Memorial Day...

...is a tradition handed down to us kids to take flowers to the cemetary giving and sharing, thinking and remembering those that have gone before us. Of course Memorial Day isn't the only day we think of our loved ones, that is a remembrance everyday of the year. Driving through South Dakota, many small town cemetaries are filled with flags swaying in the breeze, poppy's wrapped around military posts, brightly colored flowers from silk to live blooming and people walking from stone to stone remembering stories.

After Memorial Day services the flag corps goes to the cemetary and a someone plays the lonesome song and military men salute bringing tears, hands on hearts and hands on ears for children.

My sister and I continue the tradition, the headstones have multiplied over the years and we wondered as we wandered who will continue this tradition when we are gone?! Making lunch of things Mom once made, we ate, visited and told stories. A good tradition to pass along and in hopes that families pass along to their children.

God bless those that look down from above and those hearts that still hurt on earth. Celebrate memories and life.  Enjoy your week friends.

For Mother's Day...

..this Mom took the kids out for a long walk, ride and even rolled the window down far enough for Buster to hang and enjoy everything that came at him quickly. We used to roll the window down all the way until he jumped out one time, fortunately we weren't moving! Lesson learned, rolling down far enough and holding onto his leash. He tells me in a sneeze, tongue wag and greeting to passer by's that he enjoys every second.

Sharing spring fruits they liked the taste of strawberries, mango and didn't think to touch a black olive. We have enjoyed a lovely day, the iris's that were translanted from my Mother's yard are beginning to open and when they do they are a beautiful sunshine yellow with a lavendar ribbon and smell like lemons.

Transplanting them in various areas of the yard last year, they'll now be shared with neighbors and Buster, the smeller of all things good. Am sure that his Grandma is looking down and watching as flowers unfold. She is with me always, but knowing that she is waltzing around Heaven with Dad works.

They both enjoyed gardening, resting in lawnchairs in the shade of the house drinking ice tea after their workout. Memories fill hearts, you may have some of your own.

Enjoy your week friends.

Song of the meadowlark

We don't know all the birds names or their songs, but we do enjoy listening to the songs they sing just outside our door, perched atop the cabin peak or a wood post. We turn off the television and tune into the prairie. The kids lay in the sun and move with it from rug to rug. One dog in, the other out, time away from each other and still close by must be priceless for them.

Comfort food cooking in the oven, looking forward to supper, but in the meantime, we have weekly chores to catch up, naps to take and oh, there is always something to do. Today we take our time, watches aren't worn, we eat when we're hungry and enjoy each other's company in nap or lap.

Nice to see faces yesterday at the Holiday Inn Express, with new faces, new dog names, stories and always, new contacts. Enjoy your week friends.