Ah....Childhood

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, 

before the dark hour of reason grows.  

John Betjeman

Cities

Divine nature gave the fields,

human art built the cities.

Marcus Terentius Varro, De Re Rustica

Bryant Park, NYC

Rockefeller's "I Believe"

Quote at Rockefeller Center in New York City 

 I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.

I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.

I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.

I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character — not wealth or power or position — is of supreme worth.

I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.

I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.

I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Memorial Day 2012

The story of America's quest for freedom 

is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots.  

Randy Vader

A Grandmother is Born

When a child is born,

so are grandmothers.

And it is the best!  I took this picture of the Lady Bug and me then turned it into a pencil drawing on picasa photo editing.

Pace of Nature

Adopt the pace of nature:

her secret is patience.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Mother's Prayers

If you have a mom, 

there is nowhere you are likely to go 

where a prayer has not already been. 

Robert Brault

True Friends

Just another page from a student quote book.  I think this student created a keeper!

Dogs and Kids

The dog was created specifically for children.

He is the god of frolic.

Henry Ward Beecher

One of the tragic things I know about human nature

is that all of us put off living.

We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-

instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.

Dale Carnegie

Near the End

We are never prepared for what we expect.  

James A. Michener