I'll give you a dollar if . . . 318/365

It's wonderful how a simple task of tearing up old bread for birds can turn into a game. The three of us were tearing up two packages of old bread and throwing it from the deck when Jordan decided to go into the yard. The only obvious thing to do would be to throw the bread at Jordan which then turned into "I'll give you a dollar if you can catch a piece of the bread". Thanks Rachel. She caught five pieces.

Tredegar Iron Works. 317/365

An interesting and informative fifth grade field trip to learn about the Civil War. This foundry supplied the Confederacy with their artillery, ammunition, and other war-related materials.

Tamagotchi! 316/365

You feed them, play with them, take them shopping, praise them, collect their mail, take them to school, train them, get them a job, give them medicine when they're ill, and clean up their poop. When you have more than one, they make friends with each other and can even have babies together. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!

Thank you. 315/365

In trying to locate Buddy Poppies for us to wear today, I learned that these poppies are assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals and proceeds from distribution of the flowers go to veterans assistance programs. I was able to get mine from the Richmond VFW. The poppy is the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Upon opening my Yahoo account this morning, I was reminded of the story behind the exact date (November 11) of Veteran's Day. Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany. President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But over the years, with veterans returning from World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. Congress designated Veterans Day as a legal holiday in 1938.

We spent some time today talking about the veterans in our family and what they and all veterans have done for our country. President Obama said it best today at Arlington National Cemetery, "To all of them — to our veterans, to the fallen and to their families — there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice."

Dear Diary. 314/365

This has been the end-of-the-day routine for Maddie for the past couple of days. She's decided to start journaling on Ye Olde Smith Corona.

Leftovers. 313/365

After picking so many apples a couple of weeks ago, we still have too many filling drawers of two refrigerators. Yesterday we made our first batch of applesauce. Jordan peeled, Maddie cored and sliced, and I cooked and crushed. This is the "chunky" batch. I really like it, but the girls have instructed me to make the next few jars smooth.

Will you go to the prom with me? 312/365

We went antiquing today. I found plenty of Mary/Jesus figurines and children's Christmas books, Maddie found some miniatures for her doll house, and Jordan found this dress and shoes. Groovy man! Can you dig it?!