pick a pumpkin winner . . .

I PROMISE am almost sure that this will be the last post that begins with "pick a pumpkin" . . . at least for another year!! It was a nice solid run of seven. :)

I had the random number generator do my dirty work and it pulled number 36.  Congratulations to Karen of Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats!  Karen, I'll send you an email to get your particulars.  :)

So I did bake a batch of those Ginger Spice Cookies I blogged about yesterday. Oh they are SO good! 

I like the ones rolled in the chunky colored sugar best . . .

Isn't that pretty? It's perfect for both autumn and Christmas baking. And I have it on good authority from granddaughter Ellie, that it makes great 'prinkles' for popcorn.  I have it custom mixed for me by Sharon at Simply Baking Supplies on Etsy.

She's really great to work with and so pleasant! And when I emailed her today to say I'd used up all my supply and needed some more, she responded that she had saved my mix amounts and would send me out some more of the same right away.  That is customer service!

Anyway, once I'd finished baking, it was time to kick back upstairs with some handwork. And some cookies. (I mean, c'mon, right?!)

I've decided I'm going to stitch up each individual flower -- all of one color at a time -- then stitch the flowers together.  

There are a total of 45 flowers.  I finished three last night. Only 42 to go?!  Hahaha! 

This printout has served me so well at every stage of this project! You can see where I marked off the first flower. I'll X off each flower as I finish. Hopefully, by today's end, I'll have at least two or three more to go with yesterday's three.  That will make for some satisfying slow Sunday stitching. I'll be linking up to Kathy's Quilts for that!

Hey!  And don't forget to thank and hug a Veteran!  We have off on Monday in observance of the day, but today, November 11, is actually Veterans Day.  

If you've served our country in one of the armed forces, you have my gratitude.  Thank you for your service!

Have a great day -- and if you're off tomorrow, enjoy your Monday! 

:)

red, white and true . . .

Petty Officer of the Quarter picture, 1989

In 1989, I was serving in the Staff Judge Advocate's office at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia. NAB Little Creek is the major operating base for the Amphibious Forces in the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet. It's fondly referred to as the home of the "brown water Navy". :)

For some reason I've *never* been able to figure out, I was asked to be the key note speaker for the 5th Annual Federal Women's Week luncheon that year. Sorting through some old files and photos, I came across my hand written notes for that speech the other day and got a little misty-eyed reading it (as well as a few chuckles)!  In honor of Veteran's Day and the women who serve, I thought I'd share that (very brief) speech.

*   *   *   *   *

Thank you Lt. Stallings. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.  My standing before you today is a prime example of that 'can do' attitude.  This is the first time I've spoken publicly in front of such a large number of people.  With that in mind, I want you to know that when I was first asked to speak here today for the 5th Annual Federal Women's Week luncheon, I unhesitatingly said, "Yes!"  I am a firm believer in the 'can do' attitude where it applies to women and especially myself.  Thus I agreed to speak, but with so many different approaches to take, I spent the next two weeks scrambling for something coherent -- and meaningful -- to say.  I didn't struggle because I didn't know what to say, but rather because there is so much that can be said of the progress women have made in the work force over the last several decades. How to chose?

Today women are challenging themselves and consequently finding themselves quite at home in careers that twenty years ago belonged traditionally to men.  Interpretation and enforcement of the law, medicine, upper-level management, politics and the military are just of few of the many careers in which women are applying themselves.  And not only are women forging rewarding career paths, but many of us are raising families and managing to combine two separate, full-time jobs into twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  That's a really long week!  And a very rewarding one, as well.

