You would think that growing up in the town where Veterans Day began that I would have more memories of doing things to honor Veterans around me.  Honestly, I wish I did, but it’s probably why I am so adamant about it now.  I began with phone calls to say thank you to everyone that I knew that served or was currently serving on Veterans Day morning.  Later I ordered a randomly picked Vietnam MIA bracelet; his story is a post all of its own.  Then I began collecting old military photos found in antique stores; sadly their stories I will never know.  Then a few years ago, after watching a documentary about Section 60 of the Arlington Cemetery, I found a way to honor the fallen in a way that speaks to my heart.

I began my own tradition to honor the fallen on the two holidays, a tradition which I have passed on to at least two people that I know of.  It’s a simple tradition that doesn’t require much (some glass stones, a cemetery, and a little bit of time) but it is my tradition which helps me feel as though I am making up for the years of drinking, bar-b-q’s, and overabundant shopping.  Don’t get me wrong, I still attend bar-b-q’s, drink, fish (a lot), and shop (if it’s a good enough deal to pull me from the first three listed) but the first thing I do Saturday morning is head out to say thank you to those that served for the freedom I have today.

So, as we go in to this Memorial Day weekend I hope that you are able to set at least a small bit of time aside to remember the fallen heroes in your life.

Remember that it’s not about the sales, the bbq’s, or the beer.  It’s about remembering those that have given their lives for this country so that we have those freedoms.  If you see someone selling Buddy Poppies purchase one and if you know where a fallen soldier is buried visit them.  Remember that your freedom wasn’t free.

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”  ~Joseph Campbell

This is one of the first photos I ever took that wasn’t from a standing position.  It took me a little while to get over potentially looking like a fool to get the shot I wanted.  I no longer have that issue, now the challenge is not getting caught stepping on things I’m not supposed to be on.  (It’s always nice to have a someone to tag along to keep a look out.)

Dandelions.  To most people they are just a weed, one they wish would vacate from their lawn without effort.  Not for me though…

My grandmother took my mom on a trip to Florida when she was 11 to see a family friend, Don.  If I remember the story correctly, during their time there my mother asked him why she didn’t see any dandelions.  Don tried to explain to her that different things grow in different areas and that they just didn’t grow in Florida.  My mother did not buy that though.  After coming home she took it upon herself to mail a dandelion seed head to Don.

Now, that may not seem like that big of a deal, surely one seed head wouldn’t do much, right?  Well, I know there’s no real way to prove it but nine years ago, when my grandmother told me this story, I was living in Florida.  I looked out my front door and giggled when I saw the dandelions that I had passed by every day without a thought.  To this day, even now that I’m living in Texas, they still remind me of her… 

What reminds you of your mom?

Have a fantastic Monday!

“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.” – Jo Walton

This is one of those shots:

I literally did a happy dance in the parking lot when I realized I got the snot dripping out of his nose.  Bet you didn’t see that the first time around did you?  I still do that happy dance when I get a great shot, there’s just not as much anticipation in between shot and dance now.

Jay Zimmerman has a fantastic carp fly called the Backstabber which you can learn to tie with this handy video here:

And then when you’re feeling confident that you got that down, take a gander at this post by Missouri Flies showing his interpretation of the Backstabber.

Skip work, get out and fish.  (I’ll sign a permission slip if you need one.)   Before you head out make sure you’ve turned off all the electronic equipment you won’t be using while away (computers, lights, a/c, etc.).  While you’re there pick up the trash you see around you and throw it away properly.  Leave it better than you found it!

It still amazes me how well animals can blend in to their surroundings.  Almost walked right up on these two before spotting them.