3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Nebraska

Memorial Day Parade, Washington DC

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The students from Elmwood-Murdock High School march down Constitution Avenue in Washington DC for a once in a lifetime event they will never forget. They received the invitation because of the numerous awards they had won in marching band competitions such as Harvest of Harmony.

Record temperatures were recorded in Washington DC that weekend, and the black uniforms made it a challenge for the kids, but they endured over an hour of marching like troopers. Again, congratulations to everyone. For more information and pictures visit my original post on the Washington DC trip.

Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC

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Memorial Day weekend is special in any part of the country, but Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC is something not to be missed. The patriotism and overwhelming sense of pride and country as Americans gather to honor our military veterans who died fighting for freedom and liberty brings a tear to your eye as you wreaths are placed at every memorial.

Vietnam War Memorial- Memorial Day 2010

Whoever says that small schools don’t give their students opportunities that bigger schools can offer has never heard of Elmwood-Murdock High School. Our whole school district, K-12 has only 403 students, and an average graduating class of 36 kids. But this has not held them back.

Elmwood Murdock Marching Band, Washington DC

The band consists of over 70 students (3/4 of the student body) and in 2010 they had the opportunity to march in the Memorial Day parade and spend Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC. I was lucky to be a sponsor and the trip was nothing short of spectacular.  In just 4 1/2 days we took over 80 people to the following locations

  • Arlington Cemetery
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: (Laid the schools band wreath)
  • Nations Capital: (experienced security at it’s finest when an abandoned baby stroller caused a evacuation of a marked perimeter)
  • World War II Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial
  • Korean War Memorial
  • Iwo Jima Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Lawn
  • Holcoust Museum
  • Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Step
  • Smithsonian Museums
  • Marching in the Memorial Day Parade

Our kids learned important lessons that weekend. Many family member serve in the military and the Vietnam Wall held special meaning for them. Tears were shed, and by the time our students placed a wreath at Arlington Cemetery there wasn’t a dry eye in the group.

WWII Memorial Washington DC on Memorial Day

My son was especially impressed by the World War II Memorial and I watched him quietly stare at the wall of stars. He asked about his grandfather and other relatives that served during WWII. That son is now a United States Marine and I couldn’t be prouder.

Photographing Washington D.C. Digital Field GuidePhotographing Washington D.C. Digital Field Guide25 Bicycle Tours In and Around Washington, D. C.: From National Monuments to Country Roads (25 Bicycle Tours)25 Bicycle Tours In and Around Washington, D. C.: From National Monuments to Country Roads (25 Bicycle Tours)Holocaust Museum In WashingtonHolocaust Museum In WashingtonArlington National Cemetery: A Guided Tour Through History (Timeline)Arlington National Cemetery: A Guided Tour Through History (Timeline)

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Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DCIf you ever get the chance to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC I would highly recommend it, take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and be proud of our country.

On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National CemeteryOn Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National CemeteryMrs. Lee's Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington National CemeteryMrs. Lee’s Rose Garden: The True Story of the Founding of Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery Became My ClassroomArlington National Cemetery Became My ClassroomAdministrative Guide To Information and Burial At Arlington National CemeteryAdministrative Guide To Information and Burial At Arlington National Cemetery

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Memorial Day Links

Memorial Day in DC: Planning Your Visit | Free Tours by Foot

Are you spending Memorial Day in DC and are you planning your visit on Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC? Free Tours by Foot has a list of the events, …
5 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day in Washington DC

Memorial Day Washington DC. Face it, the beaches will be crowded and the water is still too cold for swimming. Washington DC is the place to be for Memorial …
20 Things to Do This Weekend in Washington, DC | Washington.org

Vietnam Veteran at The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day, Washington, DC Elvert Barnes. Stroll down the National Mall Tour the memorials on the …
The Rolling Thunder On Memorial Day 2014 – Washington DC – 5/25 …

Jun 3, 2014 … Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Washington DC 2014 – Duration: 2:14. waizzy1967 1,342 views. 2:14. DC Rolling Thunder 2014 – Duration: …

Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend in Washington, DC

During the Memorial Day weekend, people across the nation visit cemeteries and memorials in their hometown to pay homage to the fallen heroes. This year Memorial Day falls on May 26, 2014. The Nation’s Capital will hold …

‘Blessing of the Bikes’ Set for Friday at National Cathedral …

The event is planned to coordinate with the beginning of Rolling Thunder XXVII “Ride for Freedom,” the 2014 annual Memorial Day weekend gathering of bikers in the Washington, D.C. area and culminating in a ride from the …

 

County Fair Time, Oh Yeah

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The time has come for the county fair, and in Cass County Nebraska it’s a really big deal. Some call it the social event of the year, especially the teenagers. The theme last year was “Meet You At The Fair” and it was very appropriate. Where else in the county do more than thousands of people congregate at the same time socially?

