Memorial Day

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. ~John F. Kennedy

Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er,

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,

Dream of battled fields no more.

Days of danger, nights of waking. ~Sir Walter Scott

The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. ~Randy Vader

For love of country they accepted death...  ~James A. Garfield

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,

And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Spirit, that made those heroes dare

To die, and leave their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and thee.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Breathe

artwork by Maria Dixon 1896

It has been quite a stressful month and I've soothed my frazzled nerves with a combination of tea and beloved books.  Here are a few lovely thought from one of Peter Marshall's  poetic sermons.

"There is beauty in homely things which many people have never seen:

Sunlight through a jar of beach-plum jelly;

A rainbow in soapsuds in dishwater;

An egg yolk in a blue bowl;

White ruffled curtains sifting moonlight;

The color of cranberry glass;

A little cottage with blue shutters;

Crimson roses in an old stone crock;

The smell of newly-baked bread;

Candlelight on old brass;

The soft brown of a cocker's eyes."

Just reading of such loveliness makes it easier to breath.

Spring In The Bluegrass

This past Saturday was the running of the 137th Kentucky Derby and we knew all eyes were on us.  Derby is  our yearly chance to dispel the stereotypes we Kentuckians are plagued with the other 364 days of the year.  I won't waste my time writing about those, but will introduce you to the Kentucky that I know.

There is something special about Kentucky in the spring. It is hard to explain just how green it is here....and no, pictures do not do it justice.  The redbud's and dogwoods are blooming, the white fences await a fresh coat of paint, and the silver gets polished in time for High Hope.  

Of course, once  spring slips into summer and the humidity takes hold, we start to dream of those crisp fall days and that sea of blue.

P.S. Yes, we do wear shoes....even our horses wear shoes! :)

Mosaic Mondays at Little Red House

Where I'm From

My fellow Kentuckian Wendell Berry has voiced the belief that we need to understand our roots to know our place in this world.

"If you don't know where you're from, 

you'll have a hard time saying where you're going." 

~Wendell Berry

The lovely Searcy from Old Southern Garden was the inspiration for a previous post; a post reminiscent of a poem by George Ella Lyon.  

Where I'm From

I am from clothespins, 

from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride. 

I am from the dirt under the back porch.

(Black, glistening, 

it tasted like beets.) 

I am from the forsythia bush

the Dutch elm

whose long-gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I'm from fudge and eyeglasses, 

          from Imogene and Alafair. 

I'm from the know-it-alls

          and the pass-it-ons, 

from Perk up! and Pipe down! 

I'm from He restoreth my soul

          with a cottonball lamb

          and ten verses I can say myself.

I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch, 

fried corn and strong coffee. 

From the finger my grandfather lost 

          to the auger, 

the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dress box

spilling old pictures, 

a sift of lost faces

to drift beneath my dreams. 

I am from those moments--

snapped before I budded --

leaf-fall from the family tree.

~George Ella Lyon

Now it is your turn.  Here is a template to write your version of Where I'm From and I will post my version at the very bottom.  If you chose to participate, I ask that you link back to this post so that I may visit and enjoy your poem.

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.

I am from the _______ (home description... adjective, adjective, sensory detail).

I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)

I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).

I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).

From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).

I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.

I'm from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).

From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).

I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

Where I'm From

I am from old fruit jars, 

from White Lily and Basse's Choice.

I am from the tall, white porch columns.

( graceful, slender ladies

 cool under the heat

 of a noon day sun.)

I am from the old garden roses, 

the ancient white lilac 

hugging the east garden wall 

in it's lush frilly petticoat beauty.

I am from cream pulled candy and bluest of blue eyes, 

from Lucien and Fairy.

I am from the orators and philosophers.

From mind your manners! and remember your people!

I am from All Things Bright And Beautiful and 

the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

I'm from Byrd and Duke's line,

corn pone and bourbon.

From the boat ride my grandfather took through the courthouse

 during the 1937 flood,

the dictionary my uncle 

bought as a birthday gift for my mother

before being sent to France during World War II.

In the bottom dresser drawer

folded into a tight triangle,

the flag  given to my grandmother

reminding me of the price that we pay for freedom.

I am from those Second Sons--

pushing through the Cumberland Gap

to put down family roots 

stretching from the Old Dominion

to the Bluegrass.

Growing Up

This year I will be celebrating my 40th birthday. I'm being teased unmercifully by my children and, just yesterday,  informed by Paine that I was going to be sooo old .  I couldn't help but laugh.  I guess he is right... 40 must appear terribly old from the view point of a 16 year old, but I'm not going to be spending any time mournfully commemorating the passing of my youth.  I plan to celebrate the wisdom the last 39 years and 7 months has bestowed upon me.

I recently read this piece by Horace Walpole and believe it sums up my feels perfectly.

"To act with common sense, according to the moment, is the best wisdom; 

and the best philosophy is to do one's duties, to take the world as it comes,

submit respectfully to one's lot,

and bless the goodness that has given us so much happiness with it,

whatever it is."

The Holy City

Every February, for the last 10 years, my family has taken a trip to what has become our families "adopted" city.  Unfortunately, with our moves this year it was impossible to make the trip and I've been left with  feelings of  withdrawal.  I've been promised a trip later this year, but until then I will enjoy a few pictures from trips past.

With the numerous steeples dotting the city's skyline, Charleston is known as The Holy City and I make it a point to attend services at a different church each time we visit.  Our family is Episcopalian, but as Mother often says, "It's good to shop around for a good sermon on occasion."

I have many recommendation of things to do while in Charleston, but today I'd like to share a place we visit every single year...






Magnolia Plantation was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family and has survived the centuries.  It has witnessed the history of our nation from the American Revolution to the Civil War and beyond.  It opened its doors to the visitors in 1870 now becoming the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry, and the oldest public gardens in America.

From the beautiful azaleas and camellias to the Monet like white bridges, it is an unforgettable experience to walk the gravel paths and if you look closely perhaps you will find the bench seat where John Drayton sat and composed his sermons before and during the Civil War.

Oh, June can not come quickly enough...


Mosaic Mondays with Little Red House

The Most Important Words

The six most important words:  "I admit I made a mistake."

The five most important words:  "You did a good job."

The four most important words:  "What is your opinion?"

The three most important words:  "If you please."

The two most important words:  "Thank you."

The one most important word:  "We."

The least important word:  "I."