ANZAC DAY - Lest we forget

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.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

 

(I owneth not the copyright to this picture)

 

Super important travel information

Wow! I had never really stopped to think about where one "goes" when overseas - many of these places I would have thought to have more modern sewerage systems like in Australia, USA & Great Britain

For an interesting read for travellers - go read the "WHERE DO I PUT THE PAPER" website

New Book out!

My Friend and fellow Blogger - Momma Fargo - has just written her first ever book.

It is now available at Amazon.com in Printed format; and will be available in Ebook format shortly - and should be available for the Nook in a few weeks (I believe)

Go read about it HERE

I helped with some of the editing so I'm not entirely unbiased :D - I found it to be a mix of very moving tales from Momma's police days; and some very sage (and sometimes funny) wisdom on just what is wrong with today's youth and how you and I (as THE PARENT - THE ADULT - SOCIETY) can help to fix it all.

During the edits I alternated between crying over the sad sad truths about how sexual predators harm their child victims; and laughing over the other tales.  Most assuredly a roller-coaster ride!

So go find a copy and read read read!

Pax
[a true believer in the written word!]

The War to End all Wars...

... still bringing them home almost 100 years later

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-11/fromelles-diggers-identified/4623996

The remains of another five Australians killed during the Battle of Fromelles in World War I have been identified.

 

The Battle of Fromelles was... the bloodiest 24 hours in Australia's military history, with over 5,500 diggers killed or wounded.

 

The recently identified soldiers were among 250 Australian and British soldiers who were recovered from a mass burial site at Pheasant Wood in France.

 

The soldiers' bodies were recovered in 2009 and reburied in the Fromelles Military Cemetery the following year.

 

There are now 124 Australians who have been identified from the site.

 

Lest we forget....

 

April news

Well I have had word that my Adopted Marine (from Soldiers' Angels) has gone Stop Mail as of the 1st of April (I found out on the 6th... last parcel of beef jerky was ordered & shipped 3rd.. hope it makes it to him!).   With Luck Marine Sgt D will be home in a month or so - and hopefully as far away from the "Korean Situation" as possible [he is currently on a Ship "Somewhere on the Seas"]

Lovely young Man and I wish him the best :)

My Email-Pal (EPal) soldier has also been in touch recently and is well and hopefully heading home in a few months.  She is an amazing person - definitely one of my heroes!

In other news - Previous Adopted Soldier (USA Army) E has married the love of his life.  So very happy for them!!

And Previous Adopted Soldier (USA Army) JJ is once again deployed to the "Exciting Middle East".  He's now my "Unofficial Adoptee" in that I send him treats when I can afford (or more likely when I see something that I just KNOW he'd enjoy - like the recent parcel of Tim Tams [2 thumbs up!] and the Easter basket of yummies.  All shared with his team :)

I still need to send out a card for the SA's LWT (Letter Writing Team).  I get one name a month and it's more of a "Hi! Hello! Hope you hear from your Adopting Angel soon" communication - just to let the recipient know that their application for Adoption has been received and will be actioned soon.  I have "met" some lovely folk from this - wonderful souls all.

Have been considering signing up for another "Official Adoption".  Probably should do a budget up first (one to two parcels a month and letters/cards required weekly can add up).  Giving Support makes me Happy and feel useful so I think that it's good for my Mental Health even if it's a bit of a strain on my (currently) unemployed pocket.

In "At Home" news - Dentist trip today.  $$$$ but I will get to keep the tooth so worth the dollars spent.  Tomorrow I have another day at my Volunteer Library job - which will be enjoyable (great project + lovely people to work with = WIN!)  Not a bad way to spend my time whilst sending out more job applications :)

Pax loves a good Flash Mob

For those not in the know, I do medieval re-enactment (yes... with the costumes and all)

Would LOVE to be a part of something like THIS one day