HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

BY SKEETER

 HAVE A SAFE

 AND

 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

IN THE GARDEN....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

BY SKEETER

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, In the Garden...

Arlington National Cemetery

BY SKEETER 

 

Time to start off a New Year of Garden Blogging from my Georgia Gardens. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and start to the New Year. We went to Virginia to spend Christmas with the Saints family. On this trip, we spent 4 days playing tour guide in downtown Washington DC with a 45 minute or less drive each day. We enjoy it there this time of year as the crowds are few and so much to see with little hassles. In the above picture you see the Capitol Building in the background with rose's in bloom. It was a very cold day so to see these Rose's really warmed me up. 

 I have been to Arlington National Cemetery many times in the past to visit the Saints brother. On this day, we spent our time driving throughout the cemetery taking it all in rather then drive in and out quickly as we normally seem to do. Most markers were donned with fresh wreaths and red bows for Christmas.  

Wreaths were donated by the Worchester Wreath Company. Click HERE to find out more about these fresh wreaths.

Over 110,000 donated wreaths by this wonderful company. Click HERE to see more about the Worcester Wreath Company...

A beautiful sight to see with the red and green against the white markers but oh so surreal.

Somber feelings run through your entire body.

Especially when the caisson strolls past. We are reminded of the every day burials which do not stop for the holidays.

I spotted a few trees decorated for Christmas within the Cemetery.

This tree had lost many of its ornaments to the wind. I could not help myself but to replace all the fallen stars.  

 A few markers had extra gifts from loved ones.

I found it a bit odd the cemetery will allow extra decorations as this sign is clearly posted throughout the cemetery. I know it makes a parent, sister, brother, friend, etc feel better by leaving a trinket and I am sure this is why they are over looked this time of year.

 

I shall share a bit more of Arlington National Cemetery with you on Thursday. With this being my first posting in over 2 months, I wanted to ease back into it so the rest shall be a part 2...

 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

MERRY CHRISTMAS

BY SKEETER

From the bunnies in my Georgia Woods...

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

   In the Garden... 

Note: Last 2 Photo's were snapped at Opryland Hotel, TN Dec. 2011.
 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

BY SKEETER

From my Georgia Woods......

to Yours, 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

The American Flag on a Pallet for the Garden

Happy Fourth of July! 

in the garden....not shooting fireworks due to the drought and fire ban in Montgomery County. Be safe.  

Note: This is a two sided pallet so both sides have the American flag painted on it-opposite of this flag of course. 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Memorial Day is a Time For Remembering

Last year about this time Fort Campbell and the Clarksville/Hopkinsville area had a rare treat--a visit from the traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall. The miniature wall was set up just outside of Fort Campbell's back gate in the Destiny Park area in a beautiful and convenient location. Mr. Fix-it, the Jimster, and I decided to make a visit to the memorial while it was visiting here last year. These pictures are all from last year since we went right after Memorial Day. This year I am posting them in honor of Memorial Day.


When you walk up to the area where the wall is located you are immediately met by this sign. It was a sobering sign to all of us and told us immediately that quiet, respect, and dignity were called for. This traveling wall is not like a traveling carnival. It was not there for people to gawk and comment but only for people to look for names, reflect on the sacrifices the listed persons made, and to be grateful for all of our freedoms.

My father and uncle were both soldiers in the Vietnam war. While my father is doing well my uncle lost his battle with an Agent Orange related disease just last month. I think of him every single day. Typing this post brings tears to my eyes. I am grateful I got to spend some time with my uncle last fall and early this spring. 

My uncle was my godfather and I was very close to him my entire life. When we lived close my family would often visit him and his great companion Mitsuko. Mitsuko, who is Okinawan, cooks the best tempura ever. Upon one particularly trying move from Germany to North Carolina by way of Alabama my children and I made a surprise visit to my uncle's home and were welcomed with some super good cooking. We have never forgotten that night and are grateful for the small things in life-mainly family. If you have ever moved a long distance you know how very hard it can be and this is something servicemen and women have to do every few years. A good home cooked meal can make all the difference and my aunt and uncle sure helped my family to settle in smoothly after our permanent change of station from Germany to North Carolina.  

My uncle was a tall, slim, red head who fought as an artilleryman. He jumped out of airplanes as part of his job and wow, he was quite a sight all decked out in his uniform when preparing to jump from some huge planes in the middle of the night. One night he had a bad jump and received an injury. I never heard him complain about that injury. It just was what it was and he dealt with it.

Upon retiring my aunt and uncle retired to Florida to live a life of leisure. Unfortunately that was not to be for my uncle. When my uncle became ill with liver disease he kept up a very strong and reassuring appearance. He never let on to anyone just how sick he really was. It was not until this year that he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Even with the terrible diagnosis of liver cancer my uncle  was a paratrooper to the end and remained strong. We miss him dearly. He may be gone but not forgotten because of all of the memories we have of him.

Roger and Jimmy at Destiny Parks Pavillion Fort Campbell Kentucky

I don't normally post very personal things like this on the blog but my uncle loved the blog and enjoyed hearing about it from me. He also adored my husband and Jimmy. I think he would be happy I have posted a little bit of his story on this post. To tell it all I'd be talking all day and then some. I can tell you how I remember driving with my grandmother to go pick up my uncle just home from the Vietnam war. I vividly remember this trip because it was at night and the moths were thick in the car's headlights. I don't know what happened to all the moths but it is not like that anymore. I can tell you all the fun my uncle had as not only a soldier but also as a teacher in the prison system in Florida helping countless prisoners to turn their lives around by getting their GED, I could tell you about his love for cars, and fruit, and Florida, and his family, his great big huge pride in having served with the 173rd Airborne during the Vietnam War, and so much more but I will stop for now. If you have ever seen the movie We Were Soldiers you can see the determination those soldiers who fought in Vietnam displayed and also the camaraderie. This was my uncle to the end and we remember him this special Memorial Day. 

