Soda Shoppe for May 1 , 2023

Amy · May 29, 2023, 06:20:07 AM

Good morning..

Happy Memorial day, safe travelling for those on the highways.

Going to be a fry day today. We have the roofers coming and it is going to be noisy. Dogs are going to wonder what is going on with all that banging.

Jane,missed your good night post.....and your good morning one also.

Callie and Lloyd have gone missing? Hope he is recovering from his fall.

Better get ready ,roofers will be here soon.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Ja

JaneS · May 29, 2023, 08:30:59 AM

Good Morning Everyfriend! And Good-Everything-Else-I-missed! We've been super busy the last few days and last night we decided that we should watch a war movie to celebrate Memorial Day! So we looked for the Audie Murphy one about his army life and it wasn't on. So we ended up with "The Dirty Dozen". It's full of stars and it's a good movie!

Then it was time to hit the hay so I didn't get on the computer at all last night!

JENNY, it sounds like you have a *STAR* in your family! That must have been exciting to see your granddaughter doing a solo in a place like Disney Land! She must be a very good dancer!

AMY, don't forget to put some cookies in the Soda Shoppe. I could use one or two. Jim bought some at the Farmers Market and we've downed them all. I think I'm going to have to go home and get back on my sugar-free diet before I have my next Dr. appt!

This morning my only plan is a walk on the treadmill, a shower and a change of clothes. I'm hoping for a shopping trip one of these days but I'm pretty sure today will bring a visit from the kids. I'm looking forward to that, too!

For now, I wish you all a good day...better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow!

phyllis · May 29, 2023, 09:31:42 AM

Weatherwise it has been a dreary weekend with nothing but rain. That's OK since we didn't go anywhere or plan a cook out. Just stayed in and relaxed and ate Beef Kabobs cooked in the oven. They were pretty good. And, I was so relieved to have the raccoon gone and all the repair work done. And a lot of preventive screening done on gable vents, etc. I hope I never have to go through that again. Now, I need to find a company that will do siding repair and painting. I've let maintenance go too long and now am trying to catch up. But, all in due time.

Watched the Capitol Memorial celebration last night. It brought back so many memories of my father, brothers, and husband, and cousins and so many friends. Father was in Army in WW I, all three brothers were in Navy (2) and Marines(1) during WW 2, husband was in Air Force during Korean War. They all came home, thank God, but many friends and a cousin did not. Our generation has lived through so much war and it's extreme emotional cost.

Take care, All.

Shirley · May 29, 2023, 10:00:08 AM

I've also been watching the film taken during WWII, that we only heard the words, surprising it is much like I pictured. Keep saying to myself, "I remember those exact moments". I had a brother in the Air Corp, one in the Navy, uncle in the SeaBees & too many others including the cousin nurses, that served. My husband was in the Air Force during the Korean War & I served nearly 3 years of his duty with him in England. Sight of the Statue of Liberty on return had tears rolling down my face until we finally got off to hug the brother that had driven from Missouri to take us home.

patricia19 · May 29, 2023, 10:41:32 AM

Good morning, 47 degrees here and the rain and cooler temperatures are expected through Tuesday. ".Periods of Moderate Rainfall and Cooler Temps through Tuesday...

Moderate rain showers will continue across the Fortymile Uplands and Eastern Alaska Range and move west into the Chena River Basin into Memorial Day. Periods of moderate rainfall will result in an area of 1 to 2 inches of storm total rainfall in the Fortymile Uplands, with lesser totals of around one half to 1.5 inches in the Fairbanks area, White Mountains, Central and Eastern Alaska Range, and Minto Flats. Temperatures by Monday will fall into the 50s with 40s in the Alaska Range.

This rain will likely cause a rapid rise in river and streams across the Southeast Interior and Eastern Alaska Range. This includes the Chena, Chatanika, Goodpaster, Salcha River, and the Fortymile River. People along rivers and streams should prepare for high water levels through this weekend. River access points and gravel bars will likely be covered with water along with increased debris in rivers."

My parents came from sizeable midwestern farming families of sixteen combined who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Both of my husbands served in Vietnam.

My father was in the Navy, and part of his last service in WWII and Korea was brutal; he would never talk about the wars, but what his brothers shared was horrifying. Man's inhumanity was well documented.

I didn't watch anything on the computer as all the wet has messed with my sinuses and arthritis. I had another restless night and got up at four am. I'll be glad for Tuesday and the promised sunshine. Alaskaland opens on the 30th. But I think attendance will be sparse. They usually have a flyover of some group, such as the Blue Angels and howitzers, signaling the end of the celebration. Still, with the steady rain, it will probably be different.

so_P_bubble · May 29, 2023, 12:22:15 PM

I was sent this and I was sure you would appreciate it as well.

A Tale of Six Boys

Each year, I am hired to go to Washington, DC with the eighth grade class from Clinton, WI where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year, I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable.

On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. That memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history; that of the six brave soldiers raising the American flag at the top of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan during WWII.

Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed toward the memorial. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer, he asked, "Where are you guys from?"

I told him we were from Wisconsin. "Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, cheese heads, and I will tell you a story."

James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, DC to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say goodnight to his dad, who has since passed away. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington, D.C., but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night. When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words from that night).

"My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin. My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called "Flags of Our Fathers," which is number five on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me."

"Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player. He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called 'war,' but it didn't turn out to be a game."

"Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out. I say that, because there are people who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18 and 19 years old."

(He pointed to the statue). "You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire. If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph. A photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection, because he was scared. He was 18 years old. Boys won the battle of Iwo Jima, boys, not old men."

"The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys. They called him the "old man," because he was so old. He was already 24. When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country.' He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead, he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers.'"

"The last guy on this side of the statue is Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona. Ira Hayes walked off Iwo Jima. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero.' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off alive?' So, you take your class at school. Two-hundred and fifty of you spending a year together, having fun, doing everything together. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes died dead drunk, face down at the age of 32, ten years after this picture was taken."

"The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop, Kentucky. A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night.' Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of 19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store.

A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. The neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away."

"The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Cronkite's producers, or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say, 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back.' My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting right there at the table eating his Campbell's soup. But we had to tell the press that he was out fishing. He didn't want to talk to the press."

"You see, my dad didn't see himself as a hero. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima, he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And when boys died in Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed in pain."

"When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did not come back.'"

"So, that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time."

Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless.

Unknown

RAMMEL · May 29, 2023, 12:48:18 PM

Thanks Bubble

Shirley · May 29, 2023, 01:54:33 PM

Thank you, Bubble, this is a day to remember. I always felt so sad for the parents that had sons buried in foreign countries, sad for the traumatic memories that stayed in the minds of the ones that came home.

And this many many years later I have tears rolling down my face remembering my 17 year old brother that hopped on his bicycle to ride to Kansas City (80 miles away) after telling Mother that she hoped she would sign for him to join the Air Corp because he would lie about his age if he had to. He did make it home after being shot down on their 13th mission, landed on dry ground next to the Danube River & picked up by Germans to spend the last year of service in a POW camp. He could only talk about bits & pieces of that time but kept his promise made between best friend, the tail gunner that was blown apart when the plane went down, that if "either survived they would visit the other's family to tell them what happened. He did that. We never knew where the brother was in the Navy, he was a flag-man on a carrier.

At home, 20 miles from a SAC base, we had the dark shades at night & mother was a volunteer plane spotter on top of the Court House (tallest building in town). She was walking for her nightly duty when the messenger boy came past on his bike to deliver the notice Bob was missing in action. She just knew & turned around to follow back to the house, praying the whole way. Her hair went from brown to white in the next year. She sent Red Cross packages every week to both her boys but knew Bob wasn't really getting his. Every Sunday she would call the Red Cross to send 2 service boys over for dinner and hoped "some other mother would feed her boys".

So thank you, Bubble, for the memory. Not many left that clearly remember those days.

JaneS · May 29, 2023, 08:28:39 PM

Thank you, BUBBLE for sharing that with us. I've read it before but it's been a while! This time, I printed it! Thanks again!

Amy · May 30, 2023, 05:46:04 AM

Good morning..

Another day of bang bang thump.The men came early and left when the heat got too much. They have one side left to do today, not sure if it all can be done before the heat bakes them or not. Dogs were worried about the sounds yesterday but I would think today would be easier on the dogs.

Jane, I put cookies and some Chelsea buns in the hidey hole. Made the buns yesterday for the men and gave some to the neighbour . He gave me a ride into town and back as our vehicle is still waiting to be fixed.

I hear crow calling,better go feed him..

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

JaneS · May 30, 2023, 08:32:10 AM

Good Morning Everyfriend!

