Have you ever had Vietnamese bread? I never had any before today, and it is delicious! It tastes sweet and buttery, but is also very light. Thank you very much to my hair stylists, Chris and Kim in Snellville, for pampering me today, and for the Vietnamese bread!
Happy holidays to all! May you enjoy happy and restful holidays, and a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous new year! Thank you for all of your readership and support during 2017.
Hands at Keyboard (Retrieved from zahraurae.com, January 16, 2016)
Already, another year of blogging has passed and I am into the next one. I must say that I have been somewhat remiss in keeping up with blogging about many interests and issues that I would have liked to, particularly in the past six months or so, however it is a comfort to know that this WordPress platform is here when I have the time for it.
Therefore, I would like to take a moment and express my appreciation to the 34 regular followers of my blog, for recently attaining 100 “likes,” and for amassing nearly 26,500 hits to my page! While I have not kept up with the specific stats this past year regarding the most popular topics on my blog, and it is not a goal to acquire an obscene amount of followers or hits, I am grateful that there are those out there who read and take some enjoyment from my posts.
So, thank you, again, and I hope you continue to have an interest in my posts on WordPress! 🙂
View Toward Tennessee from Cherokee, North Carolina, July 2010
May all of you who are fathers enjoy a happy Father’s Day. Hopefully, you will get a chance to enjoy some R&R, and do something that you like. A special hat’s off to those of you who spend quality time with your children. They are the next generation of leaders, and need you to be good and positive role models for them. Be safe and enjoy this Father’s Day!
David I. Briggs, U.S. Army Service Photo, 1968 (Retrieved May 25, 2015 from http://www.virtualwall.org)
David I. Briggs, a distant cousin of mine, was a man who I never knew, but whose pain for his loss I felt through the hearts and spirits of his family – his mother, father, and sisters. David was the only son of Ivan Francis Briggs (1907-2000) and Louise (Gullo) Briggs (1915-1997) of North Collins, New York. He was 21 when he and most members of his battalion (C Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division) were killed in heavy gunfire in Tay Ninh, Vietnam on November 23, 1968 (Small, 2001).
It is my understanding from having read an article in the Hamburg Sun, that David’s battalion invaded an opposing forces’ base camp, but underestimated their strength (Gordon, 2012). David and his captain were the first to have sacrificed their lives in that invasion (Gordon, 2012). Thirteen men of the battalion were killed on that November day (Small, 2001).
Vintage Memorial Day Remembrance (Retrieved May 25, 2015 from http://www.crazywebsite.com)
I met my distant cousins, Ivan, Louise, and one of their twin daughters, in my early to mid-teens while visiting them in North Collins, New York. Louise was a wonderful cook, and it is said that it is one of the reasons that Ivan married her.
From what I observed, Ivan and Louise also had a love for family. Anyone who knew them could sense the pain and loss they carried with them due to the death of their son, David. I remember after having first met Louise and Ivan that I asked my parents about the sense of deep sadness in them that I felt, and discovered that they still grieved the loss of their son, David.
Funeral Card of David Briggs, North Collins, New York, 1968
At that time, I was astounded to know that Ivan and Louise still grieved for David after so many years, and realized that he was very much loved by them. I believe they carried that sense of grief and sadness in themselves from the time that David was killed until their own deaths. When I met them, nearly 20 years had passed, and they were still hurting from his death. Family said that it broke Louise’s heart when David was killed; she was never the same after that.
So, while I never knew David, nor, I believe, any men who have been killed during the course of duty in war, I know that they will always be remembered for their bravery and for giving the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. May we remember and honor all those who have gone before us, who have given their lives to make this world a better place. May God bless you, David, and may you rest in peace.
References:
Gordon, C. (July 13, 2012). Traveling Vietnam wall coming to Eden, Briggs remembered. Hamburg, NY: The Sun. Retrieved May 25, 2015. http://www.thesunnews.net/news/916-Traveling_Vietnam_Wall_coming_to_Eden,_Briggs_remembered.html
Small, L.R. (2001). David Ivan Briggs. VirturalWall.org. Retrieved May 25, 2015. http://www.virtualwall.org/db/BriggsDI01a.htm
Orange Rose, Snellville, Georgia, May 9, 2015
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms, moms-to-be, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and anyone who serves in this blessed maternal role! Please enjoy this photo of a beautiful orange rose that I snapped yesterday in my neighborhood! 🙂
Flowering Cherry Trees in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
We have had two or three days of rainy weather within the past week that have really brought out the Spring flowers and plants near Atlanta, Georgia. Floral buds are blossoming with fragrant and beautiful flowers.
Red Camelia in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Leaf buds are bursting with fresh, new leaves. The daffodils are already just about done for this year, however the azaleas are just beginning to bloom. I saw the first azalea flowers in bloom in my neighborhood today – they are on two red flowering bushes.
First Azalea to Flower in my Neighborhood this Year (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Please enjoy this collage of photos of some of the my neighborhood flowers, plants, bushes, and trees springing forth the new life that comes with Spring. 🙂
Flowering Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Flowering Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Flowering Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Flowering Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
The View from Underneath a Flowering Cherry Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
A Flowering Fruit Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
A Flowering Shrub in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Holly and Berries in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Patch of Clover in a Neighbor’s Yard (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Daffodils in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Pink Camelias in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Tree Seeds on a Tree in my Neighborhood (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
Even the dandelions are out in full force already!
The Yard with the Most Dandelions in my Neighborhood! (Michele Babcock-Nice, March 23, 2015)
I hope you enjoyed this stroll through my neighborhood, seeing many of the flowers and plants that have sprung forth with new life again this Spring. I can hardly wait until the azaleas are in full bloom!