But it's been through all of the positive things that have been spoken about in this last week that our advancement and contributions have been made possible.  The "can do" and the "sky is the limit" attitudes are what have given women the edge in their advancement in our world today.  With hard work, courage, and determination, women have waded past the skepticism and doubt and are emerging victorious.  Not just in their careers, but within themselves.  I know that we, as women, have always had the potential to put ourselves where we are going today, but it has taken patience and spirit to realize that potential and self-confidence and lots of that 'can do' attitude to make others aware of our full potential as well.  In knowing this, I realized what women are doing with their lives in this new work force era goes far beyond the "equal rights movement" or "equal work for equal pay".  It is a matter of "We the people," and "One nation under God indivisible":  for the betterment of all, versus the gain of just one.

In parting, I would like to share with you a verse I wrote to sum up my feelings on this tremendous subject:

At the end of each tunnel, there shines a light,

That with perseverance proves our futures bright.

Awakening minds; awareness sets in,

The belief in a new kind of future begins.

Spirits so high, driven by pride,

A force too strong to override.

Determination, over the years, strong-willed to succeed, conquering fears.

Hearts are opening to a great change, as thoughts and ideas fly in exchange.

Bound together as one, we're doing it all,

No obstacle too great, no step too small.

*   *   *   *   *

I'm an arms-bearer, front row, third from the left.  Honor Guard was serious business. :)

So there you have it.  I'm so blessed to have been able to serve my country by serving in the U.S. Navy and have some marvelous memories.  Hug a veteran today -- tell them you appreciate their service.  Heck, find one *everyday* and tell 'em they're appreciated!!

Happy Veteran's Day!

:)

HOME OF THE BRAVE

Through the feel of war they brave this day
How proud they stand, their unselfish way

Our soldiers bear what we cannot see
They assure our right to live life free

Each trained will face an unknown fate
Our support they need, don’t hesitate

Just imagine how this land would be
Without their courage – catastrophe

All the liberties we have grown to know
Would not exist, this life would go

Find a thankfulness within your mind
Speak gratitude for our bravest kind

Have the willingness to show you care
For fallen heroes, hold back no tear

Reach out to God with his guiding light
For our troops do pray, both day and night

America raise your flags to wave
For we truly are ‘home of the brave’

by Roger J. Robicheau, ©2003




If you know someone who served in the Navy, Army, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, or some other branch
of the armed services, how thrilled they would be to receive
a simple thank you; acknowledgement of how fortunate you
are to have had the veteran serve and protect our country.

And while most sailors and soldiers did not serve in order
to receive recognition, the support they receive from
normal citizens is what makes Veterans’ Day a
true holiday in the United States.

And friend, if you were the one who served in this
country's Armed Forces, then I thank you --
you have my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation!

Happy Veterans' Day! :)

lost heroes art quilt exhibit . . .

Yesterday I had the honor and privilege to work as a volunteer at the Lost Heroes Art Quilt project exhibit at our local Botanical Gardens. If you've not seen it or heard about it, you should check out their website (or read the rest of this post -- LOL).

It's a combination of a book . . .

And a beautiful, poignant quilt, to honor of those who have fallen while in the armed services to our country. Particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The quilt was worthy of hours of study. It was breathtaking and heartbreaking at the same time. I purposefully didn't compress the above photo or the next three photos, so you can click on them and see them/read them clearly.

In the book she (Julie Feingold) talks about why she used childhood photos of the men/women who'd died. It sure does grab your attention just a little more, to look at a child's face in fatigues, and know that there is someone's baby who's not coming home.

She also spent a lot of time weaving in a secret message, using the colored crosses in each block -- you can see them if you go back up to the picture of the quilt. I stood there for a bit, trying to figure out the code, but upside down, in the above picture, she's got the answer! In the book she explains that it was also her way of nodding to those who served in the Civil War (connecting the controversial 'quilted messages' of the day).

I took closeups of the Alabama and Maryland blocks -- my two home states -- and took a picture of the page in the book dedicated to the Alabama soldier.

It was near impossible to read about each soldier/sailor without tearing up. The author interviewed a mom or close relative or friend to write an entry for each one.

Also, in the book, along with the child photo that's on the quilt, was a current photo, his name, where he was stationed/attached, and how he died. Again, I didn't compress the above photo and if you click on it, you'll be able to read the entire page. Don't do it unless you have a tissue handy.

