...God Bless the Red, White & Blue

Today is Memorial Day which is a United States Federal Holiday observed on the last Monday of May. It used to be called Decoration Day and commemorates U.S. Service Members who died while in the military service. First enacted by formerly enslaved African-Americans to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end. To all of the troops that have given their lives for our safety and freedoms, thank you.

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd."
Max Lucado

...limitations

"All man is created equal". Hmmm. Equal in what regard? The trust fund baby vs the homeless orphan? Just asking. I guess that the most important thing is do the best with what he have. Sometimes doing this gives us more. I watched part of a program devoted to comedienne and actress Carole Burnette. Many times comedy comes from tragedy. It sure didn't stop her from becoming a resounding success. On this day in 2001 32-year-old Erik Weihenmayer, of Boulder, Colorado, became the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Reach for the stars everyone and if you need strength, ask for it.

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."
Mohandas Gandhi

...inspired by true incident

On this day in 1830, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by Sarah Josepha Hale was published. As a girl, Mary Sawyer (later Mrs. Mary Tyler) kept a pet lamb, which she took to school one day at the suggestion of her brother. A commotion naturally ensued. Mary recalled: "Visiting school that morning was a young man by the name of John Roulstone, a nephew of the Reverend Lemuel Capen, who was then settled in Sterling. It was the custom then for students to prepare for college with ministers, and for this purpose Mr. Roulstone was studying with his uncle. The young man was very much pleased with the incident of the lamb; and the next day he rode across the fields on horseback to the little old schoolhouse and handed me a slip of paper which had written upon it the three original stanzas of the poem...".

Mary had a little lamb,
little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb,
whose fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went,
and everywhere that Mary went,
the lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day
school one day, school one day,
It followed her to school one day,
which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play,
laugh and play, laugh and play,
it made the children laugh and play
to see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out,
turned it out, turned it out,
And so the teacher turned it out,
but still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
patiently about, patiently about,
And waited patiently about
till Mary did appear.

"Why does the lamb love Mary so?"
Love Mary so? Love Mary so?
"Why does the lamb love Mary so,"
the eager children cry.
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know."
The lamb, you know, the lamb, you know,
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
the teacher did reply.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
Lao Tzu

...umbrella

On this day, 1962 a birthday salute to U.S. President John F. Kennedy took place at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The highlight was Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday". She wasn't standing over a steam vent but the performance was 'warm' to say the least. President Kennedly replied, after the performance...Kennedy responded to her performance with the remark, "Thank you. I can now retire from politics after having had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way." Odd the way that things can happen. My thoughts go out to the Kennedy clan today. Maybe the old adage 'the more the merrier' might fit. The lawns and gardens in Chester County, PA should look lush in a few days as the rains have been falling almost ocnstantly. If you have a friend or family member in need, be their umbrella. You never know when you may need yours and find that you have left it in the closet. Oh, and if you are going to be an umbrella, be the best. "Louis Vuitton Umbrella" shown.
"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life."
James Allen