RIP Miss Holly

Nathan and his faithful companion, Miss Holly

I just went to check on my beloved Miss Holly (the dawg) and found she had passed away in her sleep.  Old age crept upon her with a heavy hand this year; first with a liver ailment .. then springing back to life, and now this autumn with aches and pains from the arrival of cold weather.  She passed with a little labored breathing that I thought was just snoring.  Just yesterday she was running around in the yard with a little gusto.  But .. she labored getting up and down.  Much love she gave, only asking for food and shelter.  My heart is filled with many happy memories that will keep me warm through the grieving period.  Rest in peace my beloved friend.  Good night.

Love,

Mamma

A Re-enactment That's Rebel Worthy

The North getting ready to fire the cannon

The South in close combat battle

The Northern Army

The encampment was complete with the latest laundry facility

Boom, Boom, Boom

Southern and Northern Belles

The womenfolk honoring the fallen soldiers

This past Sunday hubby and I had an adventure visiting a Civil War re-enactment.  We had front row ground space to sit upon our blankets to watch the battle scene unfold.  The cannons were very LOUD and kept me jerking each time they were fired.  The encampment had North and South settlements complete with period tents, camp cook stoves, period dresses and battle uniforms.  Living history louder and larger than life.

"The Big Burn" 1910 Fire

This coming weekend will be the 100th anniversary of the tragic 3 million acre forest fire that consumed much of the northwest including areas of Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Canada.  Monday we took a trip up to Wallace Idaho to see the Historic Nine Mile Cemetery where some of the fire fighters that lost their lives are buried.  Our son Patrick, a federal forest firefighter, has been working to spruce up the graveyard in preparation to this weekend's activities.  It's a very moving experience to tread upon the site where so many heroes are laid to rest, including U.S. Veterans, miners, and various pioneers from a bygone era.  To read more about these devastating fires check out these links:

 

USDA Forest Service’s Northern Region 1910 Fire Commemoration Information web site

Outdoor Idaho August 20: The Day the Fires Burned

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America, book by Timothy Egan

His Sheep Know His Voice

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:27-28 (NIV)

copyright free image from here

While The World Forgets ...

Let us remember:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah  53:5

Remembering

The following comment was posted earlier this summer. I leave you with these words to ponder as we remember the suffering and destruction .. and rising up from the ashes of a dark day in history.

"Oh, and the constitution... indeed there is move all over the world to weaken the spiritual fiber holding the world together, but special prayers are needed for your country. The USA has been such a strong bastion of democracy, and Christianity... and we need to pool our prayers together so that her flame will not be snuffed out. Praying for you and for your country..."

Thank you Lidj for your well spoken words.

WWII Letter to H.K. in honor of Veteran's Day

3-3-45

United States Navy

My Darling Daughter H.K.,

Haven't had a letter from you for quite a while, so better get busy and see what's the matter with you. I got the one you sent me with the pictures in it ... and I think they are swell. How did your skirt fit and did you like it? Tried to get one that had the anklets and bracelets to go with it but couldn't find one. Why don't you sit down and write me a nice long letter about how you are coming along in school and about your dancing school. It's so hot here it's hard to write without sweating all over the stationary. Grandma C wrote that she sent you a picture. I had one taken with a friend of mine so will send it to you. It isn't so good, but maybe you can make out who it is. Tell mother I will write her too. I won't be able to write as often from now on, at least for a while. The other fellow in the picture is our quarter master and lives in New York. I showed him the pictures of you and he thinks you are some kid. How's Betty and Aunt Junie and Art? Tell mother I had a nice long letter from Uncle Earl not long ago and Lynn had been sick but is better again now. Haven't a lot of time to write now, but will write you again as soon as I can.

Love to you and all,

Daddy

(Letter written by my maternal grandfather to my mother when she was nine years. Grandpa was serving our country during WWII in the South Pacific on the LST 1000)

Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers

Mr. Mac and I attended a memorial ceremony honoring those lost in battle and those veteran's that have passed away this last year. Yes, that's a vintage WWII uniform dh is wearing.

Lest We Forget

Memorial Day, a day to honor our nation's fallen war soldiers, has become a nonchalant holiday relegated to the "official" beginning of summer vacation. When we as a nation forget the price paid for our freedoms, we are a nation sorely out of touch with our own history and the reason we can go about our daily lives in relative safety today.

Help Restore The Traditional Day of Observance of Memorial Day

Memorial Day History

The Pledge of Allegiance and Proper Display of our Flag

Enjoy our day with your family, but please don't forget our fallen heroes.

