A day to honor...

It's Memorial Day, the unofficial start to the summer season.
Yes, it's a day when people are at the mountains or down the shore.
Some may be braving that first day at the pool.
And there's bound to be lots of picnics and barbecues ... eat, eat eat.
And of course stores have been touting their holiday sales for weeks now.
There's nothing wrong with any of this, but Memorial Day is much more than a day to kick back, party or shop.
It is a day to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.
It doesn't matter what your politics are, how you may feel about some of the actions of the United States or if you like the current president or not.
This is a day to salute all who were willing to serve and die so that our freedoms would not perish.
We may complain about aspects of our government or country, but remember that we are lucky to have the right to complain. We can vote, we can change things if we are dedicated -- so many people around the world don't have our freedoms.
So at the very least, take a few moments to remember all of the men and women who died so that we can live in freedom. We owe so much to them.
AND please be sure to check out Mom on Caffeine's blog, which features letters from her brother, Robin, who was killed in Vietnam. He was just a local teen when he served his country and made the ultimate sacrifice, and you can't help but be moved by Martha's salute to her brother who died so many years ago.
Thank you, Robin, and your brothers and sisters in arms.
We can never repay you for your sacrifice, but you are not forgotten.

What's good for the goose...

I love this goose...
Every year my daughter and I watch for him ... or her ... to return to a field on Shelly Road in Upper Salford. It brightens our days and lightens our hearts to see this fowl friend.
Why, you ask? Because every year this intrepid goose arrives for the spring, summer and fall with a flock of Canada geese. And it just cheers me so each year to see that, once again, he (or she) is still part of the flock.

Beautiful, right? And the bird seems so cheerful, just a part of a great family that has accepted this grand goose into the fold, no questions asked. I hope you catch a glimpse of this flock during the summer and enjoy the view as much as we do.
Here are a few more photos, courtesy of my daughter.

I know one sad day this goose no doubt will be gone. But he ... or she ... will never be forgotten!

Head to Harleysville

It's that time of year again... COUNTRY FAIR DAYS!
This has been a staple of the community for ages, and it's always fun to walk the grounds, buy a funnel cake and at least do some people watching.
Even with the threat of rain on Thursday, we headed out to the fair.

The skies were dark and a bit threatening, but that didn't seem to dampen the spirits of those who braved the iffy weather. And because of the rain earlier in the evening, the crowds were thin and that meant the kids didn't have to stand in long lines to play games or take a spin on the amusements.

Watching the kids took me back to the days when our daughter was just a little tyke and Country Fair Days was a highlight of the summer for her. And of course on more than one occasion, a goldfish found its way to our home from the fair.

 So if you haven't made it out to the fair yet, you still have Friday and Saturday. And don't forget the Country Fair Days Parade on Saturday morning! Head out and support this great community event!

Happy Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ... to all women out there. Even if you're not an "official" mom, I'm sure you've stepped into that role many times, have loved so many people, shared their problems, helped them in times of need, shared their joys and sorrows. So, "official" or not, have a wonderful day!

And here are a few moms who also wish you a terrific day....

Beatrice, lower left, and her daughter Shel (the yellow one)

Wotsit, at left, and her daughter Marmi

Trick, at right, and her foster son, Archibald (long story). Trick just turned 11!

 Cherish those special women in your lives -- mothers and daughters, grandmothers, nieces, friends and, yes, pets -- etc. etc. etc! Tell them today and every day how much you love and appreciate them!

Head in the clouds

Clouds are fascinating.
And these that I snapped the other day were especially appealing to me.
You always can see plenty of other worlds in clouds, if you just take the time to look.

Hot stuff

First use of the fire pit came on Saturday evening.
Nothing exciting for most people, probably, but I loved it -- the sights, the aromas and the warmth!
Naturally had to snap a few shots...

 

A magnificent day in May

 

Friday dawned in a gorgeous manner and I was happy to snap a few shots on my way out the door to work. The rest of the day grew even more beautiful, so it was a great day to get out in the early afternoon to soak in the sunshine, aromas and sounds of the day.
Thanks to the neighbor next door, who cut a field of hay, it was an outstanding olfactory bonanza.

My mountain pinks are abloom, and remind me of the sweet flowers my mother always grew.
And an early Mother's Day present of this gorgeous lilac -- today! -- also spurs fond memories of my mom. And also of the time when my childhood friend Esther and I picked tons of my mom's lilacs and carried them to our farmhouse's attic, where we were playing for the day. But we neglected to remove them and when my mom ventured up there a few days later, there was more than a faint aroma of lilac permeating the attic rooms!

And here area a few other bloomers -- dark tulips, wild violets, buttercups and wildflowers.

 

And then the dogwoods edging my property near the roadway...

 While I was out walking around, I could hear the buzzing of insects and the breeze rustling the leaves and tall grass in the field. The trees, including this crabapple in my front yard, are poised for the warm days of summer. 

It was a great day to pause and be renewed. The promise of even more-beautiful days to come was palpable. And even the play of sunlight and shadows seemed special.