A Garden of Memories

Have you ever planted a garden?

When I was a child, my parents planted tomatoes, peppers, bib lettuce, chives and parsley.  We would help dig up the dirt, gently place the little plants, fertilize, water and weed.  Excitement was in the air as the plant grew and little yellow blossoms appeared, then miraculously became a tiny green tomato.  We would check the garden frequently to see how big they were getting.  Once the tomatoes started to ripen, we had daily checks to see if they were red enough to be picked.

There was nothing like a big, red, Jersey beefsteak tomato.  One slice was enough for a sandwich!  One of our favorite summer meals were Mom’s BLT sandwiches, with tomatoes from the garden.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!

When my children were little, we had gardens, too.  Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and zuchini were the usual harvest.  One year, at my children’s urging, we tried corn.  The squirrels ate the plants one day, stalks and all We never had any corn!  Cherry tomatoes were always a favorite for the kids.  Perhaps the tiny size made them more appealing.  They could just be picked and popped into your mouth.

Today, we have a very small garden.  It’s just my husband and I, so we have two tomato plants, one zuchini plant, one bell pepper plant, and parsley, basil, thyme, and rosemary.  The herbs are a new venture.  A few days ago we had grilled fish seasoned with herbs from the garden.  It was wonderful.  I hope I can dry or freeze the herbs so we can enjoy them all year.

Even now, I find myself checking the plants through the window each morning and each evening.  I’m looking for those same yellow blossoms.  Last week, we spotted our first little green tomatoes.  Today, I saw a zuchini had burst on the scene.  I smile and am filled with the same anticipation that my children used to have.  I can’t wait for that first BLT, or when we can steam that first zuchini.

Planting a garden doesn’t take a lot of skill.  It doesn’t take a lot of time.  Upkeep needs to be done; pinching back extra shoots, pulling weeds, watering.  It’s nothing too taxing. though.  The rewards, though, are sweet.

Are you fully present to simple things in life?  A garden can bring a great deal of happiness, warm memories, fresh air, along with good-tasting and healthy food.  It can provide enjoyable family time, basic horticultural education, and a time to talk your child about the miracle or science of plant life.  You might catch a glimpse of your neighbor; perhaps a conversation will even start.

These activities and conversations can add a great deal of satisfaction to one’s life. No technology.  No stress.  No worries.  Just anticipation and joy.

Do you have a childhood garden memory to share?

Extraordinarily Ordinary

I listen to sports radio.  (Why does that feels like a confession?)  It may be unusual for a 50+ year old female, but I put Mike & Mike on ESPN while getting ready for work.  I listen to ESPN sports radio most of the morning in my office.  On the way home from work I listen to the local sports show, co-hosted by Chris Spielman.  In addition to five days a week on the Columbus station, he also calls games on ESPN.

Spielman and his wife, Stefanie, are celebrities in Central Ohio.  Chris was a football star at Ohio State, recently inducted into the Ohio College Hall of Fame.  He went on to an all-pro career playing football for the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns, before a neck injury ended his career.

Although scarlet and gray runs deep in these parts, the Spielmans are just as famous for their public battle against breast cancer.  Stefanie has fought cancer several times, and Chris has stood by her side caring for her and their children, even to the point of putting his pro career on hold at one point. 

In between bouts of battling the disease itself, the Spielmans do a great deal of community education about cancer, and fundraising for cancer research through the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.  In addition to career responsibilities and the many events and activities around the Fund, the Spielmans also have four children and a very busy family life.

They sound like extraordinary people, don’t they?  Today, Chris made a statement that was quite ordinary, but made him even more extraordinary, in my book.

During today’s show, one of the topics was the tragic death of former Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair over the weekend.  The circumstances around his death let to a discussion about how McNair will be remembered – as a great football player and team leader, or as a man who – it appears - was killed by the 20 year old woman he allegedly was having an affair with.  Several men called in offering opinions.  At one point in the discussion, Chris Spielman firmly said (not an exact quote; I was driving!):

I don’t want to be remembered as a football player, although at one time I did.  I don’t want to be remembered as a talk show host or as an announcer on ESPN. 

