Memorial Day Memories

Memorial Day in the USA usually marks the unofficial beginning of summertime.

However, it means far more than hamburgers and hotdogs sizzling on a grill, potato salad and cold drinks.

The holiday's meaning is quite sad. 

It is a day to remember the brave men and women in the Armed Services who died while serving their country.

Having been a mother for more than half my life and now a grandmother, I can only imagine the agony a parent feels over losing a child who was doing military service.

One thinks of all the years of sacrifices, putting children first, buying clothes, making hundreds of meals, and the joys, ups, and downs of what it takes to raise children.

Ballet or karate lessons, planning celebrations with little money,  new school clothes, attending wonderful concerts and plays in elementary, middle, and high schools, and on and on----- all of these are part of raising kids.

When an adult child joins the military, parents are proud but probably a little justifiably scared.  

We send them off to whatever military branch they have chosen.

Then, in a brief moment of fighting anywhere around the world, the adult cherished "child" is gone........wiped off the face of the earth forever.  

They have defended freedom with their very lives.

There is no way I can wish anyone a Happy Memorial Day. 

It's not happy. 

Tears continue to fall from parents' eyes, grown "children" are still dying, and there is no end, in the near future, in sight.

Deep and never ending thanks go to all the soldiers who have died while serving and who will die in the future.  

May their immense and heartbreaking sacrifices be paid back 100 fold on the other side of life.             

Today, we think of them. We honor them.  We hold them in our memories forever.                                                

Special Guests on Memorial Day Weekend

Special guests are coming to visit today and Sunday.

They are very loved and go back several decades of life in time.

My late husband met them first, in his native Nicaragua, Central America.

That was another time, another life!

Many members of their large family live in the USA now which is wonderful because we can visit from time to time.

It has been fun getting ready for their arrival!

Most Central Americans love fruit so I have purple as well as green grapes on one plate and blackberries and raspberries on another. 

We are also having ginger chicken wings, made this morning; a cannellini dish; and tortilla chips with cilantro/lime salsa. 

There are also shortbread vanilla cookies and coffee for dessert.

Hope you have a great weekend and feel your heart fill with love for the gift of being alive. 

Finding Treasures

 A Methodist church in western Massachusetts has really great tag sales.

Some people call them yard sales.  The proceeds of the one at the church are for missions, which takes away a tad of guilt over buying more "stuff."

These days, I am extremely discerning about purchases since I had to move from a home to a small apartment that has no storage area.

However, tag sales are recreational fun so they have not been eliminated completely.

At this week's sale, only one item came home with me.

It's a very lovely, ornate, crystal/glass pitcher that will double as a vase for pink roses.

It's quite tall, say, a foot and a half.

The flowers can be gifted and that will include the beautiful vase.  

I keep all special vases on a top shelf in the tiny kitchen.

That's cheaper than ordering from a floral shop and the 

"vase" is unique and long-lasting as part of the gift.

It cost only $5 and worth every cent. 

DO YOU LIKE TO ATTEND TAG (YARD) SALES?

Lovely Fragrances Enhance the Enjoyment of Life

Some people are unable to wear perfumes or body sprays while others enjoy and love them.

I'm among the latter.

My teenage granddaughter gave me a small vial of a perfume called "Cashmere Kumquat" by Korres.

On the small wrapping enclosing the vial, it states, "Warm, refreshing, yet sensual.  Capturing the beauty of blooming Greek landscapes."

Holy smokes, could a fragrance bring one back to bright, sunny Greek islands once visited?  

It is also described as being "floral, Oriental, and woody" with top notes of kumquat, mandarine, and orange; heart notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and almond; and base notes of cashmere, cedarwood, and vanilla. 

Wowsers.  

The bulk of the vial apparently is made in Greece but packed in France.  

Under "Scents of Greece,"  also in the folding cover around the little bottle, are the words, "A collection capturing the essence of bountiful nature, iconic sceneries and memorable moments."

I like the scent of the Eau de Toilette "Cashmere Kumquat" by Korres.

With eyes closed, the fragrance does make me imagine the beauty of  blooming Greek landscapes.

 Ahhhhh, such is the miracle of imagination mixed with beautiful fragrance.  

(Speaking of all things Greek, please pass the baklava.)

DO YOU WEAR PERFUME?  IF YES, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FRAGRANCE?

A Baby "Grand" Piano for the Dollhouse

Surprises make life exciting.

Last weekend, a niece of mine generously and graciously gave me an absolutely wonderful surprise.

In her travels, she brought home three used miniature pianos and planned to give them to people who play them.

She also let me pick the mini piano of my choice since she knows I'm crazy over anything for my dollhouse.

My joy of dollhouses and miniatures has been a lifelong (obsession?) hobby. 

While I play primarily the banjo and guitar,  the "big" piano is the instrument of my childhood.  

The miniature baby grand played to my heart when I saw it so that's the little piano I was blessed to select.  It's also in absolutely pristine condition.

It even has a small piano stool. It's so utterly adorable.

The new possession is now in the dollhouse living room.  

It looks fabulous and I love it as well as love my thoughtful niece.

Certainly, once "people" move into the dollhouse, hopefully music by Chopin will be playing one day.

Now, wouldn't that be a surprise as well?