Happy Birthday, America

We aren't just America, of course, but the United States of America. I know we often gripe about our beloved nation, just like kids grumbling, riding together in the car:
Don't push... You're on my half... Mom, she's touching me!

But we are family, and we all matter. And no matter where we roam, this is home, the place that we love. I'm celebrating by rounding up some of the designs that show this patriotic spirit, including this new spin on one of my old favorites.

From everyone at Lorilei's Artist at Work, have a great July 4th!

Harry Potter and the Final Chapter

No, that isn't the name of the upcoming book. A good thing, too, as that sounds so very -- final. Yes, it's the end of an era.
P.L. has been waiting in agony for the publication of book seven. She needs to know how it will end, but she desperately wants it never to be over....

Will the Trio survive? Will Voldemort (oh, stop, Ron!) be vanquished? What about Malfoy -- will his be the next death?
And, of course, there's the matter of Severus Snape.
What a sniveling, sneaky, two-faced, evil sorcerer he is. But Dumbledore trusted him implicitly, so that should be good enough for us....

As we look back on our good times, reading all the books in this series, we have several favorite moments.
One of our favorite bits came from one of the movies, rather than the books, when Ron makes the observation that Hermione "needs to sort out her priorities."
Hermione had just made a statement that was a bit over the top in itself, but Ron's was a classic. After all, how many boys think that girls have a tremendously skewed perspective on life? If they're smart, they eventually realize that girls pretty much have a handle on reality and what matters most.

Then there's a big black dog that we miss greatly -- Snuffles, more commonly known as Sirius Black. We think he's gone, but we're not sure. (And didn't Luna think she heard him, too?)

Everywhere we go, we still expect to see him. And, taking into account the mysterious ways of the magical world, would we be surprised if we saw him again someday?


In the fifth year, we met a teacher we might actually have detested worse than Snape. The so-called "Professor" Dolores Umbridge was a real joke, politics interfering with education at its very worst. She tried to coerce and brainwash students, punishing independent thought and action, forcing the government's agenda on everyone in the school. When Harry rebelled against her propaganda, he was called a liar. The mark he wore on his hand branded him in more ways than one: I must not tell lies. Instead of an admonition, it became his mantra. He must represent truth, fighting the lies and misconceptions.



In book six, the truth about Voldemort became widespread. Amidst the fear and unrest, rumors circulated about Harry. Was Harry the Chosen One, the wizard who would end Voldemort's reign of terror? We know the truth of the prophecy. We despair over the obstacles that must be overcome if Harry is to rid the world of this mass murderer. How will he find the Horcruxes he needs in order to break the dark magic spell? What will be sacrificed -- and who will make those sacrifices? Dumbledore was so very right... "dark and difficult times...."



Throughout it all, we love reading about Harry and his friends, whether they are happy, sad, triumphant, or grumpy. He has become one of our best friends, too. And as long as we have him on our bookshelves, we'll never have to tell him goodbye.


This July, be sure to get a copy of J.K. Rowling's book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Don't miss the excitement of the concluding book. The series may finish, but the adventure will never end.

And don't forget to visit the Cupboard Under the Stairs....