Mother's Day

Thank You Mom

In these busy, hectic lives we lead
too often we forget
to be thankful to the person
to whom we owe our greatest debt.

Thank you Mom for the words you spoke
while catching tears that I was crying;
"Even though you did not win the race,
I'm so proud of you for trying."

Thank you Mom for open arms
that always chased away my fear
for the loving embrace of a mother
can make the whole world disappear.

Thank you Mom for the many tears
that you shed on my behalf
and for pretending that my silly jokes
always somehow made you laugh.

Thank you Mom for the guidance
through all my years of growing,
somehow molding the way I'd live my life
without my ever knowing.

Thank you Mom for your patience
and understanding all along,
those years I thought I was always right
and that you were always wrong.

Thank you Mom for teaching me
the most valuable lesson I would learn;
that you can love someone with everything
and expect nothing in return.

I don't know where my brother found this poem or who wrote it, but I had to share it with you all today. Sounds just like my Mom...bet it sounds like yours, too!
Happy Mother's Day!

Dedicated to My Mom

In The Garden

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.

Hymn: In the Garden by Charles Austin Miles, depicts Mary Magdalene's visit to the garden where she finds the resurrected Jesus.

Quote

Another busy day, but I saw this quote and had to share it.

"So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects, that too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating and destructive effect upon our society than the others."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Quote for Today

"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all.

This is just as true of the man who puts "native" before the hyphen as of the man who puts German or Irish or English or French before the hyphen. Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States. We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance. But if he is heartily and singly loyal to this Republic, then no matter where he was born, he is just as good an American as any one else.

The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans, or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality than with the other citizens of the American Republic.

The men who do not become Americans and nothing else are hyphenated Americans; and there ought to be no room for them in this country. The man who calls himself an American citizen and who yet shows by his actions that he is primarily the citizen of a foreign land, plays a thoroughly mischievous part in the life of our body politic. He has no place here; and the sooner he returns to the land to which he feels his real heart-allegiance, the better it will be for every good American."

Theodore Roosevelt
Addressing the Knights of Columbus in New York City
12 October 1915

Buyer's Remorse

Moussaoui wanted to be the tough guy, the big bad terrorist who was going to destroy the White House. Now, that he's gotten the life sentence instead of the death penalty, he's saying he lied on the stand and wants to withdraw his guilty plea.

Moussaoui said he was "extremely surprised" that he was sentenced to life in prison instead of execution and now believes he can get a fair trial from an American jury.

In a motion filed Monday, Moussaoui said he testified on March 27 that he was supposed to hijack a fifth plane on Sept. 11, 2001, and fly it into the White House "even though I knew that was a complete fabrication."

A federal court jury spared the 37-year-old Frenchman the death penalty last Wednesday. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema gave him six life sentences, to run as two consecutive life terms, in the federal supermax prison at Florence, Colo.

As she handed down the sentence, Brinkema told Moussaoui that he could appeal the life term but that she doubted he would win. "I believe it would be an act of futility," she said.

The judge also pointed out that, although he could appeal the sentence, he had lost his right to appeal his conviction when he pled guilty in April 2005. "You waived that right," she said.

On Monday, Brinkema said his request to set aside his guilty plea and go back to trial on the facts of the case was "too late" under federal rules and must be rejected. Yahoo News

He had wanted the death penalty because it would have allowed him the label of martyr, since he didn't get it, he wants to change his mind. Well, sorry ol' Zacarias, talked the talk and you get to walk the walk as they say.

Tags: Zacarias Moussaoui, terrorist

A Tale of Two Concerts

This past weekend I attended two concerts. First was our community concert. The high school has three concert bands and the top one, Wind Ensemble, plays college level and above music. These are very talented kids and would put some professional concert bands to shame. And yes, I will brag, my oldest daughter is 1st chair clarinet.

Many of you know that I am glad to live where I do, especially when I hear about what other parents go through with their schools and communities. I'm not saying we're perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to say that the overall feeling is of living in a small town, though we are a fair size city. There is a lot of parent involvement with the kids and their schools. Our band parents group raises enough money every year to purchase new instruments, music and extra uniforms (as our entire band will number approximately 225 next year!).

