Veterans Day

There is a cartoon I have seen the past few years on social media that has a young boy in prayer. The saying on the cartoon is this: 'Thanksgiving is the day we pause to give thanks for the things we have; Veteran's Day is the day we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have.'

Many confuse Veteran's Day with Memorial Day.  There is a difference.  On Memorial Day we honor those who proudly served and gave their lives on the battle field; Veteran's Day we honor those who served during wartime and peace time; Armed Forces Day we honor those who are proudly serving our nation.  

Veteran's Day many will celebrate by attending parades, flag raising ceremonies or other events. 

Many restaurants will offer free meals to veterans. Other businesses have discount offers. 

This year Veteran's Day will be on a Friday.  Friday has been designated in the past years as RED FRIDAY where a red shirt is worn to 'Remember Everyone Deployed'. 

This is a two-fold November 11th. We pause to give a big thanks to those who served; those men and women once called a solider, sailor, airman, marine or coast guard now all known by the same title Veteran. We will don our red for those service personnel who are deployed. 

On November 11th we all should take a moment or two thank a veteran for their service. Attend a local parade or event in your community. We should wear a red shirt for all those deployed. 

Until next time...A big THANK YOU to all veterans and a Happy Veteran's Day. 

MEMORIAL DAY 2016

Memorial Day weekend arrives.  For many it is a three day holiday consisting of perhaps a mini-vacation, a picnic or barbeque in the yard, an outing to a beach or lake or even to an amusement park.  Many will be glued to the television to watch the Indy Race.  Also it seems that the Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of summer, even though summer does not begin until June 21st.  

There are those who tend to forget the reason for this holiday.  It is a solemn holiday to remember those who served in the military with pride and valor who no longer are with us.  It is a day to remember those making the ultimate sacrifice by shedding their blood and giving their lives as they fought for freedom and liberty.  

Memorial Day weekend, veteran’s organizations and communities will hold parades and services to remember those slumbering in their final rest.  Flags will be lowered to half-mast, a moment of silence will be held, a rifle squad will fire a twenty-one gun volley and the haunting sound of “Taps” played by a bugler.

Upon the graves of veterans organizations will place a small flag.  The local American Legion will have poppies available this time of year.  Wreaths will be placed at monuments of war; speeches will be given at many memorial services.

Taking an hour or two out of the weekend to attend an event remembering those who have gone to their final rest in the service of our nation is a small gesture on your part to say “thank-you” for the freedom to enjoy this three day holiday weekend.

Until next time…..buy a poppy if you can and pause for a  moment of silence for those who have given their all.



THEY GAVE WITHOUT RECOURSE
©Scottie-ann Murphy
 Dedicated to: All Voyageurs, Grand du Florida, who passed
                             On in the 2015-2016 Year

Under grassy covered mounds
Forever slumbering in final rest
Lies one who made the supreme sacrifice
Upon their grave a flag placed
To let everyone know 
That a hero sleeps below

Without reservation or recourse
Answering the call of our nation
Off to war…proudly marching 
To avenge tyranny and oppression
Fighting for freedom and democracy
On the cold waters of the sea,
In the sky and on land
Many would never know just how the day ended
As they perished in battle

THEY GAVE THEIR ALL
Without hesitation to preserve
The freedom enjoyed today
MEMORIAL DAY……..
More than a day off work
Much more than barbeques, picnics,
Outings at the beach or lake

MEMORIAL DAY…..
It belongs to those who gave their lives
In the service of our country
We show our honor and respect
By attending services, lowering the flag to half-mast
Firing a twenty-one gun volley
And listen to the haunting sound of “Taps”

For us they gave their all,
For them a grateful nation gives thanks
With a moment of silence to those who
Slumber below 

Remembering the Good Old Days

I am back to the ‘good old days/do you remember’ blogs again.

I  remember oh so well, candy cigarettes.  They came three different ways all shaped like a cigarette.  There were the bubble gum type; the chocolate that were wrapped in a foil and the ever popular ones that looked like a cigarette.  These were a chalky sugar candy with a dyed red tip on the end.  The candy cigarettes came ten in a cardboard box; two sets of five candies were connected and you had to break them apart.

Having these made me feel so grown-up.  I am certain other children felt the same.  I do not think the chalky sugar ones had any taste that I can recall.  Of course, one did not think of taste, but more like acting like an adult; imitating those adults who we saw smoking.

