Cinco de Mayo

Happy 50th Birthday Earth Day!

It's St. Patrick's Day, baby!

Twenty years ago today, on the heels of the Snowpocalypse of '93 (and more than 24 hours without power), this happened.

Thirteen days before her due date and after 21 hours of labor, as the anesthesiologist said, we had our little "leprechaun."  She's been delighting us with her magical charm ever since.
Happy Birthday, McKenzie!  We love you.  

One Two One Two One Two

Today is 12-12-12, the last major numerical date using the Gregorian or Christian calendar for almost another century. The next time three numbers will align as they did on 9-9-09, 10-10-10 and 11-11-11 will be on Jan. 1, 2101 (just a mere 88 years from now), or 1-1-1.

You're A Grand Ol' Flag

Did you know that Flag Day has been around since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14th as a celebration? In August 1949, an Act of Congress established National Flag Day. 

I love the American flag. Just looking at it evokes all kinds of sentimental thoughts and feelings for me. I even had a Flag Day bridal shower.  You can read about that here.  Since then, my flag devotion hasn't waned.  I even used it as a central theme for decorating my son's bedroom.  He's a military and history buff so it's perfect.  

This iconic image of the Battle of Iwo Jima hangs over his dresser.  When photographer Joe Rosenthal died in 2006, I cut the article out of the newspaper and glued it to the back of the frame.  

This photo is deceiving. The framed print is about 20" x 30"

A print by Georgian Steve Penley (his work is awesome if you're not familiar with it), hangs above my son's bed.  Penley is famous for his Founding Father portraits - you sometimes see them on the Fox News Channel.

America's greatest general flanked by America's first flag with its 13 stars

Finally, I have two prints, similar to this one, by artist Betsy Nimock.  

A 48 star trompe-l'oeil print  with a lovely quote about Honesty.
"An honest man is the noblest work of God.  Honesty will bring its own reward.
The honest penny is better than the stolen dollar.
Honesty is that which compels us when we are wrong to acknowledge it.
Honesty is the best policy."
The photo in the center of the stars is from a teacher's 1920's photo album.

Have a wonderful Flag Day!

Happy Mother's Day

M. Cassatt, “Maternal Kiss”

St. Patrick's Day

Purim

I've always loved the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. It reads like a fairy-tale, yet testifies to God's faithfulness.  If you're not familiar with the story, it celebrates the Jews victory over their enemies.  The story continues to be observed in the Jewish community to this day in the Festival of Purim.  


It's my understanding that Purim is like Halloween or Mardi Gras, a celebration that calls for children to dress up and disguise themselves.


Another fun aspect of the holiday is the jeering of the story's bad guy - Haman.  In fact, at the reading of the story of Esther in Jewish synagogues today, when Haman's name is mentioned, the crowd is directed to boo and make noise to "eradicate" Haman's evil name.  A special (usually, poppy-seed filled) pastry called hamantashen (Haman's hats or ears) with a three corned crust is a traditional Purim food.  I found these in the kosher bakery section (no small task in Dallas, Tx, where the Jewish community is quite small) of my local grocery store:  

There are also many recipes online, if you're so inclined.  Hamantashen taste somewhat like a fruit Danish or perhaps like a doughy version of the Pop Tart.  


With or without the pastry, The Book of Esther is totally worth the read.  

"And who knows but that you have come to 

your royal position for such a time as this?”

~Esther 4:14