Memorial Day

I have had a really busy couple of weeks and have not taken the time to write.  As the Vice-Commander of our local American Legion Post I could not let this Memorial Day totally fade from memory without honoring those who have served and gone Home to their final rest.  It matters not if they gave their lives in the service of their country or served proudly and died at peace 50 years later.  They all left their families to serve and protect this country and its people. Since the Revolutionary War (1775) to Operation Freedom (2011) including every war, conflict, and operation there have been 1,309,000 men and women have lost their lives while serving in the United States military.  This does not include POW's and MIA's.

This year I had the privilege, as part of our Post's Honor Guard, to set the POW/MIA Remembrance table during our Memorial Day Picnic Ceremony.  For those of you who might not know about this table to honor those still missing or captives, I will describe the table and the symbolism of each object that is placed upon it.

There is a small table set for one with an empty chair because he or she  is alone and is not here.  On the table is a white tablecloth as a sign of the purity of their intentions to serve and protect their country.  A red rose in a vase represents the blood they may have shed in sacrifice of the U.S.A, as well as, reminding us of the family and friends that keep faith until their return.  The red ribbon on the vase is like the red ribbons worn by those who demand a proper account of all POW/MIA's.  On a plate is a slice of lemon symbolic of their bitter fate and some salt for the countless tears shed by the families.  They cannot toast or celebrate with us so the wine glass is upside-down.  The candle is the sign of hope that they will return home, away from their captors, to a grateful nation.  Finally, there is an American flag to remind us that many of them may never return and have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I have seen this table at various American Legion functions but never truly understood its significance until I participated in this POW/MIA Remembrance Service and was responsible for setting the table.  I suddenly remembered those I'd known who did not come back, the former POW's I knew while serving in the Air Force and the heartbreak, hope and strength I saw in the eyes of the wives who did not know what happened to their husbands.  It was a humbling and emotional experience.  I know I will never look at that table as I had before.  It is important....They are important....I will remember....

That's it from The River's Bend.

Kindergarten

I don't think of myself as old (unless I want the senior discount then I will even hunch over a bit) however, this week I met my match with a kindergarten class.  A few months ago I told my husband to poke me if I ever even thought to take a substitute teacher job in a kindergarten or first grade class.  Well, I was weak and a friend of mine (kindergarten teacher) asked if I would take her class for three HALF days (8am to 11am) while she did end of year testing.  Puh, I thought, three HALF days (only two of them in a row) I can do that with one hand tied behind my back.  After all I just survived ten days with 7th and 8th graders how bad could it be??!!

Oh, how we forget the really bad things!  Take childbirth, who remembers how absolutely, freaking horribly that hurt, after a few years with the little darlings have past? (As long as you don't think of the terrible twos or teens.)  You have one and 2 or 3 years later you're doing it again.  I really don't remember if it was how great that baby smell was, the feeling I got when I watched a baby sleep, or just wanting to see someone sleep but it certainly was NOT the delivery!

On Monday I rediscovered the energy level of five year olds!!!!  It was like (I imagine) trying to run doggie training with a bunch of sixth month old springer spaniel puppies!  I don't even know how many students I had in the class exactly because they moved so fast it seemed like they were all twins.  There was an assembly and we got there as soon as we got coats off, backpacks unpacked, bathroom emergencies complete, questions about who I was asked and answered, and got lined-up (in line order).  This classroom is literally, right next to the gym and we were the last class to arrive..even the Pre-K class (4 year olds) made it before we did!!!!   We weren't in there 5 minutes when one of my students threw-up.  Fortunately, he missed everyone around him but as soon as I got him up and moving to the door, the two kids next to him thought they were supposed to close the gap and almost sat in it!

Disaster averted but silly me thought,"Okay, I got the worst over with.  What else could happen? I've only got a couple more hours."  Then I remembered that the last time I had thoughts like that I was a PE sub and a student broke his arm!  I quickly decided that I'd better try to re-grow those eyes in back of my head I had when my kids were little.  After all there were eggs in an incubator and fluffy, baby chicks in a box, add some kindergartners and it could all end up in chaos and catastrophe if I wasn't careful!  Well, without going into any further detail, let me tell you my three half days with this class was exhausting, educational, exciting, stressful, deafening, patience-testing, painful,and absolutely rewarding!  I don't think I'll be doing it again anytime soon but I had three GREAT mornings!

I may not have known when I was going to turn around and trip over one of them BUT I also never knew when I was going to get a hug, a special drawing or a dying dandelion.  I learned why we forget the bad parts of things like childbirth and 5 year olds, it's so we can re-experience the amazing things like baby smell, watching them sleep and unexpected hugs.

Well, that's it from the river's bend for today.  

The Bear was Back

The bear came back for more garbage.  Not finding any he/she decided to come closer to check things out.  These were by our deck with more all over the driveway and yard.  Mark says he/she is not very big but my opinion is ..IT"S  A BEAR who cares how big it is???!!!

Everyone in the have taken their bird-feeders down. One lady put hers on her porch and woke to find the bear,  on her porch, tearing them apart to get the seeds.  One feeder wouldn't break so the bear started banging it against the front window.  Now the question became which would give first...the feeder OR the window?? Fortunately, the feeder did.  The bear sat on the porch eating for a while then wandered off.  I asked about a gun (she doesn't have one) and pictures.  In all the excitement she never even thought about grabbing her camera.  She did say she grabbed her broom in case the window broke. I asked if it was for scaring the bear, sweeping-up the glass or riding away?  She said she never had to decide and we ordered another beer!

It is a great day today so I am planning to walk to Wilson Rapids...I'll be bringing my camera AND my gun!

Bear Attack

It's that time a year again.  The bear are waking-up and they are hungry!  Every garbage can on the street (3) was attacked and ANY scraps of food that was left were eaten.  The rest of the stuff was scattered around. We were lucky as there was not much for him/her to find but one of our neighbors had their garbage spread all over the road and their driveway.  Plus, they do not recycle so all the glass was broken.  It was quite a mess!

Though we are used to the spring bear issue, we're never sure when to stop putting the garbage out the night before until our garbage can is attacked.  We also have to be more careful walking and letting the cat out to hunt.  Alexander the Great is an awesome hunter BUT I just don't think he would be a match for a cranky, hungry bear that just woke up from a long winter's nap!