July Star

 

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” – Albert Einstein

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.” – Ronald Reagan

"Just found out that every Fourth of July, the British celebrate, ‘We Dodged a Bullet Day.’" — Conan O’Brien

Friendship Star

 

Some of my favorite movies are hiding bible verses:

National Treasure: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21

Footloose: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, a time to heal; a time to break down, a time to build up; a time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

San Andreas: “God is our refuge and strength.” – Psalms 46:1

Steel Magnolias: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” – Job 1:21

Ben Hur: “He was wounded for our transgressions.” – Isaiah 53:5

Pay It Forward: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31

Titanic: “The Lord is my shepherd.” – Psalm 23

Double Square

 

Secrets to a Happy Life:

Focus on positive thinking. Look for the silver lining.

Celebrate little victories. Notice the small wins.

Find your work-life balance; stick with it.

Practice mindfulness. Be present and aware.

Be creative. Cook something. Grow something. Build something.

Accept imperfection. Embrace your humanity.

Do what you love. Find your true passion.

Spend wisely. Accumulate memories, not stuff.

Learn from the past, but live in the moment.

Cultivate gratitude. There’s always something to be thankful for.

Give back. The happiest people are generous.

Surprise yourself. Try new things.

Listen to and engage with music.

Be yourself. Don’t fret about others’ approval.

Build meaningful relationships.

Stop comparing yourself to others, especially on social media.

Worry can’t stop bad things from happening. It prevents you enjoying good things.

Hang out with happy people. Turns out, happiness is contagious.

Spend time in nature. Touch grass.

Reminisce over happy memories. Make new ones.

Four Split Four-Patches

 

Without much conscious effort on my part, my sewing room is looking very patriotic. It started when Quilts of Valor presented the Echo block and asked for donations. I rummaged through my scraps and quickly whipped up 49 of the simple blocks. Then our quilt guild selected the United quilt from Gigi’s Thimble for this year’s scrappy joint project, and I combed through the same red, white and blue prints to make over 100 7-inch American flags. Bonnie and Camille’s Early Bird quilt and Sparrows from Pen & Paper Patterns both employ other colors, but they’re still mostly red and blue. And then there’s this little project. It doesn’t really have a pattern. I haven’t done a postage stamp quilt in a while, and with all these red and white and blue scraps floating about, it just sort of happened. It might be time to clean the sewing room and move on.

One Dozen Kitty Cats

 

Today’s the 181st day of the year, with 184 days left. It’s not EXACTLY the midpoint of the year, but as it’s the last day of the sixth month, with six months left, it’ll do. The United Nations declared June 30 International Asteroid Day, as the infamous Tunguska event occurred on this day in 1908. They said the day was to “raise awareness of asteroid impact hazards,” but it isn’t clear what we’re meant to DO about it. This is also the anniversary of the day the Republic of Congo gained independence after decades of brutal colonial rule by Belgium (1960), and of the Night of the Long Knives (1934), when Hitler purged members of his own Nazi party. Today is swimmer Michael Phelps’ 41st birthday, and its boxer Mike Tyson’s 60th. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio is 67 today. So, I’m exactly a month older than the guy who plays Kingpin. But I still have my hair. 

Community

 

“After His Resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke records that when they reached their destination, the Savior ‘made as though he would have gone further. But the two disciples constrained him, saying, Abide with us.’ Those disciples invited the resurrected Savior to abide with them. Without first the desire and then the invitation, their hearts would not have been transformed, their eyes would not have been opened to recognize Him, and they would not have returned to Jerusalem to bear witness of the living Christ—the True Vine. My beloved brothers and sisters, in a world of many voices, remaining connected to the True Vine is not merely desirable; it is essential to our spiritual survival. Those who abide in Jesus Christ come to recognize and trust His voice, especially as it is spoken through those He has called to represent Him.” – Elder Ulisses Soares

Louisiana Without Borders

 

I couldn’t be happier that Utah’s governor has banned the use of consumer fireworks for the next week or so. We already live in a desert, and this year it’s hotter, dryer and windier than it’s ever been. Large chunks of the state are already burning, and our firefighters are already stretched thin. It’s a stupid time to play with explosives. I know at least a few of my neighbors will disregard the ban. They already treat most laws as helpful suggestions really meant for other people. But I suspect most of the people in my neighborhood will take this seriously, which should give my home a fighting chance of still being here by the end of July. Just in case I’m wrong, it’s a good time to prepare for possible evacuation. No one's asking me, but I believe the only appropriate firework holidays are New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year, and Utah’s Statehood Day: January 4. Or any Disney vacation.