12-12 -- Remembrance

The grey, rainy weather today seemed to fit the mood for remembrance -- somber and quiet. I spend this day of national remembrance in reflection, acknowledging the service of many family members, friends and people I've never met. My maternal grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge in WWI; he came home but didn't sleep well for the rest of his life. Two uncles and an aunt from both sides of the family served in WWII as did my 'second' dad. Two uncles served in Korea, with one also participating in an early peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. A friend was a peacekeeper much later in Egypt. My best friend was in the air reserves. Two cousins served in the navy -- one in the second Gulf war and another in peace time. Former students and cousins were part of the reserves and the police force. I thank them all -- those I know and those I don't.

The cousin of my paternal grandfather died around Amiens in early October, 1918, during the push of the Last Hundred Days. He was buried in the Cambrai area. I found a photo of his headstone through Find A Grave. It provided a picture of something tangible. On my bucket list is a visit to Vimy Ridge and to the Cambrai cemetery, which is just down the road. The photo not only shows the engraved grave stone, but it shows a wonderful red rose bush growing beside the stone. This region of France was known as Picardy before it became part of Hauts-de-France. When I realized he died and was buried in what was Picardy, a song ran through my head. I think of it every Remembrance Day. I have shared it here in the past, but it fits the day well, so I will share it again. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Roses of Picardy --  Mario Lanza

12-11 (6/10/25) -- Uninvited Guest

 This morning while removing sheets from tomato plants after a frost warning,  out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a black blob falling down when I shook one of the sheets. Nothing was evident when I searched the ground. Maybe it was just an eye floater. As usual, I took the sheets directly to the washing machine. While adding them to the washer, I saw something running under the laundry sink cupboard. This time Is was sure I'd seen something. It was rather large and black, but I only caught the last bit of it running under the counter, so specific creature ID was not possible. Now given the size, my mind went to an eight legged critter -- the type I have most issues with. 

Later in the day, a friend offered to come home with me to go on a spider hunt. <YIKES> I said I would try to dislodge it from the hiding space and let her know if or when I found something. Nothing showed up in laundry room. I felt a bit creeped out knowing that something was in the house without an invitation. As I was checking the front door late in the day, I noticed something large and black on the hallway floor. I turned on more lights and identified it as one huge cricket -- considerably bigger than the ones I am most familiar with. Thankfully I found it before it took up residence in a hiding place where it could chirp incessantly and drive me mad. I've had ones on the patio that cricketed all night long just outside my bedroom window. This may be from that same area. If so, I can attest to its tremendous volume abilities. So, it seems we dodged potential sleepless nights and disrupted days. 

The songs chosen today made me laugh when I thought of the performers. I'd much rather listen to these than to the potential squatter. <grin>  The first that came to mind due to the singer but the song topic is a sound that can be quite irritating, so I chose it to share. The second song is by a group that came to mind in the midst of the excitement today and the title fit the situation well, too. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Give a Little Whistle -- Jiminy Cricket (a green creature for some reason) 

Don't Come Back Knockin' -- Buddy Holly and the Crickets