Now, back to the concert. Here is the program. First of all, the concert was entitled An American Celebration - An Old-Fashioned Band Concert and that is exactly what it was. They performed:

Those Who Serve
Star Spangled Banner Just prior to the beginning of this piece, a formal color guard of four of our local Army soldiers brought in the flag and we all sang.
Where Never Lark Nor Eagle Flew Accompanied by slides and video of man's history of flight.
For fun, they performed For Good from "Wicked"
When the Saints Go Marching In and Oh, You Beautiful Doll performed by a saxophone quintet.
And Godzilla Eats Las Vegas which was really funny!
Beautiful Colorado With an amazing solo by one of the senior bassoon players.
American Soldier Introduced by a Lt.Col. Army with a amazing speech about our soldiers, who they are and why they serve. The song was performed by one of the juniors and pictures of our local men and women who are currently serving.
Mansions of the Lord In honor of the fallen.
Salute to America's Finest Where each armed services song was played and those who served or had loved ones in the service to stand and be recognized.
Sing for America An old-fashioned sing along of favorite patriotic songs.
and finally Stars and Stripes Forever

It was a wonderful concert and enjoyed by all.

Now, as to the second concert. This one I did not attend as a patron, but as a volunteer, serving beer, at our local outdoor concert venue. (The band parents are non-profit volunteers raising money for our kids in band...though the tips are all ours!) There were several bands that played and from what I could hear, I was very thankful that neither of my daughters listen to these bands. My youngest has heard some of the songs on the radio, but does not have any of their CDs. The bands were "Fall Out Boys," "All American Rejects," and "Hawthorne Heights." Now, since I really couldn't hear that much of the songs, I cannot honestly say those were bad, but I can say the band members' mouths were. There were a lot of kids under the age of 18 and these band members were swearing up a storm. I don't want my kids hearing that garbage, much less pay to have them hear it!

So, all in all, I have to say Saturday night's concert was much better that Sunday night's concert.

Perfect Solution

Just about says it all. It's certainly what I hope happens to him! (especially the rat part!)

Cox & Forkum

Gratitude

"Throughout my adult life, I have always tried to acknowledge the debt I owe to my military experience, for allowing me to serve my country and for instilling within me strong moral fiber and self-discipline. These qualities have served me well in a film and television career where I have played many heroic characters. Today, more than ever, the inspiration for the parts I play is found in you - our nation's men and women in uniform - and the selfless contributions you make on a daily basis to keep our country safe and free. I salute you. I thank you. And I wish you Godspeed and a safe return home."
- Chuck Norris
Actor

"It's not an understatement to say that the visit we had with our wounded troops was one of the most emotional experiences we have ever had, and one that we will never forget. "Inspirational" is a word that springs to mind, but it really doesn't do justice to the feelings we experienced that day hanging out with those brave guys. Of course, we would do it again in a heartbeat."
- Dusty Hill
ZZ Top bassist

"I just want to tell the troops that I'm with them 110 percent, and I know that they're doing a good thing. Don't listen to the skeptics; continue to do what you do. We need these brave soldiers to fight for our way of life. And the fact that they have the nuts to do that is just unbelievable to me. Tell everyone I said "Git-R-Done.""
- Larry the Cable Guy
Blue-collar comedian

Some of many messages of praise and gratitude that can be found at America Salutes You. Pass it on...let your readers know you support our men and women in uniform!

Life or Death?

UPDATE at 4:40pm: On count one (Conspiracy to Commit Acts of Terrorism Transcending National Boundaries), count three (Conspiracy to Destroy Aircraft) and count four (Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass Destruction): sentenced to life in prison. No martyrdom for him!



The verdict is in...well, the jury sent a note to the judge stating that they had reached a verdict in the sentencing trial of Zacarias Moussaoui. It won't be long before we know what his fate will be. I have no problem with the death penalty, but this is a guy who wants the death penalty because it will make him a martyr to his cause and Al Qaeda. We shouldn't let him have his way on this one.

The verdict will be read at 4:30 p.m.(/2030 GMT) He will be sentenced Thursday at 10 a.m.(/1400 GMT).

Moussaoui, a 37-year-old French citizen of Moroccan descent, faces a sentence of death or life in prison. Yahoo News

United 93

I have not seen the movie, but the reveiws and comments I have read and heard have me wanting to see it. I know that my 14-year-old wants to see it and I'm glad of that. She was only eight when it happened, so she doesn't have much memory of the day and I think it's important for her to see what happened that beautiful day in September and what brought us to where we are today. My oldest just let me know that she would like to see it as well, so I think we'll have to go. I realize it's R-rated, but we know why and it's rated that and it's called reality.

I find myself drawn to it see it.