* MEMORIAL DAY *

In America, today is Memorial Day, 2017. 

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember why we celebrate. Many years ago, it was known as Decoration Day. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on the graves of loved ones....those who died in wars.

Some men came home from wars, but many others did not. I am alive today because of one man that did not make it home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and although that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters, my brother, Mike, and I wouldn't be here if that hadn't happened. A few years later, she met and married our father. When Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!

courtesy: Becky Sept 2011
 at our friends' lake house

During our barbecues, picnics, and parties celebrating the beginning of summer, let's remember why it's possible that all of us are here today. 

I don't write a political blog, but I will say this, if you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of extremely powerful sights that you will never forget...and you will surely have chills...




"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam

*this was a repost from 2014*

* HAVE YOU EVER? *

Have you ever posted pictures of your feet on your blog or Facebook? I've seen quite a few pictures of women's feet, nicely polished toenails, lying on a sandy, white beach, or on a boat, or deck....and they are so pretty!

And I immediately wonder....     

Have you ever seen such funny looking feet
 and toes in your entire life?! (yes, these are yours truly!)

Somehow I guess I inherited these crooked little toes (remember reading about my Aunt Grace in my memoir's chapter "Piggyback Toes & Coffee Can Spittoons" ?)

BUT, I don't think anyone else in my family can do such tricks as I can! Someone may possibly refer to my right foot in this picture as doing my version of the Vulcan Salute!

And because of these strange looking dactyls, I never wear open-toe sandals or flip-flops. Never! Because I would hate to scare little children. And I certainly don't want anyone pointing at my feet and laughing and/or shuddering!

It's a good thing my husband is not a "foot/toe" kind of guy...otherwise where would I be at this point in my life?? I shudder to even think about it!

* DO YOU EVER? *

Do you ever get excited about house cleaning?? I must admit that I'm not much of a housekeeper. There is usually clutter and dust bunnies just about everywhere. I can't seem to keep up with it all.

I used to try a lot harder, but gave up years ago when I realized that my husband was never going to change, so why bother knocking myself out, when it'd look the same all over again in a few days, hours, minutes!

BUT, when I AM in the mood...look out! I was so excited when I went to sleep Saturday night because I'd finally bought new "cleaning stuff," and knew I'd be using them when I woke up Sunday. Weird? Not for me.

I'd been using watered-down Windex and watered-down all purpose spray cleaner for so long, they certainly weren't doing the job. And I'd completely ran out of one of my favorites: Soft Scrub with bleach. So, can't you understand my excitement when I knew I could actually do a great job of cleaning the kitchen?! And because of that, I was happy!

The radio was tuned to a favorite station and I think I actually whistled while I worked. It was one of those glorious, perfect days...sunshine & ideal temperatures...and did I wish I was outside? Nope! I gazed out my patio door from time to time and reveled in the beauty of it all, especially the birds at our bird-feeder, floating and swooping, waiting for their turn...all those except for those ill-behaved Blue jays!

This was not taken that day,
but at least you can see part of my kitchen!
Have I mentioned I LOVE this apartment?
 

In no time, the stove-top shined, the counter-tops were spot free, & the sink glistened!

Yesterday and today were semi-rainy and cloudy and I didn't feel like doing a thing.
Hey Mother Nature...please send more almost-perfect days. I want to keep cleaning!



* THANK YOU *

Thanks to those of you who alerted me to the fact that there seemed to be a "missing" post on my blog.

I started one the other day, then changed my mind and hit the Delete button....which obviously didn't totally delete it because it looks like there's a blank page or an error.

Hopefully, I'll have something new to post soon....But for now, I'll say,