A Death With or Without Closure? (Update below)

Yesterday I had a message on my answering machine from my bio dad. He never initiates a call ... always says he was just about to call me after he answers my phone call to him (once every three months or so). So to hear his voice on my recorder saying, "this is your old man, give me a call tonight" ... left me thinking someone had died. And sure enough, his wife (my step mom) of 30+ years had died after a lengthy and painful case of stenosis of the spine ... plus she and been a heavy smoker her whole life. She apparently removed her oxygen mask during the night, as that's how he found her in the morning. Soon the coroner and sheriff's department arrived ... and a short time later a (medical) university van arrived and took her body away. You see, she and my bio dad have made arrangements to leave their bodies to science. I'm not sure why ... just don't want to pay for a funeral ... or ... have some great humanitarian quest to help the med students. I rather think it's the first suggestion quite frankly. When I finally returned his call he was finished with the arrangements, had plans of working today, and didn't want me to send flowers or a sympathy card. There's to be no memorial service ... nothing ... she's just gone ... no closure ... nada. I mentioned if he felt sad or lonely to give me a call (we live in different states so I can't just go pay a visit). I'm sorry ... but I need closure. I'm going to respect his no flowers or card wishes ... but I am going to write him a letter. If nothing else, I can find a bit of closure myself by doing so.

Update: Last night I gave my dad a call and we must have talked over 90 minutes. This was the longest conversation we have ever had (we have only seen each other three times since 1990). He was able to give me more details about their final arrangements that made more sense than just casually hearing for the last ten years that they are leaving their bodies to science. The university does have memorial services a few times a year and family members are invited to them. The deceased are given a memorial plaque somewhere on the grounds in a specified area where ashes are buried. He went on in detail how caring for her had been very difficult and mentally draining on him and how much pain she had been in and all the medications and surgeries she had endured. She was a character of a woman ... always opinionated and bossy with a fiery temper ... he is laid back to a fault. With all of her brassiness, I do, however, believe she had an enduring love and belief in Jesus. And I pray she is at peace with Him now.

Rest In Peace
Marie

July 1, 1927 - January 24, 2008

What Were You Doing?

When time stood still six years ago today?













Remembering those that have fallen ... on one of our nation's darkest days.

Remembering Our Fallen Heros

May we never forget the sacrifice of our brave men and women throughout our nation's rich heritage that have given the ultimate price for our freedom. As you celebrate this weekend, take time to teach your children and grandchildren the meaning of this holiday. Camping, cookouts, and water sports are fun ... but they should never overshadow why our country sets aside this day. Speaking of the day ... why does every other holiday involve changing the original date to accommodate a three day weekend??? So what's on your agenda?

In memory of dh's uncle Danny who succumbed to injuries while serving in the Korean war.

Home of the Brave
by Roger Robicheau

Through the feel of war they brave this day
How proud they stand, their unselfish way

Our soldiers bear what we cannot see
They assure our right to live life free

Each trained will face an unknown fate
Our support they need, don’t hesitate

Just imagine how this land would be
Without their courage - catastrophe

All the liberties we have grown to know
Would not exist, this life would go

Find a thankfulness within your mind
Speak gratitude for our bravest kind

Have the willingness to show you care
For fallen heroes, hold back no tear

Reach out to God with his guiding light
For our troops do pray, both day and night

America raise your flags to wave
For we truly are 'home of the brave'

A Stirring Memory

Sounds, tastes, scents and sights can evoke long ago memories. My morning cup up coffee transported me back in time to my grandmother's kitchen. Just from the little clink, clink sound I made when stirring my coffee. A sound I don't hear often as I usually put the creamer in first, then pour in coffee, thus eliminating the use of a spoon. Ahhh, but that sound ... brought back a flood of wonderful thoughts. For a moment I could see Grandma Donna sitting in her little kitchen nook wearing her turquoise bathrobe with pink and white flowers ... pink house slippers and a little white hanky sticking out of her sleeve. Grandpa's standing at the oversized stove frying bacon in a black skillet talking about his plans for the day. He just "perked" some great coffee in the clear glass Pyrex percolator. She's waiting for him to pour the coffee. For some reason, they both made the same little clink, clink sound (probably from stirring in sugar). I spent so much time at their home when I was a little gal that they seemed more like second parents to me. So as I sip the last few drops from my cup this morning, I'll have fond memories to get me through the day. You can bet my next cup of coffee will include the use of a spoon.