Sunday, June 16, 2019

Books, Books, Books

Today I decided that it was a good day to tackle my office.  It's legendary, not because it is so beautifully decorated or organized, but because it is, to the outsider, disorganized and cluttered.  I found that it was getting difficult to walk around because I had two snack tables set up and two chairs at my desk.

Why do I need two chairs you ask.  Simple.  Crash has again decided that my comfortable desk chair is perfect for a nap.  When I want to work on my computer, I have to sit on a dining room chair because I have a very spoiled 18 year old cat who runs my house.

Today, she meowed until I sat on the couch so she could sit next to me.  I gave her enough time to fall into a deep sleep and then went into the office.

After I cleared the two tables and removed one and folded the other, I went after the bookcase.  I had hoped to find some books that I could donate.  Instead, I found many, many books that I bought intending to read.  Some were novels, others, books from places I visited, or hope to visit.

I did manage to organize two shelves of the bookcase, but in the process produced a pile of about a dozen books that I want to read.  Every time I saw a book, I thought, "I've been meaning to read that." and then added it to the pile.  I also found my copy of 1984 which I want to reread.  I think I first read that when I started work, right after high school.

So now I have a stack of books to read and probably another dozen on the Kindle.  Looks like I'm going to be very busy reading this summer.

Oh, I did find two books that I'm ready to donate.


Thursday, June 6, 2019

Today is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.  I've been watching some of the newsreel footage of that day and it reminded me of my trip six years ago to Normandy.  It was truly a trip I will never forget.

We visited Omaha Beach and I saw the cliffs those young me had to climb and the bunkers from where the German soldiers fired on them,  It was an enlightening and sobering experience to be in the actual place that I had read so much about and to see what they faced on that day.

We also visited the cemetery.  Again, seeing all those Crosses and Stars of David and realizing all the young lives that were lost that day and the days following.

I came away from that trip with a greater appreciation for the veterans of that war and all wars.  And I thank those who were wounded and died on that day.

On a lighter note, I bought a mug commemorating D-Day and will say a silent prayer of thanks today while I have my coffee.