Sliding Into Sunday

It’s been a fantastic three days. All the highs. All the lows that are really highs but you don’t realize it. What? It all depends on how you view events. I am grateful for all of it. Beginnings and endings that aren’t permanent endings. All the feelings that accompany them.

It’s amazing when you meet someone, then spend time with them. Every once in a while, you just know you can be friends. And then you reach out, they reach back, and you talk nonstop for a couple of hours. You could keep going but duty calls. What a great feeling!

I have a great deal of respect for Taylor Frye Ullom. She is the founder and Boss Lady of Guitars for Vets, Nebraska. Any vet who has PTSD can take guitar lessons with an individual instructor. Ten lessons and graduation later, they receive a new guitar and accessories, along with the opportunity to perform with others at a ceremony. I am blessed by attending several of their meetings over the last year and enjoying their music every chance I get. Thanks, Taylor. I love your honesty and candor. It’s refreshing.

We spent time at the Post Friday night for the weekly Fish Fry. Good to see the people, and the new crowd who attend. I did some office work since the group kindly prohibits me from bussing tables because of my chronic back issues. I protested and told them I can handle paper plates, but they insisted. Nice when friends look out for you. I appreciate the kindness.

We went to Gavin’s basketball game Saturday afternoon. He is getting better and better! At the first game, he scored a three pointer at the buzzer! How exciting! He was happy.

We all went to see an uncle of Tracy’s who is very close to the end of his life from congestive heart failure. He is the most active man, the best host, the best friend, and the best mentor. The Babe worked for him for many years, and they knew each other well. They two men were married to sisters.

When the Babe’s marriage didn’t work out, they remained friends and business associates. The Babe got his life straightened out and progressed at work. He became a lead man, then Labor Foreman. His brother-in-law is proudest of the soldier aspect of the Babe’s life. His service in the US Army in Vietnam, and his service now as Honor Guard Captain. Two men, stayed friends for years, despite what life threw at the two of them. What a gift.

I took this photo after we left our friend’s home last night. I believe the angels were telling us that was our goodbye on earth to him. He is ready. May God take him home soon. New friends and old friends. Are all part of our time here on earth. We need to recognize the angels telling us the stories and helping us with new beginnings and older transitions. We are blessed to experience both ends of the spectrum this weekend. Thank you for reading. Hope to see you again tomorrow. Blessings.

Veterans Day, 2021

Today is a day for our very special Veterans. All that we enjoy today is because of them and their sacrifices. The freedoms we enjoy are not seen in any other country. We are safer with them at the ready. They don’t think twice about it. Love of their country and freedom are what keep them at their posts. All six branches of the services combined create the well oiled machine that is the Military of the United States of America. Old Veterans would marvel at drone technology used today. I know my dad would. He’d want to work the darned things!

I’ve mentioned before the three photos my Grandma Jewell had in her living room. Each in a corner, either black and white or sepia finished, her three sons in their military uniforms. All handsome, young, trained, and ready to go. The patriotism the men of this era had is recounted in old war movies, songs, and the general mood of the times. Folks at home planted gardens to ease the burden of the grocery system at the time, so the troops would have what they needed. Mom recounted the shortages on toilet paper, soap, and other items like sugar. Everyone did their part. Could we do that now? I would hope, but many folks wouldn’t.

The message I took away from seeing those photographs subliminally at every visit sits deep in the fabric that is me. I cannot imagine life without that early exposure to the Patriots around me. All the men in our neighborhood and family served in the military. Of my three brothers, one was 4F, one not the right age during the draft, and one went to the reserves, at the time, the 915 Transportation Unit from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He would have gladly gone if called up.

My husband Dan served in Vietnam, many years before we met. It left him a haunted soul, like many of the young men who served there. My dad, after serving in WWII and Korea, told me once, “A jungle war is so different than a war fought in cities and towns. The mindset of the enemy is very different, too. The bottom line is, the enemy wants to kill you in whatever barbaric way they can.” He should know; he was in combat as a medic “aide.” They were on the battlefield, did not have weapons, and running to assess and aid the wounded. He was a surgical tech in the MASH tents of Korea. He saw the damages. And he was awarded two bronze stars. My dad, gentleman, loving father and grandfather, and quintessential bad ass. He was a quiet man, just went about his business, never wanting any attention. Many of our Veterans are the same way.

After having these experiences, it’s no wonder our troops have difficulty merging back into life at home. They are not the same as when they left. We need to find ways to help them adjust, and we need to adjust, too. Nothing is the same once they return home.

