Memorial day. A day dedicated to remembering our war dead. At least that was the original intent. Now we pretty much honor all servicemen and servicewomen, regardless of whether they died in combat or not. So, here’s to Perry, John, Fred, and Brian; all friends while I was in the Navy that died while serving. And to the dozen or so others I had some association with that died while serving. And the numerous friends, family members, and relatives that have died since their service. As bad as things seem to be in our country, we still have many reasons to be thankful. The first thing to be thankful for is that we have people willing to serve and sacrifice.
For the past couple decades, I try to make a point of going to a national cemetery on Memorial Day. Since moving to West Lafayette, we visit the cemetery at the Indiana Veteran’s Home. The Home is a State of Indiana facility, started in 1896 to care for Civil War veterans. It is now essentially a nursing home and long-term care facility for veterans. Small compared to the national cemeteries, but the final resting place of servicemen and women answering the call as far back as the Civil War. It’s quiet and peaceful, a fitting resting place for those that deserve one.
The Indiana Veteran’s Home Cemetery.
This is my first post in two months. Multiple reasons for the lag. Trips to Delaware and St. Louis, and entertaining company for a week, eat away at the available time. Trying to learn Gaelic takes a bunch of time. Home repairs take another chunk of time. I could write about my repair adventures, but the language would probably get me kicked off WordPress.
The main reason, however, is that I just haven’t been inspired to write. Writing takes time but good writing takes time and inspiration. And the Muses are apparently bored with our present living situation because they haven’t visited for almost two months. It’s not like we’re just sitting around watching the corn grow. We go out birding. We get in regular workouts. We do family stuff. I’m having fun and learning a lot with woodworking. I’m taking Gaelic lessons and Lise is taking Irish drum (bodhran) lessons. I’m just having trouble focusing on writing and photography. Advice I saw recently said something to the effect of, “Don’t worry about quality. Just sit down and write. The quality will come if you write but it will never come if you don’t write”. So, I guess I have my marching orders. Write.
Sequence of a croaking leopard frog from Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.
Screech owl at Celery Bog, here in West Lafayette.
Spotted sandpiper at Celery Bog, here in West Lafayette.
Far shot of a bald eagle on nest at Summit Lake State Park.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 