Some wonderful friends of mine are following their dream and opening their very own brewery. HOW COOL IS THAT!?! Who out there among us hasn't wanted to come up with something entirely on their own, fine their passion, and follow their dream? These folks are DOING IT! They are making Mischief! (And if that isn't the coolest name for a brewery, I don't know what is!)
If you are a beer lover, if you support small, home grown business, and if you've ever had a dream YOU wanted to follow, please spend a few minutes of your time watching this video. April and Brandon could really use your help to make a dream come true.
Don't you want to be a part of that? I know I do! I'm a backer, how about you?
I want to help them make Mischief!
To find out more on how you can help, please visit The Mischief Brewing Company HERE.
...random thoughts of a 50-something Mom of 3, Golden Retriever lover, who still, at times, feels like she's in high school...
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Memorial Weekend 2012 Wrap Up
It was a busy weekend, and a nice kick off to the summer season. AJ got off safely to Germany, and is enjoying his 10 day vacation with friends in Munich. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to share when he returns. (If he knows what's good for him, he'll be taking LOTS of pictures - it's the ONLY thing I asked him to bring home for me.)
After taking him to the airport early Saturday morning, we went to the cemetery. It was a spectacular site to see all 67,000 grave adorned with American flags in honor of Memorial Day. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, along with other volunteers start placing the flags at 6:30am on Saturday morning. We arrived before noon and they we long done. It was a beautiful, solemn site to see.
As far as the eye could see...
Ah...Poppa.
I always loved to kiss my Dad on his bald forehead. This will have to suffice from now on.
What a great looking group!
Kona working the crowd-what a shock! The therapy dog in him always comes out!
After the parade we headed home and got ready for a last minute BBQ we'd thrown together. Another friend had a party planned but had to postpone due to a sick pup, so we basically moved the party to our house, added a couple of neighbors to the mix and had a fun, relaxing afternoon.
Before the BBQ got rolling, I took my annual Memorial Day pictures of the pups in their patriotic bandannas. I don't know exactly why I started taking pictures of them on Memorial Day, but I've done it every year for the last 4 or 5 years now, and these are always some of my very favorite pictures I take of them all year long. Here are the best from this year's batch.
After taking him to the airport early Saturday morning, we went to the cemetery. It was a spectacular site to see all 67,000 grave adorned with American flags in honor of Memorial Day. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, along with other volunteers start placing the flags at 6:30am on Saturday morning. We arrived before noon and they we long done. It was a beautiful, solemn site to see.
After a party at a friend's house on Sunday afternoon, we had a full day ahead of us on Monday. We started off bright at early at the Kensington Memorial Day Parade with my Golden Retriever group. It was the 6th year in a row we've walked in the parade and as always, it was a ton of fun. It's so cool to hear people say "Oh, here come the Goldens! They are the best part of the parade!" Of course I agree!
Before the BBQ got rolling, I took my annual Memorial Day pictures of the pups in their patriotic bandannas. I don't know exactly why I started taking pictures of them on Memorial Day, but I've done it every year for the last 4 or 5 years now, and these are always some of my very favorite pictures I take of them all year long. Here are the best from this year's batch.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in the back yard with friends, and family, enjoying the food, fantastic weather, and a little time for reflection.
Miss you Pops, and I know Jill does too.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day 2012
I hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day, and the long weekend so far. I saw this posted on a friend's FB page and thought it was worth sharing.
Not that I think there is anything wrong with having a BBQ today, and in fact we are having one with friends in just a little while...but please keep today in perspective and remember those who have gone before us in the name of our freedom to ensure that we can enjoy days like today with our friends and families.
God Bless America and each and every member of our Armed Forces and others who protect us.
God Bless America and each and every member of our Armed Forces and others who protect us.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Not That Long Ago
It was not that long ago (1998) when my Dad was the one at the Memorial Day service at Fort Rosecrans, and he was laying the wreath down on the casket...there was a picture of him and a very nice story about it in our local paper. For the life of me I can't find the picture right now, but I wanted to share the article with you. I was so proud of him that day....and I still am.
Even Abraham Lincoln -- actually retired Superior Court clerk Bill Peck -- was there to deliver his Gettysburg Address, flanked by an honor guard from G Company, Sixth Infantry, Civil War re-enactors in Union blue.
