A couple of weeks ago I traveled north to Wisconsin. What a delightful visit with family! Obviously it had rained quite a bit as all the vegetation was lush. Here are a few pictures of my adorable great grandchildren Solana (6 months) and Adley (18 months). I particularly loved the photo of Solana experiencing mango purée for the first time!
I recently used Artificial Intelligence in the composition of a letter to Maury County’s Board of Education. The letter appears below. It seems our country is losing sight of those practices that have always been so valued. One of them being the recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance. I remember as a child standing tall and proud with my hand over my heart repeating those meaningful words. Somewhere along the way it was decided The Pledge was not important anymore.
Let’s bring the practice back. Please feel free to copy my letter and send it to your local Board of Education. God bless America.
Blessings,
Frannie
Dear Members of the Board,
I am writing to propose the implementation of a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in all elementary schools within the Maury County Public Schools district. As a concerned community member and supporter of our educational system, I believe that starting each school day with this practice can have a profoundly positive impact on our students.
The Pledge of Allegiance is a longstanding tradition that promotes a sense of unity, respect for our nation, and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy. For young students, this simple, daily act can be an important way to foster patriotism and build a sense of community and shared purpose.
Here are a few reasons why I believe the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance would be beneficial:
1. **Fostering Unity and Patriotism**: Reciting the Pledge encourages students to reflect on the values that unite us as a country. It can help instill a sense of national pride and respect for our nation's symbols and principles.
2. **Building a Positive School Culture**: Starting the day with a common activity can create a sense of routine and belonging, which is especially important for young children. It sets a positive tone for the day and reinforces the idea that the school is a community.
3. **Promoting Civic Awareness**: The Pledge of Allegiance is an excellent way to introduce students to the concept of citizenship and the responsibilities that come with it. It can serve as a starting point for discussions about American history, government, and the importance of being an active, informed citizen.
4. **Respecting Diversity**: While promoting national pride, it is also important to recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds of our students. Policies can be put in place to ensure that students who choose not to participate for personal or religious reasons can do so respectfully.
I am aware that some may have concerns about mandating participation in the Pledge. Therefore, I propose that the recitation be conducted in a manner that respects individual choice, allowing students and staff to opt out if they wish. This approach honors personal freedoms while still promoting a shared experience for those who choose to participate.
I kindly request that the Board of Education consider this proposal and discuss the potential implementation of the Pledge of Allegiance in our elementary schools. I am confident that this initiative will contribute positively to the educational environment and help nurture well-rounded, civically engaged students.
Thank you for considering my suggestion. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this proposal further and am willing to provide any assistance needed to facilitate its implementation.
Sincerely,
Francean R. Gospodarek
I recently finished my first attempt at beaded embroidery. The piece was Gustav Klimt’s “The Woman in Gold.” The embroidery kit consisted of a piece of fabric with the image on it, white thread with a needle and literally thousands of seed beads to correspond with the various colors within the image.
After months of careful placement, my needlework was finished. Now I needed to decide how to display the piece. I knew I wanted the luster and shine of the beads to be evident so decided against a frame with glass. I knew the weight of so many beads would certainly cause gravity to take over. My cousin suggested attaching ribbon loops at the top and weaving the loops into a rod. After much deliberation I decided a plain black frame with a sizable mat would work best for my needs. The viewer would be drawn into the smaller artwork.
I am wanting to share with you the finishing process and also to commend Hobby Lobby for all their assistance in guiding me with necessary products to achieve the end result.
Foam board was cut the size of the image and straight pins secured the fabric in place. This allowed for making certain the edges were even all around.
Measuring carefully the foam board was positioned onto the inverted matting. Once that was done and I was certain the measurements were accurate, I taped several times. It was important to keep “The Woman In Gold” centered.
I purchased this foam tape to provide space between the matting and the backing of the frame. It provided more stability and less bending of the backing.
Last Saturday I traveled about an hour west of my home. It was a beautiful, sunny and hot day in Hohenwald TN. Although the heat index was predicted at 107, my friend and I persevered.
The lavender fields were lovely and sat on a farm called Oak Grove. Within the event center there were various vendors selling everything from jewelry, candy corn, baked goods and leather items to natural body lotions and canned goods.
Outside of the center a seasoned musician sat on a stool under a canopy, entertaining festival-goers who were trying to escape the oppressive heat and rays of the hot sun.
My friend decided to cut some lavender stems and the price of $10 a bundle seemed very reasonable. I chose a lavender plant instead which would manage nicely in my well-drained Tennessee flower bed. Meeting the German mother of the owner of Oak Grove was most certainly the icing on the cake. She was a transplant from California and her family had constructed an adorable home perfect for her needs. What a wonderful place to call home with lavender fields right out your front door!
