Somber Thoughts

I was going to share a war sonnet I wrote in High School, circa March 3, 2000 while in ceramics.  Typed the whole thing out, after searching through folders and papers to find it, only to delete what was written.  During ceramics I didn't have to work on the potters wheel, as I had cut my finger the period before while making book covers as a library aid.  It's a sonnet of a fallen soldier dying on the battlefield.  After starring at the screen, reading over the lines, it didn't seem right to share it

Memorial Day is a day to honor the brave who have fallen in war.  Veterans Day is for those who once served, but are no longer in the armed forces.  Whereas Armed Forces Day are for those still serving.

Those who cry from the dust cannot hear our thanks.  I pray they are at peace now.  We celebrate them, but do they see?  I hope so.  My belief in an afterlife is strong, but we only get glimpses on this side of the veil.  Those who pass do see and love us still.  And I'd like to think our ancestors are aware of us and cheering us on.  Loving and giving us support, even when we can't see or feel them, during moments when we get too caught up in this world.

To those who have served and passed, I don't understand everything between heaven and Earth, but in this little prayer I give thanks.  Thank you for your bravery.  Thank you for your sacrifice.  For your courage.  Thank you for answering the call and standing up for what is right.  Thank you for the freedoms I now enjoy and pray will never die.  Thank you.

We have so much to be thankful for.  We take so much for granted.  Those who have lived short lives gave us far more than we can ever comprehend.  What are we doing?  What have we learned?

Sarah

Where Flowers Lay: An Original Poem

Where Flowers Lay

On the last Monday in the month of May,

Rows of flowers on graves do lay,

Rows and rows of colors frayed,

Reminding all this solemn day.  

Reminding all of lives once lived,

A sacrifice they choose to give,

A Freedoms breath that we may live

Without the horror, the combative.

What lives were lost?

 I want to know.

What were your dreams?

 How did you grow?

Names on crosses line the field.

Names that many will never kneel.

But on this day I humbly yield,

and honor those with courage zeal.

Thanks to those where flowers lay.

Thanks to those in quiet graves.

In memory sweet reverence, pray.

We remember this Memorial Day.

By Sarah Stufflebeam

24 hour Day at Disneyland + New Price Increase

It's memorial weekend!  And thus starts the Summer festivities . . .

A couple weeks ago when I was at Disneyland, someone pointed out to me the hours for the 23rd, today.

6am on 05-23-2014 to 6am on 05-24-2014.

24 full hours.

According to the Disneyland website: "Whether you make your way to the Theme Parks of Disneyland Resort in California or find yourself at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you're sure to enjoy a memory-making day and night that will go down in history as 'wicked fun for everyone.'  So come as a prince, princess or pirate; a monster, a mermaid or even a Mad Hatter—whatever rocks your Disney Side."

Adults will be able to dress up as a Disney character, provided they "may not pose for pictures or sign autographs."  This never happens.  Adults are typically prohibited from dressing up.

 There's swing dancing in Disneyland from 1:15 am to 1:55 am.  And there's going to be a World of Color presentation in California Adventure at 3:00 am tomorrow morning.

I wonder if anyone will actually try a full 24 hours at Disneyland.  A couple weeks ago I managed a full 16 1/2 hour day, 8:30 am to 1:00 am, and barely handled it!  It was fun but tiring, and my feet were swollen!  Makes me feel old :p

Oh, and prices, without warning, increased on May 18, 2014, in preparation for Memorial weekend.

I posted this picture on my Facebook page September 1st, 2008, about five years eight months ago.  The caption read "Proof that Disneyland is getting freaking expensive. We got the 1-day Park Hopper."  The park hopper was $94, $2 cheaper then the regular 1-Day 1-Park price is now.  A single-park single-day was only $69!!!!  That seems cheap now.

Now a single-day single-park ticket is $96.  And if you want a single-day park hopper ticket, that's going to cost you a whopping $150.

Pretty soon it's going to become impossible for families to enjoy the magic Kingdom.

If you purchase multiple day tickets the prices become more affordable, but it's still really expensive.

That aside.  A full 24 hours at Disneyland?  That's crazy.

I wonder if anyone will pull it off.