I want to be remembered as a man who did the best he could for his faith and his family.  That’s it.

How ordinary!  And, how extra-ordinary!

These days, there are so many “heroes” who are really not heroes at all.  Chris Spielman is a man who is known for so many remarkable achievements, yet only wants to be known for being a man who did the best he could for his faith and his family.  Yes, it bears repeating, again.  For being a man who did the best he could for his faith and his family.

Sunday Service: 12for12k Challenge Supports “Eye Care For Kids”

12for12k has announced their charity choice for July: Eye Care For Kids. 

Imagine being a child with poor vision.  You may not be able to clearly see your friends, trees, flowers, or family members.  Poor vision may prevent a child from reading, doing schoolwork or even playing sports or games.

Imagine being a parent, unable to afford eye care for your child.  How heartwrenching it must be to know there is help available, if only you could afford it.

The goal of Eye Care For Kids is to help restore good eyeseight to all children.  12for12k wants to help.  What can you do?  Click here, scroll down and see the “chip in” box.  Your donation of just $25 will cover the cost of an eye exam and a free pair of glasses for one child.

This organization has provided eyecare to over 20,000 children.  They see about 200 children per week, across the state of Utah, including rural areas and Indian reservations with a mobile ”eye doctor’s office on wheels.”  The organization also owns its own optical lab which keeps costs for glasses to a minimum.  Eye Care For Kids is a 501-(3)(c) not for profit based in Salt Lake City.  It has received numerous local and state level awards and recognitions for community service.

Imagine the possibilities for these children if all of us help Eye Care For Kids meet its mission, “(to provide) professional eyecare to low income, visually impaired children.”

The Declaration of Independence

Happy Independence Day!  When was the last time you read the text of our Declaration of Independence?  That is what today is about, after all!  I encourage you to read the slightly edited version below, or click here and read the entire document.

As you read, be fully present to the moment in history when this was written. 

How did these men feel about England?  About the King of England?  How did they feel about their new homeland?  What were they seeking for their families and future generations?  Imagine our lives today if they had not been so courageous.

“IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

Next comes a detailed list of 27 acts of oppression.  To read them in their entirety, click here.  Following the list of wrongs and unwelcome actions by England, the brave colonists continued:

“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

The declaration was signed by John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, and 55 other men representing the thirteen colonies/states.  They ranged in age from 26 years (Edward Rutledge) to 70 years (Ben Franklin).  Among the signees were two future U.S. presidents: John Adams (#2) and Thomas Jefferson (#3). 

If you have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., you can view an original document at the U.S. National Archives (along with the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights).

As you enjoy today’s picnics, parades, fireworks and other celebrations, take a moment to remind yourself and those around what we are really celebrating, and give thanks for our founding fathers; men filled with passion and possibilities for a new nation.

July 4th – How we celebrate

As a nation, we celebrate our independence in a big way.  Cities, towns, organizations, families and individuals go all out to mark the birth of our nation.  Here is part two of facts & figures; this time, the numbers around some of the ways we celebrate.  (See yesterday’s post for food related stats.)

Fireworks (aka Red, White and Boom! here in Central Ohio)

Of our total $202 million spend on fireworks last year, a whopping $193 million went to China.  On the flip side,  the U.S. only exported $28 million, with nearly $6 million in fireworks going to Australia.

All those flags we wave!

Did you know that we import nearly $3.4 million in U.S. flags?  Of that amount, $3 million goes to, once again, China.  I’m surprised all U.S. flags aren’t made in the U.S.!

The dollar value of flags we exported last year was $569,000, with nearly a third of them going to Belgium.  I wonder why?

The total dollar value of all flags, banners, and similar emblems shipped across the U.S., according to our last census, was $349 million.  That’s a lot of flag stickers!!

Everyone loves a parade!

