For the Fallen

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— John McCrae

I Don't Know Why

I don't know why I took this picture and I sure don't know why I am posting it. Maybe because the evil aliens from the planet Cocola have infiltrated my camera and my mind just like they have infiltrated everything else. I am a zombie.



Meanwhile, back on the Stoic Ranch, all is quiet and well. Soldiers are home for a time. Nobody is deathly ill, homeless or in jail so all is good...but, of course, tomorrow is another day.

Gosh, I wax poetic.

Welcome Home, Sprout

THIS is a good video to welcome home a soldier. Thanks to my fellow blogger and all-round good gal ArmyWifeToddlerMom for leading me to Mike the Marine who created this clip.

All I can say is "Welcome Home, Son". You're my 'RaqStar.

One Giddy Girlie

Sproutette is on her way to meet my son as he arrives back in the US of A for some much needed R & R. She is so excited it's funny. She is like a little girl preparing a tea party for all of her teddy bears. The only other thing she needs now is a pink boa and some high heel shoes 5 sizes too big.

She is absolutely giddy and it does my heart good to know that my son has someone standing there anxiously waiting for him and only him. There will be no doubt in his mind when he arrives that he has been sorely missed. I just hope she doesn't knock him down while trying to get to him. And hopefully she won't run through any metal detectors either. I would hate for Sprout's first order of business after arriving to be having to bail his wife out of jail.

As for us, the second fiddles, we will sit patiently and wait for them to get reacquainted. I don't mind. I do believe Sproutette loves Sprout as much as I do and that's all that I want for him, to have someone who loves him dearly.

Soon I will breath a little easier for a little while.