Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day

I am 48 years old and I am only now really realizing the true meaning of Memorial Day.  As the daughter of a service man, you would think that this would have hit me sooner, but I am sorry to say that it is affecting me more as I become more aware of my mortality and more aware of the lack of history that I can pass on to my children.

This is what I have left of my Dad...  He died before I was born.

I think it is past time to actually get a display case for his flag - I think that is what I will ask for for my birthday this year. 

Here are some Memorial Day facts that I just learned.  Did you know:

1. That the 21 gun salute is the sum of the numbers of 1776?
2.  When an Honor Guard folds the flag that is draped over the coffin of a soldier, they fold the flag 13 times.  This is not to symbolize the 13 colonies. 

The following is from this webpage: Daniel D. Eubank's Blog:

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens
trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine  guidance.
The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen
Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still  our country, right or wrong.’
The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie.  It is with their heart that
they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation  under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect  their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the
shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers.  For it has been
through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been  molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons
and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first  born.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King  David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the
Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son  and Holy  Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, ‘In God We Trust.’

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the
appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning.
In the future, when you see a folded flag it will have new meaning…Isn't that the TRUTH - and it only took me 48 years to see this...

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Making Certain Veggies Palatable

I recently bought these:


I am not a huge carrot fan, but in the name of eating healthier I am trying to eat more of a variety of veggies -  including carrots, but only "baby" carrots.



I love this! 


Like most normal people, I eat cocktail sauce on shrimp, but I don't get nearly enough of it since I don't eat shrimp that often.  I did bring some shrimp w/cocktail sauce for lunch, earlier this week.  I had leftover sauce that I put in the fridge at work with the idea of bringing shrimp again the next day, but I didn't.  I did, however pack the dreaded carrots.  When I went to the fridge to get my carrots at lunch I spotted the leftover cocktail sauce - hmmm, I thought, "what if?"

Yup, I did...

 And voila!  A new snack was created! 
Hardly Tolerable Carrots dunked in Cocktail Sauce Deliciousness! 

If anyone would have told me even just last week that I would have finished off a package of "baby" carrots in just a few days,  I would have called them crazy!  I am even thinking of buying a second package this week - more craziness!




Saturday, April 30, 2011

Breathable Rain Gear

Our winter was very rainy and since I had recently started hiking/walking (and spend many a rainy day at soccer fields as a soccer mom) I decided that I would look into buying some rain gear (jacket and pants).  When I inquired about my dog walker friend's rain gear, she didn't know what the name of hers was, but she was just more concerned that it was "breathable".  

With "breathable" as my criteria, I did some research.  I found a company whose fit, design and price all fit the bill.  

And of course, I bought my rain gear, wore it once and the rain stopped.  I actually wear the jacket frequently because it's a great wind breaker and despite it's light weight, it is surpisingly warm!  When I first bought my jacket, I had a hard time deciding if I wanted the red jacket or the cool lime green one. I chose the red one, but once I fell in love with it, I HAD to have the green one as well.  I wear them equally. 

Ok so here is my issue - "breathable".  What exactly does "breathable" mean?  Cause although I love my rain gear, I thought that "breathable" meant, you would not sweat in this waterproof material like you would in most rubber suits - but I am!  It's not unbearble and sweating a bit more couldn't hurt on the weight loss front. 

So what do you find is the difference between "breathable" and some standard rubber rain suit aside from style?

Friday, April 29, 2011

Hug a Tree

Today is Arbor Day
Founder: Julius Sterling Morton
1st Arbor Day Celebration: 1874 in Nebraska
1970: President Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April to be National Arbor Day


I do not have a green thumb but I do have a pretty wicked shutter button finger so I will be planting pictures of trees on this Arbor Day. 


Ok, it appears this tree may have suffered from my care, but really I had nothing to do with it's demise, but I love the look of it despite the lack of leaves.  This tree was at the top of a mountain hike I took.  It was clear and sunny as I started my hike (at the bottom of the hill) but when I got to the top it was foggy (typical of northern CA) and drizzly.  This is why we learn at a young age to dress in layers in this here parts.


This is another part of the same hike as above - notice the sunshine coming through the redwoods.  This is not much further down from where I took the "foggy" picture.


This is also part of the same hike.  How does a tree twist like that?  And don't you just love the moss covering?  This is a great summer time hike because it is under the trees (shady) the whole way.  Shade on Northern CA hikes = poison oak, however.  Thankfully, I don't appear to be susceptible to it - either that or I have been extraordinarily adept at avoiding the plant on my hikes.


Here is tree, more typical of the hikes I take - standing out in the middle of a pasture/ field.  It's hard to tell here, but in the foreground, there are some great purple wildflowers.  It won't be long before this green hillside will be brown.  Either way, I think it's glorious.


Isn't this an awesome mosaic tree trunk?



Here is some new growth on a pine tree - it practically glowed.

 If planting and pictures aren’t your thing, celebrate them in another way – Hug a Tree!  


That Instant

You know that feeling That Instant when you have just clicked the send button for an email you are forwarding to a friend with all kinds or remarks about the original email sender and and you realize you hit reply rather than forward.  Now that email is going to the original sender and not your friend – remarks and all!  Nooooooo!

You know that feeling That Instant when you have just hit the lock button on your car door and you and you slam it closed and you realize that the keys are sitting on the front seat of your car?  Nooooooo!

I had That Instant yesterday.  I am a photographer (hobbyist, not professional) I am my daughters “unofficial” club soccer team photographer.  I take pictures of games and their player card headshots for registering their team.  Registration is NOW.  The day before yesterday, the team gathered on a non-practice day and I drove 40 minutes to take their pictures.  All’s good.  Yesterday, I went to photograph my daughter’s  High School soccer team’s game.  I was preparing the camera – I wanted to make sure I had enough room on the memory card for the whole game so (yeah, you know where this is going) Click format card > Are you sure? Click Yes – I mean Nooooooo!!  And there is no turning back.  And they are gone in That Instant

Can you feel my pain?  Can anyone say “Retakes”?!