My Sunday Thoughts-It's a long weekend!

Well here it is Memorial Day Weekend. I remember when it was just a Day! Can't remember when it changed over to a Long weekend celebration. Its a Mark of the time one can wear White pants, shoes and Purses, or is that a thing of the past? on the TV Some folks were asked "What is memorial day to you?" they said things like;
Picnics and cookouts.
Family Party time.
A Day Celebration.
Pool time.
I was taken back, you see Memorial Day was set up to remember the Soldiers who lost their lives to make this Country Free. What happened to the School teaching. It must be in the text books! The other day my daughter stated that the teaches do not teach they just do what ever the state says.... I have a hard time with that. However after hearing some of the comments on Memorial Day, I am rethinking that.
A little history for you.
This day was set aside after the civil to honor and remember the fallen, there was so many of them! It was known as "Dedication day". Folks went to the grave and visited the dead, some times just setting and talking to them. Families and towns come together to Mourn their lost. It is believed that the first time it was observed was by formerly enslaved black people at the Washington Race Course. These folks were from what we know today as Charleston, South Carolina. The race track had been used as a slave imprisonment during the Civil War. After the war ended the Slaves that had been keep there were free. Did they Celebrate you ask.. No. What the did was gather up all the fallen soldiers and made a Grave site. Buried them all and set the that day as a remembrance of the cost of Freedom. It was called the Union Graveyard and on May 1, 1865 all came together to honor the fallen. They had sermons, singing and picnics on the grave yard grounds. Only the Black community attended and the children were said to be in the thousands.
On May 5 1868,General John A. Logan,commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic declared this Dedication Day be Nationwide and on the 30 of May. The date was chosen because it was not the actual anniversary of the war. The tombs of all the fallen of the Civil War were decorated with flowers.
In 1882 the name was changed to Memorial Day. It did not really go well and was not widely observed until after World War 2. The new name was not official until 1967. Then in 1968 a bill was passed to included Veteran day, Washington's Birthday and Memorial day all in one and making it a three day weekend event. The bill came in effect on the last Monday of May in 1971. By 1978 all states were observing this Memorial day on the same date.
Now How confusing is that? That's a little history of the Day we now observe and how it evolved. I wonder how it will be looked at in, oh let's say 40 years from now.....?

Aloha Friday -Summers' Coming Here!

A question for you:

What your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

Don't forget to check in at An Island Life for more Friday questions.

"Not So" Wordless Wednesday- Beluga Whales

Interested in Wordless Wednesday visit

Wordless Wednesday Headquarter
To link up

you can also visit, Seven Clown Circus for Wordful wednesday.

Well this is a not so wordless Wednesday. I will have to work on keeping quiet next week. I will go back" Tell Me Thursday" all about wordless Wednesday.
As promised here is the video of the Beluga whales. While at SeaWorld one can have a "Once-in-a-lifetime Animal Encounter" with the Beluga Interaction Program. There was one going on while we were at the Wild Arctic exhibit.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Video of Beluga encounter:Running time 1.29 minutes

Here are some facts about Beluga Whales:

• Average Length is 32 feet.
• Their weight on average is 7 tons
• They can live 75 to 100 years.
• Love to eat Tuna, Harp Seal, they are Carnivorous but not known to attack humans.
• Have six layers of razor sharp teeth.
  
• Their habitat is in Coastal Greece and Scandinavia. In the winter their home is a coasts of Patagonia.
• As far as mating; only once every twenty years with a 30 day gestation then the Piddlins are born, about seven or eight babies at one time.
• There are more than 17 million Beluga whales at the present time. they are not an Endangered Animal.
• Average IQ of 155

I found this statement on the site I used for the fact;
"Male Belugas tend to be solitary, while females raise their young and socialize in large groups called "fronds." Each frond has a leader, or "mermistress," and she is the only female who nurses all of the young in each frond. A mermistress also disciplines the young belugas, often eating those that are disobedient."
How's that for discipline?