But the two-dozen or so roses placed one by one atop an American flag draped over a symbolic casket expressed it best -- Memorial Day 1998, a time to remember those who died in the service of their country.
The third rose was set in place by Arnold Fluster, 69, a retired Air Force veteran who began his quarter-century of military service in the Navy in 1948.
That was three years after the end of World War II and two years before the outbreak of the Korean conflict. It was a time, Fluster said, when the spirit of patriotism was in the air.
Times change. Of the 800 or so people who turned out to witness yesterday's Memorial Day ceremonies at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma, few could be called young.
Many were veterans, the graying survivors of World War II sitting proudly in the front ranks, their middle-aged Vietnam-era counterparts watching mostly from the fringes of the crowd, many of them recognizable by their jungle fatigues.
But for the men who fought in Korea from 1950 to 1953, recognition is an iffy thing, even though the toll was terrible, with more than 33,000 killed and over 100,000 wounded.
"We're the forgotten few, possibly because Congress never declared it a war," Fluster said.
Fluster, a crewman on the destroyer Jenkins, experienced the Korean War from a closer vantage point than many of his fellow sailors -- on an island in Wonsan harbor. He was a member of a fire control party, three sailors and four Marines. They directed naval gunfire and airstrikes.
"One day they (the North Koreans) surprised us and started shooting at us," he recalled. "Our observation post was in a bunker the Japanese built in 1937, in a leper colony."
Fluster left the Navy in 1955 -- "seven years of sea duty on a destroyer was enough," he said with a smile -- and enlisted in the Air Force. His last assignment was a missile battery in West Germany, where "our weapons were trained on East Germany."
He left the service in 1973 and retired to Mira Mesa, where he lives with his wife of 40 years, Rose. And in nearly seven decades, he's witnessed the public's changing views of the military, and of the meaning of patriotism.
"I was 12 when World War II started," he said. The country was united then, "because we felt threatened. Even Hollywood was out there selling (war) bonds."
Some of that carried over to the Korean years, he said. "When we went a ashore people couldn't resist buying us a drink."
The Vietnam War was unpopular at home, but Fluster was stationed in Europe as part of the NATO forces at the time, and never experienced the backlash. Yet he recalls the tarnish the era left on patriotism and the military.
"Now, the pendulum is swinging back," he said.
As for this Memorial Day, on which ceremonies were held around the county and the country, "I think it's good for the nation to recognize the people that have fallen," he said. "But it's sad to see that mainly the older generation comes to this service."
If Fluster is any indication, though, the older generation still has some fight in it. Asked if he would answer his country's call, he said without hesitation: "Oh, absolutely!"
Copyright 1998, 2007 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Veterans remember fallen comrades
Author(s): James Steinberg STAFF WRITER Date: May 26, 1998 Section: LOCALThere were the usual speeches, along with the usual military pomp and circumstance.
Even Abraham Lincoln -- actually retired Superior Court clerk Bill Peck -- was there to deliver his Gettysburg Address, flanked by an honor guard from G Company, Sixth Infantry, Civil War re-enactors in Union blue.
But the two-dozen or so roses placed one by one atop an American flag draped over a symbolic casket expressed it best -- Memorial Day 1998, a time to remember those who died in the service of their country.
The third rose was set in place by Arnold Fluster, 69, a retired Air Force veteran who began his quarter-century of military service in the Navy in 1948.
That was three years after the end of World War II and two years before the outbreak of the Korean conflict. It was a time, Fluster said, when the spirit of patriotism was in the air.
Times change. Of the 800 or so people who turned out to witness yesterday's Memorial Day ceremonies at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma, few could be called young.
Many were veterans, the graying survivors of World War II sitting proudly in the front ranks, their middle-aged Vietnam-era counterparts watching mostly from the fringes of the crowd, many of them recognizable by their jungle fatigues.
But for the men who fought in Korea from 1950 to 1953, recognition is an iffy thing, even though the toll was terrible, with more than 33,000 killed and over 100,000 wounded.
"We're the forgotten few, possibly because Congress never declared it a war," Fluster said.