Recognizing that, we have an Art exhibit by Liz Boutin, and an information fair at the VFW Post 2503 today. The Post opens at noon, and we have lots of tables for you to visit with various agencies and groups for the Veterans. Guitars for Vets, Moving Veterans Forward, 22 Veteran Suicide Awareness Association from Council Bluffs, grief materials from Centering Corporation in Omaha, and some vendors. Come, have a great spaghetti meal between 4 – 7 p.m. and attend our Ceremony at 6 p.m. Corporal Daegan Page’s family will receive a special gift that was sent to us by a gentleman in Texas. I will share it with you tomorrow. It’s breath-taking.

Let us honor our keepers of freedom. Let us remember their sacrifices. We can never thank them enough.

Monday – A Day of Rest!

Considering Monday a day of rest is thinking outside the box. Usually Sunday is, by tradition, but my achy, breaky body tells me I need some. Right NOW! No negotiations.

I just assembled tonight’s Keto friendly dinner. It’s Pork Stew, with a pork loin and onions set to cook on low for about six hours. Later, instead of capers, I’m adding a frozen bag of squash and a frozen bag of peas. It’s weird, I don’t care for canned peas, but I love frozen ones. Better color and taste. Results later. I’m going to try and find a keto friendly apple sauce, crisp, or dessert. You remember, Peter Brady, “Porks Chops and Applesauce?”

Our VFW Post 2503 raised nearly $600 yesterday for the 50 Mile March, which will support Guitars for Vets, Nebraska, and Moving Veterans Forward. We were treated to several hours of fantastic music by a great group of Veterans. We’re forming a relationship with them, and I can tell it will be a good one. They’re easy to like, and as mentors for other Vets, I’m sure they are good. Life is supposed to work this way, people helping people. I love seeing plans come together.

What comes the rest of the day? It’s a day for reviewing notes and chapters from my novel. It’s also a day to watch my video classes of Kid Lit Books. My recliner and heating pad will not be far, trust me. And yes, there is a nap going to happen, too. Can’t forget that!

I’m also reading about Nebraska Writers Guild call for submissions for their annual anthology publication. It was a copy of an earlier volume of this publication I purchased driving home from Colorado three years ago that led me to read, learn about the Guild, and to join it. I enrolled in two of their conferences, and haven’t quit since then. It’s be a cool way to become a published author, get my name out there, etc. We’ll definitely keep you posted!

The month is so brand new, shiny and ready for lots of creating. I’m excited just talking about it. The older I become, the easier it is to take new risks. Of course, they’re calculated. I do a lot of homework before jumping in, always remembering I can’t swim. But I can stay afloat with a pool noodle. We can all succeed, even if we need a little assistance. We have to seek it. Yes, it’s work. How can you learn what your purpose is other than to look for it and try new things. I never learned how a woman was to spend her life after raising her family, especially when they scattered to the four winds and live in three different states. Grandparenting is very different than I expected; except for when they were babies. That may be the most fun part, watching them learn things and mastering skills. I hope they realize I have a need to do that, too.

Have a wonderful afternoon. Relax if you need to. Work out if you need to. I’m off to switch laundry, do my 71 squats for Day 2 (have you done yours)? Then it’s to the recliner. Be safe out there. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Musical Memories

The day before yesterday, I wrote about some music from the 60s and 70s. Just pleasant tunes and thoughts. Another group who played music I loved were “The Young Rascals,” who became “The Rascals.” At our high school dances, I loved whatever garage band we hired who could sing those songs. “Good Lovin,” “Mustang Sally,” ” I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “How Can I Be Sure, “In the Midnight Hour,” and who could forget, “It’s a Beautiful Morning!” Right after “Saturday, in the Park,” right?

With my 50 + 1 High School Reunion coming up August 6, I’ve been pretty reflective the past few weeks. I suppose it goes with the territory of being graduated into the world for 50 + 1 Years. As I look back, music of the times was an enormous factor in how I dealt with life, former marriage, loving my family, making friends, and how we operated as a family unit. A friend told me in 1982, “Love on the Rocks,” by Neil Diamond makes me think of you.”

It’s all there, the love songs, the breaking up songs, the positive, encouraging songs about love and loss, and changes people go through during a relationship. My first husband was content just to be who he was forever. I grew up and wanted to be a partner in the relationship. Sure, from his side it was perfect. I did everything he needed, with the house & kids, and he controlled everything. Me included. I needed more. I wanted to go to school and eventually work. He laughed. Well, there had to be another way.

