THINKING BLOG AWARD

Not long ago, Daria Black nominated me for THE THINKING BLOG AWARD, which really made my day, as I guess this means I make people think. Well, at least I make her think, and that is one of my goals of my blogs. To make people think! For more information on Thinking Blog Awards and how it was born, or originated, click here.

Now, I need to list 5 other blogs and give them the same award, which is really difficult for me to do, as there are just so many blogs out there that I enjoy and that make me think. In all reality, it took me several days to decide who I wanted to present this award to and why. I agree when Daria said, and I quote

"When I read blogs, I think about the person who wrote it. I think about not only what they wrote about but how they wrote it and why. In my mind, I create an image of them as the person behind the blog. This not only helps me to understand them (the blogger) as a person better but it also contributes to my understanding of humanity in general and, consequently and quite selfishly, help me create better characters because of what I’ve learned."

I pretty much feel this same way, but she just says it so much better than I could.

The blogs I have chosen are numbered, and the numbers really mean nothing or in anyway reflects that I like one blog over another, as they all are wonderful. Also, the ones I listed, I cannot expect them to list five blogs themselves, as some of these blogs are very busy doing other things, or they just might not wish to continue listing other blogs themselves, which I understand and appreciate.

Geri's Journal ~ Geri's Journal is a blog that deals with cancer (Tumor) and is pretty much a daily journal so that others that know and love Geri can keep up with her progress. This blog makes me think about how one deals with cancer, medical ups and downs, family love and support, life in general, and how we deal individually with our own thoughts when it comes to unexpected health issues. It really is a wonderful blog, and if anyone that has cancer or tumors, or knows anyone that has these health issues, I would recommend this blog for reading and thinking. I found out about this blog from a high school friend of mine, telling me about Geri's blog. Geri and I went to high school together and Geri lived across the street from me in a small town in Alabama. I care a great deal about Geri, and I think she has pretty much licked her medical problem, which makes this blog also an inspiration to others. (Hugs Geri!)

Devrie MySpace~Saraswati Understudy ~ Devrie's Blog always makes me think. She is very intelligent and an excellent writer and poet. I meet Devrie a few years ago, and have continued to keep up with her, as I always enjoy seeing what she has written. She writes about anything and everything that has to deal with life. She covers many subjects and has a unique writing style that gives the readers the ability to view her writing as if a picture was in front of them. She never leaves me confused about what she writes about and she always leaves me thinking about it.

EOPC Cyberppaths ~ Cyberpaths is a blog that I read everyday as it deals so much with what my goal is with Cyberstakers~What Lies Beneath. I get a great deal of my ideas from this wonderful blog. This blog is always well written and extremely educational and helpful when it comes to Internet Predators and how to deal with them. It is always news worthy and has helped hundreds of people. It is one of the most important and vital blogs I have ever seen on the Internet. Trust me, if anyone reads this blog, they will always go away thinking about it.

Sneakeasy's Joint ~ Kiril's blog is just over 5 years old, and covers many subjects from everyday living, religion, politics, family, hiking, etc. There is always something to read on his blog that makes me think! He also is an avid biker (bicycle) and if I remember correctly, he does not even own a car. His 4 year old BikeBlog, The Cycling Dude, is full of his stories about cycling in Southern CA., & his opinions on cycling issues, and is one of the premiere resources online for cycling links. Kiril and I meet back in 2004 when we both belonged to a poetry site, and became friends. Kiril is an excellent writer, and on Sneakeasy has shared his creative writing, and poetry, and is very expressive and thought provoking in all that he writes about. When visiting his blog, make sure you look on the side bar for CATEGORIES, as I am sure readers will find many things that are of interest to them. Excellent thinking blog.

Figmeant Writing Studio and Community ~ This blog was designed by Daria Black and is filled with writing tools and tips to help others get published. It is full of excellent information, educational sources and ideas in efforts to help writers. And it is so well put together with much thought and time. If you are wanting help with your writing skills or need information, then this is the site you should explore and expand on. An excellent thinking site, and one I expect to see much growth in. A must read and bookmark as far as I am concerned. Daria, please correct me if I am wrong, but I classified this as a writing blog. If it is not a blog, too bad, as I really wanted to award THE THINKING BLOG back to you on this wonderful site.

