Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)

American Soldier (2003)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.

My dad served in WWII stateside. FIL was in the Army during the Korean War (or is it still a "conflict"?) but he was in Germany for the duration. Neither saw combat, for which I remain very grateful. My former lawn-mowing neighbor kid is in the Marines. Otherwise, I don't seem to run the same gang with a lot of soldier/sailor/flyer folks. 

Oh! My sister WORKED on an army base in Germany as the daycare supervisor for several years in the 90s. Not in the army, just at the army. 

2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers "work straight through holidays," even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating?

I have traditionally worked on a lot of federal holidays. The 'only' official days off we are closed are Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4 and Thanksgiving. All others the library is open for business, although we do occasionally close early on Xmas Eve or NY Eve.

It's not hard or sad to be at work when everyone else is partying anymore. I'm used to it after 35 years and we always adjusted to having whatever party it was on a day when I don't work, or Beast and Sparky went without me, which is  fine with me.

3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base?

See above re sister working in Germany. That's it. We aren't big Armed Forces folks. My dad was not thrilled about life in the Army, and my brother was 'of age' during Vietnam so he did whatever he could to not be drafted.

4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a "Canine Comfort Crew." Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover?

I love dogs. Almost all my immediate neighbors have dogs, big 'uns, and I know them better than the people living in the houses. I've owned a couple of dogs over the years (one at a time) and would have loved to have more, but it turned out that I'm allergic. And now I'm just too lazy to have a dog; I'd be in better shape if I had to entertain and walk a furball.

5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

Today, I would pretty much murder someone for my mom's potato salad. None better! But I'm also up for whatever you're serving at a picnic.

6) Let's welcome summer with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?

I do not like chocolate ice cream. Vanilla with some chocolate syrup or sprinkles is fine, but I really prefer peppermint. Or birthday cake. OK, well, honestly, I'd eat any gelato you put in front of me because GELATO! In a cup. Always.

7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?

I simply do not go outside long enough to need this in years. Much as I love summer, I'm allergic to everything else alive out there, so I run from building to building, car to car, etc. with only very occasional forays onto the front porch or middle of the street to chat with a neighbor.

8) Or swam?

I don't can't swim. There is a (man-made) lake for which my town is named, but it is ill-advised to get in the water without a lot of precautions, even if I had access to it, which I don't. 

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? 

The house fan is on because my brother cleaned out all his water containers from his RV this morning so I'm moving the air around to make sure the smell doesn't permeate. I could turn it off, but I forgot to after he left earlier. Otherwise, it's too cold outside for cooling on the inside. As I sit here, I'm wearing a fleece over a T-shirt, all-weather pants, and my bare feet have lost all feeling in them due to cold (and poor circulation). In fact, I was considering going up to take a shower after I finish this so I can warm up.