Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Old Glory

Photo taken by us in the state of NEW YORK
This famous name was coined by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831. As he was leaving on one of his voyages aboard the brig, Charles Doggett, and this one would climax with the rescue of the mutineers of the Bounty--some friends presented him with a beautiful flag of twenty four stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze for the first time, he exclaimed: "OLD GLORY".

 George and I both love our Old Glory... It hangs on a pole 24 hours a day (since it is lit at nights) in our front yard. We are both very patriotic and love our country and our FREEDOM.  We hope we never lose this freedom.

Here is a little poem I found about our precious flag.
I AM LOVED by J. Atwell 

I am loved, I am hated, I am spit on, 
I am burned. Regardless, I am proud of 
my country and her people. They say 
that love is the greatest gift but the true 
greatest gift is FREEDOM. May my 
country and her people always have this 
great gift. I ask the blessing of God to 
be with my people now and forever. 



I searched through my photos and am featuring eight pictures of Old Glory taken by us, on our travels through the years ---all from different states.  Hope you enjoy seeing Old Glory on this special holiday.




Photo taken in ARKANSAS




Photo taken in KENTUCKY




Photo taken in NORTH CAROLINA




Photo taken in SOUTH CAROLINA




Photo taken in VIRGINIA




Photo taken in WEST VIRGINIA




Photo taken in TENNESSEE
 Finally,  this beautiful flag hangs in our own yard ---and we are very proud of our OLD GLORY.

Hope you have a fabulous 4th of July.  We will be spending the day with family!!!  AND---by the way,  we finally got some rain on Monday night.... Did you see me doing the "Happy Dance"????   We need more --but this was a good start!!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

74 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Fabulous collection of our country's flag. She's beautiful wherever she waves. Happy 4th!

Hugs,
Annie

Ms. A said...

Congratulations on the rain!

Happy 4th!

Jeevan said...

Glad it rain for you :)

Happy 4th! Interesting photo series on the old glory, glow at different backdrop.

MadSnapper said...

i like them all, my two favorites Kentucky and the train. cool shots. happy 4th, enjoy your family outing.

amelia said...

The US flag is the most beautiful.
I'm glad you had some rain Betsy.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

Happy 4th to you & yours. i love all the flag photos ... too cool!! take care. (:

Unknown said...

Nice pictures! Happy 4th of July!!
Hugs
Eva

Ann said...

A nice selection of flag shots. She's a grand old flag and forever in peace may she wave.
Happy 4th of July

eileeninmd said...

Very patriotic post, Betsy! Love the collection of flag photos. happy 4th of July to you and George!

Big Dude said...

Hope you guys have a great Independence Day

Anonymous said...

Have a safe and happy Fourth!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Hope your day is filled with love and good food.

mamahasspoken said...

Happy 4th to you too Betsy!
Sadly, no rain here yet :o(

Hootin Anni said...

Simply one super stunning and patriotic display for the holiday Betsy!!

Happy 4th of YOUly to you and your loved ones.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Happy Fourth to you and George, Betsy. And congratulations on the rain. We could sure use some here.

RoeH said...

Great post! I love the flag and shudder when anyone abuses it. :(

Catherine said...

I'm so glad you got some rain Betsy! Perhaps you should be doing more of a 'rain' dance rather than a 'happy' dance! LOL!

Have a terrific 4th of July!
xo Catherine

Dorothy said...

Love to see Old Glory waving in the breeze! Hate to see that some people fly it after it is tattered and worn out!
Happy 4th of July!

pam said...

I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July with your family!

Jo said...

Happy 4th of July, Betsy and George. I love the story of your flag and the many photos you shared. I hope you're enjoying a precious time with your loved ones. Blessings and hugs, Jo

Beth said...

Hi, Betsy...what beautiful pictures of our flag! I think I recognize the one from North Carolina as being over the Biltmore House?

So glad to hear that you got rain! We got a bit here, but are hoping and praying for more.

Hope you and George have a wonderful 4th of July!

Buttercup said...

Love your Old Glory photos! I've got my Old Glory favorite on my blog today, too. Enjoy and have a great Fourth!

