June 7, 2014

The only photo I could bring to you from Dr. Maya Angelou's service today

It was a joyous occasion with somber moments. It was a private invitation only memorial service in a packed house that seats 2500.
Photographs of any kind were not allowed. Since it was private, the Westboro Baptist Church bowed out of the planned disruption.
Police was everywhere, and so was the secret service.

For me to experience Bill Clinton, our First Lady, Oprah, Cicely Tyson as Speakers - and the music of Lee Ann Womack, the Bobby Jones Gospel Choir, Mr. Bebe Winans and Choir, and Valerie Ashford Simpson playing the piano as she belted a song - can't really be described.

The weather was splendid, the people beautiful and varied, the homage paid marvelously appropriate.
A fitting and huge celebration of the "Homegoing" as it says on the program, of this phenomenal woman.

June 7, 2014

<<<<WINNERS>>>> Seasonal Photography contest Theme: "Spring" are announced in GD

You can see the thread of the winners

here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025062439

Congratulations to rdking647
Bluesbassman
and
Shadowflash

to all the finalists, and to all who entered.

This was fun, thank you all!

June 7, 2014

<<<<WINNERS>>>> Seasonal Photography contest Theme: "Spring"

1ST PLACE

Bluebonnet Season rdking647



2ND PLACE

Honey Mustard

Bluesbassman




3RD PLACE

Busy Bee

Shadowflash





congratulations also to the other finalists:

Bleeding Hearts by The Velveteen Ocelot

An Ant among the Stonecrop Blooms by Alfredo

I’m Hungry by Dyedinthewoolliberal

Cascade in White Dogwood by Mz Pip

My hostess choice award goes to

A Rose in bloom by: justiceischeap



for its simple elegance, perfect balance, and for being dazzlingly beautiful


Thank you, all of you who entered, and all of you who voted.
This was a lot of fun, and the photos were a joy to behold!

June 7, 2014

I feel important.Just got a

pass to Maya Angelou's service. Tomorrow morning.10 am.
FLOTUS will be there. Oprah organized it and will speak. Also in attendance:
Big Dog = Bill Clinton

June 6, 2014

Sometimes, when we least expect it, we realize we're not such great spellers after all

Is it wrong of me to laugh out loud at this?

June 4, 2014

<<<<<Seasonal Finalists are up in GD >>>>> "Spring"

Congratulations to the finalists, I picked the top 7 because we had 21 entries, otherwise every other photo would have been in the finals.
I feel one third is appropriate.

Enjoy, please vote, please kick the thread.

Thank you

here it is: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025048478
Mira

June 4, 2014

<<<<< Poll of the Finalists of the Seasonal contest >>>>> Theme is “Spring"

Here are the finalists for the seasonal contest “Spring”
Please vote for your favorite, as you enjoy their beauty.

Please help me kick the thread as well.


This thread will run for 3 days, and the winners will be posted thereafter.
Thank you for your interest, and thank you for participating.

Skinner has allowed for this to run in GD
BUSY BEE

CASCADE IN WHITE DOGWOOD

I’M HUNGRY!

AN ANT AMONG THE STONECROP BLOOMS
Bluebonnet Season

HONEY MUSTARD
BLEEDING HEARTS

June 2, 2014

Not Borowitz - but very fine satire nevertheless. A LTE about Richard Burr/Winston-Salem, Journal

SACRIFICE

I must say that when it comes to service to the nation, if a dispute arises between Sen. Richard Burr and those who have fought this nation's wars, I must come down on the side of Sen. Burr (“Burr hits back at veterans groups,” May 28). After all, he has been in government since 1994, a full 20 years, while some of those veterans he is criticizing have not served their nation nearly as long.

And, of course, Sen. Burr has had to divide his time between Winston-Salem and Washington, obviously "hazardous duty," unlike those veterans who divided their time between the United States and Iraq and/or Afghanistan. I cannot not fathom how anyone could fail to recognize the sacrifices Sen. Burr has made for our country, as opposed to those who have fought in its wars - wars authorized with the votes of said senator, at great peril to himself, no doubt.

And now these same veterans have the nerve to criticize Sen. Burr for not supporting them. Whatever is this country coming to when veterans can criticize a person like Sen. Burr, who has sacrificed so much for our freedom and security and they have sacrificed so little?


Peter Schultz
Pfafftown

Winston-Salem Journal
June 2/2014

www.journalnow.com

June 1, 2014

<<<<<Preliminaries are up for the Seasonal Contest>>>>> Theme: "Spring"

The prelims are running

here they are

Link to 1 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025033224

Link to 2 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025033233

Link to 3 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025033238


Please help me keep the threads kicked, and enjoy the beauty of the photos and the fun of the contest

June 1, 2014

POLL <<<<< Thread Three of the Seasonal photography contest>>>>> Theme: “Spring"

The theme of the Seasonal contest is “Spring”
There were no special requirements for the photos submitted, except for the size to not exceed 800 pixels on the longest side.
Creative enhancements are allowed, but not required.



The preliminaries will run from June 1 through June 3
The finals will run from June 4 through June June 6 and the winners will be announced over the weekend of June 7-8

Here are the links to the threads.


Thread #1 is here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025033224
Thread #2 is here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025033233


Please share your comments, enjoy the beautiful photographs, and help keep this thread kicked.

NOTE: Skinner has authorized this contest be run in GD.

Yellow Clivia in Spring

Peony and Bleeding Hearts in the evening sun

Honey Mustard

Yellow Rose

Winter Peaks over Cameo Cliffs

View from the Botanic Gardens

Bleeding Hearts