Dear Little Grandmother -Postcard Friendship Friday #374

Today I celebrate the life of my precious 91-year old Grandma Gladys who has flown to heaven.  She is no longer in pain, she can walk, see and laugh again.  She is in a better place and she was ready to go and see her Beloved Vic--and to see Jesus.  Ah, I miss her.

This postcard looks a lot like Grandma.  What a dear, wonderful lady she was.  One of the first dates my Beloved took me on was to meet Grandma and her family.  She has been a part of my life for almost 35 years. 

I see her in my home everywhere.  Pictures she painted, odd pans and cutlery, the beautiful four-poster bed in the guest room, most of the things I have in the craft room...  I think of her every day, and will always think of her every day.

I can hear her laughter, I can see her merry old eyes twinkling at me.  She deeply loved my family--She brought joy into our lives with her wisdom, bubbles, crafts--and I smile as many hilarious memories flood into my mind.  I am going to miss her so much.  I am so grateful to have spent time with Grandma while her daughter was out of town a number of months ago.   What a privilege to hear her stories, share her laughter and tend to her as she slept in her big easy chair.

Take a moment to cherish the people you love, my Friends.  Life is short and each moment is a gift.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear ones.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

September Birthdays -Postcard Friendship Friday #373

Though sadness sometimes envelopes my heart, I still love the month of September.  It is a kind of prelude to Fall--and time of harvest.  The birds are busy and the season is changing.

September's stone is the Sapphire.  In ancient times, it was known as the wisdom stone, good for the mind--relieving mention tension, and depression.  It was said to restore balance within the body, and peace of mind.  The ancients also used the Sapphire to treat blood disorders, bleeding and the strengthening of one's heart.  The poem on this postcard reflects those beliefs.

A maiden born when Autumn leaves

Are rustling in September's breeze.

A Sapphire on her brow should bind--

'Twill cure diseases of the mind.

I love Sapphires of all colors, including the Ruby. It is said various colors of this stone treat various things--but I will not go into that here! 

Have a lovely weekend dear friends--and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

COMMENDATION:  I wanted to put in an extra note here about Linkytools and its creator Brent.  I have had Linkytools on my blog before it was known as Linkytools!  Brent has always answered every single email I've sent personally and professionally.  He does this even now that Linkytools is one of the most popular of its kind in the world.  I've never seen anything like the personal touch he brings to his business.  I highly recommend Linkytools to every blogger.  :D

 * LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Honoring American Labor -Postcard Friendship Friday #372

It was hard to find old postcards honoring Labor Day, which was a surprise considering Labor Day has been around since the late 1880's.  I finally found this one via an online source.  I hope you enjoy the beautiful 1956 postcard I was able to procure for you!

Labor Day falls on the first Monday of  September.  This holiday honors those who work with a day off to celebrate.  Labor Day weekend is also considered the end of summer, then its back to school for most of America’s kids. It is also a federal holiday, so most national, state, and local government offices are closed.

I did some research on the history of Labor day and even after more than 130 years after the first Labor day was observed in 1882, there still seems to be a controversy over who invented the idea first.  Was it the Carpenters, or the Machinists? 

According to some historians, America’s carpenters and construction workers believe it was Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, who first suggested a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”

But there are others who argue that Matthew Maguire, a machinist from Paterson, New Jersey, was the man who proposed Labor Day in 1882 while serving as secretary of New York’s Central Labor Union. 

The first Labor day was holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The day was highlighted by a parade to show the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.”

Since it's celebrated with a day off--Labor Day became very popular very fast and by 1885, several city governments adopted ordinances calling for the observance of Labor Day.  June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

“The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy,” notes the U.S Labor Department. “It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership— the American worker.”

Though there are plenty of folks who work through that holiday, ensuring our safety and well-being, most Americans will be taking a day off this coming Monday.  God bless you, dear ones.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

National Dog Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #371

 

Tomorrow is National Dog Day.  This holiday was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, who is the founder of the National Dog Day Foundation.  The date of August 26^th  was chosen because that was the day Colleen's Father adopted their first family dog. That pup must have had great influence in her life.  I would love to hear the story someday.

National Dog Day has two goals. The first is to honor dogs and to recognize and appreciate their value and importance in our lives.  The second goal is to encourage people to rescue dogs from homelessness and abuse. 

The National Dog Day Foundation’s motto is "Saving 10,000 Dogs - One Day at a Time."  Indeed, then President George W. Bush, a dog owner himself, sent a letter of endorsement to the foundation in support of National Dog Day!

When dogs are rescued, they never forget where they came from and are forever thankful to the person who rescues them.  Case in point is Shadow, a beautiful old black lab, who’s kind face and loving attitude toward his master and my own family when he visits, has blessed us all.

Happy National Dog Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Madame La lune and the Magical Moon -Postcard Friendship Friday #370

This is one of the prettiest vintage moon postcards I have ever seen.  I love the magical quality it has.  There is the same feeling here, as we await the Great American Eclipse.  I happen to live in the area of totality--in other words, I live in the small strip running across America where the eclipse will be a total one.  I can hardly wait to see it.

Traffic problems are already beginning and everyone in town is getting ready for a huge influx of people over this coming weekend.  This is going to be a great adventure!

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear Friends.  God bless you.

 * LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Over the Moon -Postcard Friendship Friday #369

People all over the world are excited over the Great American Eclipse.  It will happen Monday, August 21.  Next weekend upwards of 500,000 people from all over the world will pour into our area.  Our little town is one of those places where the eclipse can be seen in totality.

The actual eclipse will last all of two minutes, though the waxing and waning of the eclipse lasts much longer than that.  It is said this event won't happen again in my lifetime.  I am grateful that I live in the direct path of this amazing event! 

In honor of America's epic Eclipse, I will be posting vintage postcards having to do with the moon.  This beautifully romantic postcard is one of my favorites!  Oh, how I wish my Beloved were here to see the Eclipse!  He would have loved all the fanfare and would have been in the thick of it. 

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday and have a GREAT weekend!

 * LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Summer Romance -Postcard Friendship Friday #368

I am sorry for not posting last week.  I was hosting a drama camp in my home for a group of little girls.  We had SUCH a great time!  I was totally distracted by all that had to be done beforehand.

I adore this postcard.  The old costumes and the sweetness of love and daisies.  Summertime sweethearts.  I miss my Beloved, walking hand in hand at the park... His funny stories, his laughter--the way he saw life.

Don't take your family for granted.  Life is fragile.  Enjoy every moment.  I hope you have a GREAT weekend, dear friends!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

I remember the day my youngest sister was born.  I was fourteen years old and she seemed so tiny and fragile. 

Now she is all grown up with a beautiful child of her own.  These days I have the lovely privilege of spending a lot of time with her.  We often will say the same things at the same time, and there are times I know exactly what she's thinking and vice versa.  Having a little sis is a LOT of fun.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

I love my little sister.  She is one of the lights of my life--and a precious gift of the Lord to fill the emptiness of my home after my husband passed away.  I am truly blessed.

Its National Ice Cream Month! -Postcard Friendship Friday #367

This postcard features ice cream spoons.  I have tried to discover the history of the ice cream spoon, but was unable to unearth much of anything!  I did, however find a lot about spoons.  The first time the ordinary spoon was mentioned comes from England in 1259 when it was described as a part of the first King Edward's wardrobe!  In that time spoons were not only used for eating, but were worn as a mark of wealth and power.  In fact, the coronation of every king of England was followed by the ritual "anointing" of the special spoon. 

There are spoons for eating just about anything--including ice cream.  Some ice cream spoons have a fluted side to them, others are like today's "spork."  

It is no wonder people invented a spoon just for ice cream.  This icy dessert has become such an important part of our culture it has even been honored in recent times.  In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the month of July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.

He recognized ice cream as a delicious, nutritious food enjoyed by nearly 100 percent of the nation's population. In this important proclamation, the president called for all people of the United States to celebrate various events honoring ice cream with all due "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Ice cream may seem like a small bite of summer, but in reality it is wildly popular year round.  The ice cream industry in the United States contributes more than $39.0 billion to the national economy and creates more than 188,000 jobs in communities across the country.

As for me?  I love all kinds of ice cream—but French Vanilla bean is my favorite.  What is yours?

Have an Ice cream cone to celebrate National Ice Cream month, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!  

 * LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Bastille Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #366

What is a Bastille?  One can discover a lot of information by looking at the origin of words.  Bastille is an alternate spelling of bastide, which means fortification.  Bastide, meaning "built," originates from the ancient Occitan language of southern France.  It also has the idea of troops watching over a prison.  In ancient times, a Bastille was a fortification often used by royalty to imprison their enemies.

Bastille Day is a national French Holiday commemorating the storming of the prison of Bastille on July 14, 1789.  That victorious battle marked the beginning of the great French Revolution.

In those days, the Bastille had come to symbolize the absolute and arbitrary power of King Louis the 16th. When the French people captured the Bastille, they proclaimed their freedom from the King’s oppressive rule.

Though the Bastille held just seven prisoners when it was captured, seizing the prison became a symbol of liberty and of the people’s fight against tyranny.  This is when the Tricolor flag was first flown, symbolizing the Republic's three great ideals: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity for all French citizens.

The capture of the Bastille marked the end of absolute monarchy.  It led to the birth of the sovereign Nation of France and eventually, in 1792, the creation of the First Republic. 

La Marseillaise was written in 1792 and declared the French national anthem in 1795. The words of this song are profound and heart-stirring.  If you get the chance, read the words--and listen to the music.  It is beautiful.

On the first anniversary of the fall of the Bastille, delegates from every region of France gathered in Paris to proclaim their allegiance to a single national community during the Fête de la Fédération — it was the first time in history a people had claimed their right to self-determination.

Benjamin Raspail, a politician and painter-engraver during the French Revolution recommended July 14 should become a yearly celebration.  And so July 6, 1880, Bastille Day was declared a National French holiday.

Just as in the United States, where the signing of the Declaration of Independence signaled the start of the American Revolution, so in France the storming of the Bastille began the Great Revolution which changed the face of France for all time.  In both countries, a national holiday symbolizes  independence, a new form of government and freedom from tyranny.

To this day, the capture of the Bastille has great significance for the French people.  The holiday symbolizes their freedom from oppression and commemorates the birth of the Republic of France.  This celebration of freedom continues in modern times, as Bastille Day.

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday! 

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!   

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.