Emily Joy ..... 4th of July

I know that most of you blog readers... enjoy pix of Emily more than Matt & I (I can't imagine why... ha ha.). So, here are a few latest pix of my baby. We are heading to Maryland tonight.

Happy 4th of July. Thanks to all the people who serve our country.... Should I start naming them? ... Andrew McCasland, Andy Plank, Wesley Lum, Michael Schaub, Aaron Perkins, Chad Wetherald, Keith Wells, Randy Welch, Jeffrey Velasquez (sp?), .... and many more. . . Feel free to add people in the comment section. :-)

What is this expression???

There's a smile... very hard to capture. Usually, she stares at the camera instead.

Playing around with my camera & natural lighting...

Hmmm.... Monday rantings

I heard about this book on the radio. I have not read it nor am I endorsing it... but here are a few of the facts with which the book is crammed:

--half of us can name 4 characters from "The Simpsons," but less than a quarter can name more than one of the guaranteed rights in the First Amendment.

--only 2 out of 5 voters can name all three branches of the federal government.

--only 1 in 5 know that there are 100 federal senators.

--only 1 in 7 can find Iraq on a map.

--only one-fifth of Americans between ages 18-34 bother to keep up with current events.


What a frightening level of ignorance!!!! And while I am at it... I just wanted to add one to the list. People have no respect and knowledge of the appropriate response when the National Anthem is played. People at a recent event were just standing there casually, looking around, talking... etc.


United States Code, 36 USC Sec. 301, states that during the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" (United States National Anthem) when the flag is displayed, everyone except those in uniform should stand at attention while facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Those in attendance who are not in uniform should
remove any headwear with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, with their right hand held over their heart. Individuals in uniform should show the military salute during the first note of the anthem and stay in this position until the last note. If the flag is not displayed, people in attendance should face the music and respond as if the flag were present.


"The American Flag stands for courage, camaraderie, safety and protection. Also the flag expresses patriotism and love of the country. Did you know that the colors on our flag stand for something? White stands for purity and innocence. Red stands for hardiness and valor. Last but not least, blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stars on the American Flag stand for heaven and divine. The stripes mean rays of light emanating from the sun. The flag also stands for something else. The flag stands for hope, beliefs and accomplishments of our nation." (Wiki Answers)