“According to this Almanac, as the full Moon in June and the last full Moon of spring, the Algonquin tribes called this the Strawberry Moon. “The name comes from the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in the north-eastern United States
This is the last super moon of 2021.
June’s full Moon is always particularly low in the sky, this can make it shine through more of the atmosphere than at other times in the year.
It won’t technically be pink or red but, according to NASA, its low position can sometimes give the full Moon a reddish or rose colour.
Hanging low in the sky
Luscious and full
Seems close enough to touch
O Succulent moon
If I place a plumb ripe strawberry
in front of your shining face
I can imagine
the sweet rich strawberry juice
dripping over my face
and into my mouth
before creating a long pink trickle
down my t-shirt.
I was listening to a CD of 60s hits and heard a pair of Lesley Gore Songs.
From Its My Party and I Can Cry If I Want To:
Judy and Johnny just walked through the door (walked through the door)
Like a queen with her king
Oh, what a birthday surprise
Judy's wearing his ring
From It’s Judy’s Turn to Cry
Aww when Judy left with Johnny at my party (my party)
And came back wearing his ring
I sat down and cried my eyes out
Now that was a foolish thing
'Cause now it's Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
'Cause Johnny's come back
To me
Why does Johnny get a pass for two-timing her and Judy gets blamed?
Do we expect more from our girlfriends than we do from our boyfriends/husbands/lovers? There is an unwritten rule that the man in your life is supposed to be off limits to your girlfriends/sisters/any female close to you. However, why shouldn’t the two-timing jilter also get part of the blame?
Eve has been blamed since she and Adam got kicked out of the garden of Eden. Since then, the evil seductress has been accused of tempting some poor male beyond his feeble attempts to remain faithful. Remember it takes two to tango-no matter what the tangle ensues.
So quit living life like it is a pop ballad where Johnny gets a free pass rather than the kick in the ass he deserves.
Recently we had dinner with a friend who told us a frightening story. She was on her way to Starbucks at 6:15am, when a man came across the street toward her van. She tried to speed up to avoid him, but he hit her on the driver’s side. By the time the shock wore off and she made a u-turn to get back to the spot, the man was gone. She was shaking badly, but was able to get to her phone and call 911. The police responded that they knew the man, his name, and his address. His partner said that he was depressed and was trying to kill himself AND that he had already tried running in front of a car earlier that morning. The man hit the passenger door of the van behind the driver and caused so much damage, that the door could not be opened. The repair to the door cost $4000.
Route 20, the Constitution Highway, passes in front of James Madison’s Montpelier estate. Arching trees cover both sides of the highway, so large that the outstretched branches reach across the road as if to shake hands. Depending upon
your mood
the weather
the season
It can be
welcoming
beautiful
foreboding
spiritual
historical
The cool green tunnel of leaves provided a welcome, if temporary, respite from the harsh July sunshine.
The sunlight filtered through the arched green canopy like nature’s cathedral with backlit green, deep gray shadows, and pools of golden sunshine laying across the macadam creating the illusion of a stained glass window.
The wind moaned through the trees as if the ghosts of the enslaved have been given tongues.
The thunderstorm ripped away the leaves, leaving the grasping skeletal branches heaving up to the heavens as if in supplication. Have mercy on us. Spare our limbs.
A vivid rug of cardamon, tobacco, butterscotch, and aubergine leaves carpeted the highway, deadening the sound of our wheels, like it had done since the time of coaches and wagons.
Jubilee: a special anniversary of an event, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of a reign or activity.
Mary Chapin Carpenter singing Jubilee
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States celebrating the emancipation of African Americans who had been enslaved. Originating in Galveston, Texas, in 1866, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 throughout the United States.
Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and his troops arrived at Galveston on June 19, 1865, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. … The term Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and nineteenth. The holiday has also been called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day It is also known as Jubilee Day
I don’t have answers, just several questions.
Does getting this new holiday make up for the failure to protect voting rights?
Does a day off feel better than expecting the justice system to treat all of us the same?
Does this example of Congressional bipartisanship mean more than Congressional bipartisanship on infrastructure or healthcare?
