Barb's Babbles

Fourth of July celebrations  July 2, 1776 is when John Adams proclaimed:  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, spirits, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.  He wrote this to his beloved wife, Abigail. The revised Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, which is why it's celebrated on the Fourth. Ever since 1777, Americans have celebrated the Day of Independence with fireworks, parades, picnics, family gatherings, etc. The first celebration had a firing of the canon, militia march and the reading of the Declaration of Independence with much 'HUZZA!' across the land. Ever since, there's not much changed. It seems that...

I graduated from a very large class. It was 1970. I’m not exactly sure how many students there were on the day of graduation, but I believe that it was between 7 and 800. That’s an awful lot of friends to remember. Of course, the friends from grade school stand out the most in my mind.       I don’t want to name specific people, but there were a few girlfriends that we lost our connection once we moved up to Sanford Junior High and then onto Roosevelt High School. At Sanford, we still kind of saw each other but with so many schools funneling into Roosevelt, the friendship was lost.      There were several sets of twins. I lived next door to a set but we didn’t connect until our fortieth reunion. How sad. Now, we’re friends on Facebook. Then, there was my bestie who moved when we were in fifth grade to Richfield. We stayed in contact for a few years but then life got in the way. I still remember spending the weekend at her p...

      “ It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle. ”  Norman Schwarzkopf quotes  (U.S. Army officer who commanded Operation Desert Storm, b.1934) From what I’ve learned, it’s apparent that the need for honoring our vets came from the women. Those who survived. It also began during and after the American Civil War. Both sides had a need to honor their dead. The women would mourn over the death of their husbands and lovers, sons and brothers, fathers and daughters. They’d decorate the graves. This is why it was first called: Decoration Day. Leave it to the women to start something to honor their heroes who’d stolen their hearts.      A hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's...

How about having a new read with a new author? Sound good? Below you will find a huge selection of new authors just waiting for you to give them a try.  If you get one read and the time limit for the link hasn't run out, go ahead and read another. Remember, they're FREE!                                    Here is the link:  Bookfunnel       You can find me here:  website     Goodreads    Facebook       Thanks! and feel free to share or leave a comment!     Barb

     It's getting time to think about spring and summer. The flowers are soon blooming and finally, we'll have color. We need it, especially live up here in the Northland!  Winter skies are gray. We see white all winter long, so much so, that we can almost go color blind from looking at white.        I started learning more about my Norwegian heritage.  I do have a great-grandma from the Lillehammer area that I don't know much about. She's from my dad's side. Most of my dad's ancestors, I know little about.  I found out more from cemeteries.     My mom's family is like an open book.  Both of Mom's parents were from Norway and left a wonderful legacy of names and dates, etc.  I had learned the language while in high school but that was many years ago. I am now using the Duolingo app on my phone and it's helped me to remember.  The Sons of Norway lodge in Bemidji also has a Snakke Norsk group whic...

I looked up rhymes and lyrics for April showers and this is what I found.  It's all in the public domain so I thought it was worth posting.  It was introduced by Al Jolson in 1921 in the musical Bombo.  I always liked listening to Jolson whenever Dad would have jazz on the radio.   Life is not a highway strewn with flowers, Still it holds a goodly share of bliss; When the sun gives way to April showers, Here's the point that you should never miss. [Refrain] Though April showers may come your way, They bring the flowers that bloom in May. So if it's raining, have no regrets, Because it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets. And where you see clouds upon the hills, You soon will see the crowds of daffodils; So keep on looking for a blue bird and list'ning for his song, Whenever April showers come along. [Verse] I have learned to smile when skies are gloomy, Smile although my heart's about to break; When I know that trouble...

                           Unbelievable the trouble that I've had with my accounts!         I didn't realize that with two separate email accounts that the blogs are so affected by it.  I had to sign out from each email and sign into the other in order for me to sign in!  Has this ever happened to you?  It's been tough. I should've realized all of this, but electronics sometimes just don't make any sense. Spring is around the corner and I thought I'd add an image of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in the summertime. It's an older image because we no longer have the amusement park due to insurance hikes. That's my understanding.   The picture brings back old memories of visiting Bemidji as a youngster and also bringing my children for rides soon after moving up here from Minneapolis. It was always fun to take them on the ferris wheel and ...