AMY, I'm having a cookie and a bun with my coffee for breakfast. Then I'm off to the showers! Then a walk before it gets too hot. I'm with the guys on the roof. I don't walk after it gets too hot!

I wish everyfriend a good day...better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow!

patricia19 · May 30, 2023, 01:02:28 PM

Good morning, another gray, foggy, sullen day with more high waters, some flooding, and lots of erosion, trees, and other items in the rivers. At least all the extra green pops against all that gray.

Amy · May 30, 2023, 07:09:28 PM

I can sleep in ,in the morning! The roof is now shingled. No more banging and dogs looking up to see what is making that sound.

Another hot day here , I did get the watering done early and noticed the carrots peeking plus the garlic is polking throuh the ground! No sign of the beets or parsnips......yet.

We are in need of rain here, already I have used up 1/2 a rain barrel of water. I could use the well water but prefer the rain water.

The other day I brushed Babe and just let her fur stay on the ground, later on when I went out a swallow was heading into the birdhouse with a bunch as big as she is! They will have a soft cozy nest.

Lloyd, is still missing.

Enjoy your evening..

JaneS · May 30, 2023, 09:51:25 PM

We had Ali and the kids for late morning and early afternoon. When the boys were getting ready for naps, she took them home and left Emma here with us. We had a fun afternoon and then took her home in time to meet her Daddy coming home from work and the boys getting up from naps! Busy but FUN!

While Emma was here, we took a walk, played some games, did some coloring, read some books and played in the yard. We also played some board games. It was a BUSY day! I loved every minute of it!

Jim did dinner for the ladies tonight and it was good! He's a pretty good cook. Now I'm ready to collapse! When I finish here, I'm checking out a couple other things on the computer and then heading for the haystack!

AMY, good for you getting the roof finished. I bet you and the doggies are glad all that banging around is over! Sounds like your garden is coming along!

PATRICIA, it doesn't sound like Spring in Alaska is so pleasant! Sounds like lots of people might have problems! I hope it's over soon@

I hope LLOYD is doing OK!

I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy tomorrow. God Bless!

patricia19 · May 30, 2023, 10:55:45 PM

Good afternoon from a still sodden Interior. This reminds me of 1967, before the dams and the flood control project. The rivers are running higher than they've been in years. They keep pushing the end date further and further back. The Chena has spilled over into the Sacha, and the rains continue.

"Special Weather Statement issued May 30 at 2:40PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks

...Rapid River Rises for Eastern Interior Rivers Into Friday ...

Moderate to heavy rain showers will continue across parts of the Interior through Wednesday evening. Periods of rain will result in an area of 0.5 to 1.25 inches of additional accumulations in the Fortymile Uplands and Salcha/Goodpaster/Chena River Basins through Wednesday evening.

This rain will likely cause a rapid rise in river and stream levels across the Southeast Interior. This includes the Chena, Chatanika, Goodpaster, and the Fortymile Rivers. A flood watch has been issued for the Salcha River, see the associated flood watch for more details regarding the Salcha River. The other rivers are not expected to flood. People along rivers and streams should prepare for elevated water levels through this week. River access points and gravel bars will likely be covered with water along with increased debris in rivers."

""FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR THE SALCHA RIVER FROM 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING
What
Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
Where
The Salcha River.
When
From 10 PM AKDT this evening through Thursday evening.
Impacts
Excessive rainfall runoff may flood low lying areas on the Salcha River which could cause water to encroach onto property and around prone cabins. Expect increased debris in the river and possible increased erosion. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Heavy rainfall over the Salcha River Basin have already caused rapid rises along the Salcha River with additional rainfall over the next 36 hours expected to push the Salcha River to possible minor flood stage starting at the Upper River Wednesday with the crest reaching the Richardson Highway Bridge Thursday night."

"Special Weather Statement issued May 30 at 2:40PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks

Amy · May 31, 2023, 07:35:10 AM

Good morning..

Another scorcher today ,I think the central air will get a run today.

Folks are coming to pick up a trug this morning and then that is all that is scheduled. Sewing comes to mind for later, after I put the ribs on to slow cook.

I hear crow scolding me, have yet to put his food out. Better go do it.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

JaneS · May 31, 2023, 09:18:11 AM

Good morning Everyfriend! I was greeted in my bedroom this morning by two very friendly doggies! All I have to do is open my door in the morning and I have company! It opens so quietly that it makes me wonder how they hear me all the way downstairs!

