I Can Relate

Nature's Bird House

I took this picture of the giant majestic Saguaro cactus 

that resides in my neighbor's yard at sunrise yesterday morning. 

It is home to Quail, Woodpeckers, Love Birds and a lot of other birds.  

Ride for Semper Fi

This is the "Ride for Semper Fi" that I told you about in yesterday's blog post.
You can visit the website here "Ride for Semp Fi".

Memorial Day Reflection

My neighborhood this morning, every house has a flag

Today is a special day, one of great importance and we should all take a few minutes to remember our veterans and others who served to make our country great.

My blogging style is usually pictures with captions, I am not a great writer, but today I want to share yesterday's experience with you.  

I have never felt so emotional over Memorial Day as I did yesterday. The Pastors of our church dedicated the service to all the Vets who attend our church.  As we arrived and took our seats the pianist was playing "Onward Christian Soldiers".   Then the Women's Ensemble sang "Armed Forces - The Pride of America" which consisted of all the songs for every branch of the military.  Right then, tears welled up in my eyes.

The Pastors then called all the WWII vets to come up front and tell where they served.  We have seven WWII vets who are part of our congregation.  One of them was a Marine who was at Iwo Jima.  As they told about their service you could hear their voices crack with emotion.  They were all awarded with flag pins to honor their service to our country.

Next the Pastors called up all the Vets who served during the Korean War, Viet Nam, Gulf Coast and any other service.  They all told of their service to their country, and were also awarded flag pins. My dad came to mind right then as he served his country for twenty years in the Air Force.  And last the Pastors had all vets who have served stand up, they too, were honored and give flag pins. 

We had a congregation member give a presentation of his service to help the Military raise money for injured Vets.  He organized "The Ride For Sempi Fi" last October.  Twenty two people went with him on bikes and rode from Mesa to Camp Pennington.  An incredible story.

The Pastor's message for the day was "We Shall Never Forget".  A very moving sermon about how Memorial Day was thought to have begun.

At the end of the sermon, the pianist and the music director played "The Stars and Stripes Forever".  Then the prayers were offered, you could hear people softly crying all through the church.  I am sure there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Finally, "Taps" were played on the trumpet.  Our final hymn was  "God Bless America".  I could hardly sing I was so choked up.

As we were leaving the Marine tapped my husband on the shoulder and whispered in his ear

"You better watch out, I might try to steal her".  I left church feeling uplifted, yet humbled.

I woke up this morning and looked down our street at all the flags and took a moment to thank God for all our men and women who have fought to make our country great and those who are currently serving to preserve our liberties and freedoms.  God Bless You.

Visit With Baby Grandson

Last week I went and visited Baby Grandson...oh my goodness he is so cute I didn't want to leave.

My daughter-in-law and baby grandson.

Like Mother, Like Son.

Six Word Saturday

Three day weekend, lots to enjoy!

First Day of Summer Vacation

Got a new haircut and summer vacation is here...ahhhhhhh!

Lemon Tree ~ With Honey?

Just discovered this morning in the lemon tree...

Don't know when they moved in...calling a bee specialist first thing in the morning. 
 I took these pictures with my zoom lens. 

 I am allergic to bee stings and didn't want to get too close.  

Huge Lemon

The citrus season is over in Arizona.  

The lemon tree has a few lemons still hanging on.

Hubby went outside to clear them out and found this giant lemon.  

It weighed in at 13 ounces.  Wow!  We can make a pitcher of lemonade with just this one lemon.

(yes, he is a Diamondbacks fan...)

Weird Face Weekend

Grandma kept Grandson all weekend while Mom was gone, 

we found so many ways to have fun.

My computer has a program call "Photo Booth" 

(yes, I have a Mac and I love love love it)

Here are some pictures we posed for.

Double trouble

Twisted

Stretched

and more stretched.

Oh yeah, and don't tell anyone that we had ice cream for breakfast, shhhhhh.

Six Word Saturday

Grandson is here life is good

Two Months Old

Baby Grandson is 2 months old already.

Too cute!

Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.  

I travelled to Tucson to visit my mom.

Mom and me now:

Mom and me then:

And, yes, she still feeds me.  She had lunch waiting for me when I got there.

Mom, I love you so much, thank you for being there for me!

Six Word Saturday

I have so much to do, my house is messy and my paperwork needs done, I feel overwhelmed and so not creative. I don't have a clue what to blog about today. 

I have read all of my favorite bloggers entries for today looking for some inspiration.

Holly is so lucky going on a cruise...boy, I could go for that about now.  

Liz told a powerful and touching story. Then I read C. Beth's blog and she is doing a Six Word Saturday post. Aha! I am going to take my cue from her and here is my first Six Word Saturday post. (Thanks, C.Beth!)

Here are my six words:

Everything feels messy please send help

Spring 101

Weather forecast for today and the weekend 101 degrees.

Even hotter temps possible.

Need I say more?

My Mimosa Tree

And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. -Anais Nin

This is my Mimosa Tree.  I had wanted a Mimosa tree for years and years. 

 My ex would never let me have one "too messy" he would say.   

I love the pink fluffy blooms.

My dear sweet husband planted this for me about a year and a half ago.  

Mimosas are Deciduous and lose their leaves in the winter.

This year my Mimosa is blooming like crazy,  the foliage and blooms are so gorgeous.

Wordless Wednesday

"Hummingbird perched on the rose bush by my front door"

Please Find It in Your Heart to Lend a Helping Hand

Today's post is to help out a fellow blogger:

Here is the link:  tangobaby: Kelaya's Story and YOU CAN HELP!#links

This kind, generous woman, Julie, from Tangobaby is trying her best to get help for a young family in San Francisco. You wouldn't believe the roadblocks this family has encountered.  

During the course of her fascinating San Francisco life, she met this young family who needs help. Julie also has this terrific "I Live Here" project. I have been reading and following Julie's blogs for quite a while now, I truly admire Julie and it is my hope you will too.

I will be donating some money, since I think that will be the best way to help this family currently. Please take the time to read Julie's posts and help out if you can, every little bit adds up. Your prayers will also be welcome.

“Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”

Matthew 25:40

Read more here:  tangobaby

Helping Grandpa With Yard Work

Yesterday I went out to check on Grandpa and Grandson while

they were doing yard work.

Grandpa was trimming the bushes and Grandson was helping with the raking.  

The rake is bigger than the boy!

Cool Kid

Grandson just before he left for the movies...

looking pretty cool!

This picture was taken with Mac Photo Booth using the "Twist" effect.

Slow Saturday

I am feeling a little slow this morning, slept in until 8:30.  

I think I will take it easy all day today and do little or nothing.

That sounds like a plan I can live with.

Enjoy this picture of the clouds I took on April 13.  

The sky was so gorgeous and had so much personality.

Have a great weekend.

May First is May Day

Happy May Day to All!

photo by "www.VictorianTraditions.com"