3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Nebraska

Spring Has Sprung

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Spring has sprung in Nebraska, and I am a happy camper!

After a long winter in Nebraska I am more than ready for Spring and it can’t come fast enough. My daffodils are blooming, the buds on the trees are opening and the sun is shining.

With the first blooming flowers of spring I start taking my camera with me everywhere. There is something about the sun and new life rising from the ground that inspires me.

Enjoy my flowers this year and Spring Quotes

Spring has sprung with the first daffodils of the year
Spring has sprung with the first daffodils of the year

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”  ~Robin Williams

Blooming redbud tree
Blooming redbud tree

It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

Mark Twain had it right, I have SPRING FEVER!

Daffodil garden at Arbor Day Lodge in Nebraska City
Daffodil garden at Arbor Day Lodge in Nebraska City

Awake, thou wintry earth –
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, “An Easter Hymn”

Apple blossoms at Arbor Day Lodge in Nebraska City
Apple blossoms at Arbor Day Lodge in Nebraska City

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.  ~Ruth Stout

So true, I love the flower gardens in the spring and it’s to them that I flock when the warm spring breezes blow. Always with my camera of course.

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout
I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.  ~Anne Bradstreet

I guess the spring quote by Anne Bradstreet is true, if we didn’t have winter, and very cold winters, we would never appreciate spring. The same is the same with joy. If we never experience sadness we would relish and appreciate joy and happiness.

Raindrops on a Tulip
Raindrops on a Tulip

The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun’s kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze.
~Julian Grenfell

So now that Spring has sprung, can summer be far behind? I am a sun worshipper, nothing makes me happier than sitting with my face to the sun on the first warm day of spring. I love the warmth, and can’t wait for an 80 degree day so I can sit on the deck and soak in the rays.

What do you like about spring? Do you have a favorite spring tradition?

 

Colonel Tom Brewer: Warrier to Congressman

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I am honored to know Tom Brewer, and his family. I don’t normally venture into politics on my blog, photography is my gig, but have made a few exceptions, Colonel Tom Brewer is reason to make that exception.  The more I learn about politics the more I’m fed up and tired of politics as usual and the career politicians who place their own interest first. We need more people in Washington that love America, understand what freedoms we truly have, and are willing to fight to keep that freedom.

Colonel Tom Brewer for Congress 2014
Click to go to the official Tom Brewer for Congress website

We have a commander in chief who has never served in the military, who doesn’t understand international politics and policies and has made decisions that have not only hurt our country but put thousands of our men and women in the military in harms way and placed them in danger.

This is where my endorsement (for what it’s worth) and political stance is front and center. I totally believe, trust and stand behind Colonel Tom Brewer for Congress for the third district in Nebraska. I have been fortunate to know him and his family for many years as they have lived in Eastern Nebraska and his kids have gone to the same high school as mine. His daughter is a good friend of my sons and I think the world of her.Click to the Colonel Tom Brewer for Congress 2014

Tom has not only served his country with honor and commitment, stood in the line of fire to protect his men, but also been placed in diplomatic leadership positions with international leaders and advisers. He was critical in helping build the Afghan National Army in the years after 9/11. There is much I can say about the man and his values, but I have decided to link to the media stories and interviews to let him tell it himself.

People in the third district don’t have “bad” things to say about Adrian Smith, but they really can’t say something positive he’s done either. Although it has come to light that Rep Adrian Smith In a recent poll in the Grand Island Independent  more than 70% think the 3rd District needs a military man to represent them in Congress.

Since then Colonel Brewer has taken Congressman Smith to task for not supporting the families of the men killed at Benghazi and has urged him to support HR 36 which would would support Congressional action to investigate the terrorist attack on Benghazi on September 11, 2012.

Tom Brewer speaks about Benghazi
CLICK to hear the radio interview

I have been following the events of Benghazi from the beginning as my oldest son was at Camp Bastion just a few months before the attack and it really hit close when men he knew and worked with died and were injured in the attack. Colonel Brewer knew and served with Navy SEAL Glen Doherty and in a radio interview this week stated the following:

“The mortars used to kill Americans on September 11, 2012 in Benghazi had American tail fin numbers. They were killed with our own weapons. And for the life of me, I don’t understand why Congressman Adrian Smith will not support an investigation that would allow the truth to come out.”

