They say that Zebras do it to rest their heavy, weary heads while looking both ways for signs of danger. Oh, and BTW, they can swat flies from each other's eyes, which has a practical advantage.
I can't grow peonies or tulips in SoCal because it doesn't get cold enough in winter. Peonies are my all time favorite flower. We often desire what we don't have.
Ah, yes, the seasonal color-changing of the shoes! And the purse! I had forgotten that. And I vaguely remember a change of hats, too. I believe I remember when my mother wore hats to church, or at least weddings and funerals.
This is from my nonagenarian friend, Grace Moremen: Hi Janice,
I couldn't get the Substack stuff to work, hence this e-mail.
I just want to add my two bits to the discussion.
In my childhood in the 1930s, before WWII, Memorial Day, in my family, was called Decoration Day. My grandmother , mother and I would go to the cemetery on Decoration Day and put flowers on my grandfather's grave. There wasn't so much emphasis on honoring military veterans, as I remember. I do think the President would lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington, and of course people would put flowers on the graves in Military cemeteries.
These days, it seems to me that we have two Memorial Days, one in May and one in November, which is called Veterans Day. Both are days for Americans to honor veterans. Veterans Day, before WWII, was called Armistice Day, originally a day to mark the end of WWI.
My regret is that we seem to have lost Memorial Day's meaning as a day to honor ALL our loved ones who have passed, not just veterans. For me, Memorial Day is not only a day to express patriotism, but a deeply personal one as well.
this is lovely, Janice! Both the reflections on collaboration as well as the peonies! peonies were writ large in my childhood, as well. 🩷
I can't grow peonies or tulips in SoCal because it doesn't get cold enough in winter. Peonies are my all time favorite flower. We often desire what we don't have.
All of the above, Janice!! And Memorial Day was the day my mother and grandmother would retrieve their white shoes and purse from the closet. xo
Ah, yes, the seasonal color-changing of the shoes! And the purse! I had forgotten that. And I vaguely remember a change of hats, too. I believe I remember when my mother wore hats to church, or at least weddings and funerals.
This is from my nonagenarian friend, Grace Moremen: Hi Janice,
I couldn't get the Substack stuff to work, hence this e-mail.
I just want to add my two bits to the discussion.
In my childhood in the 1930s, before WWII, Memorial Day, in my family, was called Decoration Day. My grandmother , mother and I would go to the cemetery on Decoration Day and put flowers on my grandfather's grave. There wasn't so much emphasis on honoring military veterans, as I remember. I do think the President would lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington, and of course people would put flowers on the graves in Military cemeteries.
These days, it seems to me that we have two Memorial Days, one in May and one in November, which is called Veterans Day. Both are days for Americans to honor veterans. Veterans Day, before WWII, was called Armistice Day, originally a day to mark the end of WWI.
My regret is that we seem to have lost Memorial Day's meaning as a day to honor ALL our loved ones who have passed, not just veterans. For me, Memorial Day is not only a day to express patriotism, but a deeply personal one as well.
Thanks for listening.
Love and best wishes, Grace