Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a Happy and healthy Thanksgiving ...

 This year will will be one for the history books, but no matter what it looks like, or how you choose to celebrate....may it be filled with love....Stay safe...!

Happy Independence Day

I have posted this article a couple of times over the years on my blog. It is one of my favorites and worth repeating...

    The late, great Erma Bombeck was a gifted writer who gave us her light-hearted insights into life, people and mostly herself. I read her column on a weekly basis; I always looked forward to it. She always made me laugh but on a few occasions, brought a tear to my eyes. I'm not a saver of articles and such, but one particular column I've saved for over 30 years; it's yellow with age, it still brings a tear to my eyes. In honor of Independence Day, I give you Erma's take on the American Flag - What's red and white and blue and true?

 "No one ever taught me about the flag.

When I was 5, I was in a dance recital. My costume was a silver leotard. Attached to it at the shoulders and wrists was a flag. During the last few bars, I spread my arms revealing 48 stars on a field of white. The audience went crazy cheering...I learned a flag could make you look like you had talent!

A few years later at a baseball game in Cincinnati, 2 men were calling each other names that would starch your underwear. One said Ted Kluszewski hit like a girl and the other guy threatened to rearrange his nose. Just then, they hoisted the flag; both of them stood with their hats over their hearts. I learned that a flag could break up a fight!

 During the second World War, my Grandma sent her son to war. I never saw her cry when he left, or when he wrote or when we talked of him, but one afternoon when she thought no one was watching, she went and put a little flag on the sill in the front window. There were flags all up and down the street in windows. I learned the flag could bring tears to the eyes of people who didn't usually cry.

  When I was in New York once, I saw a group of demonstaters protesting the war. They lit a match to the flag. I watched in horror as the silk stripes curled in flames because I knew what was coming. Within minutes, there would be a bolt of lightning and thunder to strike them all dead - Nothing happened; the earth didn't part, the sky didn't fall and the VFW was open regular hours. I learned that a flag could touch the ground and life could go on.

 Later I was to learn that people would make underwear out of the flag, key rings and toilet seats. The flag was a successful commercial venture. 

I would learn that you wouldn't think about the flag for a long time, then you'd see it being raised slowly over a gold medal winner at the Olympics and you'd get up out of your chair quickly and say "Anyone want a beer while I'm up?" and go to the kitchen to hide your tears.

 I'm still learning about the flag. It's an enigma to me. I've known it all my life. It's so familiar, yet it occasionally touches a nerve that excites to the point where I square my shoulders and say to a perfect stranger at the UN, "See that one with the red and white stripes and stars? That's my country. 

Have a safe (wear a mask) and wonderful (social distancing) Independence day....And God bless America...now more than ever!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day to some wonderful men in my life....my dad (left pict, left side)...right my dad's high school graduation and..

 and his wedding picture of him and my mom...

 Myself with my dad at the airport...we had not seen each other for 32 years...

And my stepdad Frank Baluch who was a good dad and a wonderful grandpa! 

And of course, my wonderful husband John who's been such a great husband and a wonderful dad also

Happy Father's Day to all the dads who have been part of our lives.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.....

We honor the brave men and women from our past and present who fought hard to protect our country - to keep it safe from harm and allow us the freedom we so passionately embrace. I would like to personally honor my family, most have passed on, some I've never met but all give me such a sense of pride in knowing what they have done for our country. I am honored to have had them in my life...to call them uncle, grandpa, dad and friend. 

   My great grandfather - Frank Sandell was in the 2nd N.Y. Calvary Regiment Harris Light Calvary. He fought in major engagements of war including the Battle of Gettysburg. From what I gather, he was quite a character and Oh...how I wish I could have met him.

My wonderful uncles above - Uncle Ted on left who was in the army during WWII and my Uncle John who served in the Navy during WWII also. They were such fun uncles and honorable men.

My dad Edward Sandell (last in front row on left) was a Navy man and fought in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He was a wonderful dad who always took me for Carvel ice cream.

My sister-in-laws hubby Joe Neill was in the Army during Viet Nam - won a Bronze star.....and I might add makes a wicked chocolate martini.

