Saturday, June 27, 2009

Vacation time--- but not for me.

Good Morning to all my devoted blog followers and fellow meme players. Just wanted to let all of you know that I will be hosting and playing tour guide to some out of state family for the next week.

I have Alabama cousins arriving shortly for their first visit to the "Show Me State" and since I want them to have a great time and not miss a single thing this great area has to offer I will not have time to do much (if any) blogging.

I know I have quite a few meme's posted and I do want to visit with each and every one else who participated but please forgive me if it takes me into the end of next week to catch up.

After all living life is much more important than writing about it. Besides, I will capture a bunch of newpictures and add more fodder for future posts.

Have a good week everyone and I will see you all after the 4th once my guest head home.

Rita

Photo Hunt------ Flags

The theme for this week's photo hunt is flag or in my case, flags. How often do you notice someone in violation of flag etiquette? When you do run across a breach of flag etiquette do you ignore it? Oh make the offending party aware of their mistake?

All of the photos from my collage where taken by me in the last few months. There are some that are treating the flag properly and others that are not. How many can you identify? Need help with the flag code to decide? Then continue reading. Below the code is a list of violations of the code that have been in the news in the last few years. I think you will find them interesting.

During these tough times and with our nation's birthday just around the corner we all want to display our flag with pride. But, lets do it correctly.

"No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America." Section 8
"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." Section 8j


Please enlarge to see all details.

American Flag Etiquette.

Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:

The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Flag Code Violations in the News

January 19, 2009, Baltimore, MD. Flags overprinted with the new President's image and name are distributed to celebrate his inauguration. Section 8g of the Flag Code reads, "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."

June 13, 2008, Byron Brown, the mayor of Buffalo, ordered all flags at city buildings lowered to half-staff in honor of news journalist Tim Russert (pictured). Section 7m authorizes the President, the Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia to half-staff the US flag in certain circumstances. Can the mayor order the US flag to half-mast?

Reno, Nevada, October 2, 2007, the flagpole at a local bar displayed the Mexican flag above the US flag on the same flagpole. Section 7g reads, "When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace." Photo source: KRNV News 4
Can a foreign flag fly above the US flag?

Albania, June 10, 2007, the woman's flag is union out; the man is wearing flag shorts; his flag is touching the ground. Section 7h reads, "the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff." Section 8d reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Section 8b reads, "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground." Of course, the Flag Code doesn't apply in Albania. Photo credit: Damir Sagolj/Reuters

September 11, 2006, President Bush and first lady Laura Bush stand on a carpet of the American flag at Ground Zero in Manhattan, the site of the September 11, 2001 attack. Section 8b of the Flag Code reads, " The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground..." Photo credit: Reuters/Jason Reed

April 2006, protesters hold a US flag union down to protest pending federal legislation, in Costa Mesa, California. Section 8a. "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property." Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images/David McNew
Is it okay to display the flag upside down in protest?

Super Bowl 2004, Janet Jackson's "costume malfunction" made international news; that same half-time show featured the wearing of an American flag by performer Kid Rock. He later removed the flag poncho and hurled it over his head. Section 8d. reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."

In July 2003 President Bush autographed a small flag. This picture was circulated across the Internet noting its violation of the Flag Code: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."

Now how many errors did you find in my collage? If you attend a holiday party this july 4th and the hostess provides plates with a replica of our flag on them what would you do? Use them and say nothing or ask for a different plate?

To join in the fun or just enjoy all of this weeks shots visithttp://tnchick.com/

Pink Saturday------ Pom-pon recital




After posting my first Pink Saturday post I had several people comment that I would start to see pink everywhere. They were right.

This shot was taken at my nieces step-erettes recital. Step-erettes is a class for learning to do baton and pom-pon. My niece is the second from the right. Before attending this recital I thought it was pom-pom. I was wrong. It is pom-pon with a n.







