Friday Five (plus a few more...): Flag Day Edition

Each year Ft. McHenry celebrates Flag day with fireworks and a parade of flags.  It's always a good time and I've been going for as long as I can remember.  Here are 5 (+3 more for good measure) of my favorite shots from this beautiful (if not a teensy bit chilly) evening.

Me and the Bestie

Grumpy Gus

Flag over Ft. McHenry

Parentals

Taps

Natty Boh way over there : )

Happy Flag day (tomorrow)!

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.

***

As much as I go on about moving to England (something that is still at the top of my list of greatest desires) I feel quite humbled and quite honored to be an American.  With all the troubles, problems, and fears we're living with now, it's amazing to see the power of the American Spirit.  For all the terrorists or those wanting to spread evil, there are those that will put their life on the line for us or just quite simply comfort someone in a time of need.  That's why it's so important to celebrate flag day.  It gives us as Americans the chance to salute everything our Red, White and Blue stands for.

 

Happy Flag Day and God Bless America!



A Bit of a Backbone

One of my 30 for 30 this year was to grow a backbone.  I've been trying quite hard actually.  And I finally seem to be getting somewhere.  I haven't argued any cases for myself or told anyone exactly how I felt at exactly the time I was feeling it. But I was able to let someone know that I was frustrated and annoyed today without really having to raise my voice.  I think it may have done some good.  It most likely hasn't stopped this person, as she's quite dead-set on making my life better (to her standards of course) but she finally found out that I wasn't too happy with her tactics.

It's not much but it's a little win in my book!  Now doing this on a regular basis would be a much bigger win....and something that's most likely not going to happen any time soon.

Summer in the City

The residual grumps from the never-ending rain that has finally ended, still remain.  But after a beautifully sunny and gorgeous day, they should be blowing out soon.  I think (knock on wood) it's time to focus on all the fun things that will be occurring this summer and start checking these babies off the list!

1.  Bestie Shopping day in Georgetown complete with Frozen Hot Chocolate (and of course lunch, but who cares when there's Frozen Hot Chocolate!?) at Serendipity 3. - Part of my birthday gift that I'm so looking forward to!
2.  "Taking Steps" by the Colonial Players in Annapolis - Second part of my birthday gift.  I'm loving this exploring of Maryland theatres that I've somehow lucked into this year.  Nothing beats Broadway or the West End, but we really do have some great artists here.
3. Dr. Oliver Sacks at 6th&I Synagogue in DC - I'm in awe of this man.  He's done some of the most fascinating research into the mind and how it works.  "The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat" is one of my all-time favorite books.  Getting the chance to hear him speak is definitely a highlight!
4. "Once" with Arthur Darvill on Broadway complete with summer day in the city with a great friend.  - We already have reservations at a cool Cuban place and are working on finding some sweet treats to occupy our time.  What's better than spending a whole day in the city that never sleeps?!
5. OC day with the Mama - A summer tradition that never fails.  Boog's and Thrasher's for lunch, beach time, outlet time and of course Dumser's for dessert.  Yum!

And of course so much more fun once Fall hits (Officially under 4 months until the big trip - 3 months and 29 days to be exact...: )  I'm sure there'll be more to come but for now, let's get this fantastic summer started! Now do you see why I was so eager for the rain to leave?

Rain, Rain Go Away...

It really is a simple request: please, please, please stop raining!  Of course as I write this, it's raining for the third straight day so you can see why I might be a little huffy.  I'm not sure what the climate is doing but by this time of year, we're usually complaining about the ungodly heat.  But so far we haven't had that issue.  It's warm yes, but dry? Not on your life.

I must admit, in the heat of summer, I'm a bit of a fan of the summer showers.  I love having a day where it's just torrentially down-pouring.  Though, I like it better when I can spend that day curled up on the porch reading a great book.  However, these constant showers are just depressing.  It's almost hard to remember that the kids are just getting out of school.  There's usually the excitement and feeling of what will the summer bring in the air.  Instead this rain (no matter how much I'm sure the crops need it) is just making us all sluggish, grumpy and not nearly ready for the fun of outdoor picnics and pool parties.

So I beg of you, please, rain, please go away.  I promise you can come again another day, maybe just another day next month...or the month after.

Snap Happy 2

Finally got a chance to play around with the new camera today.  As much as I'd like to fancy myself a photographer, I'd say I still need to practice a bit...however, some are kinda pretty : )

Just may be the cutest dog I've ever seen!

Love!  Love! Love!

Snap Happy Saturday

I really must be stopped...I can't be trusted in a bookstore