We’re in South Carolina for the Independence holiday, we arrived around 12:30 pm yesterday.
We’ll be celebrating this Independence day with family. It’s something we do twice yearly; Independence day and Thanksgiving. Because of the distance, it’s the only time we get to see many of the family members, and so these are holidays that I look forward to, although I could do without the driving.
At my Lutheran church, this past Sunday, we had a celebration called God and Country. Numerous choirs were combined, and presented an amazing musical portion of the service. All branches of military were represented, and many of the veterans wore their uniforms, completely decorated, some had received medals. Each branch was represented during the musical portion of the service, since the choir sang each of the military songs.
Pastor Chuck preached a wonderful message, and perhaps sometime soon, when I have more time, I’ll get a chance to write about it more. I did send him an email thanking him for the message.
Freedom isn’t free, many paid the price so we could have the numerous rights (including religious) that many of us take for granted.
Just dropping a note to all the wonderful men out there who just happen to be fathers, or are a father figure. You’re definitely appreciated.
I would like to take this time to personally thank my father. Who’s done a lot for me over the years.
Dad, I really appreciate the support and love you’ve given me over the years. You were a tireless worker, who made numerous sacrifices for my brother and me. Of course, you aren’t perfect (who is) but you’re the perfect dad for me. Thanks for being a great dad, and being the only ‘dad’ my daughter has ever known.
My daughter’s father killed by a drunk driver while I was pregnant, so she never met her father. He was a great man, and I know she would have loved him as much as I did. You could say my dad is a father figure/grandad for my daughter. Thanks dad for spending the time with my daughter, and making her feel special too.
For those living in the USA, I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day. My daughter and I attended a few Memorial Day events. No BBQ’s here, we kept it simple.
Since there’s a carnival in town I decided to take check it out with my daughter. I really had no choice, she’s been talking about it for days. Ever since seeing it as we went to school and church so yesterday was the perfect day to check it out.
Originally I thought the carnival would be packed, but being that it was early. It wasn’t. I imagine people were still out attending various events and most likely would be stopping by the local carnival when it got lively (evening-time.)
I paid the $20 per person for unlimited rides. Yeah kind of pricey, especially since the carnival was small but I had gone purchasing the tickets route I would have spent a lot more money. Having the bracelets wrapped around our wrists my daughter, and I could get on unlimited rides, and our carnival adventure began.
Since it wasn’t crowded, my daughter and I were able to get on as many rides as she wanted without a line. Some of the operators were nice enough to let us stay on as long as we (she) wanted too. Many thanks to the nice operators out there, you really made my daughters day. We had so much fun hopping on the ferris wheel, bumper cars, big ol’ super slide. She enjoyed all the rides with the exception of one…
It’s rocket type ride. It was a lot like this one shown in the video, but ours was shaped like a rocket. Also, the rockets only carried two passengers and you are completely enclosed.
Daughter:Mommy, I want to get on that ride!
My seven year old daughter pointed at the rocket ship, impatiently yanking on my hand.
I look way up in the sky! I’ve been on this ride when I was younger and I know how it operates. I loved it but honestly didn’t think she would.
Me: (Glances at her, the rocket–looks doubtful) Are you sure?
Daughter: Yes mommy, come on! Come ON!!!
…and so we got on the ride. She was really excited until we got up to the highest peak and plummeted down to the ground.
Daughter: Mommy! (scared) I don’t like this ride! I want to get off! I want off! (screams)
Me: It’s ok, just hold on.
Lies! I knew it wasn’t ok, although she met the height, my daughter is slim (just like her mommy) some of those rides will toss you all over the place especially if you’re a string bean. The bar only goes down so far.
I grabbed onto her to so she knew I was there, hoping that would calm her down. Nope, not computing! My daughter is too scared and wants to get off NOW! The attentive operator heard her (seems he had his doubts too) screaming and me talking to her. (I had to talk loudly since she was screaming so much) and let us off the next time we coasted back to earth.
Daughter:Jumps over me and out of the ride.
