Memorial Day

Today we all (except Mark) camped out in front of Kristen's house to watch Marley march with the West Springfield Middle School Band in the Memorial Day Parade.  After the parade went by we walked to the Town Common for the ceremony.

It reminded me of the only parade that I ever marched in, with the Girl Scouts.  It was the West Springfield Memorial Day parade, 1964.  I joined the Girls Scouts with my friend Doris.  It was held in the First Congregational Church on the corner of Lathrop St. and Park St. in West Springfield.  I'm not sure how long I did Girls Scouts and I don't really remember much about going to it, other than the parade (probably because of the picture that my Aunt Dot took).  One memory I do have is walking home after Girl Scouts with Doris and it was dark out, getting home and watching the Red Skeleton Show with my grandfather.  Funny the things you do remember.

I also remember when I was in grade school at Park Avenue School, walking down to the Town Common, which was just down the street, for Veteran's Day and Memorial Day ceremonies at the same place where they had the Veteran's ceremony today.

Can you pick me out ?  (I'm the one holding the edge of the flag).

Little door at Mystic Seaport

Every time we go for a ride I look for little doors.  I just love them.  I haven't found one in quite awhile but today while we were kayaking at Mystic Seaport I found one.  So cute!

Paul's 6 lb bass

Today we went kayaking at West Lake in Sandisfield, MA.  I wanted to look for frogs and Paul wanted to fish.  No frogs were seen, but Paul caught a 6 lb. bass.

The last time Paul got a fishing license was, in think, in 2010.  Last night on his 65th birthday, he went on-line and ordered the license which was half-price.

At least there is one good thing about turning 65, LOL!

A few more scrapbook pages

Uncle Ross's gravestone

My Uncle Ross, my mother's brother, died in 2006.  He purchased his gravestone before he died and had it put in the North Blandford Cemetery where many of his relatives, including his mother and father are buried.  His death date never got put on his gravestone.

My mother died in 2010.  She had been living with my half sister Laura.  Laura has both my Uncle Ross's ashes, and my mother's ashes, and my mother didn't have a gravestone.  

When Paul and I had my Aunt Dot's gravestone made, we had them go to North Blandford Cemetery and get my uncle's gravestone.  The guy cleaned up the stone and had my mother's name, birth date and death date added to Uncle Ross's gravestone. 

I'm not sure if their ashes will ever make it to the cemetery, but at least their names, birth dates and death dates will be there for posterity.

Sometimes life is complicated.