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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Battle of Iwo Jima

Today, February 23, commemorates one of the bloodiest battles of WWII - The Battle of Iwo Jima. Let us pause in remembrance of all who have placed a profound role in establishing and maintaining the platform for our American freedom: those who have served in the past, presently serve, or will serve our military forces in the future. A profound appreciation is extended for the sacrifice of these brave men and women, who left or will leave their homes and family to ensure America’s freedom endures.

A grave price is being paid every moment of every day of the year for all the freedom America has to offer. Let us not forget those who have fought or are fighting for our nation: They are the epitome of the human spirit called freedom!

Click the video link unspoken words for a step back in time. . .                 

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Our Founding Fathers

Just posted a new video poem, Our Founding Fathers. How do you plan to celebrate Presidents' Day? It is much, much more than simply the sales, sales, sales that are so widely advertised. What better time to pay tribute to America and our founding fathers than on this day!



Don't forget to view unspoken words on Thursday, February 23, 2012 in memory of the Battle of Iwo Jima.


Friday, February 17, 2012

At the Heart of Awakenings

As a poetic writer, it is sometimes difficult to remain attuned to one topic. Verses are often generated from random thoughts, comments from others, images portrayed or creative reflections of feelings to warm the heart and lift the spirit. It is not unusual to awaken in the middle of the night amid quiet whisperings that unless are written down at the moment fade as quickly as the setting sun. Such are the echoes that epitomize expressions of inspiration.

While February is virtually known as the month of romance, it is also home to times of war. It is such times as these that now become the focus of attention. A strange topic for poetry some would say but poetry IS the icon of freedom - a unique form used to evoke emotive reactions. What more emotional times are there than those endured during periods of war? Why not weave some iconic webbing that tears at the heart of mankind?

History and Memory



"In the final analysis battles are won not by machines but my men trained to fight, wanting to live,  but afraid to die. Iwo Jima has come to symbolize the courage and offensive spirit that brought victory to the Armed Forces of the United States in World War II."   
LtCol Whitman Barkley

On February 23, awaken to the recollection of one of the most memorable days in history. For 'tis on this day a flag was raised atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The year was 1945 during one of the bloodiest battles of WWII. The event and famous photograph have met both commemoration and controversy for decades.

Click to read the Story Behind the Picture.

Do you know of someone who was there? Perhaps that someone is in your ancestral chain and played a role on this significant day. For me, it was my dad!

Dad, I wish you had spoken of it. . .

It is not unusual for the sons and daughters of WWII veterans to know almost nothing of their fathers' wartime experiences. For the veterans who survived the ordeal, the memories are too painful. Most never talk about the battle(s) that haunt them to the grave. So, I invite you to share with me a time in the life of my dad filled with unspoken words.

Click the video link, unspoken words, for a tribute to our military and commemoration to my dad. . .



(Be sure to click the Full Screen square at the bottom right corner of the video.)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

“Valentine, Be Mine may be heard but once a year, but the loving thoughts and warm feelings never seem to disappear.”SLS

How many times have you spelled love with tiny candy hearts? Do you know how it all started – when, where and by whom? Well, awaken to a little trivia and share with your family and friends to make the day a little more interesting.

1847
Oliver R. Chase of Boston invents and patents the first American candy machine, a lozenge cutter. This marks the founding of the nation's candy industry, the beginning of commercial manufacture. With his brother, Silas Edwin, he founds Chase and Company, the pioneer member of the NECCO family.

1866
Conversation hearts were invented by Daniel Chase, brother of NECCO's founder. These first hearts had printed paper notes tucked inside. The lengthy, old-fashioned sayings included such wistful thoughts as "Please send a lock of your hair by return mail."

Present Day
Every Valentine's Day the company presents new messages on the tiny colored hearts that have been a holiday tradition since the Civil War. NECCO must produce about 100,000 pounds of the candy hearts every day in order to meet the Valentine demand, when about 8 billion hearts are sold in six weeks.

What is your favorite Conversation Heart? Candy Hearts offers a quick refresher of some original sayings. . .


February brings expressions of love
Stamped on tiny candy hearts
Which ones to eat, which ones to share?
Questions arise before sending starts


Valentine, Be Mine, the ones of first choice
Add up to more than just a few
Intended for those very special friends
Some of whom even receive two

Next in line, a choice of mine
White with pink letters, Cutie Pie
Sweet and cute as a button
The ones nobody would deny

Let me see, the next ones I’ll eat
Kiss Me, the blue one, quickly disappears
My lips alone enjoy this treat
As a sly grin instantly appears

Then there lay the perfect pair
Best Friend they both represent
Expressly set aside for buddies
With whom the best times I spent

What’s left? Sweetheart, True Love
Love You Forever, all meant for just one
Gathered, bagged, tied with a string
Stored in a box ’til time to be undone

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Make Any Day Valentine’s Day




There is a question that to this day still perplexes me: Why not make any day a Valentine’s Day? Is it just the cards, flowers and gifts on this one day that make the heart truly sing? I don't think so!

