Category Archives: Posts

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Grim Duty in Section 60

One more article about the “Arlington Ladies,” and the quiet work that they do.

On a winter day when the rows and rows of white headstones were shrouded in a band of low-lying mist at Arlington National Cemetery, Jane Newman took her place in the white-gloved military honor guard. As the ashes of the latest fallen soldier arrived, she placed her hand over her heart in the civilian salute.

She didn’t know this soldier or the family that shuffled behind his urn, shoulders stooped in grief. As usual, she knew only his name, Keith E. Fiscus. His age, 26. His years of service in the Army, four, and the names of his next of kin. Yet when she went through the paperwork that morning, she felt a pang. He was one more soldier killed in Iraq.

When she was invited five years ago to become an Army Arlington Lady, Newman, the wife of a 30-year Army artillery officer and herself a retired Army nurse, was drawn to the group’s mission: No soldier is ever buried alone. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, she spends the day at Arlington, standing graveside, hand over heart, at up to six funerals a day.

via Grim Duty in Section 60.

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At Arlington, Each Soldier Has A Special Lady

I first read about this remarkable group of ladies a few years ago, and I haven’t been able to forget them, or the loving service they provide to the families of fallen soldiers. They are a beautiful example of compassion, respect, and patriotism.

Joyce Johnson remembers the drums beating slowly as she walked with her girls from the Old Post Chapel, behind the horse-drawn caisson carrying the flag-draped casket of her husband.

She remembers struggling to maintain her composure as she stared at his freshly dug grave, trying not to dwell on the terrible sight in the distance — the gaping hole in the Pentagon where he had so proudly worked.

The three-volley salute. Taps. The chaplain handing her a perfectly folded flag. The blur of tributes.

And then a lady stepped forward, a stranger, dressed not in uniform but in a simple dark suit. She whispered a few words and pressed two cards into Johnson’s hands.

“If there is anything you need …”

via At Arlington, each soldier has a special lady – US news – Life – Military – msnbc.com.

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Celebrating the Season of Easter

I wanted to do something a little extra special throughout the 50 days of Easter this year, something that would remind my children that Easter is a whole season, and not just one day. It also had to be something easy to accomplish, what with the new baby and all. No banners and daily readings and symbols for this season! I decided I’d make a different cake every week of the Easter season–something fun for me to do, but not something I usually do on a weekly basis, so it would be special and unique, and something my family would appreciate and enjoy.

I started with a carrot cake on Easter Sunday.

Easter week deserved a cake of its own, aside from the Easter Sunday cake, so I went with a chocolate Irish Cream cheesecake later in the week.

The following week, I made a plain Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecake.

Next up was a tiramisu layer cake–I think this one was my personal favorite, and it looked so pretty!

That was followed by a coconut cream layer cake, something I’d been wanting to make for a while, but hadn’t gotten around to.

The next week was Ladybug’s birthday, so we had birthday cake.

I finally found a recipe that combines my two favorite desserts, (tiramisu and cheesecake), so our next cake was a–you guessed it–tiramisu cheesecake for Mother’s Day (yes, I made myself a Mother’s Day cake…it was my day, so I could do what I wanted!).

I tried another new recipe for a mocha mousse cake for our 11th anniversary–this was Ryan’s favorite out of all of the cakes I made.

The final week of Easter I tried a variation on an old recipe for a lemon cake–it was very fancy!

Stay tuned tomorrow to see what I made for Pentecost Sunday!

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Daddy-Daughter Night

Last night, Ryan took Ladybug to the Cardinals game, (she’s a huge Cards fan!). They had a special time together, and I got some cute pictures when they got home!

Ladybug got to meet Tony Cruz and Shane Robinson, and get their autographs…very exciting!

She also got to see the World Series trophy up close…she keeps calling it a “statue.”

Of course, the highlight of the night, (other than the home run by David Freese, and the Cardinals win), was meeting Fredbird, even if she didn’t get beaked!

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Nine Weeks

Today, Chickadee went for her two-month doctor appointment. I learned that she’s gained a full three pounds over her birth weight, putting her at 11 pounds, three ounces. She’s getting so big!

I also learned that the reason for her runny nose and generally pathetic demeanor the last two days is a mild sinus infection. :(  We’ve never had such a small one get sick; trying to get a two-month-old to take amoxicillin is quite an experience! Hopefully, she’ll feel better soon–she’s breaking my heart so sad. At least she got to postpone her vaccinations for a few weeks…there’s always a silver lining, right?

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An Afternoon at Grant’s Farm

Yesterday afternoon, we took a field trip to Grant’s Farm. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Grant’s Farm is one of my very favorite places to go, and it’s not just because I can get a free beer while I’m there. It’s a great family destination. Extremely affordable–yes, you have to pay for parking, but park entry is free, the tram ride is free, the shows are free, the walk through the Tier Garten is free, and you can see all the old Busch carriages and visit the Clydesdales for…you guessed it…zero dollars! If you want to add to your experience, though, there are things you can spend money on…feeding the goats, riding the carousel, having your picture taken with a Clydesdale, or just buying lunch at the Bauernhof. There are even several gift shops to give you great souvenir options if you like that kind of thing.

My favorite part about Grant’s Farm, though, is that every time we go there, we see something new.

An iguana, who I don’t think was there last season…

A new calf…

New art…

A show we’ve never seen before…

Plus, we see all of our old favorites.

Like Miss Budweiser…

The carousel…

The beautiful buildings of the Bauernhof…

Or a favorite animal or two…

It’s always a fun trip to Grant’s Farm, and we never get tired of visiting!