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Upcycling - Patriotic Kid Crafts - Melting Crayons to Learn About the American Melting Pot

Updated on September 12, 2014

Bandanna binder and bookmark

Source

When the summer heat drives you inside so you don't melt, melt some crayons.

Independence Day is coming, that most wonderful day that falls on July, 4th every year and has for over 200 of them. I love America. Not so long ago, being proud of being American was pretty much accepted as the norm in this country. Things have changed. Some for the better, some not so much.

Many have noted a trend over recent years whereby patriotism is fading, being proud of being American is the anti-vogue and fewer of us really keep up with current political issues, know our nation's founding documents, or sadly, even our own history. You know what they say. Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.

Those sad facts have somehow combined with my love of creating and a caffeine induced frenzy to make something I have been wanting for a while. As a result, I hope you will enjoy the following compilation of what are two of my favorite patriotic projects. I have done both in some form or the other over the years in multiple classrooms. This time, I'm bringing in something new with the melted crayons incorporated into each and a few other things.

After the photo gallery tutorials, you will find multiple ideas for how to use this for educational and patriotic purposes. Of course, it can just be fun, too!

The design in the center of the binder cover

The focal point on the front cover is made from three dimensional stickers.
The focal point on the front cover is made from three dimensional stickers. | Source

I'm about to melt, now!

You see, it's pushing 100 degrees here.

I'm staying in for crafty fun and melting something that isn't, well, me.

Follow along in the picture galleries for some patriotic project fun using materials that are kind to the planet. Hey, I love that, too! What America and Earth have in common is just one of the things that endears them both to me. They are each one of a kind, totally unique, and totally irreplaceable.

The fact that these crafts can be highly educational and motivational is just an added bonus. Sh. Don't tell the kids. Stay tuned for details on just why this one simple project can become a learning tool for life. When done correctly, with a little magic dust, some love, hope and a prayer, this becomes the platform of dreams, the compilation of success, the treasure trove of questions and exploration that is self driven. Basically, it's one heck of a powerful tool.

Both projects
Both projects | Source

Why these projects?

We begin creating by melting.

What we create will become a tool of melting away ignorance.

America is the great melting pot of the world. It's a land far from perfect, but yet a land where the dream of perfect freedom still lives. For over 200 years, Old Glory has represented a chance at a better life, a shot at a free existence and symbolized a shining beacon of hope to the world.

America is in big trouble. When I was growing up, and it wasn't that long ago, the daily news reported our national mistakes and accomplishments, just like today. The difference was that then the accomplishments seemed to be in direct proportion to the mistakes. Headlines and sound bytes today read like a Butcher's Bill of Bad, a sheet of scandals each more abominable than the last.

I picked these projects specifically because it is imperative that children learn the truth about our nation, the good, the bad and the ugly, not just one or the other. Further, it is essential they learn how to study, learn and find truth on their own. Too many of our young exit public school believing everything they are told. We must impart skills that allow for the critical analysis of information by the individual from a logical perspective. If we don't, then we are just turning out ripe young minds for those pushing propaganda and division

A photograph documentary of making the bandanna binder.

Follow along in the photo gallery for detailed instructions that any one can do for themselves. Binders don't have to be boring or tossed out when they start to look bad. Give it a makeover.

My American Heroes - How to make a bandanna binder, in this case, a patriotic interactive notebook

