TGIF and WW(J)D ? (I mean John)

12-9-11 remembering brain
This week I have been working out of the KC home, less distractions here has meant a very productive week and  this too has given me more time to think. I’ve been thinking about the month of December. It seems if I take a full life view of my time on earth, December has been the month which holds the greatest excitements and the lowest-darkest of  times for me. For example- just to name a few- not all of them: Greg and I met in December and a year later were engaged; both my nephew and niece were born in December…. Contrast this to my heart being crushed by my first love (back in 1974)….. and another love lost in 1980…… which I’ll never forget since this also was right at the time of John Lennon’s death. (31 years ago yesterday).

Blogger California Girl writes about John Lennon here:

http://womenofcertainage.blogspot.com/2011/12/john-lennon-its-been-31-years.html

I do love the artist, activist, flawed human and seeking spirit of John Lennon. Often in the last 10 years, especially around 2003 as our country was led into war, I did wonder what John Lennon would be saying and doing about the way the world was heading. I’ve tried to tap into his creative spirit many times……

AND THIS WEEK it really hit  me!   
                                                                                                                                    
How both sides of the political machine are using us! ….. playing us off each other….. distracting us, dividing us…. and having us waste our time arguing about issues that can’t be solved, or aren’t really an issue: like Pro-choice or Pro-life; Pro-gun or Pro-gun control; Taxing the poor or Taxing the rich; Capitalism or Compassionate Society….. we divide up and fight each other over our passionate beliefs, all the while those that have all the governing power, all the wealth- follow a different set of laws (conduct insider trading, become super rich, get mega benefits and perks, lessen regulations on business to favor themselves and friends…. Live in some isolated bubble, high above the rest of the working class).

I witness this daily with my emails. I’m on both the GOP and DEMS mailing list….. and as soon as some issue swings one way, the other side sends out an email call to “fight this” and ask for donation to “the cause”….. the HOTTER the issue (they are happy)… the more anger and then the more Money will be raised.

So THIS December, I decided it’s time to think more like John Lennon….. It is time to talk of UNITING against the bigger problems- The Corrupt System  based on GREED- we call our government…. Where the laws have become slanted in favor of a few at the top, while the rest of us work hard and are falling backward.  

PS: Yes, I agree there are some “greedy/lazy” people who do not work hard and use the current system…. That is another reason the current system does need to be changed.

I'll be trying to wave that olive branch in one hand...... while I carry a protest sign about our corrupt government system in the other hand.   

 "I hope someday you will join me, and world can live as one" ~ John Lennon

GUEST Blog part 2

12-8-11

Honoring The Greatest Generation - World War II Veterans – Part 2

My second inspiration, exhibit of WW II living veterans.  
I ran across an interesting article last month and I had to see this. Bill Schaefer, retired professor from Grandview University, wrote a book about living WWII veterans in Clarke County (Osceola). He took an oral history of 38 veterans (two of them women) and included a picture of the veteran holding their service picture. These pictures were being displayed at Grandview University for five days and I had to see it.
               

While this was a simple display, it was very moving. After reading a bit of their bio, I was compelled to do some tallying. Of the 38 living veterans:
~ 11 were drafted, the rest enlisted.
~ 3 were officers and 35 were not.
~ 23 joined the Army, 11 the Navy, 2 the Marines and 2 the WAVES
~ 14 served in Europe, 17 in the Pacific, 3 States-side, the rest in Central America, Italy and Africa
~ 4 saw action on D-Day
~ 13 of the 38 are widows
~ The average age of the veterans when they joined was 19 and their average age today is 85

Mr. Schaefer had some interesting facts that I’d like to share:
In 1939, the U.S. military had 190,000 soldiers and ranked 17th in world power just behind Romania. By the end of the war a total of 16 million Americans had served, including more than 60,000 Iowans.
Almost 100 percent of American industry was geared to the war effort. In 1941, the U.S. built 3.5 million private cars. For the rest of the war, it built only 139.
WWII was a huge agent of social change. When the war started, fewer than 4,000 blacks served in the U.S. armed forces. By war’s end, 750,000 had served.

After seeing the exhibit, I asked Judy if her dad had a like picture. She said “probably not”, and I asked her to take one for me “so we could write about him”. Judy wrote about him on Veterans’ Day and now, it’s my turn.
               
Here’s a bit about John as if he would have been interviewed for the book.
John graduated high school at the age of 16, enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17. After basic training, John went right to the Pacific and served from 1942 to 1945.  Why the marines? He wanted to fight the “enemy”, he wanted action. And action he saw, for three years all over the Pacific Islands. As Judy previously shared, he fought a many of battles and was at Iwo Jima when the American flag was raised, February 23, 1945. Can’t get any more memorable than that! He was in the Pacific on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and when the A-Bomb was dropped, August 6, 1945

A big salute to John and all the rest of WWII  veterans, for their service and love of this country.
Semper Fidelis marine dude John!
               
The Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto in 1883. Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means "Always Faithful."  U.S. Marines use an abbreviated verbal version, "Semper Fi," to voice loyalty and commitment to their Marine comrades-in-arms.

