America's Answer

R.W. Lillard
Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead
The fight that you so bravely led
We've taken up. And we will keep
True faith with you who lie asleep,
With each a cross to mark his bed,
And poppies blowing overhead,
When once his own life-blood ran red
So let your rest be sweet and deep
In Flanders Fields.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
The torch ye threw to us we caught,
Ten million hands will hold it high,
And freedom's light shall never die!
We've learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders' fields.

So many were inspired by McCrae's poem that they wrote poems in response, like the one above and this darker one below. While they both exemplify patriotism and appreciation, they express very different reactions.

In Flanders Fields (An Answer)

C.B. Galbreath
In Flanders Field the cannon boom,
And fitful flashes light the gloom,
While up above; like eagles, fly
The fierce destroyers in the sky;
With stains, the earth wherein you lie,
Is redder than the poppy bloom,
In Flanders Field.
Sleep on, ye brave, the shrieking shell,
The quaking trench, the startled yell,
The fury of the battle hell,
Shall wake you not, for all is well.
Sleep peacefully, for all is well.
Your flaming torch aloft we bear,
With burning heart, an oath we swear
To keep the faith, to fight it through,
To crush the foe, or sleep with you,
In Flanders Field.

 

Memorial Day

Theodosia Pickering Garrison

A handful of old men walking down the village street
In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;
A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-
Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!

There's a vast crowd swaying, there's a wild band playing,
The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.
Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-
The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!

A handful of old men walking down the highways?
Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,
The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven's byways
And come to join their own again across the dusty years.

There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-
A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.
A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;
The spirit of America today is marching by!

Another patriotic poem helps us see more than what meets the eye.

 

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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

There are a number of answers to this poem. This poem has been adopted by many veteran groups from several countries. There was a small cemetery near the medical station where McCrae had been overwhelmed with the horror of war. The field had ditches where poppies bloomed.
The mention of poppies inspired the making and selling of paper poppies for the lapel. Originally, injured vets made the poppies, and the proceeds benefited disabled vets. Eventually, they were made by assembly line machines to save money. Now, the dollar for the poppy hardly seems worth the effort, so we don't see them so much. However, the image of the poppy in remembrance of veterans prevails. (They were sold on Armistice Day, which became Veteran's Day-Nov. 11.)

 

As we approach Memorial Day, I recalled that I go on a campaign every year at this time for this holiday. It's important to remember--remember our history lessons, remember the price paid for freedom, remember what our lifestyle cost our ancestors. Looking at poetry helps accomplish that.

Memorial Day

By Joyce Kilmer
The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.

The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.

Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.

May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.

In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace...Who brought a sword

We know her for her poem about trees. But here we see her patriotic side, and the influence of war on her imagery.


 

It's been 3 1/2 months, and everyday I still tear up. I can't predict when or where it will hit.

A sibling is hard to lose. It's like a part of you is gone. Even if you didn't stay in close contact, it still hurts differently than other deaths. An intimate part of your growing up is torn from you. I don't think it will ever stop hurting.

I know someone unique and special is gone from my life. Who will look out for me like he did? He wanted to live, too. I will always miss him.

 

We all know about special detergents for cold water washing of sweaters and delicates. These are things that tend not to get grass-stained or sweaty, and the dyes may run. Or they may shrink in hot water. Reds or blacks need to be washed separtely from blues or whites, even in dold water. And they usually need to be dried flat on a towel.

However, lately I've heard a lot of recommendations to wash all clothes in cold or lukewarm water to save electricity used in heating water. Nice earth day comments, but not good for killing germs. Some clothes should be washed in hot water for hygiene and safety. Washing clothes doesn't get rid of all the pathogens, but redistributes them. Only a portion of the "dirt" actually drains out completely. A second and a third rinse with clean water can run up a water bill. And, of course, they should be dried as soon as the washer is done, to avoid new bacteria growth on wet cloth.

Pathogens, or common germs, don't survive in hot water. The heat of the water is more important than the type of detergent. Pathogens include bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Most detergents just don't work well in cold or room temperature water. Sheets, towels, and kitchen linens must be washed in hot water. Underwear and socks and cloth handkerchiefs should be washed in hot water, preferably not with the kitchen linens.

As a hospital employee who has to train new employees in avoiding the spread of disease, I have come to respect (fear) pathogens. I don't want to think of sleeping on a pillowcase that has recycled germs on it. Most people don't. Use cold water for a few things. Use lukewarm for some things. Use hot for others.
 

Just finished McCullough's The Ladies of Missalonghi. Loved it. Couldn't put it down!

Again, McCullough describes so vividly the Australian scenery and period lifestyle. She digs deep into personality. Her background in neuro-psychology shows. Loved her less than perfect heroine. And a happy ending to boot.

A satisfying reading experience.
 

Besides eating seafood, and other Irish dishes, there's always Irish music. I don't mean Celtic Women.

