Hello and happy Veteran’s Day! It’s a rainy cold day here in Oklahoma– but the rain is so desperately needed and the cold just makes it possible to pull out the fancy hats, so I’m thankful.
   I’m also very thankful to our soldiers, past and present, and all those who have served their countries in honor and bravery. In recent months I’ve been reading and watching many films that have to do with WWI and WWII, and I find the sacrifices that so many have made in order for the good of mankind to prevail so humbling. I hope we can honor them in the highest degree by promoting peace and making their efforts well worth it.

   Not too long ago my grandpa let me borrow his army scrapbook from his time serving with the US Army in Germany. He had so many photos of his friends, both in the army and German civilians,  and also from the traveling he was able to do– to Switzerland, France, and England. I hope someday I can follow in Grandpa’s footsteps and see all these amazing sites in the comfort of peacetime. 

This morning when I went to by my groceries they were selling crepe paper poppies in remembrance of soldiers, so I bought one.  It brought a little cheer to a dreary day, and I was proud to wear it.  Today is also Remembrance Day  in the UK– most specifically in honor of the end of World War I “on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.” Poppies were selected as the emblem of Remembrance Day, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field” These bright red flowers bloomed across many of the fields where some of the bloodiest battles took place, and was considered an appropriate symbol of the blood spilled there. Poppies have always been one of my very favorite flowers, and so I am happy that they have such an honorable meaning.

   Well, back to the painting table for me! Hope you are enjoying your Sunday afternoon, I will see you back here next week!~
    ~H