Holiday season #3

So, this is the third, and probably the last, of my non-memorial posts for this year. We will visit Ireland today.

Ireland known for her "40 shades of green" is a place that benefits from moderately temperate temperatures most of the year and this creates a wonderful climate for many other, non-green plants to thrive.

I was walking along and came across this lovely little boat being repurposed.

Poulnabrone is a Neolithic portal tomb located in the Burren. Here is some info from Wikipedia.:

Poulnabrone dolmen (Poll na Brón in Irish^[2]) is an unusually large dolmen or portal tomb located in the Burren, County Clare, Ireland. Situated on one of the most desolate and highest points of the region, it comprises three standing portal stones supporting a heavy horizontal capstone, and dates to the Neolithic period, probably between 4200 BC and 2900 BC. It is the best known and most widely photographed of the approximately 172 dolmens in Ireland.

The Ha' penny (half penny) bridge in Dublin. In the past you would pay a Ha' penny to cross, now it is free to all.

Many of the bars go out of their way to have beautiful hanging plants, this is just one of many I saw while in Dublin and other cities.

Next time, on the 4th, we will return to Vietnam memorials and one in Maryland that will be a little different. so, join me then, at 9:00am to check it out.

To see memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

Happy New Year to you all!

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Christmas 2022

So, last time I promised to try to get to DC to see the Christmas tree that is placed at the apex of The Wall each year and I am happy to say that I made it. It took several tries due to weather and sickness, but Steve and I finally made the trip on a beautiful sunny, cold afternoon.

I was pleased with the number of people that were visiting in the middle of the day. Not thousands or hundreds, but a steady stream.

The last time I was able to actually photograph the tree, it looked a little sad to me. This time that was not so. I asked the docent on duty if they just recycled ornaments etc. and she assured me that they do not. The ornaments are new.

Here is a view just as you enter the walkway to The Wall. Notice that Wreaths Across America has left many donated wreaths as they do across the nation.

A slightly closer view of visitors and the docent, in the yellow jacket.

A few of the patriotic ornaments.

In past years I have seen the tree decorated with many, many of these framed photos. This year, this was the only one I saw.

I wondered why. The only thing I could find was that the President made a rubbing of his name and gave it to the family. They were very honored and I suspect that, perhaps, that is why he is featured here.

And here, at last, is the tree in all its glory. 

I am very happy to have been able to get there this year and to be able to share it with you.

To all who celebrate, a very Merry Christmas! And, to those of other faiths, seasons greetings to all. Most peoples recognize some kind of celebration of the solstice and the returning of the light, so whatever your beliefs, I hope you find peace, joy, and renewal in this season.

I am experiencing major tech issues, we had a storm yesterday that shut down everything, no power etc. My system took a hit and it was quite an ordeal and learning experience to be able to get this posted today. Check back on the 30th to see if I have been able to get things anywhere near back to normal.

To see memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

Holiday season 2022 #1

As many of you will recall I always take a few posts off at this time of year. I like to take a break from concentrating on the inevitable sadness of writing about those of our brothers and sisters whom we honor but, never the less, were lost.

This week I want to post a few shots from the very edge of America, along the east coast.

Ocean City, Maryland is a summer, well mostly three season, playground frequented and greatly loved by thousands upon thousands of visitors each year. A town of fewer than 9,000 hosts up to 8 million visitors a year, so you know that there are many attractions for all ages.

Today, however, I will post a few of the quieter moments in the city.

 

 

So, in no particular order, enjoy a few moments at the beach and join me again on the 25th for a quick Christmas post. I hope to get down to The Wall this week to get a pic of the Christmas tree that is put up each year at the apex. 

So join me there, at 9:00am, as always.

To see memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!