Memorial Day

Today we honor the veterans who fought hard to continue our American freedom. In this spirit, I honor the memory of my grandfathers who participated in World War II. They taught me about our freedom and respect for the American flag.

My paternal grandfather landed at Omaha Beach two days after D-Day. He fought under Gen. George Patton, who he respected immensely. He never talked about the war until after I telephoned him after having watched "Saving Private Ryan." My grandfather helped build roads and bridges and also participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He said Gen. Patton was rough and gruff, but he made everyone participate in religious services on Sunday. My grandfather and grandmother were active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Eagles and their church. We would sometimes accompany them on Memorial Day as they made their rounds of the cemetaries, putting flowers on the graves. He was also a member of the Color Guard. One of my favorite pictures of him appeared on the Omaha World-Herald's front page Memorial Day 1987. He was standing at attention, holding the American flag with the color guard unit during a ceremony at one of the local cemetaries. My maternal grandmother sent it to me as I was away at college. It crushed him when he could no longer participate in the color guard: He was hooked up to oxygen because his lungs were failing - from a Camel cigarette habit developed during the War. (When he first went on oxygen, he used to unhook himself and walk outside for a smoke. Eventually he had to quit as he couldn't do much without the oxygen.)

My maternal grandfather was embarrassed about his war participation as he never saw overseas combat. He felt he wasn't as worthy as the fighter pilots he trained. My family often teased him about being a "chicken colonel." In my naitivete, I thought it was because he wasn't able to go overseas. I only later found that was actually the slang term for colonel - that "chicken colonel" stems from the eagle that represents the rank of a full colonel. Unfortunately he died when I was 19-years-old. I was never able to fully question him about his experiences. He participated in the Army reserves for many years after his WWII service. I also heard my uncle mention that my grandfather was asked to help during the Korean combat, but he refused. I don't understand that - how can one refuse military orders? My favorite picture of him is in his lieutenant colonel's uniform, sitting on a cannon overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Bless our troops! Without them, we would not have this great land.

Herding sheep (the follow-up)

By the following Thursday, we had 65 yeses, 18 no's and 44 no responses. The movie theatre manager told me that even if we had the 100 people necessary, she doubted the producion company would allow it. Apparently the production company is approving midnight showings on May 29/30th at select cities around the US. So now we're going on June 3rd at 7 pm - earlier time and free popcorn. I just thought I'd post what happened. It was a fun idea, but I doubt I would have stayed up that late, quite honestly.

Herding sheep

During a girls' night out a few weeks ago, we decided we wanted to see the movie, "Sex and the City" when it hits theatres on May 30th. After we looked at our calendars, June 3rd was the night that would work. When I talked with the local theater manager about tickets, she mentioned we could fill out a special screening request to see it May 29th. The clincher is we need 100 people minimum to fill out the request. Then we have to wait for the production company to approve it. We live in a small town. 100 people means a small effort.

I sent an email to about 93 of my closest friends. I have more friends, but I don't have their email addresses. As you know that many emails takes less time than dialing(and my youngest thinks a telephone by my ear is the signal to talk to me). I sent the detailed email at 5 pm Friday. By Saturday noon, I had 35 positive responses and about 8 no's due to vacations and one child's baseball game.

So where are the other 57 people? Did the email get stuck in spam/junk account pergatory? Do the people assume I will include them? If the production company approves our special screening request, I don't want to get stuck with $1568 theatre bill (224 seats at $7 each). One gal had the nerve to ask who was "in" so far. As if!

Speaking of if's...if it does happen, then....
We're also planning a Cosmopolitan party prior to the movie. We're also planning to dress the character you're most like (go to ivillage.com and search for the Sex and the City character quiz). It'd be really cool to have limos transport us from the party to the screening.

All this so we have the golden opportunity to see a movie prior to it's official release date. And only if the production company approves.

I hope so.

Full Moon, Empty Head

As we watched the moon rise tonight over the horizon (or in my case: the trees), my son and I gazed in awe at how large, full and bright it was. I trembled, because I knew then, as I now know: I am not sleeping tonight; although I am exhausted from too much fresh air and weekend fun. A girlfriend told me her energy levels wax and wane with the moon cycle. I laughed, as I agreed that I, too, have more energy when the moon is full. Only tonight I realized that it is only when the moon is full and the sky is clear. When it is cloudy, like it was last month, I slept. My bedroom is dark. My husband isn't snoring. Yet, I cannot sleep. Part of me relishes the extra time. Part of me moans knowing I'll have difficulty waking later this morning. But still, I do not sleep.