Memorial Day

We are approaching Memorial Day weekend.  Many think of this as a three day holiday celebration; the beginning of the summer season. Many will take trips, have cookouts, picnics and outings to lakes and parks.  The boisterous voices of those enjoying a three day weekend will be heard everywhere.  Many will give greetings of "Happy Memorial  Day" BUT what is there to be happy about?  Memorial Day is not a day of celebration BUT a day of REMEMBRANCE.  Remembering and paying honor and tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice; those brave heroes who gave their all for our nation during times of war and conflict.  Veterans organizations will hold services and place flags on graves of veterans.   They will ask everyone to have a moment or two of silence to remember those who gave their all. 

There will be twenty-one gun volleys and a bugler will sound "Taps" that will echo far and wide.  

Many confuse Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and Armed Forces Day. It is Armed Forces Day we pay tribute to the men and women CURRENTLY serving in the military. Veteran's Day is the day we thank those and honor the men and women WHO served in the military. Memorial Day we REMEMBER those who perished upon the field of battle; the ones who did not know how their day would end. 

With Memorial Day approaching, it is important to for everyone to take a moment and reflect on what the day means.  It's not about a day off work, a three day holiday weekend, the Indy Race or picnics, cookouts and outings; the day is about honoring the memory of those who served with pride, died upon the battle field for our country SO that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. 

If possible attend an event in your community sponsored by a veterans organization.  Purchase a Poppy from the local American Legion Post and wear it proudly. 

They gave their all for us; honor them with a moment of silence.  

Easter

            

  As I look at the basket I purchased off a 'white elephant' table at a VFW (the money goes to cancer research), I wonder how to turn it into an Easter Basket for my husband.  Do I really want to spend an arm and leg on chocolates, jelly beans and other tasty treats?  Do I just put the basket where he will find it, include perhaps a book, envelope with some money or maybe a nice bottle of wine?

The ideas are like dice in a Yahtzee game, I shake them up in my mind and roll them out to see what I get; I come up with two different proposals.   

One would be to purchase his favorite snacks and a bag of jelly beans. The other make it a bath basket with his favorite toiletries but include a bag of jelly beans also. 

There is just something about jelly beans and Easter. They must be in the basket and NOT single pieces strewn here and there. They should be in a container or give the whole bag. Jelly beans are an Easter Basket must. 

As a child I just cared about finding jelly beans in my Easter basket and had no concern for the large coconut filled egg or the yellow peeps.  Thinking about that coconut egg, I think it was put into my basket for the eating enjoyment of my mother and step-father.  The peeps sat there until they became hard and unappetizing. I personally feel peeps are more of an adornment inside a basket than a treat (my opinion).  

But as I think about Easter, I realize it is not about the bunny or the basket; it's about the risen Lord, a time to rejoice and be glad. Somehow it seems that like Christmas being about Santa and the stocking hung by the chimney with care, Easter is becoming more about Peter Cottontail and the basket full of Easter joy.  Somewhere along the way we lost the meaning of Easter.  

As wrote my poems for the day (my challenge for National Month), once again I took episodes from my life this week. 

Thoughts swirling in my brain about Easter and what it means to me.  Besides the religious aspect which is important, 

  I always felt it was about rebirth; shedding of dark color clothing worn during the winter months; and celebrating the regrowth of the earth. 

As I look at the basket deciding on how to create something for hubby, I reflect on Easter and what it means to me.  Fondly I remember Easter Sundays of my childhood (when I lived with my grandparents).  The new outfit I wore to church, the large basket with jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, the chenille peeps and the large stuff rabbit.  Memories of coloring eggs with my Aunt Julia (who lived with them) and how I wanted to color my hair to match the eggs. 

Happy Easter to all. 

     MORE than JELLY BEANS

        Easter is more than colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and baskets of treats

      It is a solemn day as we rejoice the risen Savior

    Who gave his life for all 

       Our forty days of fasting is over

      On Easter morning 

     we put on our Sunday best outfit

       Dress in pastel colors

   Attend services of worship at  church

       The risen Lord.....reason for Easter

         Hallelujah Hallelujah 

    

       

               

                 EASTER 

 Eggs of chocolate filled with  

      peanut butter, coconut or 

              cream 

  Arranged on a bed of colored 

           imitation grass

    Surrounded by jelly beans, 

          chocolate bunnies and   

                 marshmallow peeps

        That sit in a circle like tiny 

               yellow statues 

          Every item statically placed 

                inside the basket 

              Right in the middle a 

                    large stuffed white 

                          rabbit 

  An basket filled with treats for 

           someone special 

    Brought by Peter Cottontail on 

           Easter morning 

    

     

   

Poetry Month

National Poetry Month arrived on April 1st; no fanfare leading up to the thirty days dedicated to the art of poetry.  Such a shame it is.  Poetry, for many, appears to be a lost literary genre; unless you like to read and/or compose poetry. 

Myself, I enjoy creating in my mind a poem; composing it on paper and editing and making changes before I have a finished product.  In past years I would sit at the computer with an open document and let my fingers flow over the keyboard but this recently I have gone OLD SCHOOL.  Instead of creating on the computer, I have picked up a notebook and pen to write.  

A few years back I took a challenge to write or type a poem a day.  This task was not an easy one to complete but I did it. The following year I did the same again. Many of the poems came from my life and what was going on at the time.  In a way, one could say some of these poems were almost a memoir.  

I had not done the poem a day challenge for a few years but took it for this April on a dare from my spouse. Each morning, while having my cup of Joe or two, I read the previous day's piece I composed. Of course there are edits to be done eventually on one or two once I sit to type them onto a document to save on a flash drive, but most I complete to my satisfaction.  

Over the course of the remainder of Poetry Month I will be posting these here on my blog for others to enjoy or not. 

As in the past some of these poems (which are free form) are from events happening at this time.  I plan to explain the reason behind them and/or if they came about from 'life's experience' 

Today I am posting what occurred during the other evening when I could not fall asleep. 

To all who enjoy poetry, Happy National Poetry Month.  As a poetry lover everyday is poetry day.

Today's poem:

            MIDNIGHT HOUR       

                      MUSIC

          ©Scottie-ann Murphy 

       Of in the distance I hear sounds 

     A dog barking 

      An emergency vehicle siren 

         A motorcycle rumbling down the highway 

               Loud music from a passing car

       

  It is after midnight

       I should be asle But I sit in the darken living roomThe street light only illumination seen through my window

      Occasionally a car drives past 

         I see it's headlights

             Hear its engine roar

Alone am I with my thoughts

    So much on my mind 

         Jumbled ponders about trivial matters

               Contemplations of things quite crucial 

            All tangled in my brain 

as if they were string of Christmas lights 

        That needs unraveling 

     

   I need tranquility of night to think things through

  

For a moment the outside world quiet

   I wonder how long the silence will last

      One minute 

            Five

              Perhaps ten

      

  Continuing my musings 

         on this, that and whatever

        My mind unwinds 

               in the stillness for a brief few moments 

    My thoughts becoming coherent 

Off in the distance a dog barks

          A motorcycle rumbles down the highway

           Music blasts and vibrates from a passing car

     Blaring siren of an emergency vehicle

     Noises in the night from the world outside combine together like a musical interlude 

      Heard only after the midnight hour 

        While I sit alone in the dark

      trying to sort out the mishmash in my mind 

    

  

    

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