Is this placation or a step in the right direction?
“When I got library card, that was when my life began.” ― Rita Mae Brown
Do you recall the first time you stepped into a library? I do. I felt like I had entered Nirvana. All those books, and I could borrow them for free! I would pick out a stack of books to take home to the farm, read them and the next time we came to town, return them and bring home another stack.
When did you move from
center page to annotation?
Were you crossed out,
partially erased,
nothing left but
a smudge
or smoldering ashes?
Is there even a footnote or
footprint in the dust
to prove that you
lived?
You weren't created
to be doodle in some
heedless person's
map, diary,
or tweet .
This is really sobering. First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city where you went to high school and look at the names. Click on the name and it will give details of the person’s death, a picture or at least their bio and medals. This really is an amazing web site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it. I hope that everyone who receives this appreciates what those who served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country. Pass the link on to others, as many knew wonderful people
Teagan has chosen to serialize this high fantasy novel in monthly installments. For her legions of fans who are taking this Journey with her, so far we have not had to wait more than a month for the next highly anticipated episode.
Covers of the first three Journeys
Our heroine, 12 year old Emlyn Eriu, can see, hear, and communicate with spirits and other entities. Emlyn has learned that most people can not do this and that they are fearful of her extraordinary talents, particularly her family and neighbors living under the stern theocracy of the Un’Naf.
Emlyn’s journeys begin about the time she escapes from home and joins the Society of Deae Matres, a learned society of women who travel the world to search out, collect, and preserve knowledge. This particular group of women are accompanied by an equerry ( a horse whisper), two bodyguards (members of royal houses from two vastly different countries), and two hirelings. We also get to know the various personalities of their horses, a raven and a White Wolf. They travel by horseback and wagons, resembling gypsy caravans. We are learning that there are other Deae Matres who are not part of this traveling group and more about the history of the Society with each Journey.
These fascinating characters come from diverse backgrounds and countries that explore the breadth of Teagan’s high fantasy world. Each country is unique with differing histories, geography, religions, governments, and customs. Some of these countries seem almost familiar–but each is unique to the story and Teagan’s imagination.
Emlyn in particular, journeys back and forth between the Realm of the Living and the Realm of the Dead, as the troop continues its trek through the Flowing Lands, toward the Bone Mountains and the Revenant Pass.
Most of the Journeys are introduced by the Watcher, an ancient woman who may have been a member of the Society of Deae Matres. As her shredded memories come and go, she provides possible insights into the supernatural events and characters that move as freely through the different realms as Emlyn.
You’ve probably heard that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. But, somehow, over the years, most people tend to forget this. Babies smile about 400 times a day, while the average adult only smiles 20 times. Today is a day to fix this and to smile at everyone you come across.
Benefits from Smiling
Improved Mood. Smiling releases endorphins, which helps a person feel happier and more positive. …
Pain Relief. …
Lower Blood Pressure. …
Stronger Immune System. …
Stress Reliever. …
Better Relationships. …
Younger Appearance.
Smile, make them wonder what you are up to.
Although, it may take a while
eventually you may coax a smile
on even the gloomiest guss
who will look better with a smile on his puss
On this day the Continental Congress resolved that America’s flag should feature 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes, chosen to represent the 13 original colonies. By 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established every June 14 as Flag Day, and Congress enacted a statute in 1949 to do the same. You’ve likely seen plenty of American flag photos, but how much do you know about our grand old flag? Test your red, white, and blue IQ. You might want to brush up on these American flag facts before you start the quiz.
Do you know which star belongs to your state? Here are the original 13 colonies and their dates to ratify the constitution.
The states and the dates of ratification are listed here, in order of ratification:
Delaware: December 7, 1787
Pennsylvania: December 12, 1787
New Jersey: December 18, 1787
Georgia: January 2, 1788
Connecticut: January 9, 1788
Massachusetts: February 6, 1788
Maryland: April 28, 1788
South Carolina: May 23, 1788
New Hampshire: June 21, 1788 (With this state’s ratification, the Constitution became legal.)
