
or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation,
but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues...
he washes one and wears the other.
He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth,
but never to clean his rifle.
He can cook his own meals,
mend his own clothes,
and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you..
if you are hungry, his food.
He'll even split his ammunition with you
in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons
and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it,
because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian,
draw half the pay
and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death
then he should have
in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies,
and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private,
for friends who have fallen in combat
and is unashamed.
 He feels every note of the National Anthem
vibrate through his body
while at rigid attention,
while tempering the burning desire to
'square-away' those around him
who haven't bothered to stand,
remove their hat,
or even stop talking.
In an odd twist,
day in and day out,
far from home,
 he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father,
Grandfather, and Great-grandfather,
he is paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man
that has kept this country free
for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return,
except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always,
for he has earned our respect and admiration
with his blood.

(Let's not forget the young women who serve and protect out country, too.)

(This selection courtesy of my niece, Shari, of VA - 07/01/03
Thanks, Shari!)

The Declaration of Independence
 

The 4th of July

 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
 Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and
tortured before they died.

 Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
 
 Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
 
 Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
 
 They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and
their sacred honor.
 
 What kind of men were they?
 
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants,
nine were farmers and large plantation owners: men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
 
 Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.
 
 Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
 
 Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery Hall,
Clymer, Walton, Gwinett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was
destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
 
 Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for
their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
 
 Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.
These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall and straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the
support of the declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."
 
 They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and
we fought our own government!
 
 Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we
shouldn't. So take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
 
 Remember: Freedom is never free! I hope you show your support by sharing this with as many people as you can. It's time we get the word out that Patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than picnics, and baseball games. 
 

unknown writer
 

(This selection courtesy of Cheryl Mays Howard of VA
(NNHS - Class of '66) - 07/02/03
Thanks, Cheryl!)


* Watch the movie, 1776 (1972) *** ~~~ Enjoy the fantastic music and learn to appreciate your history in the process!

* Have a picnic

* Go see a municipal fireworks display

* Be careful!
 
marvelicious.com/independence.html
rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/july4th.html bright.net/~jimsjems/july4.html

Labor Day

First Monday in September

This is probably my least favorite holiday, as its arrival coincides with the end of the carefree days of summer,
and the resumption of school - dreaded school! How depressing!

Of course, the holiday involves much more than that. Celebrating the worth of the worker, it was first observed in New York City
in 1882 under the sponsorship of the Central Labor Union, at the suggestion of Peter McGuire of the Knights of Labor.

For a history of Labor Day, see:  dol.gov/dol/opa/public/aboutdol/laborday.htm
If you're interested in quotations involving labor and solidarity (and who isn't?), try:  igc.org/laborquotes/index.html

bright.net/~jimsjems/labor.html

~*~*~*~

Columbus Day

Second Monday in October

usis.usemb.se/Holidays/celebrate/Columbus.html

geocities.com/holidayzone/columbus/

1.minn.net/~keithp/

bright.net/~jimsjems/columbus.html

~*~*~*~

Veterans Day

November 11


(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A flower rests on the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002 in Washington.
The memorial continues events celebrating its 20th anniversary with the final day of the reading of the 58,229 names,
all inscribed in black granite, of those killed or missing in the war from 1959 to 1975.
 

vfw.org/amesm/origins.shtml

bright.net/~jimsjems/veteran.html

~*~*~*~

Thanksgiving

Last Thursday in November

November 25, 1982 November 26, 1998 November 25, 1999 November 27, 1999
400 Elm Street
Hillsboro, MO 63050		 501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089		 501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089		 501 Hillsboro Street
Taylor Springs, IL 62089

Randolph - age 8; Joshua - age 5; Paul - age 39; Nathaniel - age 3; Brent - age 10-1/2; Lewis - age 12

Thanksgiving Table Set with my new Haviland china - and hopefully some good food!

 Our First Thanksgiving Tree Thanksgiving Table Set with Fire King Opalescent Caramel Dishes Thanksgiving Display


Contrary to the propaganda constantly put out by Yankees (who seem to share grabbing top honors to themselves with Texans and the Russians!), the first Thanksgiving was held at Berkeley Plantation along the James River in Virginia on December 4, 1619. Those Johnny-Come-Lately, "Let's Claim Every Honor for Ourselves", Blithering Yankees didn't even ARRIVE on America's shores until November 9, 1620!