Chat Later,

THAT GIRL

Wednesday GUEST Blog: part 1

12-7-11 vacant brain
Ann has been inspired to write two blogs for me this week. ~ judy

Honoring The Greatest Generation - World War II Veterans

Today I’m inspired to write about December 7, 1941 and honor all World War II veterans, especially John Sebern, husband to Jean, father to Judy and Jan, grandfather to Christopher and Sarah, and friend to me- That Girl, for several reasons.

First inspiration, veterans – past and present.
As the country draws down the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, I hope we all take a moment to remember those killed in action, those returning wounded, and those still on the battlefront. Yes the debate will go on how we got there but one thing is for sure, no declaration of war was made. So that got me thinking of President Roosevelt’s speech after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Here’s a snippet:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. …………………….. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago……….Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya, Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong, Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam, Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island, And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island…………..
President Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941 (http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-infamy.htm)

I found this picture of the draft of the speech with the many corrections. Very interesting, I’m wondering who made the corrections. I trust it was President Roosevelt.
               

Here’s a clip of the President Roosevelt giving the speech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE

Then I wondered, what was everyone doing on Sunday, December 7^th , what time was the attack and so forth? Well, the bombing started at 7:55 am Hawaii time = 11:55 pm Central time. My Dad would have been 10 and I’m sure, it was days before he knew about it. At the time, Trinidad was under British rule and Britain was already in the war. His brother Mervin had enlisted and was stationed in England. Dad never saw his brother again. 

So what was John and Jean up to December 7, 1941? Only way to find out is to call, so I jingled them up at shortly after 0700. Here’s what they recall. Jean was age 13 and at home in Charles City. Her memory was very close to home. She had a relative who was on the USS Arizona. When the news broke on the radio, they were very worried. He served, died and is buried on the USS Arizona. 

John was 16 y/o, senior in high school (Cedar Rapids) and was ready for a January high school graduation (somebody is a smarty pants). He was at home listening to the Redskins vs Eagles football game. The news broke of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Fast forward four months, John turned 17 in April, 1942 and enlisted in the Marines the very next day, and shipped out on his Mother’s birthday, May 1, 1942. Gee whiz, we have something in common. I too graduated high school at 16, joined at 17, shipped out in 60 days and love the Redskins.  Haha hehe everyone.

Tomorrow, I have a special report on living WW II veterans, one you may know.

Note to self: personal map art

http://personal-geographies.com/

http://judywise.blogspot.com/     (12-4-11 post here at this blog)

12-6-11 forgetful brain

I'm not blogging today, but saw this interesting blog from artist Judy Wise and wanted to make a note to go back and look at this again.
Making a "personal map" and using mixed media sounds like a fun project for a girls-weekend, or women's retreat at church.

So here I am using my blog as a reminder slip..... sorry!.....Been busy at work and last night working on Christmas cards.

Ho Ho Ho!

Peace Art Exhibit

12-5-11 creative brain
Sunday after Thanksgiving, when Greg and I got back to Des Moines- I had a project in need of Greg's help. We had to hang my Peace Art up over at Westminster Church, in this great little gallery area. At first I was going to be ambitious and hang 16 small peaces and 5 large on the long wall, but we settled for 5 large and 8 small. This was enough to have to line up straight..... and then we didn't have to add so many new nail holes into the wall.

I'm excited to have this exhibit hung in the month of December!

My next project, with my friend Lori's help is to get my Peace Blog set up for PayPal in preparation for my 2012 PEACE HUG project. I don't plan on making much money, but excited about helping others spread Peace and Joy to their friends! I've been practicing sending a few PEACE HUGS during the last few week. More on this as it develops.

Check out Peace Blog here: http://onesmalldailypeaceofart.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving part 2

12-2-11 reflecting brain
I am so happy that I (along with Greg) got to see my two closest high-school girlfriends over Thanksgiving, Jean Ann and Robin, AND an added treat of seeing Steve and Vanni, who usually only come back to Charles City in the summer. Often in the summer all of us friends who stay in contact from class of 1974 get the chance to be together: Jean Ann, Steve, Robin and Tom, but it is getting harder to get all of our schedules together. So I do feel fortunate that it took me eating out three different times to visit with everyone.

Me making Jean Ann laugh..... that's my role.

Robin and daughter Taylor- sorry I didn't take picture of Tom and Greg at this meal.

Steve in from Alaska!

Greg and Vanni put up with our hometown talk.

I am Thankful for LONG-term friendships!

Thanksgiving part 1

12-1-11 reluctant brain
I wasn't going to post today, but woke up early, 5:00 AM-
WOW! I made it through November in pretty good shape! This time a year I never know I how my body will react to the dark and cold...... but so far I have stayed healthy. We did have a pretty nice weather this last month- more sun than usual and warmer temps. Some snow is predicted for the weekend, so our luck might be running out soon.

Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad (and Bunny) was nice. We ate the full Turkey dinner twice, both Thursday and Friday evenings, so I got to the point of not being interesting in food in general..... but we found ourselves eating out most of the rest of the weekend with friends!

On Friday we did chores, helped decorated the house for Christmas (inside and out); and we did some Christmas shopping at a few local stores to support our hometown local businesses.

Trey the cat was happy to have us visit, so he could have someone to play with.

To be continued.....