Friday Fixin's....and a Loooong Weekend

It is a weekend among weekends! So much to be remembered, revalued, retreasured and revered. The lives paid for a freedom that has insurmountable costs. Those who serve still that celebrate this day far from the wienny roasts, hamburgers and family. I hope that we will each take a moment to remember and honor not only those who have died for many; but He who has died for all. The History of Memorial Day It was 1866 and the United States was recovering from the long and bloody Civil War between the North and the South. Surviving soldiers came home, some with missing limbs, and all with stories to tell. Henry Welles, a drugstore owner in Waterloo, New York, heard the stories and had an idea. He suggested that all the shops in town close for one day to honor the soldiers who were killed in the Civil War and were buried in the Waterloo cemetery. On the morning of May 5, the townspeople placed flowers, wreaths and crosses on the graves of the Northern soldiers in the cemetery. At about the same time, Retired Major General Jonathan A. Logan planned another ceremony, this time for the soldiers who survived the war. He led the veterans through town to the cemetery to decorate their comrades' graves with flags. It was not a happy celebration, but a memorial. The townspeople called it Decoration Day. In Retired Major General Logan's proclamation of Memorial Day, he declared: "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country and during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit." more... Memorial Day also hold a dear place in time and heart for me for another reason. It's my wedding anniversary. This will make 5 years! WoooHooo! Looking back, I could have never seen how good life would be now looking from there. What an incredible day it was. Some really tremendous friends, a great God and lawn full of spectators...living and dead. I say that for many reasons. We, my bride and I, worked for competing fundraising companies, our folks had never met, the ceremony was outside and a million other reasons it should have been a disaster. But it was a far cry from that. Five years later I still watch the video and marvel at the grandness of it all in its intricate detail. L-R: Jenni Arnold (Linda's daughter), Pickle, Linda Fann (Jenni's mother) Oaklands Mansion is suspended in time. It is an elegant mansion caught in the corssfire of the Civil War, reflecting a time of prosperity in the Old South. We had an incredible ceremony. I still look forward to being the "groovy old couple" that lives up the block. For such a time as this, and such a monumental task with so many working parts, God certainly deserves all the credit for the amazing group of friends and family assembled that day. Even the thunder clapped at the end of the day. We giggled at that. Yes, it is terrifying to care about something/someone so much that you might be consumed; but passion requires fire and I say "let the flames reach the sky!" Happy Anniversary," dear. Friday Fixins! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* RECIPE: PASTA SALAD W/ TOMATO AND BASIL *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* INGREDIENTS: 10 ounces small shell pasta, cooked and well drained 6 medium chopped plum tomatoes (juices reserved) 1 bunch minced scallions 4 crushed garlic cloves 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup chopped olives 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese DIRECTIONS: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Serve immediately at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving.