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180 Degrees

Wrappy Sandals

Either Pair!

Designer Unknown

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interesting!

"Still Life with Mirror"

by M. E. Escher

I Saw a Pterodactyl

I saw a pterodactyl in the summer of 1985 in northern Illinois. I kid you not.

I was driving with my cousin Kathleen as my passenger, entering some freeway. The pterodactyl was standing in the ditch, facing the road, with its wings partly outstretched. I saw the long beak and the claws halfway down its wings. It was a leathery brown and had no feathers, and I could see the outline of bones in its wings.

I immediately hit the brakes and pulled over, putting the car in reverse. As I did, I realized my cousin was staring at me with her mouth hanging open, saying "Did you just..was that a...did you see...?" As I backed down the shoulder of the highway, I completed my cousin's sentence "...pterodactyl!" and she said "YES! One of those!" When we were still about 20 yards away, it flew off, directly away from the highway. It was huge. We watched it fly away and then just sat there with the car running, saying nothing, for a good five minutes.

I have since researched every North American species of bat, crane, and heron, and nothing comes even close to what we saw that day.

Tonight, just for fun, I Googled "I Saw a Pterodactyl." Wow. Was I surprised. The following video clip and the first three links are from search results. The last link is from a documentary that I watched on Netflix a few weeks ago and found very enlightening.

Check out the Civil War photos starting at 1:19.

"I Saw a Pterodactyl"  Sighting Testimonials

"I Swear I Saw a Pterodactyl"  Sighting Testimonials

Modern Dinosaur Sightings  A Christian View

Dragons or Dinosaurs  A Creationist View

My fellow eye-witness is in Heaven now. Kathleen, I remember you.

Day 30 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

"A cover of a song I like better than the original (post the cover)."

"Bridge Over Troubled Water"

by Clay Aiken

When you're weary 
Feeling small 
When tears are in 
Your eyes 
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh when times get rough 
And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge 
Over troubled water 
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl 
Sail on by 
Your time has come 
To shine 
All your dreams are on their way 
See how they shine 
If you need a friend
Look around I'm sailing 
Right behind

Like a bridge 
Over troubled water 
I will ease your mind 
Like a bridge 
Over troubled water 
I will ease your mi---nd 
Your mind 
Ease your mi----nd! 

To my mother, who was watching American Idol with me when Clay Aiken sang this song and who loved his voice. I remember you.

Portal to Shoe-topia

Those of you who knew me in my prime may remember that I had a love affair with shoes. I had nice long legs. My calves were perfect, my ankles sublime. My perfectly painted toes would lead the eye to my strappy, wrappy shoes with perhaps a sparkling ankle bracelet to tease the eye. And the spike of the heel, of course. They say that jewelery makes the outfit, but oh, no, my darlings, it's always been the shoes.

But, alas, in December of 1999 I devastated the bones in my right foot and ankle (a tale for another time, my dears), and after rods and pins and bone grafts I was told I could never wear high heels again. And as we all know, flats are, well, flat.

Then as I got older, I became quite, well, plump, shall we say. And my calves and ankles were no longer svelte. My right calf forever remained a shadow of its former self, and the corresponding ankle stayed swollen and misshapen. Occasionally I would disobey the physician and wear again a delightful pair of shoes that would make men turn their heads. But, to my woe, it was no longer admiration I saw in their eyes.

And then, then, I was aghast to discover that, one night while I was sleeping, the Fancy Feet Fairy had stolen my feet, only to replace them with Old Woman feet! No, NO, it could not be! Yellowed nails and crusty heels! Where, oh, where, had my youthful feet gone? Now even strappy flats and a golden toe ring could not bring back that echo of my former beauty! It was nothing less than a travesty! My love affair with shoes lie wounded in the corner, whimpering its last!

But before that love affair could take its last breath, the Sexy Shoe Sprite came to visit. With a PHOTO of a pair of sexy shoes! Photographs! I could still have beautiful feet and legs in sexy shoes, I just needed photographs of the shoes to tease my imagination!

And so, it begins. Periodically, I will post to my blog a photograph of shoes that I adore. They may be sexy spikes, or flat wraps, or basic boots, but they will all be ME. They will all be shoes that I would actually wear! And your job? All YOU have to do is imagine them on the seductive feet I formerly flourished at the end of my long svelte legs. (Okay, some of you will have to use a lot of imagination, but work with me here!)

