gail's Great Atlantic Northeast

 

No.  Freedom isn't free.  Have you ever pictured what it must have been like for the founding fathers and mothers?  Gunfire all around.  Children and other loved ones dying often horrible deaths.  Watching what you worked for being burned down. 

 

The Patriot was so difficult for me to watch. Seeing a father watch his child die.  Was it two?  It was reality;  a very harsh reality as was every battle our men, women and children had fought before, since and continue to fight now.

 

If our founders were able to see the state of our country now I believe they would cry as would those who fought in every battle up to and including the including the Korean War.  (By the middle of the Viet Nam War, the country was already circling the drain.)  Would they wonder what they fought for?  Would they have been as willing to fight if they knew what we would do with our freedoms? 

 

We use them as an excuse to get our way and put down anyone with a different opinion.  Disagree with a "lifestyle" and you get labeled "homophobe," "intolerant," "old-fashioned," "hateful," "anti-progressive," "anti-choice," etc.  Even child molesters aren't gettinig punished to the fullest extent of the law!

 

Love the Bible and you are as intolerant as can be!  What's next?  Will our freedoms be taken from us if we speak against what the Good Book calls sin?  Must we be tolerant of everyone and be abused for it?

 

I'm tired of holding my tongue.  Too many people died so we can say what is on our minds and worship as we please.   I may not like the way you live but I don't hate you.  Don't hate me and call me names because I want the same freedom of expression as you.  Just don't break the law.  Don't hurt people.  Especially children.  Whoa - don't hurt children.

 

Wow.  Where did that all come from?  Didn't even know I was going to type all of that.

 

What are you up to this weekend?  The Girl wants me to go to the fireworks with her and Isabella but I don't know.  I don't do crowds or mosquitoes.  We'll see.  Also been invited to a bbq.

 

Do you take advantage of holiday weekend sales?  Only if I need something.  Too many crowds.

 

Do you know why we, in the United States, celebrate July 4th?  click here:  http://holidays.kaboose.com/july4-why.html

 

Kabobs or hot dogs (frankfurters, weiners, red hots, etc.)?  Kabobs, please.  Extra veggies.

 

Ready for football season?  Oh, yea.  Bring on the cool breezes of autumn!

 

Had a great visit with Lols and Eileen.  It is so special to meet people from the blogosphere.  I would not recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a public place to meet, though.  When I first met Lols, we went out to breakfast and have been buds ever since.  I met up with Eileen and we had coffee at a public place (for three glorious hours!).  I wouldn't hesitate to spend time with them anywhere now.

 

Stay safe.  Maybe we can meet up for coffee or tea next time we are in each other's neighborhoods!  gail

 

 

 

As I will be traveling tomorrow, I am typing up his entry today.  I am blessed to be able to spend a few days in Massachusetts with our very own Lolliemouse aka Laurie.  Prayers for traveling mercies accepted as I am taking the train and do not travel well except in a car.

 

Three celebrity deaths this week:  Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.  The only real surprise was Jackson's passing.  It just goes to show you that we are not promised tomorrow; only the moment we are in. 

 

I wonder what was on their minds as they took their last breaths.  Did they worry about whether or not their homes were clean enough for the emergency personnel to come in?  Were they scared?  Were they regretting not making amends with someone? 

 

While I still have time, one priority I have is to not have regrets.  If that means being inconvenienced I have to learn to not gripe about it.  Even under my breath.  If it means giving my time when I'd rather be alone I have to not begrudge that time.  It means using the health God has given me to do what He put me here to do:  make a difference.

 

I've heard it told that some people die with a look of fear and horror on their faces.  Others, with a smile and look of serenity.

 

If you were to die tonight do you know for sure you would go to heaven?  If so, if you were asked why you should be let in what would you say?

 

I'd be happy to discuss this with anyone who wants to die with a smile and a look of serenity.

 

Do you want your remains to be buried or cremated?  Whatever is easiest for my family.  I really do not care!

Have you ever been to a unique memorial or burial service?  Oh, yes.  When my friend D died, his family tailored his memorial to his memory.  They started with his favorite Looney Tune cartoon, "One Froggy Evening."      The rest was a testimony to his faith in God and love for his rescue mission work.  Special.  Very special.  People drove from several states away to give testimony about his life.  There was a bus full from one of those states.

