HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S.A.

Independence Day, commonly known as July 4th or the Fourth of July, commemorates the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Linda and I hope you have a great fourth of July 

Edward Moran's 1886 painting, The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World. Did you know Lady Liberty's crown reopened on July Fourth 2009. The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown in nearly eight years made the arduous climb Saturday on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom, national pride—and for one couple, romance. READ MORE

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How about 10 Songs to Make Fourth of July Gatherings Great. #10 “ Centerfield by John Fogerty. Baseball. Americas favorite sport. My favorite place to be on July 4th is a ball park. Centerfield is not only a song you can dance to, but it brings back those childhood memories of either playing the game, or watching it from the fence. It can also remind us of how fun it is to be an American. Play ball!.” READ MORE

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Remember our troops are “over there” to prevent something like this from happening again “over here.”

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons and the National Park Service……………………………………………………………………………………………….

 There will be hard-hitting Fourth of July speeches. Remember Ronald Regan In his 1981 message on the fourth, he said, "Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people." READ MORE………………………………………………

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent  respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” READ MORE……………..When was the last time you read the Declaration Of Independence?………………………………………………………………………………..

Joe Todd & Linda saying, “Thanks for stopping by.”  Linda and I will be going to the Lancaster Farmers Market ..to the parade and civil war reenactment at the park. Then, Fourth of July food and fireworks this evening.

Technorati Tags: FOURTH OF JULY,BIRTHDAY,DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

SKY-CLOUDS-PALM TREES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-PUNTA CANA

A return to Punta Cana and the beach for a look at the skies for SKY WATCH FRIDAY

Click on the logo to visit some beautiful skies from around the world. No other words of wisdom today. I’ve been doing tooooo much running around and I’m going to take my beautiful wife out to dinner now. As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Technorati Tags: PUNTA CANA,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,SKY WATCH FRIDAY,QUALITY TIME

THE SEASONS CHANGE IN LANCASTER,OHIO FOR WATERY WEDNESDAY.

A WATERY WEDNESDAY POST. TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT IS CLICK

In the heart of Lancaster,Ohio we have  Zane Square  featuring a fountain purchased in New York City with funds raised in the 1890s by a group of local women.

There is a lot to see on and near Zane Square. One can Pick up a cassette tape or a map at the Visitors Bureau or Shaw's Restaurant & Inn, both right on the Square.

“Lancaster remains a picture-postcard perfect Midwestern town, from the compact historic district to thriving Main Street. It has managed to survive, in part,” CLICK to read more by Susan McKee in her article for Road & Travel Magazine.

Make sure to explore our Watery World at

 Joe Todd & Linda reporting from the Square in Downtown Lancaster,Ohio. Yes that is General Sherman in the background and we are all going to head over to Shaw’s Restaurant to get something to eat.

Technorati Tags: LANCASTER OHIO GOLF,ZANE SQUARE,WATERY WEDNESDAY.SHAWS RESTAURANT

NOT ALL THAT FAR FROM LANCASTER,OHIO WE HAVE THE GHOST TOWN OF SAN TOY

For a couple years now I have been meaning to explore the Ghost Town Of San Toy, Ohio only about one hour away from Lancaster. “San Toy is a ghost town in northeastern Monroe Township, Perry County, Ohio, United States.” Wikipedia LINK

   I really enjoy traveling the back roads of S.E.Ohio

“San Toy was practically a relic from the Wild West that grew out of the Appalachian foothills. It was a rough town where people frequently died in the saloons and streets.”

Was the town named after the boxer San Toy and was there a murder a day? Some say yes. I do know I should not have worn shorts to go tromping through the woods. LOL. The mine is filled in,the jail/prison only show their foundations but there is a modern church.

  Do you think they still pray for the sinners of Old San Toy? Time to go into the woods and see what is left of the Ghost Town.

The only building still standing in San Toy is the old jailhouse.

“In 1931 the 19 registered voters elected  to abandon the town. At one time There was a hospital,( only hospital in Perry County ) which was operated by the coal company; a movie theater, three schools; a drugstore; about six general stores; a pool room; seven saloons.” LINK. In doing a little exploring I found the opening to the mines and the poison ivy

“The mine was sold from the New England Coal Company to the Sunday Creek Coal Company in 1915, the new owners of the mine and the town vowed to make it a "modern mining system and a model community." LINK

When the mine failed and was closed down (mine was set on fire) the area turned to moonshine. Check out a previous post of mine for more mining/moonshine history. LINK

Joe Todd reporting from the back roads of Perry County Ohio for That’s My World Tuesday. Click on the LINK  to explore more of your world. As Always thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate comments.

 

Technorati Tags: SAN TOY OHIO,GHOST TOWNS,MOONSHINE,COAL MINING HISTORY,THATS MY WORLD TUESDA'S,LANCASTER OHIO

GARDEN SURPRISE (OR WHY TO GARDEN ORGANICALLY)

Hope everyone is having a GREAT weekend

Top Ten Garden Insect Pests

“Learn to identify the most common garden pests and what you can do to control them.

The following list of pest descriptions and control measures provides a good starting point for tackling pest control in gardens throughout the United States and Canada. Control solutions are listed in order of environmental friendliness. Botanical sprays, which can have detrimental effects on beneficial insects and other animals, should be used only as a last resort.”

To read more click, and beware of “Tomato Guy”

Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, organically approved pesticide application and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests. Organic farming excludes or strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock antibiotics, food additives, and genetically modified organisms.

Truth be known I’m a Miracle-Gro kind of guy.

“With the brutally hot weather we’ve had lately, it seems like I’ve been constantly watering our container plants.” Read more from The Everyday Gardener's Blog ( Linda is going to water today because I’m going golfing.)

As always, “Thanks for stopping by and make sure to save some room for the peaches LOL.”

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Reflecting on Paradise in Punta Cana Dominican Republic

Well Linda and I are back in Lancaster,Ohio from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We enjoy sharing our photos and hope you enjoy them.

A Weekend Reflections & Scenic Sunday post. From the Paradise of Punta Cana.

I found the morning to be a good time to do a little reflecting at the pool.

On the way back to the room I would pass Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower (Strelitzia reginae) which symbolizes joyfulness. It also symbolizes magnificence. It can also be used to indicate exciting and wonderful anticipation.

Back in Ohio and spending a good deal of time in the garden but sometimes my mind is still in paradise. As Always,”Thanks for Stopping By.”

Technorati Tags: PUNTA CANA,LANCASTER OHIO,WEEKEND REFLECTIONS,SCENIC SUNDAY,BIRDS OF PARADISE