For Those Who Didn’t Come Home

I’m one of the lucky ones. Mine came home, my husband, my two sons, my grandson. The U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy all sent my men home. Thank you.

On Monday, the U.S.A. remembers those who didn’t come home. From the Civil War over 150 years ago, to the war on terrorism and just a few months ago, we have given our best and bravest to secure our freedoms.

The day to honor their sacrifice is Memorial Day on Monday. 

Yes, this three-day weekend kicks off the summer season, with vacations, family gatherings, and all sorts of summer activities.

I wrestle with words to honor them, and decide mine are insufficient.

Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, offered the following this week:

“As we spend time with friends and family, let us be reminded of the most important meaning of this day.

“Established in 1868, Memorial Day was a day set aside to honor those lost in the Civil War. But many wars have gripped our nation since and many lives have been lost. I ask that you pause to honor the fallen Americans who served and died for their country. These brave men and women made the selfless choice to put service before self to protect our freedoms.

“History is full of stories of service members who displayed exceptional valor. From World War I to today's engagement against terrorism, men and women have served with courage and honor. But many did not return to their homes and families. More than a million American Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines and Airmen made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country.

“We can never repay these courageous patriots who gave so much to protect our way of life, but we can use Memorial Day to honor them. And let us not forget to remember the families of the fallen -- spouses, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. They too have sacrificed.

“Our fallen warriors deserve our deepest gratitude and remembrance. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten.”

Their sacrifices and they must never be forgotten.

Please, take a few moments on Monday and remember you are free, and how you remain that way. If you are able, perhaps take an hour or two to attend a Memorial Day service. The service at Sallisaw Cemetery is at 11 a.m. Monday. Then take a few minutes to walk among the headstones. The markers for those killed in conflict are often simple, old and easy to see. Stop by and say “Thank you.”

We’re sure you will be heard.

Drama in the Back Yard

It was murder by sharp beak in the back yard.

Yep. Your local amateur backyard wildlife observer is at it again. That means Sally’s sitting on the back porch with a cup of coffee watching wildlife.

The episode reminded me of a game of Clue. The alert that something was up was the loud squawking of numerous birds. Having learned that lots of squawking means something’s afoot (to quote Sherlock Holmes – Hey, I love a good mystery), I gazed into the distance, searching for the source of the noise. It soon appeared. It wasn’t a-foot. It was a-wing!

Out of the sky dived a large black crow, followed closely by a gang of other birds. And they were all squawking loudly. The reason was that crow held a struggling bird in its beak. Crow landed in the middle of the yard, but it wasn’t safe.

The following gang was composed of very angry birds, robins and purple martins. The robins landed in a circle around the crow and attempted a lackluster advance upon the killer crow, but it was too big and intimidating for them. They just had to stand and watch. The martins tried a few dive bombs, and actually struck twice. But that crow was a tough old bird. It just bobbed and ducked, killed that captured bird, and ate it.

I even thought of a frontal attack myself, but knew that old crow would just fly off with its dinner. I was much too late. Such is the circle of life, it may be said.

On the other hand, a couple weeks ago we heard another loud chorus of bird tweets. Darling Daughter and I were once again on the back porch. “What is that noise?” we wondered aloud.

Into my small city of bird feeders flew a whole flock of Carolina chickadees. The chickadees hang out at my bird feeders a lot, but only one by one. Never by the flock. And this was a flock. A loud flock.

An hour of observation by us revealed Mom and Dad Chickadee had brought their four newly-fledged babes to my feeders to learn how to eat on their own. We must report that, although baby chickadees are darling, they don’t seem terribly smart. They would simply stand on a tree limb while poor mom and dad gathered seed from the feeders, then flew the six inches to stuff bird seed in the babes’ mouths. This went on for an hour, and was observed to occur at least two or three times a day.

And after hearing all the chickadee hubbub, I decided these weren’t baby birds. They were teenage birds. They were loud and obnoxious. Sorry teen friends.

It was observed that one of these chickadee children was obese. I mean really chubby. At least twice the size of mom and dad. I named him Obee. Apparently chickadee parents have favorites.

But teen chickadees are learning their lessons. They still fly around together. They even come to the bird feeders to eat on their own. Just this week they were seen all gathered together in one bird feeder, feasting on their own without the help of mom and dad. What a relief it must be to those chickadee parents.

I wonder how long it will take the youngsters to gather the courage to leave their little family nesting group and fly away to start their own families. And will they bring them home to show off to mom and dad, and to teach the lesson of the bird feeders?

And we report that Obee is still the heftiest chick on the block. Hope no lingering crow has noticed.

Such is the circle of life. Who knew that a back yard could be so full of drama, death, and life?

A Great Big Thank You

Just got to give Sutherlands Lumber and Home Improvement in Fort Smith a Great Big Thank You.

Last weekend I jumped on the internet to search out the Sutherlands ad. Since entering semi-retirement I have become obsessed with building a little garden for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Did not realize at that time that such a project was going to be a bit expensive, or a bit more than a little bit expensive. But, as I also love to shop, I had shopped around and found that Sutherlands has a really nice selection of garden plants. Still, a sale on such garden plants would be helpful.

What I found was Sutherlands‘ Facebook page, where they post a contest occasionally. ‘What the heck,” I thought. “What could it hurt?’ I never win anything. Wasn’t too excited.

On Monday, here came an email. “Congratulations,” it said.

‘Congratulations for what?’ I wondered.

Then it hit me. Could I possible have won Sutherlands’ contest for $200 worth of trees and shrubs?

Yep. I did. I was so excited I couldn’t even sleep that night. Now remember, I never win anything. Well, a couple things. When I was a teenager, I won a basket of groceries in a Christmas contest. My family was all excited until we realized those groceries were kind of stale. They’d been sitting out through the whole contest. Stale bread did not excite my mother. About 20 years ago I won a ceiling fan in a 4-H fundraiser. That ceiling fan is still going. Thank you 4-H!

And now I was offered $200 worth of trees and shrubs. Wow! Invited Darling Daughter to help me make my choices and off we raced to Sutherlands.

I calculated all I needed was a couple peach trees and a rose bush or two and I’d be done. Hahahaha! Did I mention Sutherlands’ also has some good prices? After two hours of search and “Just Put It in the Cart” advice from Darling Daughter, I had two peach trees, a couple azaleas, a rose bush, and some bedding plants, had filled up a shopping cart, and I thought I was done.

Darling Daughter advised, “That’s not enough.”

She was right. Only had about $100 worth. Back we went to lawn and garden.

The Sutherlands staff was amazing and as helpful as can be to an indecisive grandma – Me.

OK. I bought nearly all the peach trees Sutherlands had. I left one. I now have azalea bushes in all colors available. Found a gorgeous Carolina jasmine plant. (Killed that last one I had, but I have fallen in love with jasmine. Turns out they are tropical.) And Darling Daughter talked me into a gardenia, which, I admit, scares me, but if it and I can get along, should be spectacular.

As Sutherlands’ closing time neared, and lawn-and-garden employees chuckled at my inability to decide from the many choices that they offer, I just started tossing anything and everything into our carts. Yes. It was more than one cart. I was more than two carts. Darling Daughter and I left Sutherlands with four carts full of lovely, beautiful plants and trees.

I can’t say enough good stuff about Sutherlands. The employees were terrific, super nice, and helpful to the extreme. And they laughed right along with Darling Daughter and me as we struggled to make our selections. I can only explain that I had so much trouble making my decisions because the choices were so many and so rich.

My Grandchildren’s’ Garden is well on the way to completion, thanks to Sutherlands. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (And when does that next contest start?)