God bless the U.S.A.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Is it possible that this November will mark 50 years since President Kennedy was assassinated? I was eleven years old and I remember it as though it happened yesterday. On our nation's birthday, this most special holiday, I hope you enjoy the following JFK quotations.

 "We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution." John F. Kennedy

(colored pencil filter)

 "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." John F. Kennedy

(watercolor filter)

"We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves;
that is our only commitment to others." John F. Kennedy

"A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles, and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality."

John F. Kennedy

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

John F. Kennedy

"The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."

John F. Kennedy

(dry brush filter)

"And so, my fellow Americans - ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

"With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

In closing, I hope you enjoy God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, everyone!!!

Linking to Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
and Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage.

Donna

The kitties were nestled all snug in their beds...

Cats are known for their love of napping...

 

 ...and our two are no exception.

 Our sweet Tiger, adopted back in September of '93, is over 19 years old. She has always been on the shy side. When she was younger, she spent a lot more time out and about in the house during the day, but always returned to Amanda's bed at nighttime.

 Now that she's older, she spends the majority of her days - and nights - on the bed in Amanda's old room. This is Tiger's spot, the place she has slept every night of her life since she was a wee kitten. You don't see me post too often about our Tiger because, frankly, she does spend most days doing just this - sleeping!

 She won't climb into covered cat beds (which we thought would provide her with a bit more warmth on cold winter nights), so instead we create a makeshift tent of sorts out of pillows and blankets. She happily crawls into it, snuggling up in the back where she feels safe and warm.

Of course her favorite times are when Amanda is home, as she was over Thanksgiving (when I snapped this photo). At those times, she gets to sleep with her favorite person in the world! Pure kitty bliss!

Now Baby, on the other hand (who is, by all rights, Court's kitty), well she truly is just a babe, only a few years old.

She's perfectly content to curl up anywhere to catch her 40 winks.

 

All the better if it's in the middle of all the action (like the living room bay window). She thrives on being the center of attention.

 

I disturbed her nap a bit and she cutely stretched her paws outwards and then went right back to napping. This is one of her favorite spots because the heating vents are just on either side of this chest and when the forced hot air comes on, it rushes up the back of this chest making it a very warm place to nap (especially when the temps outside are in the 30's!).

 

 

Here's a little clip of her eyebrows and whiskers being tousled about by the force of the heat.

 

 

With all my picture taking, Baby woke up enough to do a kitty's second favorite thing - washing!

 

"I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."

(Jean Cocteau)
 

I'll joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday.

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Donna

Our Pet Chipmunk

Sometimes I feel as though we really do have an enchanted garden, and the other afternoon was a perfect example. While it's not very big or fancy, our little backyard is filled with a variety of birds and little critters scampering about. And we've made some "enchanting" friends back there.

One day last week hubby and I sat back there and spent quite a bit of time with one of our "Chips," seen here taking peanuts from me.

Not wanting to play favorites, Chip divided his time equally between hubby and me.

We all hung out, just chit-chatting, admiring the garden, and enjoying a glorious summer day.

After a while, Chip decided he'd like to choose his own peanuts.

He may be small, but he's got a mighty big appetite!

A bit later, while tossing peanuts on the patio for Chip and some of his friends, one peanut ended up in the waterfall fountain.

Our little Chip wasn't about to let a bit of water stop him from retrieving that tasty tidbit, as evidenced by this short video:

I've made a set of "steps" by placing rocks, from small to large, along the inside edge of the lower level as it's a bit deep for small animals and birds and I want to make sure they're able to get out if they ever fall in. Chip was smart enough to climb down those rocks in order to reach his peanut. That's my boy!

Wishing you all enchanted gardens filled with magical little creatures!

I'm linking to Tracie's Cottage Garden Party at the lovely Fishtail Cottage
and Cindy's Show & Tell Friday at the lovely My Romantic Home this week.

Donna