Time to Fill Up Your December Calendar

Having now survived Thanksgiving and my food coma, we are looking forward to that busy last month of the year.  We've already got some events penciled in that look fun and at least two of them support local charities!

First up is the annual Battle of the Bloody Marys at Nader's Gallery on Saturday, December 3.

This year the good folks at Naders will donate a percentage of their sales for the day to Holy Angels and Gingerbread House.  We went to this event last year and sampled terrific Bloody Marys and took care of some Christmas shopping at the same time.  I am usually #teamedward on the Bloody Marys but willing to try new things!

The next event on my list is The Spirit of Christmas Brassed at the Broadmoor Presbyterian Church on Grover St. at 7:00 on Saturday, December 3.  This event is $10 at the door and will benefit The Salvation Army.  I love a great brass section so I'm really looking forward to this.   Here is a sample from Vimeo of the brass quintet:


The I-49 Brass Quintet at Broadmoor Presbyterian Shreveport from Frank Moore on Vimeo.

And then there is the classic It's a Wonderful Life at Shreveport Little Theater, this time as a radio play. This production runs December 1-11 and is sure to sell out, so order tickets ASAP if you want to see this.

We went to see The 1940s Radio Hour last year which was fabulous and I think (but don't know) that this will be the same sort of format - It's a Wonderful Life as a radio play.  Can't wait!

Finally, Stage Center on Common Street in downtown Shreveport is performing A Christmas Story through December 3.

It's not Christmas without A Christmas Story.

This Saturday, November 26, the annual Rockets Over the Red begins at 3 with fireworks closing the evening. If you're into crowds and fireworks this is a fun show.

I'm sure there are many more cool events going on that I haven't discovered yet; if you know of something please post in the comments and I'll follow up.

Oktoberfest: My Favorite Holiday is Here

Oktoberfest 2015 has officially kicked off in Munich:  "O'zapft is!"

The annual celebration is expected to bring six million visitors this year.

There is no more Bacchanalian festival in existence with perhaps Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  It's obviously my favorite holiday -- I have blogged at least 47 times about it.

Locally, Shreveport has joined the nation in forming their own version of Oktoberfest which will be Sunday, September 25 at Zocolo on Ashley Ridge.   It is $20 to purchase a buffet pass, but you don't have to pay just to get in.  If you plan on drinking, beer is $6.00; live music will be via Professor Pork Chop.

Steve and I will be attending the annual Oktoberfest festivities at Barksdale Air Force Base on October 2; this is a fundraiser for Operation Bright Star which brings airmen home for the holidays.  We have attended all seven years so far; this one makes eight.  We have the proud honor of being the first to come and the last to leave each year.

I was honored to win the costume contest two years but got robbed last year; an indignity I hope to remedy this year.

No, seriously, it's all in good fun and this is a celebration that gets better every year.

The food is great.

The beer is cold and plentiful.

And what better way to celebrate than partying with the men and women of our military?

And it's for a great cause.  Doesn't get any better than that. Tickets are available at the Barksdale Club.

Can't wait!

This might get you in the mood:

The Disabled American Veterans Sponsor Memorial Day Services at Greenwood Cemetery and a Surprise Guest Attends

Today is officially Memorial Day and despite cloudy skies with off and on rain the traditional Memorial Day observance at Greenwood Cemetery today went off as planned.

The speaker this year was retired Air Force Major Carroll Michaud who is very active in veterans affairs.

His message today was one that is near and dear to his heart:  Memorial Day is more than a three day weekend.  It is a day to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country.  He stated that it is important to observe Memorial Day on the traditional day designated rather than the Monday before.  "The meaning of the day gets lost" in cookouts and shopping sales, he explained.

Parkway High School AFJROTC participated in the ceremony with their presentation of colors, a violinist who played the national anthem, and they served as escorts during the wreath presentations.  There was also a flag folding ceremony.

There were many organizations present today to present wreaths; the turnout was excellent given the soggy conditions.  Our good friend retired Major Ron Chatelain was there to present for the Military Order of the Purple Heart:

Steve presented for the 40 & 8:

The Sons of the Confederacy wrapped up the ceremony with a rousing gun volley...