Think about it. Each day begins with a sunrise and ends with a sunset. There are dawnings and there are twilights each flaunting spectacular colors equal to the challenge of any prism. From delicate to blazing, butterscotch to psychedelic hues, watercolor pallets emerge in a burst that fathoms beyond all imagination. Showers of gold outline sunsets of pink and echo angelic views across vast landscapes and open seas. As we rise each morning and retire each evening, the angels dance across both clear and cloudy skies leaving footprints of illusion. These are perfect times as nature’s paintbrush wisps through the clouds, over the horizon and across the seas. Can you see it?
Um-m-m-m? But what about the between hours? Are they not equally as poignant?

Vibrant blue morning glories gradually shifting to natural shades of purple enhance the splendors of the day— subtle, delicate, perfectly balanced.  From the low, warm light of mornings and late afternoons to the mystics of the night time, all around us nature awakens, ever emerging, ever changing. Do you feel it?
Lights, sound, action! What a magnificent, anything but silent, motion picture right before our eyes—rumbles of distant thunder announcing a Springtime shower, the roaring of the ocean along the beach in Summer, the rustle of leaves in Autumn, the crunching of footfalls in the dry snow of Winter! Can you hear it?

The smell of rain along a dusty road, salty sea spray to raw ocean smells, smell of bayberry and cinnamon, and the burning smell of a cozy open fire invite all to lift their noses and take a deep breath. Do you smell it?
Delight comes with candlelit dinners for two, double straws in a single vanilla float, cuisines of festivals with every crumb taste tested, gripping taste of hot cocoa around a blazing campfire. Can you taste it?

Love is sharing whether by sight, feel, sound, smell or taste. Share with the one you love that in love, We Share the Same Dreams. . .

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Establishment of Valentine’s Day




We will soon awaken to the biggest romance day of the year: A day when spirits are lifted in both usual and unusual ways. Some stroke the heartstrings so tenderly tears are gently brushed away with a kiss; others are totally mesmerizing striking deep down into the soul. Then, of course, there are those that are totally unexpected that bring about smiles and laughter along with the tears.

So, what plans do you have for that special someone on Valentine’s Day? Chocolates, roses, jewelry, gift basket, stuffed animal?  Perhaps a surprise getaway, breakfast in bed, champagne brunch?
It is not surprising that there are limitless possibilities, especially with the ability to traverse cyberspace over the World Wide Web. Our fingers negotiate the keyboard like the hairy legs of the spider spinning its web. Having to venture out to find that one gift which says it so perfectly is no longer the only option.

Of course, like all things there is history behind this day filled with everlasting expressions of love. Its roots date back to ancient times. Do you know why we celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th and where the holiday customs come from? Find out in 3 minutes 49 seconds by clicking this video link: History of Valentine's Day.

More to follow. . .

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Prelude to Valentine’s Day

The month of February signifies the month of love . . . the sharing of innermost feelings. Ever been in a situation where it is so-o-o-o difficult to put into words what you truly would like to express? Do the words lay stuck in your throat or dormant in your heart?  Perhaps it is nervousness fearing the intent might be misunderstood or perhaps it is simply you just don’t know what to say or how to say it.

Ah-h-h-h! The light bulb comes on and you seek words someone else has written that might be exactly what you need—the perfect greeting card or e-card. Then, the search is on! Rack after rack of card after card line the shelves of store after store where each card is identified by its category. Okay, let’s narrow the search – Valentine’s, male, female, spouse, lover, close friend, casual acquaintance, son, daughter, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparent, etc. Whew! The list goes on and on. . . Oh, dear, to add to the dilemma, is it just a Valentine’s Day card or on this day is it someone’s anniversary, an unexpected visit to the hospital, a birthday? Enough! I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

With Valentine’s Day being ‘love’ oriented, the logical card would be one filled with those sweet, adorable love messages some of which have been around for eons. But, wait! We still have plenty of time to collect our thoughts on the subject of love. Let’s think about those other occasions that warrant recognition any day of the year. Before getting too intimately involved in Valentine’s (which is by the way on the drawing board), let’s see what you think of my idea for The Ultimate Card. . .

Click the video link: The Ultimate Card is awaiting your review. . .

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Time for Br’er Groundhog 2012


Today is...Time to Meet Br'er Groundhog!



Are you READY for one of America's quirkiest holidays, Groundhog Day? Groundhog? Do you mean woodchuck, whistle-pig, or land-beaver? No? You say a groundhog is going to forecast the weather? What kind of folklore is that? Um-m-m-m-m? Let's look a little deeper into this weather hound.

The groundhog phenomenon traverses centuries of time shrouded in myths and legends centered around cultures and animals. This predictable tradition stems from European beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christmas. The Roman legions supposedly brought it to the Teutons, or Germans. They concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal, the hedgehog, would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather. Some would say this was interpolated as the length of the "Second Winter."

So, here we are in the 21st century, awaiting iconic news from a groundhog! Br'er Groundhog will be deciding the fate of winter tomorrow, February 2nd. Rise and shine for Phil will leave his burrow at 7:20 AM EST at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Click to See Phil live!


Okay, Punxsutawney Phil, since this is your 126th prognostication for the fate of winter, "How about an early spring!!"