Each soldier/sailor is stitched into place and then the jackets -- which are genuine G.I. Joe doll jackets are appliqued over the picture, onto the quilt. She notes in the book that it took her a long time to collect all the different jackets in the right styles.

Seeing this quilt was an incredible experience. If it's coming to a location near you, I strongly encourage you to check it out! The schedule of upcoming exhibits is HERE. From our stop it goes on to Jacksonville, Florida.

Also on display was a replica of a Civil War quilt that had been given to an Alabama family who'd lost a loved one to the current war.

Quilts and quilters are providing comfort and awareness; and still it seems like such a little thing in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice.

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of some of the patriotic themed quilts our guild members provided to be on display along with the Lost Heroes quilt.

To those lost heroes, and those currently serving, I salute you.

:)

proud to be an american . . .

(Click the flag to check out the official U.S. Veterans' Day website.)

I remember the first time I heard this classic song by Lee Greenwood, Proud to be An American (hear one rendition with a pictorial tribute to soldiers on YouTube, HERE). I was a young sailor, standing on a dock in Norfolk, Virginia, waiting for the USS Shenandoah to dock after a six month Med cruise. Listening to words brought tears to my eyes.

(Can you spot me? Bottom row, 2nd from the right!)

Each time I've heard it since, the tears still come. I am proud to be an American. I'm fiercely patriotic and so very grateful for those who've gone before to secure my beliefs and liberties . . . for centuries, American men and women have sacrificed so very much defending this country.

I am proud to be an American. And I won't forget the men [and women] who died, who gave that right to me. My heartfelt thanks to those who have served in the past and those who are currently serving our country, as well as their families. May God bless them.

I will spend this Veteran's Day seeking those who've served, and expressing my gratitude.

:)

Happy Veteran's Day!

Yesterday I had the privilege of going to Lynn Fanning Elementary school to speak to several third grade classes about the time I spent in the U.S. Navy, why I joined, and why Veteran's Day is so important. There were three of us speaking; a young second lieutenant from the U.S. Army, a WWII U.S. Marine vet, and myself, the U.S. Navy Vet.

The first thing I did was hand out pictures of me in my uniform, so they could see that I really was in the Navy! I also let them pass around my ribbons and my medals. I wished I had more carefully saved more of that stuff.

They were interested and asked some very good questions. It was a lot of fun. Listening to Mr. Mullins, the Marine vet, was lots of fun, too. He had some great stories! The kids were mostly interested in guns and shooting. I had to share with them that sailors and soldiers can do lots more jobs than just fighting! LOL!

In the end, we took a picture with the three of us and as much of the students as we could fit in the frame. It was a fun hour. The kids were absolutely great. A couple of the kids asked each one of us if we knew someone. In their minds, I guess, the military is a small club and we should know everyone in it!

The lieutenant had told them that he wore his uniform so that everyone on his "team" would know that he was on their team and wouldn't shoot him. One of the children raised his hand and asked if the lieutenant knew so-and-so. The lieutenant shook his head no. The child then said, "Well he wears that same uniform, so he's on your team." The lieutenant smiled and said, "It's a really big team!" I thought that was great!

Here's a young Legalman Second Class Petty Officer, fresh out of Justice School, serving at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia. When I passed this picture around, the children kept exclaiming, "That looks like Mrs. Merkel!" (My daughter, who is one of their teachers, who is close to the age I was in the following picture!)

And here I am in the group -- the NAB Little Creek Color Guard! The elite of the elite! What fun that was -- I do miss it! Gosh, didn't we look serious????

You know, as proud as I am to have served my country, I know that there are so many, many more who's lives were given as sacrifice on my behalf and on behalf of this great country. I am truly thankful. May I always remember--and in remembering, cause others to remember--the tremendous service of others to this country.

Happy Veteran's Day!

:)