Independence & Foundation Day

Wishing all of my American friends a happy 4th of July, especially to those who are in the service, served, and veteran status!  Love you all!  I really do appreciate your service.

In this country, we like to celebrate our freedoms.  Whether it's to celebrate all of them or our favorite ones or right to party, as citizens of the U.S.A., we enjoy these things, and so we get festive in various ways.  Go for it.  Let's just not forget that our veterans went through a lot to defend these freedoms, including the right to party & be festive.  An author friend of mine, Soldwolf, is a Navy veteran who put in 22 years.

I don't always stand through the parade, but when floats like the Racine Navy Club or other Veteran groups come by, I abide by what I think is the proper action to stand as they go past.  I was thanked by the guy in front and felt connected.  It made me wonder if someday, Soldwolf will be a part of this club, and will he have the group read his story, Meeting the Parents?  Maybe - lol

Anyway, I am a natural American citizen but was born in Japan.  There, they celebrate Foundation Day, which happens to land on my very own birthday.  Because the country was never ruled by another entity, the celebrations and festivities are different.  It's more about being solid as a country and longevity.  Of course, there are parades, fireworks, and lots of food, just like here.  Just please, don't drink too much of that sake...

I decided to go take part in today's activities because this has taken on new meaning for myself.  I've never had a close relationship with either of my parents, as my father was estranged, and my mother is strained, to say the least.  I am in the process of packing up boxes to move into a house that will be all mine, and it's ironic that it was the inheritance from my estranged father that is helping to pay for the house I will be moving into...  What this means is, I will not be renting from the person with whom I have a stressed relationship with any longer.  The strains have taken an extensive toll, to which I will not divulge in a blog, but this move brings me several steps away to celebrate my own independence from those who can be considered toxic to me in more ways than this.

It is also helping to build my own foundation as well, literally AND figuratively.  While it will feel new, to cut out certain aspects of what drains me, it's still a lot of work.  After going to the parade, I went home, packed more boxes, and was glad to break again to go to a Low Country Boil for dinner, hosted by a dear friend who is kind of like a sister in certain ways.  It's kind of nice to be able to adopt & expand family, especially after having to shrink negative people out.

So, what is a Low Country Boil?  It is where various things get well seasoned boiled together in a humungous pot, and when done, dumped on a serving table.  I couldn't help but eat the corn on the cob.  While different people may use different things, this has 2 different types of mussels, shrimp, crab, sausage, potatoes, onions, and corn.  I've heard of these, but this was my 1st experience partaking, and I enjoyed it!  I even got to take leftovers home!

What is independence/foundation day w/o a good light & sound show?  But before we cut out, the next chapter of Soldwolf's story is Matters of House & Family (Ch 42) Huge decisions are being made, and while yes, it is directly regarding staff for the actual family, it's also tied into the fact that these are also military families with a lot of clout within the regime.  Ah, wouldn't it be nice if we could actually have our own staff?  But then again...  *sigh*  maybe I should be glad that isn't my problem.  Then to have to keep briefing everyone...  Stealth can be deadly, but it can also get a ton of intel.  Sh. Be very, very quiet...  Even though these are in a different direction, I relate personally, since I've had to make these types of decisions for matters concerning my house & family as well.

Please check his stuff out.  It's good reading.  Peace out.

Memorial Day Remembrance

Happy Memorial Day to you all, especially our veterans and others who have served in various ways.  I truly appreciate you.  In appreciation of those I'm lucky enough to call friends, I'm toasting deployment coffee to you all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudFEvTj9H0

Each year on this day, I go out to the cemetery to visit my family plot.  My maternal grandfather never served in the military, but when the WWII draft was out, he was a newlywed to my grandmother with a young child who is my Godmother.  He was given the choice, with a young family between being drafted or to work full-time at a factory to help with the war effort.  He chose to work at the factory, thus giving him 3 full-time jobs total - 1) executive at Knight Barry Abstract Company (which his father-in-law owned)  2) factory war effort and 3) a devoted family man who swore to support his family.  He's really the best grandfather anyone could possibly ask for.

The rest of the family plot includes my great grandparents (my grandmother's parents who owned the title company at one time), my great grandmother's father, my cousin (who was the above-mentioned aunt's 3-week old daughter) and my 1st son.  My grandparents are to the left.

Not too far away is my former mother and father in law, my son's paternal grandparents, who called me their other daughter until they died, and I am forever grateful.  The Greenbay Packers kitchen magnet and money clip were placed there back in 2003 (my mother in law was an avid fan) and they are still there, to cheer on today.

While we're there, we pick 2 random graves to clean, where it's obvious that there aren't any family members available to do so.  1 is always a veteran, and then at least one more.  Today, we did 2 more.  One was for a woman who's grave was completely covered over, and almost didn't recognize it as someone's grave.  The other was for a girl who died just before her 6th birthday back in 1937, and I placed a pinwheel for her (as I do for the 2 babies in my own family).  It's a quirky tradition I started...

I’d like to remember some relatives who have served and are no longer with us, whether they passed during their service or served and returned to civilian life: Great Uncle Wally Patrick - US Army in WWII. 1st stepfather John Haggard Sr - US Marines in Vietnam. Uncle Norbert “Torp” Saliscente US Navy in WWII. Others whose service is still under research...

While honoring those who gave it their all, I'd also like to give special kudos for present veterans, particularly Soldwolf, an author, who I consider a good friend that I'm fortunate to have. I'd like you to check out his story, called Meeting the Parents. It's a Military Science Fiction novel in the making, with action going in a few good directions, featuring a love relationship between an American military guy and his special interest is from a planet called Talmal, and their journeys with the intergalactic protocols, learning each other's cultures, interplanetary militaries, and of course, the humor that comes with all aspects of life. Chapters 1 - 24 are featured or highlighted here in my last blog. The characters are endearing, and you want to read about the adventures yet root for these two to succeed in their missions, both professionally and personally.

Chapter 25 - Family Meeting almost sounds tense, with the news that has to be brought to important people. Even with the best blessings, it’s still intense, though the conversation might not be with who you’re suspecting.

Chapter 26 - Lake Chat should be something romantic and private, yet the action might surprise you in some ways. Not to worry! No one gets hurt!

Chapter 27 - Pudgy Pies & Dinner has me thinking how fun it was to introduce S’Mores to my Japanese relatives several years ago, and seriously, it sounds even MORE fun to introduce these things to alien species from other dimensions!

Chapter 28 - Short Trips is action packed, and if you thought nosy neighbors are pesky, think about being tailed by some of these other guys, and hope they’re not some sort of intergalactic spies!