Just about everyone knows someone who has served not only in the Vietnam War but in many of the wars since then. You may even know someone who has perhaps paid the ultimate price for serving; whether that is during war or after as in the case of my uncle it is the greatest sacrifice. Let us take time to reflect for all of our veterans. Let us be quiet, dignified, and respectful for their sacrifices and let us tread on hallowed ground and think of all the brave souls who have passed before us on this Memorial Day. 

Picture from my nephew in Bushnell Veteran's Cemetery in Florida.

So you see this Memorial Day will be extra poignant for all of us in my family who knew my uncle. He exemplified all of the veterans who bravely fight for us every day and who will not be forgotten....


in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

I'm Still Alive!

BY SKEETER

Long time no chat from me!

Here is what's happening in my Georgia Garden right now. Spring popping in January? Yes, we have had a really mild winter thus far. And now Spring is trying to arrive. Daffy's, Phlox and Hyacinth are here!

Hellebores are here and the Butterfly Bushes never left us this winter! One crazy winter for sure but as we all know, Winter is not over as of yet. Some below freezing temps at night and days in the 70's make for scary times.

I fear for the Peach Farmers here in Georgia. With this type weather, they can loose their entire crop over night. So what has been going on with Skeeter you may ask? Well, we had house guests over Thanksgiving. We took walks to several of our wonderful county parks such as the one above with the Saint striking a pose.
The Saint attended a Trade Show in Orlando and I accompanied him on this trip. I hit the Outlet Malls for some Christmas shopping as the Saint was occupied with the show. We enjoyed our free evenings at fun places such as Downtown Disney. I was captivated by these beautiful pots of flowers in December! Mickey is watering these beauties...It is fun visiting such places during the holiday season with all the pretty decorations and fresh flowers. And the bonus, this trip was on company travel and hotel and full-up free breakfast. Free is my friend!
We visit Gatorland and had a blast! First of all, The Saint got in for free for being a Veteran! I received a 20% discount for being with a Veteran! We were thrilled from the start. We found this place most interesting with Birds and Alligators seeming to be friends.
We had up close encounters with Alligators, Crocodiles and Birds of many different sizes. We thought we would spend a few hours checking out this place but 5 hours later, we had to drag our self away as we had to depart Florida. The place was clean and basically a nature preserve of a swamp.
I wrangled a Gator...
The Saint skinned it...
And we ate the thing! Ha, not really. We did eat the gator meat and it was pretty good...The park was full of blooms and had a wonderful boardwalk through the natural swamp.
Again, it was awesome to see such beautiful blooms in December!
We took Highway A1A on our journey home. Although we only stopped for a picture or two, we both had our first visit to Daytona Beach!
We had the entire beach to our self as no one is there during the month of December! We actually saw signs advertising hotel rooms for $39.00 a night! We were so tempted to stay the night but our Fur Baby's were home awaiting our arrival. We continue to enjoy our drive along the ocean front until Jacksonville, Florida where we jumped back onto the interstate.
Back to Georgia and the land of cotton. Nope, not snow but cotton still waiting to be picked in early December! Get busy cotton farmers...
A week or so home then off to Tennessee for Christmas. We stopped in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel to stretch our legs a bit after a 5 hour drive. I was captivated by this huge Christmas tree inside the hotel.
The garden's in the hotel are just awesome! And again, a wonderful thing to see such beauty in December.
We found it difficult to believe this hotel was under water with the floods of May 2010. It is such a beautiful place to visit any time of year.
Of course the reason for being in Tennessee, Christmas with my family. Here you see my dad looking over a Shadow-Box I made for him. This was my first go at a Shadowbox and I was happy with the results. I collected items from his "Trane Company" Union Days of the 1960's. Silly me, forgot to snap a picture of it though. Duh.... The newest addition to our family (Jensen) was sleeping soundly with 26 people gabbing away around him. We were in Tennessee for 5 days and was not able to visit everyone we had planned to visit, including Tiger Gardens and Tina. Sigh, but Spring Fling is on the way and we shall make up for that missed time.
Back home to Georgia where we ringed in the New Year with Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Black eyed Peas with Ham and Cornbread.A bit of rest then, I pulled the paints out of the closet and got busy playing a bit.
This little Pig and Squirrel now have fresh coats of paint to brighten them up a bit. They once sit on their swings in the Crepe Myrtle tree that we lost last fall. Now they are swinging under the Japanese Maple trees in the front porch planters.
I also worked on making my own Valentine decorations. I made a Wreath, 2 Swags and a Garland. They now brighten up the woods in my Display for the season. I shall snap a pic of that at some point.
We are currently dog sitting for the Saints parents while they enjoy some warm temps in Florida. They drove down from Virgina and dropped Minnie off with us. She is a good dog and is enjoying lots of outside time. She loves rolling in our beautiful Green Rye Grass. The cats are not too happy with Minnie intruding on their space but they are doing well thus far. We are taking great strides to keep harmony amongst all. Minnie and I spent several hours in the yard yesterday cleaning out a couple of planters. She is a shy dog in her home surroundings but seems to thrive in our woods setting. She runs through the woods, jumps the creek and has the best time while under our care.

Once Minnie has departed, I shall have a few days to prepare the house for 6 house guests! We shall all take off for our Winter Vacation.

With all going on in our life this winter, I have yet to feel the Winter Blues! That is a good thing as that so depresses me. I have been one busy gal since we last spoke and I continue to be kept from blogging. I am just popping in today to let you all know, I AM STILL ALIVE, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden