A big thank you….

to all of our veterans, those on active duty now and the many who have gone before.  Your love of country and the sacrifices you have made will never be forgotten.

At the Memorial Day Parade in O’Fallon Illinois.

Have a wonderful day!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Beautiful Sunday…

It is a lovely morning in Central Illinois.  It is 68 degrees to climb to 83 degrees.  Tomorrow is to be even warmer.

My daughter and I ate at the Olive Garden yesterday.  We had lasagna and some of that wonderful soup that has dumplings in it.  I can never remember the name of it.  As an appetizer we had stuffed mushrooms.  The mushrooms were a big disappointment to me.  They were half of a button type mushroom and the filling was cheesy with bits of something that was hard to chew.  The price was $10 for 6.

The last time I had stuffed mushrooms was when I was with my sister in Huntington WV.  We were there to see a George Jones/Tammy Wynette concert.  Back to the mushrooms that time in Huntington.  They were huge.  The Olive Garden is nothing like your real Italian restaurants in  the Boston area Paul but it is passable.

The Olive Garden  does have some gorgeous flowers planted in urns on the porch.

I am resting today!  Tomorrow I will tackle some cleaning.

Have a safe happy Memorial Day.  Don’t forget to thank our veterans, those here now and those who have defended our great country in previous wars and conflicts.

Beth

Who says you can never go home again??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Can't_Go_Home_Again

Me!!   I say you can never go home again!

I have lived here 4 years now.  Each year since I have been here my daughter has gone with me the Friday before  Memorial Day  to put flowers on my husband’s grave.  It is not my home anymore.  My house has changed, there are very few signs of growth in this little town of less than 5,000.  My old friends are still there but each year when I see them I can see that they have aged in the past year.  I have aged too, a lot.  The fact that I am a survivor still seems unreal to me. 

We ran into an old friend when we first got to town when we stopped  at Hardee’s for a potty break.  There selling poppies was an old friend that I hadn’t seen for at least 10 years or so.  My daughter and I each purchased a poppy and I got caught up with DeLoris and the friends we had in common.  After we left I remarked to my daughter how old my friend looked and I asked her do I look that old?  My daughter, ever the diplomat, said ‘I think you look about the same mom.’  Not the right thing to say to your mom!  Right??

https://www.alaforveterans.org/Programs/Poppy/

My poppy.  Thank you to all of our veterans!

After visiting with some old friends and hugs and declarations of love and friendship we headed for the cemetery .

Then I told my old home goodbye till I visit next year, the good Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise.

Stay safe on this holiday weekend.  Do not not drink and drive or text and drive which is just as deadly!  Be happy!!

Beth

 

Memorial Day..

I am so very proud of our military men and women, past and present.  They selflessly serve, protecting our country.  May God Bless them all and keep them safe and may we someday have a world where there are no wars, only peace and love.

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I am sharing some more photos of my trip on Friday.  A couple of weeks ago I posted a video of the Paxton Majestic Theater which burned to the ground in November 2007.  Since I have moved from Paxton the site of the fire has been turned into a beautiful little memorial park.

The sun was casting a shadow on this sign but I wanted the picture anyway.

The inside of the park is beautiful with stone benches.  Roses and daisies are just starting to bloom.

I hope you all have a lovely day.  It has poured down rain all last night and is still raining.  About 2 inches is the total so far.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Lest we forget…

http://www.lestweforgetusa.org/

 

“Iwo Jima Flag Raising”
February 23, 1945

****************

It is a very hot Memorial Day here in Central Illinois to reach mid 90s today with a chance of storms moving in this afternoon.  The central air has been going almost constantly for the last few days. 

I had a meal with my daughter and son in law yesterday.  Rib eye steaks cooked on the grill, deviled eggs, etc.  All very good.  What that means to me is that today I am fending for myself and having leftovers. 

I hope you are all taking a moment to stop and remember the meaning of Memorial Day.  My brothers were all in the military as was my husband and brother in law.  Lest we forget!

Do stay safe and be happy on this day of remembrance.

Beth

Remembering…

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR TROOPS

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

 

Please join us in our prayers for the men and women of the Armed Forces Of The United States Of America and other countries who are now in harm's way in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the world. We thank them and their families for their sacrifices.

 

We are grateful for the ultimate price of freedom paid by those fallen. We pray for strength and courage for the POWS and Missing In Action and those held hostage.

 

We pray for the protection and safety of selfless relief workers and missionaries who help those in need.

 

We pray for the protection of children and innocent civilians.

We pray for our nation and our leaders.

  

- The Howards, Over 22 Years Serving In The US Navy

 

Thank you to those who put themselves in harm’s way through the years, past and present, bravely defending our country.  My most fervent prayer each day is for peace on earth.

Beth

 

 

Jim in Korea

 

A Memorial Day Prayer

By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)
First Congregational Church of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN.

Eternal God,
Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you
from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your loving kindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling
[though we sometimes feel that low]
and without fear
[though we are often anxious].
We sing with spirit and pray with courage
because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness
of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those
for whom this holiday is not just diversion,
but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]
in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died
serving their countries
in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
when all the answers we are offered
fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us
as others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.