My first package of cigarettes came from my Uncle Harold.  He gave me the package after breaking all the cigarettes apart for me.  At the time, I lived with my maternal grand-parents.  Every Sunday, the aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in the area would congregate at my grand-parents house.  While the children played or watched the television, the adults sat around the large table drinking coffee, smoking and playing cards.  I happen to be about three years old at the time when this incident did occur.  

My first little package of cigarettes were given to me.  I opened the package and took one out.  Watching the adults holding theirs’ between their fingers, I followed suit.  My uncle had lite mine for me and I began to puff away.  As the card game commenced, the coffee cups drained and conversation went on and on, I looked over at the adults and noticed each one had an ashtray.  I wondered why I did not.  I asked “where is my ashtray”.  My aunt went and got one for me.  Like the grown-ups I would put my cigarette down on occasion.  What I wondered next, why I don’t have any ashes in my ash tray.  I questioned my Uncle Harold who could not give me a reply.  As the day went on, I did not notice that my uncle and aunt who sat near me would on occasion, flick their ashes into my ash tray.  I finally noticed dark gray ashes were piling up in my little ash tray.  I became glad feeling as if I were actually the one putting them there.  Also I had a cup containing a drop of coffee and filled with milk giving me the impression I was one of them (the adults). 

It seemed for weeks on end, the adults continued to play along to make me feel as if I were one of them with the ashes being flicked into my very own ash tray.  I recall once going to visit my great-aunt and uncle; I carried my little purse with my package of cigarettes inside.

The novelty of this wore off by the time I turned four years old.  By then I began to join my older cousins in games such as Old Maid and checkers or on nice days outdoor games such as It or hide ‘n’ seek.

As I think about the candy of days gone by, such as the candy cigarettes and bubble gum cigars, I can’t wonder if candy cigarettes were the cause of many of us smoking in our adult years.  

For those reading this, think back to your own childhood; did you ever have these chalky sugar treats?  Is there a story or two you recall about them?

As I think about my two youngest grandchildren, I am sure I would not want to give them any of these candy cigarettes.  Although, licorice, that is another story.  Perhaps a bag of black licorice, chocolate or even a box or two of Good and Plenty.

Until next time…..think about the old drive-in movie theaters.  I can just taste popcorn now.

POETRY MONTH ANNOUNCEMENT

I have decided to forgo the ‘do you remember’ theme for this blog.  April is here with it’s warm spring weather and longer hours of daylight.  April is the beginning of baseball season; the boys of summer will return to the diamond.  Each team having high hopes of making it to the world series and becoming world champions for 2016.

April is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH.  A month dedicated to the genre.  It seems poetry has been forgotten over the years, but once a year it is celebrated with events such as poetry readings.  The last Thursday of April is designated usually as ‘poem in your pocket day’.  This is a fun event as you put one of your favorite poems in a pocket then pass along to someone else to read and they in turn pass it along.  I have done this event a tad different.  Instead of a piece of paper to pass along, I have created bookmarks.  Beginning on the second Sunday of April, I will pass them out to those I encounter each day.  They are easy to create and fun to give, especially if you have a whimsical piece or two.

Poetry can tell a story in a few words, express a feeling or give an inspirational message.  Some poems can make you laugh, make you ponder the thought within the poem or make you cry.

Believe it or not, poetry is alive; it lives in the mind of the poet; it waits to be created; it waits to be read and recited aloud.

Why not give it a chance…..attend if possible a poetry night in your community.  Call your local library to see if they sponsor such an event.

Until next time, yes I will be be back to the ‘do you remember the good old days’ blog.  Until then…enjoy these few comical pieces.  I do live by “Words of Wisdom” but sometimes, it is tequila and not vodka.


Here is a funny Limerick for you

THERE ONCE WAS A WOMAN NAMED CARLIE
TOOK A RIDE WITH A GUY ON HIS HARLEY
SOON THEY RAN OUT OF GAS
 IT THEN CAME TO PASS
NINE MONTHS LATER SHE GAVE 
BIRTH TO A DAUGHTER NAMED MOLLY



WORDS OF WISDOM
©Scottie-ann Murphy
(For National Poetry Month Day Two 2014
For Poetry at Winter Haven Library Group)


Everything that can go wrong….went astray today
Seemed whatever you tried to do…a problem got in the way
Guess what they say is true to form “It’s just Murphy’s Law”
Some days bad luck will find you…it’s the card you drawl
No need to get uptight…..no need to feel depressed
Count to ten….breathe in…. then out….take a little rest

Remember….let a smile be your umbrella when you are feeling down
For no one likes to see a face that has a scowl or frown
When life give you lemons there is one sure thing you ought-a
Turn them into lemonade…. and add a little vodka

The Good Old Days..Part II

As I mentioned prior, in the coming weeks, I plan to blog about items and happenings from the ‘do you remember’ posts I see on Facebook.  With that in mind, I may give a story from my own life regarding the items or happenings.  Perhaps this will trigger a memory or two of your own.  

