Rollling Thunder

Two summers ago, I had the opportunity to visit Washington DC during the week leading up to Memorial Day. I have several wonderful memories of being in DC, and I hope to visit there again. Two things stand out in my mind when I think about that experience: 1. The Lincoln Memorial and 2. The Rolling Thunder Rally

Every Memorial Day thousands upon thousands of motorcycles ride into DC and rally for POW/MIA and the soldiers that were forgotten in Vietnam. This quote from the website sums it up. "Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA). Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising the First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble", organized the first group of 2500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. This first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Today over 250, 000 motorcycles ride during the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day weekend observance, held each year in our nation’s capital. Rolling Thunder has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the POW/MIA issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars."

I will never forget the day we were walking from Smithsonian to Smithsonian and a large group of these motorcycles with American flags, POW flags, and MIA flags paraded down the streets. It was a very emotional moment for me, and thinking of it now makes me a little teary.

I wave these flags in my front yard, today, to THANK all of those who have fought and died so that I may live the FREE and luxurious life that I do.

My

after school project: Caterpillars metamorph into BUTTERFLIES.

Until next time....

XOXOXOXO

What's for dinner?

Wes's Catch of the Day: Pecan encrusted Speckled Trout, Green beans, and cheesy potatoes!

And for dessert: Chocolate Mallow Drops!

YUMMY!!

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Among the Animals

Wes and I went to Ship Island a few weekends ago with our friends Katie and John. It was my first time to go, and it was so wonderful. We spotted 3 dolphins in front of the boat on the way to the island, and once we were there found ourselves surrounded by wildlife.

 



Horseshoe Crab













I can't wait to go back and bath in the sun!

Just a reminder that the oil has still not made its way to the Mississippi Sound. So bring your family and enjoy all the Coast has to offer. Check it out at http://www.gulfcoast.org/.

Until next time....

XOXOXOX

ONE

One Friday night, I went to the Ocean Springs Mardi Gras parade. My friend, Katie, accepted ONE invitation to a party that strangers were hosting for ONE piece of King cake. ONE drunk old man thought I looked like ONE unknown golf player because I was wearing ONE wool cap. He told me that the Champions tour http://www.mississippigulfresortclassic.com (senior PGA golf tournament) was going to be held in Biloxi and that I should get my husband to be ONE volunteer. I did. ONE Saturday and ONE Sunday he did. He had ONE great time and gots lots of free stuff!

ONE weekend about 3 weeks ago, Wes went to Dayton, OH to watch the World Championship Winter Guard competition. On his way home, he made ONE detour to the ATL where he picked ONE bed. Thanks Donna and Gene for being so gracious.

ONE Saturday, I painted the room where ONE bed was to be placed. Here are the results!

Before













and after.....

I for ONE,  love it!!!

ONE Saturday or maybe it was ONE Sunday, I was bored and painted ONE peculiar owl and hung him in our bedroom!

ONE day an oil rig caught fire, exploded, and caused ONE major oil spill. ONE gigantic problem is that  no one seems to be able to stop the THREE leaks. ONE bird has already been washed with blue Dawn liquid soap. Many more will be washed soon. I signed up to be ONE volunteer among the many at http://www.oilspillvolunteers.com . You can to, and I urge you to help if you can. Not only is the environment and wildlife in serious danger, so are the people of the Gulf Coast. Our lively hoods depend upon these natural resources for food and income. Your desires for fresh seafood, beach time vacations, and ONE healthy economy depend on getting these leaks stopped and getting the oil cleaned up. This is not ONE thing that is going to go away on ONE day or even in ONE year. Please be ONE volunteer!

Until next time...

XOXOXOXOXO

Beginnings

I started my first garden a few weeks ago. I went "all out" and planted seeds instead of established plants. I mean, I thought, "how hard can it be? People been doin' it for years!" I will admit it is a delicate process, but the beginnings of success (or yet to be determined failure) are popping up everywhere.

Cucumbers 1 & 2

Tomatoes 1-4

Jalapenos (lots of these are popping up)

Marigolds to keep the rabbits away!

On another sort of sad note, my Uncle James passed away this week after a very long and wonderful life. This rose growing in my yard, reminded me of him.

And speaking of beginnings, a freshly painted pool full of crystal clear water gets a girl to thinking about the beginning of SUMMER!!

before                                                                                               after

Notice the new darker blue color!!! I love it!

Until next time.....

XOXOXOXOX

A little spring in our step

Wes and I had a very eventful Spring Break. In short, his mom and Ron visited, we toured Beauvoir, took a sunset cruise, feed aggressive seasgulls, shopped, ate a lot, golfed, built and planted a vegetable garden, baked, and I painted. It has been tons of fun, and I hate to see it end. Summer will be here soon, and I can't wait!!

Here are few photos from our adventures.

This is a Walter Anderson print. These can be purchased in Ocean Springs in color or black and white. You can paint the black and white ones with water colors. I did these pelicans. I am planning on doing a cat next!

Until next time......

XOXOXOX