For the TRUE version, see:  berkeleyplantation.com/
 For the YANKEE version, see:  students.itec.sfsu.edu/fellows/gardenvillage/colonyresources.html

This is yet another YANKEE version, but it's simply too beautiful not to share: marvelicious.com/thanksgiving.html

This link is written from the British perspective, so we may forgive her the YANKEE slant:
rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/thanksgiving.html
 

"There is one day that is ours.
There is one day when all we Americans
who are not self-made go back
to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits
and marvel how much nearer
to the porch the old pump looks
than it used to…
Thanksgiving Day…is the one day
that is purely American."

~ O'Henry (William Sydney Porter)
(1862 - 1910)

Pearl Harbor Day

December 7

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly
and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

- President Franklin D. Roosevelt
(1882 - 1945)
War Message to Congress, December 8, 1941
 
http://www.umkc.edu/lib/spec-col/ww2/PearlHarbor/ph.htm
ccdemo.org/MtDiablo/PearlHarbor/PearlHarborDay.html

bright.net/~jimsjems/pharbor.html

~*~*~*~

New Year's Eve

December 31

Coming soon...
Cape Girardeau (MO) Branch
New Year's Eve Social
 December 31, 1974 		Norfolk (VA) Stake
New Year's Eve Dance
December 31, 1977 		Fayetteville (NC) Stake
New Year's Eve Dance
December 31, 2003
Cape Girardeau, MO Norfolk, VA Fayetteville, NC
Paul and Carol Paul, Carol, Miles and Eleanor Paul, Carol, Miles and Eleanor

"Of all sound of all bells ~ (bells, the music nighest bordering upon heaven) ~ most solemn and touching is the peal
which rings out the Old Year."

~ Charles Lamb, "New Year's Eve"
(1775 - 1834)

* Auld Lang Syne

* Family and Friends

* Hugs and Kisses

* Games, Movies, and Dancing

* NO ALCOHOL!

* Have Fun, Stay Safe, Live to Greet Another Year!

* 'Nuff Said

 "New Year"

The year is closed, the record made,
The last deed done, the last word said,
The memory alone remains
Of all its joys, its griefs, its gains,
And now with purpose full and clear,
We turn to meet another year.

Robert Browning
(1812-1889)

Courtesy of my Niece, Shari of VA - 01/01/04
Thanks, Shari!
marvelicious.com/newyear.html
 rosebriar.uk.com/holidays/newyear.html

Lead, Kindly Light

Lead, kindly Light, amid th' enclircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene ~ one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will.
Remember not past years.

So long thy pow'r hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

~ John Henry Newman
(21 Feb 1801 - 11 Aug 1890)

Ring Out, Wild Bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light.
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old; ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow.
The year is going; let him go.
Ring out the false; ring in the true.
The year is going; let him go.
Ring out the false; ring in the true.

Ring in the valiant men and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand.
Ring out the darkness of the land;
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Ring out the darkness of the land;
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson
(5 Aug 1809 - 6 Oct 1892)

Celebrate All Holidays!
 Celebrate Life!

"...therefore choose life..." ~ Deuteronomy 30: 19

The midi you are hearing is entitled, "Dirge for the Elves" by Janet Pack.
It was transcribed to midi format (without proper permission) by Dale Harty.

Happy Valentine clip art courtesy of http://www.horse-races.net/clip/clip-valclip.htm - 02/07/04

 Valentine Line and Cupids clip art courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/8961/ValentinesDay.html - 02/06/04

Shamrock Line and Erin Go Braugh clip art courtesy of http://www.horse-races.net/clip/clip-patclip.htm - 02/07/04

Mother's Day clip art courtesy of http://www.horse-races.net/clip/clip-mdayclip.htm - 02/07/04

Doves and Flowers clip art and Blue Flower divider line courtesy of http://d21c.com/AnnesPlace/Wedding2.html - 02/06/04

Flag Day and Fourth of July clip art courtesy of http://www.horse-races.net/clip/clip-memclip.htm - 02/07/04

Thanksgiving Banner and Leaves clip art courtesy of http://www.horse-races.net/clip/clip-fallclip.htm - 02/07/04

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