... and then the haunting notes of Taps was played over the graves of the fallen.

Making an appearance today was also Anna Judd, the young woman who is running across America to raise awareness for veterans' issues such as PTSD and the suicide rate which she says is twenty-two per day.  Anna says she runs about 33 miles per day; she started her journey in Venice Beach, California and she plans to end in New York at the Freedom Tower before her 30th birthday at the end of July.  She thanked the veterans in attendance for their service and posed for some photos with the Sons of the Confederacy:

And she took a photo with Steve and Ron:

After the ceremony she stayed to help the DAV pick up flags:

The rain held off for the ceremony today and started to pick up a little as it was all ending.

Please take a note from Major Michaud's speech today and take time to honor the fallen today on this traditional Memorial Day.

(The Shreveport Times photo gallery of the event is here.)

New Year's Eve in Shreveport 2014

I'm a bit slow on the annual "what to do for New Year's Eve" post, but let's give it a shot.  Here's a roundup of events in case you want to get out and celebrate after the Independence Bowl:

The American Legion Post 14 on beautiful Cross Lake will have their annual festivities from 8:00 - 1:00. Music will be provided by Dickie T and the Back When Band and your ticket includes appetizers. There will be a cash bar.  Tickets are $25 for singles, $30 for couples.

El Dorado Casino will have musical entertainment by Big Richard.  Their festivities feature a New Year's Eve showgirl with a 50 foot red carpet train attached to her dress.  The Allure Lounge will have silver clad showgirls.  Visit the casino site for prices and packages.

Sam's Town in Shreveport will feature zydeco legend  Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. in a free concert with party favors and champagne.  He takes the stage at 10:00.

The Moose Lodge on Industrial will host an Elvis tribute with Richard Cook.  There will be a cash bar and tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.  The fun begins at 9:00.  Call 688-6733 for more information.

The always awesome Robinson Film Center will hold its annual screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  The show begins at 10 but you'll want to make reservations for dinner at Abby Singer's Bistro where you can feast on prime rib, lobster mac and cheese, and grilled asparagus.  Top it off with a complimentary glass of champagne.  You'll need reservations so call 459-4125 to take care of that.

The Boot on Texas Street downtown is celebrating New Years AND helping a local animal rescue (Yogie and Friends).  They'll have karaoke and a raffle to enter a brand new Jager machine.  It begins at 7:00 p.m. and goes until 4:00 a.m.

Harrah's at Louisiana Downs hosts an annual party with DJ Love and cover band Miss Used.  There will be fireworks at midnight.

Fatty Arbuckles on the Clyde Fant Parkway downtown will host its annual New Year's Eve party with music by the Lackadasies, Engine, and Jacob Disedare.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.  You'll get a bottle of champagne upon entrance.

Diamond Jacks Casino has a free party with music by Elaw from 6 - 9, and Side FX from 9-1; free champagne and party favors.  It begins at 6:00.

Not into the club scene?  Go bowling instead.  Each year Holiday Lanes does intergalactic Glow in the Dark Bowling.  The evening includes unlimited bowling, a breakfast platter, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for age twelve and younger.

SciPort will host New Year's at Noon on Dec. 31; wear your PJs and watch the SciPort ball drop.  There will be a party hat contest, face painting, a Space Dome dance party, and lots of craft activities.  The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. and goes until about 2.  Admission is free with paid Center admission.

If you're here for the Advocare Independence Bowl, there are lots of great restaurants in the area to start your New Year's Eve evening after the game.  There are all the normal chain and franchise restaurants and fast food joints (most of them on the south end of Youree Drive) and many excellent local, independent restaurants.  Some of my favorites:

The Blind Tiger in downtown Shreveport is a popular local spot for great Louisiana cajun style food.