Granted, Celtic Women have been a little over-exposed to us TV addicts, and the prolific touring. Still their sound is pretty much the same. They are beautiful, lithe young women, mostly sopranos, who skip and dance in long flowing, gauzy gowns. They sing a few Irish songs, but they make all songs pretty much the same style. And every show has the dancing violinist. If you like them. fine, but don't think of it as Celtic songs.

Another group, Celtic Thunder is all men, only 5 of them. They don't dress in dream-like costumes or dance like vixens, but they do move around in an almost funny fashion, perfectly timed, of course. However, their voices are quite nice, and many more Irish songs are sung, including The Irish National Anthem. You have to understand a little Irish history and the fighting spirit to get it, but they are definitely worth a listen.

Tommy Makem is a must, as are the Clancy Brothers. "Whiskey In a Jar" and "Finnegan's Wake" are songs you have to hear. The latter inspired the book by the same name. "Danny Boy" was actually written by an Englishman, but is always sung on St. Patrick's Day.

As for the phrase, the "luck of the Irish", heavens know where that comes from. The Irish haven't been particularly lucky. They've endured famine, poverty, war, occupation, and more war. Maybe saying, "Luck of the Irish to you" is a curse, not a blessing!
 

Corn beef and cabbage and potatoes, of course! Get in the mood for St. Patrick's. Plan your menu or make a practice run.

Corned beef briskets are easy to fix these days. They come already seasoned. Boil as directed, then you have the option of baking with a glaze for a few minutes. It will turn out tender, and the leftovers are great for sandwiches. It will slice thinly when cold.

If you want to cook potatoes in the broth, you might strain it first, since it comes with peppercorns usually, and they don't work well with potatoes or cabbage. Boiled carrots also work well with this meal, but don't overcook.

As for Irish soda bread, it's always dry. That's its nature. It's a lot of trouble to make, but the store versions are usually fancied up (adulterated) for us Americans by adding caraway seeds and/or raisins. These are tasty, and the raisins add moisture. As you long as you know they are not authentic, go ahead and try some.

An alternative, and maybe a little cheaper, is this American version. Use canned corned beef (usually from Argentina or Peru). Be careful not to buy corned beef hash, as I have known some people to do. Roll out refrigerated pie dough, but shape into a rectangle. Lay the corned beef slices in the middle of the rectangle. Cover with a small amount of drained, cooked cabbage on top. Fold the dough over sealing the edges. Roll over so that the seam is on the bottom and curve gently until the ends meet forming a pastry ring. Serve with glazed carrots. Buttered potatoes are optional.

Don't plan on an Irish dessert. The Irish don't do much with desserts, except in expensive restaurants or tourist spots. They are know for flan-a type of custard. Irish coffee may be more American than Irish, but yummy. The Irish don't drink green beer, but do imbibe Guinness and any dark beer or ale.

Alternatives to corned beef and cabbage would be shrimp (it's an island); Ireland is known for its giant prawn or shrimp. Also, indulge in fish, any potato dish, or Irish stew, made with beef, or have some lamb.

Enjoy.


 

I am seeking advice on selling some collectibles I have recently been given. Comic books, homies, die-cast cars, trading cards, Simpson's stuff, and a lot of other small toys.

I have a couple thousand comic books, which I have not inventoried. The boxes are still closed. Many are brand new, and cover price only. Probably 90% or more are printed in the last 15 years, so they aren't worth more than cover price, if that. All are in mint condition. Many are unread, in original wrappers. All are stored in plastic boxes. I wouldn't know how to recognize a stand-out issue, if there is one.

There's probably a couple thousand homies, some unopened. They're probably worth half of what they cost, but where do I sell them?

There's a Red Power Ranger as tall as I am, wearing a Virginia Tech sports shirt. I know it costs over a $100 to ship one, so selling over Internet doesn't seem reasonable.

There are framed movie posters of Shrek, Three Stooges, and Marilyn Monroe. And a 5'6" cardboard cutout of Kathy Ireland. There are more pictures of Marilyn and the Stooges, an odd-size one of Richmond, and many Hot Wheel posters, and Simpson posters. And some local artist prints--how do I sell those?

Now the cars are only worth what they cost from what I've read; they haven't lost value like the homies. There's probably 3000 unopened, maybe as many opened and played with.

Also, Harry Potter stuff, Marilyn trading cards, MacDonald Happy Meal toys, Simpson toys, puzzles, and an unopened Simpson chess set, and bunches of other tiny toys.

Anyone with experience selling these type items? I'm going to check local consignment shops to see what they're willing to take. Comic book stores will only advise or trade, unless there's one rare one, worth at least $20. And then they need to make a profit, so they won't pay nearly what it can sell for, and they don't want to sort through and find the rare one themselves. They can be sold by comic auction houses, but they want complete series, no missing issues, in mint condition, preferably not newer ones like these. And the buyer has a 3 day return window, which will be a 3% loss to the seller.

Open to ideas.