It's a particularly poignant day in our family, rich in military history. Whether one is a 'hawk' or a 'dove' it matters little, where honoring our soldiers are concerned. They were asked to step up, and they did. Those who were obliged to do so, still gave it everything they had. I'm thinking of my father, who saw service in three wars, and was an MIA. His brother, who fell on the beaches of Normandy in WWII. His cousin once removed who fell in the jungles in the Philippine Insurection. His grandfather, who left six children and a widow in the Civil War. Another Grandfather who was captured by Morgan's Raiders and sent to a Prison Camp, and a Great Grandfather who was also captured and was a POW. His uncle further back who was imprisoned in England during the War of 1812. Another two grandfathers further back who saw service in the Revoluton, despite their Quaker principles. And countless others in the family tree who served and returned and went on with their lives, men changed forever. Thank You.

Fran - Admittedly I do think those are the biggest most beautiful basil plants I have ever grown. They were little scraggly things when I put them in the ground and they just exploded. It wasn't anything I did to them though. I just put them in the ground with a little miracle grow shake and feed and they did the rest. And yeah.. after all that work, almost sifting the dirt at that, I still have mint coming up. There isn't much though and I have learned my lesson. I am very diligent about pulling roots when I see mint. Now that the ground is a little softer it is not such a job. Dottie - Digging that trench is an excellent idea and is on my to-do list for when the temperatures drop a little. I'm pretty sure that I have said words that would make the author of that dictionary blush while I was pulling grass out of the bed the first time around. We didn't install the drip irrigation yet but had planned to eventually. We sort of blew our "yard" budget for the year. We have begun the project by having someone come check out our non-functional well. It has water and everything is functional. The main pipe just broke at the bottom so we are looking at around $600 to get it working. That will be occurring some time this week. We are probably looking at next year for the irrigation system but it is on that to-do list. -Tina

Great song choices. I played He Stopped Loving Her Today at my son's funeral. It was the first thing he said/sang when he started talking again at age 3. He has always loved George Jones. Leader of the Band is one of my favorite songs of all time. A song that my son loved was by one of his favorite bands Due West...So Long My Friend. He wanted it played at my sister's memorial but they couldn't do it live because they were touring. We played that song at his funeral as well, at the request of the lead singer of the band. It was written by Brad Hull of Due West. So Long My Friend - Brad Hull (B. Hull) Copyright 2006 Even though I don't want to accept it There comes a time when everyone moves on I know you can't stay here forever And still I never thought this day would come So long my friend I'll see you again But until then So long my friend You know that you kept so many waiting For you to make it to the other side They welcome you with arms wide open While I can't find the words to say goodbye These words I wish that I could tell you Are going to take some getting used to. I Wish You Were Here - Chelsea Musick (C. Musick, N. Peaytt, A. Hacket) Copyright 2007 I took your picture off the wall And put it by the bed Helps on those sleepless nights When I could use a friend When I look in the mirror I see your face But it's so hard to be mad When there's no one here to blame And I never thought I'd have to let you go Never thought I'd say goodbye I never thought I'd see The day my daddy cried I guess I better go Just wanted to say hello And I miss you more with every tear Signed, "I wish you were here" I know that you love me I still feel it in my heart Sometimes it's like you're here But we're so far apart I have so many questions I just want to understand If God can take you from us Why can't he bring you back You were the one who helped me through the day The one who wiped my tears away Now what am I supposed to do No one talked to me like you

I couldn't hold back the tears when reading your sisters story. What a nice tribute to your parents! Thank you for posting this today. Shirley