{patriotic inspiration}

Forwards. Hmm. I definitely don't "love" them. I'm not trying to say this, so that all of you that do send me forwards will stop. No. I'm just saying this because it's true. It's a fact and instead of always handing everyone ice cream cones* I think it better to say it as it is. But, yes, back to forwards. Sometimes - there actually can be inspirational things that are revealed through the mass of dancing animals, purring cats, lengthy poems, and do this or don't be blessed hysteria.** Sometimes, forwards can inspire. And so, though I'm a loather of fowards, I am about to join the game and pass something on.***I don't know if was just me and my husband, but look again at that flag! It looked real to me at first - not just painted! The detailing is incredible.

You may have seen this before. I think I got an email with this about 5 or 6 years ago...but, after seeing it again in a forward tonight (that my husband was showing me), I thought it was worth mentioning again. The artist :: Ray "Bubba" Sorensen is from Iowa. This rock stood as an entrance to a rock querry. It was a local fave spot for graffiti; however after Bubba saw Saving Private Ryan in 1999, he thought of making a tribute to our troops. He started with a flag and added pieces on every Memorial Day that followed (essentially changing the majority of the look). The pictures above are what the rock looked like in 2003. To see the different transformations from 1999 - 2008 you would be amazed! It seems like every year he changes the rock quick drastically. You can see an annual photo journal here!

As an effort to shorten this as much as possible and not be to sappy, I say only this :: It's nice to see someone creating something honoring to our country. I know this was painting was started a while back, but in the hype of "anti-everything" right now, it's nice to see this rock honor this great nation (and the men & women that vow to honor it daily), instead of having it filled with dissappointed graffiti, showing complete distain for our gov't.

Serious post today. Settle down.

.................................................................................................
*ice cream cone :: idea -- handing someone a "verbal" ice cream cone, is to fill their head/ego with either falsehoods; likely things they just want to hear. This can even pertain to compliments. (It may be widely used, but I'm just not sure...so, I'm filling you in.)

**DON'T be offended. Get over it. Most forwards are filled with dancing animals, singing plants, purring cats, do this or die, do this or don't be blessed messages. It's just the honest truth. So, let's not pretend here folks.
***Notice my words changed from not "loving" to loathing by the end of the first paragraph. Annoyance was building. However, don't worry - I do read some of the forwards sent to me. I don't freak out at them. I promise (and no, I'm not handing you an ice cream cone).