Voilà! Feast your eyes then envisage my beauty!

by Alexander McQueen

Ankle Wraps & Cuffs

I JUST DISCOVERED ANKLE WRAPS! ALL BY THEIR OWN SELVES! OH, MY WORD!
Clicky, Clicky

Which Will I Do?

Day 29 - Breathe

"A song I hear on the radio."

"Breathe"

by Ryan Star

she's fine, most of the time
she takes her days with a smile
moves like a dancer in light
spinning around to the sound
but sometimes she falls down

breathe, just breathe
take the world off your shoulders
and put it on me
breathe, just breathe
let the life that you live
be all that you need

she likes New York at night
she dreams of running away
shine on, bright like the sun
when even the sky turns gray
i need you to hear me say

i need you to hear me say

breathe, just breathe
take the world off your shoulders
and put it on me
breathe, just breathe
let the life that you live
be all that you need

let go of the fear
let go of the doubt
let go of the ones
to try to put you down
you're gonna be fine
don't hold it inside
if you hurt right now
then let it all come out

breathe, just breathe
take the world off your shoulders
and put it on me
breathe, just breathe
let the life that you live
be all that you need

breathe, just breathe
take the world off your shoulders
and put it on me
breathe, just breathe
let the life that you live
be all that you need

let go of the fear
let go of the doubt

let the life that you live
be all that you need

let go of the fear
let go of the doubt

take the world off your shoulders
and put it on me

Thank you, Sarah. I remember you.

Quoth the Raven...

but those days are long gone.

Day 28 - All the Wild Horses

"A song from a band that's been around a long time

that I'm just finding out about."

"All the Wild Horses"
by Ray LaMontagne


All the wild horses
All the wild horses
Tethered with tears in their eyes
May no man's touch ever tame
May no man's reigns ever chain
And may no man's weight ever defray your soul
And as for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away
As for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away

(Per Merriam-Webster, "defray" from the Old French:
"damage by breaking").

This one's for you, Jessica. I remember you.

Day 27 - Barracuda

"A song I would have as my entrance music if I was a boxer, wrestler, etc."

"Barracuda"

by Gretchen Wilson and Alice in Chains

So this ain't the end - I saw you again today
Had to turn my heart away
You smiled like the
Sun - Kisses for everyone
And tales - it never fails!
You lying so low in the weeds
Bet you gonna ambush me
You'd have me down on my knees
Wouldn't you, Barracuda?
Back over
Time when we were all
Trying for free
Met up with porpoise and me
No right no wrong you're selling a
Song - A name whisper game.
If the real thing don't do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn it out to the wick
Aren't you, Barracuda?
"Sell me sell you" the porpoise said
Dive down deep to save my head
You...I think you got the blues too.
All that night and all the next
Swam without looking back
Made for the western pools - silly fools!

The Unnameable

Source: National Geographic.

Day 26 - One Drop of Blood

"A song that makes me excited."

This song gives me chills, knowing that my sins are covered

by the sacrificial blood of The Lamb.

"One Drop of Blood"

by Ray Boltz

Standing in the courtroom
When I heard, how do you plead?
The accuser of the brethren
Was staring at me
He said, we got your number
There is no escape
For here are your transgressions,
Your failures and mistakes

He pointed to the corner
Where the scales of justice stood
I saw so many failures there
There was nothing good
And in that very moment
When it seemed all hope was lost
I said, I plead the blood of Jesus
And His death upon the cross

One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered my transgressions
And all the times I failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood

I stood and watched in silence
As others were brought in
I saw them start to tremble
When they turned and faced their sin
They offered no excuses
They offered no alibis
The truth was overwhelming
And it would not be denied

Their righteousness like filthy rags
And nothing they could say
They bowed their heads in silence
As they were led away
But for the true believers
Each time it was the same
His glory shown around them
As they called upon His name

One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered their transgressions
And all the times they failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood

No greater sacrifice has any other made
Oh yes He paid the price
With every drop He gave

One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered my transgressions
And all the times I failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood

One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered my transgressions
And all the times I failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood!

What I've Never Had

Day 25 - Pick Me

"My least favorite song that's out right now."

"Pick Me"

by Justin Bieber

This song is so awful that I'm not even posting the lyrics, and unless you have something to really punish yourself for, don't listen to it, either!

Day 24 - Drift

"A song from an artist that's not well known."