Yeah that’s right she didn’t even wait for me to get out and help her out. The cab was very low to the ground though, but still…
Daughter: (chants and claps) I’m never getting on the ride again! I’m never getting on the ride again!
My daughter proceeds to hop around like an extremely hyper rabbit. She hopped around the ride, hops around me, the attendant. My daughter (still not satisfied) hops around some more. She burns off the nervous energy and is fine. The operator and I looked at her, we’re both relieved (and slightly amused too.)
Mommy Lesson Learned: If I have my doubts about a ride, you’re not getting on it.
After that incident, we got on several more rides. There were some we repeated many, many, many (did I say many) times because she really liked them. Since it was early, we were able to get on most of the rides without a line, hooray for her. Naturally, I won her a stuffed animal too. Hey, what’s the carnival without winning one of those ridiculously overpriced stuffed animals? Fortunately, I’ve always been good at those games, so I don’t spend a lot of money winning a big prize.
It was 92F (33.33C) yesterday. Yeah it was a hot (but enjoyable) day. Naturally, I came prepared. I was armed with a towel and water spray to keep my daughter cool.
Did we eat at the carnival? No, I was fully prepared to buy my daughter something if she wanted it. They actually did have some nice choices. Which was good! I wasn’t interested in anything for myself but she didn’t want to eat anything at the carnival. Regarding ‘junk food’ my feelings are similar to what Storm Talifero’s view on the subject.
I discovered The Garden Diet (website run by his wife and himself) a few years ago. I really appreciated the emphasis on eating whole foods. I don’t think you need to be a raw foodist, vegetarian, or vegan to be healthy but we do need to make healthy choices in regards to what we do put into our bodies.
Ok, back on topic…
Tired but extremely happy, we finally headed home. Of course, she told me numerous times she was never eVer eVEr eVER EVER getting on that rocket ship again!!!
In the USA, May 31st is the day we observe Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a Federal holiday.
Memorial day is a lot more than getting a day off of work and having celebrations with family and friends. Memorial day was created to recognize the those who died during the Civil War.
I love history. Over the years, I’ve read a lot about this particular holiday. Did you know In 1865, freed slaves took part in a huge celebration in Charleston, South Carolina? The celebration was held at the Washington Race Course now known as Hampton Park.
What’s interesting is that this location had served as a temporary Confederate prison camp for captured Union soldiers. Mass graves on the site contained Union soldiers. I found it fascinating that in 1865 freed slaves removed bodies from the mass graves and placed them into individual graves. They also placed a fence around the graveyard, and declared it a union graveyard.
On May 1, 1865 a crowd of up to 10,000 people (mostly African American) gathered at the Washington Race course. According to some records there were a lot of different activities that were held that day; speeches, sermons, singing, and family picnics.
If you’ve been following Memorial day history (like myself) you’ll notice that a lot of states have claimed being the first in regards to Memorial Day celebration however those claims didn’t start until around 1865. The largest scale Declaration Day (Memorial Day) event was conducted in 1861, by the freed African American slaves in Charleston, South Carolina.
Did you know that
Memorial Day: Did you know?
Memorial Day used to be called Declaration Day
Memorial Day was originally recognized on May 30th, but has since been moved to May 31st.
Across the United States, there are numerous events held to recognize those who’ve died while in military service. For example, the National Memorial Day Concert is an amazing event, and takes place on the West Lawn of the United States Capital.
I’ve included a few Memorial Day traditions below.
How do I celebrate Memorial Day?
For myself it’s a time to recognize those who’ve died while in service, which usually means going to a specific location that has a ceremony. This year my daughter and I will be going to Fort McHenry, it will be a great chance for her to see some reenactments, check out some of the history I’ve told her about and interact with others too.
Just dropping a note to all the wonderful men out there who just happen to be fathers, or are a father figure. You’re definitely appreciated.
For those living in the USA, I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day. My daughter and I attended a few 
In the USA, May 31st is the day we observe Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a Federal holiday.