Nearly every town in the country hs a parade on the 4th of July.  Even many neighborhoods have their own mini-parades where children can decorate their bikes and ride them proudly down a main street.  According to their website, the National Independence Day Parade ”takes place annually on July 4th at 11:45 am in Washington, D.C., on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street before a street audience of hundreds of thousands of spectators.

The Parade consists of invited bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, VIP’s, national dignitaries, and celebrity participants.

The Parade is a major national event which seeks to draw the attention of Americans to the real meaning for the holiday. It is a patriotic, flag-waving, red white and blue celebration of America’s birthday!”

Toe-tapping, heart-pounding music in the air

Many communities also have a patriotic concert, either as part of the day’s festivities or as  a prelude to the fireworks celebration.  Our national musical celebration, A Capitol Fourth, takes place on the South Lawn of the White House.  It will be broadcast live on PBS at 8:00 Saturday evening with Jimmy Smits hosting.  Set your DVR if you won’t be home to watch.  The patriotic music of the U.S.A. is always inspiring!

What are you and your family doing to celebrate the day?  What special traditions does your community have? 

July 4th Facts & Figures

The U.S. government makes all kinds of information available to us.  Some of it is very useful, some of it, not so much!  My son will surely ask if that is really where we want our tax dollars to go, but that question is not on the table at this time.  It certainly would be a useful debate at some point.   Nevertheless, the information is there, so why not make use of it?

Today, some interesting facts about the foods we eat on July 4, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  The complete document can be found here.

 

Let’s talk numbers of people, first.

In July, 1776, the estimated number of people living in the thirteen colonies as they declared their independence from England was about 2.5 million.

This July, the population of the U.S. is about 307 million people.  That’s how many people consume the amount of food described below!

What about all that meat we consume at July 4th barbecues?

As of March 1, 2009, Iowa is home to 19.3 million hogs and pigs, or about 1/4 of the nation’s total.  There is a 1 in 4 chance that hot dog or sausage you eat on Saturday came from the Hawkeye State! 

Texas produced 6.8 billion pounds of cattle & calves in 2007.  The odds that your burger or steak came from the Lone Star state is about 1 in 6.

If you prefer your meat to come from birds, then it probably comes from Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, or Texas.  Each of these states has an annual revenue of $1 billion or more from broiler chickens.

What about all those great side dishes at our picnics?

A lot of baked beans are consumed on July 4th.  39% of them come from North Dakota.  A combined total of 61% of our corn on the cob comes from Florida, California, Georgia, and New York.

You probably will enjoy some potato salad or potato chips this weekend.  If so, half of them came from potatoes grown in Washington or Idaho.

Do you eat a garden salad or put lettuce on your burgers?  Chances are, the lettuce is from California, the state that produces more than 3/4 of the nation’s lettuce crop.

That salad or burger may also include tomatoes.  The states of California and Florida combined to harvest 71% of our nation’s tomato crop.  If you’re a ketchup lover, 96% of processed tomato products come from California.  (Imagine if the bottle said Heinz Processed Tomato Product instead of Heinz Ketchup!)

Are you having a seed-spitting contest after your family cookout?  The seeds are usually from a juicy watermelon and odds are the watermelon came from Florida.  The Sunshine State leads the nation in watermelon production.  Also near the top, each with more than 500 million pounds, is California, Georgia and Texas.

Betcha can’t wait!  I’m getting hungry already!

Isn’t it kind of fascinating to know some of this kind of “stuff?”  Imagine the possibility of engaging the “friends you haven’t met yet” in interesting conversation this weekend!

Tomorrow - a little information about the things we do to celebrate – fireworks, flags, and more!

Independence discussions

July 4th is Saturday.  Hopefully, we will remember that the day is much more than fireworks, baseball games and family picnics.  It is a celebration commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence from England by of the thirteen colonies in America.  More to come on that later in the week.

