The year was 1997

 I just read about a remembrance being held today, on the 27th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. In August of 1997, I was traveling with Dad & Ev and Uncle Chris. On this day, we were staying in a very nice hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Uncle Chris was joining his fellow veterans for a convention of the Timberwolves 104th division of the US army. My uncle Chris was a decorated veteran who fought in world war II.  I remember being in my hotel room with the TV on and hearing the shocking news of Diana's death.  

I was a fan of Princess Diana's.  I admired how she handled herself and I also was amazed at the intensity of her dedication to charity work.

When I think of that day I can clearly see the hotel room decor and I remember how very sad I felt. 

Our trip, before arriving in Arlington had taken us by car from Des Moines, Iowa to Joplin, Missouri and then on Eastward to Arlington, with many, many stops along the way. From Arlington, we started back West, with our next destination as Dad's reunion with his 62nd battalion Navy Seabees in Youngstown, Ohio.  Dad was an Iwo Jima survivor and the chief of his reunion group.

I think that we were on the road together almost 2 weeks and we enjoyed each other's company the entire time. We laughed a lot and had nice picnics for our lunches at wherever we happened to find ourselves. The Timberwolf convention and the Seabee reunion were the highlights for Dad and Uncle Chris and I was honored to be there with them.

Our entire trip was uneventful as to travel issues. Ev had done the work of plotting out our daily segments and arranging for motel accommodations.  I was the driver and banker.

It was a really memorable trip, in many ways, but today what I remember most, is that day in Arlington; hearing the sad news of Diana. Princess Di was only 36 years old when she died but she left a legacy of service and love of her family. 

We should all be so devoted to living a life of purpose. It wasn't easy for her, and she had her demons within and without. But she had joy in her life too.  Who can forget her taking a turn on the dance floor with John Travolta.

Anyway, today I am remembering Princess Diana.

👑 

66

 The polls are starting to favor VP Kamala Harris, but we are not letting up.  No one wants to relive 2016.

Labor Day weekend already. Looks to be beautiful weather.

Why I am voting for her

As a 71-year-old female, who is still grieving over 2016, I was angry about the movement to remove Joe Biden from the ticket. I was convinced that our country would not elect a woman and that we then would be stuck with Trump winning. Then I watched VP Harris, always with respect and gratitude to President Biden, select a fantastic running mate and give SRO rally speeches in PA, WI, and MI. I started to see that Democrats were really on board with this ticket. The convention was a well-executed display of the diverse super-strong bench-strength of never-before-in-the-history-of-our-country Democratic leaders . And it was fun. The content of VP Kamala Harris's acceptance speech was masterful. When she said "the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the Whitehouse are very serious!" I felt dread and fear creep back into my heart, but at the same time, I felt calm in knowing that Kamala Harris was the perfect choice for President of the United States. I was voting Democrat no matter who the candidate, but now...I'm not voting for Harris because she is a woman, I am voting for her because I am.

Melting ❤️

 I was delighted to get mail today, return address of The Chivers Crew.  I wasn't expecting anything from Angie & family.

Inside, was a pretty greeting card, with the following message. ⬇️

 A couple of things about this card. First, August is no longer the baby of the family, he's a writer now. Second, his Mom is a wonderful mother and is raising boys (and girls) who are nice humans, and third, a note like this melts the heart of a 71 year old Great Aunt.

Thank you, August, for making my day.

💕 ❤️💕

We have a nominee

 Kamala Harris is the nominee for President of the United States.

We will elect the first female leader of our country.

To protect women, elect women.

💙

"On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks.

On behalf of my mother, and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey. 

On behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with—people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another. 

On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth—I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America."

Those were the words of Vice President Harris as she rose to the moment—the moment we have been waiting for, the moment we have been so excited to see. 💙

August and Alaska

 Summer seems to be fleeting, some really nice days this week, but I noticed that my Sea Grass is heading out, so that is a sign I suppose.   My lawn guy mowed this patch of Sea Grass right down to the ground this Spring.  I wasn't too real happy about it, but as it turns out, that was just what it needed.  It has come back stronger than ever.

My nephew, Kris, is on a big adventure.  He flew to Fairbanks, Alaska last Friday morning.   From Fairbanks they drove to Coldfoot.  In Coldfoot, they boarded a small plane to be dropped off for 2 weeks of Caribou hunting.  The trip of a lifetime for an avid hunter.  I know Gus must be with him in spirit.

I asked Kris to show me on the map where he was headed.  It looks like this is very close to the Arctic Circle.  The small plane has weight restrictions so he has been dieting.  Every pound not on him, could be in his pack.  

On Saturday, Kris sent me a text from Fairbanks.  This was what greeted him.  

I hope it is a good omen.  

He will be home on the 29th, I'll be worrying until then, of course.

WPR 💙

 WPR is such a gem. 

Driving from Rice Lake to GordonWI, and back, to check on our cabin today, I learned about alternative energy sources & 2 recommended books, orca whales, Gaza, safety of health care workers in India, election results, and other random tidbits. 

I 💙 Public radio. 

The orca whale segment was really intriguing.  I'm sorry for the next person who gets caught making small talk with me, lots of whale info to share.

🐋🐋🐋

I had to go up North to meet a risk assessment agent from our insurance company. He needed to see the inside of the cabin.  That job is done and he indicated that he did find anything to report. 

I took some photos of the yard up there. It's so green. 

More brush clearing is planned. Mother Nature has had a good summer.

Please Vote

 I am voting for Harris because she supports women's health. Women fought hard to have access to birth control, IVF, and pregnancy termination. These are decisions that should be made by a woman, with counsel with her doctor. I am not voting for Harris because she is a woman, I am voting for her because I am; and because I have nieces & great-nieces & great great nieces who should have the choice.

💙

Please Vote.

Kitty thank you

 I had a bunch of cat beds around here that Barley no longer had interest in using. I washed them up, grabbed a bunch of towels that were sitting in a closet and added some cash, then dropped the whole kit & caboodle off at the local cat rescue. 🐈

Today I got as very nice thank you card from the kitties.  I will definitely give to them again, this thank you note cemented that idea in my mind.

Thank you notes matter.💙

Happy Birthday Barley

 My housemate, Barley, is turning 16. When I guessed her birthday for the Vet, I picked 8/5/2008.   

So, today we are celebrating her Sweet 16 ❤️ 

🎂🎈✨🐁

Almost old enough to vote 💙

Barley is taking her usual low-key approach to her birthday. 

🐈‍⬛🐾🐈‍⬛

I have overdosed on watching the Olympics.  I keep thinking I'm done, but then I watch the Sweden pole vaulter set a new world record.  It is hard to look away. 

❤️ 💙💚💛💜

I missed the gathering of Johansen first cousins on Des Moines a week ago. They had a good quorum and reported a successful gathering.  I was sad to miss the chance to join in. Car rides can be rough with my poorly knee.

Next year.