Out on the prairie said...

Lovely shots and thoughts. Headed out for a community church service at the park.

Tabor said...

Have a great 4th. Nice photos but I am so impressed that you are that organized with your thousands of photos to find these!

Elizabeth said...

It's been far too long since I commented, but I read and love your blog every day...I don't 'lurk', I 'observe in quiet happiness'..smile!

Your flag foto collection is beautiful, thanks for searching them out from your extensive (!) photo collection :-) AND, I learned why our Stars and Stripes are also called "Old Glory". Thanks for feeding my brain!

Oh, could you Please send some rain down here to Mississippi, we have 'burn bans' in many counties. We can still shoot fireworks, just asked to be VERY careful.

Happy 4th of July, Betsy and George!

I hope you can get a change to see my July 4th blog...I think you'll like it!

Unknown said...

Very nice!

TexWisGirl said...

always beautiful, no matter where it is displayed. like your roses header, too!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Happy 4th to you and George- love your flag photos!

Beth said...

Great collection of flag photos!:>) That's an interesting pole in Arkansas---it looks like there is a stand for someone to be one and actual step-like marks in the pole. ???
The one in KY in cool also--a primitive pole fitting for its setting.
I had not read that poem--I would like to share it with my American Lit students this fall, if I have your permission.
I thought of I Cor. with the "greatest of these is love" verse and then the phrase "the greatest is freedom" and thought how God combines both. He gives us the freedom to choose Him and His Love or not--He does not force us and if we are truly loving someone, we are not forcing our ideas/wants/desires, etc on them. They are free to be themselves and to love us back or not. Hmmmm---you got me thinking, Betsy friend!;>)
Oh and BTW, so glad you got some rain. The nice thing about that horrendous storm was it did bring lots of needed rain and for 16 hours cooler temps.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I recognize Cass! Happy 4th!

Twilight Man said...

Happy 4th to all bloggers and Americans!

When I studied in Pittsburgh in the 90s, I knew right away that USA is the best country to live in this world after touring North, South, East and West coasts of US. I have visited many other countries especially around Asia and I still vote America as the best. May your country continue to enjoy the freedom and happiness always!

Twilight Man said...

I forgot to say that I love your flag and carriy my mobile phone which its casing is the Flag of USA. Heh heh!

Sylvia K said...

What a great post for the day, Betsy! You and George both have great posts for the day and great reminders of how much we all have to be thankful for today! I shared some history, too. It's all too easy to forget what so many did and sacrificed in order to achieve the freedom we have today! Have a wonderful 4th!!

Sylvia

Terry and Linda said...

Happy 4th of July!



Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

joy said...

Congratulation with your 4th of July:)

Miss Debbie said...

Great pictures...you are a traveler!!
Glad you got rain....we did, too, and it was much needed! Hope you are enjoying your holiday. Thanks for visiting my place!

Unknown said...

Old Glory.
May she fly forever over the land of the free.

Bookncoffee said...

Nice entry of Old Glory! And the roses are pretty at the top. Happy 4th to you and George! IT's so dry here. No rain here yet. Have a 20% chance. I see some in Chattanooga and KY. Ya'll take care!

Kay said...

Great photos Betsy.

Nava said...

Great photos of our flag!

Starry Dawn said...

Hi pretty lady, Betsy,
Oh!! You have posted an outstanding collection of U.S. Flags. I love this post, just as much as I love your wonderful blog.
I truly enjoy visiting your site, Betsy sweetheart.
Thank you so much for visiting my site and offering your heartfelt comments there!!
Thank you for your kind Email too!!
Have a Happy Independence Day with your dear family and loved ones!!
Happy 4th of July, Betsy!!
Blessings,
Poet Starry.

Grandma Bonnie said...

I love that beautiful flag with all my heart! We also fly Old Glory. Happy 4th! Hope you had a nice day.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

What gorgeous roses in your blog header. Stunning.

Happy 4th of July. Neat to see the flags from all the different places.

DeniseinVA said...

Lovely post and nice to hear the origins of how "Old Glory" came about. Happy 4th of July Betsy and George :)

Carletta said...