There was. Another song. But this time, there was another one playing. About building walls around your heart. Dang if the Babe didn’t see right through those walls and destroy them. And there have been plenty of other songs along the way. Now, songs about people with the start of dementia and/or Alzheimer’s. Asking for someone to remember for them, to help them remember. It’s all part of this part of life. Very poignant. Very moving. I pray the Babe and I don’t have to deal with this. We have two friends who are right now; and one woman lost her husband earlier this year. I cannot imaine the pain involved with this. My heart hurts for them.

What can we do for those who suffer? We must be patient with them. We can help keep them safe. We can offer our friends a respite from a spouse’s care. Most importantly, talk to them. Hug them, if they allow you to. Don’t just talk about them and not interact with them. Listen to them. Include them in activities and conversation. Be Kind.

Truer Words Never Spoken

One of the saddest things I’ve ever seen was Glen Campbell and his family chronicling his decline with Alzheimer’s. His last album, “Adios” was beautiful. And his song, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” tears my heart out. But it’s true, it’s real, and it happens to our friends, family, neighbors, and peers. Just as the music of most of our lives includes young love, first love, breakups, weddings, divorces, loss, sheer joy, beautiful days in the park, and mid life crises, it includes carrying on after loss of memory, altered brain function, and loss of spouses. It’s all part of living. The good and bad. The highs and lows. You can’t soften the blows when they happen. You can cope with it, however.

I am so happy music helps me through all the rough patches of life. I hope it can help you through, too. On the other side of this pain, this life with all of it’s ups and downs, is joy. Joy of babies and toddlers, of friends and family, of helping others. Please, keep going. Please, find a way to cope. Your friends are with you. I’m with you. Let’s help each other along.

If you are a veteran, suffering with PTS, get ahold of your local chapter of Guitars for Vets. We have Guitars for Vets Nebraska in our area, and our VFW Post 2503 is having a fundraiser for them and Moving Veterans Forward on Sunday, August 1, 2021; from 11 – 3. We have a Car Show, a Silent Auction, a 50/50 drawing, merch items for sale, and food available. We’re collecting Auction items this week. Help to help people through music. See you tomorrow!

Saturday and Sunday Fun!

Guilty for playing hooky yesterday! It was such a fun morning!

A VFW member had a guitar he wanted to donate to Guitars for Vets, Nebraska. I couldn’t attend one of their meetings until yesterday to meet Peggy Frye Ullom and drop off the guitar. David J Mike and I met before, and he greeted me with a warm hug, as did Jim. Nice, nice people.

After meeting Peggy, she asked if I wanted to hang out for awhile. I did. Lucky me! They were rehearsing for their two hour set, which is going on at this minute. In Papillion, Nebraska, at Veterans Park. Their music will continue all day long and into the early night, to bring attention to Veteran PTSD.

The organization, Guitars for Vets accepts Veterans with a medical diagnosis of PTSD. Often, they spend time talking about their situations as well as learning their music. The relationships built between Veterans has always amazed. It’s one of the utmost of trust, camaraderie, and knowing. They have to trust their peers have their backs; the stories they share (good and bad) are relatable to all of them; and they all know what each other have been through. PTSD is very common during the summer, often triggered by fireworks. Sad we celebrate that way.

They understand the nightmares, the haunting visions, the triggers they each carry. And they accept each other. They support each other. It’s a beautiful thing to observe. I always see them at the VFW. It makes me think of my dad and his brothers, all Veterans, all honorable men. Dad and Uncle Joe Jewell served in WWII and Korea. Uncle Bob served in Korea too. Their formal photos all hung in Grandma’s living room as long as I can remember.

Uncle Joe Conrad served in the Navy. He looks so dashing in his photos. Like a movie star! He was on the USS Essex. His brother Bob and a man we know from the VFW Post were all stationed together. I was thrilled to hear that story from Bob Blakeman after Uncle Joe died. Bob had health issues preventing him from attending the funeral, but he gave me the gift of that story, that connection. He passed shortly after that, as did Bob Conrad. I think of them in heaven, all restored to whatever life in heaven looks like, and it makes me smile. That Veterans bond never ends. It defies death.

If you are in driving distance to the Papillion Nebraska area, road trip yourselves up here or down here and sit and listen to these fabulous musicians. The healing power of music has saved me many, many times. Through hard times and good times. Music is always there. And it heals hearts and souls. The schedule of performers is on their FB page, Jimmy Weber is performing last, and he will close with his version of TAPS. Have a hanky ready. It’s very powerful. Come out, enjoy the nice summer day; get some joy from the music, make some new friends, and learn what Guitars for Vets does for our Veterans. We owe it to them to support them in any way possible.