Memorial Day

Memorial Day in the United States

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

Arlington National Cemetary.

©bigstockphoto.com/BenC

What Do People Do?

It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis' Birthday in Mississippi.

Memorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.

Public Life

Memorial Day is a federal holiday. All non-essential Government offices are closed, as are schools, businesses and other organizations. Most public transit systems do not run on their regular schedule. Many people see Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to go on a short vacation or visit family or friends. This can cause some congestion on highways and at airports.

Background

Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers, who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

Remembering My Daddy

Monday, May 30 is National Memorial Day.  A time to reflect on those who

served our country in the military.  My father served in WWII in the Army.

He never talked about his experiences or what war was like.  I wish he had.

Recently, as I was going through more of my mother's papers, I came upon

the map to my dad's grave in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

He died June 24, 1974 and it was all such a blur.

I remember the burial site was near or under a tree

on a hill.  This map pinpoints it exactly--well, almost.

About five years back, we took a trip to the region and I wanted to

see if I could find dad's grave site--it took some investigative work

through U S Government records to find the site number and section.

We finally found the section and walked through the graves to

find the location--there it was....

on top of a hill, under a tree.  This map would have made it much easier.

As we roamed through those numerous graves, our hearts were filled

with thanksgiving for these who sacrificed for us to have

freedom.

Ex-Patchers!

We hadn't been together for quite some time--

This day is our day; I'm ready to share with my dear friends--

sadness, happiness, joys, grandkid happenings,

and not the least of all--our quilts!

Annette had made this 4 patch disappearing quilt top for a friend.

What fun--great way to use up all those scraps from the stash.

She started with 5.5" squares to make the four patch and

then cut, twist and sew!

Judy M, our hostess, shared her latest creation--$29 quilt kit!

WOW!  what a popper in the camera lenses--but to the naked eye

the fabrics don't look like they work together.

We thought the main fabric was quite busy--but in this

case, it all works together.  For this accent, Judy used

raw edge applique--and it works!

And the quilt design is just perfect for the busy front.

On the quilt frame--I'd call this "Juicy" fruit or "Starburst"

such lively, powerful colors on the gradient bases.

Linda used Pat Sloan's 2015 mystery quilt pattern (Josh' quilt top pattern)

to make this lovely Christmas quilt.

Backing is super great!  

Quilting by Sandy!

Brenda was hand stitching the binding from her latest quilt festival

workshop--love this star!

and here is the quilting pattern--super great looking!

Judy M wanted to use her orphan blocks to make a manly lap robe.

We played with the pieces--this is so much fun--itching to

bet to my 'orphans' to do the same!

A super great day for me--lots of laughter, a few tears, hugs, making

it the highlight of my day when we can gather.

What To Do With Sugar & Cream Yarn?!!

If you are like me, there is a basket full of cotton yarns just waiting!

I have all this Sugar and Cream yarn aged well and ready for the needles.

I passed off several skeins to a weaver friend who weaves

baby blankets.

Well, I found perfect patterns to knit up those yarns............

Simply Notable has several patterns for wash cloths!  Great gifts!

Enjoy her website!

Cables Anyone?

This blanket is a modular design, knitted in separate strips, which are then joined together in such a way that the join resembles another cable. The design has been done in such a way, that you could make a blanket of any size you want. The design is essentially a mix and match pattern with which you can design your own masterpiece.

The yarn is MoYa Caresse, which is used in a double strand. Order your kits at 15% discount HERE.

In order to stay up to date with the latest news:
Join the FaceBook group for this KAL.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel as some of the techniques will be demonstrated there.
There is a Ravelry Group for this KAL as well.

Spinning Silk For Yarn Wednesday

Years ago, I spun the silk for my blond headed daughter's wedding dress.  I bought 3 bricks(common measurement) of silk.  At the time, I thought the price was high but now----I'm so glad I have one brick left to spin.

It's pure pleasure to spin this bombyx silk!  So far, I have two bobbins ready to be plied

My goal is to spin all the brick and two ply for the loom.

My first goal is being met.  My second goal is to weave yardage.

I would really love to have silk pillowcases with silk knitted lace edging--

that is the final goal.

we'll see if it happens!

Christmas Knitting in June

Perfect!  Just Perfect!  Small in size with the right knitting techniques to make these

12 days of Christmas mittens.

Take a look at the website to see last year's mittens

and you'll want to knit those too!

Just Crafty Enough

mittens are about 2.5″ wide (without the thumb) and 4.5″ long. You do not need to knit the mittens at my gauge or size, but I think they are just right for using as a Christmas tree decoration, on packages or, of course, as a garland.

This year you will have two weeks between mittens. That should give everyone time to keep up. If you are a quicker knitter you’ll have time to work on other projects or make multiple sets as gifts. Or if you want to turn this garland into an advent calendar, use the off weeks to knit another twelve mittens. The Mitten Garland Advent Calendar has twenty-four more designs you could use, just change the Latvian braid at the cuff to garter stitch to match these.