Let's celebrate our veterans and the men and women currently serving in the armed forces.We have our flag out. But my family and I (Jean C. Gordon) aren't up to much else. While I'm having lunch with a writer friend, my husband is going to drop in at our son's for a swim in the pool at his condo complex. Then, maybe our son-in-law (the free-range-pig farmer) might have some pulled pork for us for sandwiches for supper.
Nothing like the way my dad, a World War II vet, celebrated. He did Memorial Day in a big way. He'd put out the flag, and we'd walk down to Main Street to watch the parade. Then, he'd have a big barbecue with our relatives from both sides of the family. More than 30 people. They'd come from the city -- Niagara Falls/Buffalo -- to Attica for a day in "the country."
Dad would grill hamburgers and hot dogs and German sausages and make Beef on Wick. People would bring all kinds of salads and deserts. I really miss the potato salads. It's my favorite and neither my husband nor the kids like it. Mom would make jello with fruit salad, and someone would always bring jello with vegetables in it, which none of us "kids" would eat.
We'd take our cousins across the street to the creek and show them how to lift flat rocks and find crayfish. Sometimes, if it was hot enough, we'd walk further down the creek to the fishing hole and "accidentally" fall in. One year when I was in my early teens, a significantly older cousin (the banker) had traded in his well-used VW beetle for a Porsche. All of us older cousins wanted a ride in it. What could be cooler than riding through town in a Porsche with an attractive older guy? Hey, no one needed to know he was my cousin. I can't remember that I ever got that ride.
As the song goes, "Those were the days, my friend." So, what are you doing today?
But she doesn't count on falling for handsome Drew Stacey, a former Wall Streeter who's getting the town church camp ready.
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What fun, Jean! Thanks for sharing about your family celebrations! Pulled pork sounds yummy! We're grilling hamburgers today. :)
ReplyDeleteWe did the grilling thing yesterday at my sister's house. Today is just getting the yard ready for summer--I'm in WI so I don't plant any flowers before now! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI was raised to be extremely supportive of our troops. While we do not do anything specific today, both my boys know why they have off of school today and what the day means. Over the years they've written letters to soldiers that are deployed and seen me send care packages so supporting those that serve is part of our lives regularly. I haven't done as much as I'd like to since both boys started school full-time and I started working part-time. I did more of this when I was a SAHM.
Anyway, all that to say, we are having a lazy day today, but still remembering what the day is set aside for.
I enjoyed your blast to the past, Jean. Having always lived in tiny towns, there were no parades but lots of flags and visits to the cemetary to decorate graves. I remember helping Grandma make flowers out of tissue paper. That's been a while back. :-)
ReplyDeleteBless all of our soldiers. Thanks to those who have served. And we remember those who gave all.
ReplyDelete