The Flag
Today is the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and no doubt we all have distinct memories from that time and the weeks following even though it was ten years ago. What I remember most was seeing American flags everywhere: on every house, on every lamp post, in every business. There was a deep sense of patriotism in the air and it was palatable.
I’ve always been a flag person, even when I was a little girl. When we lived in Colombia I made sure to hang the Colombian flag over the balcony for every holiday. Hanging a flag was one of the first things we did when we purchased our first home. I never let my flag get too tattered, replacing it every year or two. For most holidays I have a few other small flags that get put out in the flowerbeds as well. When my current flag needs replaced I plan on purchasing a nice one with stitched stripes and embroidered stars like this one from Valley Forge. I also need to get a small spotlight to shine on my flag at night, I’ve been wondering if a solar spotlight would shine all night long. (anyone have experience with these?) Mr Chiots is also requesting an Ohio State flag be flown here at Chiot’s Run.
In flying a flag at a private residence, all of the relevant guidelines in the Flag Code should be followed. It should be flown at night only if illuminated and in inclement weather only if made of all-weather material. The flag should be clean and without tears, rips or shredding. The flag may also be hung vertically from a window, roof eave, or other structural overhang. Traditionally flags are flown on homes on these special holidays.
New Year’s Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Day – Third Monday in January
Inauguration Day – January 20
Lincoln’s Birthday – February 12
Washington’s Birthday – Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday (date is variable)
Mother’s Day – Second Sunday in May
Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff) – May 15
Armed Forces Day – Third Saturday in May
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) – Last Monday in May
Flag Day – June 14
Father’s Day – Third Sunday in June
Independence Day – July 4
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day – July 27 (added January 6, 2009)
Labor Day — First Monday in September
Patriot Day (half-staff) September 11
Constitution Day – September 17
Gold Star Mothers Day – Last Sunday in September
Firefighters Memorial Day (half-staff) – Sunday before or on October 9th
Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
Navy Day – October 27
Election Day – First Tuesday in November
Veterans Day – November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff) – December 7
Christmas Day – December 25
State Birthdays
In case you’ve never read the standards of respect for the flag, I thought I’d list them here today.
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
* The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
* The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
* The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
* The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
* The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
* The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
* When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
* The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
* When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
You’ll find a flag flying on most days here at Chiot’s Run. We’re very proud of our wonderful country and flying a flag is how we try to display our patriotism. Some day I plan on having either pleated fan flags on my front porch or small 3 Finger Aluminum Bracket to display flags on each of my porch posts on the holidays listed above. Since I would love to see more flags flying not only in my town but in every town, I have two Valley Forge 2 1/2 x 4 foot Flag to give away. Comment below and I’ll choose a winner next Sunday.
Do you fly a flag in your garden or home?
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Enjoying the Day
Here in the United States we will celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend (the 4th is Monday but most folks will celebrate all weekend long). Take a cue from Dexter and spend some time relaxing in the great outdoors this weekend. Spent time your garden, visit a park or botanical garden near you, go for a walk, bike ride or a hike, do something in to get outside and enjoy the season you happen to be in.
We’ll be spending our weekend cooking out, watching fireworks, hanging out with friends, working in the garden and on our little camper. Of course we’re self-employed so we’ll spend some time doing real work as well as there’s rarely an actual day off for us.
If you’re an American how do you celebrate the Fourth? If you’re from another country how do you typically celebrate holiday weekends?
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Happy Memorial Day
I’ll be spending today in the garden, as many others will. Memorial is kind of the unofficial kick-off to the gardening season around here. Everyone uses this weekend to weed and mulch their flowerbeds. I’ll be working on that new garden area. Hopefully planting beets and carrots. I’m also liberating another large chunk of the front lawn.
I am very thankful for all of those who are currently serving and have served in our armed forces on this Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll be thinking about: my grandpa – who served in WWII, my brother – who spend a tour in Korea and two tours in Iraq and Mr Chiot’s cousin, who spent two tours in Afghanistan.
How will you be celebrating this Memorial Day weekend? Do you have any friends or family who are serving or who have served in the armed forces?
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Time to Start Spring Cleaning
Yesterday afternoon I took down all the Christmas decorations both inside and out. It’s always sad to do this as the house seems empty and bare afterwards. I miss the warm glow of the light in the evenings and the smell of pine in the house. For me this signals the start of spring cleaning.
All of the Christmas decorations were taken down, cleaned, organized and put into boxes. I try to make sure everything goes back in great condition so that it’s quick and easy to put up next year. It was the perfect day, sunny and bright. That made the outside work seem warmer than the 18 that it was, and it made cleaning the living a much sunnier task.
All of the fresh pine garland and the tree get put outside on the brush pile. They provide great habitat for snakes, rabbits and other animals. We have a pile that we’ve been building since we bought our house. It’s out back by the edge of the woods by the compost piles. It’s important provide this kind of habitat for animals in your garden. I keep hoping for a big black snake to move into mine.
Now that Christmas is down, it’s time to start moving furniture, cleaning the floors, and getting all those spring cleaning chores checked off the list. I like to get my spring cleaning done in winter, spring can get awfully busy around here with maple sugaring and seed starting.
Do you spring clean? When do you start?
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Is It Time Yet?
It seems like just about everyone around here has already taken down their Christmas decorations. Perhaps they were taking advantage of the 50 degree days we had on New Year’s, but it seems like everyone did it a little earlier than normal. My Christmas decor is still up, I usually don’t take it down until mid January.
One of the things I’m particularly enjoying is the card garland on my stairway. I’m sure a few of you will recognize your lovely cards on there! I’m not in a hurry to take these down as I usually am with my Christmas cards.
I’ll probably take all of my indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations down some day next week. I’m never in a rush because I enjoy it so much, not to mention you spend all that time decorating why not enjoy it for more than a few weeks! That’s one nice thing about having natural holiday decor, it’s more wintery than Christmasy so you can leave it up a little longer. I’m really hoping the days get a little warmer so I don’t freeze my fingers off while taking down all that outdoor garland. I’ll be giving those Ethel insulated gloves another go at winter work. I will be sad as I always think things look really bare when all the lights and garland are gone.
When do you take down your Christmas decorations?