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Get everything together. This is everything I set out to work with. I found out the candle doesn't work. I traded it for an oil warmer to melt the wax in a tray and then used a simple kid's paintbrush.Supplies - 1 old three ring binder, 2 bandannas, Begin by covering each inside cover of the three ring binder. Mine was old, abused, permanently scratched and coming apart on the spine. It was either find a way to fix it, or trash it.Cut the wide roll Duck Tape to one inch longer than the binder side you want to coverThe wide roll tape is great for covering larger surfaces, like this. But, the larger the surface, the more chances of wrinkles, bubbles and general boo boos. Use a straight edge to smooth as you pull the back lining off the tape. It makes everything When you get to the edge, fold over. Don't worry about it sticking well where you fold it over at this point. We will take care of it later.Use the scissors to snip the tape on the corners at the top and bottom of the binder. Fold it over. Repeat for the other inside cover.The inside is done for now. Close the binder. Grab a bandanna and play around with how you want it positioned on the front of your binder.When you determine where you want it positioned, use the bulldog clips to secure it. They work kind of like pins would if we were sewing, but leave no holes. When you clip it, be sure not only the top edge is lined up like you want it, but the sides After clipping across the top, flip the bandanna up. Start gluing it down. Work in rows about an inch or two apart. Be really generous with the glue, especially on the sides.When you pull the bandanna back down to adhere to the glue, pull it tight and hold it for a minute. Add clips to the side to hold what you have glued in place as you continue applying hot glue down the cover. For smaller children, use white glue and Keep going. When you get to the bottom, pull super tight and hold again. Clip quickly to hold it in place. Do the same thing for the other side.When both sides are done, it's time to start on the spine of the binder. Leave the clips in place as long as you can to prevent slippage and shrinkage.Use the smallest bulldog clips on the spine. Because of the ring plate, they are the only ones that will fit. Fold the ends over until you have it like you want it, clip and glue down.If you want the border, like I did, fold the bandanna back over onto itself. There is a good bit of fabric left after the spine depending on how you arrange it.A WORD ABOUT THE GLUE - You will see some spots where the glue seems to discolor the fabriUse the exact same clip, fold up, glue and repeat method we used on the covers. Remember to re-clip to hold after you glue.The outside cover is done for now. Let's get started on the inside. At this point, you could just use the scissors to cut it to about an inch long overlap all the way around and glue that down. If so, fold over where you cut before you glue to have aRemove the clips. Fold the bandanna over straightly and re-clip. I wanted the fold over Christmas present type look on the sides but you could do a simple fold over with no slanted corners, if you want.Now, fold over the tops and clip them so it looks just like you want it before gluing. When you're happy with it, use the same method as before and glue it all down. Repeat for the other side. Remember, where there are more fabric layers, it takes moYou will have to snip the bandanna to account for the three ring plate. Fold them over on themselves where no cuts are showing and glue them down, too.It's covered. We could leave it like this and begin decorating. I'm going to be using this a lot so I wanted it to be a little sturdier and I wanted to be sure my cover stayed looking good. It is time to apply the Mod Podge.Mod Podge works great, but it takes a long time to dry really well. Use the backing from the wide roll Duck Tape to help. Put them under your notebook, if you want to keep working and not have so much down time waiting for the Mod Podge to dry. I fig
Get everything together. This is everything I set out to work with. I found out the candle doesn't work. I traded it for an oil warmer to melt the wax in a tray and then used a simple kid's paintbrush.Supplies - 1 old three ring binder, 2 bandannas,
Get everything together. This is everything I set out to work with. I found out the candle doesn't work. I traded it for an oil warmer to melt the wax in a tray and then used a simple kid's paintbrush.Supplies - 1 old three ring binder, 2 bandannas, | Source
Begin by covering each inside cover of the three ring binder. Mine was old, abused, permanently scratched and coming apart on the spine. It was either find a way to fix it, or trash it.
Begin by covering each inside cover of the three ring binder. Mine was old, abused, permanently scratched and coming apart on the spine. It was either find a way to fix it, or trash it. | Source
Cut the wide roll Duck Tape to one inch longer than the binder side you want to cover
Cut the wide roll Duck Tape to one inch longer than the binder side you want to cover | Source
The wide roll tape is great for covering larger surfaces, like this. But, the larger the surface, the more chances of wrinkles, bubbles and general boo boos. Use a straight edge to smooth as you pull the back lining off the tape. It makes everything
The wide roll tape is great for covering larger surfaces, like this. But, the larger the surface, the more chances of wrinkles, bubbles and general boo boos. Use a straight edge to smooth as you pull the back lining off the tape. It makes everything | Source
When you get to the edge, fold over. Don't worry about it sticking well where you fold it over at this point. We will take care of it later.
When you get to the edge, fold over. Don't worry about it sticking well where you fold it over at this point. We will take care of it later. | Source
Use the scissors to snip the tape on the corners at the top and bottom of the binder. Fold it over. Repeat for the other inside cover.
Use the scissors to snip the tape on the corners at the top and bottom of the binder. Fold it over. Repeat for the other inside cover. | Source
