Veterans Day 2024 Tribute #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday.  In the United States it's Veteran's Day (what many other countries call Armistice Day), and it's time for music.

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky below). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be labeled "No Music".)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want. This week's theme is "You Pick".  But before I begin, an announcement.

I am decreasing my footprint in the Blogosphere and once again trying to avoid social media, which is becoming more and more toxic.  My time has also become more limited.  So this will be a short post, and I may be delayed in visiting your post.

So, some musical selections today, both upbeat and sad.

Let's begin on an American patriotic note.  The Stars and Stripes Forever, performed by the United States Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus.  This is a song whose tune can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of where they were born or live.

Ray Charles and America the Beautiful.

In the United States, Veterans Day was expanded to honor all veterans, so my final selection honors the original intent of Armistice Day.  In Flanders Fields is a poem I post on my blog at least once a year.  Here it is, sung.

Written by a Canadian soldier in 1915 upon the battle death of his friend in Flanders, Belgium, during World War I, by a soldier who, himself, did not survive World War I, it is one of the most poignant poems I have ever read.  Here it is:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

John McCrae 

And that's a wrap, as I honor all veterans of war today, including those in my family.

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

The Wreath We Made

What should I blog about today?  For a while, I was out of ideas.

These were my choices:

1.  The 45 minutes plus I spent on the phone with two reps (and the automatic system) at Medicare on a bill that has already taken more of my time than it's worth, and the time of a billing advocate? (Maybe I'll blog about that one day)?

2.  The finding out that Microsoft had somehow updated my Photos app so I could no longer save photos from my iPhone the way I always have but insists I use something called OneDrive, whatever that is? (Should I waste more of my life to find out what One Drive is and how to get rid of it?)?

3.  My reserve list for ebooks at the New York Public Library.

But then I thought of #4, which needs a shout out:

4. A wonderful veterans program we've taken some classes because of?

Let's go with #4, which leads us to this Christmas evergreen wreath. 

Cornell Cooperative has been holding one hour evening classes (free of charge!) for veterans and a guest (in our case, me).  They average one class a month.  They actually do a lot more for vets, but we don't want to take advantage and not have a truly deserving vet (for example, one that served in combat) not be able to attend or get some needed help.

So far we've taken three excellent classes:  Flower arranging (all supplies provided), herbal make-your-own salves and the like (ditto) and wreath making.

The wreath making class was somehow rushed, but this is what my spouse made. (This time all we got was the wreath ring and the evergreen boughs/wire to wire the boughs onto the ring. We bought the little bows and the big bow at what I call the $1.25 store.  It used to be the Dollar store at one time.

Yes, it is far from perfect but it is ours.  Thank you, Cornell!

And now, let the Holiday season begin.

Vets and the Farmers Market

At the Binghamton, New York farmer's market earlier in May, there was a booth set up offering $15 in coupons to veterans. These coupons could be used to purchase veggies, fruit, poultry, honey, eggs, bread, dairy, coffee beans, jarred goods, or meat from any county farmer's market.

While my spouse shopped, I went over to check it out.

It was legit.  

So my spouse went over, and with ID (he has a veteran's ID), received these coupons.  It wasn't a one time giveaway, either.  The booth will be at a different market once a month for the next three or so months.

What a wonderful program both for aging veterans like my spouse (he's in his 70's and retired) and younger vets.

This is a link to the program, which is larger than just the giving out of the coupons.

Here's how we spent our $15:

Fennel and carrots (we boought the fennel) for soup.  Yes, soup.  It's been chilly recently, and my spouse makes a wonderful fennel soup with pureed beans.  It's Weight Watchers friendly, too.

Sugar snap peas.  They went into last night's supper, too.

Mushrooms for this morning's omelet.

The year is moving so fast; I can't believe we are almost in the middle of June.

Time flies.