Patti Lynn Clark Barnett

More pictures from Valley Forge National Park. For a really unique visit, wear your hiking boots, get off the paved paths and enjoy the scenery. And be sure to dress warmly enough.  Thankfully, Stan had an extra jacket in the car.

We visited Valley Forge National Park this afternoon and took these pictures. The weather was beautiful, bright and cold! I hope you enjoy these pictures of the National Memorial Arch.

This is the inscription on the inside of the arch:

And here in this place of sacrifice in this vale of humiliation in this valley of the shadow of that death out of which the life of America rose regenerate and free let us believe with an abiding faith that to them Union will seem as dear and Liberty as sweet and Progress as glorious as they were to our fathers and are to you and me and that the institutions which have made us happy preserved by the virtue of our children shall bless the remotest generation of the time to come. --Henry Armitt Brown

This is a detail of the arch ceiling:

The arch is to the right of the flag behind the trees:

Can you say, "Street Performance"!? If you wondered who that was with red hair, wearng a huge straw hat, jeans and yellow stilettos, singing her heart out in the heart of Manhattan's Fifth Avenue yesterday….it was, yours truly.
 
I don't know about the passers-by, the by-standers or the several photographers, but I had a blatant blast!
You see it all in the Big Apple and I'm certain I was not all that unusual. But I was surprised when an interesting, blue haired, baggy pants, rappy looking guy came up to me and requested, "Sweet Georgia Brown". He said it had always been one of his favorite songs. He took umbrage at my surprise that he'd even heard of, "Sweet Georgia Brown" telling me not to judge him or his musical tastes by his hair and the way he dressed. Now, that was encouraging to hear from someone so young and it gave me hope that the new generation may have some wisdom after all 
 
In my elemental joy, I lost track of time and probably performed nearly two hours. I tried out songs I'd never performed before like, Waylon Jennings', "Anita, You're Dreaming" and Jessie Coulter's "I'm Not Lisa".  I love songs like these. And I always feel I do better on numbers I really like. The song list included everything from John Prine's "Muhlenberg County" to Cat Stevens', "Morning Has Broken" to "Consider the Lilies".  I repeated two songs I have always loved, but just recently learned, "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" and, "Last Thing on My Mind".
 
Before I sang, someone repeated what you have always heard, "Music really is the universal language. It can evoke memories and emotions of specific times and places in a way which no other method is equal in ability.
 
When I told an acquaintance about my day, she said she was inspired and determined to get out of her comfort zone and, "do something challenging and different". And when she said something like singing would scare her to pieces, I reminded her of the much repeated Eleanor Roosevelt advice, "Do something everyday that scares you".

The ripple effect in all of life never ceases to amaze me. And I will be doing this again, God willing. 

I have memories of two unfortunate Memorial Days in the past. One was when I missed meeting my Maker, by a hair, in Scottsdale, Arizona that I recounted in last year's Memorial Day post. The other was when Wallace, our cat, got so badly hurt that he wound up in the hospital for a week. However, this Memorial Day experience was as positive as these other two were negative.
 
The Memorial Day week end started in New York and ended in Reading, Pennsylvania at an Andre Rieu concert. New York, as always, was brimming with excitement and people. The city was awash with the military. And I had the opportunity to speak with a few servicemen and tell them how much they are appreciated. And, as always, I advertise my website.  But I must spend most of this post on the high light of the year, so far. The Andre Rieu Concert!
 
I have seen Andre Rieu on TV several times and have been a fan for years. So, having the opportunity to finally see this maestro and his orchestra in person was an Event, to be sure! They played to a packed Sovereign Center last night in Reading, Pennsylvania. I wish I could even begin to describe the atmosphere and performance. When Andre Rieu and the "Gang" of musicians marched down the isle and took center stage the crowd went crazy. This is possibly the most beloved violinist and orchestra leader in the world. And his audiences include every age and social class. He crosses all barriers and just brings his audiences the joy of his music. His is the epitome of great music of our time, I believe. It was as colorful and entertaining evening as one could imagine. There were beautiful girls in wonderful gowns and the music ranged from Straus waltzes to Mozart concertos to mariachi boom boom to, "Amazing Grace". The vocalists were all, I suppose, among the best the world has to offer. Magnificent, is the word that comes to mind.

His violin playing and conducting are impeccable, as was the whole orchestra's performance. It was obvious that he requires nothing short of excellence from every musician as well as himself. So, we were all the recipients of this musical purity and beauty. One of the female sopranos was the youngest to win the Australian Opera award at nineteen. When she sang, "Ave Maria" it was truly like an angel, as Andre said when introducing her.  He assured us, before she sang, that we had never heard such a rendition before and he was right. The huge video screens allowed a close-up into the  beauty and expressions of all the musicians.

