Never Forget

In July of 1977, my family, infrequent (understatement) travelers, took a trip up the eastern seaboard, including historic Philadelphia and then a day trip to New York City.


One of the highlights of that trip was a visit to The World Trade Center.  I have few recollections of the visit, except that, to me, the building seemed brand new (not 4 years old, as it was at the time), and, of course, super tall (having just then been surpassed as the tallest building in the world), and that my acrophobic mother would not venture close to the windows of the observation deck on the 107th floor.  

Surprisingly, I saved the brochure from that visit.  Yes, back then I was a scrapbooker (before scrapbooking was a thing) and I've kept it all these years.  

The cover of the brochure.  Inside, the admission price for adults
is listed as $1.70, for children 85 cents.  

Today is a sad day in American history.  In my 40+ years, there aren't many days that I can experientially recall as collectively sad for our nation.  I was just a month old when JFK was assassinated and a child when Martin Luther King was killed and also during Watergate, so those sort of "where were you when?" moments are, thankfully, not a huge part of my own personal history.  I do remember vividly the Challenger explosion (I was on my way to a Women in Literature class in college) and I watched the Columbia Shuttle explosion, eight years ago, on a television at the gym - so upset I had to leave.  


Ten years ago today, having sent my children off to school and preschool, I was getting ready for a dentist's appointment.  My husband called me from his office and told me to turn on the television, and the world was never the same.

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “

                                                                                                  - President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

Grandparents' Day

I must confess, I thought Grandparents' Day was the creation of the folks at Hallmark.  But no, truth be told, 32 years ago President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day, Grandparents' Day.  This year it falls on September 11th.  

(L) Bessie and Herbert McKenzie and (R) Ellen and Marshall Harrison
on my wedding day, June 23, 1990.  Having all 4 of my grandparents at my wedding
was (an understatement) excellent.

And though the parents of my mother and father have been gone more than ten years, I still remember them often and really miss them.  I am so thankful to have had dear and loving grandparents.  


Here's a few special photos of the other "grand" folks in our lives:

McKenzie with "Grandmother".  Her husband, Jim, is  also like a grandfather to our children.

McKenzie and Tate with "Grandfather"

My kids' "Pop" and "Nan"

Tate with "Pop" (I added this photo of the two of them looking at a book because it's adorable).

and also, 

My husband's maternal grandmother and grandfather, Ruth and Earl Tuck.
"Grandma" Tuck passed away just last summer. 

So this weekend, I hope those fortunate enough, like me, to have or have had terrific grandparents, will celebrate.

National Dog Day

Brownie relaxes on her sofa perch.  

My blog has included several posts about pet ownership, like here and here, so I feel duty bound to tell you that today is National Dog Day.  

Libby and Brownie.  Having a little fun.  

Our two dogs are not adjusting all that well to the Texas heat.  Those long walks in the evening are a thing of the past - at least for the time being, but I am hoping (and so are they) cooler weather is just around the corner!  


Perhaps you read the touching story about one of the Navy SEALS who was killed in action recently and his dog, Hawkeye.  This photo brings tears to my eyes.  

Man's best friend, indeed.

First Days

Today I send my youngest off to high school.  


This is his kindergarten photo.

Just last week  I sent my oldest off to college.


This is her photo from kindergarten. 

And for posterity, a photo of the two of them together on her first day of 4th grade and his of kindergarten.  

Look at his happy expression.  I hope his first day of high school will be better!

Now excuse me while I go in search of a box of Kleenex (or two).  

The Wizard of Oz

Seventy-two years ago today, The Wizard of Oz premiered at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin's Strand Theatre.  Need proof?  I know I did.

A fan of children's books, I can't say I loved L. Frank Baum's original work.  I've been told it's an allegory, but I prefer contemplating it as fantasy/fairy tale/adventure.  


I do, however, love the movie (it's definitely one of my favorites).  I've seen it countless times.  True confession, regardless of the number of times I watch it, I'm still a little afraid of those flying monkeys.  

This photo, however, warms my heart.  

And I can't help but imagine that would make the Tin Man very happy.  

National Joke Day

This is serious.  Well, not really.  But today really is  National Joke Day.  So without further ado (and because I love a blonde joke):

There was a competition to swim from Santa Monica to Catalina doing only the breaststroke, and the three women who entered the race were a brunette, a redhead and a blonde.

After approximately 14 hours, the brunette staggered up on the shore and was declared the fastest breaststroker.

About 40 minutes later, the redhead crawled on shore and was declared the second place finisher.

Nearly 4 hours after that, the blonde finally came ashore and promptly collapsed in front of the worried onlookers. When the reporters asked why it took her so long to complete the race, she replied,

"I don't want to sound like a sore loser, but I think those two other girls were using their arms."

Hope you laugh a lot today!

Play in the Sand Day

When my children were young, it didn't take too much encouragement from me to entice them to play in the sand. They never really needed an official Play in the Sand Day, although that's exactly what today celebrates.    

In fact, from age 2 to about 5, my son's love of the backyard sandbox was legendary.  A few plastic spoons, a toy dump truck and some miniature dinosaurs to excavate and he could spend hours outside in his green plastic turtle sandbox.

  

My husband and I both have a love for the ocean and the beach so I guess it's not surprising that there are lots of photos of the kids enjoying their sandy escapades.  Small wonder, they are some of my most favorite photos of their childhood.  

One of two swim suits she referred to as "magical"

She loved it so much, she gave it a kiss!

At this age, still undecided about sandy feet

I love how completely engaged he is and how adorable she is.