Red Friday - December 7th - Remember

http://www.stonekettle.com/2007/12/remembering-december-7th.html

Mom, why does she cry?

A friend of mine has a teenage son who is autistic.  Her son asked her yesterday "Mom, why does (B) cry on Remembrance Day?"

My friend replied "Because she was engaged to a man, and he went away to war. When he came back from the war he was different; she still loves him, but they can't be together any more.  So she cries because she misses the man he used to be."

Couldn't have summed it up better myself.

Remembrance Day, Nov 11 2012

Veteran's Week - Nov 10

Veterans' Week - Nov 9 ~ Red Friday

Veteran's week - Nov 8

"On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the stores leadership role in adopting the Legions two minutes of silence initiative. He felt that the stores contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven oclock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the two minutes of silence to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terrys anger towards the father for trying to engage the stores clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, A Pittance of Time. Terry later recorded A Pittance of Time and included it on his full-length music CD, The Power of the Dream. 

Thank You to the Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch #10 and Woodbine Height Branch #2 for their participation in the Video. 

Please visit www.terry-kelly.com"

Veteran's Week - Nov 7

Veteran's Week - Nov 6

Veteran's Week - November 5

http://veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/iremember

Nous nous souviendrons - Nov 4

We will remember ... day 3

The graphic above was created by the team at http://militaryminds.ca/ with permission from Scott's family.

Always in our hearts.

Pro Patria.

Red Friday, Nov 2

Nov 1

Ready ...

OK, I am ready for this "Frankenstorm", and whatever else life in the rural environ might have to offer.

I have extra water, both potable and non-potable.  I have a full propane tank in reserve for the BBQ, in addition to the 2/3 full one that's on.  I have food*, first aid kits, bleach, wood for the wood stove, batteries and flash lights.  I have fuel for the chain saw, and a spare chain.  I have board games, reading material, candles and lanterns; a selection of fine cheeses and chocolate for folks who might arrive seeking shelter; red and white in the cellar, and a selection of fine spirits (please bring your own mix).  Clean sheets for the guest beds and the air mattresses.  I have cash on hand.  Knives and swords are cleaned and sharpened; firearms are cleaned, and ammo well stocked.


Wildand fire boots at the ready for the smarty pants who made this observation:




Of course, I pretty much always have all of that.  So in other words, its a typical day here ...

*Vegan guest may be required to fend for themselves in the food department.

Awesome photos (not mine)

Hey kids.  I know it been a while.  I've been a bit busy, and a bit blue ... but I will update soon.

Hope you are all well.  In the mean time, i came across these today, and wanted to share them with you.


"When Bob Croslin asked to take portraits of the feathered tenants at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Florida, the staffers in charge thought he wanted to snap a few pictures of birds through the bars of their cages. That was not what Croslin had in mind. Instead, he planned to photograph injured birds as he might human models, setting up on-location studio at the sanctuary.

Getting birds to pose in front of a backdrop under lights is a challenging task. It was a bit easier in this case because his models were accustomed to being visited by humans. Still, birds will be birds. The injured animals would often get nervous and poop on the backdrop. Or they would simply attack Croslin and the handlers. "

http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2012/10/18/bob_croslin_photographs_injured_birds_as_if_they_were_human_models.html?wpisrc=obinsite

One more Army Run pic.

OK, I couldn't resist sharing this one too.  This was the oldest couple 

to ever run the Army Run (so far)! They both served in the 

second World War together.  For parts of the race, the 

gentleman was walking behind his chair, pushing it himself.  

Bless them, and all like them.

I really am racking out now ...

Some Army Run Photos

A few photos from the weekend.  It was an incredibly emotional weekend, and I am very tired.  I will give more photos and details soon.

These guys were right behind us at the finish line.  Why we run:

A beautiful day for it:

Army Run Weekend, and a quick look back

I am on my way to Ottawa to meet up with a bunch of my MilSpouse peeps, and to participate again in Canada's Army Run, Raising money for Soldier On and the Military Families Fund.  Unfortunately, on doctor's orders I am walking the 5K this year, not running, but I will be with good people, and its the cause that counts, not the time on the clock.  I will post when I am back and let you know how the weekend went!

I am glad to be spending this weekend with friends who understand, as the events of 3 years ago seem to be weighing heavy right now. It doesn't help that the Wolf is in the same province as I am, actually on a training course at the base where I have to pick up one of the girls I am car pooling with. Glad I will be distracted by good friends and good times.  My feelings are all over the place regarding him, and myself.