Don't know what's on the agenda for today except that Jim was up and out early today to go water flowers for Ali. He's not back yet.

There are a couple of bananas that need to be used and I'm thinking of making some goodies for the doggies after I get dressed. Don't know if that fits in or not but I guess I'll find out! I've had my breakfast and checked out the computer stuff so next is back upstairs to get dressed and take a walk on the treadmill. I'm going to miss the treadmill when I go home. It'll be back to walking outside.

I wish you all a good day...better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow!

patricia19 · May 31, 2023, 11:51:47 AM

It's hushed in here this morning and on the site generally.

We're under a flood watch, but the skies have returned to partly cloudy, and that horrid gray fog has gone away. Whether we'll warm up is debatable, as possible rain showers are expected through Friday.

MarsGal · May 31, 2023, 12:15:39 PM

Sounds like everyone has a fairly nice Memorial Day. It was fairly quiet here. I heard a few fireworks go off in the distance, but they didn't last as long as usual. Shan barely registered the noise. He didn't head for the basement stairs, just looked at me a few seconds and went back to napping.

My cold has finally, finally subsided. The lawn is starting to look like some of it could use a trim, but I am holding off. We have had dry, breezy weather the past week. It looks like we won't get any rain at least until Saturday. Won't do the grass any good to mow it while it is so dry. We have an air quality alert for today and tomorrow. That explains why my nose has been itchy since yesterday.

Today I took a tiny step towards looking for an apartment and called the two most top ones on my list. The closest one to me has a three-month waiting time and a load of people on the waiting list. No problem, I am not in a super hurry just yet. I want to get a feel for what is out there. Sue and I are planning to do lunch and visit the other one sometime next week. This particular complex I lived in for a year or so back in the early 70's when they were new. The management company has been the same all this time and has kept the property up. I look forward to seeing the upgrades and remodeling they have done.

Hi, Patricia. I just saw your post. Sorry you are stuck with all that rain. I, on the other hand, have been enjoying an unusually long period of low humidity, except for all the pollen and such in the air right now.

patricia19 · May 31, 2023, 05:17:12 PM

All of you southeasterners are hogging all that sunshine, Joanne. I offered to go out on my balcony and huff and puff and then some more to send all this rain southeast to Amy. I'll try to swivel a bit and attempt to blow some your way.

JaneS · May 31, 2023, 05:19:52 PM

Hello PATRICIA and MARSGAL. And hello to anyone else who shows up. It's quiet in here today!

MARSGAL, good luck with your search for a new living arrangement. I hope you find the perfect place.

PATRICIA, I wish you some warm weather very soon!

We had the two older kids late morning and early afternoon while Ali took Cam for his 4 month checkup! They were good and we had fun and lunch together! EMMA is such a busy little girl! She's always doing something that teaches her new things! I love watching and helping her! Mikey is just a busy little beaver. I don't think he knows how to sit still unless he's asleep!

Time to be thinking about supper! Enjoy the rest of your day!

Amy · May 31, 2023, 08:36:35 PM

Another day on the way out. The gentleman picked up his trug and they are eager to plant with hopes the deer don't find it a buffet.
Jane,you are going to miss all the activity when you go home.
Patricia, keep huffing and puffing,we hope to get rain soon.

Enjoy your evening

Shirley · May 31, 2023, 11:24:41 PM

Good night, sweet dreams, until another day......... and I wish I could remember June's saying about leaving your worries to God because "He' be awake anyway..." anyone that remembers please fill in my blanks.

If Lloyd doesn't show up tomorrow I will call the number I have for them.......

Love y'all........ Tisie/Shirley

RAMMEL · May 31, 2023, 11:54:31 PM

Goodnight Shirley, and anyone else who may travel this path.

so_P_bubble · June 01, 2023, 12:06:19 AM

Let's start a new page HERE

Random Image

User

Shoutbox

Soda Shoppe for May 1 , 2023

Amy

JaneS

phyllis

Shirley

patricia19

so_P_bubble

RAMMEL

Shirley

JaneS

Amy

JaneS

patricia19

Amy

JaneS

patricia19

Amy

JaneS

patricia19

MarsGal

patricia19

JaneS

Amy

Shirley

RAMMEL

so_P_bubble