"Drift"

by Emily Osment

I am
Just another number
Stack me up I'll crumble
And drift along

I am
Just another nothing
Light me up I'll fall in
And then be gone

Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh

I am
Well suited for erasing
Fading into hazy
I'm sinking strong

Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh

And then
It's all over and done

Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh

Lalay lalay lalay
Oh

Well suited for erasing
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
Fading into hazy
Lalay lalay lalay
Oh
I'm sinking strong

Power

Day 23 - Hero

"A song that describes the person closest to me."

 

"Hero"

by Mariah Carey

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are

There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold

You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Oh oh, Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away, hey yeah

Just hold on
There will be tomorrow
And in time, you find the way, hey

Then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

That a hero lies in you
Mmm, that a hero lies in you

Janae, you're my hero. You have strength, and courage, and spirit, and empathy, and laughter. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

Day 22 - Mean

"A song from an artist I think is overrated."

(I first chose Lady GaGa, but all her songs and videos were too offensive. So then I went to Britney Spears and had the same problem, only to a lesser degree. I finally had to go to Taylor Swift).

 

"Mean"

by Taylor Swift

 You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You, have knocked me off my feet again got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard, calling me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man

Well, you can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know what you don't know

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides and your walk-by lies and your humiliation
You, have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them
I'll walk with my head down trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again

I'll bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know what you don't know

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar, talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing

But all you are is mean
All you are is mean and a liar and pathetic and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean

But someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

Someday, I'll be, living in a big old city
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

Day 21 - She's Gone

"A song from a band I used to love but now I hate."

 

"She's Gone"

by Hall and Oates

Whooo-oooo, mmm-hmmm

Whooo-oooo

 Everybody's high on consolation
Everybody's trying to tell me what is right for me, yeah
My daddy tried to bore me with a sermon
you know it's plain to see that they can't comfort me

Sorry Charlie for the imposition
But I believe I got the strength to carry on
I need a drink and a quick decision
Now it's up to me, ooh what will be

She's Gone, Oh I, Oh I,
  I better learn how to face it
She's Gone, and She's gone, Oh I, Oh I, Oh I

I'd pay the devil to replace her
She's Gone - what went wrong

Up in the morning look in the mirror, look in the mirror
I'm worn as her tooth brush hanging in the stand, in the stand, in the stand
my face ain't looking any younger
now I can see love's taken her toll on me

She's Gone, Oh I, Oh I, Oh I

I better learn how to face it
She's Gone, and she's gone, Oh I, Oh I,

I'd pay the devil to replace her
She's Gone - what went wrong

Think I'll spend eternity in the city
let the carbon and monoxide choke my thoughts away, yeah,
and pretty bodies help dissolve the memories

they might help
but they can never be what she was to me

She's Gone, Oh I, 

I better learn how to face it
She's Gone, She's gone, 

Can't believe that she's gone, Oh I

I'd pay the devil to replace her

I can't believe it

I gotta believe it

I gotta learn, I gotta learn

Day 20 - The Way I Am

"A song from a band I heard about before they were cool."

"The Way I Am"

by Ingrid Michaelson

(WARNING: Clowns in video)

If you were falling, then I would catch you
You need a light, I'd find a match

Cuz I love the way you say good morning
And you take me the way I am

If you are chilly, here take my sweater
Your head is aching; I'll make it better

Cuz I love the way you call me baby
And you take me the way I am

I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair
Sew on patches to all you tear

Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise
And you take me the way I am
You take me the way I am
You take me the way I am

"We Climb Because They Climbed"

Only today did I become aware of the Dallas, Texas, 9/11 Memorial Climb. There were 343 firefighters participating, one to represent each member of the New York City Fire Department that died in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Each of today's firefighters was given a badge with the name and biographical sketch of an FDNY firefighter who gave their life on September 11th.

I am proud to say that my cousin Dusty was one of the firefighters participating in the memorial today. These firefighters from Dallas and surrounding areas climbed, in full turn-out gear, 110 floors (55 floors twice) of the Renaissance Tower in Dallas.  What a fitting memorial! 

Worthy to note, however, is that today's climbers trained for months in preparation for the memorial climb. They weren't climbing against scores of panicked civilians trying to get down. There was no smoke, no fumes, no screaming, nothing blocking their way. No one was bleeding or injured. There was no hurry. There was no heart-locked knowledge of extreme danger. There was no threat to the lives of the firefighters or to anyone else.

The FDNY didn't have those advantages.

Knowledge of today's climb and seeing a video containing Dusty caused the American Eagle in my soul to raise its head a bit more. I am proud of being part of one nation, UNDER GOD. I am proud of the human spirit. I am an American!

