Contrasts in Blue and White

A Song of Joy

The Coat of Many Colors

To paraphrase the old song by Dolly Parton...

"A coat of many colors that my Father made for me." These are some of the colors in that part of the coat that makes up my parents garden... and just outside the edges of the garden, too.

Long Summer Nights

The days stretch on for hours now
The night is late to rise
Deep into dusk the daylight strays
And streaks the dim lit skies
The breezes linger in the trees
A small bird sings a tune
The evening stars peek shyly out
Behind the sulky moon
It’s not quite summer yet, but still
The night comes late to play
It lingers but a little while
And then gives way to day.

Out On A Limb

This tiny Hummer is sitting on a grape vine. That's how small he is!

Memorial Day 2009

I stepped out on the deck at dawn
Still weary from the weekend's play
And as I stifled back a yawn
I gazed out on the still new day

And as I stood there quietly
I heard a voice whisper to me,
'Remember! Freedom is not free
Honor them and their victory"

The flag was dancing on the breeze
Somewhere soft country music played
New buds swayed on the lilac trees
Oh what a day the Lord had made

The smell of baking filled the air
The children played out in the street
The day, bereft of all life’s care,
Was quiet, gentle and so sweet

And as I stood there quietly
I heard a voice whisper to me,
“Remember! Freedom is not free
Honor them and their victory”

There’s only peaceful laughter here
Where tyranny cannot prevail
For those in memory held so dear
Secured it through their great travail

On beach heads won and islands held,
In lands whose gratitude has waned
The blood of heroes is the weld
By which our freedom is sustained

To those who still must bear the cost
For all the peace that fills this day
And those who live with loved ones lost
Thank you is not enough to say

And humbled, I stand quietly
To share the words given to me,
“Remember! Freedom is not free
Honor them and their victory”

The Evening's Song

There’s a song on the breeze tonight,
A song that calls to me,
It bids me slip out in the dusk
And dance down by the sea;
It whispers of a starlit stream
Beneath a willow tree;
It murmurs in my ear sweetly
Of all that just might be
If I would slip out in the night
And let my heart run free.

Southern Comforts

Corn bread and lilacs and sweet summer tea,
The grace of a sunny Sunday
Corn bread and lilacs and sweet summer tea,
Where peace has a chance to hold sway
Corn bread and lilacs and sweet summer tea,
When everything else goes astray
There’s Corn bread, lilacs and sweet summer tea,
And a moment to sit and pray

Ft Lewis Freedom Fest 2009

I was only able to get 3 pictures this year as I was so busy talking history and laughing with the many military families that came through. I will never cease to be amazed at how wonderful our military families are and how unique their perspectives on life. We shared with our visitors what we knew of life in the 1860's and they shared with us what they knew of warfare in the 1860's... we spoke of making soap and the wearing of hoops and which generals were more noteworthy and why.... And when the cannons roared we all turned towards them and murmured "cool" rather than putting our hands over our ears and ducking, as most often occurs at reenactments. It was not at all uncommon to break from a discussion of the Civil War to watch a pair of Special Forces paratroopers negotiating a landing by parachute onto the parade field in front of us.

So... Here are the only pictures I had time to take:

Three sweeter gems of the "1860's" there never were!!!

The quirky dichotomy of yesterday and today that comes with reenacting...

The Confederate banner flies over the neighboring campsite while a US Army paratrooper makes a dramatic entrance to the event... Smoke on his heels and all!!!!

Be Still, and know that I am God

Although the mountains shake in fear
And fall into the sea,
I will be still and know, My Lord,
That You watch over me.

Although the seas may crush the land
And render it to dust,
I will be still and know, My Lord,
You’ll justify my trust.

Though all the stars fall from the sky
And darkness rules the land,
I will be still and know, My lord
You hold me in Your hand.

Though ruin hovers o’er my world
And life's fraught with despair,
I will be still and know, My Lord,
That you will always care.

You are my refuge and my strength,
In troubles, You are there,
I will be still, My Lord, and know
You hear my every prayer.

Psalm 46:1-3, 10
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;

Mist

Silence, packed in cotton colors;
Fragile morning, still and white,
Lost within the chilly dampness,
Praying for the coming light.
Hopelessly, she wandered deeper,
Locked in swirling tides of grey,
Weeping tears of fear and sorrow,
Trapped where only shadows play.

Insubstantial as the vapor
Twining round the trees and bay;
Her tears dissolve within the light,
Burned like mist, by rising day. For in the darkest mists of night
There still dwells the hope of dawn
And in that hope she found the strength
To simply rise and carry on.

More Moments in the Mist

Lilacs and Maples Leaves

Fine Lines in the Morning