Andre had made several good natured jabs at Reading, a relative backwater in comparison to their usual venues. In his awkward English, he said, "We play all over the world, the word's biggest cities, but lately I have not been able to think of anything but, READING!" The people laughed and loved him. The evening was total entertainment from beginning to end. And the end seemed as if it would never come. The audience would not let them go and they played encore after encore.

I am just grateful that such music still exists and that there is a growing following for Rieu's entertainment. I am also grateful that my husband and I had the opportunity to see and enjoy such a night of entertainment and excellence. I hope you will not miss seeing him if he is ever anywhere near you. I promise you, you will then and only then know what I'm talking about. You will not regret it!

After my intense conversation and battle of wits with Rich, I managed to navigate the dense maze of people and found my way to 57th and 5th by way of Madison Avenue. There were two rows of barricades on every block. One to keep people from completely blocking the side walk and the other to keep them from spilling into the street. One could enter only at positions guarded by the police. By the time I arrived, the human density inside was so great that there did not appear to be anywhere left to stand.

It was an amazing sight to behold! People of every tongue, stripe and hue and from many countries had waited for hours between the guard rails. Police were everywhere, helicopters were circling overhead and huge trucks blocked the avenue. Kids were riding their fathers' tired shoulders and voices sang out Hallelujahs from across the street. The patient anticipation and joy of those waiting for the Pope were mind boggling. I have to admit I don’t really understand it all. But I know I have never seen anything like it before and probably won’t again.

I met a girl named, Nila, who was on her lunch break. We were outside of the barricades, on the sidewalk and a significant distance from the street. And not a good venue from which to see the Pope. So, we decided to help each other over the rail to a little space we spotted near the street. It never occurred to either of us that we could have gotten in trouble for jumping the fence. But jump we did. We were determined to get a good look-see of the Pope.

Nila was a bit heftier than I, so a couple of gentlemen gladly offered a helping hand. However, my transit was a piece of cake in comparison. Once inside, we were surrounded by the faithful who were waiting for the chance of a life time. The half dozen people I met right around me were all there by similar circumstances as my own. None of us had expected or planned to be there. Presence by Providence had been granted and we were clearly there by, “Divine appointment”.

This was the belief of the mother we met whose children would be singing later in the day in the childrens' choir right next to the Pope at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We all agreed with her, "Divine Providence" assessment and then I shared my experience with Rich, the Atheist. They, too, will pray for the conversion that he’s clearly never had. Another lovely lady, Lila, requested prayer for problems she is going through. The 35- 45 minutes waiting were spent in sweet, harmonious fellowship.

At last, the barricade trucks started moving out, helicopters spun lower overhead and the crowd started vigorously applauding louder and louder. Voices were lifted in Hallelujahs and we knew Pope Benedict XVI was on his way. The excitement built to an exhilarating crescendo, a sea of cameras shot into the air, flags were waving and everyone pressed forward to be as close as possible to the street and get the best possible sighting. I could hear mothers telling children, “How blessed” they were for the opportunity to witness this wonderful, historical occasion that might never happen again.

The great moment had arrived! First came a few long black limos followed by police cars and then a vehicle bearing an old rugged cross tilted and fastened to the back of a vehicle. It was an inspirational sight! Then finally, Pope Benedict XVI appeared! Rolling by us in the Pope mobile, there he sat up high, waving to all on both sides of the street, smiling in his own sweet, humble way.....So, there you have it.

I was not expecting to even get a glimpse, so I didn’t bring a camera. However, Lila, who’d requested prayer earlier, sensing my disappointment at not having a picture of the Pope and this historical occasion, offered to send me one. She offered without my asking and I believe she will do it.

It was a most glorious day. And Patti got a peep at the Pope!

I was in New York on Saturday, seemingly, by sheer accident. But I don't believe in chance or accident concerning spiritual things.

I had Hagey Tour reservations for a date next month but due to a cancellation, I was able to go on the day Pope Benedict XVI was in town. The city was abuzz with excitement. Fifth Avenue was blocked off for blocks near St. Patrick's Cathedral and busses that had brought in thousands from miles around were lining Madison Ave. It was difficult at times maneuvering through the people traffic. But despite the crowds, there was a peaceful, patient attitude and a gentle, pleasant atmosphere all around.  Choirs were singing beautiful music and even the honking of horns was less than usual. Everything suggested that the Pope was in town.
 
