Sambo

Sam Conner never ceases to amaze me. This man who experienced D-Day first hand can share some of the most amazing things with me. Even now, when he is "showing his age," he says some very profound things. Tonight at church, he stopped me as I was coming out of choir practice. He had D-Day on his mind. "I saw a bunch of those guys on the golf course," he said. "They all had flags. I said, "Why do you have those flags? Everyone has American flags! Don't you know that Hitler had a whole case of 'em? Those flags cover things up. They cover up what is in here! (as he pulls aside his sweater vest and places his hand over his heart.)"

As I related this to another friend from church, he said, "Sam is in another world nowadays."
I think Sam knows exactly where he is and what he is saying. And I also think he is right.

As I write this, I think about the song "This little light of mine," especially the verse, "Hide it under a bushel? NO!" Sam doesn't want us to hide what is in our hearts under the flag.

I saw a commercial today for some "lite" drink. The music in the background was a chorus singing "This little light of mine." Of course they meant, "This little "lite" of mine," but I couldn't help but be a little offended by it. Does that make me seem old and dotty? Because I get offended by commercials who use music I sing in church to sell their product? Or is it just another example of taking something out of context and using it for gain? Whatever, I didn't like it. I would rather apply the song to Sam and his opinion of the flag wearers.

No one can do it for me

I know this is a repeat, but it just rings true for me today.

I am unwritten, can't read my mind,
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with eyes wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

Memorial Day 2007

flowers, flowers, flowers, boxes of memories I had...not forgotten, just put aside for a while,

Today's song

Dreamboat Annie
Heading out this morning into the sun
Riding on the diamond waves, little darlin' one
Warm wind caress her
Her lover it seems

Oh, annie
Dreamboat annie my little ship of dreams

Going down the city sidewalk alone in the crowd
No one knows the lonely one whose head's in the clouds
Sad faces painted over with those magazine smiles
Heading out to somewhere won't be back for a while

Heart

"They're not like this"

hymn singing in Sunday School, Bobby's prayers, Annika's squeals, sharing a knowing look with Jen, "fundi," pink daisies in pewter pitchers on my dining room table, friendships that last - no matter what

We can do this again

flowers on my porches, clean swings and rockers, funnel cakes, good crab cakes

Hazy mountains

clean floors, open windows, mill mountain picnics, sam's, "I know you!" and Michael's wild and crazy life.

assertiveness training

identifying the angel in combat boots, hearing that it is ok, smiling inside and out with relief

Just the mom of the stars

home after work, little boy hugs, Alec's infectious laugh

Thanks to Sheila...

Today's song...

All that pressure got you down
Has your head spinning all around
Feel the rhythm, check the ride
Come on along and have a real good time
Like the days of stopping at the Savoy
Now we freak, oh what a joy
Just come on down, two fifty four
Find a spot out on the floor

Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!

Le Freak by Chic

It's a pretty day

finishing a task in the midst of total chaos, trying on "my size" and finding it too big, birds and sunshine outside my window

I'm gonna try again

sunshine through the trees, huge porch swings, ethan flowers, dozing on my back porch

most peculiar

Don't know why, but this song appeals to me today.

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Lift-off

This is Ground Control to Major Tom
You’ve really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

“This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For hereAm I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do

Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles
I’m feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much (she knows!)

Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear....

“ am I floating round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do.?

David Bowie

Tannon - that's me!

Annika's smiles and laughter, Alec's giggles and ever-ready hugs, Eric's 5-year old knowledge and warnings when he is thinking about doing something he shouldn't. These things make my house a home. But then....so does the silence when they are gone. Such is the life of a great-aunt I suppose.

Thanks be to God for children.