The inside is done for now. Close the binder. Grab a bandanna and play around with how you want it positioned on the front of your binder.
The inside is done for now. Close the binder. Grab a bandanna and play around with how you want it positioned on the front of your binder. | Source
When you determine where you want it positioned, use the bulldog clips to secure it. They work kind of like pins would if we were sewing, but leave no holes. When you clip it, be sure not only the top edge is lined up like you want it, but the sides
When you determine where you want it positioned, use the bulldog clips to secure it. They work kind of like pins would if we were sewing, but leave no holes. When you clip it, be sure not only the top edge is lined up like you want it, but the sides | Source
After clipping across the top, flip the bandanna up. Start gluing it down. Work in rows about an inch or two apart. Be really generous with the glue, especially on the sides.
After clipping across the top, flip the bandanna up. Start gluing it down. Work in rows about an inch or two apart. Be really generous with the glue, especially on the sides. | Source
When you pull the bandanna back down to adhere to the glue, pull it tight and hold it for a minute. Add clips to the side to hold what you have glued in place as you continue applying hot glue down the cover. For smaller children, use white glue and
When you pull the bandanna back down to adhere to the glue, pull it tight and hold it for a minute. Add clips to the side to hold what you have glued in place as you continue applying hot glue down the cover. For smaller children, use white glue and | Source
Keep going. When you get to the bottom, pull super tight and hold again. Clip quickly to hold it in place. Do the same thing for the other side.
Keep going. When you get to the bottom, pull super tight and hold again. Clip quickly to hold it in place. Do the same thing for the other side. | Source
When both sides are done, it's time to start on the spine of the binder. Leave the clips in place as long as you can to prevent slippage and shrinkage.
When both sides are done, it's time to start on the spine of the binder. Leave the clips in place as long as you can to prevent slippage and shrinkage. | Source
Use the smallest bulldog clips on the spine. Because of the ring plate, they are the only ones that will fit. Fold the ends over until you have it like you want it, clip and glue down.
Use the smallest bulldog clips on the spine. Because of the ring plate, they are the only ones that will fit. Fold the ends over until you have it like you want it, clip and glue down. | Source
If you want the border, like I did, fold the bandanna back over onto itself. There is a good bit of fabric left after the spine depending on how you arrange it.A WORD ABOUT THE GLUE - You will see some spots where the glue seems to discolor the fabri
If you want the border, like I did, fold the bandanna back over onto itself. There is a good bit of fabric left after the spine depending on how you arrange it.A WORD ABOUT THE GLUE - You will see some spots where the glue seems to discolor the fabri | Source
Use the exact same clip, fold up, glue and repeat method we used on the covers. Remember to re-clip to hold after you glue.
Use the exact same clip, fold up, glue and repeat method we used on the covers. Remember to re-clip to hold after you glue. | Source
The outside cover is done for now. Let's get started on the inside. At this point, you could just use the scissors to cut it to about an inch long overlap all the way around and glue that down. If so, fold over where you cut before you glue to have a
The outside cover is done for now. Let's get started on the inside. At this point, you could just use the scissors to cut it to about an inch long overlap all the way around and glue that down. If so, fold over where you cut before you glue to have a | Source
Remove the clips. Fold the bandanna over straightly and re-clip. I wanted the fold over Christmas present type look on the sides but you could do a simple fold over with no slanted corners, if you want.
Remove the clips. Fold the bandanna over straightly and re-clip. I wanted the fold over Christmas present type look on the sides but you could do a simple fold over with no slanted corners, if you want. | Source
Now, fold over the tops and clip them so it looks just like you want it before gluing. When you're happy with it, use the same method as before and glue it all down. Repeat for the other side. Remember, where there are more fabric layers, it takes mo
Now, fold over the tops and clip them so it looks just like you want it before gluing. When you're happy with it, use the same method as before and glue it all down. Repeat for the other side. Remember, where there are more fabric layers, it takes mo | Source
You will have to snip the bandanna to account for the three ring plate. Fold them over on themselves where no cuts are showing and glue them down, too.
You will have to snip the bandanna to account for the three ring plate. Fold them over on themselves where no cuts are showing and glue them down, too. | Source
It's covered. We could leave it like this and begin decorating. I'm going to be using this a lot so I wanted it to be a little sturdier and I wanted to be sure my cover stayed looking good. It is time to apply the Mod Podge.
It's covered. We could leave it like this and begin decorating. I'm going to be using this a lot so I wanted it to be a little sturdier and I wanted to be sure my cover stayed looking good. It is time to apply the Mod Podge. | Source
Mod Podge works great, but it takes a long time to dry really well. Use the backing from the wide roll Duck Tape to help. Put them under your notebook, if you want to keep working and not have so much down time waiting for the Mod Podge to dry. I fig
Mod Podge works great, but it takes a long time to dry really well. Use the backing from the wide roll Duck Tape to help. Put them under your notebook, if you want to keep working and not have so much down time waiting for the Mod Podge to dry. I fig | Source