If you need to get your Mexican food fix on, you can't go wrong at Nicky's.  Nicky's has several locations (we prefer the one on Airline Drive.  Ask for Mirabelle to be your server!)  Nicky's is reasonably priced, consistently good, and has great cold draft beer in huge frosted glasses.

Herby K's is a local favorite and the shrimp buster is famous.  Again, cold beer, frosted glasses.  Very nice.

My favorite, and the place where you'll find me, is The Anvil Bar and Grill on Line Avenue.  Joe

Fertitta runs one of the best restaurants in town and has a long history of consistently excellent food and service.  At The Anvil you will find the freshest seafood and the finest steaks as well as excellent pasta dishes and burgers. Lennice Bolton will be singing in the bar, working his keyboard and guitar.  He'll sing Sam Cooke, B.B. King, and other mellow tunes.  Reservations are recommended.

Ernest's Orleans Restaurant is another local favorite, famous for their marinated crab claws.  Ernest's is located at the top of the hill as you enter downtown from the south.  Dez Duron will perform and Ernest's will have a Prix Fixe menu.  Reservations recommended.

Texas Roadhouse is a nice franchise with a very good, affordable steak.  It's located right off I20 on Gould Drive in Bossier City.

If Asian food is calling your name, Ming Garden on Shreveport-Barksdale Highway is an excellent choice.

If it's a burger that you crave, you can't go wrong at the newly opened Twisted Root on Line Avenue, near the Loop.  Twisted Root has a full bar, a lively atmosphere, and a variety of burgers (including game like venison or buffalo) and a pickle bar. I recommend the sweet potato chips.

Remember, don't drink and drive.  Get a designated driver or call a taxi.  Some local taxi services you might want to program into your phone:

Yellow Checker Cab:  425-7000
Action Taxi:  222-8294 (222-TAXI)
Casino Cabs:  425-3325
Four Aces Taxi:  632-0005

Stay safe and have fun!

Happy 2014!

It's a Wonderful Life at Robinson Film Center

I'm limping along to Christmas, y'all.  I've got the tree up but all the icicles aren't on there yet, and one string of lights at the top has gone out and I've done nothing about that.

I have made the fruitcake cookies and am planning to make mom's fudge.

I'm planning on getting through this first Christmas without my mom by starting some new traditions.  We've been invited to a Christmas party on Christmas Eve and I'm excited about that!

And how cool will it be to see one of my favorite Christmas movies at The Robinson Film Center on a Saturday afternoon with my husband!  We've got our tickets already and will go out and eat afterward.

After Christmas we will go visit the cutest grandson in Texas.

I think that's going to be my plan - at least for this year.  Some new traditions and some old....just keep swimming.

It Looks Like Gross Candied Fruit to You But It's Much More Than That

Can we please, please just skip over to January?
To you, this looks like a bunch of gross candied fruit.  To me, it's 45 years worth of memories of holiday memories with my mother.  To me, it represents hours sitting together chopping the sticky fruit into small pieces for fruitcake cookies.  To me, it's the days we spent in the warm kitchen baking pan after pan of cookies to have and share for the Christmas holidays.  To me, it's the day my godmother came into that kitchen for coffee one morning, and when she came back eight hours later for a "bee-yah" (beer, to most of us), we were still baking in hysterical laughter.

Two weeks ago when my local supermarket set up their Christmas baking aisle and I saw this fruit sitting there, my heart lurched and I had to catch my breath.  "Holy crap, where did that come from?" I thought.  I walked faster and brushed the tears out of my eyes, feeling like a plum idiot for bawling in the grocery store.

For the past several weeks, ever since the holiday commercials have starting running on t.v., I've been dreading Christmas.

I just can't do it.

I don't even know....I seriously don't think....I can even put up a tree.

When my dad died some twenty years ago, putting up the tree was therapeutic.  He went into the hospital right after Thanksgiving that year and died January 3.  It was an awful Christmas.  But working on the tree was an escape for me; hanging those damn icicles one by one on the tree took days.  And when it was finished, I'd sit in the dark living room with a glass of Crown Royal and gaze at the tree long into the night, praying he would not suffer and trying to figure out how in the world we would manage without him.  The tree was comforting.