As I made my way up Fifth Avenue, I encountered a group of Atheists protesting the Pope's visit and waving placards in support of the separation of church and state. One fellow, Rich, who looked like former Pennsylvania Senator, Rick Santorum, told me he was a former Catholic youth leader. His demeaner really did suggest that he was a good person. Someone who had done many good and admirable works. And he was obviously well read in philosophy. He had sadly searched for something good works could provide and came up empty.

Rich was an obviously bright person who had tried everything except the simplest and only way to true salvation. He related that there were just too many unanswerable questions and too many unknowns for his inquiring, scientific mind. He even said he believed science would eventually solve all of our biggest problems. So, he decided to chuck the cumbersome load of religion for the dead end destination of atheism.

I told him that my husband, a scientist, thought a lot like him many years ago, but that he'd come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by a simple child like faith and submission to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This seemed to resonate with Rich even though he did call it a,"Mental aberration". I said, 'If I am right and you are wrong and if you died today, what do you think would happen?' To this, he had no answer and looked a bit troubled before shrugging it off by saying, "Nothing". I told him about my eternal security, as a believer. On leaving, I said he had nothing to lose and everything to gain, if I am right. And conversely, he has everything to lose and nothing to gain, if he's wrong. He seemed interested in that concept that I had thought might be too trite. But apparently not, because, when asked, he said he would visit this blog. My prayer is that he will separate himself from the atheist group, be born again and then witness to other non believers. Afterall, God does work in mysterious ways.

The Gwynedd Wildlife Preserve is absolutely beautiful and practically in our own back yard. I'm supportive of private citizens and corporations preserving green space and I'm also very grateful they have prevented this land from being subdivided. Otherwise, we would not be able to enjoy it like we do.

Last Sunday was a spectacular day with clear blue skies and it was so warm we ended up carrying our coats. Far more like spring than mid winter temperatures. Other than very muddy trails, it was perfect. My husband and I sat under this lonely hickory tree last year and ate hickory nuts he arduously cracked with a rock. Fresh hickory nuts taste fantastic, but if you have ever eaten them from the shell, you'll understand why they are so very expensive, that is if you can find them at all.  It is virtually impossible for mere humans to extract the delicious little nuggets from their cloistered embedments and chambers. However, an amazing non struggle for the squirrels I've seen devouring them with almost mechanical speed. Seems to me the hickory nut tree is rare and headed for extintion. This being the first I've seen in years. On this visit, we could not find a single nut that the squirrels had not gotten to first. Must have heard we were coming:))

I am thankful to God for our good health and the ability to experience the joy of days like this.

I hope you all had a joyful Christmas. Instead of traveling south to be with family, we made some relatively short and very enjoyable trips. The first was New York City, a must see at Christmas time. The sights, sounds and delicious smells of food truly delight the senses and get even the Grinchiest hearts in the holiday spirit. Bergdorf Goodman's fantastical creations were the best. But pictures don't come anywhere close to doing justice to the detail and imaginative effort that obviously go into these beautiful artistic endeavors. Plus, only a portion could be photographed. They must begin working on them in January! We also saw the Buccellati jewelry at Bergdorf Goodman's which is also spectacularly beautiful.

Winston Churchill Avenue is in Paris off the Champs-Elysees on the Left bank and runs between the Grand and Petit Palaces. The street, of course, is named for Sir Winston Churchill, Britain's Prime Minister during World War II. There's a statue of France's leader, General Charles De Gaulle at the north end of the avenue and one of Winston Churchill at the other. The Churchill statue is modeled from a photo of Churchill marching with De Gaulle down the Champs Elysees on November 11, 1944.

A ceremony was held on the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which ended World War 1. Queen Elizabeth II joined France's president Jacques Chirac to unveil the statue of her first Prime Minister who led Britain during World War II. The Queen, speaking in French said, "I am confident that Winston Churchill, my first Prime Minister, who guided me with such wisdom and humor through the early years of my reign, would have commended to me the special recognition of the 80th anniversary of the Armistice".

Brian Reeve, an expatriate businessman, remembers suffering through the London Blitz as a child. He said," Churchill was a man on the move, who wouldn't stop". He said Churchill would walk through the streets just encouraging people, and this, "Was very, very, impressive even to the kids".

The 10 ft. bronze statue by French sculptor, Jean Cardot, weighs two-and-a half tonnes. The plinth bears the immortal words, "We shall never surrender". Churchill is one of a very few foreigners to have his likeness displayed in Paris.

 We need more stalwart souls like Churchill today. His brand of fearless optimism and rock solid resolution are in short supply among modern politicians.