Happy Memorial Day

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day post from the JA Jance blog

"This week our call center daughter dealt with a man who was beyond irate because his patio furniture delivery might not make it in time for Memorial Day which, according to him, would pretty much be the end of the world. Our daughter, the widow of a man who was active duty Coast Guard when he died four years ago, managed to keep her cool. She didn't tell her belligerent customer that Memorial Day is about something other than back yard barbecues and picnics. The sacrifices made by the men and women who serve this country faithfully in the military deserve to be remembered."

My favorite author seems to love talking about her call center daughter. Always reminds me of some of the crazy and beautiful days working in a call center myself. Also reminds me of the book club ladies who are also mostly call center vets.

Happy Memorial Day week-end and as JA Jance says, remember those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Roadie steals hearts in TX

Sister-in-law Julie and Niece Erin just brought this little cutie home. What a sweetheart and what a great pal he will be for little Liam.

You guys deserve all the love and happiness in the world. Hope this is the start of many wonderful things for you all.

Survival wows them at the Bellevue Petsmart

Had the opportunity to take this sweet well-behaved kennel dog to the Bellevue Petsmart meet and greet. He seemed to love the car ride, however wasn't so happy about the big hop up into the car.

He met lots of new 2 and 4 legged friends. He was wonderful with everyone, even walked past the kitties without paying them any attention. Took him for a walk around the store and he did lots of nosing around the pet food aisle.

Several of his human admirers loved how he affectionately leaned against humans or his new greyhound buddies. They also loved his bunny soft fur! Could one of these admirers be his new future family?

Mount Saint Helens 30 years later

Can't believe that 30 years ago I was in my first year of college and cleaning the Episcopal Church all by myself. I remember thinking it was getting dark for the middle of the day, then kept on cleaning. Two boys from the dorm came and got me (they had the only car on the floor) and we got emergency groceries and then went to the dorm. They kept us inside for days. I remember it was a big deal being able to go a few feet to the dining hall. The thought was that the ash was harmful to breath and there was inches of it all over. Looked like snow!

The power of nature in the world God gave us is awesome.

Tea with Henri

Nancy and I met at Country Village to check out the P-patch and to have tea. We were met at the door of the tea place by Henri the Rooster. He had a throng of admirers taking his picture and obligingly posed for us all.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley

What a treat to go to KWJZ's "secret" 9$ concert tonight. Musicians were keyboardist Brian Simpson and acoustic guitarist Marc Antoine. Really amazing seeing great musicians jamming and really enjoying themselves. Love the way they gracefully share the spotlight and let each other shine.

The dim, candlelit atmosphere seems to add to the experience. Wonderful belated anniversary celebration. Laundry can wait another day!

Note to self - sipping coffee all evening at a jazz club maybe not the best idea if one wants to sleep later that evening! Suspect the decaf was not so decaffeinated!!!