Weekly Chat, Sunday November 8

I was going to say "Happy Sunday" all - but 'tis the Sunday substitute for Remembrance Day (really 11th of the 11th in honour of end of WW1) here in the UK, and tends to be gloomy mourning rather than a celebration.  So perhaps it should be "have a  Peaceful Sunday - and keep hoping for an end to all conflict".

Brekkie ready, must eat now (Sunday bacon & egg).

Any readers in continental European countries who live under the 'footprint' of the Astra 2 satellite and who would like to see the BBC2 Autumnwatch programme this Friday, which includes a report on ospreys in West Africa, filmed last week, should read my post on the thread 'Ospreys on Autumnwatch'. It is a copy of an email I sent to Faune-Aquitaine members.

Sorry if my earlier post offended anyone - didn't express myself very well.  What I meant was 11/11/1918 was armistice, and original commemoration was to celebrate lasting peace (they hoped!) after the "war to end all wars".  Later it commemorated the dead of two world wars.  I remember this being kept on the original date and everyone stopped everything (including traffic) at the 11th hour that morning.  It is now fitting that we remember also the recent victims of war at that hour on the chosen day - and I guess it is just a sign of the times that it has to be on a Sunday in these too busy days.  But also we need to remember every day, yet that shouldn't mean we have to be gloomy - we also have to celebrate human life, and all the good things we have to help us enjoy the gift of life.  Probably made things worse with this, but trying to clarify what I was really meaning to say!

Sunny Sunday - Robin singing his socks off, hugest Woodpigeon ever - trying to use window feeder!

Craft Fair at a local village today then to Homebase to use a discount voucher - shopping list includes paint ready to eventually complete ensuite.

Don't worry, OG, I'm sure everyone knows just what you mean.  It is always a sad day, to think of all those young lives lost, and it hit me a few years ago, when my boys grew into men, that they might have been called up once upon a time and involved in such things. My father was in the RAF and my Uncle was in India & still talks of the terrible times of those days in World War II but also of the great cameraderie forged then between young men so far from home & family. He is now 86, and still in touch with an old friend from those days who now lives in the States. Off now to go stand still for a couple of minutes and think about them all.....

Back now, and I'll try to give a flavour of the scene at Whitehall this morning, to all our overseas bloggers:

It has been dry, which is a blessing as a lot of the old soldiers who no doubt make huge efforts to attend, always look so frail and I think its hard for them when its cold & raining.  The Queen as always, looked dignified and calm, and very smart in a black hat (her hats are much better these days, my opinion!). She still manages to look so regal, in spite of being a small woman & especially so amongst all the burly members of the armed forces, in their big greatcoats.  Each year we remark to each other that Prince Philip is looking a bit craggier & that the young Princes are a credit to their late mother, Princess Diana. After Her Majesty lays her wreath, she is followed by various members of the royal family, the armed forces and politicians, and foreign representatives - you can almost hear each heaving a sigh of relief that they have managed to perform the task and step backwards afterwards without falling or stumbling in front of the whole population. I should say that before this, at exactly  11.00am, there is a very moving 2 minutes silence, broken by the sound of the last post being played, and during this time you could hear a pin drop in spite of the many people crammed in around the Cenotaph Memorial. Everyone knows exactly where to stand and when to march forward, it's all carried out with great precision. If only we were only thinking about soldiers killed many years ago, and not any recent deaths, but unfortunately, there has been another death only today....

Thanks Lindybird for that description. (and thanks OG for your comments. I'm sure no one was offended by what you said).  When I lived in the UK I remember very well stopping for 2 minutes where ever we were. In fact, one year my dad pulled over the car just outside the Dartford tunnel so we didn't miss it.

I saw on our news last night a piece about a local organisation that takes vets to Washington to allow them to see the war memorials. They charter a plane and pay for everything and it means lots get to see the memorials that wouldn't otherwise. What a great thing to do and brought a huge lump to my throat

I too take today to reflect on the scarifices others have made on my behalf, both now and previously and honour those who have done, and continue to do so. So, if anyone reading this has, or has family that served/is serving, thank you.

Hello, Gary.  It was nice to hear about the veterans in USA, these organisations are wonderful: it must be difficult for those who live such huge distances away, there.

Thanks to OG for the great pictures of the alpacas!  I hope you don't mind my copying them for my collection of both weird and wonderful animals & birds.  The shorn female looked almost embarrassed, but as you say,still pretty!!   Hope all is going well for you at present.

Annette:   Hope you enjoyed your concert, it sounded good.

Off now to prepare lunch & keep an eye on laundry, put out optimistically today as its almost bright & sunny, but not quite.  Birds are enjoying the big piece of fat from our pork eaten last night.

Morning/Afternoon All:

Yes, Veteran's Day. Another time to recall those who have given so much for all of us. My step-father joined  the Army during WWII and was deployed to the Philipines and my Uncle Bill was in the Navy first as a Tail Gunner's Mate (how scary is that!) and was also sent to Okinawa to take part in the invasion. My late father was exempted from service because he was an electrician and vital to the homefront. I can't even begin to imagine what people went through abroad during the wars, being right in the thick of it I mean. Makes me sad to think of it so to chime in with Gary, here, we have the wonderful Honor Flight Chicago:

 http://www.honorflightchicago.org/

On a lighter note, the Chicago Fire advances to  the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Final next Saturday against Salt Lake City. Anyone interested can check that out here:

http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/t100/

I'm off to spend the day with my folks before they return to Florida for the winter months and an elder sister is visiting them this weekend from Minnesota so a very small family reunion in the making. Expecting warm and sunnry weather again at 20c or so.

FAB!     =O)

By the by, George G. we haven't heard from you in quite a while now. Hope all is okay.

Cirrus, Diane and Wattle15 have been rather quiet as well. Everything okay with you gals? Just been busy is what I hope.   =O)