Photo Challenge: Patriotism

Time for the latest Brenda Photo Challenge! The subject is Patriotism, picked by the current challenge hostess, Karen at Faith of a Single Mom. We didn’t attend any 4th of July celebrations this year, so I am presenting pictures from my personal archives for this challenge.

Furry Patriotism – Our old pooch, Buddy, was the epitome of the all-American dog. He was a Belgian Malinois with great European lineage and lazy ears. True to his breeding, he was smart as a whip, energetic, dignified, and always ready to serve and protect.

On July 4, 2000, I interrupted one of his gleeful outdoor romps to take a snapshot of him in front of a patriotic garden flag. He was five years old at the time and had a mountain of energy. He was rather impatient when I gave him the “sit-stay” command. Just behind me, to my right, was his large plastic ball, his favorite toy. See how he leans to the right and his eyes are NOT on me or the camera? He’s staring intently at the ball, ready to go charge it, and insanely bark at it in his doggy bliss. He was vibrating from excitement and whimpering his impatience. Good, old-fashioned American impatience.

It was a quick snap. One nanosecond after I said “all done”, he was no longer visible through the camera lens. ZOOM, off to play!

Handmade Patriotism - We have a lot of Americana folk art as part of our cottage décor. This is a stitchery that I created two years ago, coffee-stained, and fashioned into a mini-quilt. I stitched dark red seed beads around the picture border, added some star-shaped stitching in the background, and placed star pottery buttons at the corners. This patriotic folk quilt is hanging right next to my desk in my home office.

Historic Patriotism - We have visited Portland Head Light in previous vacations to Maine, and we couldn’t resist seeing it again during our 2006 New England trip. This historic lighthouse is located southeast of Portland, in the town of Cape Elizabeth. George Washington commissioned its construction and appointed its first keeper. Operational since 1791, the light has steadfastly helped protect the ships coming into Portland harbor through the years. Portland Head Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses in America.