Did you ever wonder about the activities leading up to the 4th?  That precious document didn’t just suddenly appear.  Here is a little of the history, part of which is below.  I can just imagine Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, etc., saying “Imagine the possibilities!” or, “Don’t worry about how the mother-land will react; stay fully present to our independence!”

• June 7 – Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, receives Richard Henry Lee’s resolution urging Congress to declare independence.
• June 11 – Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston appointed to a committee to draft a declaration of independence. American army retreats to Lake Champlain from Canada.
• June 12-27 – Jefferson, at the request of the committee, drafts a declaration, of which only a fragment exists. Jefferson’s clean, or “fair” copy, the “original Rough draught,” is reviewed by the committee. Both documents are in the manuscript collections of the Library of Congress.
• June 28 – A fair copy of the committee draft of the Declaration of Independence is read in Congress.
• July 1-4 – Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence.
• July 2 – Congress declares independence as the British fleet and army arrive at New York.
• July 4 – Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence.

Great detail of the events leading up to the actual signing were documented by Thomas Jeffeson.  Click here to read his reporting of the events, along with his commentary.  Just imagine the burden these men carried.  How lucky are we that our founding fathers were possibility thinkers!

As you look ahead to prepare for your July 4th activities, don’t forget the activities that were happening 233 years ago, as some very courageous men were also looking ahead, preparing a fledgling country for its birth.

Sunday Service – Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

This week’s service opportunity is a wonderful organization doing great things to help the homeless in Central Florida.  My awareness started with a blog post about single Dad making a very important, but life-changing, decision.  My daughter drew my attention to the story earlier this week and how the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida made a difference.

Damyn Papi had full custody of his two daughers for over three years.  After several attempts, his estranged wife finally found a judge who was willing to overlook her criminal history and give her a chance to prove herself as a fit parent.  Just ten months laters, the local police contacted Damyn, asking him to come pick up his daughters.  Long story short, he had to leave his current family behind, quit his job, and travel to a city across the country while the legal details were worked through.  Jobless, homeless, but once again with his first two daughters, Damyn turned to the Coalition for help.

It is important to remember that it is not only Moms who may struggle with homelessness and childcare.  Circumstances can vary, and this story is an illustration of how Dads need our support, too.  In this month when we celebrate Fathers, let’s help the Coalition for the Homeless help those Dads that are trying to do the right thing by their children.

UPDATE: In the ten months since that phone call from the Orlando police, Damyn’s daughers have turned around their grades, are active in school social groups, and Damyn is working two jobs to support them and saving for an eventual move back to Arizona.  Without the Coalition’s support early on, who knows where they would be now.

Can you help the Coalition make a difference?  Imagine the possibilities!

To donate, click here.  To read another story like the one above, click here.

Rest In Peace

Farrah Fawcett, for showing us to how live while dying.

Michael Jackson, for showing us one can die while living.

Both are at peace from their pain now.

 

 

 

 

June 25 – a great day to celebrate

A lot of important things happened on this day in history.  Here are just a few of note from Those Were The Days archives:

• In 1788, the Virginia colony including Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, joined the United States of America as the tenth state.
• In 1844, John Tyler took Julia Gardiner as his bride, thus becoming the first U.S. President to marry while in office.
• In 1951, the first commercial color TV program was seen.
• In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (5 to 4) that prayers in public schools violated the First Amendment to the Constitution regarding the separation of church and state.
• In 1998, Windows 98 was released. Microsoft used the slogan, “Works better. Plays better.”

A few famous people were also born on this date: author George Orwell (1903), actress June Lockhart (1925), basketball player Willis Reed (1942), singer Carly Simon (1945), actor Jimmy Walker (1947) and basketball player Dikembe Motumbo (1966).

Yes, June 25 is a memorable day for many reasons.  In our family though, it’s known for just one thing – the birth of our first child and our daughter Heather (aka @PrTini).

Heather,  have  fabulous day and a year brimming with happiness!  Dad and I are so proud of the caring, compassionate, smart, creative and generous person you are.

You make the world a better place.