Poppy Wreaths

Today is Veteran's Day and with that comes an immediate memory of all the poppy wreaths that will be placed at headstones and memorial structures throughout the UK.

When Juaquin and I married in 1984 he had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force 6 months prior. We looked forward to starting our lives together and hoped to be stationed somewhere in Texas. That was not to be the case. We began our marriage in England, UK.

Memories abound from the years we lived there, but on this day, November 11th, the thought of red paper poppies gathered together to make wreaths is symbolic of this day of remembrance and not easily forgotten.

Just like we see the Salvation Army bell ringers settle outside stores as we inch into the holiday season, men and women in English villages will start offering individual paper poppies to people passing by in exchange for bit of change as early as October. There is quite an interesting history behind the remembrance poppy that is traced back to World War I.

Remembering may not always be a pleasant experience, but (I believe) it is something worth doing.

Harvest Moon!

I can't seem to stop thinking about 'harvest moons'. There is certainly a proper definition for harvest moon, but I just seem to immediately conjure up an image of a big fat, orange, yellow or white moon hanging in the sky during the early evening or morning. Leave it to my thoughtful husband to find just the right song to accompany my mood or thought. He's done this ever since we met in 1983 and with harvest moons on my mind Juaquin brought Neil Young's Harvest Moon to my attention!

I have seen my share of fabulous full moons on my way in to bake here at the shop, but it's those 'harvest moons' that make me wish I had an equipped camera ready to capture it. Maybe one day.

I think things like full moons, shooting stars, and even loud, flashy thunderstorms have a calming and peaceful effect on me because they are timeless and amazing experiences that are bigger than me. Such things are little reminders that there is something greater and bigger than me and I love believing, dare I say, knowing that. Oh there's a lot of 'in-between-the-lines-of-faith' details I'm not posting here, but you're always welcome to ask.

The wonder and acceptance of something greater and bigger than yourself is another timeless event you either get or don't get. It's something you may eventually get or perhaps never embrace. Regardless, here's wishing you sprinkles of harvest moons!