Carmi's theme this week is "summer." On Ella's birthday her mom took her to the community pool after her nap. On a warm summer day, Ella did indeed join the cool water of the pool. This was only one of the neat activities that took place on her big day. For more "summer"-themed photos, be sure to visit Carmi's site.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Does this say "summer?"
Carmi's theme this week is "summer." On Ella's birthday her mom took her to the community pool after her nap. On a warm summer day, Ella did indeed join the cool water of the pool. This was only one of the neat activities that took place on her big day. For more "summer"-themed photos, be sure to visit Carmi's site.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Happy Re-Independence Day
Six year ago I had the privilege to travel to Estonia with a group from my church and work alongside the Allika Baptist Church near Tallinn. Estonia, along with Latvia and Lithuania, border the Soviet Union and were under Soviet rule for many years. While there, we saw reminders of that occupation.
Today is the 18th anniversary of their new freedom. Maureen Castle Tusty wrote this about this anniversary.
"18 years ago today, on August 20, 1991, Estonia bravely re-declared her independence. After over 50 years of Soviet occupation, and a four year non-violent revolution (called the Singing Revolution, '87-'91), the Estonian people took the risk of publicly restating to the world their rights as a free and sovereign nation under international law. Unarmed citizens stood before tanks, arms linked, to prevent Soviet access to critical information sources such as the TV tower and radio station.
Estonian leaders, many previously in bitter conflict over how aggressively to fight Moscow, came together and unified their voices to vote unanimously to re-declare the Republic of Estonia as an independent nation. And while this sounds easy, given how things turned out, no one knew at the time the consequences of that action. Those voting for independence were certain targets for imprisonment and worse. But the coup failed, and Estonia quickly rejoined the world community of free nations. Happy Re-Independence Day, Eesti! Elagu Vabadus! (Long live freedom!) "
Maureen and her husband collaborated and produced a film called The Singing Revolution. I would encourage you to visit the site and watch the trailer to the film. It gives you a taste of this people's love of their freedom and its achievement.
Today is the 18th anniversary of their new freedom. Maureen Castle Tusty wrote this about this anniversary.
"18 years ago today, on August 20, 1991, Estonia bravely re-declared her independence. After over 50 years of Soviet occupation, and a four year non-violent revolution (called the Singing Revolution, '87-'91), the Estonian people took the risk of publicly restating to the world their rights as a free and sovereign nation under international law. Unarmed citizens stood before tanks, arms linked, to prevent Soviet access to critical information sources such as the TV tower and radio station.
Estonian leaders, many previously in bitter conflict over how aggressively to fight Moscow, came together and unified their voices to vote unanimously to re-declare the Republic of Estonia as an independent nation. And while this sounds easy, given how things turned out, no one knew at the time the consequences of that action. Those voting for independence were certain targets for imprisonment and worse. But the coup failed, and Estonia quickly rejoined the world community of free nations. Happy Re-Independence Day, Eesti! Elagu Vabadus! (Long live freedom!) "
Maureen and her husband collaborated and produced a film called The Singing Revolution. I would encourage you to visit the site and watch the trailer to the film. It gives you a taste of this people's love of their freedom and its achievement.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Good People
A doctor said to his patient, "You have a slight heart condition, but I wouldn't worry about it.""Really, Doc?" the patient replied. "Well, if you had a slight heart condition, I wouldn't worry about it either."
We can sometimes get the impression that most of the world is more or less out for themselves and that people care little about the plight of others. But I choose to believe differently. I believe that a lot of people are basically concerned about others, even if they don't always know how to express it. That is perhaps why a certain story, clipped years ago and filed away, has remained one of my favorites to this day. A trucker relates that he was traveling through rural North Carolina on I-95 when a brown sedan merged onto the highway. It weaved back and forth between lanes, causing the driver of the truck to shift into a lower gear. At first he thought the driver was drunk, but when he came closer, the trucker saw an old man shaking uncontrollably behind the wheel. He noticed a Citizen's Band aerial whipping to and fro as the car jerked between lanes, so he called on the radio: "You in the brown Chevy, if you can hear me, pull over. Pull off the road!"'
Amazingly, he did! The trucker pulled up behind the car and climbed from his cab. The elderly man staggered from his auto and fell into the trucker's arms. He poured out a story of months of fear and pain that accompanied the illness of his only daughter. Now he was returning from the hospital where it was decided that she would cease any further treatment. In the hospital he remained "strong" and stoic for his daughter, but out on the road he fell apart.
