Sparkle and Fade

My little one talking about the 4th of July:

Bella: You know those things momma?
Me: What things Bella?
Bella: Those shiny things that are really pretty and you say BE CAREFUL when you give me them to hold. I usta just think they were pretty and fun til one of the shiny things fell on my foot. It burned my foot.
Me: Oh, I say, SPARKLERS.
Bella: Yeah, sparklers. Thanks for telling me be careful momma.
Me: You're welcome, Bella.

I got a BBBBBBIIIIGGGG hug and I give you a reminder: Always be careful with fireworks. 4th of July is hard on kiddos, injury-wise. Each year hundreds of Americans are injured by fireworks.

CNN reports the following:
* Consumer Product Safety Commission put warning on fireworks out Friday
* 70 percent of fireworks accidents occur between June 20 and July 20, says CPSC
* Largest number of young people injured by fireworks are between 14 and 17

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday! Life is Good!

God Bless America

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
TO THE FLAG,


OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,


AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR
WHICH IT STANDS,


ONE NATION
UNDER GOD,

INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!



America is Beautiful and Life is Good!

Legends

Iconic Sidekick


Iconic Beauty

Iconic Entertainer


God Bless America

My New Favorite Song

Dave Matthews Band
Funny the Way it is Lyrics:

Lying in the park on a beautiful day
Sunshine in the grass and the children play
Sirens passing, fire engine red
Someone's house is burning down on a day like this
And evening comes, and we're hanging out
On the front step and a car goes by with the windows rolled down
And that war song is playing, "Why can't we be friends"
Someone is screaming crying in the apartment upstairs

Funny the way it is, if you think about it
Somebody's going hungry, someone else is eating out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
Somebody's heart is broken, it becomes your favorite song

The way your mouth feels in your lover's kiss
Like a pretty bird on a breeze, or water to a fish
The bomb blast brings the building crashing to the floor
Hear the laughter while the children play war

Funny the way it is, if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
On a soldier's last breath, his baby's being born

Standing on a bridge, watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder when there was no bridge, just water
Now the world is small, compared to how it used to be
With mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars

Watch the sky, the jet plane so far out of my reach
Is there someone up there looking down on me
Boy chase a bird, so close but every time
He'll never catch her, but he can't stop trying

Funny the way it is, if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
On a soldier's last breath, his baby's being born
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
Somebody's broken heart become your favorite song
Funny the way it is, if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out

Standing on a bridge, watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder when there was no bridge, just water
Now the world is small, compared to how it used to be
With mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars

Memorial Day (Reposted)

Sgt. William "Jack" Smith
U. S. Army 4th Infantry Division
November 8, 1917-June 6, 1944

KIA on June 6, 1944 during the amphibious invasion on Utah Beach in Normandy, France. He served along side Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Sgt. Smith was listed as MIA from June 6 - June 10, 1944 until his body was recovered and his status was officially listed as Killed in Action at that time. His remains were interred in Normandy at St. Mere Eglise Military Cemetery Number 2. His family, wishing to bring Jack home, asked for his remains to be returned to Grand Rivers, Kentucky four years later. His body was accompanied by a young soldier who remained with the Smith family until Jack's remains were laid to rest in Dixon Cemetery.

Jack's mother, Anne Smith, received some criticism from local folks for her decision to have Jack's remains returned to Kentucky. It was said to her that she would never know whether or not it was her son who was actually returned. Mrs. Smith told the critical doubters that while she would never know for sure, all she could do was hope and pray that if her son's remains were laid to rest by the hands of others, they would treat him with the same love, dignity, and respect as she had treated this soldier.

William Jack Smith's military portrait hung on the wall of his mother's house until the day she died. It then hung on the wall in my grandmother's (Jack's sister) house until she passed. The same portrait hangs on the wall of my brother's house... and will...until the day he dies. We will never forget the sacrifice.
William "Jack" Smith's nephew was my father. He is buried in Dixon Cemetery beside my grandmother and across from Jack. He served in the US Army in a time of peace. My brother served in both the Air Force and Army. My nephew is currently serving in the Army and has served two tours in Iraq.

God Bless America!!!

Saturday's Treasure

I Love Flowers



Just Created and Soon Available at: www.3magpies.etsy.com

Life is beautiful!

Fun Sunday Jewelry!

Think Green Earrings! Pressed Czech Glass and Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl Cross Pendant

Birds, Birds, Birds

Calm New York Birds


A Few New York Birds



Silly New York Birds



Crazy New York Birds


The birds seemed to follow us everywhere we went while visiting Niagara Falls. It was kinda freaky, a little cool, and somewhat reminiscent of the Hitchcock thriller. We tended to duck and hide when the birds came too close for comfort, thus no photos of close up birdies. New York has some strange little birds!

Niagara Falls

We're Here! Oh La La! It's Niagara Falls!



View from the New York Foot Trail...

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

Somewhere over the Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls, New York, you may view this perpetual rainbow. It is absolutely glorious and an unexpected visual treasure. At one end of this rainbow is a time and water worn huge bolder. Another visual treat, especially to 3 Magpies. We really like rocks!




Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!