Anniversaries are useful moments to pause and reflect. For the anniversary of D-Day — June 6, 1944 — and subsequent campaign in northern France, it is also an opportunity to look at the past in detail and ask how much of what we think we know is true and how much is well-entrenched myth. Not only is it more interesting, it is also of greater worth as we plan for the future and pray there will never be a conflict like World War II again.
It was a busy weekend for a few of us in our family. My brother, his wife Claire and son Jaben, my cousin Diane and her husband Bert, as well as Brenda and myself decided to self-sell the balance of my mom and dad’s home contents rather than have an auction. It was quite a bit more work, but in the end was a fun time for most of us.
Brenda pointed out that having a sale would have been my mom’s choice as she regularly enjoyed having a garage sale with her favorite niece (Diane) and daughters-in-laws. I agree … as it was a time for “bonding” and keeping the family together. Although I could do without the long prep in getting things ready, I did enjoy the time with family and a positive outcome in selling most of the contents in the house. We are a step closer to selling the house!
Talk about “desultory” … who else blogs on Milwaukee Dill pickle “jars???”
Like George Berdes (link), I love Milwaukee Midget Dill Pickles … although I’m not so sure about the corporate conglomerate brand Pinnacle Foods? I add “5” midget dills to my plate at every home lunch and have done this for years with my PBJ and pile of chips or pretzels (box of jars above). I mention “5 pickles” since it has been pointed out that I have a neurosis that need to be addressed. My quirk is that I eat 5 … not 4 or 6 … but five pickles with my sandwich — and I get particularly annoyed when my wife takes one or two off my plate. Speaking of quirks … I make my sandwich with Jif CRUNCHY peanut butter and Smucker’s Low-Sugar Strawberry preserves preferably on Pepperidge Farm Italian bread.
I almost forgot the point of this post … the new jars are better! They have a wider mouth and a bigger lid; easier to get pickles out and better for paints, etc for a secondary use! Interestingly the company has gone “politically correct” … the Midget Dill Pickles are now called “Petite” Dill Pickles.
The Howard side of the family gathered in Atlanta for the high school graduation of my youngest niece Sarah Gerber this past week. The party was on Memorial Day and graduation for the Lambert High School class of 2016 the day after.
Brenda’s sister Ann and her family live in a northeastern suburb that is near ideal for raising a family. The many upscale communities in the area, including their city of Alpharetta, are exactly what many upwardly mobile moms and dads are looking for. They make the local public schools a priority and seem to be involved in both school and community; college for nearly every graduate seemed to be a given. How serious they will take this opportunity and what they make of it is yet to be seen. There is no doubt these graduates have opportunities well beyond peers from smaller towns or cities who’s focus is not on educating the next generation. That has to change.
Sarah is off to the University of Georgia in the fall and noting she graduated with high honors, expect she will do just fine. She, along with her sister Jessica(at Georgia Tech), are great girls and have a world of opportunity ahead. Anxious to see what is ahead for them … although don’t mind if the clock slows down a bit as life is passing too quick.
Kiplinger has long been one of the many websites who’s content, along with their magazine, that I’ve enjoyed reading. I follow several contributors to their content on social networks and complained recently that I disliked their multi short page approach for reading content. I’m sure they want to generate "clicks" and therefore break and article down into 5 or 6 short pages??? That irritation alone was about enough for me to ignore following or accessing their site … BUT now they are going one step further (above). Sorry guys … it just isn’t worth it. Bub-bye.
Soft shackles made from Dyneema are lighter and stronger than stainless steel, they are also kinder to your boat and your hands. Yachting Monthly demonstra
Memorial Day traditionally marks the beginning of warm weather, longer days and for some, in this sluggish Obama economy, maybe even a summer vacation? “Enjoying summer” is privilege we Americans have because so many before us gave their lives for the protection, prosperity and freedom we all enjoy. Looking at our short history, we’ve fought way too many wars and lost far too many brave patriots.
While reflecting on those who died fighting for democracy, protecting the United States and our way of life, I couldn’t help but think about this past week’s debate again over the use of the atomic bomb to expedite the end of World War II. The renewed interest was spurred on after President Obama’s historic trip to Hiroshima and I couldn’t help thinking about all the lives on both sides that were saved … but also at the same time the millions who died in WWII all around the world — it is just sickening. Thanks to the difficult decision made by our President Harry S. Truman to drop that “awful weapon” (as he called it), we do NOT have another million American graves to put flags on.
I’m including a letter below (click for larger) written by Truman demonstrating he understood the weighty decision … and in my opinion it was the right one. It particularly hit home as I realized that it would have likely my dad (US Army) that would have been called up to be in the Japanese invasion force.
The spring cleaning chore in getting the pool desking and patio furniture cleaned after a winter and heavy pine pollen season never gets any easier. I’ve almost got it down to a full, long day and I’m convinced the heavy teak adirondack chairs are getting heavier? The weather was for the most part perfect for the work, although the rain started and stopped a few times giving me a break for lunch AND to sit on the pool house porch with the iPhone in panorama mode (click photo above).
It is amazing just how many exhaust parts find their way onto modern cars. They do a good job of making diesel exhaust clean, but the expensive and complex process is going to kill the internal combustion engine, in my opinion. I’m amazed at just how much "junk" I had to remove (above) in repairing my BMW X5 35d (click DPF filter at right to see particulates that would not regenerate). After adding up the parts and labor, it is no wonder I was able to purchase for a better than expected price (A word of warning to potential BMW diesel buyers … know what you are getting into).
That said, the new tune and performance gains are impressive … although I haven’t really pushed anything as it is not back together yet. I’ve got a couple more "fixes" to do in the next couple of weeks and am hoping to see a few mpg gains on road trips? Time to do it is the problem, as between graduations, estate sale and a birthday party for Taylor at our house, I will probably continue to drive the Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel — love driving it anyway.
