Watching the 6 p.m. War

Bravely they smile for the camera,
so young and ready to prove their worth;
Pawns in a bloody struggle
they march to the ends of the earth

Helplessly we watch them go,
and wonder if or when they'll die;

Egypt, Pakistan, Syria, Israel, Iran, (etc.)

Egypt, Pakistan, Syria, Israel, Iran, etc.
Political disasters and war,
Japan's earthquakes and tsunami,
Flooding in the U.S. and more!

World-wide trouble and uncertainties,
Some people want to run and hide;
Others are consumed with worry,
Their aspirations and dreams have died.

Financial collapse, dishonesty,
Fearful investor and debtor;
Is there any reason for hope
that the future could be any better?

Did Mother Seem Older?

After Having YOU Did Your Mother Seem to Grow Older?   Why?

What Was She Doing With Her Hands?

arranging --- baking --- brushing --- buttoning up --- caressing --- carrying --- chopping --- closing the door --- driving the car --- folding --- frosting --- hanging up --- holding --- ironing --- measuring out --- opening the door --- picking up --- pinning --- polishing --- pouring out --- putting on --- rinsing --- scooping up --- scrubbing --- setting out --- shaking out --- shushing --- shutting the door --- slicing---smoothing --- sorting out --- sprinkling --- stacking up --- stirring --- switching off the light --- testing the temperature --- tying up --- washing off --- wiping --- wringing --- writing

Whew! No wonder sometimes she sat down

and closed her eyes for a little while!

Can you think of anything that is missing in this ABC list?

Thank God for your mother!

By Elaine Hardt ©2007

What's Happening in Ghana

        Perhaps you've already seen the children's photo posted earlier.  Perhaps you're wondering about these orphans in Africa; and perhaps you wonder how we know about them.
        In 2007 granddaughter Joy was just 22 and in nursing school when she volunteered at a hospital in Ghana, Africa.  Her heart was touched and she co-founded HardtHaven, an orphanage in Kpando.
        Never heard of the town? Copy this:   6°59'57.28"N  0°18'9.43"E  and paste it in the Search box on Google Earth to find it.
        What's happening these days?  Joy, now a Navy nurse LTJG, finished her deployment to Djibouti, Africa and is back in the U.S.  The HardtHaven blog has been updated, and you'll want to take a look here.
      

What Will These Hands Do?

Small and fragile, yet with staggering potential

This infant has hands to explore his new world

He, himself possessing grand possibilities

Testing, learning, expanding strength and abilities

What will these little hands do?

What obstacles will circumstances bestow?

What determination will this little one show?

What kindness will the younger and older one know?

How will each of them grow?

And, these older hands today careful, gentle

Can they now, will they somehow, help the child?

Life, for both younger, older, may be more pleasant

When committed love motivates the elder

And caring curiosity motivates the younger.

Summer Travel Possibilities?

Carol’s Travel Plans:

My idea of a good time is

getting in a car and driving to explore our great country.

For whatever reasons,

I have defined relaxation as driving

long distances in short segments;

freedom is associated with a steering wheel in my hands

and a new section of America somewhere out past the windshield

where the yellow center line dips over the horizon.

Elaine asks:

Next year can we all go with you,

Linda, Susan, Margie, Alice, and me?

It could be a sisters’ singing group!

I hear us now, “Amazing Grace” can be our intro,

And “How Great Thou Art” a finale.

If not a possibility, can it at least be a dream?

First Stanza by Carol Anderson, photo by Carol Anderson @2011

double click to enlarge Carol's photo from Wyoming

Last Stanza by Elaine 

The Clouds in the Sky Speak to You and Me

Magnificent moods of the clouds in the sky
Alerted my attention when they caught my eye.
“Look up! Look past your familiar place,” I could hear them sing,
“We’ve seen another amazing, earthquaking thing!”