Memorial Day...much to remember!

Maple Hill Cemetary ~ Kansas City, Kansas

photo by suzanne ~ July 7, 2009

The above photo is at Maple Hill Cemetary in Kansas City, Kansas.  It is where my father, grandmother and grandfather, and an aunt and uncle are buried.  The photo is not meant to sadden anyone, it's just to show how simply beautiful the grounds are presented.

"Our Flag" ~ photo taken by Karo ~ April 11, 2011

"They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this nation."

~Henry Ward Beecher

The observance of Memorial Day pretty much began unofficially in May of 1866 when people started decorating graves of fallen soldiers.  In 1868, General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army Republic, brought the 'Decorating of the Graves' event to public attention, thus, Memorial Day.  And the date of May 30 was chosen because it was NOT the anniversary of a battle.  In essence, it is a day to honor all Americans whether they served in the military or not.

"Decoration Day" * Chicago, Illinois 1927

 My mother decorates 10 to 12 tables at her Church Senior Luncheons, and always tries to come up with a theme, especially on holidays.  I thought I would help her out for Memorial Day and sent her some sparkly table decor and patriotric ribbon.  Let's hope she will send photos to show! I designed a dozen 'table cards' (6 different designs), which are actually note cards, to stand up on her tables with the decor.  Below is one of them.

The Front of the card

  

Well, folks, try as I might...I couldn't get the rest of the card on here.  I chose Memorial Day quotes for most of my cards, but for this one, I wrote my own sentiment on the inside.

"We will focus on the joys and laughter

We shared with those we have lost."

 And what do you know...here comes the back of the card, minus the American Flag colors inside the coffee cup!  And I dedicated this card to my brother Stan who passed away March 16, 2007.

My mother received this illustration in an email and forwarded to me...I think it's very nice.

"touché"

And what's wrong with this picture?

 Well, my dear readers, that's all for now.   I so appreciate you stopping by...please feel free to leave comments, or check my reactions bar below.  You might also like my new blog, "My Texas Gardens".  You can click on 'Ole Maxine' at the top of my sidebar to get there.

 While I'm remembering the loved ones I've lost, I will also remember the loved ones I still have, and celebrate the memories I share with them today.

***
Please, have a safe Memorial Holiday!

***
Thank You Mom
Thank you Google
Thank You Yahoo Images
Thank You Wikipedia

***
When you walk through a storm, keep your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark...

This song "You'll Never Walk Alone" is
From Rodgers & Hammerstein musical 'Carousel'

"Mom's" the Word...Happy Mother's Day!

Photo by Suzanne, May 2009

My Mother's Day Flowers from my son Rusty

Hello to Mom's aka Mum's all over!  I used to think "Mums" was just a name my Grandmother in India made up... you know, a family thing.  When she would write to my mom, she always signed her letters, 'mums'.  And my mom always signs her cards and letters, Love, 'mums'.    And, now, as a big girl, I hear the word 'mums' used frequently by several of my blogmates, and with pride and respect!  My husband, Karo has even picked the word up, and refers to my mom as "mums" (but not to her face, he's shy, you know)!  I have come to like the term and appreciate it.  But wait!!!  I kinda looked it up to see where and how it originated. 

From http://chacha.com/ it is said that 'mum' originated from the Middle English in 1568, and was first used in 1704 in the UK, Eastern Canada, Australia and some parts of Western Pennsylvania.

And on http://wiki.answers.com/, I find that that 'mum' has been used as a "slightly" derogatory description for soccer moms, who spend much of their time driving their kids to and from soccer and other sports that they may participate in.  And also used in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

SO WHAT'S IT GONNA BE? ...MOM OR MUMS?

You decide-I like them both!

Here's my lovely mom holding my little brother Stan when he was, a tiny baby.  A beautiful picture of mom and precious of my brother, taken in Kansas City, Kansas in 1950.  I wonder if my niece Erica realizes that this photo of my mom looks just like her?

Me and Mom in San Marcos, Texas

photo taken by my sister, Leta in July 1992 (I think)

Ok, Ok, I know you're checking out the hair!!!  I have really straight hair...give me a perm and it explodes!!!   I'm okay now.  So, back to the story at hand.  My mom and sister flew to Texas and we hit the road for a girl trip.  Mom had retired from one her many jobs (workaholic) and I wanted to do something fun for her.  So we headed due south, to Waco, Texas, where my brother was living.  We dumped my Ford Bronco on him and escaped to San Marcos in his "roomy" LTD.  There we spent one night at a bed and breakfast, shopped, ate at an outdoor French restaurant, and moved on the next day to San Antonio, Texas, where we visited the Alamo, the famous River Walk and various other fun sites.  We stayed a few days, got some good pics and headed back to my brother's house in Waco, and then back to my house in Weatherford.  My point?  It's kind of like a great Mother's Day memory, even tho it wasn't Mother's Day.  Us three girls, three moms... no men, no kids.  Running-amuck, shopping, having coffee and cocktails, eating great food-and laughing it up!!! 

San Antonio, Texas Riverwalk

photo taken from aboard the gondola by my mom 1992

***

Another Great Mom!

