Category Archives: December

Remember Pearl Harbor

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“The lesson of Pearl Harbor ought never to be forgotten,
and of course the motto that came from that, 69 years ago,
the war which my dad fought, was ‘Remember Pearl Harbor,
never again.’ We need to keep that to mind.”
Oliver North

Remember Pearl Harbor

Today marks the 74th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The tragic day the USS Arizona was bombed and split in two killing 1,177 of its 1,400-member crew.

Most people may not realize that before Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona had a 25-year history of accomplishments. The battleship spent most of its career in Pacific Ocean waters, including many years at San Pedro, California harbor. This 608-foot-long, 34,000 plus ton battleship was also used in the 1934 movie, Here Comes the Navy staring James Cagney. The movie provided first rate images of the interior and exterior of this now famous battleship.

In July of this year two of the twelve oldest known Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans Ray Chavez, 103, and Jim Downing, 102, met for the first time. The two men shared the same eyewitness moments and deep memories of the horrific, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Still, for Downing, “most of what happened is just as clear as if it were last week.”

Four days after the bombing, everything was still burning said Chavez. He said they never told the public how bad it was. It was really bad.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is not a federal holiday, but maybe it should be. Just like Oliver North said, the lesson of Pearl Harbor ought never be forgotten. We must always remember Pearl Harbor.

Shine On

Frankenstein of Flora

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“We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant.
You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or
just think it’s going to get on by itself.
You’ve got to keep watering it.
You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.
John Lennon

The Power of Plants

For decades I had a beautiful garden that I nurtured and cherished.

Then we relocated and most of my plants I handed over to friends and neighbors. I knew the relocation would kill my plants, and I didn’t want that to happen.

After a few years without plants, I’ve begun to slowly buy some indoor plants and see how they do in our new home. I tend to buy young plants or plants that are left for dead. I do this mostly because I enjoy bringing plants back to life and seeing the young plants grow into big beautiful plants.

The first week in November I bought a half-dead Aspidistra elatior aka Cast-iron plant. The plant was in a bin at Loew’s and had a $5 ticket on it. Seeing this sad looking plant, I snatched it up.

When I got home, my husband asked why I would buy a dead plant? I told him that I thought I could bring life back to the plant. Who do you think you are, the Frankenstein of flora? I ignored his snide remark and went about caring for the plant.

I cleaned the plant up, removing all the dead leaves, trimmed off the brittle tips and drenched it with water. Then, I waited for a few days to see if it came back to life. Slowly the pale green leaves began to brighten and perk up lifting itself up toward the sun light.

Aspidistra plants are common house plants and can tolerate a lot of neglect which is why it’s nicknamed the Cast-iron plant. Today I noticed new growth on the plant and how it looks fuller and the leaves a much richer green. But, I like to believe it was my care of the plant that saved the plant. Thanks to my hubby, I now think of myself as the Frankenstein of flora.

Shine On

Selfless Selfie

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“It’s a great event to get outside and enjoy nature.
I find it very exciting no matter how many times
I see bald eagles.”
Karen Armstrong

Eagle Saved Selfie

While hiking in Windy Lake Ontario, Canada the other day, two young brothers Michael and Neil Fletcher found a bald eagle stuck in a trap.

When they approached the bird, he was stressed and tried to fly away. To calm the giant bird, the brothers wrapped a jacket around the eagle to calm it down, and then managed to free its talon. But, before leaving the eagle to fly away, the Fletchers decided to take a quick photo with the rare animal.

Thanks Fletcher Brothers for not only saving a majestic Bald Eagle from sure death, but for also taking a rare selfless selfie.

Shine On

Michael Connelly Novel

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“I feel I’m functioning at some level as a journalist
because even though I write fiction,
I’m trying to get the world accurate.”
Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly

 

A few months ago I discovered a fantastic writer. I first heard about this writer after watching an interview he gave on Between the Lines hosted by Barry Kibrick.

The writer is Michael Connelly and he is one of the kings of crime fiction. Connelly spent 14 years as a crime reporter, before he started writing novels.

He’s written twenty-eight novels which I plan on reading every single one. I just finished reading my eighth Connelly novel and I can’t wait to pick up the next one.

It’s been a long time since I found a writer that was entertaining enough to want to read everything they’ve ever written. The last writer of this caliber was Michael Crichton. 

If you’re looking for a great crime novel that you just can’t put down, pick up a Michael Connelly novel.

Shine On