What Every American Should Know

I am blessed and honored to say that I have lived here in the US long enough to understand what holds a huge importance here.  One thing I understood pretty much as soon as I had moved here, because it was very important to a former neighbor of mine to have me initiated in a particular ceremony. Almost the first thing he did for me was to take me to an Eagle's Club event. In the beginning of that event, one part of the opening ceremony was to do The Pledge of Allegiance, which I was very honored to do.  This is what it reads:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all".

You can read more about The Pledge of Allegiance and about the Flag Code in this document issued by the Congressional Research Service's Report for Congress:

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

If you wish to read 4 U.S Code § 8. Respect for Flag.of the Flag Code, you can find it at the Cornell University Law School's page here: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8

Back to the event my neighbor John invited me and my husband to: I remembered his smile of approval and a pat on my shoulder after he saw I took The Pledge of Allegiance, and, later when I received my legal residency, he gave me a full sized, official flag, that I still have to this day.  That particular flag had been presented to him when he stepped down as President for The Eagle's Club Chapter.  Unfortunately, John is no longer with us; he passed away of cancer in 2011 and is interred at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. He served in the Navy in the Pacific during WWII.

Mac-in-Gravy

It's been years since I last made and/or had the Swedish comfort food Mac-in-Gravy and I just HAD TO fix it to fix my fix.

You can make this too! Boil macaroni and drain. Make a thick white gravy and season it with salt, white pepper and a pinch or two of ground nutmeg. Stir the macaroni in and enjoy. Maybe the way I do with ketchup and meatballs.

A Happy July 4th

This year Independence Day in Nashville was a little bit rainy, but still happy. We managed to dodge the rain showers at a picnic at my favorite spot and went home to listen to all the bursts of fireworks around us and the AT&T Live stream online from the largest fireworks show in the nation!

Beans, chips, veggie dogs, hot dogs, home made potato salad and white grape juice to drink. 

My favorite spot in nature in Nashville: Bryant's Cove

Happy Birthday to Glenn D. Tubb!

This weekend the great songwriter Glenn D. Tubb celebrates his 80th Birthday. He is a legendary songwriter, but also a very humble servant - and an ordained Minister - for our Heavenly Father.

What can you give someone who seemingly has everything? I have a suggestion: he is working with the Midnite Jamboree Association where he is a Director,  for their mission to "preserve the history of Country Music, while also preserving the airing and production of the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree." (quote from their website).


Read about their efforts here http://midnitejamboreeassociation.com/  and then make a pledge; send your contributions to:  The Midnite Jamboree Association, P.O. Box 159326, Nashville, TN 37215

Nashville - the calm before The Festival :)

Broadway in Nashville two days before the CMA Festival.

                                      I'm sure it will be crowded here! :)

This is cute as can be!

I'm happy for my friends the Williamson Branch - they are a family music band playing bluegrass/country/inspirational. Their video on facebook now has over 90,000 plays and closing in to over 100,000 .... follow link of you're on fb to watch two little girls singing "You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man":

https://www.facebook.com/ginnymar/videos/10155456735290133/?pnref=story


They are on youtube too ... I'm sure they'll reach multi-thousand plays there too in no time at all:

A link ....

... to an interview that has many a good advice on songwriting:

http://www.kimcopelandproductions.com/secrets/BB14-16.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=MyNewsletterBuilder&utm_content=1347765221&utm_campaign=SWC+E-Tip+-+Developing+Songwriters+Common+Misconceptions+1412362993&utm_term=Read+Sessionnbsp5#sthash.bJ709oys.dpbs