Take a Word - Song

Though I've lived most of my life in the city, I still have fond memories of my rural childhood.  There's nothing so beautiful as sunrise, accompanied by bird song.   I wish I could again experience those wonderful mornings on occasion, the quiet solitude and the reassurance I'm one of the children of God.   The lyrics of  "A Morning Song"  capture that moment so well.    Thank you for sharing my nostalgia!

Theme Thursday - Man

This is a sort of homage to Stonewall Jackson, a Confederate general during the Civil War.   He led the "Stonewall Brigade", made up of units from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.    Most elements are googled.  Stonewall's photo is from the Library of Congress.

Three Muses - Zettified

Julia Roberts is one of my favorite actresses.   I just saw her in "Larry Crowne" with Tom Hanks.   Here she is zettified.   What fun, Ann!  Great challenge!
Credit:  Background and brick wall: Holliewood Studios

Take a Word - Sepia

The theme this week at Take a Word is "Sepia".    The bumblebee (Graphics Fairy) is harvesting honey.  I hope it isn't true that his numbers are dwindling for reasons unknown!

Sunday Postcard - Squares

Squares are the theme at this week's Sunday Postcard.   My squares are sure to make your head spin, but it was great fun!

Three Muses - Oriental

The antiquities of China have always fascinated me --  the Great Wall, the ornate temples, and the wonderful terra cotta soldiers, who guarded their emporer for centuries beneath the soil of obscure farms until they were discovered in 1974 when a farmer was digging a well.   There are said to be 8,000 life-sized soldiers, 120 chariots,  520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, many still buried in the three pits that were discovered, still standing guard since about 250 B.C.   Amazing!    (All elements were Googled)

Take a Word - Flight

This young man (a freebie from Land of Nod) looks as if he's giving the matter of flying some serious thought.    His feathered friend seems to be giving him encouragement and wise input.   The hardest part of being a parent is to allow your children to leave the nest,  try their wings, and establish their own flight pattern!    Great challenge, Ann!
Credits also to Maya of SBG, and Holliewood Studios.
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(If you have a moment, you might like to read my thoughts on growing older in the post below).

Thoughts on Growing Older

This week Mary Ann Moss (Dispatch from LA) (who has a wonderful blog) asked for thoughts from readers who were in their 70s.   It reminded me of a poem I wrote over 20 years ago, when I was about 55, and I shared it with Mary Ann.   It occurs to me some of you might enjoy it as well.   I may not be as spry as I was when I wrote this poem, but inside I feel the very same as I did then.   When my mother was in her 70's, she used to look out the window at her neighbor lady, who was in her 50's, and called her "that old lady who lives next door".  Maybe age IS relative after all!    Thank you for stopping by, and thanks for reading my little rhyme.
    
     GROWING OLDER

It’s wonderful to be older,
And oh, so very wise…
But I observe I have acquired
Some bags beneath my eyes.

My years of diligent labor
Have made me efficient about the house…
But now, when I look in the mirror,
My knees appear to blouse.

After all my years of practice,
I know quite the proper thing to say…
But I note on close inspection,
My hair is turning gray.

Seniority has its privileges
Of travel beneath foreign flags…
But, when I check my silhouette,
I believe my bottom sags.

When youth defers to me,
I think it’s really sweet…
But, along with that, it’s sad to see
My skin’s begun to pleat.

I’m now loaded with self-confidence
When before a group I speak
But, as I leave the podium,
I hear my joints begin to creak.

Yes, aging has its privileges
And all in all they’re not so bad…
But they would really please me
With that youthful body I had.
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Three Muses - Steampunk

What a fun challenge, Marie.   I decided to punk George!   Credits to Finecrafted Designs and Google!   I've had house guests for most of the past three weeks, so it's good to get back in the swing of things.  Thanks for stopping by!

Three Muses - 1920s

I loved this challenge, Ann!   My images are from Flickr Collage Images with a bit of alteration and "tweaking".    Thanks for looking, blog friends!

Take a Word - Stars and Stripes

I cannot think of the Stars and Stripes without thinking of all the young men and women who sacrificed their lives that we might live in freedom, and wondering why men make war.   I love the song "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me".     If only........