Service and Honor

11-11-11 gratitude brain
It's Veteran's Day, and it is nice to see all the comments posted on Facebook thanking veterans for their service. Seems like there is more awareness of Veteran's Day now, or is it just that my friends and I are at an age we can really appreciate what service and sacrifice is all about?

I sure became more aware back in the mid-80's when my job took me to regular visits at the VA Hospital here in Des Moines. And as it turned out- that is the place where I met Greg. (He was a building manager there)

Of course today, the ONE Vet that means the most to me is my Dad....."the Marine Dude", as Ann likes to call him. Dad experienced unimaginable challenges when he was in WWII, from age 17 to 20(?). He was over in the Pacific swimming to islands to do recon-missions which help plan attacks. Once he was the only man to survive an attack while in a rubber boat. He rolled off the side and swam in the ocean until he was picked up next the day by a submarine.

Growing up, we didn't know any of Dad's stories, it wasn't until 1995, the 50th Anniversary or so that Dad began to talk at the urging and curiosity of my high school classmate friend- Steve. And of course I can't remember all the details like I should... but I got the feeling of the great endurance he and the other men when through. Thus I am in AWE of not only what Dad did in WWII, but what he has done as a Husband, Father, Teacher, Coach, Civic Leader.... those challenges of daily living also show me that he is a true HERO.

Sometimes I wonder what made the "Greatest Generation" great? I believe it was their challenges which strengthen them and made them tougher. They learned about how to sacrifice and give service to others both on the battle field and at home.  I think us Baby-boomers just had it pretty darn easy growing up..... our time of challenges and sacrifice - - now - might be upon us. Hope we can rise to the challenge and change our paradigm.... cause our country can't continue the status-quo.

Here is Dad with some of his fellow serviceman at a Marine Reunion a few years back.

More Peace

11-10-11 busy brain
The last few weeks, after work in the evenings, I have felt like I've got myself a second part-time job. I've been working hard on getting ready for this Holiday Craft Bizzare over at Church on Saturday. There has been framing, creating notecards, organizing, getting the display layout set up, deciding on pricing.... and other odds and ends.

Here is one of my newer favorite PEACE created this week, not yet framed

Saturday should be a fun day, despite the work, since Molly is coming to town to help me at my booth, and Ann has volunterred to help and I am looking forward to other friends who said they are coming to shop. However, I'll admit, I'm looking forward to next week, after this show- to be able to kick back a little more in the evenings. (except to work on my large pixel artwork for January deadline)

All this busyness had me thinking about a poem I wrote back in 2002 and the feelings of peace I am now  longing for- especially this time of year as the days get shorter.... I need more sleep and I'd rather be curled up in front of the fireplace reading a good book.

Time to Be Happy



To be happy-
I need time on my hands,
Thick, sticky time that doesn’t slip through my fingers,
Solid time that won’t evaporate into haste.


Time to look beyond the busyness-
Time to study the birds gathering at the feeder,
Time to gaze at the lingering sunset,
Time to lie back in the grass staring up at the stars,


Not time to think, or even the time to dream-
But time just to let my mind wander closer to heaven.
Time like now, listening to these quiet words in my head,
And the silent peacefulness in my heart.


God is here-
Trying to come though,
If only I take the time-
Time to be happy


Judy Sebern Beachy
Thanksgiving 2002

Wednesday GUEST Blog

11-9-11 vacant brain
Here is more interesting facts from Ann this week ~Judy


Veterans Day ~ 11.11.11


Of the many federal holidays, Veterans Day is near and dear to my heart. I am one of four Chee You’s who served proudly: brother Tony (Navy), Glen (Army), Larry and me (Air Force) and husband Rick (Air Force), not to mention lots of friends and the newest family member, Sebastian (Army). So on this special day, amongst the hustle and bustle of shopping, working, remembering, thank a veteran for their service. Here’s how the day was formed, from the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”Sweet to say, I’ve been to the Versailles.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

Yes, if you remembered Veterans Day was on a Monday. Government work at it’s best, read on.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. (Source: Veterans Administration)

Happy Veterans Day to all veterans, to me and to marine dude John. And if you can remember, take a picture of what you are doing at 11:11 am on 11.11.11.

Chat Later

That Girl, Ann Marie

Juggling Act

11-8-11 busy busy brain
Monday night I was all alone as I watched Dancing with the Stars.... everyone else was BUSY.... as was I.

I am happy to say it was raining while I watched TV, and  I was busy framing. This week much to still get done to be ready for my first day of trying to sell my Peace Art this Saturday. I was also making Peace Note Cards.

