* BEING A VORACIOUS READER! *

Is it possible for me to stop writing about how long it's been since I've posted anything...or how fast the time is flying? I think I've finally reached that point where I can say YES! I will not write (type) those words anymore on here. 😉

I haven't posted anything or read others' blogs mostly because I've been reading another book by my new favorite author...Kristin Hannah. This time it's The Nightingale. It is a huge paperback, 570 pages, and I hate it when I have to put it down to do anything else! The story of two sisters in France during WWII and their immense struggles.

This book is similar to Winter Garden in a few ways...women's stories during war in their homelands, sister conflicts. 

I can't say which one I "like" the most. Both kept me so involved in the story and characters...and I haven't even finished The Nightingale yet.

I've never read stories about both the suffering and strength of European women during WWII. Very enlightening and sad...and yet, these aren't books that are difficult to read...

If any of you have read anything by Kristin Hannah, please tell me about it. Thank goodness, she's written quite a few books, so I can keep on going. 😀

 (My library didn't have this, so I bought it from Amazon. I love the library, but also love buying books sometimes, too!)

“If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: in love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.”
― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

* IT'S MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2018 *

(From previous Memorial Day posts.)

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!

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

* 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*

* A MEMORIAL DAY RE-POST *

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember what this day is really about. 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 come home from wars, but many others do not. I am alive today because of one man that did not come home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters. A few years later, though, she met and married my dad, and so when my brother Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!
 
During our barbecues, picnics, and parties that celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer, let's remember that in spite of our country's problems, we are free, and we owe so much to all our veterans of wars....deceased or still living.



photo taken by Becky Sept 2011 at our friends' lake house

 

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. You will surely have chills......

 ~~~
 

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


"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?" -- Holly Near

* MEMORIAL DAY - DECORATION DAY *

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember what this day is really about. 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 come home from wars, but many others do not. I am alive today because of one man that did not come home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII in the Battle of the Bulge, and that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters. A few years later she met and married my dad, and so when my brother Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us.
 
During our barbecues, picnics, and parties that celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer, let's remember that in spite of our country's problems, we are free, and we owe so much to all our veterans of wars....deceased or still living.



courtesy: Becky Sept 2011
 at our friends' lake house

 

 

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



* Decoration Day 2013 *

In America, today is Memorial Day, 2013. 

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!

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. You will surely have chills......


*I will announce the winner of the book give-away tomorrow, May 28th *


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

* Nostalgic Sunday *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Today's Nostalgic Sunday is about a writing contest presented by Matilda Butler & Kendra Bonnett at Women's Memoirs. 

In honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Rosie the Riveter poster, they are looking for true stories about women during WWII. You may not be able to interview any living female relatives, but hopefully you already know some details, or have other family members you can ask.

Rosie the Riveter

(courtesy: Women's Memoirs Blog)

There is no entry fee and if enough quality submissions are received an e-book will be published. Go to: http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-news/two-memoir-contests-close-new-contest-opens/ for all the details, including word count, and deadline. And please pass along this info to everyone you know who might be interested. 

(My mother's first husband was killed in WWII and I plan to submit a story about her life during that time.)

* P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment HERE for my Two-Book-Give-Away! I will choose the winner tonight at 9:00pm CDT, by random drawing. *

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." -- Margaret Thatcher

* Veterans Day 2010 *

It's Veterans Day, 2010. How many of our WWII veterans are still alive? Not very many I'm sure. The same could be said about veterans of the Korean War. I know the WWII men & women were welcomed home with cheers by the citizens of our country. I really don't know if the same is true about our Korean vets.

I do know, however, that the Vietnam vets were treated miserably when they came home. I don't really know how the veterans of current and recent "wars" are thought of when they get back, but I'm pretty sure it's better than the ones from Vietnam.

I have friends and relatives who served our country in both war times and peaceful times. Yesterday, I wrote about being grateful for my life, and it didn't occur to me then, to add them to my list. Thank you all.

This isn't going to be a rant about how veterans of war are treated. 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 powerful sights. You will surely have chills......

I just want to remind us all of the following:

"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?" ~ Holly Near

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

"Nations have recently been led to borrow billions for war; no nation has ever borrowed largely for education. Probably, no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both." ~ Abraham Flexner