The Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner

by Francis Scott Key

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming!
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.



Psalm 84:12
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in You.

Where Poppies Blow

Until about 40 years ago, Memorial Day was observed--not celebrated--on May 30 every year. Eager Cub Scouts would work their way through the crowds at small town parades selling bright red artificial poppies. In reviewing stands, graying veterans would salute or place their hands over their hearts as high school bands marched by. Often a young girl would be called upon to read the World War I era poem "In Flanders Fields" that describes the poppies blowing row upon row among the graves of fallen warriors of the Great War.  More here...

Watching American Idol

This is hilarious.  Adam La-aa-aambert is singing flat tonight.  First song, last note.  Hilarious.   

Now I'm listening to the second song, and still, missing some notes.

Let's see how he does on the last song.  I'm not saying he's bad, I just find this funny!

:D

:D

:D

Sad Today...

Today I am somewhat sad. Some of my internet friends know that I have a job as an assistant to a social worker, whom I irreverently refer to as "Fearless Boss."

I coordinate all the home visits by receiving the referrals and then calling up the clients (or patients, depending on the company); I'm the one who calls and lets them know when to expect the social worker, or we agree on another time. That's all it's supposed to be, but... Sometimes these sweet old people want to explain their particular case to me, even though I tell that that I am NOT the social worker, just his assistant, but they have a need to talk to someone.

I think that, without any expert knowledge of psychology, they have a need to talk to someone who sees them as a person, not a number, not a case, not a client, not a "member" or patient, but as a person, someone who has a past, is suffering now, and hopes to have a better future, although most of them know it won't get better...

So, tonight, Fearless Boss tells me, that by the way, FYI, Mrs. V. died recently. I didn't expect it, we helped her so much through all her problems, I chatted with her on the phone when I was scheduling her and she was so sweet. I'm in a bit of a shock here... I can't believe she's gone. Well, she'll never be a number to me, she will always be that sweet old lady to me, Mrs. V...

*sigh*

I know that death is a part of life, but I hate this. I really HATE this... :`( I said so to Fearless Boss., who by the way, is really my client. (I have a couple more clients, by the way... )

I know that more will die, after all, they are old, and some of them are VERY old, in their 90s. It will happen again. And again. AND again. And, do you know what? I think it is going hurt just as badly each and every time. I wish it wouldn't, I know it will, and still, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Because, if it hurts, then it's because I cared, it's because I loved them. They are real, and if they are real, then I hope I brightened their day, brought a smile a hearty laugh, gave them Hope and encouragement.

I hope so.

I

hope

so.

Some Crochet Flowers Link

Posy at Lion Brand

Flowers at Crochetville

If you make them in thread, they are great as patches over small holes in your jeans or T-shirt (like when my hot dog pretends he's killing my shirts), or to cover a stain that won't come out in spite of all the old-fashion remedies and new-fangled Oxy-Clean.

I suggest using tiny hearts, too, and I'll post the pattern soon.

River Glorious

I Changed My Mind Again, It's My Prerogative! ;)

So, here I am again, wanting to make a shawl, not of my own design, and am now trying THIS ONE:

http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/simply_shawl.html

It's easy, mindless, but again, a mistake in the pattern, like the other two.  This one says to chain 70, and then single crochet in second chain from hook to the end.  But, if you do this, and follow the instructions in Row 2, you will have 2 stitches left over.  

Some people do the chainless foundation.  Others chain and do the first row, finish off, and then start over with the second row.  The beauty of this is that if you need more stitches, you can add them, and if you have too many, like I did, then you just go ahead and not work them.

I am so tired these days that mindless crochet is just what I want.  Moreover, I think this pattern would look nice with a thinner yarn.  I'm using Red Heart Super Saver, same Light Raspberry, instead of Caron's Simply Soft, but as I make this shawl, I think it would look nice with Coats and Clark Lustersheen, too.  I would simply add more chains and work to the width I want my shawl.

Let me know your thoughts, either here or via email.

River