Lest We Forget....

 

Memorial Day...f/k/a Decoration Day is a humbling and solemn day, recognizing and remembering those who died in service.  (Veteran's Day...in November...typically recognizes all those who have served or are now serving in the military, as well as their families.)

The "holiday" was originally initiated to honor the massive casualties of the Civil War.  After becoming embroiled in the conflict of WW1, however, Memorial Day, as it came to be known, the day evolved to honor those who died in all wars.

The above poem, "In Flanders Fields," was written by Lt. Col. John McCrae, a Canadian physician and poet after presiding over the funeral of his friend who died in battle during WWI.

My grandfather, John Peter Paul Clausen (yes, that's all one person), did not die in war, but he did serve in WWI.  I never met either of my paternal grandparents, my grandfather having died at 43 in a tragic accident and my grandmother, Emma, at age 44.

   He looks no more than a child as did/do so many.

I did not make it to the cemeteries today as the rain moved in quicker than anticipated (Camelot it's not), but I will go tomorrow.

I hope amid the "holiday" celebrations, there is time to remember and reflect.

Going In Circles And Seeing Stars

Really and truly.

I decided some of the stars were too wonky...even for me.

Soooo, after I finished hooking it, I started reverse hooking a "few" stars.

I thought if I fixed one or two, I'd be happy. (You should be laughing right about now.)

Yet every time I redid one (which is no easy task because it requires reverse hooking the background surrounding the star and "refitting" it around the "new" star), I was dissatisfied with the adjacent star....

So, around in a circle I went...until I realized that this little endeavor had no end.

(And I honestly didn't know where I had started anymore or whether I was redoing stars I had already redone.)

Fortunately, I had a brief moment of lucidness and stopped the madness.

{"13 Stars" by The Tattered Flag)

It still needs to be bound, but it will have to wait until I get the binding material.

(Note to self:  You dislike hooking stars as much as you dislike hooking symmetrical scroll designs....and please don't ever hook in a circle in the middle of design.  And, NO, DON'T redo that too.)

I am not sure what's next.  I'm still frogging the dang eagle, but when that's done, decisions will need to be made.  (Is it just me, or do I sense a theme here??)

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There is not much else (good) news here to share, and looking at my camera roll, I see I have taken few photos...so no inspiration there either.

The weather has been fickle.  We had almost a week of freezing temps at night and even snow on Thursday, but there have been a few pleasant days as well.

{Kitties on humming bird watch - I won't show you what happened next LOL}

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I won't fumble around any longer searching for something to say, but did want to check in and wish everyone a memorable Memorial Day weekend...full of reflection and a heart filled with gratitude for all who have served and sacrificed and their families who bear/bore much of the pain as well.

Our family has always "expanded" on the traditional Memorial Day observance by treating it as a day to remember all those loved by us who have passed.  Accordingly, the holiday always meant visits to the cemeteries.

Perhaps that's where I will go tomorrow.

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One last thing:

If you find it in your heart, I would appreciate prayers for my beloved Snowdog.