Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Flag Day rolls around again

From Wikipedia
When I looked at the calendar this morning, I was reminded that it's Flag Day again here in the United States. It also reminded me that I wrote a post about it last year, with a little historical background and pictures of the flowers I took with my camera that morning. The same flowers are only now beginning to show any blooms, whereas last year they had been around for awhile. It's been a cool and cloudy springtime in the Pacific Northwest. Oh well, I'd rather have days in the sixties like we are having now than what the entire Eastern Seaboard is experiencing.

The downstairs neighbor who flew his flag last year has moved out, and the apartment is currently being rented to a short-timer. Many changes have taken place in my neck of the woods since then, too. I was writing twice as many posts on my blog, and I decided to take the internally generated pressure off by posting less often. But still, I notice that if I've written one over the weekend I begin to get a little restless by Tuesday. After all, I always write one on Thursday after the Trailblazers hike.

Some people don't like to be bound by schedules, but I find that having a scheduled morning routine is comforting to me. Wake up early and get some tea, read the news and my blogs, get dressed, have breakfast, catch the bus by 7:40 am, head to the coffee shop for my latte. Mosey out the door, say goodbye to my friends, and walk to the YMCA for my 9:00 am class. By 11:10 when the next bus goes back by my house, I've exercised, showered, shopped for any needed groceries, and am happy to have a few hours of spousal interaction, read, whatever comes up. It's a routine that makes me feel pretty darned lucky.

Sometimes I see scenes around town that make me glad to have my camera out and ready for action. When I saw this orange caterpillar, I realized my camera had to be dug out and turned on before it had gone by.
The idea of having a "leash" with little handles for the kids to hold onto never occurred to me before I began to see these scenes all around town. Usually there is an adult at either end, and the kids are usually not wearing little orange t-shirts saying "Field Trip" on them, either. I was glad there is an "auto" feature on the camera or I would never have gotten this picture at all!
:-)

21 comments:

  1. ha...those little handle leashes come in handy when you are trying to move a bunch of littles for sure...have used them before...happy flag day djan!

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  2. What a terrific picture! We tried a leash on our daughter when she was very young and we were at the mall. She hated it, got free of it, and took off for some shopping.

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  3. This was such a fun post to read. Sort of meandering in a slightly structured way, just like your amazing life sounds right now. :-)

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  4. In England they have 'reins' a harness that you put on each child and they can be linked together to more children if needed, the same kind of idea.
    When we first moved to Colorado, I had the reins on my daughter, and the apartment maintenance supervisor called the security on us, for having a dog leash on a child !
    Times have changed :)
    You have a wonderful life DJan, so active and socially involved,I wish many more years of a full-life such as this.
    ~Jo

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  5. I'm into structure and routines. Not sure about the leash though. Still if it works ....

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  6. Routine is good if that works for you. I seem to have a routine life as well...and find comfort in it to a point, then I seem to get in a rut...and then switch it up a bit. It throws everyone off around me.
    Cute photo of the kids.

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  7. Routine is important here, too, but more for the munchkins than for me. God bless my monkey leash-it's a life saver when you're walking with a toddler who's liable to dart out into the street. They want independence at that age and the leash keeps me from fighting to hold a hand the entire time.

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  8. I think you have a great schedule. I need one. You are inspiring me to get that done in the very near future.

    I love the photo of the cute little orange caterpillar. We saw a similar scene today. Preschool kids were leaving the downtown library. I commented to my husband that the teacher had a lot more courage than I. I would never attempt such a task.

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  9. That's adorable. Yes, I've seen this sort of scene many times but never as a cute orange caterpillar. How visually creative of you. :)

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  10. Oh DJan, the orange caterpillar is adorable. I'm glad you got a photo of that scene. I think those leashes are great when trying to deal with so many little ones.

    Having a morning routine is good, it keeps the day balanced. I'm enjoying our cooler weather too, I know we will get the heat soon enough.

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  11. The leash is a cute idea to keep all the "ducks" in a row. I wish I could do that with my grandchildren, but there are only two of them. It is hard to herd cats and grandchildren. Priceless picture.

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  12. What a cute picture! Adorable kids! Glad your routine gives you so much pleasure, DJan. But isn't it great that neither of us is being supervised during retirement? Our lives are own to live.

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  13. I've been aspiring to routine for 60 years. Haven't made it yet. ;)

    Love the orange caterpillar photo!!

    Happy flag day! :):)

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  14. That's a great photo with the kids all lined up in their orange tee shirts :-)

    I like routine in my life and I think that's what's been missing lately. I'm all out of sorts and can't seem to catch up. Thanks for reminding me.

    Cheers, jj

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  15. Your schedule sounds wonderful to me. I love schedules and routine. I believe it organizes and calms the mind. You are proof of my theory!
    Love the kid caterpillar picture! The leash is a great idea and little kids that age would think that was fun. So cute!

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  16. It's good to stop once in a while and look back at what you've done. It gives you some idea of where you're going.
    Those poor little kids on leashes! I'm a free ranger myself. I realize these kids are tied together for safety. How many rebellious little people are just bursting to get out of the straight jacket? Kids need some space and freedom.

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  17. Hi Djan, Your day sounds just like you! What a wonderful caterpillar shot, those ropes with handles are just the thing for safely taking little ones for a stroll:)

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  18. Leashes are perfect when you need to keep kids together! Cute picture.

    Loved reading about your schedule...so what do you do the rest of the day?

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  19. I had an early routine when I worked and kept it for decades (got up at 4:00 am.) I am a late person, so now I enjoy staying up late. Like right now it’s almost midnight and I won’t be in bed until at least 1:30 am. That’s the great thing about being retired, you get up when you want to, early or late.

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  20. That is one cute procession.

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  21. Love the procession but be careful when photographing children!
    Like you I love a routine. I keep to mine almost to the minute. What does that say about me, I wonder? Control freak maybe? I hope not LOL

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