Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and it was good. Saturday morning we had breakfast with the crew at IHOP. Afterwards, Doug and I went to the Arts Festival in Watkinsville, and I bought a present for Vivian's birthday. Then we went out to Sean's house to pick up our "grandkitty" that we kept for the weekend while they went up to Mama and Daddy's to go trout fishing. The kitten, Jessie, is at the playful stage so I spent a lot of time this weekend playing with her, and I have the scratches and teeth marks to prove it! When she wasn't playing, she was on my lap sleeping. She really is adorable, though somewhat aggravating at times.

Saturday afternoon we met Don and Pris to go to the movies. The guys saw X-men while Pris and I watched Over the Hedge. Then we shopped at TJ Maxx and went to Jason's Deli for a salad.

The real Memorial Day celebration started Sunday morning at church. A lot of thought went into planning the special service. The lights were turned down low in the sanctuary. Instead of the usual band, one guy with a guitar sat on the stage and sang patriotic songs. A huge American flag hung downward to form the backdrop for the stage. In front of it stood flagpoles with the flags for all the different branches of the military. On the wall on both sides of the American flag, a video played showing scenes from all the many wars America has fought in. Along with those scenes, we heard the words of past presidents. Then a WWII vet got up to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Another old vet read the words of the Gettysburg Address. A second video played with historic scenes and the words of the address interspersed throughout it. It was quite moving. We all sang America the Beautiful, My Country Tis of Thee, and God Bless America. I have to admit it; I'm a sucker for such sentimental displays of patriotism. They get me every time. The most moving part of the whole service was when anyone who wanted to could come up to the front and light a candle in honor of all those who have fought and died for our country. I was one of the first ones out of my seat.

That afternoon we went to see another movie! (We figured since we didn't go anywhere for the weekend, we'd have a vacation right here at home.) We saw the movie RV with Robin Williams. It was funny and decent and did a great job of portraying the right family values. I highly recommend it. After the movie we had a salad at Panera Bread and then went to Barnes and Noble for coffee. Sunday was a very relaxing day.

Monday was not. We got up and started our yard work. Doug cut grass and cleaned out gutters while I worked in the flower garden. Of course, being outside, we talked with the neighbors, and that led to an impromptu cookout at our house that evening. That meant cleaning house all day and going to the grocery store. Everyone brought food, however, so it really was easy on me. Jack and Jan came and brought their grown daughter Jill. Joanne and Ferris rolled Mrs. Harmon over in the wheelchair. The eight of us enjoyed our grilled hamburgers, several different salads, and watermelon. We sat around the table and just talked for a long time. I slept really good that night. Tonight is a different story. It's 4:00 am as I write this. Oh well, maybe I'm supposed to write.