This is a super resource for introducing children to politics.

A democracy only survives as long as a populace educated and motivated enough to engage in the issues of the day remains. Sadly, said group is ever shrinking in modern America.

Thoughts on motivation -

Do you think a good looking customized cover representing things the student likes will help keep academic motivation high?

See results
Time for Kids: Presidents of the United States
Time for Kids: Presidents of the United States
Use this resource, written on a level that is easy for children to understand, to help them develop an interest in our government. Children that are not taught at home about government and the values of democracy are ripe for propaganda programming. Use this as a conversation starter. Talk with your children frequently about the current political climate and events. Ask what they are learning, or not learning, about such in school. You may be shocked by the answers.
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Three coats and one night of dry time later, we are finally ready to start decorating.

Bad method. It failed horribly.
Bad method. It failed horribly. | Source

Whoopee! How to add texture to the bandanna binder.

For about three seconds.

I thought to use the candle to melt the tip of the crayon and then color in from there. I knew I would have to sharpen a lot to keep a point fine enough to work inside the patterns on my bandanna.

It was a bad idea. After the second flower, I could see that just was not going to work. It was frustrating and the results looked horrid.

Time for a new strategy. Giving up is not an option.

Not a fancy method, but an effective one.
Not a fancy method, but an effective one. | Source

Strategy failed :(.

Have you ever started a project with a plan and then had to re-invent the plan?

See results

I must admit to being somewhat scared at this point. I had a good bit of time invested and I really like the look of this binder, but I was seriously afraid if I could not figure a way to basically paint with crayon, it wan't going to work.

Fine. A few failed attempts later, I figured it out. What worked is putting a pie tin over my favorite fairy oil warmer. It melted the crayons in just a few minutes and kept them liquid long enough for me to paint. I did notice the brush gets icky fast. Use a synthetic, relatively small child's paint brush.

When it gets caked up with crayon, paint the inside of the warm pie tin. It will melt what is caked on the brush.

The decorations, like the icing on the cake, it is always the best part.

