9/11

ON THIS DATE, ten years ago, we were on a road trip. We had spent the night in a cabin in the redwoods with no television or radio. We came late to the news of the attack. In my travel journal I wrote, "Susan and Tim were worried about us, but Chris felt certain that terrorists wouldn't aim at the World Trade Center and an old couple driving to Oregon." So we kept going although the urge to return home immediately was strong.

You know those free-standing signs in front of businesses? They have changeable letters and are usually used for advertising. I used a page in my sketchbook and noted the wording on different signs, feeling they were a form of folk art.

PRAY TODAY                    GOD BLESS AMERICA
  ----------------                     SAY A LITTLE PRAYER
                                                ---------------------------

PRAY FOR AMERICA  OUR HEARTS ARE WITH NEW YORK
       ------------------                 ----------------------------------------

AMERICA IS UNITED              PRAY FOR PEACE
      -------------------                      -------------------------

WE SALUTE                         AMERICA
EMERGENCY                   FREE, BRAVE, PROUD
SERVICES                           ----------------------------
---------------

GOD BLESS AMERICA              PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY
LAND OF THE FREE                     ------------------------------
    ---------------------

REMEMBER THE VICTIMS             PRAY FOR OUR
------------------------------------               LEADERS
                                                                 -----------------

PRAYER TODAY                           PRESIDENT BUSH
HOPE TOMORROW                  WE SUPPORT AMERICA
------------------------                          ---------------------------

OUR PRAYERS                             UNITED WE STAND
GO OUT TO                                   STRONG AND PROUD
THOSE IN NEED                              -------------------------
----------------------

ZERO TOLERANCE                      PLEASE PRAY
 FOR TERRORISM                       FOR OUR NATION
---------------------                               --------------------

SUPPORT LOCAL                     HONK 4 AMERICA
BLOOD DRIVES                        ---------------------
----------------------

FREE SPIRIT RIBBONS                ONE NATION
   -------------------------                     UNDER GOD
                                                           -----------------

and perhaps my favorite

                           BLESS THE USA

                          3 TACOS  -   $1.99


Where were you on that fateful day?

THREE CHEERS

THREE CHEERS for the red, white and blue!

"The American flag is the most recognized symbol of freedom and democracy in the world."                                                                                                                     ~ Virginia Foxx               ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ One of our residents here at the Manor, a 95 year young man, tells of being in the school band which was deemed the best in Iowa. The winning band from every state was sent to Chicago where all gathered on Soldier Field to play "The Star Spangled Banner". The conductor mounted the podium (this is the part that blows me away) and it was John Philip Sousa. The resulting sound, according to our friend, was awful. He's not overly impressed with the story, but I coax him into telling it to anyone who hasn't heard it.