Happy Saturday!
Here’s a weekend waterview from Lake Norman.
We enjoyed our first boat ride of the season this week.
Normally, we’d have been boating for several weeks by now, but we
got a later start this year with all our May showers.
We always look forward to checking on the osprey nests on the lake.
Osprey return to their same nest in March on Lake Norman,
after wintering in Central and South America.
They can log more than 160,000 migration miles during their 15-to-20-year lifetime.
They build their nests on manmade structures . . . channel markers, duck blinds, power poles
and nest platforms designed especially for nesting, and occasionally a boat!
The male osprey usually fetches most of the nesting material,
sometimes breaking dead sticks off nearby trees while the female arranges the nest.
The female osprey does most of the incubation, relieved by the male when she leaves the nest to feed.
After brooding, the female protects her young by shielding them with her wings.
The young remain in the nest for about 8 weeks after hatching.
After migrating in the fall, the young remain south on the wintering grounds until 2 years old.
Ospreys begin breeding at about 3 years of age.
We spied some herons nesting in the treetops on an island. . .
The look so funny perched on the limbs, standing at attention. . .
Lola is all about the sights. . .
And Sophie is all about the snoozing!
As we cruise into Memorial Day on Monday,
we are mindful of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,
defending our freedom and democracy. . .
Remembering and honoring those who gave all
“I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.”
– John Thune
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
– Elmer Davis
“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
– Unknown
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
– Arthur Ashe
May we never forget that freedom isn’t free.
May we always cherish the gift of freedom and
remember those who gave their all for it.
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However you celebrate this Memorial Day, take some time to recognize,
reflect, and remember how fortunate we are to live in freedom.
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Find 16 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes to Celebrate the Red, White and Blueberry, HERE.
You’ll find star-spangled treats, berrylicious desserts and healthy appetizers for the summer holidays
with a patriotic nod to Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Mary, As a military family, thank you for those important reminders. My father served in WWII. My husband spent over twenty years in the Navy, my daughter was in the Army National Guard as were both my son-in-laws. My step son just completed 4 years in the Navy and is now in the Reserves. My pride runs very deep. The sacrifices made on all levels must never be forgotten nor should we forget what democracy means.
As always you capture the birds and your sweet puppies so well.
Peace to all.
Retired NAVY/Submarines. We just watched “our” heron strut by…always picture them in my mind w/a top hat…stately bird.
REMEMBER!! franki
I have always been eager to see your blog show up in my inbox but today was very special-I always enjoy the pictures of your beloved dogs but the quotes and pictures for the holiday were fabulous. This is a somber holiday but we need those as much as the joyful ones-to never forget, for gratitude, for all of its meaning so those that gave all are never forgotten. Barbara
Thank you Mary, for the beautiful boat ride and the important quotes about freedom and those that have served. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Jenna
Beautiful views, Mary! We are seeing ospreys on the lake. Bald eagles are sighted often flying over our house. That would have been unthinkable fifteen years ago. The girls are so cute! Thank you for all the quotes. May we always honor the memory of all who paid with their lives for our freedom 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
I always appreciate your Memorial Day posts. It’s a beautiful reminder of what this holiday is all about.
I love all of the quotes that you have included in this post. All true and to be remembered. Give the girls a love for me.
As an Army brat (dad/WWII and Korean War, and retired Army) – and brother/Green Beret), and wife of Air Force military retired – I think of ALL the men/women who sacrificed for us/our country EVERY day that we all live free. It is something I never forget and honor them all, always. Veterans are my most favorite people that I honor and respect, always! 💜
Thank you for the wonderful pictures. This is a tearful Memorial Day for me as my father, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, died on Tuesday.
Chloe, I am very sorry you lost your dad. I will keep you in my prayers and always honor your father for serving in the military, and in Korea. Linda (military family)
Oh, I’m so sorry Chloe! Thoughts, prayers and hugs for you! ♥
Thank you , we have lost God in this country and what our roots are. With out him and for those whom we should respect and honor for their service it becomes a self inflicted mess. I am so thankful to see the respect and honor you have given to those on Memorial Day who we should never forget.Happy Memorial Day !
I totally agree with you and thank you for your note
What a lovely tribute to our veterans🇺🇸🙏🏻❤️🤍💙
I enjoyed my views from your boat seeing the osprey and the herons. Sophie and Lola look so happy being on the lake. Thank you for all the beautiful quotes for Memorial Day, Mary. ❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻💙
Mary, Lovely tribute for Memorial Day. So thankful for those that gave all for each of us.
Your lake looks so beautiful and especially your two fur babies!
We have ospreys year round in south Florida and they are busy right now giving flying lessons to their babies. It’s fun to watch them fishing as well, but I’m always sorry for the fish!
I enjoyed the boat views as always. The girls are precious! The herons and ospreys are always fascinating. The Memorial Day quotes are always inspiring. Thanks for the Memorial Day ideas and recipes. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Memorial Day! Clara 🇺🇸❤️
Thank you for the Memorial Day reminders! Please let us all comprehend FREEDOM….
Beautiful post in every way, Mary. Thank you. God bless the brave who died to keep us free, indeed. We will never forget. We owe them everything.
Beautiful lake views, and of course Sophie and Lola add an extra special touch. It’s always fun to see the wildlife on the lake, Mary. Thank you for pulling together all these excellent quotes for the real meaning of Memorial Day. We can never forget the ultimate sacrifice our military men and women made to defend our country. Beautiful, meaningful post!
What a beautiful boat ride we had with you and the girls. I enjoyed seeing all the nests and birds.
Thank you for all the quotes. Such a beautiful tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
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Thank you for the beautiful pictures and the red, white and blue.
Felt like we were on the lake with you. Lola and Sophie remind me of our two dogs. One (Sophie) always moving and one (Sassy) always sleeping. Enjoy your holiday.
I always enjoy your posts but today’s quotes brought tears to my eyes. I just took a few moments to remember any of the veterans that have been in my life. I will be attending later in summer a 100th birthday party for a veteran who was shot down in WWII. He still gives talks on his experiences along with his son who is a Vietnam veteran.
As ever, Mary, visits with you are so gratifying…this time with a few tears of remembrance. However, Lola and Sophie lifted the spirits and the tour around the lake to view the water and osprey/herons
opened even another happy door. Chloe – Condolences and
gratitude… Blessings ~
I love reading your posts…. Thank you
Bridget Martinelli
What a lovely and thoughtful Memorial Day post. We need to always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I also love the large photo of Lola! Totes adorbs!