Virginia: June 25, 1788
New York: July 26, 1788
North Carolina: November 21, 1789
Rhode Island: May 29, 1790 (Rhode Island did not hold a Constitutional Convention.)
Do you think Pink and look at life through Rose’ colored glasse?
National Rosé Day is an annual holiday that falls on the second Saturday in June every year. The holiday lines up almost exactly with the beginning of summer, thus National Rosé Day gives you a good excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the warm, sunny weather. For 2021, National Rosé Day will take place on June 12.
oldest known type of wine, dating back to 600 BC
colors vary, lighter than red wine and darker than white wine
pink color comes from the amount of time the skins spend in contact with the juice
wines can be semi-sparkling or sparkling
differing intensity levels of sweetness and dryness
Looking at life through rose' colored glasses
bestows joy and peace as the rose passes
your lips and slips down your throat
releasing laughter and a quip worthy quote
Today's forecast: sunny with a chance of wine.
Troy Prince as a USS Midway Safety Team member pointing out the three roses he painted on this door for winning 3 separate award for a clean head during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.Head door for Squadron (VAQ-130). Electronic Attack Squadron 130, also known as the “Zappers”, is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Bathrooms at Fairfax Station, VA (below) from Wendy
When I first became the Ft Myer Librarian in the mid-1980s, I met many of my predecessors at various Special Library Association meetings in the DC area. They told me about life in the olden days when a library technician in a Special Services uniform would drive a bookmobile out to various Nike missile sites in the DC area. One such employee had begun her life as a Donut Dolly during WWII.
In the wake of the initial Normandy landings on D-Day, a strange vehicle hit the beaches: converted London buses driven by three female volunteers from the Red Cross. Their mission was to bring a taste of home to the soldiers fighting World War II. Their weapon of choice was the doughnut.
While their early food truck might have been a new contraption — 100 GMC trucks dubbed “Clubmobiles” were created for the D-Day invasion — the baked goods they were bringing to Hitler’s Fortress Europe was not. This was their second world war, too.
By the time the United States entered the Vietnam War in force, the female volunteers of the Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas were there, too, and their old nickname came with them. GIs in Vietnam also knew them as the “Doughnut Dollies.”
They weren’t limited to clubs, mess halls or hospitals. The Doughnut Dollies of Vietnam could be found on Hueys or alongside tanks headed into the bush. They were also there when some units came back with fewer men than had left.
Virginia had its Democratic primary today. We elect our governor in an off year–the year after the presidential election. Our governor may not run for two consecutive terms, but he can run again after being out of office for at least one term. Unlike the governor, our lieutenant governor can run for consecutive terms, but this year he (Justin Fairfax) has decided to run for governor instead. He is one of five candidates running for the office. The Democratic front runner is former governor, Terry McAullife.
Voting was easy. We went about 0630 and were the only ones voting. The poll workers out numbered us about 3 to 1. It was quick, easy, and painless. No lines, no hassle, and no waiting. We did have to wear a mask, but that wasn’t burdensome under the circumstances.
One of the benefits of voting in an off-year election is that it gives the pundits something to discuss and a possible clue of what the bigger election picture of 2022 might be like. In Virginia, it also gives a good clue as to how many of those people that at least had the option of voting today, may retain that option next year.
So far, Virginia is one of the few states that have not proposed voting restrictions. I hope that whoever wins the governor’s mansion will not decide that s/he must fall into the same trap. The state has bucked tradition by enacting the Virginia Voting Rights Act of 2021.
More restrictions on the vote are likely to become law, as roughly one-third of legislatures are still in session. Indeed, at least 61 billswith restrictive provisions are moving through18 state legislatures. More specifically, 31have passed at least one chamber, while another 30 have had some sort of committee action (e.g., a hearing, an amendment, or a committee vote). Overall, lawmakers have introduced at least 389 restrictive bills in 48 states in the 2021 legislative sessions.Brennan Center for Justice
Why are we scared of allowing all qualified citizens to vote?
Is this your idea of the only credible voting scenario (but including a white man as well as a white woman)?