Well, that is the end of my list of five wonderful blogs that I have chosen for THE THINKING BLOG AWARD. I highly suggest that all readers check these blogs our, especially if you need something to think about. If you see duplicates of this, it just means that you have visited both of my blogs, as I decided to place this blog on both sites.

Opportunity Of Celebrating the 4th of July in 2007

July 4th, 2007. Memories I did not expect to explore within my mind, I somehow did. I spent today writing about Cyberpaths today and what I felt about them on my blog of Trolls, Flame Wars & Cyberstalkers. My husband and I were pretty much alone today to do as we pleased. And I just wanted to write. And so, I did.

Then the phone call came from my youngest daughter almost in tears while at work. She was somewhat bored, and wanted to talk about past memories. Family ties and times. Without her knowing this, she made me create this blog of past times or family times together, and added part of the future now within our lives. The memories she spoke of were so long ago, yet they were important to keep in mind of today's thoughts. So much has changed as we have grown older. And with that, I have taken the time to write this blog for all my children. My youngest that grieves for memories, and I do as well. My oldest that has her own memories with her career in the military. and sheds much light on today in many ways. Due to this, I am giving stories of past and present of what I have recorded, or have available to me. Below is a story of how our family use to celebrate the 4th of July. It seems like ages ago that we lived in that old country home and made this such a special day. I decided not to edit the story at all, yet one day I might expand on it., and correct all things that need to be corrected within it. If you are a reader of my blog, please continue on with other things that have affected my family in their grown up years.
I finally wrote my memories years later, as when these wonderful memories happened, my children fell between the ages of 3 to 7 and continued until they were of ages of 13 to 17. I did not edit my memories, but someday I think I will, as they can be somewhat confusing. When I wrote the entry of our past 4th of July memories, I was writing them for myself at the time!

July 4th Memories
Written July 5th, 2005 THEREFORE COPYRIGHT! (This is when I finally felt comfort in writing expressed memories of family and life, and so glad I did, and hope to continue to do so)

The Fourth of July has always been a great celebration with us. At a younger age, I am not sure of why, but as I grow older, somewhat realize my thinking on this. Husband, family, kids, government, history, and so much more. At some special place, they all seem to bond, or connect somehow. Someway.

But this is about memories. Important ones that I still dream about and remember so many years ago. 4th of July ended up with my family bigger than Christmas or any other holiday. Presents were not involved, or eggs, or any gifts. This holiday was meant for true fun, love, friends, bonding, cook outs, laughs, and many loud noises.

Alright, I will get to the point. But, I have to paint a picture to get there, and an honest one.

We lived in old farmhouse, pretty much in the boondocks, where dogs ran without leashes, and everyone in residence there, was a member of the small community. Our house was over a football length from the road. Pigs, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, and other country critters lived on our property. And taking advantage of this, we started a new history with us, and hopes with our children. It started small at first. But ended up large and larger over the years.

The 4th of July Celebration. "Wake up, get up" I demanded. "But it is so early", the children protested. "Point well taken. GET UP!"

This was an important day, especially concerning the fort. The Fort each year made us dream of what we would do the next year with sticks and mud. What strategies were involved. Who would be the last man standing, or "King of The Hill?"

The Fort was the most important part of the Celebration. Tiny sticks were gathered and broken with care in precise of the owner of the stick. These sticks were the Fort, and the fort needed great detail. The fort was to be demolished with the fireworks, that consisted of so many explosions! Bottle Rockets, Fire Crackers, Tanks to set them all off, and trust me, I do not remember all the names of the fireworks bought. ( I wish I did remember!)

