Happy Father's Day Dad

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Spider Monkey and Tiger Lily do love their grandpa.  Grandpa also happens to be Spider Monkey's favorite person in the whole world.  Mommy is a close second in that race.  It's all good, I love how Spider Monkey loves his grandpa.  It reminds me of how much I loved my grandpa.

My dad is a master story teller, he can spin a yarn like no other.  He gets that trait from my grandpa who also could spin a yarn.  Funny thing is that the stories my dad tells are all true, his Navy submarine stories are my favorites.  I've heard them all my life, I know them all by heart and yet I can always listen to them over and over again.  And when my dad gets telling his stories, I always have requests for my favorite ones.

My dad is a very hard worker.  If something needs fixed, he fixes it.  I can remember growing up when my dad served in the bishopric and was president of the water company.  He could get phone calls at 2 am and would get out of bed to go help whoever was in need of help.  My dad has always been there for me whenever I have needed help.  He's always been willing to come over and help fix things that needed fixed.

We raised chickens, pigs, turkeys, and ducks growing up.  My dad always raised several turkeys for the annual ward Thanksgiving widow dinner.  My dad worked up a deal with people in the neighborhood to raise a pig for anyone who wanted one.  They would help pay for the feed and upkeep of the pig and help round them up to be sent off to the butcher.

My dad is quite skilled at four wheeling and on weekends we would head up the mountains in our Blazer for some good old fashioned four wheeling fun.  We would go visit old mines that were only accessible by four wheel.

I love my dad for his hard work and great example in my life.  Happy Father's Day

You're a Grand Old Flag

I had the opportunity last night to watch a flag retirement ceremony.  I am still in awe and reverence over the experience.  I love the flag and everything she stands for.  The leader of the meeting likened the ceremony of burning the flag to retire it as a funeral for the flag and we should treat this ceremony as if we were at the funeral of a loved one.  It really set the mood for the meeting and brought to mind just how important and special our flag is.

I have seen on t.v. images of people in the streets burning the American Flag out of disrespect and evil.  To watch my flag be disgraced in such a way makes my blood boil and stabs me at the heart.  When a flag has become so old and worn that it no longer can fulfill it's purpose of  flying in the wind for all to see the symbol of freedom she represents, it is time to retire the flag.  A very special and sacred ceremony is held wherein the flag is burned.  It is done with honor and dignity. I watched as the flag was reverently, sacredly, and gently placed in the flames.  There was a man standing off to the side playing Taps on the bagpipe.  The audience stood with our hands held over our hearts.  I could not hold back the tears.  Tears of respect and love for my country.  When the bagpipes ended, the Spirit of God could be felt so strongly and profoundly.  Speaking so clearly to our hearts how important this symbol of freedom is.

From the chorus of You're A Grand Old Flag.

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You're the emblem of

The land I love.

The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true

'neath the Red, White and Blue,

Where there's never a boast or brag.

But should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Every fourth of July at my grandparents house in the mountains, we would hold our own special flag raising ceremony to start of our Fourth of July celebrations.