What is going on in Washington? Why are some state representatives hiding their head in the sand? The sitting Republican Congressman Adrian has time and time again turned down Tom Brewers request to debate before the primary. What is he afraid of, I say let’s get Tom Brewer elected, send him to Washington and let him take names and kick butt.

 

I encourage you to visit his website, contribute what you can, pass his information along to anyone in the country. It’s not just Nebraska he represents but all veterans, patriots and Americans. If you have contacts in the media or in the press get them in contact with Colonel Brewer and his campaign office. He not only has a story to tell, but is a leader who will get things done in Washington.

Colonel Tom Brewer Official Links

Video Stories

Nebraska Soldier retires After 36 years

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAEYYxFoC8w

Watch the Brewer vs Smith Debate

Watch the Republican primary debate between Tom Brewer and Adrian Smith at UStream.com decide for yourself who won the political debate. I have watched many political debates over the years and Tom Brewer did a fantastic job in my opinion, you would never know he hasn’t debated before, or been in the political area. I didn’t know he had such a public speaking presence.


Video streaming by Ustream
 Political Interviews

Learn where Tom Brewer stands on abortion (Pro-Life), the second Amendment (life time NRA member), Benghazi, immigration, the national budget, national defense, the Keystone Pipeline, the Tea Party, immigration, leadership, and more important issues facing our country today. He has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in domestic and international affairs.

Articles About Colonel Tom Brewer

Tom Brewers Military Career

Books

Chronicles the attack near Kabul Afghanistan where Tom Brewer and his men were outnumbered 10 to one, yet they held off the enemy for more than an hour before support arrived. Tom Brewer was shot six times yet still continued to fight and received his first Purple Heart.

If you know Colonel Tom Brewer you understand what he stands for, if you don’t get to know this man, he will tackle Washington like he has him military life, with honor and commitment.

 

Thankful November: My 30 Day Photo Challenge

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Thankful November seems to be the trend as I’ve been seeing thankful postings on Facebook and on Twitter the past couple of days. I think we should say thank you everyday, but there is something powerful about saying “thank you” out loud and counting your blessings during the month of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving tends to disappear between Halloween and Christmas, the holiday has all but disappeared in the consumerism and holiday hoopla. So yes, I think I will participate in Thankful November.

When I think of all I have, all God has provided, it’s really amazing. Life could be so much harder, and as I look back on my life there have been some years that pushed me to the limit physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I learned to appreciate the little things in life, see the positive instead of the negative and “Let God.”

So the photographer in me is going to merge two projects, a 30 Day Photo Challenge and 30 Days of Thankfulness.  Those who have followed my blog might remember my 365 project. I’ve come a long ways in my photography since then and I’d like to start sharing again. Photography is my way of documenting and recording what is important to me, so in essence, it’s what I’m thankful for in life.

Harvest in Nebraska, Combines in the fields
Day: 1 Harvest in Nebraska (Commute to work)

Day 1: I am thankful for my commute to work every day. The twenty-eight miles takes me about 35 minutes when I don’t stop to take photographs. During the fall the farmers are in their fields picking corn and combining soybeans. Harvest is a reward for a year’s work.

Fall color, red maple leaves in Nebraska
Day 2: Fall Color (Flowers or Nature)

Day 2: I am thankful for the little things, leaves on the trees, the change of seasons, it makes me happy.

My Boxer Leah
Day 3: My Puppy Dog

Day 3: My dogs make me happy, animals love unconditionally and Leah my Boxer is always happy to see me when I come home, she wiggles her tail so hard her whole body wiggles.

My Youngest Daughter Graduates High School

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Planning a High School Graduation Party for the Last Time

The day has come, I am an empty nester and my youngest has graduated from high school. I am planning my last high school graduation party.