It’s fun to catch up with friends, people watch and admire the open class and 4-H entries.  The open class building is probably the most popular place to visit and it’s not just for the air conditioning, although that helps. Fun lies in checking out all the entries in the photography, sewing, cooking, gardening, and crafts categories.

I have been entering photographs for over 15 years, and have won many purple ribbons, a few Reserves and one Champion. That was before the advent of digital and since then the entries have skyrocketed. Here are a few that I’m entering this year. I’ll update this after the judging and post my results.

Vietnam War Memorial- Memorial Day
Vietnam Ware Memorial- Memorial Day 2010
Vietnam Ware Memorial- Memorial Day 2010
The Wall- Memorial Day 2010

David- Civil War Reenactment
Spring Strawberry
Country Breakfast of Berries
Batters' Concentration

Introducing Brody

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My Dog looks like Wishbone the Jack Russell
Brodys’ Pawprint Ear Looks like Wishbone

My Jack Russell Terrier

Let me introduce Brody. He’s my six year old Jack Russel Terrier that I rescued in 2005 from the Nebraska Jack Russell Rescue. I thought we were going to do agility together, but with three kids and life being as it is, we didn’t get to it, now I wonder if he’s too old to start.

The rescue had a lot of dogs and most of the “Jacks” were bouncing off their kennel and barking. Brody was the only one who stood calmly in his kennel and just looked at me as if to say, “If I’m really good and calm she will take me home, those other dogs don’t know anything.” We walked out and he passed his first “test”, a cat. Didn’t even give the cat the time of day. Now it’s a different story, but only if the cat runs, if the cat ignores him, he ignores the cat.

He was found wandering around Des Moines and based on his aggressive eating had not seen food on a regular basis. The bowl went across the room, food went everywhere. That was the first training step in his education. Sit, stay, wait, then eat.

Jack Russell Terrier with Gentle Leader
The Gentle Leader collar taken off the nose.

Brody is my walking buddy we normally go for 3-5 miles on the trail. He also loves to snuggle on the couch and give kisses. When I’m working at my desk buddy as he sits at my feet for a tummy rub, he likes how my toes get all the itchy places.

I love going for walks, but Brody lunges at EVERYTHING, seriously a bird flying overhead, leaves blowing and every time he almost rip my arm from my shoulder.

My Favorite Jack Russell Training Tools

So how did I stop my dog from pulling on a leash? I tried almost every training technique. But none worked. I tried a body harness, it didn’t work either. The only product that stopped him from pulling was the Gentle Leader head collar. I wish I had taken a video, but literally I could walk him with one finger after just a week.

PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar, Medium, FawnPetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness, Large, Black/SilverJack Russell Terrier Training, Think Like a Dog, But Don’t Eat your Poop!: Here’s EXACTLY How To Train Your Jack Russell Terrier (Volume 2)Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies

Learn More About Jack Russell Terriers

Pet of the Week: Buster an 18-month-old Jack Russell Terrier/Basset Hound mix

Wheeling Rotary Club Recognized for 100 years of Service. Harrison County – Wednesday’s Pet of the Week was Buster from the Harrison County Animal Shelter. Buster is an 18-month-old Jack Russell Terrier/Basset Hound mix. He is an adorable black and …
What to Look for in Your First Dog

Canines like Border Collies and Jack Russell Terriers can become bored and destructive if they don’t get enough exercise and stimulation. For your first pooch, it’s probably a good idea to avoid these five very energetic dogs. By Laura Cross …
Jack Russell Terriers – Dog Training

Over the years, Jack Russell Terriers have been carefully bred to retain the ability to work. Whether or not a dog looked exactly like a breed standard was not as important to breeders as a dog’s working ability. Because of this, there can be …

NKC Dog Show-Mission

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Madison & Memphis

This weekend I spent a lot of time at the Nebraska Total Dog Experience Show in Omaha, Nebraska. I started working for Pet and Kennel Supply this spring as their marketing manager but, I love dogs of sizes  so it’s really not like work. But that can be my little secret.

I also enjoy meeting interesting people and people watching, in this case it’s a combination of people and dog watching.

I met Memphis and Madison, wonderful Great Danes from the Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue, and Trace, and 18 month rambunctious Afghan Hound who was a delight. Trace was the 6th generation of dogs the Watling Street Kennel has raised, and she was absolutely beautiful inside and out.

My task was to network with any of our vendors that were exhibiting and establish relationship to further marketing campaigns. This included talking with NutriSource, Purina, and ProPac representatives, learning about their products and brainstorming marketing efforts.

Afghan Hound
Trace the Afghan Hound

My brain was on overload as I was connecting a social media cloud on possible blog articles, facebook page updates, twitter connections that could be made with product tie-ins, human interest, and dog information. Fresh material, not rehashed information that seems to clutter cyberspace and get lost in the shuffle.

So like someone said before, “Someone stuck a quarter in her, she’s up at 1am writing”  More updates to follow as I met more interesting people and dogs at the show.