This year there is just no reason.  My children are grown.  For multiple reasons, the annual Christmas gathering here won't happen.  Nobody is going to come this year; mom is gone.  She died in March.  I'd been at her side, daily for seven years taking care of her as she declined.  We were together every single day.  I was the one sibling who was here, who lived close by, who cancelled vacations, who put her own life on hold to take care of mom for seven years.  How can I possibly do Christmas without her?  Why bother with a tree?

I might put up some decorations.  I probably will.

But all those commercials with big happy families and sappy Christmas movies?  Screw it.  I'm not doing it this year.  It hurts too much.

But the fruitcake cookies?  That's my one small way to fight back.  I'm going to make the damn cookies.  I'll cry all the way through it, but I'll do it.  I'll make mom's fudge recipe, too, because there are still people I love who love to get my little Christmas care package each year.  Billy, Mary, Hattie: they'll be missing mom this year too, and I'll share a little bit of her with them in each fruitcake cookie and each piece of fudge I make.

But really, I'd rather just skip to January.  I'm totally not ready for this.

Veterans Day 2013 in Shreveport/Bossier

It's Veterans Day weekend:  read about the history of Veterans Day here.  And here.

Locally, there are many activities scheduled:

Saturday, November 9, is the annual Vets for Vets event at Riverpark Church on the Clyde Fant Parkway (old Hamels Park).  Steve and I attended this event last year and had a great time!  The motorcycle ride was quite impressive as all the bikes thundered out of the parking lot and down the Clyde Fant Parkway toward the Louisiana War Veterans Home and then to the VA.  Make plans to attend this family friendly event if you can.  It starts early, at 9:00 a.m., but you'll get to hear Robin Beach sing the National Anthem and that is certainly worth getting up early for!

Sunday, November 10, from 2:00 - 3:00, there will be a Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade at the State Fairgrounds.  There will be floats, local marching bands, ROTC drill teams, and various veterans organizations in a parade down the midway on this last day of the Louisiana State Fair.  The Parade Marshall will be Brigadier General Joanne Sheridan.  Parking and admission is free to veterans and their families.

Also on Sunday, November 10, immediately following the parade at the fairgrounds, there will be a ceremony at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club on Greenwood Road.  Veterans will be recognized and there will be some certificates of appreciation will be presented.  There will be music by the Shreveport Metropolitan Band, Airline High School Choir, and the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Monday, November 11, you can find events at various schools:

Caddo Magnet High School will have a ceremony at 10:20 in the school auditorium with speaker Claude Young, a Korean War veteran.

Captain Shreve High School will have a ceremony at 10:10 with guest speaker Maj. Johnathon Lloyd from the Louisiana National Guard.

Green Oaks will have a ceremony at 9:00 a.m. with speaker LaDaryl Franklin, professor of military science and Grambling University.

Parkway High School in Bossier will have a 9:00 ceremony which will include a live bald eagle and a re-presentation of the Air Force Cross to retired U.S. Air Force Col. George Finck.

Benton High School will have a 9:00 a.m. ceremony with speakers from BAFB and Global Strike Command.

Our own good friend Ron Chatelain will be guest speaker at the LSUS event around the flagpole at 11:00.  Maj. Ron Chatelain is the most decorated living Vietnam veteran in the state of Louisiana.  He served two tours in Vietnam, earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with a V and Oak Leaf Cluster, and five Purple Hearts.  He's also one heck of a nice guy.  He is pictured below (right) with Steve at last year's Vet for Vets event:

Various restaurants and business will be honoring vets with freebies so check this list from The Shreveport Times for those deals and other local school events.

Also, keep a watch out for the VFW who will be out selling poppies this weekend.  Help support their efforts and buy a bouquet!

Sources include
KTBS News
The Shreveport Times

Memorial Day Events in Shreveport 2013

More than just the start of summer, or an excuse for a bar-b-que, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who have fallen in defense of our country.

From History.com:

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United Statesfound itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.
For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday. 