Create personalized graduation gifts with a high school graduates baby picture and cap and gown photo. Then & now photo frames are unique graduation gift ideas for families. High school graduation gifts mean more when they are personal. Perfect graduation gifts for him and her. Order a frame with this 10x20 photo print along with your order, or purchase one after.

Where did the time go? It seemed like yesterday when she was just a baby.

THEN and NOW photo keepsake FrameTHEN and NOW photo keepsake Frame

It was a wild month leading up to the graduation ceremony and the graduation party. But I was so happy and glad we did everything to make the day and weekend special.

High School Graduation Party Ideas

When I mean we did everything we did everything. Including a photo-booth, chocolate-covered strawberries, and photo candy favors.

Graduation Candy Favors

It took me three weeks to recuperate, I think that’s a sign I’m getting older. Here are just a few from her party and graduation itself.

Hugging friends at graduation

I threw two high school graduation parties that year as my stepdaughter graduated from the same school. We had two parties, two sets of photos, twice as many pictures.

But, I had fun and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Ok, maybe not dipped so many chocolate-covered strawberries, but that’s another story.

High School graduation, a milestone event

These young adults are now on their way into adulthood, college, jobs, the military and places and experiences unknown.  As parents, we supported them in their activities, tried to correct behavior, and guided them in the ways of the world. It is now up to them.

My two sons graduated years ago and I kept several of their decorations. That saved some money. Since one party was a week before the other I could reuse decorations from one girl to the next, to a point.

Graduation party favors and streamers make a party special. Find high school party ideas and gifts for your special graduate.

Each had their own style and wanted to personalize their own celebration, which is the way it should be. These graduation party favor streamers are fun to wave and shake during the ceremony or during a graduation parade.

Popular Graduation Party Decorations

Photobooth for Graduation party

High school graduation is special and it represents not only the end of their general school career but is a starting point for adulthood.

Many parents will post photographs that represent the journey from infant to adulthood to compare how they have changed and grown.

Etsy graduation gifts for her. Unique graduation gift ideas are easy to find on Etsy.

There are so many themed party ideas and you can go crazy on Etsy graduation gifts for her.  

Placing Flags For Memorial Day

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In cemeteries all over the country flags are placed on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day. Have you ever wondered how they suddenly appear, who places them, and how long it takes?

In Elmwood Nebraska, a town of just slightly over 800 people, we celebrate Memorial Day like many towns across the country. The local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) coordinates volunteers to met in the cemetery to place flags on the memorial crosses and markers. I’ve learned this event is often called “Flaging In”

Community helps place flags
Community helps place flags

A time of 7 o’clock pm was sent out for anyone who wanted to help decorate the cemetery. I got there about 7:05 and the people were already milling about with bundles of flags. All of the small flags had already been taken so a friend and I were given a basket of large flags to raise on the poles.

Boy Scout placing flags on Memorial Day
Boy Scout placing flags on Memorial Day

Each pole was at least a two person job, one to hold the flag to make sure it didn’t touch the ground, and the other to raise the pole. The flag wanted to fly free in the wind and I can’t describe the feeling I had as I released the flag into the wind and watch it unfurl. Maybe a sense of pride crept over my face along with a smile. It felt good.

Raising the flag on Memorial Day
Raising the flag on Memorial Day

Raising flags on Memorial Day
Raising flags on Memorial Day

American Flag Ready to fly on Memorial Day
American Flag Ready to fly

This was truly a community event with people of all ages helping.

American unfurls at half staff
American flag unfurls at half staff

It’s pretty amazing to gather with a group of people who feel the same way. Who want to remember veterans and those that died serving their country. People need to remember, never forget what makes the United States great.

Take time out this weekend from your barbecues, family get togethers and shopping to visit a military museum, take part in a Memorial Day ceremony at a church or cemetery. Look at the names and dates on the headstones and remember.

Where to Buy American Flags Made in America

Valley Forge Flag 3-Feet by 5-Feet Nylon USBulk American Flags for Cemeteries3′ X 5′ Flag Display Case

Recognizing Memorial Day