 

Do you think your life has made a difference in this old world?  Yes.  I try to imagine myself in Jimmy Stewart's situation in It's a Wonderful Life and realize my life does make a difference.  I was not a mistake.

 

What would you like to see written in remembrance of you?  I like what James Dobson's father has on his grave marker: "He Prayed."  I'd like mine to say, in all honesty, "She Encouraged."

 

I asked a couple of weeks ago whether or not to keep the falderal going and had a resounding yes in response.  So, where are all my participants!?  I miss your answers. 

 

Have a great weekend.  love and blessings, gail

 

 

Our Isabella's lips have been turning blue on occasion for over a year and a half now.  The first thing anyone thinks of is cardiac problems.  After a good experience getting an ekg and echocardiogram, I am thrilled to announce that Bells' beautiful heart is fine!  What a relief!

 

We are attending the wedding of our bcf's (best couple friends) daughter this afternoon.  Now all four of their daughters will be married!  Four!  They are all great kids, too.

 

I have to admit that having gray skies for about what, a year now? is really getting to me.  It's hard sometimes to turn my frown unside down.  There are plenty of other people who feel the same way.  Well, at least it gives us all something to talk about.

 

I am feeling extremely boring as I type this.  Let's get on with the falderal:

 

Who really won the election in Iran?  Heck if I know.  Does it really matter since the country isn't run by the president but, instead, is run by clerics?  Radical clerics?

 

Will any of you volunteer to come here to help me get rid of the ivy in my backyard?  Please?

 

Can you handle the sight of blood?  Yes.  Bodily fluids?  No.  Vomit city.

 

Who's your mama?  Why, Marie C. is!  Hugs, Mom.

 

(It's either boring or silly and I will stick with silly!)

 

Will somebody please give my son and daughter full-time jobs with benefits?  Pretty please?

 

To all you dads and kids out there, spend some time together this weekend.  We're not promised tomorrow.

 

blessings, g

 

 

I like to learn something new every day so I would like to share some of the things I learned recently:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ditto on being obedient.

 

 

 

 

Hope your week was great and your weekend is even better.  Here now, the falderal:

 

Cookies, cake or pie?  Cookies!

 

Plane, train or automobile?  Did you see the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles?  Automobile if less than a couple of hundred miles.  I'll let you know which I prefer of the planes and trains after my train trip in a couple of weeks.  The movie is fun!  I recommend it.

 

Laptop or desktop?  Desktop is so much easier to use.  I do like the convenience of the laptop with wifi, though.

 

Iced tea or iced coffee?  Coffee, please - decaf, no sugar.

 

Desert or greenery?  Give me my green!  I love it.

 

 

There doesn't seem to be the interest in the falderal that there once was so I am wondering whether or not I should continue with it ?  Votes, please??

 

This was a strange week.  I can't point to anything in particular.  It just didn't seem to happen.  Does that make any sense?  I can point to what went on all week but it was more like a dream than actuality.  heavy sigh  Whatever.

 

Wedding in two weeks and another in August.  Hopefully, there won't be any more for a few years.  I don't seem to be the same weight two years in a row to be able to wear the same outfit and have to buy a new one.  This year's is fun, though.  Retro 60's.

 

Got my hair colored and highlighted by my talented niece the hairstylist.  Brown base color with blonde and bright red highlights.  When my friend, N, and I were driving down the highway in a convertible this week you could probably have used me as a highway marker!  The bandana cut back on the brilliance, though!

 

This is beginning to be like one of Texas Mammie's entries!

 

Got to see my Isabella a couple of times this week.  Joy.  that's what she is.  (almost) Pure joy to us.  Grandchildren are the gift(s) God gives us for raising our children - adolescence and all.

 

Got a new tattoo two weeks ago.  It's very pretty.  When I get my camera back...

 

No plans for the weekend I can think of.  Who knows.  Himself always wants to do something, though.

 

Hope you have a great weekend.  Let me know what your vote is on the falderal.  g