We have a full schedule of events to attend this weekend, starting with a gathering of friends this evening for a backyard party (and we're hoping the rain holds off).

Tomorrow Hillcrest Memorial Park will hold its annual service with guest speaker retired Army Major Ron Chatelain.  Ron (below right) and wife Ann are friends of ours and are wonderful people.  He was presented the Distinguished Service Cross...

 ...for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Chatelain distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 June 1969 while serving as a forward observer in support of an ambush patrol engaged with an enemy force on the Bau Dieu Peninsula. After Captain Chatelain had directed fire on the hostile positions from his helicopter and had succeeded in silencing the enemy, his craft landed to take aboard casualties. Just as the aircraft set down, it was struck by rocket-propelled grenade fire. Despite his own wounds, Captain Chatelain immediately began helping the more seriously wounded crew members to safety. Organizing the remnant of the patrol into a defensive perimeter, he called in and adjusted gunship fire on the hostile positions. He then supervised the medical evacuation of his wounded comrades and directed his men to unleash a barrage of rifle fire on the enemy until a relief unit arrived. 

The services at Hillcrest are at 9:00 a.m.  Via The Shreveport Times:

The 36th annual Memorial Day service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Haughton will be at 9 a.m. Guest speaker is retired Army Major Ron Chatelain, Vietnam War veteran and, as holder of the Distiguished Service Cross and several other awards including five Purple Hearts, the most-decorated living resident veteran of Louisiana. The master of ceremonies will be retired U.S. Air Force Col. George Finck, a recipient of the Air Force Cross. Representatives of area veterans and fraternal organizations, as well as active duty, Guard and Reserve units and area Junior ROTCs will lay wreaths. The Veterans of Foreign Wars 12th District Honor Guard will render a triple-volley rifle salute and the playing of taps will close the service.

The Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery near Keithville will hold a service at 11:45.  There will be a procession by the Patriot Guard and retired Air Force Major Carroll Michaud will be master of ceremonies.

At the American Legion Post 14 on Cross Lake, Branch 98 of the Fleet Reserve Division will host the annual tossing of the memorial wreath into the waters of the lake.  Here's a photo from last year's ceremony:

Thursday, May 30, the Disabled American Veterans, among other groups, will host its annual ceremony in the Veterans section of Greenwood Cemetery in Shreveport off Stoner Ave.  It begins at 10:00 a.m. Steve and I tend the graves of several of the war dead there, including the Kelley brothers:

and Kenney Dean Chappell:

Around the web, I liked this story of a woman who has found a use for old flags that can no longer fly:

Susan Wells, who started the project, collects discarded and damaged U.S. flags and removes the stars. Each one is washed and pressed, then placed in a small bag with a note that reads: "I am part of our American flag that has flown over a home in the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten."

Now that's a neat project.

On a related note, we watched this documentary last night about The Ghost Army of WWII; it was fascinating.  Check it out.



Wherever you are, take a moment this weekend to remember the fallen.

Happy Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

This is my first Mother's Day without my mom and it'll be odd.  No trip to the plant store for a new hibiscus; no afternoon visit with a plate lunch, no box of Whitman's samplers.

But, I'm a mom, so it'll be a nice day, still!  My beautiful daughter is happy with a great family of her own and a new house, and my son made a 4.0 at the community college this semester.  There is much to celebrate, still.

I hope all you mothers out there have a wonderful day!

Have a Happy Easter Despite Google

Happy Easter!

Unless you live under a rock you will have heard (or seen) already about the Google choice today to honor Cesar Chavez rather than Easter.  I'm not going to reproduce the Google shot here; I prefer the bunnies playing baseball, an image from the NY public library.The web is aflame with outrage.

A sampling:

Ed Driscoll wonders:

I wonder if anyone at Google has read Miriam Pawel’s The Union of Their Dreams, or read Caitlin Flanagan’s 4500-word review of it in the Atlantic in 2011: “The Madness of Cesar Chavez: A new biography of the icon shows that saints should be judged guilty until proved innocent.” Read the whole thing. 