Learn more at www.dallasstairclimb.com and LIKE their Facebook Page, Dallas 9/11 Memorial Climb.

FDNY, those who fell and those who still stand, and those who have joined the ranks since September 11, 2001, I remember you.

And Dusty, I remember you!

9/11 Angel

It was my honor to hear this song and see the video for the first time on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The artist is Becky James; she's a friend of my friend Valarie. Becky shares lyrics copyright with Sarah McLachlan. The lyrics are written for the Rescue Personnel from 9/11 and those additional Rescue Personnel who came from other states to assist in the many, many days of toil that followed. It is doubly my honor to share this with you. The song plays through twice, but the video is different. At first she is in New York, then she visits other Fire Companies that served at Ground Zero.

 "Angel -- September 11, 2001, Memorial Rendition"

by Becky James

Spend all my time waiting

for another day

For a day that will make it okay

There must be a reason,

but I don't understand

Why I'm here and you were taken away

No way of knowing

you didn't stand a chance

One's mind cannot fathom such hate

If you can hear me,

I want you to know

I would gladly have taken your place

In the arms of the Angels

Far away from here

In your peaceful surrender

You stood tall in the face of fear

I will never forget you

I salute you my dear friend

In the arms of the Angels

We shall meet someday again

The day's long been over,

but my anger rages on

Images seep from my veins

The world keeps on turning,

but it's not like before

Life will forever be changed

A solemn reminder

that freedom has a price

Makes it easier to believe

This sheer madness,

this immeasurable sadness

That brings me to my knees

In the arms of the Angels

Far away from here

In your peaceful surrender

You stood tall in the face of fear

I will never forget you

I salute you my dear friend

In the arms of the Angels

We shall meet someday again

In the arms of the Angels

We shall meet again.

All gave some, and some gave all. I remember you.

And to Becky James, who brought comfort to so many, putting into words that which many couldn't, I remember you.

Remembering 9/11/2001

It's been ten long years since that horrible day when hate came to us. When death visited our own soil. When innocents and innocence were obliterated. When thousands of Americans died and the rest of us mourned. Well, not all of us. Many Muslims rejoiced. They danced in the streets.

Here are the deaths that day. Read them and weep.

     In New York City, New York:
          World Trade Center Towers -- 2,606
          American Flight 11 -- 87
          United Flight 175 -- 60

     In Arlington, Virginia:
          The Pentagon -- 125
          American Flight 77 -- 59

     In a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania:
          United Flight 93 -- 40

     Total Deaths 09/11/2001 -- 2,996

Of these deaths, included are 411 Rescue Personnel:

     New York Fire Department -- 340 Firefighters
                                                                -- 2 Paramedics
                                                                -- 1 Chaplain

     New York Police Department -- 23 Officers

     New York Port Authority Police -- 37 Officers

     Private Medical Services -- 8 Emergency Medical Technicians
     & Paramedics

Let's not forget these were people, not just numbers:

United States Department of Justice Photo.

A collage of photographs of almost 3,000 victims,

nearly all of those who were killed

during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001

(missing are 92 of the victims and all of the terrorists).

And remember also the thousands of loved ones left behind. The pain represented here is beyond comprehension and will continue into the next generations. People from over 70 countries were murdered that day.

From the rubble of the World Trade Centers appeared a Cross. It was a simple crossbeam of a demolished building, but it was a Cross. And it was standing. No one assembled it. No one erected it. It became a symbol of hope from the Hands of God. And now it has become a point of controversy from those who are suing to prevent the inclusion of the Cross in the 9/11 Memorial Museum, because "it's a religious symbol."

In June of 2007, now-president Barack Obama proclaimed, "Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers." At the speech, Obama also blasted the Christians for hijacking religion and using it to divide the nation: "Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked. Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us," he said.

And in 2010, he officially gave his stamp of approval, as President of the United States, for the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero. I'm not always certain how I feel about that.

Yes, I'm aware of the many 9/11 conspiracy theories, most of which blame our American government for the plan and execution of the atrocities of that day. War is good for the economy. Some say war makes good politics. There are those still living today who vehemently proscribe that President Kennedy would have soon stopped the Vietnam War, but after his assassination, President Johnson ensured it would continue for many years so there would continue to be jobs and export and a solid economy.

I don't believe myself to be an extremist, but I do believe that we are becoming a Muslim nation with a Socialist government. Check out this video with clips prior to Barack Obama's election as President.

