Birthday party weekend

69º with heavy overcast - almost misting now at 9:30 am on Monday Forecast is for 30% chance of showers -- have had lots of forecasts for rain, but they have mostly gone around us for the last week or so. Click on photos to enlarge.

At left - Jessica was a little somber when she ran out to greet us.

On Saturday we drove east to Marengo, IA to be at a Birthday Party for great granddaughter Jessica. Her actual fourth birthday is on Tuesday, the 23rd, but the weekend was best for the get together. All of her dad's siblings and partners were there as well as Heath's dad and mom, and her mothers's mother.

Jessica's mom' sister, parents and us were there for that side of the family.

Heath BBQ'd hot dogs and hamburgers and, with a lot of other dishes, we ate outside and had opening of gifts until a shower was heading our way and then finished up in the house.

Lot of gifts, and lot of

tearing of the gift wrapping.

Jessica was excited about each

and every gift.

Her sun glasses from GmGrt Miles

Quite a cake! And,

Jessica was very happy with it.

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As we were getting ready to leave Sunday morning, Jessica modeled

here new cap and dress.

This little imp is cute, but damages a lot of
flowers on our back deck.

Hard to see in this photo, but
I planted 2 Norway Spruce in
milk jugs (with bottoms cut out)
"over the hump" behind the
hedge in our back yard.

These 2 plants are getting taller,
and setting on tomatoes!

This tomato plant, actually planted in the dirt,
doesn't seem to want to grow as fast.

Phyllis sewing on quilt stuff

When got home Sunday found that neighbor Jan, to the east, had had tree trimming done.

Some pretty good sized limbs. Since she hasn't spoken to us since we arrived first of May, though, doubt she will say anything about it. The tree is huge and appears split in the main trunk. Have worried that it will end up on top of my metal building sometime.

Sometimes you have thoughts of events in the past--but 70 years past? I was deciding whether to have my glasses looked at for some problems with one lens when it reminded me of the first day I every wore glasses. I was 7 years old at the time. Picked up from eye-doctor on the west side of the square in Broken Bow, Nebraska. They were the pink plastic rimmed glasses. When we were on the street Mom asked me "What in the world are you doing?". I had my right foot about 2 feet in the air (even higher seeming, considering I wasn't too tall at the time) and was trying to get up on the street curb. I had, and still have, astigmatism and with the correction of the glasses, things were all askew and the curb seemed really, really high.

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* If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment..

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

Day is done.

Gone the sun.

From the lakes

From the hills.

From the sky.

All is well.

Safely rest.

God is nigh.

Fading light.

Dims the sight.

And a star.

Gems the sky.

Gleaming bright.

From afar.

Drawing nigh.

Falls the night.

Thanks and praise.

For our days.

Neath the sun

Neath the stars.

Neath the sky

As we go.

This we know.

God is nigh

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Later, Lynn