Bushwhacker Days plus

Hi neighbors. I hope everyone is enjoying Bushwhacker Days! Today is the final day so get down to the Square and have a blast!

Tomorrow is Flag Day so be sure to display Old Glory with dignity and respect. There are rules for displaying the flag and certain etiquette for carrying, raising and lowering the flag. Make certain that you are showing respect for our national flag when you put it out for all to see. Remember, that flag was the banner followed by warriors fighting to preserve our freedom, and the drape for the coffins of those who gave the ultimate gift for the rest of us. The Star Spangled Banner, Old Glory, The Stars and Stripes -- our national flag -- is a symbol of America. More importantly it is a symbol of what the American people believe, trust in and are willing to die for. When you are holding this flag, you are holding America in your hands. Treat it with respect.

Next Sunday is Father's Day. So take time to celebrate the fathers in your family. Have a picnic, go out for golf, fishing, watch a ball game on television or go see some local players. Go out for ice cream!

If you no longer live at home, go see your father in his natural habitat. Take him out for lunch. If you've planned ahead, you could have scanned in some old family photos and let him watch them in a slide show on his television. Add some music from the time period when the photos were taken; or about the events shown. Ask your Dad about his childhood, or your own childhood. He saw everything you remember from a different viewpoint and hearing his side of things might make some memories clearer. At the least it will balance your own memories and give you some insights on your relationship with your father and your childhood.

If your father is no longer living, go see someone else's father. Visit a nursing home and go prepared to share time, memories and activities with the gentlemen there. Call ahead and talk to the activities director to get some ideas of what and how to share.

Many of us no longer have our fathers available to us. If your father is deceased or away for a while in the military, because of work duties, etc., Father's Day can still be celebrated with your family. What a great time to share memories of a deceased parent, grandparent or uncle with your children or other family members. If you spend the day alone, use it to collect and display photos and memories of these important family members in your life.

If your father, husband, brother, uncle or other male role model for your children is not available on Father's Day; get the children involved in sharing their ideas about them. Record them saying what they want to do with them for Father's Day; go fishing, walk in the park, go swimming, camping, play video games together, go to a movie, or out for a treat. If their father is away, they will love receiving this surprise in their mail or email. Now people can chat over the computer, and see each other. They are probably used to doing that if their father is away for a long time, or gone often. Have them make up a little skit or even a song and dance routine to cheer their father's day. Keep video copies to watch again and again each year.

We have a whole week until Father's Day but it will be a busy week for me. Monday, June 15, is my granddaughter's birthday. I won't get to see her on her birthday, but hopefully she will be able to come down to visit by next Saturday.