Saturday, June 30, 2012

I Pledge Allegiance . . .

Hi,

I love to read historical information and I believe this week is an appropriate time to share what I learned recently. Our pledge to our flag and country endured six small improvements since it was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister. This pledge was formally adopted by Congress in 1942.

As you read this, you may place your right hand over your thankful heart if you so desire.

When I walked outside to take this picture, Craig's bull frog from last week was croaking.  Another view from the library window. . . 


Official versions (changes in bold italics)

1892 "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1892 to 1923 "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1923 to 1924 "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1924 to 1954 "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1954 to Present "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

There is much to remember about our war for independence from Great Britain. May I tempt you to pick up your old encyclopedia for a refresher course? Did you know small pox and scurvy claimed more lives than the battle with the British?

Enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations and let's never forget the cost of our precious freedoms!

Happy Birthday, Roberta !

Love, Juanita


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Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Oregon Trail

Hi, everyone!

Oh, oh, the sun's out at the moment. I must go pull weeds now. I'll return.
Yes, Harold, I do have more to say!

Craig caught a green slimy frog hiding in the raspberries today.  Think he'll get warts?


Yesterday, I recalled 1993. In August, Craig and I had joined the official sesquicentennial wagon train at Pendleton, Oregon and headed west for two days. We rode in a BLM wagon with no springs, making a very rough ride over pasture land and highways. Imagine driving with metal wheels over rocks. Oh, where was my Cadillac?

We had joined ten other covered wagons, forty cowboys, and fifty walkers for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We had a few comforts of home: two buses for those who tired of walking, a shower truck, two outhouse trucks and several catering trucks.

Three accidents happened on our first day. A cowboy rode next to our wagon for conversation. Rain made the freeway slippery which caused his horse to fall down on two legs. The animal came close to falling under our wagon wheel while leaning hard against our wagon. One close call!

Another horse bucked off his rider; cowboy received a slight injury.

The third accident developed when a runaway wagon, due to a broken rein, caused the horses to run in a circle. A child on board screamed. Cowboys came to the rescue and controlled the horses in a matter of minutes. Screaming does get everyone's attention on a wagon train.

Our second day started cold, rainy, and windy. The sides of our covered wagon were down all day, obstructing most of our view. We rode sixteen miles from Echo to Butter Creek Junction. Our weather cleared in the afternoon in time for dinner and an after-dinner show. The singers told jokes and sang silly western songs.

The third morning, the wagon train continued west. We took home movies of the train winding up the road without us. I almost wished we were going with them, but two days on the trail created the impression on a week-long trip. No favorite foods, no electricity for my curling iron, and wet sleeping bags.

We headed east in our truck to visit the Interpretive Center at Baker City which depicts the real hardships and sacrifices the pioneers made to come out West. I'm glad they came, but also glad I wasn't with them.

Thanks for visiting today. Create a great week!

Happy Birthday, Stacey!

Love, Juanita

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Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Lost Has Been Found

      Tea time! 

      How's this for a view from my window?


       We purchased a family of five little yellow ducks for our koi fish pond. Last summer the count was down to four. I spent many minutes looking for the one lost duck among the vines and lily pads in the not-so-clear water. We didn't “leave the ninety and nine” to look for it, but I did spend some anxious moments. Believe that?

      Just as in the parable of the lost sheep where the owner searched until he found the stray and rejoiced when he did, I'm here to report the fifth plastic ducky has been found – on top of the seven-foot water fall. It did not possess the power to fly up there. I believe it was kidnapped by a hungry vulture. The yellow duck shows signs of claw marks on its tail. Can you imagine the disappointment in the expected fresh meal? Another mystery solved!

      Now, if only we could figure out why the pond goes dry about twice a year and where the water goes. Craig says only God knows the answer to that mystery.

      What's a thinking, planning woman to do when the husband cuts down a dying, ugly tree? Turn the area into a shade garden, of course. What if he cuts down three more trees? She does nothing, he hopes! I demonstrated my creativity once again by developing another pleasant place to lounge and read and listen to the waterfall.
God already enjoyed a head start on the project. In recent years, He planted ten ferns in just the right place among the rocks on the creek bank where tree grew. Interesting how ferns just appear.  I know, weeds do also!  Ferns are blessings and weeds are part of the 'curse'.

Happy Birthday, Marlene !

Love, Juanita

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Saturday, June 9, 2012

A Worthy Cause

Welcome to my library again!

Last weekend was our mini-vacation: no telephones to answer, no TV to watch, no meals to cook while we attended a retreat in Turner, Oregon. The purpose of the event was having fellowship with like-minded people and participating in an auction to raise money to buy Bibles for Gideons in other countries not having funds to purchase their own for distribution. More than $10,000 was collected in three days!

At the annual auction, I'm excited to buy items I really want (plants for my garden and an eight-foot wind chime) and stuff I have no need for (another crystal bowl). I sold my famous chocolate chip cookies this year. In the past, they sold for $5.00 each. Thanks, Ted!

I wrote and printed a story entitled, “Jonah, Man on the Run” and put the book in the auction. Someone, who didn't even know me, bought it for $45. Now I feel like a real author!

A woman in my writing club wrote a review of this story for you who might want to own a copy. She stated, “Juanita combines the truth of Scripture with imagination to bring to life classical stories from the Bible. Her writing shows what ancient people probably experienced in their daily activities and relationship with God.”

Now I am really brave and decided to produce a second printing for $15 which includes postage. If you would like to own a signed copy, I would be proud to send it to you. Reading “Man of the Run” will re-introduce you to Jonah and his family, Jonah's prophetic ministry and how he tried to hide from his Creator who knows and sees everything.

Writing has become my passion. Last month I started my third story, “The King's Daughter”. My goal is to write a collection of  twenty short stories to place in one volume.

We'll talk later!
Juanita

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