It's a nice place to visit

[anthimeria]

. . . and y'know, I don't mind living here.

I moved to where I currently live from the midwest, where, stereotypes aside, it is mostly flat.  I went to college very near a bunch of cornfields (a friend from Oregon once said, "So that's what a horizon looks like!").  I have moved to a place where there are frequent hills.  I work up a fairly steep hill.  I went hiking seven miles through the hills and limped for days (SO worth it!).

This is relevent because tonight I drove home in the dark (I miss daylight saving time) and caught sight of the hills across a lake, thousands of lights rising up into a perfectly clear, star-studded night sky with a cresent moon hanging just overhead.

It was so beautiful I actually pulled over and got out of my car to marvel.  Just--the lights reflecting on the water and the moon bright and the lights rising and falling with the land.  Lovely.  I tried to take a picture, but I suspect you'd need a better camera than the one on my phone to get a clear photo.

The sheer awe-inspiring beauty of where I now live keeps striking me, and I hope it keeps striking me for as long as I live here.  I don't ever want to think, "Oh, ho-hum, lights in the hills and huge trees, see those all the time." 

In other news, today is Veterans Day in the US.  I kept my eyes out for guys along the road, selling silk poppies.  My Mom buys one every year and hangs it in her car, and I was looking forward to carrying that tradition on, supporting veteran's associations and giving my car a bit of color, a little reminder of family and home.

Except I didn't see anyone selling them.  This actualy disturbed me a little, because where I grew up you always saw veterans on the road on Veterans and Memorial Days, selling poppies for remembrance.

It's not much, but I figure every little bit helps, and as a student of history I believe in remembering.  I believe in remembering Armistice Day, which is what Veteran's day used to be called, before another global war came along and destroyed the precious illusion that the Great War would be the war to end all wars.  I might not support war, but I believe in supporting those who've fought--I am a great beliver in the distinction between the war and the soldier.

So veterans, thank you, and I'm sorry I couldn't find a silk poppy to hang from my rearview mirror.  I'll keep an eye out on Memorial Day.

 

Comments

[elenagleason.com]

the midwest, where, stereotypes aside, it is mostly flat

Hey, speak for your own state! Well, okay, the Midwest is mostly flat compared to the rest of the country, but my portion of it is not nearly as flat as yours. :P

I love those moments where you just have to stop and say, "Wow," because the world is beautiful.

I have never seen a veteran selling poppies. I had no idea that was any sort of thing.

[anthimeria]

Okay, I admit, not ALL parts of the midwest are flat. I've been in some very pretty hilly areas. I was pretty much referring to rural Illinois.

That's so weird! People are here didn't know about it either. It's one of those things you just assume is universal because you grew up with it.