The Ash Grove

They played this song at Nanna Savage's funeral... Dang I miss that lady and everytime I hear this song I think of her.



The ash grove, how graceful, how plainly tis speaking,
the harp wind through it playing has language for me.
Whenever the light through its branches is breaking
a host of kind faces is gazing on me.
The friends of my childhood again are before me,
each step wakes a memory as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden its leaves rustle o'er me,
the ash grove, the ash grove again alone is my home.

Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander
when twilight is fading I pensively rove.
Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander
amid the dark shades of the lonely ash grove.
Twas there while the blackbird was cheerfully singing
I first met that dear one, the joy of my heart.
Around us for gladness the bluebells were springing
the ash grove, the ash grove that sheltered my home.

My laughter is over, my step loses lightness,
old countryside measures steal soft on my ears;
I only remember the past and its brightness,
the dear ones I mourn for again gather here.
From out of the shadows their loving looks greet me,
and wistfully searching the leafy green dome,
I find other faces fond bending to greet me,
the ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.

House

We've decided.... that we're going to gut the house top and likely bottom. It will go from being a 4 bedroom house to a 3 bedroom with master en suite bathroom.

Before photos coming. We'll likely start demoing in a few weeks on one of the weekends we are home.

Jenn

A Must Play

I'm a Canadian, but it makes me feel good to see patriotism for any country. That said.. Enjoy :)

WE NEED TO SEE THIS TO KEEP US STRONG...


To the Patriotic Spirit within us - GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!

As football season approaches, there will be many variations, but this is the real deal.



This is beautiful, as the anthem was written not like some pop singer trying to "stylize" it.

Tiger Woods

AS IF YOU NEED ANOTHER REASON TO ADMIRE TIGER WOODS .... :-)) HERE'S A COPY OF HIS SPEECH AT THE 2009 INAUGURATION:

Tiger Woods received a special invitation to speak at the obama inauguration. His inviters were stunned, shocked when he did not deliver the message they expected. A brief read and you will understand why the media swept Woods' remarks under the rug with no further ado and why the liberal left of our American society was again displeased with Tiger.

His speech was entitled:

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

I grew up in a military family -- and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods.

My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.

Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.

I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional life as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.

In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said:

"I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country."

Just as they have stood tall for our country -- we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.

Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the U.S. Naval Glee Club.

Tiger Woods' 2-minute, 5-second tribute to the our nation's military was delivered January 18th at the Inaugural Celebration in Washington , DC! He had been subjected to intense pressure to attend and offer remarks. Especially so by liberals who have demeaned and criticized him for a decade for not joining their ranks. Yet, at the Lincoln Memorial, instead of paying homage to Barack Obama, Tiger paid tribute to our soldiers. Not once did Tiger mention Obama, the inauguration or the new administration. He had to understand expressing his love for America and appreciation for our military men and women would disappoint the national newsmedia and the liberal left. But Tiger is his own man; his father taught him to be his own man.

Somewhere over that cold, gray Washington sky, Colonel Earl Woods was smiling down on his beloved son. And there will be one more crying hug waiting for Tiger when the time comes he passes through heaven's gates into God's arms.
******

What's that you say? You did not previously know what Tiger said? You did not see a video clip of him speaking on any national television network? you did not see a photo of Tiger at the Lincoln Memorial offering his remarks honoring our military. You did not read a story in the NY Times? His appearance at the Inaugural Celebration had been widely hailed and promoted in advance by the Obama inaugural organizers ... yet January 18 when he came and spoke ... afterwards, a black out.

Oh, well.

If you are as tired of the biased, hypocritical, liberal media hoopla as I am, pass this on.

Manitoulin Island and the MS Chi-Cheemaun

If you are ever in the Georgian Bay part of Ontario, I strongly suggest you take the 2 hour (30 mile) ferry ride over to Manitoulin Island. The scenery just from the ferry is simply breathtaking.

Rob and I did this trip and spent the weekend on the Island camping. The following links are the photo albums sorted by day:

Day 1 & Ferry Ride:
http://www.rubythroat.ca/chicheemaun01/

Day 2 - Camping in Kagawong
http://www.rubythroat.ca/chicheemaun02/
Side note - the hole in the tent is from raccoons tearing into the tent in the middle of the night to steal two loaves of bread, a pack of english muffins and they started into the hot dog buns before something startled them (which was likely me getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom...)

Day 3 - Camp clean up and tour of the island:
http://www.rubythroat.ca/chicheemaun03/

I also took a brief video of the ferry coming in at night as it was too dark for photos to turn out. I will upload that to the video section of here.

Enjoy... :)

Jenn :D