Father’s Day Cards for my Dad, June 16, 2013
Wow, it’s Father’s Day already! The time goes by so fast – year after year, the time flies by. My dad will be 70 years old this year, and will celebrate his Golden Wedding Anniversary with my mom. His only grandson turned 10 years old last month; and there’s so much more to come! This is a big year for my dad.
About my dad, I can say that he has “been there” for me as much as possible and as much as he is able to and capable of. No doubt, this is much more than many fathers out there, and I am extremely thankful for it. Throughout my life, I have thought about certain qualities of my dad that I would like for him to practice or exhibit more, though I have come to learn as I have gotten older that one cannot change someone, that it is better to do my best to accept what there is and not change what I cannot.
I am thankful for my dad. I have a loving, caring, supportive, protective, and wonderful dad. While he encompasses all of those qualities and more, he is not perfect – as no one is – and I have come to be more accepting of that. I remember as a child that I would sometimes view other children’s fathers and pick out the qualities in them that I would like to add to my dad. But then, there were also qualities in the other kids’ dads that I didn’t want in my dad, too. So, while I already and always love my dad, I came to accept him as he is more as I got older. Perhaps my view as a child was immature and unrealistic, though I had my ideas of what a dad “should be.”
My dad has definitely earned an A+ in the fathership department. Every day, he proves himself as a loving, caring husband to my mom, father to me, and grandfather to my son. He is there for us and does as much as he can for us, with love and compassion in our best interests. No doubt, there are many others out there who would put up a fight to gain a dad as wonderful as mine.
There are some qualities about my dad that are fitting for him, and that have helped and supported him in his life. He is not a gossiper, and generally tries not to change others. While he can be judgmental, he is not political, nor does he have a big ego. He is not always out to prove himself to others or to the world. He is simply himself. Take it or leave it.
And, one has to take time to get to know him in order to fully understand the man whom he is. As a mother to my dad’s grandson – his only grandchild – I often see a soft spot in his heart for him. That is wonderful to see and experience, and is something I rarely saw when I was growing up. It is great to observe that my dad now has the time in his life to invest quality emotion in my son. He can do that now as a retired senior, and he deserves it after working so hard for most of his life.
My dad is the father to me that his father was not to him. My dad has been kind, caring, and supportive of me and my son 99% of the time. For that 1% that he has not been, I understand that the 99% he has given me is his 100%, and that is okay with me. My father has striven to be the opposite of his own father, in the area of care, love, and compassion toward family. My dad’s father treated him so terribly that I wonder if he even considers that he was his father. I feel sorrow and sympathy for my dad that he experienced from his father what no one should experience from anyone. May God forgive his father for not being a “father” in the true essence of the word.
So, on this Father’s Day, it is time to show our thankfulness, respect, and appreciation to our fathers, particularly those who are loving, caring, compassionate, and supportive. Perhaps the dads who do not embody those qualities will have good role models in those who do. We must remember, and be blessed and thankful for our loving and good fathers. Thank you, Dad; and Happy Father’s Day!
My Son’s Mother’s Day Drawing of and Message to Me, May 9, 2013
This week, I was voted #1 mom in the world by my son! 🙂 Being a mom is a wonderful thing! It is an experience that cannot be replaced, and must be lived every moment of every day. I love being a mom to my son. As a mom, I do my best to invest as much quality time and care into him as possible. Each and every day, I feel and know that I have been blessed by God to be a mom. My child is the only one I will ever have; and I always do my best to act in ways that will benefit him.
Not only do I have compassion, care, understanding, and nurturance for my own child, I am concerned for the welfare and well-being of all children. Children live in a world that caters to adults, including adult interests, needs, and wants. Sometimes, people overlook what is most beneficial for children, and make decisions and take actions that best serve adults. As a society that I hope becomes more enlightened, I am one who encourages increased understanding, appreciation, rights, and protections for children. And as a mom, I believe this is imperative for the benefit and well-being of my child, as well as children throughout the world.
On this Mother’s Day, let us honor, remember, and appreciate our moms. And, for those of us who are moms, let us remember why we became moms. Each mother is a role model for her children, and has been given a great responsibility to raise, care for, protect, and nurture her child(ren). In our world of increasing adult self-interests, it is vitally important to remember and support mothers, so that they can provide for and do what is best for their children. Thank you to my son and extended family for remembering, honoring, appreciating – and most of all – loving me on this Mother’s Day. 🙂
Nativity Scene at Maranatha Baptist Church, Lilburn, Georgia, December 2012
Christmas and our celebration of Jesus’ birth is upon us once more as we close out yet another great year! There is always so much for which to be thankful, particularly the coming of Jesus, and his love for us that is so great and boundless that he suffered and died for us to save us from our own sinfulness. Though we will always be human – and have all of the mistakes, unworthiness, and errors that come with it – we must always do our best to be more like Jesus. We must act in ways that are forgiving, understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and giving to others and each other.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from us. St. John Neumann Church Nativity Scene, Christmas 2012, Lilburn, Georgia
While most people throughout the world are Christians, celebrating Christmas and recognizing Jesus as our wonderful savior, there are many who celebrate other religious events and holidays. For them, I also wish a wonderful religious celebration and/or holiday.
My Son Standing Next to the Nativity Scene at St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Feast of the Epiphany, Snellville, Georgia, January 2013
So, as I have been blogging on WordPress, now, for the past one year, I would like to take this opportunity to say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”, and reflect with this posting that I am a thankful lover of Jesus. Though my words and actions as a Roman Catholic and Christian will always pale miserably and indescribably in comparison to our Savior, I always try to do my best to have my words and actions reflect His love.
Nativity Scene at St. John Neumann School, Lilburn, Georgia, December 2012
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! May love, blessings, peace, prosperity, good health, and happiness be enjoyed by everyone!
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