Click thumbnail to view full-size
As for how much of the melted crayon paint you wish to apply, well, only you can say. I was not really liking the way it went on enough to want to do too awful much of it. I did want some pops of red and blue. I also wanted some texture. As you can see, you have to kind of build it up in layers when working in such a small area. Now, if you want to go big, melt the crayon over a candle and have fun letting it drip!Just keep going. When you are done, give it about five minutes to set really well before moving on to the next step, or be really careful not to put your elbow in it, like me!It is time for the trim. Cut the ribbon to line either side of the 3 ring post. You want about half an inch more than the length of the spine. Fold over the excess to create a good looking line. Glue it down being sure to press the edges under. I covered this ribbon in Mod Podge to keep the glitter from coming off. This step is totally optional. If you do it, be prepared for down time while waiting for it to dry, a good half hour at least.Add your stickers. I hot glued these because I don't want them coming off. Then, apply a quick coat of Mod Podge. A word about this product - It looks horrible when you first paint it on. Don't worry. It dries clear. Done! Ha, ha. I did not think it would ever dry!It's time to start filling up my notebook. I'm going with my American heroes to start with. As you may have guessed, I do political writings and poetry. Talk about a weird melting of interest! Yes, I have even done political poetry. I'm warped.
As for how much of the melted crayon paint you wish to apply, well, only you can say. I was not really liking the way it went on enough to want to do too awful much of it. I did want some pops of red and blue. I also wanted some texture.
As for how much of the melted crayon paint you wish to apply, well, only you can say. I was not really liking the way it went on enough to want to do too awful much of it. I did want some pops of red and blue. I also wanted some texture. | Source
As you can see, you have to kind of build it up in layers when working in such a small area. Now, if you want to go big, melt the crayon over a candle and have fun letting it drip!
As you can see, you have to kind of build it up in layers when working in such a small area. Now, if you want to go big, melt the crayon over a candle and have fun letting it drip! | Source
Just keep going. When you are done, give it about five minutes to set really well before moving on to the next step, or be really careful not to put your elbow in it, like me!
Just keep going. When you are done, give it about five minutes to set really well before moving on to the next step, or be really careful not to put your elbow in it, like me! | Source
It is time for the trim. Cut the ribbon to line either side of the 3 ring post. You want about half an inch more than the length of the spine. Fold over the excess to create a good looking line. Glue it down being sure to press the edges under.
It is time for the trim. Cut the ribbon to line either side of the 3 ring post. You want about half an inch more than the length of the spine. Fold over the excess to create a good looking line. Glue it down being sure to press the edges under. | Source
I covered this ribbon in Mod Podge to keep the glitter from coming off. This step is totally optional. If you do it, be prepared for down time while waiting for it to dry, a good half hour at least.
I covered this ribbon in Mod Podge to keep the glitter from coming off. This step is totally optional. If you do it, be prepared for down time while waiting for it to dry, a good half hour at least. | Source
Add your stickers. I hot glued these because I don't want them coming off. Then, apply a quick coat of Mod Podge. A word about this product - It looks horrible when you first paint it on. Don't worry. It dries clear.
Add your stickers. I hot glued these because I don't want them coming off. Then, apply a quick coat of Mod Podge. A word about this product - It looks horrible when you first paint it on. Don't worry. It dries clear. | Source
Done! Ha, ha. I did not think it would ever dry!
Done! Ha, ha. I did not think it would ever dry! | Source
It's time to start filling up my notebook. I'm going with my American heroes to start with. As you may have guessed, I do political writings and poetry. Talk about a weird melting of interest! Yes, I have even done political poetry. I'm warped.
It's time to start filling up my notebook. I'm going with my American heroes to start with. As you may have guessed, I do political writings and poetry. Talk about a weird melting of interest! Yes, I have even done political poetry. I'm warped. | Source

Good Directional Options for Your Patriotic Interactive Notebook:

* My American Heroes

* American Inspiration

* My Travels Through America

* Inventing America - Best Scientists/Inventions

* Our Family in America

* The America We See and the One We Do Not.

* I'm Proud to be an American Because...

Instill a lust for knowledge early. Nourish it for a lifetime.