Last blog I mentioned to take a moment to think about ice cream and running out to the truck for a treat on a hot summer day.  One of the ‘do you remember’ posts I recently saw had to do with the ice cream truck ringing the bell or playing music as it traveled from street to street.  

I lived in Chicago and also out in the suburbs.  In the city, I remember a few different types of ice cream vendors.  One was coming around in a big truck selling soft cones, I think it was Tastee Freeze or Mr. Softee; the other rode a large trike with a box of treats on the back; the third I recall and my favorite was the Good Humor Man.  There was just something about the man in the white truck and white uniform that seemed so appealing.  I don’t think I ever saw a stain on any of their uniforms.  Good Humor offered a variety of delicious frozen items such as a Toasted Almond bar on a stick; the original chocolate and vanilla bar on a stick; ice cream sandwich and the one I enjoyed was a watermelon flavored frozen bar on a stick.  Somehow it made those hot, humid summer evenings cool and refreshing.  

One story that makes me chuckle about Good Humor did not occur during my childhood years, but when I graduated high school and began my first job.  I still lived at home like many of my friends and had younger siblings like a few also.  My half-sisters were ten and twelve years my junior.  It was the summer after high school that the incident happened.  I just got home from work (I commuted from the suburb where I lived to downtown Chicago).  The total trip was over an hour.  One evening I arrived home as the Good Humor Man began his slow drive down our street.  My sisters wanted a treat but my mother was too busy to listen to their pleas; my step-grandmother was out someplace that evening.  As I walked up our driveway they came running out to me begging me “please buy us ice cream’ they both cried.  I thought well okay, why not.  So I took them out to the curb and the truck stopped.  It was then I got the shock of all shocks.  The driver was not the typical older man who usually drove on our street but a young man of about twenty-two.  In my opinion he was a hunk.  My sisters got their treat and I asked the driver if he was the new driver in our area.  He said, he worked our area during the summer now three days a week. (Yes I did get the days he would be in the area).  I called one of my friends (she too had a sister nine years younger).  Over the course of that summer on the days this hunk drove the truck, my sisters would get treated to a Good Humor product.  My friend would come around to visit about the time the guy would be on our street and her sister also would get the benefit of a tasty treat.  The driver thought my friend and I were just the best sisters ever in how we would make purchases for our younger siblings.  If he only knew it was just a chance to see him.

My friend and I learned a lot about the driver during that summer.  We found out he had a girlfriend; he was a college senior; a possible candidate for the draft.  August arrived and the driver had left the employ of the Good Humor people to return to his last year of school   

I always wondered if he caught on to the real reasoning behind the being nice to the younger siblings.  If he did, he kept it to himself.  

The days of the Good Humor Man, like the dinosaur are in the past.  You can purchase their products now at the store along with a variety of other frozen favorites.  A few years ago, I picked up a package of Good Humor bars, my husband enjoyed them; for me there was something missing.  No doubt it was the fact I purchased them from the grocery store and not from the man in the spotless white uniform driving the white truck.

My grandkids will never know the thrill of standing on the curb, waving one little hand while the other tightly holds on to the money to pay for a summertime treat.  Of course back in my day it costs less then a dollar for my siblings to enjoy a treat; no doubt today it would be five or more dollars.

Until next time…..try to remember those packs of candy cigarettes and those bubble gum cigars.  Another interesting story from my younger years awaits you.  

Back in the Day Part I

One thing I enjoy seeing on Facebook are the ‘do you remember’ items that are posted now and again. In weeks to come, I plan to blog about some of these items. There are more then quite I few I remember.  

A few of my favorites recently have been the ones about remembering the old black rotary telephones.  Youth today have no idea that once the telephone sat on a counter or would hang on a wall.  Using the phone required you either sit or stand in the area where it was located and not travel throughout the house or even the back yard to have a conversation.  Most everyone in the family heard the what was being said.  

