Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in America.  When I was a kid Flag Day was a big deal.  We celebrated it in school, our family and all of our neighbors hosited their flags on their porches and our town actually had a parade!

Today, not so much {heavy sigh...}.

We've been flying an American flag at our home, well forever.

This is our new flag.  The old one was a bit too crudy for Captain Project's taste, even though I did my best to wash out the green mildew growing on it.  Eewwhh!  Can't help it here in hot, humid Florida!  I actually kind of liked the look, a bit worn and tattered by the elements.  But CP (retired military man, remember) has expalined to me on numerous occassions that it's disrespectful to allow our flag to get all crudy (click here for flag etiquette).  Yeah, OK, but I like the patina-ed look!

Ah, well.  Since there are no public celebrations in our town today or this week to celebrate Flag Day, I'll share a few American flag facts and my own trivia with you...

Flag Day was made a permanent observance in America in 1949 by Congress who resolved "That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day."

Betsy Ross:  Perhaps America's most famous seamstress (did you know she ran an upholstery business?), stitched our first flag at the request of George Washington.

The "Betsy" apron, Retro Revival's patrioritc take on Old Glory:

The proper way to retire a flag is to burn it ~ don't toss it in the trash!

Francis Scott Key composed "Star Spangled Banner," which officially became our national anthem in 1931. 

People who study flags are called Vexillologists.

The tip of a Beagle's tail is called a flag.  Twyla proudly waves hers all the time:

In the 1920's flagpole-sitting was all the rage.  Pre-reality TV, it entertained and amused millions of Americans.  The most famous sitter was Paul "Shipwreck" Kelly, who set the world's record for flagpole sitting by staying aloft for 23 days!  He eventually broke his own record by sitting on a flagpole for 49 days!

(Shipwreck Kelly claimed to have survived the sinking of the Titanic)

Happy Flag Day all!

Please remember this month's giveaway:

...All of these wonderful, handmade, organic bath and beauty products from Natural Garden Soaps!  Details on how to enter are on my June 9th post (just scroll down a bit).  Drawing is June 30th ~ good luck!