Read the Atlantic piece Driscoll links; it's interesting.

The Twitchy team notes that it is also Al Gore's birthday.  No doodle for the inventor of the internet?

Eric Mack has some Twitter reactions, including this one from Dana Perino:

Patterico notes that Google ignores most religious holidays.

Gulag Bound is outraged and switching to Bing:

Remember, Obama, the Department of Education and the Common Core Standards are teaching in our schools that Cesar Chavez is a “hero of the people.” Only if you are Marxist is this true. And now you see the U.S. government in true fascist style, place ideologues over faith. Every time I see pictures such as Cesar Chavez or more commonly Barack Obama’s arrogant visage, I see snapshots of Stalin, Mao, Lenin and Hitler in my mind’s eye. The faces have changed, but not the Google evil message.

I Hate the Media isn't surprised:

Frankly, we’re surprised they didn’t have a picture of Obama on the cross, ready to be resurrected so he can go play golf.

The American Conservative sees the Google Doodle as just another step in the desensitization of Christianity:

It’s a small thing, of course, but this kind of thing, accumulated, signals an intentional de-Christianization of our culture, and the creation of an intentional hostility to Christianity that will eventually cease to be latent, or minor. It cannot have been an accident that Google decided to honor a relatively obscure cultural figure instead of observing the most important Christian holiday, a day of enormous importance to an overwhelming number of people in the United States, and to an enormous number of people around the world.

Of course, the left thinks the outrage is ridiculous.  Naturally.

By the way, Bing has Easter eggs:

Happy Easter!

More reactions at Memeorandum.

Having a Merry Christmas and Dodging Germs

Merry Christmas!

Mr. SIGIS and I are all settled in for the evening and are awaiting the 24 hour marathon of  A Christmas Story.

I've got a turkey breast soaking in brine for tomorrow's dinner and the breakfast casserole is sitting in the fridge ready to go in the oven.

We did our family Christmas this past Saturday; my daughter and her husband drove over from Dallas with the new baby and we had a small gathering at my house.  Much smaller compared to last year's big shindig, but some of the family opted to stay in Dallas this year.  I boxed up their gifts and got them in the mail in time to arrive for Christmas.

I can't see my mom because her wing at The Glen is on quarantine due to a stomach virus outbreak.  It's hard not seeing her on Christmas but at least she got to see her great grandson before the outbreak!  Hopefully that will all clear up soon and I can get in to see her.

My college student is sick, too.  He came down with a flu-like virus that has him feeling like crud; we spent the morning at the doctor's office and he's now on bed rest.

I've invited my brother over for Christmas tomorrow; he couldn't attend our gathering Saturday because HE was sick!

Mr. SIGIS and I are washing our hands a lot, taking lots of vitamins.  We are hoping none of this crud hits us.

Meanwhile, here's hoping you are all having a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

Here's a cute video I found on Facebook - for the dog lovers:



Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving.

The start of the holiday season.  It comes with mixed feelings around here; I love the holidays but it's always sort of bittersweet, you know?  There are the memories of holidays past (both good and bad!) and inevitably things change. 

In our family we used to all gather at my mother's house...well, actually, at my grandmother's house before that.  Then, when Thanksgiving dinner got to be too much for my grandmother, we did it at mom's house.  We've always been a small family but mom always pulled out the sterling flatware and serving pieces, a white, starched tablecloth, candles, the whole nine yards. 

My grandfather would always bring a bottle of port.  The men folks watched football and when it was time, dad would carve the turkey with the electric knife (that's the only time of year we ever used the thing.) 

As a kid I always some little job or task to keep me occupied - something like filling the salt and pepper shakers or preparing the relish tray (celery, sweet gherkins, cocktail onions, olives). 

The extended family would come in from Dallas, and often after dinner family friends might drop by.  We ate around 1:00 and after dinner the women always lingered around the table over coffee and pecan pie while the men adjourned to the den for football. 