resource used for information Facts About Beluga Whales

Monday's News- Cast and BlueMonday

On Friday I had to go to the doctors office because the Waterproof cast put on Wednesday was so tight I could not sleep at night. Two nights of no sleep was just too much. If you didn't know I broken my Radius by my Wrist 3 weeks ago Tomorrow. Fell in the solarium, trip over my hubbies Computer cord. A few days later I realized that my arm was broken when the bruise came up to the surface. Yes I was in a cast on our Florida trip. Upon returning the cast was very loose so at my regular Ortho appointment I needed a new one. Decided on a waterproof one.. Bad choice! Because of the waterproof lining the skin does not breathe easily. It was miserable.. At night or in the heat when the arm swelled there was no give. On top of that it really itched badly. So on Friday the call was made to the Ortho, I went in and the Doctor put a new one on... not a waterproof one, a regular one. Much better , the new one is Blue. You can see the waterproof one Here.

Speaking of Blue...A new meme for me called Blue Monday
You can click on the icon to go to the host site, Smiling Sally. I really didn't think consciously about Blue Monday when I decided on a blue cast. Guess subconsciously my mind was on blogging mode,hehehe. that must make me a true Blogger now.. Like my Hubby would Say "You Blogger Now". Here's the Blue Monday photo....


Oh yes I'm blue today in more ways than one.

See the Bricks? Those are part of the Mural being painted in my Vintage Sewing Room Front Store mural. Monica is busy working on it now. I'm so excited about this project. You can follow it on my " Living Healthy with Auntie E" site, Link on the sidebar. It will be a totally Green/ living room.
How was your Weekend? I would love to know...always eager to get the News on fellow bloggers. Leave your link so all can get the news on your Life. "Inquisitive Minds want to know!"
This is a Thumbnail linky.. I'm trying to weed out the Spam folks. You must link a photo with your URL. "Try it you'll like it!"

Aloha Friday - Graduations

High School graduations are around the corner. I remember my HS Party.. it was in the beginning of the seventies. I received so many things as I was on my way to College(Seminary) in Cincinnati Ohio. Oh to be going away from home, my friends and family. A Sad Day but Joyful rolled up in one. Here are some photos of that Day.



My Question to you all:

It is now a New Century..What does one give a person Graduating and headed for College?

You can go to An Island Lifeto link up for Aloha Friday.

Wordless Wednesday- Killer Whales

Interested in Wordless Wednesday visit

Wordless Wednesday Headquarter
To link up

you can also visit, Seven Clown Circus for Wordful wednesday.

We saw the Shamu Show at Sea World in Florida over the weekend.
It just amazes me the beauty of these Killer Whales.

I took this video on the 15th while in Florida
This one is the full first part of the show.



A Shorter version.

Ruby Tuesday- Florida

Mary over at Work of the Poet is the host for Ruby Tuesday. Hop over and check out all today's rubies from around the world.
Here are some rubies from our Police Memorial Weekend in Florida.

Inside the A.P.H.F. for the Fallen Police Officers...

To the Fallen Close to Home.
Click on photo to Enlarge to read plaque.

This Years Survivors light the Candle.

Survivors Sea World Trip.
We went by buses there were 9 of them!

First stop inside the park, Wild Arctic.....
The ice felt nice and cold.
The temps were in the upper 80's headed to the 90's.

The Beluga Wales
One could feed and play with them.
So much fun to watch.
I'll show a video of them later this week.

Entertainment outside.

Look closely you will see the Baby Dolphin looking at me.
He was so playful.

My Ruby at the end of the day.
Rosy faced from the sun and tired.
Ready to head back to Titusville.

Be sure to return tomorrow for the Video of our Shamu adventure.
On My Wordless Wednesday Post.

Monday's News- Long Weekend Update

Hope you all enjoyed the scheduled post and got a chance to visit the "Auntie E's On the Go" blog...Pictures in real time while we are out and about are there.
Now time for the update.....Friday we flew to Florida for a memorial service. On that date there was a shuttle launch scheduled for Atlantis. We got to view it from Cocoa Beach.