"My Immortal"

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

'Cause your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus:]

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me

You used to captivate me

By your resonating light

Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts

My once pleasant dreams

Your voice it chased away

All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone

But though you're still with me

I've been alone all along

[Chorus]

9/11 Porn?

A friend posted a comment/rant this morning on FaceBook regarding the coverage of 9/11 and basically how come other tragedies like the boxing day tsunami don't get the same kind of commemoration.

There is a LOT of shit going on in my life/world/brain right now (more later), so I have been mulling my response, and whether I post it publicly on her page, or send it to her in a private message.  It is still in draft form, and feels like it needs an ending, but here it is so far ... comments/arguments/suggestions welcome, as always.

I debated posting anything about 9/11.  I didn't want to offend anyone, trigger anyone, or indulge in war porn. 

But the day had a big impact on me, and on people I love.  I love a Canadian soldier.  Honestly, I love a few soldiers, and their families; but there is one soldier in particular who holds a large chunk of my heart, then and now, even though we are no longer together. On that day, anyone who had a connection to the military on either side of the border spent that day not only in horror for what had happened, but also with very real worries about what sort of impact it would have on their very own futures, both immediate and long term.  Many spent part of that day wondering where their loved one was, and how long it would be before they would be able to even hear a reassuring word, because bases and communications in Canada got locked down as well; never mind those with loved ones deployed at the time*.  It set in motion a chain of events that would forever change the lives of so many.  Most of my friends are not only remembering/commemorating the lives lost that day, but the many lives lost and changed since.
I avoided television and print media yesterday, because I did not want to see the war porn/terror porn that the media was bound to engage in.  I purposefully chose to fill yesterday with work that would keep me away from the computer, and surrounded by people who would not trigger memories for me.

I did post a few things on my FaceBook page, because it was what I needed to do, to acknowledge the memorial.  Just as I will post again during Veteran's Week, on Peacekeeper's Day, and on other days that are significant to me.

*Sebastian was deployed at the time to a country not overly friendly to Canadians, and he has told me stories of what it was like to be there, inside a very small compound, working to upgrade and reinforce the barricades while the locals drove by waving guns and hurling taunts; getting limited updates about what was happening in North America; and tensions hair trigger. 

Roger Ames "Amazing Grace/Kyrie"

Spockgirl's words this morning made me thing of this one, which I have had the honour of performing multiple times:

Choral Reflection on Amazing Grace

Text Author : John Newton
Arranger : Roger Ames

A serious choral work, dedicated to the children of the victims of 9/11. After the second stanza, a chorale-like Kyrie eleison section is introduced and is then juxtaposed with the tune on stanza 3, sung by the mezzo-soprano soloist. The work continues to develop in skillful ways that crescendo through ff alleluias, eventually diminishing to a pp “Was lost, but now I’m found.” Serious concert material.

Never Forgotten.

 

Red Friday - Salute 4 Harry

Naked Soldiers and Wounded Warrior Support.  Who could ask for anything more?

http://www.salute4harry.co.uk/

I'm sure most people have heard about a certain British Air Force Captain who was in Vegas blowing off some steam with his mates prior to heading back to Afghanistan.  Some photos got taken of a drunken, naked romp, and those pictures got published.  Did I mention said Air Force Captain happens to be 4th in line for the British throne?

Some of his mates in the British Armed Forces decided to show their support, and it has now become a fundraising campaign for "Walking With The Wounded", a support organization for injured military members.  Head on over and check them out, on their web page or on FaceBook!

Blue Moon

August 31's full moon is a Blue Moon :)

Happy Blogiversary to me.

A friend of mine shared this on FaceBook yesterday, and I thought it suited today's post:

I started this blog 3 years ago  as a diary for myself.  I was committed to my relationship with the Wolf, and preparing for his deployment to the sand.

We've come a long way, baby.

Three years seems like such a short time, yet so much has happened.  I have grown so much, and changed, and I believe became a stronger person.  I have made some wonderful friends, some of whom I have had the pleasure to meet in person, and some, even though I only "know" you through this forum, I still value greatly for your wisdom and warmth.

Thanks you , to each and every one of you, for making this journey with me.

Red Friday - better late ...

(The first patch that got sewn on to my motorcycle vest!)

Hearing lots of rumours today ~ many extra prayers going out.

Guilt and blame are evil things ...

I was at a fundraising event this weekend past that involves around 150 people camping for 2 nights.  It is a big party, dinner, raffles, dance, etc out in the country.  Alcohol flows freely.

