HAPPY JULY 4th TO a GREAT COUNTRY!

The best fireworks show that I have ever seen was the event held in Washington, DC in 1976 to celebrate our nation's Bicentennial. I had a view from the roof top of the old Naval Medical Center building and I looked out over the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. I could see almost the entire mall from that perch. The show, presided over by President Ford went on forever. It was my first BIG CITY fireworks show and even now as I think about the spectacular lights in the sky; my breath catches in my throat. The show ended that very warm, dark, cloudless evening with a laser light show of green rays emanating from the top of the Washington Monument. You could hear the enormous crowds spread out on the mall gasping and oooo-ing. ( It WAS 1976 and lasers were very new science. ) As we walked back to our car or however we came to downtown, I don't really remember, ( It WAS the 70's after all ! ) I thought I will never forget this night in the nation's capital and the patriotism this incredible show ignited in me. So, Happy Independence Day to all of us! Long may we live freely!!

This is a sweet picture of Phil and his youngest granddaughter, Eliza. She lives in Utah. I think, they look sweet in their matching pink shirts! We are older now and once there would have been pictures of our grandparents with us as babies on their laps. Sometimes the circle of life comes full around and you can see it so clearly that you are certain that you are looking far off into the future.

I was thinking today of a time when I first moved to Port Townsend and had a 4 person party line for my phone service. Just think, four people! It seems so very long ago but it was less than 30 years this summer. What would the kids of today, even my own kids, think of that? You didn't need to be on line to know what was going on in your neighbor's lives! How things have truly changed. I wouldn't always call these changes positive progress but it is amazing nonetheless.

Here is Jacob swimming in a pool on his vacation in Utah. He looks pretty happy but I am beat and am heading off to lullaby land!

When I sit at my workbench and make jewelry for hours on end; I used to call my mom and we would talk on the phone for a long time. Yesterday, twice, I found myself reaching for the phone to give her a call. I would think, " oh I have to tell mom that " or mom would like to hear about this ". Man, somedays it is just driven home how much you miss someone!

Chetzemoka Park

When I went into town tonight I realized that I was a bit early to close up the shop so I thought what shall I do with my rare found free time? I went to Chetzemoka Park and sat on this ancient wooden glider swing and just let the early evening drift by as I watched the mountains and water and trees. Five minutes of doing nothing but gently gliding on the green wooden swing. Peace. relaxing, quiet peace. Stillness at the day's end.

The Colors

The colors in my dining room just make me happy! Even on a day without much sunlight, which has not been the case this summer, it glows with color. Plus it is a great place to display part of my crow collection. Come have lunch in here with me!

Father's Day.

On this Father's Day, I decided to post a picture of my parents taken around the time they were married. I love my mother's gleeful, triumphant look and the solidness of my dad. He has been gone a long time now. Exactly half my life. I knew him, if I ever really knew him; such a short time. I like to think they are together now and happy and peaceful and so in love. I do not cry anymore for the loss of my father. My mother's death, all too fresh in my heart still brings me to quick tears but my dad's passing, so long ago now, has just left a hollowness that will never truly be filled. Indeed, what can replace the emptiness of being parent-less?

I am thankful from my full heart for the men that have graced my life. For my grandfathers, my uncles, my brothers, my husbands, my male friends. We are here so quickly that to have been loved by them and missing those that are gone is the most bittersweet thing in my life.

May men the world over continue to love their children and teach them peace and tolerance and also love the mothers of those children. what a world we could all create.