Category: Community

Much love for the awesome teachers out there…

I still think of my favorite teacher, Mrs. Kyte! She taught third grade.

So many take what we have for granted not realizing that we wouldn’t have those freedoms if it weren’t for the sacrifices of others…

“A solitary Marine holds vigil at full attention during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in tribute to fallen comrades.”

This video is a few years old, but I find it impressive that this Marine, Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers, stayed at attention saluting (for over four hours) in honor of fallen soldiers who’ve died.

“The marine is Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers. I spoke to his mom, Diane Desantis, his grandmother Anne Desantis, his girlfriend, Mariam Ebrahimi and his buddy Nathan Linkof. Tim was one of six kids in a very active household. He came from a lineage of military folks as his father was a marine in Vietnam and his grandfather was in the Coast Guard in World War II. Tim?s family came from the small town of Silverton, Oregon.

Tim spends hundreds of hours helping out various charities, advocates for veterans’ benefits and their causes and visits veterans’ hospitals. Tim’s card explains what he is all about. He is starting a charitable organization called “Tim-for-America” whose centerpiece is, “improving the quality of life of our youth, the less fortunate and heroic veterans.” His aim is ambitious, but simple: Get people involved and volunteer to help.

After more than four hours, the last bikes finally came over the bridge and slowed down to pass by Tim. When the last escort motorcycle rode by, Tim cracked his salute in perfect military precision. He did a left face and walked toward his family. The surrounding crowds erupted into applause and people came from everywhere to shake Tim’s hand and thank him. He would in turn thank every person for being there. Although sweating, Tim seemed no worse for the wear.

Tim explained that for several years, when he was stationed in D.C., he would wear his uniform during Rolling Thunder and walk around talking to people. He would shake hands and thank veterans and their families. He listened to their stories and their plights. Tim decided that he wanted to do something to show that he cared. He spontaneously, in full uniform, stepped into the road during Rolling Thunder 2002 and gave his salute to the riders in the Run For The Wall. The next couple of years his spontaneous salute evolved in to a planned event. This year, he was invited by The Rolling Thunder organization, which flew his family in from Oregon and Tim from 29 Palms, California.
As I walked away, it struck me that I hadn’t asked the most important question. I turned around and called him, “Sergeant Chambers, why the salute?” His response was effortless and profound, “It’s about the pain. A lot of these heroic guys still hurt and if I can relieve their pain for just one brief moment, then I’ve done my job.”

 

Source:

Brutally Honest: The Lone Marine

Man… this song was the jam! I loved it, still do.

Earlier today, I heard that DJ Ez Rock passed away. I was immediately taken back to the above song, always loved the beat.

My goodness has it been busy. I’m actually a bit tired today. Yesterday, was my day of buying food for the ministry that my Lutheran church has at the homeless shelter. Yesterday, I felt like my brain had gone on vacation.

First…

I locked myself out of the SUV before I picked up the groceries. Thankfully, I was at the house and was able to use the spare house key to get inside the house, search for and find the extra key, open the door and everything was fine. That’s the first time I’ve locked myself out of a vehicle since I’ve been driving; so about eighteen years.

Second…

The Homeless shelter food list was left at the house.  While I was driving away, I remembered…”oh I forgot the food list!” Back to the house I went to retrieve that list. While in our yard, the SUV died and so I hopped in the other vehicle.  Sighs, yeah yesterday was one of those days but I can’t complain. Came back home and the SUV started, no problem.

The Passion Play is winding down, woohoo! No more costumes to sew! I love sewing, but I want a break.

So yeah… I’m really looking forward to the upcoming weekend! More honeybees are coming my way during this Easter holiday and I’ll be off this coming Monday and Tuesday!

While off, I’ll be dialing back the technology interaction a lot! At times we need to take a big break, you know?

I can completely relate to what the lady is feeling in the video. I really dislike when people are so wrapped up in their technology gadgets that they completely ignore the people they are with. If you’re going to spend your time on a device, please don’t ask to spend time with me. I enjoy interacting with people without their technology gadgets.

My Totally Raw Thursday challenge

I’m making some type of raw banana cookie in the food dehydrator!

Where did this past week go? Besides my busy work week, when I arrived home the sewing of Passion Play costumes was on my mind, material was in my hands as I fed it to the my Brother sewing machine.

Of course, by the time I was sewing, the material had been washed, cut and eventually the fabric started looking like robes from a time long past and then something happened. Hours later, after dutifully feeding the fabric to my sewing machine I feel in love with the sewing process again. Sure I like sewing, but this past weekend was different. I reconnected with an emotion that I haven’t experienced in a long time with sewing and I do believe that sewing will be competing with weaving and knitting. Guess what? I stayed up until 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning, sewing! The good news is the bulk of the sewing for the Passion Play was finished and that only leaves the extras;  a vest, belt and one head piece. That will be completed within the next few days.

Because of my busy schedule I didn’t get around to posting a Totally Raw Thursday post, but I will be doing so this week.

I love this song and really like that it’s pro military. I don’t agree with all the wars that the United States has been involved with throughout the years

However, I do realize that the freedom that many of us take for granted would not be ours without some of those wars. Regardless of whether a war is “right” or “wrong” it still doesn’t take away from the respect that I have for most that serve within the military deserve.