Patriotic Interactive Notebook and Bookmark
Patriotic Interactive Notebook and Bookmark | Source

Creating such binders, scrapbooks, and journals helps children to want to fill them. To do so, they have to explore, make choices, create, organize and basically, most importantly, think.

Please, encourage them to explore whatever aspect of our great nation interests them with materials they find increasingly on their own. Learning facts and knowledge is great. Learning how to find specific knowledge for yourself, dissect it, compare it to contrasting information, formulate a logical opinion about it and apply what you learned to your real life is priceless.

Always supervise the little ones, and some adults.

There are a few potential dangers involved in the way I did this. Most notably, the hot glue gun and more so, the open flame present serious safety issues. Always supervise until such point as you know from repeated experience that the person doing the craft can be trusted to monitor these issues on their own.

Personally, I see such opportunities to teach the little ones about safety as great things, as long as hands on, active, supervision takes place.

How to make the matching bookmark

Click thumbnail to view full-size
For the bookmark, we are going to use scraps, some ribbon, a few more stickers out of the same sheet, melted crayon and a laminating machine. You need a really good one or be sure to make the bookmark thin.Use the scraps from when you cut for the three ring binder post. Arrange, wrap, clip and glue just like before.Bring in the ribbon and a coordinating sticker or two. Paint on your crayon. I used blue here on every third little paisley. When we take it through the laminating machine, it will remelt giving an interesting affect.In the spirit of melting for the melting pot, I abused my laminating machine. This is thicker than is recommended. Notice, it is on the thickest setting, but still. I had to pull and push it along to get it through. That is one thing I love about THIAlways insert the laminating pouch sealed end first. Be sure to leave some free border space at the top.After wrestling what is too big to fit from the machine ;), trim the edges. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top.Cut two pieces of matching ribbon to the length of your laminated bookmark plus one inch. Glue down the front first to be sure you get the edges where you want them. Flip it over and glue down the back.Cut three strips of ribbon to wrap around the bookmark, two for the top and one for the bottom.Glue down your ribbons on the top.Fold down your side border ribbon on the back and glue. Wrap the trim ribbons from the front and glue on the back being careful to line up the ribbons well.String a thin piece of coordinating ribbon through the hole. Tie it off at the top. I had a small open spot right by the hole I punched for the ribbon, so I painted it in with the melted blue crayon. It did not take much.The melted crayon cover up.
For the bookmark, we are going to use scraps, some ribbon, a few more stickers out of the same sheet, melted crayon and a laminating machine. You need a really good one or be sure to make the bookmark thin.
For the bookmark, we are going to use scraps, some ribbon, a few more stickers out of the same sheet, melted crayon and a laminating machine. You need a really good one or be sure to make the bookmark thin. | Source
Use the scraps from when you cut for the three ring binder post. Arrange, wrap, clip and glue just like before.
Use the scraps from when you cut for the three ring binder post. Arrange, wrap, clip and glue just like before. | Source
Bring in the ribbon and a coordinating sticker or two. Paint on your crayon. I used blue here on every third little paisley. When we take it through the laminating machine, it will remelt giving an interesting affect.
Bring in the ribbon and a coordinating sticker or two. Paint on your crayon. I used blue here on every third little paisley. When we take it through the laminating machine, it will remelt giving an interesting affect. | Source
In the spirit of melting for the melting pot, I abused my laminating machine. This is thicker than is recommended. Notice, it is on the thickest setting, but still. I had to pull and push it along to get it through. That is one thing I love about THI
In the spirit of melting for the melting pot, I abused my laminating machine. This is thicker than is recommended. Notice, it is on the thickest setting, but still. I had to pull and push it along to get it through. That is one thing I love about THI | Source
Always insert the laminating pouch sealed end first. Be sure to leave some free border space at the top.
Always insert the laminating pouch sealed end first. Be sure to leave some free border space at the top. | Source
After wrestling what is too big to fit from the machine ;), trim the edges. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top.
After wrestling what is too big to fit from the machine ;), trim the edges. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top. | Source
Cut two pieces of matching ribbon to the length of your laminated bookmark plus one inch. Glue down the front first to be sure you get the edges where you want them. Flip it over and glue down the back.
Cut two pieces of matching ribbon to the length of your laminated bookmark plus one inch. Glue down the front first to be sure you get the edges where you want them. Flip it over and glue down the back. | Source
Cut three strips of ribbon to wrap around the bookmark, two for the top and one for the bottom.
Cut three strips of ribbon to wrap around the bookmark, two for the top and one for the bottom. | Source
Glue down your ribbons on the top.
Glue down your ribbons on the top. | Source
Fold down your side border ribbon on the back and glue. Wrap the trim ribbons from the front and glue on the back being careful to line up the ribbons well.
Fold down your side border ribbon on the back and glue. Wrap the trim ribbons from the front and glue on the back being careful to line up the ribbons well. | Source
String a thin piece of coordinating ribbon through the hole. Tie it off at the top. I had a small open spot right by the hole I punched for the ribbon, so I painted it in with the melted blue crayon. It did not take much.
String a thin piece of coordinating ribbon through the hole. Tie it off at the top. I had a small open spot right by the hole I punched for the ribbon, so I painted it in with the melted blue crayon. It did not take much. | Source
The melted crayon cover up.
The melted crayon cover up. | Source