What a great idea for a post Betsy on this holiday!
Your template is all decked out as well.
Hoping you and George have had a wonderful day!

We finally got power late this afternoon so the end of this day is definitely a HAPPY 4th and the AC is on!

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Love your pictures of Old Glory. Was singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" the other day and the kids were looking at me like I was nuts. Not unusual, I know, but they'd never heard the song. I learned it in kindergarten--what are they teaching kids in school today?

Connie said...

Beautiful photos of Old Glory, Betsy. I hope you had a happy 4th of July! :)

Rohrerbot said...

Happy 4th!!! I like your theme here. Very fun. I'd hang a flag up as well but it would get stolen:( Who does that? Hope you had a nice day together. I love 4th of July food:)

Lynda said...

I love your pics of the flag from the different states and in the unique settings. Hope your day has been great! We have been with family this week and will be this weekend, too.

Betty Manousos said...

that is a glorious collection, betsy, thanks so much for sharing,
hope you've had a wonderful 4th of july!

big hugs!

Andrea said...

Oh you really have flag photo collections, i thought you only have waterfalls! Loving one's country is a prime obligation for all citizens! I love mine too.

SquirrelQueen said...

That's quite a collection of flag Betsy, each one is beautiful. I'm glad to hear you got some rain and hopefully you will get more. We had record rainfall for June but now it's starting to get dry.

Happy 4TH!

Small Kucing said...

:)

ours is 31st August

Arkansas Patti said...

Did not know that about Old Glory. Thanks. Loved your theme.
Wow, what is "rain" again? I am so pleased for you and we have glimmers of possibilities in the coming week. Toes are crossed.

Brenda said...

First of all, very glad you got rain. Still praying for more for TN. I love your photos of Old Glory. I love this country too and pray for it often. We do need good leaders...
Love you
Brenda

Anonymous said...

What lovely shots. And rain - finally! Hurray!

Terry and Linda said...

I would love to go to Kentucky and see that place!!!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Linda P said...

Hope you had a good day! I love your header and glad you had some rain the other day!

trump said...

Beautiful Betsy and I love how you arranged all of these different flag images, what a photogenic country we live in! Richard from Amish Stories

Tolga said...

sky is fabulous!

love from middel east % turkey:)

Small City Scenes said...

I am so glad you finally got some rain. Well we finally got some sunshine and blue skies. Temps up to high 70s though. Just right.
I love our flag too. We have it out mostly but when it rains for days we bring it in.

I had to update blogger to Chrome to be able to finally make a comment on anyones blog or even to access my own blog. Yehaw!!
MB

Shug said...

I love that old flag...My heart is filled with much pride when I see ol' glory flying high. I enjoyed all of these photos..
hugs,
shug

Karin said...

What an excellent post for your Independence Day celebrations! Have a perfect FOURTH!!

HolleyGarden said...

Hope you had a fabulous Fourth. I loved seeing all the photos of Old Glory. Just seeing a photo of the flag makes me swell with pride. God bless the USA!

Diane AZ said...

Beautiful collection of Old Glory photos and I enjoyed the poem too. I'm glad you finally got some rain, we got some as well. :D

Rose said...

We had a hot 4th! And was 107º here again today! You would not believe the cornfields...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

There is not a flag more beautiful than Old Glory, Betsy! I loved hearing the story behind that wonderful phrase.

Hope you had a fun 4th of July! Ours was quiet..and hot...lol...but very relaxing.

nanny said...

You sure have a great collection of flag shots! And I love everyone of them!
We have a 30/40 % chance of rain this weekend and Monday! I hope it rains for days!!!!!!

LV said...

A wonderful tribute to the flag, our country and the 4th.

Christine said...

Old Glory is still one grand lady! Just beautiful Betsy.

Christine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I love your red, whit and blue theme- especially your red roses header photo.
Perfect post for the 4th, Betsy.
Hugs :)

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Awesome collection of patriotic flag photos Betsy!! And you got some rain!? We'll do more prayers for more rain!
:)

Linda G. said...

Great collection of Old Glory photographs! We had a good 4th of July with Stacey, Mike and the twins.