Memorial Day Thoughts

Some things change dramatically over time and I noticed that last night as I watched the Memorial Day concert from D.C. The story of the family whose son lost most of his brain got me and from that point to the end - I sobbed. When we lived in D.C., my son and I, along with friends, always went to the Memorial Day concert - ditto the 4th of July and Labor Day concerts. They were picnics on the lawn, kids climbing trees, music and good food.

We left D.C. in '96 and things have changed since then and last night's concert was certainly an example. It was more somber than any I have seen on TV since I left D.C. and also in that period of time I was a military mommy for 8 years.

I think all women and most men cry at the loss of a child - it happened in the 40's 50's 60's and 70's during WWII, Korea and Vietnam - and it still happens. I have been weeping for those lost in war since WWII [when my dad was in the military.] Both my dad and son were fine and were never in harms way - for which I was/am selfishly happy. But I had a stomach ache/ongoing worry for 8 years when my son was in and wondered on a daily basis if he'd be sent into war - especially after Sept 11, 2001. We, as parents, are not supposed to outlive our babies - it's not part of our psyches.

And so last night and still today - I weep for those mommies and daddies who have lost their children and for those children who have lost their mommies and daddies...and for those who lost husbands, wives and partners. It matters not how old we are - we hurt. To quote George McGovern: "I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in."

Do not spend the day celebrating war or conflict - spend it in sober reflection about those who died and those who are wounded....and hug your kids - no matter how old they are.

FBI Scam letter - Update

There is a new twist on the FBI scam letter and it's this paragraph:

THESE CONDITION IS

VALID UNTIL 17TH OF MAY 2008 AFTER WE SHALL TAKE ACTIONS ON CANCELING THE PAYMENT AND THEN CHARGE YOU FOR ILLEGALLY MOVING FUNDS OUT OF NIGERIA .

I post this again as some of you might know of persons who will be intimidated by the fear of being "charged" with something.

Again these emails are sent to "undisclosed recipients" meaning it went to a list of 100's if not tens of 1000's of email addresses.

If you have a friend, family or loved one who says anything about a letter from the FBI - please let them know it is a scam.

It's not really from Robert S. Mueller, III - believe me he is not about to send you an email :D

Another warning signal is that every word starts with a capital letter - DUH - Who really writes like that except for scammers - it's their trademark!

Beware of these emails and just delete - do not worry - the FBI is not after you for this.....

Mother's Day - The original

This is my annual repost about the origin of mother's day.

We have gotten so far away from the original thoughts and made it into a shopping spree day - like all our holidays!

Take time today to think about what Julia Howe wrote.

Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870
by Julia Ward Howe

Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.


Peace,
Lynn

Beware May Scams

I hate to keep posting about scams but I do keep hearing about older people getting taken in by them

If you collect Social Security you got a letter from them saying you will get your one time payment this month. That's good altho it's not a major amount. But the scammers know you got that letter as well and so they have reduced the amount they are asking when you get teh emails about the money they are holding for you.

My recent emails all ask for "only $99" to get that 1.5 gazillion :D some bank somewhere is holding for me.

And I expect you will start getting emails from those offering to "help" you get your $250 quicker! Or offering you a loan of $250 until you receive your money!

PLEASE do not contact these persons.....if you have your Social Security check automatically deposited - that's where this check will go! If you get your check mailed to you - this check will also be mailed to you. And I would guess that any loan you agree to will come with usurious high interest rates so that your $250 will not even make a dent in what you'll owe back in a few weeks.