“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Blessings to you on Memorial Day weekend. There’s no better way to honor those who have fallen for our freedom than to relentlessly and continuously stand firm without compromise, guarding and protecting the same! Join us as we celebrate, yet in a somber way, because the holiday is about remembering all who died. Unfortunately, conflict will never end this side of heaven!
A memorial near the river a few miles from us serves as a reminder of the costs of freedom. Built to honor the citizens and history of our area, we pass it often, but especially take notice on certain holidays. It is actually called “Spirit of American Citizenship”!
This plaque, mounted in stone, is located in the Colonel Ola Lee Mize Patriots Park and Etowah County’s War Memorial. Ola Lee Mize was one of our own, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Korean War. He received many other honors as he went on to serve three tours in Vietnam. I took a walk through the park last week and found it extremely moving!
These are located on four walls outside a round rotunda type structure that can be entered from any side. Inside, engraved in stone, are the names of all Etowah County residents who died serving in all wars and conflicts. The Vietnam list contains names of people who attended my high school, and all of those listed would’ve been near my age, give or take only a few years!
A Memorial with plaques for World War I, World War II, Korea, POW-MIA, and Iraq/Afghanistan. A separate Vietnam memorial stands nearby. The life story of Colonel Mize is interesting to say the least. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 82. I would encourage you to use whatever search engine you prefer and type in his name. One neat fact is that an eye injury when he was 5 cost him vision in one eye. The army didn’t know as he managed to pull a switch during the eye exam, and as I understand it, his good eye was tested twice!
A little red, white, and blue in our garden. P J is always creative for every occasion!
Our snowball viburnums have completed their blooming (for now) and give our flag a nice plush green background. I think we’ve shown it with the background solid white as well as a golden ginkgo backdrop in the fall. The flag looks good always. Sadly, many are now at half-staff as we remember and pray for the folks in Uvalde, Texas!
Our “bold awakening” day lilies have finally “awakened” but I believe it was worth the wait. With all the buds, I do believe we will enjoy new flowers for many days to come.
It was another bold awakening as I sat 3 hours in the heat on rock at an amphitheater at my first ever ballet recital. But this ballet beauty with her graceful moves made it all worthwhile!
I borrowed a pic from Pam because of the gardenia. Why this pic you ask? After over a year and a half without the ability to smell, I discovered last week that if I put my nose on a bloom that I can faintly smell the flower…and it smells like I remember gardenia. A small reason to celebrate but nevertheless a beginning!
Since I personally hold to the meteorological seasons…summer arrives this week. There are a few things that announce summer in case I forget. One is the always dependable ditch lily. We received about 4 inches of rain last week and things are looking up!
I continue to add to the cottage garden, expanding and trying new plants and other features. At a time I should be scaling back I am always adding more work and upkeep. Something is not right with my thinking! BTW…Pam is still enjoying the Sunshine Cottage. We also have another cottage on the premises…
…the Chicken Cottage, or is it coop? Our grand’s daddy deciding he wanted to raise chickens and have his own fresh eggs might be an idea that makes my constant adding to our garden not seem so far out. Then again, have you priced eggs lately?
Wishing you a peaceful and pleasant week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Oh my! Your little ballerina is gorgeous. (And ballet teachers who have three-hour recitals should have their heads examined. No parent should have to sit through that because they’re there to see one kid!) Lovely images all. Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you Jeanie. Because of a bad weather prediction the teacher combined two recitals. I think it would normally be an hour and a half. It was a marathon, but worth it to see our ballerina!
Butch, I chuckled at your dance recital experience! You have many more recitals in your future with two granddaughters. Our daughter danced from age five to 18 and that was a Christmas recital and a spring one for all those years! EM looks beautiful!
Thank you for sharing the memorials. We have much to be grateful for in our country. So many died for our freedoms that we should be grateful for everyday. May we cry out to God as @ Chronicles 7:14 says. May God heal hearts and shield us from evil.
I am glad Butch is getting his sense of smell back. Bless him, that has to have been extremely hard.
Bonnie, I was so excited when Butch said he could smell the gardenias. Yes, I am praying 2 Chronicles 7:14 daily. 🙏🏻🇺🇸😂
Good morning Pam and Butch! Queen EM looks every part the ballerina, plus she has a tiara! Ditch lilies everywhere here too, all the rain really greened things up. Did I ever mention I taught poultry techniques labs? I literally knew nothing about chickens when I started! Hope everyone stops to remember all the brave men and women who died for this country, thank you for honoring your county veterans and Col. Mize.
Thank you, Roxanne! That is funny you taught poultry technique labs, but I know you were a quick learner. Wishing you a restful weekend as we remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom 🇺🇸
I love the heady fragrance of a gardenia, so glad you are getting your sense of smell back! The memorials are moving, so much to be grateful for, and we owe our veterans our freedom.
Carole, I was excited when hubby said he could smell the gardenias.
Butch, so glad to hear you may be recovering your sense of smell. Wow, that was really a long time. Your tiny dancer warms my heart, and I hope your bum has recovered from the rock sitting. Love the tribute to our soldiers, especially your hometown hero. I will look him up. Chuck Yeager is our hometown hero. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend.
Thank you, Rita. When Butch said he could smell the gardenias, I was so excited. He still has a long way to go, but that is progress.
