M and M

Isn't this a cute picture? You can use it as a wall paper on your desk top. I have all the colors of the M and M family. Just thought I would share this one.

Thanksgiving

I can remember going to our grandmother's every Thanksgiving. She sure could cook. I can remember seeing those huge roasters just piled with food. She would bake the pies ahead of time and set them out on the freezer. The poor woman was cooking for alot of us. I just don't see how she did it every year.  Especially living out on the farm with all the chores she had to do too.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier


1.
How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns
and why?
21  steps:
It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2.
How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return
walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3.
Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his
grip on the rifle.

4.
Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and,if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path,he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5.
How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a
year.

6.
What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must bebetween 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or
give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are:

President Taft,
Joe Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most
decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five
hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty..

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC
evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.

The Time Change

I really dislike changing our clocks back one hour. That means in the peak of winter it will be dark by 4:15PM. So depressing. A person should get the natural sun light as well but we have had very little of that. It is a no wonder the suicide rate is so high . Hang in there everyone!