THE EVERYDAY SOLDIER

IT IS THE SOLDIER

written by Charles M. Province

U.S. Army

1970-2010 ©

THE EVERYDAY SOLDIER

It seems appropriate as well to take time today to honor all those who are serving us in so very many ways, and serving at great risk to themselves and their own loved ones.  Of course we offer thanks and prayers for all in the medical community including first responders who are there twenty-four hours a day, week in and out ~ and so many among them, world wide who have lost their lives in the fight against the pandemic that has covered our earth in sorrow and death.  We honor and thank the men on our street who faithfully come every Thursday to take away the weeks trash and recycling.  We thank and honor our postman, who arrives daily with mail.  We thank and honor those working in our nearby grocery store and drug store, keeping regular hours and stocking the shelves to provide us with the foods and medicines we all need.  By and large, we do not know the names of these women, these men.  Though we have likely seen them often for years now, they have been a regular part of our daily lives, making our lives just a bit easier, in ways we don't give much of a thought to.  Maybe we smile, nod or even say "hello" from time to time.  Is that enough?  These women and these men are our neighbors, they are part of our community.  They are the everyday soldiers of our lives, some have become ill, and tragically some have not survived the war being fought right now.  So, for them, also, we pray today and we remember and we are thankful for what they have given and are giving to us. 

A STONE OF HOPE

ON THIS SPECIAL DAY

A WHOLE LOT OF SAD ~ A LITTLE BIT OF HAPPY

A whole lot of sad ~

One of the first bloggers I met, perhaps as much as ten years ago, was Jacqueline of Jacqueline's Cat House and it was not long before we became close and ever-since friends.  At the same time I fell in love with her house full of cats: Calle, Halle and Sukki and Mommy Cat and Daddy Cat.  And today, my photo files of all of them are nearly as full as the files of my own pets!
Daddy Cat earned his wings in June 2016 and his family has missed his presence each day since.  Last month, March 19, Mommy Cat sadly chose to join him and hearts were broken again.  As I always create Rainbow Bridge images for those who cross the bridge, I was especially saddened that at the time of Mommy Cat's passing, my computer had crashed and I could not design something special for her, for this sweet girl who meant so much to me.
Just a few short weeks have gone by now, and for reasons that will never be fully understood, Jacqueline's beautiful Calle was suddenly diagnosed in the last week, without warning, as being in heart failure and her condition worsened rapidly.  We were texting one another often ... and on Thursday, came the text I did not want to receive ... "Calle has died in my arms ...".
We struggled through a brief phone call moments later, muffled by tears on each side ... I am "a whole lot sad" ... for Jacqueline.  May her memories and her love of them sustain her, blessings for all.  Please leave a caring word at her blog link highlighted below, thank you.

JACQUELINE'S CAT HOUSE

A LITTLE BIT OF HAPPY

Although my heart is sad as I write, this day cannot slip by without noting that our sweet little Zoey

is celebrating her birthday.  This ball of fluff, feisty at times, toofy always ...
is an official "teenager".  Look out world!

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY and a PAWTY
Zo has always shared her "birth date" with a special friend ~ IZA of Mark's Mews!
And today, we heard that a big pawty is going on over there ... and having once actually met,
TBT (a/k/a the real Mark!) we know he throws quite a pawty ... so stop over,
wish IZA a Happy 11th Birthday.

MARK'S MEWS

JANUARY 21

9.11.2001

A VERY SPECIAL WELCOME ... and a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU ...

Today ... we welcome one and all to the new CAT BLOGOSPHERE.

After many weeks of long, hard work by Paula Gregg (of Sweet Purrfections) and Terry Frum (of Brian's Home) 

today is the day the new Cat Blogosphere premieres!

Be sure to stop by and give Paula and Terry a big "paws up of thanks" for all the time and effort

they have devoted to making this happen ~ not to mention, all they will be giving going forward!

By supporting the Cat Blogosphere daily, adding your post links, sharing your news, announcing

your blog hops and other events, you will make it more successful than it has ever been.  

You can spread the word through your own social media contacts and with other pet friends, and by

posting and sharing the new logo for the Cat Blogosphere.  The new logo is below, feel free to copy and paste to your blog and social media sites (removing the old one please). 

Thank you ... and thanks for your support!

... and a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU ...

For more years than we know of, some guy who we tended to call "Mo" when we should have called him "Morgen" (sorry about that) ... well, he nearly gave over his life (day and night, weekends, holidays and vacations) to the Cat Blogosphere!  As much as possible, MINION (formerly Isis) helped out, of course, but then, cats do need their nap time ... And behind the scenes, there was always the amazing and (OMC, thank you!) tech support from the one-and-only Eyad ... but the time came when Morgen let out a great big sigh and said, time to move on.  Rightfully so.  He's a teacher, you know, and quite an extraordinary one we're told.  And those kids really need (and deserve) teachers like him!  So ... without getting all weepy here, just want to say THANKS, MO!  (or THANKS, MORGEN!) ...

Thanks, Eyad ... Meow, Minion (and a few other cats and dogs in the house as well).  Good Job, all!  

We're gonna miss you here at the CB, but we'll never fur-get you.  XXX OOO

REMEMBERING

TEARS FOR TEXAS

Please feel free to copy/share/post this image (without credit to us) if you wish to do so.

We pray for all who are suffering in the state of Texas, the human community and our animal friends.

If you can help in any way, large or small, please consider doing so.

I would like to direct you to an excellent post that appeared yesterday on the blog of
RUMPYDOG.

I am sharing their LINK, below, with their permission, and encourage you to visit and read.
This post contains valuable information on legitimate sources for giving, and appropriate links
you can go to.  In times such as these, unfortunately scammers rise from the depths and they
are many.  It is wise to check out all charitable groups, large or small.  The RUMPYDOG
post will direct you to the right places, so please visit.

RUMPYDOG

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

We have lost many friends during the past year, all were so loved by their families and each are missed.

This image is meant to honor and remember them, though incomplete ~ it names only those we know, and for those whose names we have not shown, you are no less important in our hearts.

Thank you each for being a part of our lives.

HAVE A SPARKLING 4th

WE LOVE OUR U.S.A.

WE THANK YOU

Take a moment today, a moment of silence and offer a prayer of thanks for

all who have given so much for us and for all who still give each and every day.

Comments are off for today.

SEPTEMBER 11

THANK YOU

WAG and WAVE for FORREST

Please take a moment to visit Forrest and Family at

All Fur One and One Fur All

just click here.

Today's posting in his memory will truly touch your heart.

Thank you to Gentle Stitches and One Spoiled Cat.

THANK YOU

Photo: Circa 1949, my husband wears his Daddy's hat.

9.11.2001 ~ In Memory Of

World Trade Center, New York, NY

The Pentagon, Arlington, VA

A field, Shanksville, PA

May God watch over them.

VETERANS DAY

IN MEMORY OF

Remembering.

MINI-ME ZOEY

Hi ~ my name is Mini-Me Zoey and I came all the way from across the pond, compliments of

Ms Marg to live with the Zoolatry Human.  I keep her company while the real Zoey is staying

with Ms Dee, TK and Pip!  I'm hugely cute ... right down to my little toof !

 A lot of the time you can find me on the night table, next to my Poppy Vic.

Mini-Me's are quite special !  And mini-people seem to like them, too !

If you would like to know more about the Mini-Me's, or have

some information on how you can order your very own (and there are

woofie mini's, too) ... just click on the link below: 

DIP DIP and the BRIDGE and THE MINI-ME's

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Thank you and God bless you to all who have served, and to all

who continue to serve, worldwide.  You are truly the best of the best.