This is a very special Veterans Day. According to
va.gov:
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended
when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace
of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting
ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation
of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect
on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that
reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war
to end all wars.”
Again, according to
va.gov:
Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at
Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo
was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the
armistice ending World War I went into effect.
Although there was a great deal of confusion after the Uniform Holiday bill was passed, which gave all Federal Employees a three day weekend, many believed this undermined the true spirit of Veterans Day. The original date was changed again to reflect the true Veterans Day. Per
va.gov:
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what
day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of
Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical
significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important
purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for
their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and
sacrifice for the common good.
Be sure to share a story or two with a vet today. There have been all kinds of documentaries on tv this past week highlighting facts about WWI and our (U.S.) involvement. I knew so little about this war, it is fascinating to see what led up to it and how we stayed out of the war so long.
I learned that most women
didn't support weren't in favor of a war, but knew they would be called into service if war was declared. I learned that blacks saw this as an opportunity to gain recognition by fighting in the trenches. I learned that women who enlisted were not given benefits once they returned home from war,
and I learned Wilson, our 28th president who advocated for peace, was opposed to declaring war until it was almost too late. In March, 1917, Teddy Roosevelt threatened to go to the White House and force Wilson to declare war.
Clearly, the U.S. is not the only country with armed forces or the
desire to celebrate them. Even the origins of Veterans Day involved the
largest worldwide conflict anyone had ever seen. Since I like to think on a global scale, here are a few other countries that observe this day.
The United Kingdom (U.K.) has some of the more elaborate celebrations to honor those who have fought for their country. From late October up to Armistice Day on
November 11, the Royal British Legion distributes 40 million poppies that
people wear to commemorate those who have served in the armed forces.
The celebrations are split into two days. The first is Remembrance Day,
which takes place on the second Sunday of November each year. It is a
day to recognize those who have lost their lives protecting the U.K.
It's basically the U.K. version of Memorial Day. The U.K. also
celebrates Armistice Day on Nov. 11 with a two-minute moment of silence observed at the 11th hour throughout the country.
Accordingly, Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, as it is called in some places, is observed throughout many of the 52 other member countries of the Commonwealth,
a political association of mostly former territories of the British
Empire. These include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and
Sri Lanka, just to name a few. Like the U.K., these countries also incorporate the poppy into their celebrations. Some of you may have followed Prince Harry's and Meghan's journey to Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand to help observe this event.
France also celebrates Armistice Day on Nov. 11. In 2014 President Francois Hollande opened
the new international memorial of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette in Ablain Saint Nazaire northwest of Arras called the "Ring of Remembrance," which is a huge, bronzed stainless steel,
elliptical monument that includes the names of the nearly 580,000 men
who died in northern France during World War I.
The Belgians also host one of the biggest Armistice Day
ceremonies. Every year since 1928, the country has put on the Last Post
Ceremony. The Last Post is the name of a bugle call played
in the British Army and other armies to mark the end of the day. Now it
is used to remember fallen soldiers. The Last Post Ceremony takes place
at Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, and it also includes a release of red poppies from the roof of Menin Gate.
I am also sharing Day 11 with Art Every Day Month (
AEDM) and honoring all those who have served our country.
I am delighted you chose to spend a few minutes in remembrance with me today. Thank you beyond belief.
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Welcome to autumn at my dining room table. Not much in the way of decorating, I'm afraid. After I got rid of the Halloween decorations, the room felt very bare. But I think I'm ready for a bit of minimal before the Christmas decorations come out the day after Thanksgiving. 
Recently, Eileen and I had a bit of internet conversation about cutting books in various shapes. 
I suggested using a band saw to cut the books to the shape and size of your choice. Yes, that is my arm and camera you see in shadow. The deli paper you see in two of the books is there because I use the books to press flowers and leaves.
This is what the house book looks like opened.
One heart book closed, 
and one heart book opened and prepped. 
So get out those band saws, plug them in, and go to town creating a shaped book to alter. Then share a favorite drink with someone to celebrate your accomplishment.
As an aside, I brought my lavender in, hoping it will make it through the winter. 
I did the same with my rosemary and whatever this plant is, too. I left all my mint, cilantro, fennel, and dill outside to overwinter. I'm hoping they make it through the winter again this year.
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