Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Gluten Free Blog

I recently discovered a great website / blog for gluten free items. Receipes, guidance, etc.

http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/

Saturday, October 15, 2011

OES Community Sale Today

So for my first booth of my own doing, it went pretty well. I have worked other peoples' booths many times over but never one of my own work. I have 1 table split in half. 1 part was crafts I have been making over time and the other part was Brownies.

I sold small pieces of home made brownies of my own recipes. 1 was white chocolate, macadamia nut, cranberry brownie. Another was rainbow sprinkles with almond flavoring. 1 was cinnamon with espresso. Another was was white chocolate, macadamia nut with hazelnut frosting. The one I sold out of was S'more: vanilla wafers, walnuts with chocolate marshmallow frosting.

The next OES Community Sale is March 24th, 2012. It is a Saturday and will be at the same place: Mt Morah Lodge, Henderson Masonic Lodge, 480 Greenway, Henderson, NV 89015.

It was a lot of fun and exhausting working a booth on your own. No help setting up the canopy or table but a friend did help me take down the canopy which was nice. They had a raffle for the vendors who signed up today for the next community sale, their spot would be free and I won!! So I will be doing the same thing again but between now and then I will get another table (so the brownies could be on their own table). I will do the S'mores one again and I will work on some others people might enjoy more.



Monday, October 10, 2011

Cemetery Watchman

-      Author Unknown



My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a national cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days a month in a slightly larger uniform.

Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey’s and have a cold one. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 16:55, five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun, Oklahoma summertime was a bad as ever – the heat and humidity at the same level – both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, ’69 or ’70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail’s pace. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a can and sheaf of flowers – about four or five bunches as best as I could tell.

I couldn’t help myself. The though came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: ‘She’s going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I’m ready to get out of here right now!’ But for this day my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the ‘In’ gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey’s in time.

I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began this watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk; she looked up at me with an old woman’s squint.

Ma’am, may I assist you in any way? She took long enough to answer.

‘Yes, Son, Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.’

‘My pleasure, Ma’am, (well, it wasn’t too much of a lie).

She looked again, ‘Marine, Where were you stationed?’

‘Vietnam, Ma’am, ground pounder, ’69 to ’71.’

She looked at me closer. ‘Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine, I’ll be quick as I can.’

I lied a little bigger, ‘No hurry, Ma’am.’

She smiled and winked at me. ‘Son, I’m 85 years old and I can tell a lie from a long way off, let’s get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name’s Joanna Wieserman, and I’ve a few Marines I’d like to see one more time.’

‘Yes, Ma’am, at your service.’

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm, and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn’t quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC: 1943.

She went up to the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC: 1944.

She paused for a second and more tears flowed. ‘Two more Son, and we’ll be done.’

I almost didn’t say anything but ‘Yes Ma’am, take your time.’ came out.

She looked confused, ‘Where’s the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.’

I pointed with my chin, ‘That way, Ma’am.’

‘Oh!’ she chuckled quietly. ‘Son, me and old age ain’t too friendly.’

She headed down the walk I’d pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC: 1968 and the last on, Darrel Wieserman, USMC: 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn’t make out and more tears flowed.

‘Ok, Son, I’m finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.’

‘Yes, Ma’am, if I may ask, were those your kinfolk?’

She paused, ‘Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were my sons. All killed in action, all Marines.’

She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn’t finish, I don’t know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.

I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting  by the car.

‘Get to the ‘Out’ gate quick. I have something I’ve got to do.’

Kevin started to day something but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get is there, down the service road fast. We need to beat her. She hadn’t made it around the rotunda yet.

‘Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost, follow my lead.’ I humped across the drive to the other post.

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate. I called in my best gunny’s voice: ‘Tehenhut! Present Haarms!’

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye – full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.

She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice far beyond the realm o most.

I am not sure but I think I saw a salute returned from the Cadillac.

As a final thought on my part let me share a favorite prayer:
          ‘Lord, keep our service men and women safe whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.’

Let’s all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy. Amen.

America's New War

“America’s New War”
On the T.V. I hear
For my children’s lives
I’m starting to fear.
May GOD protect them
And keep them from harm.
As I keep them close
And clutched in my arms.
If for some reason
Our freedom is gone.
With GOD in out hearts
We will still be strong.
“In GOD we trust”
Isn’t just something we say.
It’s what we live by
Each and everyday.
So no matter what happens
Or what the future may bring.
We are Believers
And FREEDOM WILL RING!

-     By Shannon Mancha, PM NV Sunrise #28

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Order of the Eastern Star Grand Chapter Week

The Order of the Eastern Star Nevada Grand Chapter started today. It will go till Wednesday, October 5th. It is being held at The Eastside Cannery in Las Vegas, NV.

I'm excited it has finally started. Ended up going to the airport 5 times yesterday (a least). Almost a whole tank of gas was used taking people from the airport to the hotel. Everyone was very nice and patient with me when I drove. I didn't have the best patience yesterday and I felt bad about it.

I made the alter cloth, the fern applique and the memorial cloth. The alter and memorial cloth are too big. I don't know if I can't measure right or if I was given the wrong measurements, either way it's not noticeable. The memorial cloth, I put the fern on the wrong corner. I don't know if I just completely forgot or what but it too isn't really noticeable and both items look good. I altered some clothes a for someone for this week and so far she looks good in my alterations.

I'm not staying at the hotel, which would make life easier but I do have a key to my Grandparents room for outfit changes etc.

My Grandmother is Grand Chaplain this year. Today was her Vespers & Memorial services. It was very well done. The youth groups (Rainbow Girls, Job's Daughters & Demoly) did and amazing job! My Grandmother used a friend's military boots and helmet. She also borrowed a lighted cross. It is a very pretty cross but I had to paint it because a lot of the marks wouldn't come off. I did kind of seal it with clear spray paint and it looked good during the service.

There were many Masonic organizations represented today. I didn't realize how many there were and I know there are more out there. Everyone was so pretty or handsome and really nice today. Even though I was exhausted I had a great day.

I did forget my camera today but hopefully I will pictures tomorrow.

Here is a link to the Nevada Eastern Star Grand Chapter http://www.nevadaoes.org/