Rainy Day

   Here I sit , with a bit of time before dashing off to fulfill my obligations , writing to you .
It seemed to be a lovely way to begin yet another rainy day in our post-holiday season , but
I am not alone . Having left the warm nest my fleece jacket afforded her on my bed , Gabby
is now curled behind me in the desk chair . Reason dictates that one adult and one large cat
would not fit into such a small space . Reason would be correct . She is quite comfortable
in her present position . The same cannot be said for her housemate . I am now perched on
a small ledge of seat , roughly three inches in depth . It is delightful that she seeks me out
and enjoys being close...however , this position makes for numb bums and short posts !
   And so , to the soft symphony of contented purrs , I wish you well and bid you adieu !

Memorial Day

   Normally , this weekend heralds the unofficial beginning of Summer . One remembers warm weather enjoyed in shorts , breezy tops and sandals . The older family members brought out the white shoes and clothes for the first time of the year ( one just doesn't wear white things outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day time frame !). Mom was in the kitchen joyfully laboring over the party foods - the salads (macaroni , potato , cole slaw and tossed greens ) , appetizers , condiments and the ever popular mile-high cake for dessert . Dad was outside dealing with the heat and smoke of the grill, necessary to produce the hot dogs and burgers to feed the ravenous hordes . This was before the advent of sunscreen and my poor fair-skinned father was usually burned to a crisp !
   There was a delight to these gatherings...nothing like good friends and good food for good fun. Today ,  however , is grey and rainy with thunder rumblings...no white shorts in sight ! The families are either long gone or wide-spread . The memories of the past are just that...memories , with little current fulfillment .
   But today has much deeper meaning . The "memorial" we honor with all these gatherings and good food is to those brave men and women who gave so much to defend our country and freedom .
One veterans' charity's motto says , "All gave some...some gave all ." . When we go up to a veteran to thank them for their service , they are all quick to tell us they are not the heroes..."The real heroes are still over there ." . Do we ever think what it must be like to take a young person  , with little worldly experience and thrust them into the horrors that is war ?? What an assault on every part of them !
Yet they serve our country , despite the sense and sensibility (or lack thereof) that dictated that war . They are proud to defend us and what this country stands for , regardless of the personal cost .
   To all of you , veterans past and present , I wish all good things , including peace and healing .
Happy Memorial day !

Night Surf

   There are times when dealing with old paperwork yields a surprise or two .
Such was the case with the surfacing of a poem I wrote July 16 , 2000 . Here it is :

       Night Surf

There was a path of moonlight ;
Waves beat ghostly on the shore .
The rhythm of the pounding surf
Did ease my trials sore .

I find in times when troubles mount
And down upon me beat ,
The ocean calls and draws me near
To find a solace sweet .

'Tis there I find His fingerprints ,
On every grain of sand
And there I find a sweet relief
From life's pressing demands .

To see the sea in rage and storm
Most primal - uncontrolled ,
Bespeaks His great power...
His great plan and love untold .

Beneath His wings I'm sheltered ,
To go on a little more .
There was a path of moonlight ,
Waves beat ghostly on the shore .