Day One Hundred Forty Five

Memorial Day, 2009. America is the land of the free because of the brave. Thank you to all the fallen Patriots who died to defend my freedom. I thank God every day that I get to live in this country and be free. God Bless America!

Day One Hundred Forty Four

Welcome to my virtual farm! Farm Town is a game I play on Facebook, along with my family and friends (in Farm Town they're called my "neighbors" of course). I own a piece of land where I plow fields, plant seeds, harvest crops, sell them for a fair price in the farmer's market, then do it all over again. My farmer neighbors send me animals and trees for my farm. I have virtual sheep, pigs, cows, dogs, cats, rabbits, a donkey and horses. They can be sold or given away, but what's a farm without animals running amok! The trees are great because they can be harvested at any time without fear of losing the crop. The other plants are a different story. If you aren't prepared to harvest your potatoes or strawberries, cabbages or grapes or whatever when they're ready, they will go to waste and you will lose valuable coins to buy more seeds, fences, ponds--you get the idea--not to mention the chance to advance to the next level of virtual farming. I tell you this is more fun than virtual people should be allowed to have! Don't knock it til you've tried it (you know who you are). In the meantime, I've got my eye on the clock. Got some grapes due to be harvested just after midnight. "Moo!" y'all.

Day One Hundred Forty Three

Local veterans were honored here today with a Memorial Day weekend program that included an honor guard, a band that sang patriotic tunes, and my Aunt Joy Brown, who recited 'The Ragged Old Flag'. Aunt Joy is from Gainesboro, Tennessee, just a thirty minute drive from here. She has become a local celebrity and is always in demand to recite this poem at various memorial programs honoring American war heroes from all generations. As usual, she did a wonderful job, reciting this poem from memory. She made her own Uncle Sam inspired costume, from the top hat down to the red and white striped pants. And she's only 94 years old. Well, as she is quick to point out, "ninety-four and a half!" We remember all those men and woman who sacrificed their lives in service to this country and we thank them for standing in our place in harm's way to defend our freedom. I'd also like to salute my Aunt Joy Brown for her spirit of perseverance. I want to be just like her when I grow up. God Bless America!

Day One Hundred Forty Two

Neil and I went to the Nashville Flea Market today at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. I always enjoy it and find interesting stuff. Never any fleas, though. I didn't buy anything today. And that's a first! I had fun taking pictures with my cell phone and here are just a few things that caught my eye. The weather was great. It never rained. And we ended our little out of town outing with our daughter Kelly at Olive Garden--an after-flea market tradition. Good times!

Very cool, very expensive Beatles poster.

These mannequins crack me up just piled up in the dirt.
She looks like she's saying, "How can you laugh at a time
like this!?" How humiliating. I'll bet they once wore stylish
clothes and adorned an expensive department store window.

Love the messages these garden stakes convey. So colorful.

I call this the rolling pin from hell! It looks like an implement

of torture. It probably cut biscuits or doughnuts. I'm always

attracted to rolling pins and own a few I rarely use.

Day One Hundred Forty One

The blue sky over my backyard this afternoon was simply awesome. I like the three clouds in a line. The picture just doesn't do this scene justice. But I can't help taking pictures of a sky like this. I spent part of the afternoon visiting with my mom and brother and sister. We got to sit outside on the porch swing and enjoy the gorgeous day. I also spent part of the afternoon with Shelby and Elijah until their mom picked them up after school. Shelby is under the weather with allergies and a bit of a fever. Elijah and I sat in the wicker rocking chairs on the back porch (where I took this picture). He was content to sit and eat little candy canes left over from Christmas and sip on a tiny can of cherry Coke. Enjoyable day in a hundred different ways.