My Mother in Law, Dorothy Trammell

In Loving Memory

Karo's mother, Dorothy passed away in December 2009 at the age of 84.  She was a wonderful and giving lady, and a loving mother.  This tiny lady was also a great shopper, and loved to eat at the Dairy Queen.  She was active in her church and charitable in the community.  She was raised, and lived all of her life in Bridgeport, Texas, where she and her husband Bennie Trammell raised their two sons, Danny and my husband, Karo.  She owned and operated a cafe and boutique-she always declared that she was a "businesswoman", and rightly so!  Dorothy kept me in stitches when we were together-being very fashion conscious, she was still wearing jeans and high-heeled boots up to the time of her death!  I loved her spunk and vitality.  Oh, and she loved to watch Rambo movies, hmmm!

We all miss her very much and think of her daily.

***

Happy Mother's Day Mom-I love you.  Thank you for the way you raised me-I know how to sign checks, hahaha!  And I can boil water!

Happy Mother's day to my sister Leta and my niece, Erica!

Happy Mother's day to my four aunts, Gerty, Ethel, Edie and Yvonne!

And Happy Mother's Day to all of my 'mom' and 'mums' blogmates!

Be happy and safe!

how about some Mother's Day mocha?

***

"Making a decision to have a child-it's momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around

outside your body."

~Elizabeth Stone

"MayDay and Other Scuttlebutt!"

Why, I believe it's MayDay!!!

If the weather permits (though now in Fort Worth it's a rainy 50 degrees), there will be many festivities everywhere...one, being the Maypole!  Every year, the sixth grade girls in my elementary school would get to wind the Maypole.  I considered it an honor and just couldn't wait for my 6th grade year and my turn to participate.  My sister did it the year before me and it was beautiful. We learned a special dance first, and I just can't remember which song was played, and then, we were taught the procedure of winding the large, large pole out on the playground so it looked like a beautiful braid when we were done.  I wish I had a picture...MOM??? Well, mom had to work, and we did the pole on a school day afternoon, so she didn't get to attend the ceremony.  Each girl had a partner, and the costumes were gathered gingham skirts and white blouses.  My partner and I wore pink and white gingham, there were two girls with blue & white, two with yellow & white, and so on-even lilac and white.  It was all pastels, so bright and lively, and the ribbons we wound the pole with matched our colors.  It was my first time to get to wear nylons which I, OF COURSE, managed to get a hole in them on that day-GAAAGH!
But, a good memory and lots of fun!

Here is a photo of my elementary school that I took in July of 2009 when we were visiting Kansas City.  The Maypole is now gone.  It was sooo tall-I wonder what happened to it?
  We also flew the American Flag from this pole.

Franklin Elementary School ~Kansas City, Kansas

***

May 1st is also my son, Rusty's birthday...he was born Tuesday, May 1, 1979.  I wanted to create something different on the front of his Birthday card, and, since he is a guy, this is what I came up with.  He thought it was pretty cool, and appreciated the time I spent on the card.  Eventually I will add a page to my blog featuring some of my kreations from the kardkorner, as there is much more to this particular kard.

Collage kreated by Suzanne at KardKorner Headquarters

Happy 32nd Birthday Rusty!

My son Rusty, October 30, 2010
"Tattoos", yes-but NO unusual piercings-Yay!

And the Survey Said!!!

Friday at work, three of my co-workers and I decided to try the new M & M's Pretzels.  We were all mmmm!!, crunch!!!, and yummers!!!  So, I jotted down the reactions from these three girls...I don't think they will mind if I share them with you.

Paige said:  "They're almost like a malt ball!!!"

Me:  "This is true.  I was surprised to see them shaped like colored malt balls!"

Cindy said:  "Yummers!  They're quite good!"

Me:  "I quite agree, they are good!"

Paulette said:  "You know, it's a good mix of the sweet and salty!"

Me:  "How true! It is a good mix!"

So, if you're interested in trying this new version of our favorite snack, you might be quite pleased at the shape, color and mix of flavors in this little bag!  And, it proved to be a good conversation piece!

  Not enough time on our hands, eh?

***

Kate and William

Married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey

I know we've all seen this picture by now...I just think it's a beautiful shot!  I did get to see a little of the wedding Friday morning-WHAT A CROWD!  And I made it just in time to see a shot of Elton John and his mate.  They talked about the wedding all morning on my favorite radio station, and even the macho DJ thought it was a refreshing event from the normal morning news.  I believe it was exciting for everyone in London, bringing back memories of the fabulous wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in July of 1981.  And, having been an admiror of Princess Di, I also felt a sadness of the tragedy that really brought a jolt to the world.

***

Cute, Huh?

May 5th is Cinco De Mayo holiday.  A lot of  people may think it is a Mexican holiday...but, it's not.  It is actually an American Civil War holiday that originated in California by the Mexicans and Latinos living there in  1862.

According to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo , there is a national patriotic holiday in Mexico known as "Mexico's Independence Day".  Cinco de Mayo recognizes the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

So Happy Cinco de Mayo everywhere!

***

Well, dear readers, that's the "scuttlebutt" for now.  I hope your MayDay has been sunny and mild.  The temperature in Fort Worth, AS I WRITE!, has dropped from 50 to 48 degrees!  No Maypole here today!  Just some warm, spicy chili and rice!

Thank you for stopping by...I appreciate your comments and your "just looking"!

Thanks to Yahoo and Wikipedia too!

***

"You are as welcome as the flowers in May."

~Charles Macklin

Hibiscus ~ photo by Suzanne ~ May 31, 2008

Fort Worth, Texas