I intended this blog entry to be a memorial for human devastation on and after 09/11/2001. I did NOT intend it to turn anti-Obama or anti-Muslim. But somehow my fingers kept typing, so somewhere in my mind I must be convinced that it's all connected. I give President Obama the respect due his office, and I treat Muslims whom I meet with the respect and kindness that Jesus Christ demands and I willingly obey.

"If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14, King James Version

And to the 2,996 people who died on 09/11/2001, and to their families, and to their following generations, I remember you.

For my own memories of that infamous day, please read my blog entry Osama/Obama.

Day 19 - Victory in Jesus

"The song I sing most often."

(My favorite hymn).

"Victory in Jesus"

by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr., 1939

I heard an old, old story
How a Saviour came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me

I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning
Then I repented of my sin
And won the victory.

Oh, victory in Jesus,
My Saviour forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing power revealing
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see

And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit!"
And somehow Jesus came and brought
To me the victory.

Oh, victory in Jesus,
My Saviour forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in Glory
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea
About the angels singing
And the old redemption story
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
This song of victory!

Oh, victory in Jesus,
My Saviour forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood.

First Responders & Clergy Unwelcome at Ground Zero

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of the terror that was 9/11. An entire day of memorial ceremonies has been planned at Ground Zero. And current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has stated that first responders are not welcome. Due to "space constraints."

I kept hearing the rumors. I even re-posted on Facebook. But I don't think I really believed it. So I went to my ever-present source of rumor validity: www.snopes.com

And it's true.

Quoting CNN, Snopes has written: "...It's a painful insult for many of the approximately 3000 men and women who risked their lives, limbs, and lungs on that monumental day, puncturing another hole in a still searing wound..."

Funny. Firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, and police officers, to name only some of the first responders, weren't invited on that Tuesday morning, 09/11/2001, either. But they rushed to the scene as others were rushing away, and due to their efforts, many people survived the attacks. And 411 of the first responders didn't. By all means, let's exclude them from the memorial services.

Spiritual leaders are also excluded, as they have been from every 9/11 anniversary commemoration. The mayor says these exclusions are "to focus on the families."

Yes, the families. But CNN reported on September 6 that many "9/11 families" were confused, appalled, irritated, and anxious because they still had not received an invitation. Family members have made numerous attempts calling the Office of the Mayor. Most of those calls have not been returned. Some families were told, "Don't worry, you'll get your invitation next week," but have yet to receive an invitation. With the enormous crowds, how do they get in without an invitation? How can they prove they're a "9/11 family?"

So it seems that the 10th Anniversary Commemoration of 09/11/2001 may only be a forum for the politicians.

Meanwhile, two blocks away, preparation for the construction of a mosque continues.

9/11 first responders, I remember you.

Day 18 - Your Mama Don't Dance

"A song I used to love and now I think is terrible."

 

"Your Mama Don't Dance and Your Daddy Don't Rock and Roll" 

by Loggins and Messina

Your mama don't dance

And your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
When evening rolls around
And it's time to go to town
Where do you go
To rock and roll

Well, the old folks say
That ya gotta end your date by ten
If you're out on a date
And you bring it home late it's a sin
You know there's no excusin'
You know you're gonna lose and never win
I'll play it again

And it's all because
Your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
When evening rolls around
And it's time to go to town
Where do you go
To rock and roll

You pull into a drive-in
And find a place to park
You hop into the backseat
Where you know it's nice and dark
You're just about to move in,
Thinkin' it's a breeze
There's a light in your eyes
And then a guy says
"Out of the car, Longhair"
"Louise, you're comin' with me
And no more movies"

And it's all because
Your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
Your mama don't dance
And your daddy don't rock and roll
When evening comes around
And it's time to go to town
Where do you go
To rock and roll
Where do you go
To rock and roll
Where do you go
To rock and roll

Day 17 - My Immortal

"A song that makes me cry."

"My Immortal"

by Evanescence

I'm so tired of being here, suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave
Your presence still lingers here and it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

You used to captivate me by your resonating light
Now, I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me, I've been alone all along

When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me, me, me.

Mommy, I remember you.

Day 16 - Don't You Forget About Me

"A song from my favorite movie."

"Don't You Forget About Me"
by Simple Minds
from "The Breakfast Club"


Hey, hey, hey ,hey
Oooo-ohhh...