The bookmark

Finished Patriotic Bookmark
Finished Patriotic Bookmark | Source

Having a matching bookmark will encourage one to flip the pages so as to have an excuse to use it :).

I Mod Podged this one to keep the glitter off that red ribbon from getting all over everything, but this step is optional.

TEACHER ALERT - Technically speaking, "Mod Podged" is not a verb. It's not even a word. It's a sniglet at worst and slang at best derived from adding the typically past tense "ed" to what is a proper name of a name brand. This is a great example of how to butcher the English language in print. However, culturally speaking, slang has its place. It stays.

TIP - If you lay things on the Duck Tape wide roll backing when using the Mod Podge, it won't stick.

The first articles in mine are "My True American Heroes."

My first articles stored in the patriotic interactive notebook
My first articles stored in the patriotic interactive notebook | Source

True American Heroes - Top Ten - as Ranked by Vix. This article is NOT recommended for children.

The red, white and blue forever
The red, white and blue forever | Source

Melting Away the Lies - Poetic verse

They say Columbus discovered America true,

when it was in 1492 he sailed the ocean blue.

There were already many nations over 5 million strong,

when it was Columbus really happened to stumble upon


what became the dream of so many, built upon the blood of so very many more,

none of who could have ever dreamed to have foretold what was to be in store.

Right in the mix with sin, greed and pride there was painfully born a land like no other.

A dream lived and grew alongside evil and oppression pitting brother against brother.


As the dream grew outward like a raging ripple washing freedom over folks more and more,

so too did the evil, greed and lust for power weave its roots through to the nation's very core.

The Lady Liberty, herself stands so proudly still to yet welcome all,

but the roots of evil have weakened her to the point she may fall.


Look back at history through the eyes of many, not just a few. You will hear the Lady's call.

From the very start, she's always been watching. She's seen from bad to great and taken all.

Take a good long look at America, all the good, the heinously ugly and the even more bad.

Decide for yourself. Stand up and make a stand while there is still freedom for to be had.


At times history whispers and other times it is she screams.

Never, not once ever, will she be as only one or a few sees.

Be like the great Lady herself and take it all in.

Only when you have all sides can you truly begin...to understand.


Poetvix a.k.a. Rhonda

Melt away the hate and the ignorance in our nation.

Melt into unity.

Melt together.

Never stop learning, exploring, asking questions and challenging the politically promoted theme of the day. Don't let others freezing you out slow you down. Turn up the heat on truth and melt your way to a brighter tomorrow for all of us.

Melanie Amaro singing When You Believe

Graphic American made by Vix at CoolText.

© 2013 Rhonda Lytle

working

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