One thing I recall in my home was when the phone rang, you would try to answer it after two rings if possible; pick up the receiver and say “hello, who is this”.  If you had to take a message, you better be sure to write it down word for word.  The use of the phone was restricted for the use of the grown-ups in my home.  If one of us kids wanted to talk with a friend, it would have to wait till the next day at school or if they lived within a few block radius, go over to their home and it had to be before dark.  How times have changed.  

Long distance calls were not made before 7:00p.m. as after 7:00p.m. the rates would be a bit cheaper. Phone numbers began with a two letter prefix such as ST(State) TR(Triangle) VA(Valley); depending on where in the country you resided.  

Not everyone had a telephone in their home back in my growing up years.  I recall when my family moved into an apartment building consisting of six units.  We were the only unit at the time that had a telephone.  Ours was a black wall mount in the kitchen near the pantry.  The other tenants finding out we had a telephone caused a lot of excitement.  They would knock on our door and ask if they could make a call; of course they would leave a dime (as a phone booth call was a dime).  I never understood why everyone did not have a telephone, but I heard many say it was too expensive.  

As back then, many still do not have land lines in their home.  The reason now is they use the cell phone for all their calling needs.  The cell is more convenient.  A portable device that goes everywhere you do; personal business can be conducted from anyplace the person happens to be.  No longer do you need to sit home waiting for a call from family, friends etc…just head out the door with cell phone in hand.  

This morning as I looked up what I term the wacky/weird holiday for the day, I saw one of the wacky/weird holidays was Land Line Day.
I wondered just how many still have land lines in their home?  How many still use them? Are they becoming a thing of the past?  I still have a land line plus my husband and I each have a cell phone.  What I like most is I no longer need an answering machine for the land line as with my cell phone voice mail, I can get messages I miss.  

Today in honor of Land Line Day, I plan to make all my calls from the one sitting next to my computer.  I just have to remember, I can not get up and walk into the kitchen to get a cold beverage or a snack while using it. 

Take a moment today (if you are a certain age) to remember how you would need to use the rotary dail on the telephone.  Do you remember how upset you became when you dialed a wrong number?  Think about also if you had a two letter prefix phone number and the days of no caller ID, no answering machine and no voice mail.

Until next time…. think about ice cream and running out to the truck for a treat on a hot summer day.

Marching Ahead in March

The ground hog came out to make his predictions; hearts, candy and flowers given; Mardi Gras beads thrown; President’s Day honored; and Leap Year celebrated.  February ended and March began.  I have my own take on the saying of March; ‘it comes marching in like a lion and leaves meek as a lamb’. 

For some, March is just the tail end of winter and the beginning of spring.  Of course it depends on where you reside as although spring will begin March 20th; one of the March offerings.

Many look at this month as just the last month of winter; a month of anticipation for warmer weather, birds to return north and longer days.  A few years ago, I penned a poem about just what the month of March has to offer.  There are many things to look forward to this month besides the end of winter.

For the Irish (and those who are Irish for one day a year), St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated.  Although it is on a Thursday, many places will have parades the week prior and parties held.  Beer will flow; Irish whiskey consumed; corn beef or ham, cabbage and potatoes eaten or perhaps a nice Irish stew with soda or Sheppard’s Pie.  Green, the color of the day, worn by one and all.  

The Boys of Summer are in the throes of spring training in Florida and Arizona.  While a few of the lucky take in a game, sports fans will flock to their favorite sports pub and bar to catch March Madness.

Easter is the last weekend of the month.  Children look forward to egg hunts and the arrival of Peter Cottontail who will bring a basket full of delights.  Stores begun their candy sales the day after Valentine’s Day.  No doubt many have already consumed a few jelly beans, crème or peanut butter eggs.

What else happens this month:

a.  Women’s History month is celebrated.
b.  It is the birthday month of two veteran’s organizations; The  American Legion and La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Forty and Eight)
c.  Spring Break time
d.  We turn our clocks ahead one hour.  Days will be longer and our nights shorter.

March, it sure does keep us ‘marching along’ with events and activities.
DON’T OVERLOOK MARCH!  

Find a reason to rid yourself of the winter blahs while waiting for the first day of spring to arrive.

