The second fourth verse of our National Anthem:

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?…
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The original broadsheet version printed in the day:

In the pouring rain. I was somewhat surprised at the number of people who stuck with it waiting for the parade in the rain. By the time it got to us at the end of the route, it had stopped raining.

[flickr]4659944599[/flickr]

[flickr]4659961695[/flickr]

Our float, a three tiered 100^th birthday “cake” for Boy Scouts of America. With a rotating 100 on top and smoke coming from the “candles”. And a big “present” too.

This is just too funny! Very well made too.

I received an email from Jeanette at J’s Cafe Nette and forwarded it to Hubby who felt he had to post it ! It’s since been linked to by Mr. Fix-it at WGN Radio.

He’s posted it here: Preparation for Memorial Day.

He’s also posted a moving video here: True Meaning of Memorial Day!

Elena Kagan and Janet Napolitano

I am posting a portrait, not a cartoon, not in bad taste, just a portrait.

The Mohammed Image Archive has images of Mohammed from throughout history.

My previous posts: I Received a Take Down Notice for Mohammed Cartoons, No Surrender, Muhammed Cartoons Blogburst

Over at IMAO, Basil has a great post: Draw Mohammed Day

Sunday was not only Mothers’ Day, it was my 12th Wedding Anniversary. I made cupcakes!

[flickr]4598804141[/flickr]

They’re back again this year. They go for the bird seed that the small birds drop from the feeder.

[flickr]4579143169[/flickr]

Hot Air has a a great new look and they’ve moved to Salem’s servers. The site loads super fast and looks great!

Congrats guys!

I’ve now been smoke free for four years! Yay!

Four years ago I went to get a laser acupuncture treatment to quit smoking. Halfway through the treatment (I would have wanted another cigarette by then….) I tossed the pack with the few remaining cigarettes I had and my lighter into the trash can in the office.  Since then I’ve never looked back.

I’ve been around smokers with absolutely no need or even inclination to have one myself.

I also have not been one of those ex-smokers who continually preach to others to quit. I’ll mention how well the laser acupuncture worked for me and that with cigarette prices today it can pay for itself in a month., but that’s it.

So happy smoke free birthday to me!