Monday, November 26, 2012

Hello Again From East Texas . . .

A soldier and his dog by bandstalker
A soldier and his dog, a photo by bandstalker on Flickr.
For about four years now, we have been sending a letter each month to update our Troops who are serving our country. A letter goes into each box that is sent. The boxes contain various items that Troops can really use including toiletries, playing cards, cookies, canned goods and other requested items.

This week, we were told there are only 15 boxes going next month.

So, for four years, I have started each letter with,

"Hello Again From East Texas" and have signed it with "Blessings from The Suttons".

What did I write about? Well, I tried to look ahead because the letter would be received in about 3 to 4 weeks from when I took it to the Legion where they packed the boxes. I told them a little about what was happening back home and how everyone was missing them. Because I am keen on dogs, I envisioned that many of these people had left in addition to family, a dog behind.

So, I put comic strips across the top and bottom. Always, there was a Mutts strip and often Red and Rover. Sometimes there was a picture of our dog, Buddy.

So, even though there are just a few men and women still deployed from our area, I did that letter today and we took it to where they assemble the boxes.

Once, they were advised that some British soldiers were with our Troops and we were asked to find some English items. They told me because we Canadians should know approximately what an Englishman might like. I cannot remember exactly what we found - Peak Freen cookies, and Coleman dried mustard - I recall those.

At Christmas and New Years, we inserted the words to songs they would all remember . . . Blue Christmas (Elvis) and some others they would all know.

I am writing this blog today because even though I am glad our Troops are almost all home, I am a little sad.

I think we are generally sad when a routine comes to an end.

Many times, a note has been forwarded to us where a soldier has mentioned "The Suttons" letter. Sometimes, we have been invited to go over for a visit when a Soldier was on leave. Their families were with them and it was not unusual to see a father in the hall crying.

So, this is just about over, writing these Troop Letters each month. It is super everybody will be home, and we hope they adjust well to being back here. But it is a little sad to be finished that project.

God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

I Voted. Have you? Did You Remember It's A Secret Ballot?

I Voted.  Have you? by Rocks In Her Head
I Voted. Have you?, a photo by Rocks In Her Head on Flickr.
Well, Election Day is just about here. Yes, I have voted. I voted last week. If you have not yet voted, make sure you know where you have to go and check the sample ballot in your newspaper. Then get out and vote!

I think it is supposed to be a secret ballot but you would never know it from all the comments - particularly on Facebook. 

I am a dual citizen - Canadian and American. I worked hard to get that status and am proud of it. 

Facebook: what can we say about Facebook that we do not already know? People make all manner of comments and many of them can be hurtful. 

I like Facebook because it lets me keep in touch with people in the Dog Fancy, my Canadian friends and the few relatives I still have. I can see pictures of my favorite children just about every day and see how they are growing and changing. I can get news feed and weather very current. 

I can repost lost dogs and help them get back home. I can help shelter dogs find wonderful new homes. I have one friend who drove 40 miles to pick-up a dog called Gypsy and give her a great new home.  I have met Gypsy and she is my friend too . . . of course, I did take her a box of Milkbone biscuits. 

I have seen a lot of posts . . . some of them factual, some just plain rotten . . . about this election. 

So, that is Freedom of Speech . . . or is it inconsiderate, rude, ugly?

Please do vote. That is your RIGHT! It is also your right to vote for whomever you please. Yes, please do vote!

. . . and please vote for whomever you wish. 

And . . . remember, if you invite me over to see your new dog, I will probably bring a box of treats for him or her. 

Yes. Yes. The dog part of this blog is not related to the Election. Think about it. Your dog just plain loves you. He may even love me. Dogs do not vote. That might be a shame because they would be a little kinder about it . . .