Almost always some crazy family foible would occur, like the time my grandfather went for a walk after dinner and got lost; he went to the wrong house.  We all were in a panic looking for him.  It was funny later, but not at the time.

Anyway, in more recent years as my own mother has become ill and unable to do the cooking, Thanksgiving has moved to my house (which ironically is the same house in which my grandmother lived, so it's sort of come full circle).  Nobody comes anymore, though.  the Dallas family saves their holiday trip for Christmas.  I always cook just for us, me, Steve, and my son John.  After we eat I always take a plate to mom. 

And like my mother, I pull out the nice dishes, the tablecloth, the candles.  I cook way more food than the three of us need.  But, it's hard to let go of those traditions, you know?

It will be a quiet holiday but one with lots of love and lots of food!  And new traditions are always liable to spring up when you least expect them.  This year my brother will be joining us, or at least, I've invited him.  And if we aren't too stuffed tomorrow evening, Steve and I are going to attend the Thanksgiving dinner at the American Legion to support those that don't have any family at all and try to help make a brighter holiday for them.

Holidays are always bittersweet for me as I remember the good times of the past, the people that are no longer with us, and the family that can't be here.  But there's so much to be thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and I hope you take the time to enjoy Thanksgiving.  Christmas will come soon enough.  One holiday at a time, please.

IPA Day 2012

Oh hoppy day!

It's IPA Day!

IPA Day was founded in 2011 to celebrate craft beers and the entire craft beer culture.  Read more about the founding of IPA Day here.

Via The Washington Post:

Today is a day to celebrate hoppy, citrusy, delicious India Pale Ales. Yes, this “holiday” is as contrived as National Cupcake Day or National Bosses Day. And no, it’s not as if the IPA -- or its cousin Double IPA -- is an endangered species, as a visit to any taphouse will demonstrate. But if National IPA Day is an excuse for bars to pull out some rare or fancy beer for us to sample, I’m all for it. 

New Jersey Online offers this list of IPAs for your consideration:

1. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA  

2. Founders Centennial IPA 

3. Flying Fish HopFish IPA 

4. Longtrail Double IPA (Brewmaster Series) 

5. Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA 

6. Kane Brewing Overhead Double IPA 

7. Green Flash West Coast IPA 

8. Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA 

9. Lagunitas IPA 

10. Tommyknocker Strike Black IPA 

The official IPA website offers this list of "the best IPA names":

1. Modus Hoperandi

1. Hoptical Illusion

1. Hops Of Wrath

1. Jack The RIPA

1. Ryediculous IPA

1. Trigger Hoppy

1. Third Eye P.A.

1. Boneshaker IPA

1. Hoppa Smurf

1. Yellow Snow IPA

What's not to love about a good, hoppy IPA?!

I've tried several IPAs (some of which I can't remember...) and my favorite is the Sam Adams Latitude 48 IPA.  Abita Jockamo is another great one.  Red Hook does an okay IPA, too.

Craft Beer offers ways you can participate in IPA day here and there are several Facebook pages devoted to the event.

"Hop" you get the chance to participate with a good cold one today!

Memorial Day Links 2012

It's been a memorable Memorial Day around SIGIS.

After talking about it and not doing anything about it for several years, Steve and I finally joined the Lowe-McFarlane American Legion Post 14 today.  We were headed out that way today for their "casting of the wreath" Memorial Day ceremony anyway, so we gathered our paperwork and went a little early and signed up.

The post was chartered in 1919 just six days after Congress granted the American Legion a national charter.  The post is housed on 11 acres on a beautiful point on Cross Lake and is very active in numerous service organizations.  I went ahead and signed up for the Auxiliary, too.

We got our paperwork done and then were given a tour of the facility.  There's a huge meeting room with a beautiful view of the lake and a "grand ballroom" upstairs with an even prettier view of the lake.  There's a fishing pier, lots of historical artifacts, a lounge with an outdoor patio, an RV park, a kids playground, a boat pier, and lots of really nice people.

The wreath ceremony was held on the point where a nice breeze kept the heat tolerable:

The ceremony included he tolling of the bell and a reading of the names of the fallen.

