For love of country they accepted death... ~James A. Garfield

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. - John F. Kennedy




In contemplation of Memorial Day, say a prayer to thank all the men and women who have fallen to defend our liberties. Say another prayer to thank all the men and women who have served to defend our country.

During Grace, praise all U.S. service members, past, present and future, and then eat a stack of hot dogs.

Need a Chuckle?

I'm a sucker for most kinds of animated films. Especially the ones produced by amateurs. My only criteria is that they make me smile. This one did.

Be sure to watch to the very end of the credits, or you'll miss a good part.



I can totally relate. To get rid of aphids, I bought some ladybugs. It worked. No more aphids. Instead, a zillion ladybugs now cover the outside of the house. Worse, they're squeezing through every nook and cranny invading every room. The lesson to be learned?

Ladybugs don't look as cute when they're mashed into the carpet.

Say What?

Like many others, I watched the TV show Lost for about three seasons. I finally got tired of seeing Jack, he's one of the main characters in case you've never seen the show, crying his eyes out all the time. I mean week after week, every minute, boo hooing all over the place. He's a sensitive guy. I got it. The first time he broke down, I got it. The other fifty times was plain pathetic. I just wanted to smack him and tell him to shape up.

So I gave up. You could say, I got lost on Lost. The final episode aired last week. It was supposed to wrap everything up, answer all the unanswered questions, solve all the mysteries, explain the true meaning of life. Apparently some die hard fans, who courageously (or foolishly depending on your point of view) stuck with it for, I don't know, eight seasons maybe, were still pretty lost after the finale.

One enthusiast put together a summary for those fans still lost as to what it all meant. Here it is:



I think our government should hire this guy to explain the new health care law to the American people.

Here come da judge

We are now in a process of nominating a Supreme Court Justice due to an upcoming retirement.

Most Americans polled say 'No' to a non-Judge for the Supreme Court.

On Jan. 21, 2010 the United States Supreme Court announced that corporations enjoy the same First Amendment free-speech rights as individuals.

So let's put one of these Corporate Judges on the short list for consideration.





Or, how about picking a member of The Supremes to serve on the bench?
That would rule.

I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

“If it's never our fault, we can't take responsibility for it. If we can't take responsibility for it, we'll always be its victim.” - Richard Bach

Artsy to Fartsy

"Trash has given us an appetite for art." - Pauline Kael

Another One Bites the Dust

To my dear Staff Support. Happy Birthday!!

Do something important. Do it today. Eat Cake!!

What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?

Here's to you MOM!!

"The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades"

Pretend you are this really scary predator. Strong, quick, sneaky as all get out, you wait in the lee of the riverbank waiting for some poor unsuspecting prey to bend down to take a drink. Normally the color of the mossy bank, you should be perfectly camouflaged.

Passersby begin to peer into the murky depths of the river. You think you are cleverly concealed. They point, right at you. You realize they can see you.

To get rid of them, so a nice juicy morsel can stumble by, you raise up and look them square in the eye. Instead of running away, fear etched in every line of their faces, they take picture after picture. They call over their friends. Nobody throws you a scrap of food. Large, hungry looking birds land in the trees above your quiet pool.

Next thing you know, you've got a nasty sunburn. And you're starving to death. Then one of those two legged creatures picks you up and deposits you in a lovely quiet pond at the NC Aquarium. Plenty to eat, perfect climate, no rivals, swarms of people fighting to take your picture. You realize you have made it to the big time.

You are a Star!!

Diver Wanted

Say you're a diver at the NC Aquarium. One of your jobs is to clean the main 35,000 gallon fish tank. Every inch of it gets scrubbed once a week to keep the algae from growing. It keeps the fish safe and healthy.

Say you're a bit of a ham, and maybe a little bored with washing the windows. You like to wave to the kids who are watching you work.


There's not much in the giant tank that will bother you. But you do need to be careful not to stick your hand in the hidey-hole where the moray eel hangs out.


Suddenly the hair on the back of your neck stands straight up. You sense something isn't right.

You look around for the danger. Everything seems okay. The kids are laughing and clapping their hands. You notice a lot of them seem to be looking above you.


You look too. Oh no, someone forgot to lock up Sharky. You start running for the door, forgetting it is above you.

Feeding time at the Aquarium. The kids love it.

Endangered Species

About this time of year, sea turtles start making their way to NC beaches to lay their eggs. It's a big deal, as sea turtles have been on the endangered list for many years. Hundreds of volunteers scout the beach to report new nests, secure them from predators and help the young to the sea when they hatch.

This is a quiz. Here are three pictures of sea turtles. Only one of them is a real, live sea turtle. Guess which one.

Number one.

Number two.

Number three.

Answer:

1) If you guessed number one, you are not correct. This is actually an eerily well done look alike plaster model at the entrance to the turtle exhibit at the NC Aquarium.

2) If you guessed number two, you are correct. Each year the Aquarium is allowed to keep three new hatchlings to exhibit. They keep them until they reach about eight pounds, which takes roughly one year. Then the turtles are released into the estuary and make their way to the sea. This handsome fellow is eight months old. If you look closely, you can just make out the refection of the expert turtle lady in the water.

3) If you guessed number three, you either need your glasses adjusted, or refilled with a fresh margarita.

Dance of the Jellies

More from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. They have a marvelous display of jelly fish. The room is dark, the tanks softly back-lit.

One tank holds the young ones. This luminous fellow is the size of an oatmeal cookie. The trailing tentacles are pretty to see--from the far side of the glass.

The large jelly fish occupy a separate tank. Some are the size of a generous dessert plate. This one reminded me of a great glob of grape jelly.

They gently rise and gracefully descend in gelatinous blobs. The tanks are back-lit with colored lights making the jellies appear to change color.

The heart of the matter. Up close and personal.

I have to go now. All this talk of dessert plates, oatmeal cookies and grape jelly have made me hungry.

"By the Sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea"

Visiting the Carolina coast today. The day being rainy, it was perfect for a trip to the nearby aquarium. Very near Fort Fisher, it's well worth seeing should you ever be down this way.

Shimmering overhead, this stunning school of tuna drew us into one of the main galleries. Suspended from the ceiling, the life-like fish sway gracefully with the air currents.


It was after lunch, and this octopus curled into a handy opening for a snooze. The dark round spot in the center is not an eye. It's for water intake. Did get a peek at his eye, which was firmly closed.

After waiting patiently, this graceful beauty came out of hiding.


When asked by the staff to donate a little something to feed the animals, we at once complied. Having already spotted a plank sticking out over the estuary, it seemed the prudent thing to do.

Speaking of Art...

Art comes in all shapes, sizes, and media. Here is an example of textile art. More specifically, quilting. No log cabin or flying geese here my friends. Two unique pieces made for two different music students.


I love this partial of a violin. Simple, classic. Leaves something for the imagination.


Even more amazing is this one of guitars. I love the way they overlap to share form and color.

Both designs were taken from posters. But the choice of fabric, piecing and workmanship are original to the artist.

Not that there's anything wrong with the drunkards path. But it's good to go another way if you're so inclined.

Run For the Roses

I don't think I can do better than this. So here it is again.

http://hastynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/one-day-in-may.html

Only things missing, are the ladies in the fancy hats.