God bless America

I found this poem the other day.............

Freedom

by Sharon Dyer

The Fourth of July is special to me
Not just because of its great history
But because God's own gracious hand
Has blessed and stretched across our land.

On this day we remember those who've gone
To foreign lands and fought bravely on
Those who have laid down their very lives
So you and I could proper and thrive.

A day to recall that we have choices
To worship freely and lift our voices
The privilege to vote and take a stand
A right not known in every land.

So on this day when flags freely fly
And brillant fireworks burst in the sky
Let us remember to look above
And remain true to the land we love.


Happy Fourth of July weekend. Celebrate, enjoy and be thankful, for we are indeed blessed.

blessings, pam

Memorial Weekend

A short 5-10 minute walk from where I live...and I was at the Arlington National Cemetery.

In the distance, across the green lawn, and through the trees, I could see the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.

It is a huge statue and today it was surrounded by a crowd of Veterans and their families.

Over the hill you enter the Arlington Cemetery. For Memorial Weekend each marker has received a flag, more than 320,000 flags were placed.

Walking down to the entrance to catch the Metro back home.

Across the Potomac River I could see the capitol building, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. And summer has arrived in DC.

Thank you to all those who are serving or who have served in our U.S. Armed Forces and to their families. Thank you for the freedoms I enjoy every day. God Bless America.

Spring arrives

Spring arrives in Washington DC in the celebration of the Cherry blossom festival ! and what a beautiful way to open tourist season and welcome warm temperatures after a snowy winter.

My daughter and I rode the metro into the city and arrived on the National Mall, with thousands of folks from all over the USA and overseas.

Venders selling trinkets and food... folks playing frisbee or tossing a football ...babies crying in their strollers ...crowds trying to figure out which way to go... and cameras snapping photos in every direction...

Yep...this was a fun sight to see.... there are many ways to see the sights, walk, bus, bike, and of course the ever popular sedway!!

Everywhere you look, folks are enjoying just Being Here! bring your blanket and picnic basket and stay for the day. The fragrance of the cherry blossoms was ever present and oh so delightful.

From the metro exit, we walked passed the Washington monument, across the National Mall, crossing several streets and finally arrived with the crowd at the Tidal Basin... the whold place was cherry blossoms.

...the Jefferson memorial.

Take a moment, and enjoy the view....

When the breeze blew...we found ourselves walking in a snow of cherry blossoms...lovely.

The crowd was so thick and moved S-l-o-w-l-y because everyone was snapping photos and searching for that perfect group shot... AND all the while, you had to keep alert because the branches of the trees are low and one must duck under the branches here and there. (how thoughtful to add a sense of adventure and obstacle course to the day ha!)

Here is how the scene appeared all day long..... every inch filled with folks from all over, enjoying the experience.

Don't I look lovely with cherry blossoms ?????

Once we had walked around the ENTIRE Tidal basin and snapped a zillion photos...and let me rest my poor feet by sitting on a park bench or two ... we made our way back out onto the National Mall. We saw the WWII memorial, looked down the long refection pool to our next destination... The Lincoln Memorial.

Here I am at the top of the steps looking out at the Reflection Pool, the Washington Monument and the Capitol building . What an incredible sight ! We walked down these steps and over to the Viet Nam War memorial. After a day filled with constant noise of happy voices, the Viet Nam Memorial was a quiet, reflective walk. We then strolled a few blocks passed quaint old row houses and the George Washington University campus where students were out enjoying spring break and a sunny afternoon, caught the metro and headed home. My feet were tired, but my smile was still on my face. I am proud to be an American. Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

A reminder of where I am...

I was walking down the street after delivering some paperwork, I looked up...and there was the capital building!! yep I am in washington DC ha!

February blizzard

Here I am out front of my apartment building the day after our Blizzard! Yep, that's me in long pants and a fleece jacket!

That's my apartment building. Walked up the street today to pick up some soda and snacks etc for the superbowl game today. It was so sunny and nice out and everyone else was out walking and enjoying the day.

Most of the cities in the area closed down at noon on friday to get everyone home before the big blizzard arrived. friday evening and most of saturday the winds blew and the snow fell. The area received 18-30 inches of snow.

I am enjoying the snow, after two years in thailand and five years in Las vegas...It is so much fun to experience WINTER!!!

The trees are so beautiful. My area did NOT have power outages, so that means I was snug and cozy.

And did I say...I love snow!! hahahaha! (and church service was live online today!)

Happy Winter.

Pam

a great way to start my day

On my way to work yesterday, I stepped off the city bus into about 3 inches of fresh snow and immediately my ears were met with that oh so delightful sound..."crunch" resulting in a smile on my face and a song in my heart. "hear the snow crunch" and my head was singing the old song Silver Bells. Was it chilly outside? Oh yes. Was my heart warm and joyfilled.... YES indeed!
A great way to start the day!

And the new year resolutions begin

I resolve to be...
joyful in hope....patient in affliction....faithful in prayer.... romans 12:12