This morning I am trying a new blend of my Boca Java. A seasonal blend, Merry Mistletoe, has been opened and I stirred in a bit of peppermint mocha creamer. Interesting taste. The coffee has light notes of roasted pecans and a hint of cinnamon. Not too overwhelming to be too flavored for a morning cup of coffee, I am relieved to say. Flavored coffee is no way to begin a day, if you are pouring a cup for me.
Last night for dinner I prepared enchiladas for son and me. We love them and it is one of the entrees we enjoy when hubby is out of town. We have several items on the list that hubby doesn't particularly care for yet the two of us enjoy them. So, this morning I am awakened by son asking the dreaded question, "Mom, did those enchiladas make you sick last night?" Apparently I have poisoned my son, as he was sick during the night and I have the comforter from his bed in the washer to prove it as I type. I feel fine. The boy normally has a cast iron stomach so I feel sorry for him. He's home from school, resting, as he assures me that he has the study guides from today's classes for next week's final exams.
Today is the 65th anniversary of the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. It's hard to believe the passage of time and that a whole generation of war heroes are leaving us so quickly. Husband, son and I visited Hawaii the spring break following the second attack on our soil, 9/11. Pearl Harbor was on the list of must-see activities. Unfortunately it was not to be. I knew we would regret it and I know I do. As I said, it was a few short months after 9/11 and new security measures were in place for the memorial. Absolutely no bags, including women's handbags, were allowed on the boat over to the memorial. Well, as our vacation had been spent on the Big Island, we were only flying in and out of Honolulu. This was on our departing day and we had all of our luggage with us. We had nowhere to store it since we didn't have a hotel room there. We understand the new rules, of course, but it was a disappointment. We walked along Waikiki Beach instead and enjoyed a lunch at a little local diner there.
Another remembrance surrounding Pearl Harbor is the following: When I was a college student in Atlanta, in the mid 70's, I was a taking a required Philosophy class. The professor was Japanese. I remember having to listen carefully to his lectures due to his still thick accent. For Pearl Harbor day's remembrance, he invited students to come by his residence and served sake to us. Don't be alarmed, the legal drinking age in Georgia at the time was 18 years so he wasn't breaking any laws.
This morning on the news I listened as a reporter interviewed some of the World War II veterans who made the pilgramage to the memorial, as many do every year. One gentleman told the reporter America has to remember to stay alert and beware of looming threats. He said we can never again be "fat, dumb and happy" as we were as a nation pre-9/11.
Something to remember.
6 comments:
I heard a WWII veteran say today that 600 more people were killed by the attacks on 9/11 than were killed at Pearl Harbor. And yet the nation's resolve and sense of being of one mind against this threat did not come together as Pearl Harbor did. He seemed sad to have to say it.
I hate to get sick on one of my favorite foods.
Tommy Emmanuel is just now getting US tour dates set, but he is doing a show in June in Fort Worth, which would be quite a drive. I'm hoping he will get more Texas dates soon. He is amazing.
I really enjoyed that video clip. It said something more than just "listen to my songs".
I also have a huge fangirl crush on him, accent , talent, pretty hands, big smile, lots of energy.
Oh, our library has several of his cds, if you want to listen, I'm sure yours does too.
My favorites are:
Only
Endless Road
The Mystery
In the clip when he talks of Chet Atkins and his home town of Luttrell, he is speaking of my own community. That train comes through at 6 am now.
Oh, that's too bad about the enchiladas. I love them. I hope your son makes a good recovery.
That would be awesome to visit Pearl Harbor. We have a gentleman in our church here who is an electrical engineer. He spent quite a bit of time in Hawaii after that attack, working to restore that island.
It is sad to know that soon all those veterans will be gone. They gave so much...a wonderful generation.
It was kind of neat that yesterday (the Anniversary of Pearl Harbor) - I went to bed and started a new book.
The novel started with 4 different women finding out and hearing (on their transistor radio's) that Pearl Harbor had just been attacked.
The irony of the story and the date I read it was not lost on me.
We didn't make it to the memorial, either, due to travel constraints. A regret to be sure.
I think that story about your Japanese professor is incredibly cool. Incredibly.
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