Click on the photo for better view

Later that evening was The Memorial service. I love The American Police Hall of Fame memorial services. They are so nice and even though this is plenty of sadness, we all are together. The reading of the fallen Officers names is tough to get through. There are so many. However it is good to attend these reading, more folks should attend to honor the Police Peace officers Lives. I meet a few new survivors this time, need to get my brother to attend next year he would be better for attending. They really help in coping with the lost...We are not alone! Each of us support each other. So many children now without a Parent, Uncle, Aunt, Sister, Brother or Grandparent. Just to think they will have to live the senseless action of the taken life for rest of their lives. They do not know it yet but, it will affect them in each milestone they come to! These coming together each year helps all of us through those times.

We decided to go to Downtown Disney on Sunday. It wasn't crowded at all. Did Some shopping. I really liked one of the Disney drawing so my daughter bought it for me.
We eat at Planet Hollywood, we all had Hamburgers and Shakes. Afterward we looked around the four floors of old movies props from the 50's through the 80's. Stay tune for some photos later these next weeks.

Hope you got a chance to go to the sites of the Support organizations to learn more about all the Help for Fallen Police Officers families for their lifetime.

Arrived back Home last night, had a good night sleep and now to start the weeks activities. There is a lot for this week. Doctors appointments, working on Ongoing Projects and School testing for my daughter. Life goes on.......

Heading Home Today

We have had an emotional time as well as some fun time here. Friday we spent the day on Cocoa Beach. Watched the Atlantis Shuttle lift off. By the way you will be able to see it at arriving at the International Space Station tonight around 10 pm.
Lyd found some Barnacles under the pier on the photo. We tried to go last night to see them but the water was high. Found a pair of sunglasses. If you lost them they are still under the Pier on the piling shelf.
That evening we had a memorial service for the Fallen Police Officers, there was a big group this year. More later this week on that.
Saturday we went to SeaWorld with all the Survivors. There were 9 buses of them. I hadn't been there since I was 10. Loved the Shamu show. More later this week..... for you a video of it.
Today we will decided what to do, there is many thing for us to choose from. Our flight doesn't leave til tonight, so we will have plenty of time. Stay tune for the detail on My Auntie E's On The Go blog on the right side bar. I will be blogging about it in real time from my phone.
Have a great Sunday!

Flashback TV- Oh those themes!

You know how those TV theme jigs just stick in your head?

I catch myself singing them sometimes.... so does someone else!

Straight No Chaser singing the themes to some TV show. Oh let's just reminisce a while...

On the Go-In Florida

So we are On the go in Florida... Be sure to check in and follow my On The Go Blog, for daily photos in real time. So we arrive in time to see the last Shuttle Launch. Current time for it is May 14th 14:20 hours(2:20pm).
Click on the widget on the left to go to that blog. Be sure to sign in to follow either on Facebook or Goggle.


"Liftoff is scheduled for May 14 at 2:20 p.m. According to Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters, weather is expected to be favorable, with a 70 percent chance of good conditions. The primary weather concern for Friday is the possibility of a low cloud ceiling. Partly cloudy and generally dry conditions will dominate the afternoon hours throughout the week."click on the statement for the countdown clock.

On Saturday we will be going to SeaWorld with the Survivors group for the whole day.
On Sunday we will spend some time in Cocoa Beach and Orlando.
See you all on the "Auntie E's On The Go" blog. The Vacationing Spot to be!

Leaving on a Jet Plane....In Memory of....

Well it's that time of the year. May 9-16 is Police week. A time we remember that fallen officers and their families. So much the Police do for us. Some behind the scenes and then there is the ones that are in danger every time they walk out that home door. President John F Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation in 1962 that set aside May 15 as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

My grandfather was murdered in the line of duty on May 16th 1961. The man who killed him was electrocuted at that time. I remember my Grandfather dearly, however he was taken away when I was 7 years old. That one event affected all our lives, my grandmother, my Mother and Uncle, Grandpa Police Partner Enos, My brothers both living at that time and the unborn one. the great grandchildren, and not to leave out all the people of Norfolk.

On his funeral day the streets were lined with people. So many that there was not enough room for them at the church or burial sight. You see it affected the whole town. Even today the death of an office affects Multitude of folks.

