Sithy in the Rain

I couldn’t pass this up. Gene Kelly would have been 100 years old last week, and so, I give tribute to a great actor, dancer, and director.

Except for Xanadu. I’ll never understand why he consented to be in that atrocity.

Because of him, I always sing in the rain, dance on couches, and dream of a Brigadoon.

Have a great Wednesday!! 🙂

In the Lateness of the Hour

Today finds me grieving for a friend. Friend on the blogs Roguetek sent news of his wife’s passing. Peonysong was a jewel. She was a sweet, thoughtful and giving person that NEVER took crap from anyone. She had a will of iron and the strength of whipcord, and never let anyone forget it. Her wish was to live her last days in Texas, and Roguetek made it come true.

I pray for strength and comfort for Roguetek and Peonysong’s family. I know she is now in God’s loving arms, free from pain, and now watching over him, for the job of a wife to take care of her other half never ends. And tonight before my prayers, I will have a “talk” with her, remembering the day we spent together while doing laundry 🙂

Rest in peace, my sweet friend!

68 Years Ago Today

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!–
Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944

I regret never taking the opportunity to visit Normandy while stationed in Germany. I did get to visit the  Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial near the village of Hamm in Luxembourg. The cemetery was established in December, 1944, by the U.S. Third Army during the Ardennes Offensive. General George S. Patton is buried there. Walking alongside the crosses, listening to the beauty, it felt as if Time was waiting for something. I think it still is.

These men had their victory. I pray we have in our spirit the same abilities to achieve our own.

We Remember

With love and gratitude, we thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy freedom.

May we remember always.

I Stumbled into Twin Peaks, and Didn’t Even Get Cherry Pie

As some of y’all may know, I took the kidlets on a roadtrip to the town of Comfort, Texas. Comfort is a hidden gem in the west of Hill Country. It is famous for its architecture, as well as being the site of the only Union monument in Confederate territory. Treue der Union Monument is dedicated to the German abolitionists who chose to flee rather than be conscripted into the Confederate Army. This was a great opportunity to teach kids a bit about Texas and Civil War history, as well as 19th century architecture, while spending quality time together.

The drive was uneventful, with a couple of minor traffic jams, but we made pretty good time, arriving there around noon. The first thing we notice is the lack of signs letting us know where the historical district resides. No matter, I just figure we drive around and eventually hit it, by counting the numbered streets. Sure enough, we stumble upon the lovely High Street area. I park further down on 6th Street, since the parking is already full, and we proceed to walk towards High Street. As soon as we start to cross, we see the Comfort Bank.

Beautiful, isn’t it? Stonework and brickwork dating back to the mid 1800’s. And the majority of the street has similar architecture, including the old Saloon and the owner’s abode. But then things started getting weird.

On Loss

This morning I found out that a friend of mine had passed away. She fought long and hard, her spirit unbroken and her faith unshaken. She lost her battle, and I found myself bereft and grieving for a wonderful woman I had never met.

She was the kindest person I’ve never met. Her laughter and humor could make anyone forget their troubles. She healed us when our pettiness overwhelmed us. She could find happiness each and every day, even when Life was throwing curveballs.

She taught me to find laughter everyday, even when I felt like loneliness was about to crush me. She helped me be a better person, and for that I am very grateful. And yes, I recall your wishes. I’m wearing my PJs and slippers, and smiling through my tears, because I know you are looking at them and laughing at the stuffed llama sitting right next to me.

We will miss you terribly, PattyAnn. But I take comfort in the fact that God is holding you in His loving arms right now, and that the love you gave us will only keep growing.

We love you, PattyAnn, and that will be forever.

In Remembrance

In honor of those who have died protecting our liberties.

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.

For the brave men and women who died while in service to this great country.