Veterans Day

 I will never apologize for loving America. I feel like my country is a blessed place. Here we have so many opportunities and choices. Sure, we may have problems, but there isn’t any other place in the whole world I would rather live. The problems we face in America today are not problems without solutions. We, the people, just need to step up and unite. I know we are capable but we must choose to have honest discourse and be okay being uncomfortable as we have those interactions with those that may differ in opinion. We have become too worried about offense and forget to use our ears and understanding hearts!

One thing I have always been proud of are the men and women who have sacrificed much to go and serve this great country in the military. 

My dad is one of my heroes. He served in the Air Force and was in Vietnam. He doesn’t talk about his experiences there, but I know it affected him greatly. He taught me to respect the flag and those that have served our country. I think of him often as I stand and respect the flag each day as I say The Pledge of Allegiance in my advisory class. I know he would be just as frustrated by the ignorance of those that sit, but like me, he would also say it’s their right to do so. 

Another one of my heroes is 1st Sargent Kevin Boughtin. Kevin worked at my school for a few years in our JROTC program. He also demonstrated strong patriotism and is one of the kindest humans I know. Our conversations always have made me feel important and heard. Kevin has spoke at our Veterans Day Assembly the past two years.  He speaks in a way that captivates our students and gets them thinking. He teaches Patriotism gently to kids who really haven’t been taught about the blessings of being an American or living in this amazing place. I was so impressed by how Kevin talked all about Moms after he lost his mom not too long ago. What strength!  It’s been two years and I know I wouldn’t  be able to speak about my sweet mom in front such a large group. 

I had a touching Veterans Day full of reflection.  I hope you were able to as well! 

Taylor the Turkey.

 Not all turkeys are pardoned on Thanksgiving. Just one is picked by the President to be saved from the ax. Traditions are often silly but quirky makes life less mundane, don’t ya thing?

Here is a cute creation made by my little Z, age 8, of a turkey in disguise because if only one turkey is pardoned, we need to take action to help all the others get away. (But turkey happens to be very delicious…)

She loves her Taylor Swift. Thanks Taylor not only for your catchy lyrics and for making football fun again, but thanks also for saving the world one turkey at a time!🦃 

There should be a song for this…

 There is a post-Christmas song entitled “I Cry the Day I Take the Tree Down” by Michael McLean. (If you have not seen The Forgotten Carols, this Christmas season should be your time. It’s phenomenal…if you can’t get to the show at least check out the music.)

Anyway…I wish there were a song for the day you take your fairy garden down. It was sad. It also marks the end of garden season which is a huge loss. Maybe I need to write the song: “I Cry the Day I Take the Fairy Garden Down.” Sad, sad occasion. Look for my musical in the future. 

Here are some pics of said garden. Now you will also feel sad that it is taken down. It’s okay to cry…(I just told my son that after he asked if it was okay to cry. Maybe he is also worried about me.)

Coincidence?

 Sometimes life is weird and things happen that make you say hmmmm…as C+C Music Factory sang so eloquently in the 1990s. 

I have been thinking a lot about a very dear friend recently. He used to work at my school and he gave me a present when he retired, which seemed very generous and opposite of what should happen. (I should have been giving the present.)

Anyway, I found the comfy sweatshirt he gave me this last week and it was perfect timed for me getting all Hygge. The same day I wore the sweatshirt, I ran into him in the parking lot at school…coincidence? I think not! Also…it is Veterans Day next week and a picture of him appeared on display at work…love these little coincidences!

Random

Sometimes I sleep weird and hurt myself…

This didn’t happen so much when I was younger. 

This getting old business isn’t for the weak…