We've Lost our way

My mother's grandfather was from Denmark. His mother was a Russian Jew who left Russia with her family because of one of the purges. My Great Granddad arrived in the US just before the turn of the century. He was a sculptor. Living in Perth Amboy NJ, he worked for a terra cotta factory, sculpted statues, ornate tiles, and headmarkers. Here is one of his works and info from a book:


In 1895 the Danish and Scandinavian population of Perth Amboy commissioned Nels Nielsen Alling (1861-1955), a Danish sculptor, to create the statue of George Washington. It was to express pride and love for their adopted country. The funds were raised within the Scandinavian community and the statue was dedicated on 2 September 1895. Alling worked on the statue at the the NJ Terra Cotta Co in Perth Amboy


I have always been proud to be an American. My northern granny would continue with the oral tradition of telling each of her grands their family heritage - who was who and etc. We used to think she was nuts when she told us we were related to the Pilgrims and George Washington. Come to find out when one of my Uncles and Cousin did the genelogy, we ARE. Of course, George Washington had no children. But his brother did. Naturally, my relation was a servant, so we were born on the wrong side of the sheets as my granny would say.

I was raised to believe that right was might. That two wrongs didn't make a right. To always help out those with need. Never pick on the little guy. I still believe that way. Somewhere, we have lost our way. Everyone feels entitled. This country didn't start out helping everyone. The idea was that freedom meant being able to be able to help yourself! Not to have a big government do everything for you. And certainly to have freedom from taxation without representation. Of the people for the people, by the people. Somehow we have lost our way.

I wonder what my grandparents and the rest of my family would think if they were alive today and could read the papers, internet, hear the news. Would they even recognize The United States of America?

This and that and Winners!

Hello Folksies

Well, another month has bit the dust. We are officially half way through the year - quick- wash my mouth out! I can't believe I can be saying that and be telling the truth! Wellsir, in just a few days everyone will be shooting off fireworks, grilling out hot dogs, jumping in a pool, and in general having fun in the summertime. You know, enjoying their freedom. Something that we don't know how to live without. We take for granted that we have the freedom in this great country to travel where we want, worship how we desire, and the real fun part - we have freedom of speech. I like speaking my mind. I am a big letter writer. And in the recent decade of internet explosion, I have become a big email writer. I keep in touch with my Congressman, Senators and other Representatives. I let them know exactly how I think and feel about every bill that they are considering.


I read a book some years ago by John Whitehead. It was called The Stealing of America and it was about how many rights we lose each year because we choose to stay ignorant of what is going on around us. How could we EVER improve upon that sacred document - The Constitution?! If you really read the Constitution, you would see that it covers all the bases - as if our forefathers had knowledge of what would be in the future. They may have not have a clue about the radios, tvs, computers - but they sure knew human nature! Folks, we don't need new and more laws. We don't need new amendments. We need to use our heads!

If I had some real clout and some real money behind it, I would start a new political party called The Common Sense Party. I just don't see enough of that being spoken of in our state and national capitols.
I highly recommend that everyone get to know all sides of every bill being passed. In today's electronic age there is NO excuse for ignorance.

Now on to some real fun stuff! The Humble Arts is now available with their July edition. Lots of fun stuff there. My personal offering is:



Now she is as ugly as a witch should be I know, but ain't she cute? Can't help but thow some whimsy into all my clay creations. I sure would be proud if y'all would accept my invitation to visit my friends and I over at The Humble Arts.

Now for the other fun part - Let's discuss some WINNERS!!
Drum roll please ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ for those few brave souls that entered my Blogaversary giveaway, a few names were picked from the proverbial hat. In this instance, I took the names, wrote them down on scraps of paper, balled them up and threw them on the floor. Yes, I did. Then I let Dinah, my ragdoll kitty play with them. She batted them around and the ones that separated from the rest, her favorite pieces of balled up paper came out to be:
Raggedy Angel and Meadowbrook Cabin. Ladies, please email me and we will get ourselves together on the sending and receiving. Thanks for visiting!!!!!!

Now here's some more from The Humble Arts!