Memorial Day

I've said it before, I come from and am surrounded by veterans and those who served.

My dad was seventeen when he enlisted in the army and served in WWII. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and exerienced things no teenager should.



My brother enlisted during the Cold War. Though he never served in combat, he spent some time in missile cylos, finger over "the button" waiting for the nuclear war that thankfully never came.



My husband and brother-in-law served during the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, as well as in Somalia (during the Blackhawk Down incident) and other periods of unrest. Both suffered from "Gulf War Syndrome" (my husband had blackouts for several years after he came home). Both saw and did things they'd rather forget. Both would do it again.

So while you're barbequing, swimming or playing volleyball today, just take a moment to remember those who served, and those who are still serving.



On a lighter note, DD and I both donated to a Memorial Day contest. Kiki Howell is celebrating a release by giving away three packages of prizes (1 eBook pack, 2 print / prize packs). You could win my "Don't Fence Me In" or a pair of earrings specially made for this contest. Click here to see how to enter.

Happy Memorial Day all!

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You Are John F. Kennedy Jr.

You are authentic and real. You don't know how to be anyone but yourself, and that's part of your charm. You have a creative side to you, especially when it comes to improving your life and your work. You do the unexpected. Your friends and family have a high opinion of you, but you're still very humble. You put others first. You treat everyone you meet with respect. You believe in practicing The Golden Rule.

Which Kennedy Are You?

About 75% right.

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Happy Memorial Day

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. ~Daniel Webster



From the wife of a Gulf War veteran and the daughter of a World War II veteran, I wish you a wonderful Memorial Day and ask that you take at least a moment and remember those who, over the centuries, have fought and died for us so that we might be free.

Here are a few videos to remind us:

Memorial Day

But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, Is their monument to-day, and for aye. ~ Thomas Dunn English

I come from and am surrounded by veterans. My dad lied about his age (he was 17) and joined the service to fight in WWII. He refused to talk about his time there, but mom tells me he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and when he died I inherited many, many pictures of him in Germany with other army buddies. No name, no places, no dates on the back, but plenty of memories of his heroism.

My DH fought in Desert Storm. We've talked about his time over there a little, but like my father, he doesn't like to speak of it. Some things, he says, are better of not shared.

My brother was in the air force, my uncle served in Korea. My BILs (one of whom served during Desert Storm) and FIL were both in the service.

I have amazing respect for the servicemen who offer to lay down their lives so I can have the freedom we enjoy here in America.

Please take some time to remember them. One song/video, "American Soldier" is one we should all watch and remember...embedding was disabled, and I know many of you don't enjoy country music, but I encourage you to take a moment and watch this.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day.

Happy Memorial Day

All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899





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For Jen -- I harvested a bunch of rhubarb yesterday, cuz it was in my way.


And the plant still looks like this:


The leaves are great for weedblock in the garden!


I'm making rhubarb stir-cake tomorrow. Yum.

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One of my favorite flowers in my annuals bed -- the gazania:



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I wrote about two-thirds of a very short story that will most likely post on the LASR week after next. Judy and I are being challenged, because folks are only submitting to our short story contest (and who can blame them -- they win a YEAR's free advertising if they win!). But, in the meantime, we have nothing to post, story-wise, until July 1st.

If there are any of you who don't care if you win a year's free advertising, and you have a 1000 -1500 word short romance story... please send it our way!

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You Communicate With Your Body

This isn't as bad as it sounds, it just means that you're a "touchy-feely" person. You need a lot of affection in your life. And for you, this means both giving and receiving little touches. Warm hearted, you bond with people easily. In fact, you often feel a little sad when you're not in the company of others. A little moody, you tend to be controlled by your emotions. But a bit hug always comforts you!

How Do You Communicate?

Yep.. that's about right (except the feeling sad when I'm alone part... I do enjoy my alone time!).