Fluster, a crewman on the destroyer Jenkins, experienced the Korean War from a closer vantage point than many of his fellow sailors -- on an island in Wonsan harbor. He was a member of a fire control party, three sailors and four Marines. They directed naval gunfire and airstrikes.
"One day they (the North Koreans) surprised us and started shooting at us," he recalled. "Our observation post was in a bunker the Japanese built in 1937, in a leper colony."
Fluster left the Navy in 1955 -- "seven years of sea duty on a destroyer was enough," he said with a smile -- and enlisted in the Air Force. His last assignment was a missile battery in West Germany, where "our weapons were trained on East Germany."
He left the service in 1973 and retired to Mira Mesa, where he lives with his wife of 40 years, Rose. And in nearly seven decades, he's witnessed the public's changing views of the military, and of the meaning of patriotism.
"I was 12 when World War II started," he said. The country was united then, "because we felt threatened. Even Hollywood was out there selling (war) bonds."
Some of that carried over to the Korean years, he said. "When we went a ashore people couldn't resist buying us a drink."
The Vietnam War was unpopular at home, but Fluster was stationed in Europe as part of the NATO forces at the time, and never experienced the backlash. Yet he recalls the tarnish the era left on patriotism and the military.
"Now, the pendulum is swinging back," he said.
As for this Memorial Day, on which ceremonies were held around the county and the country, "I think it's good for the nation to recognize the people that have fallen," he said. "But it's sad to see that mainly the older generation comes to this service."
If Fluster is any indication, though, the older generation still has some fight in it. Asked if he would answer his country's call, he said without hesitation: "Oh, absolutely!"
Copyright 1998, 2007 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
30 Honorable Years
Yesterday I had the honor of being invited to a friend's Naval retirement ceremony. He has proudly served 30 long, honorable years for our country. I was truly proud to be there and be part of this very special day.
The ceremony took place on the USS Midway. It was a spectacular, and simply perfect setting for such an occasion.
The afternoon was complete with pomp and circumstance, the presentation of many honors, letter of commendations, etc.
We thought it was pretty awesome that the Navy recognized the spouse of the service member too. Goodness knows the years of service are hard on families too!
MeMe and Tim, what a beautiful couple!
Everyone was enjoying the ceremony in their own way, including CWO Harley!
The "Passing of the Flag" ceremony was very touching.
It ended with Tim receiving the flag.
Tim being relieved of "watch" for the last time...
and his "permission to go ashore" was granted. He was officially retired, and I don't think there was a dry eye around.
A beautiful cake and a touching tribute.
The ceremony took place on the USS Midway. It was a spectacular, and simply perfect setting for such an occasion.
MeMe and Tim, what a beautiful couple!
Thank you MeMe and Tim for letting me share your day, it truly was an honor!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Enjoy Your Long Weekend But....
sometime over this long, busy weekend, take the time to stop and think about why we have this time off from work...
"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service."
Be sure to stop and thank a Veteran or active duty service member for his or her service to our country. They have certainly earned our appreciation, haven't they?
"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service."
Be sure to stop and thank a Veteran or active duty service member for his or her service to our country. They have certainly earned our appreciation, haven't they?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Keeping it all going
I've been so swamped with things lately, I feel like this guy...(advance to about 5:30)
...but he's a LOT more talented at keeping everything going than I am.
Sometimes I feel like all of the plates are going to start to fall, but then I run around like a chicken with my head cut off to keep them all spinning. It keeps the audience happy...but is it worth it? That, my friends, is the question...
...but he's a LOT more talented at keeping everything going than I am.
Sometimes I feel like all of the plates are going to start to fall, but then I run around like a chicken with my head cut off to keep them all spinning. It keeps the audience happy...but is it worth it? That, my friends, is the question...
Park and Play with the Pups!
Last night we went to the park and dinner with some of our friends from my Golden Group. It was a BLAST!
Kona always loves a good romp in the park.
"Whoa! Dude, what's wrong with you?"
"Just enjoying a little dirt bath my friend..."
Just breezing by!
Hangin with a couple of friends...
"Anyone have some water? I've got a little something I need to wash down..."
What a sweet face!
Harley trying to be a lap dog!
Kona is one pooped pup!
Anthony's in La Mesa has a great dog friendly patio area. They treated us awesome and we'll be back for sure! What a fun night!
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