A few boats gathered at the point to participate.

Then the wreath was cast on the waters...

After the ceremony we adjourned to the lounge for a little while before heading home for smoked brisket and fresh veggies from our Coushatta trip this week.

The Shreveport Times has a nice photo gallery of the wreath ceremony.

A quick round-up of Memorial Day posts:

Goldfish and Clowns:

You see, my father was a soldier. He did not set out in life to be one, but the world dictated otherwise back in the satanic onyx days of the early 1940s, and so a soldier he became. He fought long and well in a different kind of battlefield than the soldiers slogging through the mud below. He was huddled in his radio operator’s station aboard a freezing B-29 over Japan, focused on the task at hand while thinking about the young bride waiting for him back home again in Indiana. 

 The Daley Gator has videos.

Legal Insurrection is remembering Lt. Roslyn Schulte.

Ed Driscoll points out that not everyone is moved by thoughts of the fallen on Memorial Day and cites the rhetoric of MSNBC's Chris Hayes as an example.

Pundette looks at some Medal of Honor citations.

Paco links to Rep. Alan West's remarks.

Pirate's Cove has the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Philadelphia.

Politicaljunkie Mom posts the now iconic photo of a grieving fiance and also shares the photographer's remarks.

Sippican Cottage has a beautiful post.

And, of course, Michelle Malkin has a link-filled lovely post.

Tomorrow the three day weekend is over and many will stow their flags in a closet until the next holiday - July 4, perhaps.  Meanwhile, brave Americans will continue to fight for our freedoms and serve with honor.

Never forget.

Ringing In the New Year With Sam

Happy New Year!

Mr. SIGIS and I are headed out for dinner (Asian) and then to our local hangout with friends for a bit.  We'll make it an early evening and get home before the crazies get on the road.  We like to be safe at home on New Year's Eve and there is plenty of Sam Adams in the fridge.

Happy New Year to my SIGIS readers and stay safe out there.  Here's to a prosperous 2012!

SIGIS Gets Restless

We got a little stir crazy yesterday and had to get out of the house.  As much as I loathe the Christmas traffic, we found a way around that:  there's not usually a lot of traffic in a cemetery.

Our first stop was the veterans section at the Greenwood Cemetery.  I've posted before about the Kelley brothers who are buried there, and we wanted to leave a Christmas wreath for them.  Regular readers will recall that Bose Kelley died on D-Day in France; his brother William died shortly after, in September.   For some reason, we've sort of 'adopted' them and leave flags on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and July 4. 

When we arrived someone had already been by with fresh flags for each and a little Christmas bouquet.  They must have surviving family here because there is always some remembrance on the graves regardless of the holiday. 

We left our wreaths anyway.

Steve has become intrigued with another soldier buried there:  Kenney Dean Chappell.  He was a Purple Heart recipient and died at the age of 20, apparently in Vietnam.  Just a kid.

We left him a Christmas cross and a flag. 

And I found this fellow:

...who died on Christmas Day, 1941.  Purple Heart.  We left a flag.

If I had enough time on my hands, money, and the crafty skills, I'd make a Christmas wreath for every soldier out there and place them every single year. 

From there, we went to investigate a couple of antique stores in town. 

I fell in love with this little dog and had to bring him home:

He just looked like he'd been loved once, a lot, by someone and needed a new home.  I'm a sucker for stuff like that.

I thought this dress was Christmasy and festive, but didn't spring the $165 for it:

"Vintage Victor Costa" the tag said.

I liked this cute milk glass plate:

And my jaw dropped when I saw the price on these Shiny Brite ornaments:

I know those things are collectible, but $50?  Seriously?! 

I found a cut crystal powder bowl with a sterling lid that happened to have my grandmother's name engraved on it, and I bought that. 

We finished off our day by coming home and watching Christmas Vacation which is funny every time I watch it! 

Our restlessness abated, we are settled in now for the holiday and I don't plan to emerge until sometime next week with the exception of my daily trip to my mom's.

Merry Christmas!