In 1984 "Concerns for Police Officers Survivors" Known as C.O.P.S was formed. Every year since then on this week they come together to support and give honor to the Fallen and their families and friends. Their mission statement is:

"Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors."

My dear Mother was part of that organization. She was so in-tuned with the Families of the fallen. Upon her death she received the highest honors from the police force. You see in her time of lost there was no support and she knew how important it was and is today.

The National Law Enforcement Police Memorial Fund, Known as the NLEOMF helps to pay for the memorial services in DC as well as other programs. They have a museum in DC and is planning to break ground for a new Museum building in October this year.
The Mission of the Museum is:

The Museum

"The mission of the National Law Enforcement Museum is to tell the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education. The Museum dynamically engages the broadest possible audience in this story in an effort to build mutual respect and foster cooperation between the public and the law enforcement profession. By doing so, the Museum contributes to a safer society and serves to uphold the democratic ideals of the U.S. Constitution."

A.P.H.F. is the first museum I remember as a child.

"The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1960. It is the nation's first national police museum and memorial dedicated to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty."
My grandfathers name was put on their walls and in the late 60's my parents took us there to see it.
Each year they have a memorial service for all the fallen officers since the 1900's and some go back even further.
After the Death of my Mother the decision was made to go every year to this memorial service. I have written about our first time last year. This year my family will be going again .
This is a great organization. They do so much for the Children and Families of the fallen. Each year my daughter receives gifts on her Birthday and Christmas from them. These gift are a reminder of what my grandfather did for this country. His Life was not just cast aside but remembered for his duty to all Americans." Lest we Forget...."

I have given all the links to each organizations so, you can visit and learn more about them.
This is my only plug to you....support these groups that help the families of our Fallen Officers. Through School/College scholarships, Summer camps for the kids and adult get away for support and fun, the gifts and all the other programs they provide thought out the year. All because their love one can no longer do these things. Yes my friends a great deal is lost for a lifetime, after the death of a Police Officer.

In Loving Memory

ROBERT COURTLAND WASH
Detective
Norfolk, Virginia, P.D.
Norfolk, VA
Date of Death: 05/16/1961
Panel 20, E -16

The Panel number is where his name is located at at the Washington DC Police Monorial Wall

The Icon photo above " We Never Walk Alone" can be purchased at NLEOMF

Wordless Wednesday-Family

Interested in Wordless Wednesday visit

Wordless Wednesday Headquarter
To link up

you can also visit, Seven Clown Circus for Wordful wednesday.

This is Critter as Dr Seuss!

Monday's News- Mother's Day Weekend & MM

My Weekend was full of new things.Friday evening Lyd Spent the night with her BFF. That gave Hubby and me time alone. Saturday morning Hubby and I went out to my favorite place for Breakfast. Mimi has the best Muffins,in my opinion. Then we went to Lowes to look at things for My Vintage Sewing room. Purchased a few things we needed. That evening we picked up Lydia and went to a concert. Lydia's Cello teacher was preforming.

Mother's Day we went to church. Great Music and Sermon, all I have to say about the Sermon is when we get uptight with our children say "Crystal not Tupperware, Crystal not Tupperware, Oh Lord Jesus help me!, Crystal not Tupperware".
After church we met up with family and went out to Olive Garden at eat. I sent photos to "Auntie E's On the Go" blog. It was a great time. Critter is so cute he just makes me what to hug him so tight. When he saw my Cast, he said " I have to come to your house and make cookies all by myself for you". He was so serious, Critter Loves to cook! We had Critter and Alex ride with us to the Restaurant, the car was so noisy. However My S-I-L and Mike got some quiet time in their car. I had bought shirts for the kids in Virginia Beach, haven't seen both of them together since. So I give them the tie-dye T-Shirts.

After Lunch Hubby, daughter and I went to F.Y.E. at the mall. They are closing that store. We purchased DVD's, Music CD's and Lydia got a Twilight Lunch box. Which she took to school this morning.

I received a diamond Mom's necklace and a hand written card for my daughter.

I will close today with a song from one of the CD a purchase.




Crystal not Tupperware link."Mothering with No Regrets"

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Do Something for Yourself Today

To all The Moms who visit Me.........

Kathys Comments