Memorial Day

 Cheers, everyone!

It's Memorial Day weekend in America, the unofficial start to summer. Many years ago, I went to Arlington Cemetery to be present at the Changing of the Guard ceremony on Memorial Day. I arrived at the exact moment when Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife, Marilyn, were stepping out of their limousine. Times were different then; they mingled with the crowd. It seems like a lifetime ago!

All gave some. Some gave all. 

I hope that many of you have  plans to grill or share a meal with family or friends at some point over the next few days. Enjoy! Please also remember that the holiday is a remembrance of all who gave their lives in service to the nation. The past 15 months have provided us with searing reminders of how precious life is. I'm grateful that people are getting vaccinated and an end to this pandemic is almost in sight.

This is our first holiday since we left America. I feel a twinge of missing the traditions of US holidays. I want to make potato salad and I crave a hot dog. What I miss most is the music of patriotic America. I love the Sousa marches, the anthem, the host of patriotic songs that commemorate the military branches. I'm a sucker for America The Beautiful. I don't know enough about Ireland to be able to correlate America's music to what is tradition here. I'm looking forward to learning about it. 

This looks yummy!!

Instead of grilling or going to the beach, we'll spend the weekend prepping for the painter who arrives next week. We're weary from the move and the endless unpacking. On Monday, we're driving down to Limerick to shop for a guest bed and pick up some vegan cupcakes from a bakery. Not typical Memorial Day activities!

The Republic of Ireland, where we live, does not celebrate Memorial Day. It does recognise Remembrance Day, although not as a national holiday. The citizens of the Republic of Ireland (the southern part of the island) have a somewhat troublesome relationship with the British, who celebrate Remembrance Day with great fanfare. Thomas and I  have so much to learn about the history of this nation!

However you celebrate, please be safe and enjoy the time off from work if you are fortunate enough to get it. 

Sláinte!