Sorry for the delay - we've been out enjoying the weather and the holiday weekend. We traveled to to two sets of relatives and home over 3 days, and of course I forgot my camera so I'm patiently waiting for some downloads to reach me so I can share some of the fun!
Summer is about to kick off in full swing around here.
Music and movies in the parks and downtown have already started and we've got some penciled in that we're hoping to enjoy.
The pools open in a few days and Henry and I are signed up for a months worth of swimming lessons.
Our 16 week CSA starts in a few weeks and hopefully a few things in the garden will be on it's way as well (Note to self plant fewer things that won't be ready until August/September).
The annual Mennonite Relief Sale is this weekend - walking tacos and strawberry pie are on the horizon - which, besides the food, means I'll be spending a couple hours gazing longingly at quilts I'll never afford or be skilled enough to make. le sigh.
Right now I'm so thankful to live in an area that offers so much free/affordable entertainment in the warm months. Within the next couple months we've got the Relief Sale, Arts Festival, Jazz Fest, the County Fair, Sand in the City, A Quilt Fest, Book Festival, Taste of Iowa City and that's not mentioning the weekly outdoor music and regular outdoor movie events, markets and farmers markets. And that's just in Iowa City, there are more activities all summer long in neighboring Coralville, Kalona, the Amanas, Mount Pleasant, etc. (And let's not forget our "grand state fair".)
Who says there's nothing to do in the mid-west? I think I just need dub this the summer "Awesome-Fest".
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day
He was a Telephone Operator for the 151st Field Artillery Battalion and the 34th "Red Bull" Division.
A farm boy from Southeast Iowa.
He fought in Northern Africa and Italy.
He refused a Purple Heart for a shrapnel wound to the leg in Italy.
He told the officer in charge to "Give it to someone who deserved it more".
He lived to return to Iowa, get married have two sons and one granddaughter.
We believe he was Bipolar, which worsened after his return from the war, his odd and erratic behavior clouding many memories we have of him.
However, he was kind to everyone, tolerant regardless of race or sexuality before it was socially accepted to do so.
When he died he had my school pictures in his wallet.
It wasn't until high school that I found his photo albums from his time in the war.
These pictures gave me the first insight into the man my Grandfather really was, not what a mental disease turned him into.
My Grandfather, on the right, and two of his handsome buddies acting all serious in Italy.
Here are few more of my favorites -
On the back my Grandfather (the one on the far right) wrote "Lined up to wash our mess kits just outside the kitchen. We line up to do everything. No, the sweater isn't G.I. but I get by wearing it."
I kind of want to make a sweater like that.
"Oct. 42 "Tiger" Luther the smallest fellow in the Btry with gas mask, gas cape and brush knives, Jack cannon(?) on right"
Just goofin' around.
"Sept 42 My afternoon off know my girl."
The mystery is we don't know who his sweetheart was in 1942.
{A repost from last year - I believe it's still an important post to share. Don't forget those who never came home and those who came home as different people.} - Molly 5/29/12
Monday, May 21, 2012
Another marriage tid-bit
"The only disappointing thing about marriage so far is the fact that you have not become psychic. Not in a 'you can read every thought' kind of way, but more like 'oh, my spidey-sense is tingling... I think she wants me to clean the kitchen.' That would be awesome."
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Four Married Lessons
Today we've been married for four years, we been a couple for six and known each other for eight. I'm definitely not the girl who was so scared on her wedding day - I've made some mistakes and done a lot of growing up and I still have a long way to go. There are definitely life lessons I've picked up so far; a little list of reminders for myself and advice for those around me.
1. It's never too late to grow up and act your age; but the sooner the better.
2. But don't lose your sense of humor it's all you'll have to get you through some days.
3. Marry someone who you'll still think of as your best friend when the flame burns low.
4. A good marriage is not found in the dollar section; it's not meant to be used up, thrown away and easily replaced. It is something that is worth the investment of your time, sweat and tears and sometimes, like anything worth salvaging, you have to be willing to take it all apart, strip it down to the bones, clean it out and put it back together again.
"Life's a happy song, when there's someone by your side to sing along."
I'm glad to have someone who isn't ashamed to break into spontaneous musical numbers in the kitchen by my side.
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