Flag Day

June 14, 1969
Dad, Grandma Spaulding, Mom, Me, Steve, Lois Schrimsher

When I announced my upcoming nuptials those many years ago, my mother’s friends all responded, “ Oh, June 14th? On Flag Day?” If I hadn’t known before that June 14th was Flag Day, I certainly learned it then. It is hard to imagine I married my first husband 51 years ago today. We were only 19 and thought we knew everything. Our parents thought we were nuts. Probably everyone was a little bit right.

My usual practice is to hang my flag up on Memorial Day and leave it up through the Fourth of July. This year, I missed the first, however I’d be danged if Old Glory wouldn’t be flying on Flag Day. Not having nails slowed me down as my little escutcheon pins wouldn’t pierce the siding where I wanted to hang my flag. However, I found a couple of nails pounded in the walls that I was able to pull and recycle after straightening them out a bit. I had ordered a set of various sized nails from Home Depot, but they were out of stock. A second order at Amazon is due to come next week.

Jackie Points Which Plants to Rescue
While We Stand Far Away   
We started the day at what we now think of as o’dark hundred and met other members of the Florida Native Plant Society to rescue plants in an area that is slated to be the next set of homes. Our leader Jackie rattled off plant names and characteristics way too fast for me to absorb. Sand hill county in central Florida is foreign land to me. I convinced her to point out one species of plant that Grant and I could learn to identify, so we could dig them up and put in pots. Two species were more than we can manage at this stage of our brains.
Balduina agustifolia 
With Deer Moss 
I now think I can spot a Balduina agustifolia, aka yellow buttons, even when not in bloom. And I may want to try some in our yard.

This was our first time around people other than our children. We were the only ones wearing masks; we were able to stay far enough apart to feel comfortable. I’m still not ready for a salon haircut or a dentist appointment, much less going to a restaurant which seems to be a goal for many of our friends. Since I don’t have the patience anymore to sit in a dining room, I don’t feel the draw. Plus Grant is enjoying planning and cooking dinner. I just haven’t convinced him to try cutting my hair.

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