The two men talked for the good part of an hour. The father eventually decided to share his pain with his daughter and said he felt good enough to drive home. The men embraced and the trucker followed him for 50 miles. As they drove along, the two talked together on the radio.The older man finally acknowledged that his exit was ahead and thanked his new friend again for the help.
The trucker asked if he could make it home all right and, suddenly, a third voice broke in on the conversation: "Breaker 19, don't worry, good buddy. Go your way. I'll see him home!" Glancing in his mirror, he saw a livestock truck move into the exit lane behind the brown sedan. I think there are good people the world over. People who will gladly give that caring touch, a needed warm embrace or a patient and listening ear. They are like angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. Look around. You're sure to see one. And look in the mirror. You might spot one there, too.-- Steve Goodier
This article is from Life Support System.
We can sometimes get the impression that most of the world is more or less out for themselves and that people care little about the plight of others. But I choose to believe differently. I believe that a lot of people are basically concerned about others, even if they don't always know how to express it. That is perhaps why a certain story, clipped years ago and filed away, has remained one of my favorites to this day. A trucker relates that he was traveling through rural North Carolina on I-95 when a brown sedan merged onto the highway. It weaved back and forth between lanes, causing the driver of the truck to shift into a lower gear. At first he thought the driver was drunk, but when he came closer, the trucker saw an old man shaking uncontrollably behind the wheel. He noticed a Citizen's Band aerial whipping to and fro as the car jerked between lanes, so he called on the radio: "You in the brown Chevy, if you can hear me, pull over. Pull off the road!"'
Amazingly, he did! The trucker pulled up behind the car and climbed from his cab. The elderly man staggered from his auto and fell into the trucker's arms. He poured out a story of months of fear and pain that accompanied the illness of his only daughter. Now he was returning from the hospital where it was decided that she would cease any further treatment. In the hospital he remained "strong" and stoic for his daughter, but out on the road he fell apart.
The two men talked for the good part of an hour. The father eventually decided to share his pain with his daughter and said he felt good enough to drive home. The men embraced and the trucker followed him for 50 miles. As they drove along, the two talked together on the radio.The older man finally acknowledged that his exit was ahead and thanked his new friend again for the help.
The trucker asked if he could make it home all right and, suddenly, a third voice broke in on the conversation: "Breaker 19, don't worry, good buddy. Go your way. I'll see him home!" Glancing in his mirror, he saw a livestock truck move into the exit lane behind the brown sedan. I think there are good people the world over. People who will gladly give that caring touch, a needed warm embrace or a patient and listening ear. They are like angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. Look around. You're sure to see one. And look in the mirror. You might spot one there, too.-- Steve Goodier
This article is from Life Support System.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Copy Cat
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
Someone suggested the title for the last post should have been "Copy Cat." Here are some more photos of Ella and Hector. When I was reading the paper this moring, "Hi and Lois" made me smile. It reminded me of my day last week with Ella.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Odd Couple
See Hector.
See Ella and Hector.
See Ella walk like Hector.
See Ella sit like Hector.
Hector is the neighbor's cat who lives three doors down from Ella. Ella's little friend, who also just turned three lives with Hector, along with a fifteen month old. I've never seen such a docile cat around little ones. I love to see him come around because he is just so easy-going around the girls. He lets them do almost anything to him. In my archives I have photos of Ella and her friend petting him, and you know how a year-old child would be petting...not too gently.
Ella is always glad to see him. On this particular day I was watching them and had my camera close by. When he lay down on the sidewalk, so did she. When he put his paws out in front of him, out went her arms. It was interesting to watch her look at him and place her arms just like his. When he leaned down and licked his paw, down went her head and she licked her arm. It was quite an amusing show for several minutes.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Ella's Big Day
After lunch and a nap, it was off to the pool with fun in the water. When she was asked what she wanted for her birthday dinner, she replied, "White mashed potatoes and steak." Her dad was very pleased! And he did such a good job grilling it. When it came time for birthday cake, my camera suddenly said, "Replace battery pack." Do I have an extra one? No. But her mom was busy taking photos, so all is not lost. Sarah comes tomorrow, and there will be another little party on Saturday for a few little friends and some adults. Stay tuned.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Tomorrow's the Day
Ella's third birthday is tomorrow. When the mail came today, there was a package for her. When she saw it, I told her it was for her birthday tomorrow. She smacked her forehead and said, "I can't be-weeve it!"
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