To visit more delicious pink post or to join in all the fun visit http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink-saturday/

Friday, June 26, 2009

June scavenger hunt

Kristi is the host of the Sweetsauer Photo Hunt. This is a monthly scavenger hunt for a select group of items she lists each month. I discovered her blog last month but it was too late to gather all the shots. I could not wait to join all the fun this month.

I am posting this a little early because I have out of state house guest arriving and I know I will be to busy to get on the computer until they leave. I will do my best to check out everyones entries as time permits.

I lucked out and managed to capture most of the needed shots during our trip to visit my brother at his cabin in the Missouri Ozark's two weeks ago.
Enlarge for best detail.

1. A View from Above (looking down)---- Crawdad pulled from Table Rock Lake.


2. A Macro Shot --- Black walnut pod on the ground.



3. Laughter--- My only surviving uncle and his wife laughing at one of my sister's stories.


4. Relaxation--- Chilling on the dock while the kiddies swim


5. A Celebration--- My grandson's thirteenth birthday. He choose where we would have lunch.


6. A Sunset--- Taken from my back deck one day last week.


7. Sun/Lens Flare---through the trees.


8. A Bridge --- Bridge crossing an inlet of Table Rock Lake


9. A Shadow--- the Old Salt on the teeter totter with the nieces


10. A Garden--- Neighbor' s vegetable garden. I should retake this shot because since I took this one it has tripled in size. There is almost no dirt showing for the plants now. Amazing what a couple weeks will do.


11. A Park---looking across Lyons Lake which sits in the middle of the 96 acre Hillermann Park


12. A Street Scene---- Antiquing in old St. Genevieve, Mo. with my mother and a friend. I am in blue, Mom in pink



13. Signage--- I live in the heart of Missouri wine country. This billboard sits in a field full of grape vines near the exit to one of our best wineries. St. James Winery.


14. A Summer Activity--- fishing from the dock. This shot includes 4 nieces and 2 great-nieces.


15. A Summer Treat--- Ice Cream, what better treat.


16. Earth --- Taken where the highway dept. is widening a road near my home.


17. Air/ Wind--- flying flags are the best way I know to capture the wind.


18. Fire--- campfire at the lake ready for the smore's


19. Water--- Table Rock Lake---wake from passing boats hitting shore.


20. Something Vintage (pre-1980)--- old tractor and trailer parked outside the bakery the other morning.


21. Something Made of Glass--- a view in the looking glass. My daughter getting a hair cut.


22. Something Made of Wood. Hauling a large board home in a small car.


23 Something that Floats--- power boat on Table Rock Lake


24. Something Railroad Related--- Do folks still ride the rails? Not in these boxcars I'm sure.


25. Something round--- the first round house I have ever seen. Only a short hop from my brother's cabin.



To visit the other participants of this month's scavenger hunt or to join next month's adventure visit
http://www.sweetsauer.com/kristis_bliggitty_blog/2009/06/sweetsauer-photo-hunt-2-details-signup.html

Photo Friday Debris




Just one type of debris saved from the landfill and headed to be recycled.



To join the fun or visit the participates go to http://photofriday.com

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Purple passion --- my first

As you can tell by my blog design I am a person that likes purple. I discovered a new meme called Purple Passion and would like to share these purple shots with all the great folks who, like me, have that passion for things purple.

I took my grandson to the dentist on Monday and this very purple piece of rope are was decorating the waiting room.



Found this lovely lavender building on my recent trip to the Ozarks.



This very purple house is just a few blocks from my sister in Omaha.


The world is full of people with purple passion and some of them can be found at http://purplephotopassion.blogspot.com/go visit or join the fun.

Window views 10 -- cleanest windows in town

I think that my favorite eatery has the cleanest windows in town. And I think I know why? Come along with me to Window Views and I will give you a peak at what I think is the reason.


With our nation's birthday just around the corner I wanted to share some patriotic windows with you this week. I will be playing hostess and tour guide next week, to out of state guests, and doubt that I will have much time for posting. I did not want to miss sharing the 4th of July decorations on the windows of my favorite place to have breakfast. This is Rothchild's and I believe I am safe in saying that they are the only place in town celebrating our nation's birthday with painted windows.

