Memorial Day

We awoke to a thunderstorm this morning. Last evening's weather forecast had predicted that the front would not arrive until around noon today, so it was a bit surprising. Still, it cooled off the air in a hurry. We hit 89 yesterday, which is unheard of for this area in May. The "normal" temps are mid-70s.

Today is the artificial day set aside to honor people who have served our country, mostly military people. I do honor them, but not on one specific day. I take time out to thank service personnel whenever I get a chance. I thank my students who are or have been in the military. I go up to service people if I see them in airports or elsewhere and thank them. Mostly, I remember the service of people like my father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, brothers, uncles, friends, and the few women I know who have been part of military service in some way. However, I also thank and honor all those families who somehow "make do" without their spouses, fathers, sons, daughters, and other family members while those folks are away serving. They also serve who only stand and wait.

Tomorrow will be Aunt Susie's birthday. I miss her so much. Today I'm hoping to get back to the portrait of her that I am working on. If, that is, my Esteemed Spouse doesn't have plans for us to do something. He's been wanting to go over to Horrock's to buy hanging baskets for the front porch. He can just as easily go without me, but we're trying to do the "together" thing as often as we can, knowing that summer will end all too soon, and I'll be away again.

We desperately need to grocery shop, but neither of us is eager to do it, so we've been putting it off and making do with what we've got on hand. That, and far too many take-out meals.

Guess it's time to get a shower and get the day started. The last day of May came too quickly, and the next thing you know, it will be the last day of July, and I'll be crazy-busy trying to get ready for the upcoming semester. Groan.