Until next time….let’s all find something to ‘march along and enjoy’.  Me, I think hubby and I will enjoy the veteran’s organizations birthdays…cheers to the veterans and the organizations; we will enjoy a few brews on St. Patty’s Day; have a few jelly beans; and watch some basketball.



                                               MARCH OFFERINGS 
                                               ©Scottie-ann Murphy 
                                             (Written in March 2012) 

The early morning sun tries to move from behind the gray clouds 
it does nothing to warm us; the blowing winds of March chill our bones 
i put on a pair of red framed glasses to read the mail 
Sipping black coffee laced with a small bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream 
I tear open an envelope containing a St. Patty’s day greeting card 
A Claddagh with the words LOVE- LOYALTY- FRIENDSHIP printed 
semi-circle on the front 
Inside picture….shamrocks pouring out of a Kelly green bowler 
TOP O’ THE MORNING written beneath in bold black lettering 
The main verse states that there are four things needed for 
a wonderful St. Patrick’s day……shamrocks, Irish derby hat, 
pot of gold and most importantly a mug of brew 
My mouth salivates at the sight of the glasses of beer illustrated inside 
White foam pours out over the top and spills down the sides 
I mentally taste a frosty Guinness chilling my taste buds 
Perhaps this should be our appropriate beer choice for the month

March….thirty-one days packed with excitement 
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend; celebrations and parades to enjoy 
March Madness….jeers and cheers for fans of college basketball 
Who will reign as number one for this year many wonder? 
Beach towns and destinations will greet with open arms spring breakers 
arriving from the frigid north to enjoy sun, sand, surf and suds 
Clocks will be pushed ahead for that one extra hour of daylight 
Highlands County will welcome the masses of race car fanatics 
clamoring to central Florida to watch the ‘Twelve Hours of Sebring’ 
The boys of summer return to the diamond for spring training games 
Women celebrate Women’s History Month…. we all await springs arrival 
I spot a book of poetry and quotes on the coffee table 
Picking it up I flip through the pages and find the passage 
from an unknown author….it is an Irish saying 
“An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of 
grass to keep from falling off the earth. “ 
I book mark the page to refer back to it during the month 
It will become our mantra while enjoying all the festivities 
that March has to offer

Valentine's Day Pondering

It appears that February arrived quickly this year.  Ground Hog day celebrated, the Super Bowl game played with the Denver Broncos as champions, Mardi Gras will happen and Lent will begin.  Valentine’s Day approaches fast.  Stores had put out their displays of chocolates, cards, stuff animals, coffee mugs and glasses with hearts and cupids and the jewelry stores advertise diamonds and heart shaped jewelry right after the New Year.  I walked into a store a few days after Christmas and found them setting up their Valentine’s Day display while putting their remaining Christmas items on sale.  It is so overwhelming on what one can purchase for the day of hearts, flowers and candy.  This year I just decided to say to my husband, “Happy Valentine’s Day”, write a poem and give him a small chocolate candy treat; simple, inexpensive but yet letting him know I care.  Going into debt just to prove you care for another is in my opinion insane.  If they do not know it by the little things you do day in and day out, they never will.

For the last few years, my husband did a little gift a day beginning on February 1st.  Usually it was a cute stuff animal, coffee mug with hearts, glass with hearts, box of conversational heart candy or some other little trinket.  This year, it has become an every other day thing, which is fine with me.  I don’t wear much in the way of jewelry; only certain pieces with which I accessorize my outfits.  Enough with the cute little stuff animals; they sit after the holiday in a storage box never to see the light of day again.  I have enough coffee mugs, more than enough drinking glasses and candy will sit for days on end.

Yes, there are only six shopping days till Valentine’s Day left.  Like Christmas, many wait till the last minute to do their shopping.  

Many will try as they may to go out for a nice meal, only to find the restaurants will be packed.  Some suggestions are:
1.  Celebrate the day prior by going out to a nice place for a meal.  It won’t be as crowded.
2.  If flowers are what you like to give, pick up a bouquet a few days prior before the costs sky rocket.
3.  Celebrate at home with a nice romantic dinner for two.
4.  Make your own card or write your own love verse.

My favorite of ideas was one I did a few years ago.  Go to a dollar type store, pick up a heart gift bag and fill it with cute little items that special person would enjoy.  

BUT whatever you decide to do for that special person in your life, MAKE SURE you remember that individual on February 14th.

Until next time….a small box of conversational hearts waits for your purchase.