PHOTO OF THE DAY - June 22, 2007

I came across this tractor with an improvised sun shade. It kind of looks like a balloon.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: June 21, 2007

9:00PM PDST Pullman, WA

Longest day of the year

PHOTO OF THE DAY - June 16, 2007

America
by Rev. Samuel F. Smith

My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.

Our glorious Land to-day,
'Neath Education's sway,
Soars upward still.
Its hills of learning fair,
Whose bounties all may share,
Behold them everywhere
On vale and hill!

Thy safeguard, Liberty,
The school shall ever be,
Our Nation's pride!
No tyrant hand shall smite,
While with encircling might
All here are taught the Right
With Truth allied.

Beneath Heaven's gracious will
The stars of progress still
Our course do sway;
In unity sublime
To broader heights we climb,
Triumphant over Time,
God speeds our way!

Grand birthright of our sires,
Our altars and our fires
Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled,
The hope of all the world,
In peace and light impearled,
God hold secure!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~//~~~~~~~~~~~

At times I wonder if many of our citizens and politicians
remember what our country, The United States of America, is all about.
Reading the words to "America," brings thoughts of both courage
and dispair. The courage our country was founded on and the courage
we need at this great time of danger to be the great nation we were
created to be and the courage to fight for it.
Our military "get's it," but I fear many people living in America do not!

(Photo by Jacqueline Daisley, taken at the opening of the Lipizzaner Stallion show, WSU Beasley Auditorium, Pullman, WA, June 15, 2007. For more of the horse show, see:
http://rjranch.blogspot.com/ )

Ps: See the jumping horse -> http://userpages.acninc.net/rwd1/jh.wmv

PHOTO OF THE DAY - June 15, 2007

Snake River Reflection

PHOTO OF THE DAY - June 14, 2007

Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii

Silk Orchid Tree
(CLICK photo for a larger image.)

Oh, The Things I should Have Said and Done ...

One afternoon, while in Kauai, we took a scenic helicopter flight over the island. After the flight we departed and headed for the grocery store. In the store, I remembered I had left my newly purchased "Red Dirt Hat" (named after the omnipresent red dirt throughout the island). We returned to the airfield and I retrieved my hat.

As I climbed back into the car, I noticed a tall young man, probably around 26 years old, hobbling back to his car from a flight, aided by his father. He had one leg missing and was obviously just getting accustomed to his new artificial leg. On his head was a ball cap with the words, "United States Marines," in gold letters, across the front.

I paused for a second, behind the wheel of our rental car, then got out and walked over to the pair, just as they were getting into their car. I asked the obvious question, "Were you in the Marines?" "Yes." Glancing, but not staring, at his leg, I asked, "Did that happen in Iraq?" "Yes. it did."

I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "Thank you very much for your service." His quick reply caught me off guard: "I would do it again," he replied!

With that unexpected heart felt poignant comment, I felt tears starting to well in my eyes and all I could do was to quickly retreat to my car and slide back behind the wheel again and just sit there for a few seconds, composing myself. Jacquie asked, "What was that all about?" I could barely utter a reply, as I felt my eyes water and my throat starting to tighten up.

As I silently began to drive back to the condo, I thought of all the things I should have said, but didn't. (I'm sure if I had tried, right then, I'd have made a sad scene.) I wish I could have been there before the flight and I would have gladly paid for it myself. I also wish I had told them that if they had the evening free, would he and his family be our guests that night for dinner at the Princeville Hotel. (A VERY nice place!)

But I didn't do any of those things and I felt like I should have ... I wish I had! Oh, I really, really wish I had. That young man has sacrificed a great deal for all of us ... and he'd do it again! All of us own him the highest respect and gratitude.

War is Hell!