This next shot was taken from inside facing our favorite booth and the view through the side window.

This is the outside of that side window.



This restaurant celebrates most major holidays with a different set of decorated windows.




Now I would like to introduce you to the local artist who creates all those windows. Her name is Deborah Ferris and her business is Called "Ferris of them All"


I believe that having to wash off all that paint after each holiday is the reason my favorite eatery has the cleanest windows in town.

Do stop by the home of Widow Views and check out all the other entries. Heck, you might even want to join the fun
http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Shades of Blue and Sepia Scenes.

If you google meme and make a list (or bookmark as I did) I think you will find Wednesday has more memes than any other day. Guess the hosts feel everyone could use some spice or excitement to get them over humpday.

Frankly, I have started to get too involved in joining meme's. My camera and computer time has grown considerably to the detriment of all of my other responsibilities. I find myself checking my blog every few hours to see if anyone has sent me any bloggie love in the form of a comment. I spend too much time trying to visit every entry on every meme. And, the Old Salt, my dear sweet hubby is trying to not complain about the increase in take out and the shortage of hugs coming his way.

So I have finally decided that I must start a new set of rules. My camera will still go everywhere with me. If a shot jumps in my path I will certainly spent a short minute getting the best shot possible. I will stop turning around to go back and check out what might be the perfect red, yellow, purple or polka dotted shot for some future meme. If I have time to be on the computer and there is a meme I can do at that time with the shots I have already taken then I will post to it. Other wise I will continue to remind myself that I have a life and I want to live that life to the fullest. I want to have the sun on my face. I want to walk the trails in search of pebbles. I want to be able to spend time in the park with the children in my life. I will no longer say "hold on a minute. I am almost finished with this meme."

That all being said. It is now time to post for the Wednesday meme's. Tonight I am choosing to post to the following two meme's. This is my first time posting to both.

First is Shades of Blue.
This little blue engine pulls the visitor train that takes guest all around the St. Louis Zoo.

And second is Sepia Scenes. Until recently my family was too large for gatherings in someone's home. So we would rent the local Knights of Columbus Hall to hold our family get togethers. This photo was taken at a graduation party where (as usual) many of the men would gather around the cooler for a cold one and some fish tales. This photo was taken by another family member and the shot recently reminded them of some old black and white pictures from the dust bowl era where everyone gathered together in groups to discuss their plight with an old truck in the background. They printed it in sepia and sent me a copy. I thought it was perfect for this meme.
By the way. I have nine brothers and three brother-in-laws and lots of nephews so this is just a fraction of the males in attendance at this gathering.

to join the fun or visit all the other entries. Go here:


My World Tuesday ---MannWell's

Time to invite you to take a little walk around part of My World. This week I would like to take you to The Old Salts favorite coffee shop. I am not a coffee drinker but I like to go along for the delicious food and pastries. And the atmosphere is not bad either.

So come visit MannWell's Coffee Alley with me. The name of this shop is a combination of the two last names of the owners.

This is the barrister that usually works the shift we visit. I was told by his sister (who happened to be in the shop one day) that he has worn these rose colored glasses since high school. The glasses are not to correct his vision, he apparently just likes to see everything through rose colored glasses (pun intended). Scott likes peace signs and cammies, pretty much anything at least twenty years back or more. The name tag in this shot came with the shirt and is not his name but there is a large peace symbol on the back.

Here I am sitting in front of the ever changing art wall. All art is by local artists and rotates every eight weeks.
One Sunday each month the place is opened for a poetry reading. Local artists are invited to read their work. One friday night each month they stay open late so local musicians can preform. Have a look around and choose your table, drinks will be served soon.







During the summer the TV is beach scenes and in winter, a roaring fireplace. The paperback books on the shelf above the tv are take one-leave one.
This quilt is more of the local art that was on display the day this was taken.
Games are available and, of course, wireless internet.


To visit the other My World entries are to join the fun visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/