On President's Day we study to know,
about Presidents of long ago.

George Washington was Number One;
a courageous General who got things done.

Abe Lincoln was honest and tall.
He loved to learn and was kind to all.

The colors of our flag are red, white and blue;
We salute our flag and promise to be true.

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Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all persons who served in the office of president of the United States and a federal holiday specifically honoring George Washington, who led the Continental Army (in which I had three great, great, great, great, great grandfathers) to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first president of the United States.

The story of Presidents' Day date begins in 1800. Following the death of George Washington in 1799, his February 22 birthday became a perennial day of remembrance. Washington's Birthday was then celebrated as a National Holiday on February 22 from 1879 until 1971, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February. Back when I was in 1st and 2nd grade, I remember celebrating both Lincoln’s and Washington’s February birthdays separately. Both were a really big deal; especially for a very young child learning history. Now, Americans only have one day to celebrate all presidents: past & present. Most people today also tend to merely view the day as part of a three day weekend & a chance to check out discounted, retail "sale" prices.

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Before there was Bailey

There was Holly.

My model above, Holly was a very pretty little, white show Chihuahua that I bred and champion titled back in the late 90's. Bailey is distantly related to Holly; with Holly’s father also appearing in Bailey’s extended pedigree. I think I first fell in love with Bailey because she so reminded me of Holly. Amazingly, Holly was even smaller than Bailey. She was a petite 2 pound bundle of love. Although 2 ½ pound Bailey looks a lot like our beloved Holly from the past, Bailey totally has her own personality. That makes Bailey special and totally unique. I love her so very, very much. Bailey is part of my heart. At the same time, I also miss our dealy loved Holly so very much. There will only be one Holly. Just as there is only one Bailey.

The above photo of Holly was shot with my first ever digital camera. In lieu of using the normal "pre shoot" Polaroid, it was a modernized "test shot" for a film shoot for a calendar that was then printed by a big name, greeting card company. If I remember, that calendar was sold in 2002, or maybe it was 2003. My memory of the exact date is vague, but my memory of Holly remains strong. How I wish I could still hold her. Although Holly is at the Rainbow Bridge, my love for her brought our wonderful Bailey into my life. Love lives on.

Anyhow, Happy President’s Day!