Friday is set up, and a dinner for the volunteers, then a chance for the volunteers to kick back and party a bit before our big day Saturday.  Increasingly, non-volunteers have been coming out on Friday, setting up their tents or what have you, and partying too.  This is the first year I have not had friends sharing my tent with me, but have been tenting by myself.  I set up as normal next to a friend, and then went and did my Friday volunteer stuff.

The party after went well into the wee hours.  There were people I knew, people, I recognized, and new faces.  It was a great time, I had a couple of drinks but didn't get drunk.  I am a friendly person until someone gives me a reason not to be, and was joking and enjoying myself, getting to know people.  There was a couple there I had only known casually before, and I spent some time with them; by the end of the night they were both pretty drunk.

I went to bed around 3:30 am.  I heard the party dying down around me, and was lying there listening to the sounds of the night, when I heard the zipper on my tent fly start to open.  It was the husband from the couple I had spent the time with.  Without too much detail, he laid down on my bed and tried to make himself quite at home, and I kept declining.  I kept trying to talk him into leaving and he kept trying to talk me into letting him stay.  After a couple of minutes I pushed him away and got up, unzipped the tent fly, and went out myself.  He followed me out and agreed to leave, but made it very obvious the offer stood.

There is a lot more to this that what I am writing here, but it gives you the background.  I didn't sleep the rest of the night, and when I went in to start my kitchen prep duties in the morning there were only a few people awake, including the landowner (M) who I like, but didn't know well.  M could tell I was upset, and the story came out.

Now it seems it is known within a circle that these folks have that sort of marriage where that is OK.  The landowner, M felt bad for not giving me the head's up on it; he thought I knew, and when he saw me friendly with them he was surprised but doesn't judge.  In hindsight he felt really bad about not telling me, but it is not his fault.  He did clue me in to a few other couples in the circle I need to be clear about my boundaries with.  And on the second night, I did not sleep in my tent, but in the house on the sofa, where the only males that invited themselves into my bed had four legs and fur.

Being me, I am beating myself up about the whole thing.  I should have known, I should have been more aggressive in stopping him from even getting in to my tent, I shouldn't have been as friendly with them earlier in the evening.

My rational brain knows that this was not my fault, that I didn't do anything wrong or anything to invite that behavior.  My rational brain knows that if there is awkwardness next time I see them, that it is not my fault, and I don't need to be the one who is embarrassed. 

But I have having a hard time getting that message from my brain to my heart and my gut.  I am having a hard time letting it go.  I am having a hard time not running "what ifs" in my head, about that night and about the future.

Red Friday - Happy 98th Birthday PPCLI

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)is one of Canada's most famous infantry regiments. Founded at the outbreak of World War One, the PPCLI quickly established a reputation for ground-breaking leadership, service and sacrifice. The PPCLI distinguished itself in both World Wars, Korea, Afghanistan and on numerous operations in support of the United Nations and NATO.

The Regiment has been awarded 39 Battle Honours, a United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation and two Commander-in-Chief Commendations for its overseas service.

The PPCLI is one of only three Canadian Regular Force infantry regiments. It comprises three Regular Force battalions:

• the First Battalion, garrisoned in Edmonton, Alberta;
• the Second Battalion, garrisoned in Shilo, Manitoba;
• the Third Battalion, garrisoned in Edmonton, Alberta;
• a Reserve Force battalion, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, also known as 4 PPCLI;
• PPCLI Regimental Headquarters, based in Edmonton, Alberta; and
• The PPCLI Association, which consists of serving and retired soldiers and has 12 Branches across Canada.

National Peacekeeper's Day

In 2008, August 9 was officially designated as a day to honour Canadian peacekeepers who have served or are currently serving in peacekeeping operations around the world. Canada has demonstrated exceptional leadership internationally since the start of peacekeeping operations through its ongoing willingness to defend human rights and democratic values, and its close cooperation with its allies and partners.

The choice of August 9 is significant, and the date commemorates the great sacrifices made by Canadian peacekeepers, regardless of where they are stationed. On August 9, 1974, nine CF personnel who were part of an UN peacekeeping mission in Egypt were on a regular supply flight to the Golan Heights when their aircraft was shot down during a Syrian missile attack. These nine Canadian peacekeepers lost their lives in the attack, a tragic event in the history of Canada’s peacekeeping operations.

Every year on August 9, CF personnel, veterans and police officers take part in ceremonies across the country to mark National Peacekeepers’ Day. An official ceremony is also held in Ottawa every year at the National Peacekeeping Monument.