Spirit of Nostalgia

Here is a site from the Minnesota Historical Society with old photos of Minnesota towns. Enter your town. I was raised in Little Falls, MN and these are pictures taken in 1927 when "Lucky Lindy", our most famous citizen, came for a visit after flying solo across the big pond. My husband found old photos of his home town he had never seen before. If you have roots in Minnesota, try browsing.

link: http://collections.mnhs.org:80/visualresources/search.cfm?bhcp=1

June 14th, Flag Day

I walk early these hot days. The nice sight greeting me was Stillwater Blvd. lined with flags. One of the local service clubs does it every year. Rows of evenly spaced small flags line the boulevard. My mother in-law, rest her soul, loved to display the stars and stripes. I remember that flag flying proudly from their home all summer.
Because the flag represents our country, we are proud to see it waving. It brings something up in our hearts to remember our history. Many served and many died to defend our freedom. Many worked for good laws and good government. I read John Adams biography a couple years ago and was struck by the sacrifices of those early founders and patriots.

When we were in Germany, we stayed in Bertchesgaden. That is where Hitler had his "Eagles Nest" hideaway in the mountains. When I watched the series "Band of Brothers" there is a scene of the conquering Americans marching into this area. The swaztika was still proudly displayed. The people in this area were Nazis and many supported the Third Reich. All this came back to me when we were there. Modern Germans we know are quick to acknowledge their history and condemn it. They are also quite restrained in their national pride and displaying their flags. Kai explained to me that is because of their Nazi history. They are surprised to see the way Americans hang buntings and display the red, white and blue.

I am thankful we have been abundantly blessed in our country. I believe rewards follow virtue. We have been generous to help others in need in the world. We have defended England and helped liberate Europe when Hitler was overrunning the continent. We have sent food and aid to people suffering from famine and helped in disasters. In turn, we have been blessed. What you sow, you reap. But, I do not believe God loves us more than anyone else. For it says, "God so loved the WORLD, that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes shall have everlasting life." That is still our greatest blessing and the one we still should share with the whole world.

Harry Potter and the Cereal / Serial Novel -or- Where Have You Done With My Imaginery Friends??

What's for breakfast? Harry Potter Pops? No. This really is not about cereal. It is about serial novels. Fans are awaiting the release of the last of the Harry Potter books with mixed emotions. They want to read the latest installment of the characters' adventures but they do not want the stories to end. Some speculate they will kill off Harry in the last book. I don't think she will, not if she understands her readers.

Since I have been retired, I have given myself licence to read, read, read. I have mixed serious books with light reading. My favorite thing is finding an author who develops a character I grow to know and love and reading the whole series beginning to end. There is always a let down when I read the last of the series. Wishfully, I wait for another book to come out. Many have attributed the Harry Potter series with engaging children in reading--a good thing. I have concerns about portraying the dark world of magic and warlocks in a positive light. Good vs. evil books are okay if the truth is portrayed, but not if magic arts are held in a positive light. Hopefully, children will not be left viewing the dark arts as good and aspiring to be little warlocks. We grew up with the Wizard of Oz and the "Good" Witch Glinda, didn't we? Think about that classic.

Well, I will be understanding of the hype around Harry Potter's next book and movie while I contemplate my friends in printed word: Dave Robicheaux, Anna Pigeon, Lucas Davenport, Kinsey Milhone, Hanneh Swensen, Fr. Blackie, Theodosia and her Tea Shoppe, Alex Delaware and the most guilty pleasure -- Stephanie Plum. May they not rest in peace. Authors--to your computor. No slacking off. I am awaiting the next book!

PS. I remembered another Stephanie Plum book was due out in May. That sent me to the library's request list where I am now #284 in line.

School's Out. Pool's Open.

Granddaughter Mina is spending a couple of days with us. Today we swam in the neighbor's pool. She would be there until nightfall if I didn't think that was an overdose of sunshine. It is 90 today and we all enjoyed cooling off. Even the neighbor's dog got wet. Mina likes to snorkel and use her goggles to dive for pool toys. I was hoping she would find some sunken treasure. No gold doubloons surfaced in her hands, but she sure did look. Did I mention our neighbor lady's father, Mr. Pool, lives with her?

Panda -'modium

News from the kid in China: He is glad he has plenty of Immodium and the group will travel to Chengdu for a long weekend. The Chinese girls need to go there to get their Visas. He said he booked a hotel for $5. Brings back memories of the 60's when college kids would tour Europe all summer on a budget of $5 / day. I Googled Chengdu and found out that is ground zero for the pandas. Should be another interesting city to visit.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/chengdu.htm

Cool Cars from No St. Paul Friday Night Cruising

My Baby's Pictures of Beibei - part 4

The motorcycles are taxicabs. Street scenes from downtown Beibei and the open market.