I am hoping my children will remember. IF not, my husband will. All day my children worked so hard on this, to blow up the Fort. My husband and myself worked on cooking or entertaining the crowd. (Word had gotten around of the Fort and our fun)

After the first Fort was blown (trust me, over the years, I found tiny parts of that day)
we ate dinner, which was also a great thing. We always cooked out and had BBQ ribs, Potato Salad, Baked Beans and Rolls. But, back to the Fort, a second chance was given. Build better, remember what you did, correct if possible or needed. This was the true time of work, concentrating. This was at night, when you could think on things, see things, and remember. This was when the Fort lit the sky with all the fireworks at hand, and in darkness, you could see your laid plans. This is what we remember and still talk about today. And I am so thankful that we have this.

Written for Jim and his encouragement to do this, and so I wrote this story.

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Yesterday, July 3rd. 2007, my oldest daughter sent me an email which I am sharing with all. Within her email to me, she was not concerned of who wrote what and who took pictures, but I, as a writer know that writings need to have credit due to who wrote what or at least the history concerning this. (Therefore I apologize if I left any thing out, photo of pictures, mentioned names, etc., as it was not intentional. I did try to research to cover it all. )

Readers need to keep in mind that my daughter is in the Air Force and stationed in Iraq, and as far as I am concerned, she is in immediate danger. The war does that to parents to think that way! The first thing in her email was

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

My first question was WHO WROTE THAT? That was the first thing I really wanted to know and had no idea that it had a history with it. But it does. See below!

On September 8, 1892 a Boston-based youth magazine "The Youth's Companion" published a 22-word recitation for school children to use during planned activities the following month to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America. Under the title "The Pledge to the Flag", the composition was the earliest version of what we now know as the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

And the story continues! Just a few days later it was changed! “I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all. October 11, 1892”

And then changed again 31 years later to
“I pledge allegiance to my the Flag of the United States,and to the Republic for which it stands:one Nation indivisible,With Liberty and Justice for all.”
June 14, 1923

Then changed exactly one year later to read
I pledge allegiance to the Flagof the United States of America,and to the Republic for which it stands:one Nation indivisible,With Liberty and Justice for all.
June 14, 1924

Then again changed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1954, 30 years later by adding the words “under God”. See below and follow link of http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html

The last change in the Pledge of Allegiance occurred on June 14 (Flag Day), 1954 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved adding the words "under God".

Just a little history for any interested.

My daughter in the Air Force, also sent me in her email, these words of “For all of our military personnel, where ever they may be. And God Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our freedom.. Thanks to them, and their sacrifices we can celebrate the 4th of July. We must never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be eternally grateful” I tried to research these worlds, and could not find them via the Internet. She may have written them herself. I will find out and when I do, I will give credit where credit is due. I find it a powerful statement, no matter who quoted it.

Also in her email, she gave a poem written, yet did not say who pinned it. I searched it, and found the author of the poem. The name of the author is Kelly Strong, dated 1981 http://www.wrensworld.com/notfree.htm. And I for one applaud her for bringing such strong words to hearts and minds, and with so much emotion!

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Soldier saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men and women like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still, I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
Kelly Strong@1981

Last, but not least, my daughter sent me several pictures to make her point. I apologize that I do not know who took the pictures she sent me, but if anyone can point them out to the photographer, I will certainly give credit where credit is due, and I am just hoping that who is responsible for such wonderful images will understand that I wanted to use these images as they were from my daughter who is fighting a war that no one really understands, or have problems understanding, and she chose your pictures and images to verify and express her feelings. And if these pictures or images are yours, please alert me so that I can give profound credit to such wonderful images that tells stories!

So there, you have it, my all of my thoughts, my memories, my love of my children and with this I wish all a Happy Fourth of July of 2007. Be thankful that we can celebrate it.

The pictures my daughter in the Air Force sent to me, made me cry and at the same time hold strong of my feelings and made me brave, especially concerning my children. I am so thankful that my children, regardless of their ways, brought me out of my mundane life to face the reality of their lives and the world as a whole.

I hope all had fire works this 4th of July of 2007, as I did, and did not even expect the fireworks, but some how they managed to explode in my heart!

Katie