Since I'm too busy to blog, here is a copy of what is posted over at my Peace Art Blog.... called

"One Small Daily Peace of Art"

Found at:

 http://www.onesmalldailypeaceofart.blogspot.com/

Peaceful Decorating Idea

11-7-11
My neighbor Deb purchased three of my large Peace Art. At first she just was going to hang them on the wall without a frame, but later changed her mind and found inexpensive black frames at the craft store and just tacked them to the outside of the glass.

I really liked the look without the fancy matting which I had been using to frame the larger Peace Art.

A reminder for those of you in the Des Moines area- This Saturday will be my first attempt at selling my Peace Art!

The annual Westminster Holiday Treasures Craft Fair is happening on Saturday, November 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Shop for hand-crafted items, original art, Christmas ornaments, fair-trade gifts, baked goods, gluten-free products, and more!
Free admission! All are welcome -- so bring a friend or two!

Westminster Church is at the corner of Beaver and Franklin in the Beaverdale!

PS: I am not set up to take Credit Cards yet; so cash or check please. If sales go well, I will be getting set up for Credit Cards for my future Art Shows in 2012!






Weekend Report

11-7-11 slow Monday brain
A week of November gone already and today I just remembered to turn my wall calendar over to November. I still have a few clocks to turn back also..... Gee.... I'm struggling to keep up.... and November does look to be a challenge with several big commitments to occupy my after work hours.

So today, just a few pictures from the weekend. I was in KC, just a weekend trip, but fun. Friday night Greg took me out to one of my favorite KC restaurants at the Plaza, the Grand Street Cafe. Our KC neighbors Kim and Terry came along which made the evening extra special.

Saturday early afternoon I got to hang out with Molly for a few hours, then Greg and I went to a potluck bonfire with the Miata Car Club. We only lasted  less than 2 hours, cause the smoke was hurting our eyes.

I didn't feel the Oklahoma earthquake Saturday night, since I was pretty much dozing from the very beginning of Saturday Night Live. I was already for my extra hour of sleep, in fact I took at least two extra hours of sleep that night. Molly, however, did post on Facebook that she felt the earthquake which was a little before 11:00 PM, but she is 30 minutes south of us.

Sunday, I arrived back in DM about 2:30 in the afternoon to give me enough sunlight to tackle the leaves and lawn. It was a nice day for November, sunny and 60, so I worked until 4:00 PM and looked forward to a hot soak in the tub to sooth my aching muscles.

The trees are still pretty in KC, glad I don't have to rake much there.

Here was view in my backyard in DM as I was finishing up I noticed how pretty the yellow mums still look out back. There is talk of rain on Tuesday.... slight chance of snow.

Abundance

11-4-11 blessed brain

The other day, when I was looking for a pair of white sports socks to wear, I became frustrated..... and at the same time acutely aware that I have been blessed (and cursed) by ABUNDANCE.

Finding a pair of white shocks was impossible. Everyone I pulled out did not match any of the others. This was crazy! My sock drawer really reflects my life right now.... FULL and ABUNDANT, but very chaotic.
Not much I can do about it for the moment, so I just decided to find a colored pair that was matched up.

My Birthday reminded me how blessed I am by an abundance of friends. I have a variety of friends in all shapes and sizes.... some I drink wine with, some I am able to unwind with, and others I can just "whine" with. Kelley took me to lunch for my Birthday this week and we had fun doing the later..... we know we are blessed, but we both were experiencing small frustrations in life, but by sharing them with each other- we were able to laugh, and they seemed to become less important.

Saturday Report

11-3-11 motoring brain
Saturday, as part of my birthday and Halloween weekend to celebrate..... Greg and I took part in the Annual Iowa Mini Cooper Fall Drive. This was the 9th year. My car, a 2002, was the oldest Mini out of 27 who attended.... and got to be in the lead, since Greg had organized the route this year and decided to drive my car instead of his. As for my part, I came dressed for the occasion: "mini" mouse.

Look close in the side mirror and you can see the line of Minis.

Here Greg is making announcements as I do some sign language.

(Well, not really, but this picture made it look like I was)

We started in Pella, a wonderful Dutch Village, and we had lunch there.

Then we wound around some hilly and curvy roads over to Winterset with a stop in St. Charles at one of the famous covered bridges of Madison County.

Here in Winterset- is the birth place of John Wayne. We took the short tour of the house.

Gift Shop

Our last stop was at the Des Moines Mini dealer (Willis) who provided us with dinner and drinks, and we all hung out for awhile there.

 On some related CAR News; peace sister Carolyn got a new car this week. We tried to talk her into a Mini Cooper, but she wanted a Beetle, since she had one in her youth. I must admit her new car is sweet!