Won't you come see about me?
I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby
Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving me everything inside and out and

Love's strange so real in the dark
Think of the tender things that we were working on
Slow change may pull us apart
When the light gets into your heart, baby

Don't You Forget About Me
Don't Don't Don't Don't
Don't You Forget About Me

Will you stand above me?
Look my way, never love me
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down

Will you recognize me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Oooo-ohhh.....

Don't you try to pretend
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I won't harm you or touch your defenses
Vanity and security

Don't you forget about me
I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby
Going to take you apart
I'll put us back together at heart, baby

Don't You Forget About Me
Don't Don't Don't Don't
Don't You Forget About Me

As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
When you walk away

Or will you walk away?
Will you walk on by?
Come on - call my name
Will you call my name?

I say :
La la la...

Day 15 - Midnight Fire Alarm

"A song I wish I could play on an instrument."

My talented mother could really tear up the piano on this one.

I wish we had a recording of her playing it (or playing anything).

"Midnight Fire Alarm"
by Harry J. Lincoln, 1900

 (I could not locate the lyrics,
although there were lyrics written for this song).

Mother, I remember you.

Day 14 - My Strongest Weakness

"A song that expresses how I feel now about a certain person."

"My Strongest Weakness"
by Wynonna Judd


The keeper of the gates of wisdom
Please let me in
'Cause I just can't go through
Another heartache again
Pretty lies and alibis
How could I be so blind
Now all alone and scared to stand
Slowly going out of my mind

He was my strongest weakness
I surrendered heart and soul
It's gonna be a long, long time
Till I regain control
I'm still a prisoner held captive by his memory
He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be

I gave my faithful heart to someone
Who couldn't understand
How he held my little world
In the palm of his hand
Now he's gone and life goes on
So if this pain will ever end
Will I be afraid to risk it all
To ever fall in love again

He was my strongest weakness
I surrendered heart and soul
It's gonna be a long, long time
Till I regain control
I'm still a prisoner held captive by his memory
He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be

He was my strongest weakness
And I'm afraid he'll always be.

Chris, I remember you.

Day 13 - A Different World

"A song that reminds me of home."
(Except my mother NEVER smoked OR drank!)

"A Different World"
by Bucky Covington


We were born to mothers who smoked and drank
Our cribs were covered in lead based paint
No child proof lids, no seat belts in cars
Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are,
still here we are

We got daddy’s belt when we misbehaved
Had three TV channels you got up to change
No video games and no satellite
All we had were friends and they were outside,
playin’ outside

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

School always started the same every day
The pledge of allegiance then someone would pray
Not every kid made the team when they tried
We got disappointed and that was all right,
we turned out all right

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

No bottled water, we'd drink from a garden hose
And every Sunday, all the stores were closed

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

It was a different world.

Charles, Scott, and Stephen, I remember you.

Day 12 - Ocean with Canon in D

"A song that relaxes me."

"Ocean Waves with Canon in D"

by God and Pachelbel

Day 11 - Lost at Sea

"A song I discovered on TV."

(I already posted this song once, but I love it and it's appropriate.)

"Lost at Sea"

by Hugh Dillon

from "Flashpoint"

Lost it all, I've been lost at Sea
Off the coast of eternity
Seems to me that I've been gone a long time

Trouble is, trouble was
Crossed the line, and just because
Turned around in the wrong place at the wrong time

We hold it up and we hold our breath
No sad moods and no regrets
All we have are moments 'til the next time

Don't see him smiling from the balconies
And all the roses that are at my feet
Won't you please, please, remember me at the shoreline

Before the ship ever sets sail
Before we launch that on the waves
Before the tide turn the tables in our lives

Lost it all, I've been lost at Sea
Off the coast of eternity

Seems to me I've been gone a long time.

Day 10 - Statue of Liberty

"My own personal national anthem."

"The Statue of Liberty"

by Neil Enloe

In New York Harbor stands a lady,
With a torch raised to the sky;
And all who see her know she stands for
Liberty for you and me.

I'm so proud to be called an American,
To be named with the brave and the free;
I will honor our flag and our trust in God,
And the Statue of Liberty.

On lonely Golgotha stood a cross,
With my Lord raised to the sky;
And all who kneel there live forever
As all the saved can testify.

I'm so glad to be called a Christian,
To be named with the ransomed and whole;
As the statue liberates the citizen,
So the cross liberates the soul.

Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty,
It was there that my soul was set free;
Unashamed I'll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty!

My Liberty!

Day 9 - Friends

"A song that reminds me of an old friend."

"Friends"
by Michael W. Smith


Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

Joy Denise, I remember you.