A wonderful tribute to our soldiers, past and present. Col. Mize sounds interesting and quite the hero. Love the memorials. Three hours outside in the heat sitting on a rock is true devotion! We know it was worth it! She’s quite a beautiful princess and now with a tiara! So glad to hear Butch that your sense of smell is slowly coming back. That’s a long time! We have a beautiful, majestic flag! God bless America! Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you, Clara. I am excited that Butch could smell the gardenias. Enjoy a restful Memorial Day 🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸
What a beautiful ballerina. Love all the beautiful memorials. Enjoy this lovely weekend. xoxo Kris
Thank you and you, too!
Thank you for the heart moving tribute to those who serve and have served, the quote is wonderful…I am glad to hear your sense of smell is progressing Butch, and your prima ballerina must have stolen the show! Love the Chicken Cottage, I have recently heard that several families I know are raising chickens, must be a new trend! I hope your family is enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day weekend 🇺🇸
Jenna
I am excited that some sense of smell is returning for Butch. Thankfully it is our son raising chickens and not us 🤣 Enjoy your time at the beach, Jenna!
Good morning, Butch and Pam. Your precious ballerina is beautiful. How wonderful that you all were able to attend her recital. It is also wonderful that Butch is regaining his sense of smell. I know that must be great for him. Wishing you and your lovely family a peaceful and joyful Memorial weekend.
Hello Sandra. I am so excited that Butch could smell the gardenias. Wishing you and Mike a lovely day 🇺🇸
Butch – You will know full recovery when you can discern Pam’s favorite scent behind her ear…try it..Our beautiful EM shows all the promise of an ongoing graceful ballerina with her Grands ever in attendance in the audience. Today’s topic of memorializing the ones who have served our Nation and/or have fallen, is a very moving and inspiring tribute. In these parts, Alvin York (WWI) has long been the hero. Love the chicken cottage and the idea of growing one’s own
eggs… Many thanks for the always-captivating photos and especially 2 Chronicles 7 :14 , so needed in daily prayer
these days. This Memorial Day visit to your Paradise has been very special….Blessings
I always love and appreciate your visits, Mary. Butch and I hope you have a wonderful day 🇺🇸
Happy Memorial Day, great tribute. EM is just wonderful…Thank you for this beautiful post. Have a blessed week ahead.
Thank you, Maristella!
Another beautiful and interesting Sunday post. EM is absolutely beautiful. I agree with Bonnie..this is just a little warmup for what is to come with two granddaughters. Loved the memorials. Our church honored so many this morning. Have a blessed week.
Thank you, Dianne. Always wonderful to see those honored in our worship services. I hope you and Bob have a wonderful day 🇺🇸
Thank you for sharing the Memorials. They are beautiful. We thank those who gave their ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! Something we all should cherish… FREEDOM!
Butch can smell hints of fragrance so sweet and dear! Hallelujah!
And a recital … worth every minute to see your precious little one.
When I heard you had 4 inches of rain… I still want a rain overflow or flood overflow pumping station pipeline built from the southeast to the southwest! It could help a much needed area in extreme drought.
Thank you dear one. I am so excited he could smell the gardenias. Enjoy your day 🇺🇸
Happy Memorial Day!
Wishing you a wonderful day on the lake 🇺🇸
A wonderful quote! This area has a lot of military so Memorial Day is seriously celebrated.
Thank you, Linda!
Beautiful post.
Blessings to you both,
Jennifer 😊
Thank you, Jennifer!
Butch and Pam – a lovely tribute for those who have served in your country and at the same time, so sad to hear about Uvalde, Texas. Love the chicken coop and so glad to hear that Butch’s sense of smelling is returning! EM is beautiful and I’ll bet the recital was amazing and worth every moment in the heat. I hope you have a lovely week you two!
Thank you Kim. I’m excited that Butch is finally able to smell a few things. It has been a long time coming!
Thank you, Butch, for the poignant reminder of the meaning behind this “holiday”. I appreciate your little history lesson.
I am also rejoicing with you in the return of your sense of smell. Praise God.
God bless and keep you and Pam in His tender-loving care.
~ Cindie
P.S. Your ballerina is gorgeous! My, oh my, how she has grown!
Thank you, Cindie. I am most thankful that Butch has been able to smell the gardenias. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Scripture and the fallen soldier are the reminders that keep us focused. Thank you! Oh EM has it all together and 3 hours on a hot rock is a small price to pay for this beauty. The chicken coop is too cute. My mom would have loved to have it for her brood. The day lilies are one of my favorites as they grown in the ditch banks back home.
We loved seeing EM and we had a bouquet of flowers for her. Butch and I will always be present, if God wills, for whatever the children are involved in. Sending prayers and love to you, dear Alice ♥️
Oh, so glad you are regaining your sense of smell.
I am excited that Butch is able to smell the gardenias, at least. Praying for you and the surgery tomorrow. I pray everything goes well and that you have a speedy recovery. I wish I lived closer so I could bring you food and hugs ♥️
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to our fallen heroes, for sharing the memorials that grace your area. / How wonderful that your sense of smell is returning, Butch! Such a long time you’ve waited. Perhaps it was your reward for sitting through a three-hour ballet recital! Perseverance points for the two of you! (At least our daughter’s three-hour recitals took place in an air-conditioned theater!)
Thanks so much, Nancy for your kind and encouraging comments.
Thank You for your Memorial post. We will never forget. Your Ella Mae is a premiere Ballerina in the making.
She is adorable
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thanks so much, Marilyn, Joan, and Marion!
It’s so important to remember every year that Memorial Day weekend is not only for cookouts and family gatherings. It’s primarily a time to honor the memories of those who died to guarantee our freedoms. Also — your little ballerina is beautiful!
Thank you, Carol.