Magical Moment 47, "My Albums of Memories"

When we moved from our 4-bedroom house with storage space, closets, washer/dryer, yard, and cabinets into a tiny apartment with none of the above, I had to get rid of a lot of stuff. I sorted through, item by item, letting go of things I kept with me for years for no real reason. One of the more difficult things to say farewell to was over half of my record collection. All of my music is now on my computer and ipod and I realized that I scarcely, if ever, listened to records anymore. Furthermore, many of them were scratched or broken and they take up a lot of room.

While doing housework yesterday, I decided to dig out and listen to the records that “made the cut.” I soon found it very interesting that those who know me the best could probably guess every single album I kept. Because they’re my influences, they’ve become part of who I am, and each one holds a memory that is to me, as clear and vivid as a color photograph.

First I listened to my favorite record, autographed by the man himself, Randy Travis (pause for swooning). Charlie Rich, Johnny Horton, and the Statler Brothers all represent my undying love for classic country. My family will tell you, I probably know more useless trivia about classic country songs and artists than anyone else – old or young (thanks to Rick Jackson’s Country Hall of Fame radio show!).

I’ve got SSG Barry Sadler singing the Ballad of the Green Beret, among other military focused songs. I purchased this my first year in ROTC as a wide-eyed, idealistic cadet burning with an obsessive fire for all things military.

I found the “Terms of Endearment” soundtrack, which I’ve mentioned several times that both my grandparents were in the movie. Shirley McClain even scowled at my grandpa, thank you very much.

I’ve got My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, and Fiddler on the Roof. Still love musicals. I’ve got Nat King Cole, The Best of Glenn Miller, Elvis, Gershwin, Sinatra, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. Thanks for teaching me those standards. They sure got me a lot of tips in my day.

Before I played each one, I cleaned it with a soft cloth and some very old record cleaner I thought I had trashed years ago. Goodness knows the last time they were wiped down properly. I put each one back in their cardboard case with care and they’re now displayed for all to see in a prominent position on my living room bookshelf.

I wished I could go to Wal-Mart and by a frame so that I could nail them to the wall like my other memories. Or that I could chronilogically organize them and stuff them into a leather bound book for people to look through when they come over. But it felt good to get the dust off them and remember why I bought them, why I kept them, and why I still listen to them. I hope I never forget. After all, that’s why we have albums, to remember.

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do not endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty. And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-

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