Friday, July 2, 2010

Freedom Isn't Free

Freedom Isn't Free

 "Only those who bear the burden of defending freedom through sacrifice and diligence understand the true price that must be paid to ensure it's survival."

 

The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. Have you ever wondered what ever happened to the gentle men who signed the Declaration. I got this email a few days ago and I thought it hit home the point that freedom isn't free. There is some debate about the historical accuracy of this article but it's still powerful. 
 
The Price They Paid 
by Gary Hildreth
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. 

Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't just fight the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Perhaps you can now see why our founding fathers had a hatred for sanding armies, and allowed through the Second Amendment for everyone to be armed.

Frankly, I can't read this without crying. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted...We shouldn't.

I'd like to leave you with a wonderful video by Gene Simmons. Normally I am not a big fan of his work but this is awesome! I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Fourth of July. Remember Freedom isn't free! Thank a soldier or a vet! 



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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Make Me Smile

 Mama's Losin' It

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Book Review: TSI: Influenza Bomb

Masses of people are dying from a mysterious flu. While the TSI team searches for a cure, a notorious eco-terrosit group, Return to Earth, uses an influenza bomb to poison the water. It's a race against time--with the outcome impacting the entire world. 

About the Authors: 
Walter L. Larimore, MD, is a noted family physician, award winning writer, and medical journalist who has hosted the cable television show Ask The Family Doctor on Fox's  Health Network. He lives in Monument, Colorado.

Paul McCusker is a Peabody Award-winning writer and director who as written novels, plays, audio dramas, and musicals for adults and children. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.



TSI: Influenza bomb is a fast pace suspensful novel that could actually take place. Once you get started reading you won't be able to put it down.  I was on the edge of my seat turning the page. I was terrified and excited. The characters are real and the enemies pure evil. The novel also deals with the power of forgiveness. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! I give this book 5 stars out of 5. I love it! 

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There She Blows

There She Blows!


With Tropical Storm Alex in the Gulf I guess it's time for me to get our emergency preparedness kit together. I've been putting it off.  I hate to even think about the possibility of having to evacuate again. However, living less than 5 from the Gulf of Mexico it would be stupid of me not to be prepared. FEMA recommends the following items be in a families Emergency Preparedness kit:

  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle, unbreakable mirror to signal for help
  • Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes,  hand sanitizer, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Can opener & utensils for food (if kit contains canned food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone and chargers
  • Water proof matches or lighterFood, 
  • at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food PER PERSON and also Pets
It's recommended that you keep this kit ready so when and if you have to evacuate the only things you have left to pack are the essentials.  Essential Day to Day items and items you consider priceless.  This is the worse part-I think. Deciding what things you want to take with you; knowing these items may be the only things left when you return.  I take my pictures. I couldn't bear to part with them. They are glimpses of such wonderful memories of family and friends. 


Are there natural disasters that could occur in your area? If so what do you do to prepare for them? 


Oh yeah, I've started another blog. It's called The Diary of a Healthy Girl Wanna Be. I am striving to live healthier. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks :) 

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Sunday, June 27, 2010

Seven New Things About Me!

Seven New Things About Me




I've been blessed by Gregg over at Gospel Driven Disciples with The Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you very much Gregg. I really appericate your kindness.  I am to list 5 random facts about me. I am also supposed to pass it on to 5 other bloggers which I will do but I do so with no inferred obligation whatsoever!


1. I have been dyeing my hair since I was thirteen. That's when I saw my first grey hair. My mom and sisters all started greying early. I don't dye my hair any crazy color. I just want to cover up my grey. I usually choose a alburn, dark brownish red color.


2. One Christimas when I was a kid, I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll for Christmas. I love Cabbage Patch dolls. Well on Christimas morning, what did I get--a cabbage with a face drawn on it! I immediately started crying my eyes out without realizing a real Cabbage Patch Doll was behind the cabbage. 






3. I spent a semester of college in Saltillo, Mexico. I absolutely loved it!  Saltillo is such a beauty city with a rich history. If you've never been to Mexcio I highly recommend it. Just avoid the border towns-they are ugly! 




4. I am not a very organized person. I want to be and I try hard. It just never seems to work out most of the time. It drives my hubby nuts because he is very anal. Ahum, I mean organized. :)


5. My oldest sister passed due to complications of cystic fibrosis when I was tweleve years old. I will never forget her. She was a wonderful person and I know I'll see her again some day. 


Now to the folks I would like to pass my award on to:
1. Diana at To Everything a Season
2. Trudy at Third Time's a Charm 
3.  Yvonne at Welcome to my world of poetry
4.  Margret at Single and Sane
5. Nola at Alamo North 


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