And our heros today who are fighting a very different but equally dangerous battle...a battle that knows no boundaries and does not discriminate...a battle that is dangerous and scary and when all is said and done, will have changed our lives as we know it...forever. To the wonderful and brilliant Dr. Anthony Fauci and

............ all the heroes and front line workers and everyone in between who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe and the best country on earth.

 Thank you.....

And....God Bless America - may we always fly free.

"I Remember Mama"

...is an old movie from the 40s and one of my favorites....I watch it every year when it's on and this year it is...TCM at 8 this evening. It's about a Swedish family who come to America for a better life....bringing all the sisters and uncles and cousins that makes up their clan. The story is simple, dealing with everyday problems and joys and the very subtle role the mother plays in them. It's a tug at your heart strings movie with beautiful moments; it specifically shows the strength of this wonderful woman and mother, a strength she was not aware of herself.
Life was simple back then but also difficult and different from the life we know today.

As a little girl, I remember my mama holding me by the shoulders and saying to me..." I just want you to be strong". I would answer, "well of course I'm strong....I can run this fast and lift this high and open this jar"...completely unaware of the real meaning. As I got older, I realized the power of her message and how it helped her in her own life. 

My mom and her mom - my grandmother who lived next door could do anything. I grew up thinking this is what women do...from painting the house, fixing the hedge shears, taking a toaster apart, and styling your hair....from making all your clothes, drapes for the house, evening gowns for the Eastern Star and warm winter coats.....from being my playmate, my Brownie leader and neighborhood mom whose house we always ended up in and one of my fondest memories....making jelly apples for Halloween. Our house was the last to visit and my mom always had to start the first bite of the apple as the little ones couldn't bite into them. 

Top left, my mom upper left, me lower left as a toddler....top right my mom and I...below left - my mom at a cookout with the brownie troop...she was the leader and lower right...my beautiful mom.

She was the best mom ever and I was so blessed to have this wonderful woman to raise and teach me the values I hold so dear today....One of my favorite photos above...says it all... - Till We Meet and we will again some day....Love you mom.

"Top of the Mornin' to ya"

Well, I can't miss the opportunity to wish you all a Happy Saint Patrick's Day and my cat Fraggle wanted in on the act also.

 He's wearing his favorite snap brim cap which he only wears on St. Patricks Day (think he's secretly saying - Thank God)....

 but he does look so cute....

and really so happy too....

So happy indeed, that he left his treat bowl with a smiley face for us.......Anyway...just having a little fun and hope you're staying safe, hunkering down and making the best of a very scary time in our lives.....Have a good day....

A Very Merry Christmas

I can't believe another year has past and we're about to celebrate Christmas once again. I wish you all the many blessings of this beautiful holiday...may your day be filled with joy and peace and may the New Year bring you many happy moments.

 My cat Molly has agreed once more to pose as Santa Claus...She loves this job   ( - : and adds her good wishes for a happy holiday also.

So on that note, I wish to say...Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night

A Fiber Junkies Christmas

Our annual Fiber Junkies party took place at Gen's house...always fun with our small group. Gen showed us a sweater she knit for her "grand-dog". It was so elegant with cable stitching.

We decided this year to do a project rather than a gift exchange. Kate came up with this darling fabric pinecone which uses....

styrofoam, small pins

and small pre-cut squares of fabric. Using a fabric with some color variation makes for an interesting look. It really went very quickly - Susan's on the lower right.

Wine always makes it more fun and helps to make things look better.... All 5 are done except for the naked one which is mine...guess I got sidetracked somehow, but Kate sent me home with pins and fabric to finish....

Our luncheon this year was appetizers and the glorious cake that Denny always brings. She has claimed from day one that she makes it all ....every bit.....from grinding the flour, growing the sugar cane, raising the chickens for eggs....and with the help of elves that seem to show up when she's asleep, she wakes up to this magical, delicious cake...

It's always such fun and having Denny with us again has been a joy beyond words.

And if that wasn't enough, look at this luscious tray of cookies....HAND MADE by our Gen...oh my gosh, if I lived there I would be one giant baloon at the end of the holidays...PS...they were delicious!
Happy Holidays to all...may you all be blessed with the love of family and friends.