Positively Memorial Day

by Mauverneen

Why do we celebrate it and how did it start? It's more than just the beginning of the summer season and the Indy 500.

I think most of us know WHY we celebrate it. Memorial Day honors those who died in service to their country, Veterans Day honors all who served, and Armed Forces Day pays tribute to those currently serving. It seems that in recent years we have begun more and more to recognize and pay tribute to those who serve and who have sacrificed. 

According to Wikipedia, the decorating of soldier's graves with flowers in an ancient custom. Around the time of the Civil War, it became more prevalent. In 1868 it was officially termed "decoration day" and I do remember my own grandparents calling it that. Doylestown, PA and Rochester, WI have held Memorial Day Parades for well over 100 years. (since 1868 and 1867, respectively)

Memorial Day became the preferred name for this day of remembrance and was declared the official name of the holiday in 1967. Traditionally it had been celebrated on May 30, but in 1968 Congress passed the 'Uniform Monday Holiday Act', moving four holidays to a Monday to grant everyone a long weekend. It took a few years for all states to comply.
(read more here  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day)

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Positively Misty

by Mauverneen

Everything seems quieter on a misty morning. Calmer.

Trees are still. Raindrops cling to leaves and flower petals in rows of gleaming crystals.

No wind to shake them off.

Colors are bright, vivid, wet. Brilliant greens. Blacker tree trunks.

The sun is there, but it too is calm, muted. Taking a break as it were.

I feel refreshed. Calmer. No need to rush. I have time.

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

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A Positively Good Morning!

by Mauverneen

"Spring is nature's way of saying let's party!"     - Robin Williams

Spring is colorful. Staring out at gray days and bare trees for months sure does get depressing. But then - spring arrives.

It's not just the flowers popping up that are colorful, but the world. Skies are blue. Grass is green with pops of yellow dandelions. Trees are green and pink and white. And the birds! We have white, blue, red, orange, yellow - as colorful as the flowers at the garden center.

Do we ever get as tired of color as we do the gray landscapes of winter? Doubtful. We may yearn for the beach or the mountains or the lake, but take a minute and look around. The earth is happy - it's spring and Mother Nature is dipping into her paintbox once again!

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring."   - Bernard Williams

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

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Positively May Day

by Mauverneen

“At last came the golden month of the wild folk-- honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.”
                                                                                                            ― Samuel Scoville Jr., Wild Folk

Exactly! Happy May Day!
     Traditionally the day to celebrate Spring, and in some cultures, a holiday.
Birds are singing, and migrating. The Juncos have finally moved on, the Finches are moving in and yesterday I saw a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the feeder. 

Today, at least in my little corner of the world, Mother Nature is cooperating with a sunny, warm, morning. A day that is what all days should be - a day without a coat. It's always liberating when I walk out of the door and realize, I don't need a coat! and I think that's how life was meant to be lived. Unwrapped.

Ahhh spring. We've been waiting.

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

visit my website:  mauveonthemove.com