Remembering

Many of us have paid our respects today, in one form or another, to those who have served their country.

I always remember the boys that flew in Lancaster II LL637 EQ-P during WWII. To me they are family and despite never knowing them in person I know them quite well through my research. I feel very privileged to know them and through my research I will never forget them.

WWI however, I know little about, but that is slowly changing by volunteering my time at my local museum. We are busily working on a trench display, preparing for next year, when we look back 100 years.

Volunteering my time is great fun and I work with a wonderful bunch of people. Old and young come together when volunteering and I think that is an important part of remembering. There is always someone who can fill you in on a time well before your own and make it come alive through their own excitement of sharing their experiences. Often those older volunteers have been through quite a bit and have first hand knowledge of what wars are really like.

As we see the end of another Remembrance Day, I not only remember those that have fallen but those who live on and those who volunteer their time to help us make Remembrance special.

Thank you.

Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

I was inspired this week by the variety of lines and patterns I found just outside the house.

Weekly Photo Challenge: One Shot Two Ways

This isn’t exactly what I had in mind. Things have been really busy so I’m going with something quick and something that tells a little about what I have been up to this week.

I have been working on a wig. I couldn’t find what I wanted in the store so I got some yarn and started making one. The wig isn’t finished yet but I have so much to do between now and tomorrow night I can’t stop to show you everything! When the whole costume is done I’ll take some more pictures.

Update to the Curves Challenge

A while back I posted some photos of a tie purse under construction. Here is the finished purse for you to see. I think it turned out pretty good. I’m going to make some more and will give step by step instructions for anyone who wishes to make their own.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Nostalgic

The past few weeks have been rather busy and with the computer in for repairs I’m adding these challenges very late!

Recently I started making some costumes for an up coming evening out. I decided to make myself a Victorian/Edwardian style skirt. No, I didn’t use a pattern. I can however, if you want to know how to make your own, explain step by step how I made this skirt.

I really enjoy making stuff and this old style skirt brought out the nostalgic side of me. I don’t, however, enjoy sewing on all the snaps, hooks and eyes by hand! I’m still sewing them on…

I’ll post an update once the whole costume is done so you can see how it looks!

Inspiration

I was hoping over the last few days, as this day approached, to come up with something to say, but it still hasn’t come to me.

A friend suggested that perhaps I should write about the voices of history or the fact that on the doorstep of what is to be the sixty-ninth anniversary of the death of the crew of LL637, EQ-P, I have received more information which brings me another step closer to finding the final piece of the puzzle, the answer to their final moments. I tried writing about both today and it just didn’t gel.

With Norm, Larry, George, Bill, Bob, Jock, and Bud so vividly on my mind as always on such a day, I find myself looking at their photographs. I never tire of looking at these moments in time captured for eternity. Their lives were short but they made the most of every moment.

Perhaps that is the point, the boys are an inspiration. They inspire me to keep going when things are tough, to work hard, and to be a better person. They inspire me to make the most of every moment.

Background

Sixty-nine years ago, on the night of 15 March 1944, RAF Bomber Command detailed 863 bombers to bomb Stuttgart, Germany.

The bombers, typically manned by a seven man crew of young men between the ages of 19 and 30, headed out from their bases across England on a round trip that would take about seven hours.

Not all would return. This operation would see the loss of 37 bombers and around 260 men.

Attacked by German night-fighters or hit by flak, a few of these men would jump from their burning bombers and parachute to the ground, with help they would evade capture. Some, not so lucky, were found and taken as prisoners of war.

The vast majority simply never made it out of their aircraft. Some of those men disappeared as their aircraft exploded in the sky over Europe. The rest would be found dead, many of them badly burnt, among the wreckage of their Lancaster or Halifax bomber. This was the outcome for the boys of LL637, EQ-P.

Street Photography by Bill Jones Jr.: Now Showing on Pictures of Creative Minds

Gentleman Reader

The March exhibition of street photography by Bill Jones Jr. is now available for viewing on Pictures of Creative Minds at http://picturesofcreativeminds.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/the-street-photography-of-bill-jones-jr-a-complex-society/. Stop by and enjoy a look at the complexity of society in an urban environment.

Art Exhibition Invitation

My new blog, Pictures of creative minds (PCM) at http://picturesofcreativeminds.wordpress.com,  is now officially up and running!

This month is the first of what I hope to be many interesting and inspiring art exhibitions for your viewing pleasure.

I plan to promote one artist (photographer, painter, writer, or sculptor) per month.

If you know of an artist who would be interested in exhibiting their work on PCM, please leave an email at picturesofcreativeminds@hotmail.com or a link to the artist’s blog when you comment at PCM.

To kick off January 2013, PCM has a large selection of acrylic paintings by Mr. D. Burt from Ontario, Canada.

I hope you will take a look and continue to stop by, browse, and enjoy the many pleasures of some creative minds!

Sharing New Years Quotes

I have taken these various quotes from this blog: http://warnerwriting.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/hope-smiles-from-the-threshold/. I think they are worth sharing.

“I hope that this year to come, you make mistakes…Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes…Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do It. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” ~Neil Gaiman

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” ~Brad Paisley

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language – And next year’s words await another voice.”  ~T.S. Eliot

“Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look 10 years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.” ~A New Year’s Resolution by Ann Landers.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.” ~Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Tale of the Water

(Inspired by my Dad’s paintings, I wrote this poem. If you like his paintings please drop by my other blog, http://picturesofcreativeminds.wordpress.com, in January for his first web exhibition.)

Bubbling out from a spring high in the mountains, comes the water, cool and clear,

Rushing down a steep rocky lane, it dashes and sparkles in frothy spray,

Down through wilds it advances, pushing rocks and dirt in its path,

The steep slopes now are behind, departed, on winding, downward splash!

Sweeping under the footbridge up in the highlands, comes the water, fast and light,

Falling down narrow sloped rocks, it sprints and splatters midst rocky array.

Down to the waterfalls it splits, plunging over worn rocks to crash,

In the whirlpool below, wits jumbled, round churning, onward flash!

Skipping low tributary in the forest deep, comes the water, lithe and strong,

Cutting down the grooved forest floor, it batters and erodes the rocks away,

 

Down to the deep river it joins, roaring flow sounding like a lash,

Over the choppy rapids, tumbled fro, clothes washing, forward smash!

Flowing and winding river in the lands below, comes the water, dull and broad,

Roaming down the open expanse, it slackens and deposits silt to stay,

 

Down to the marshes it divides, straying finger-trails seek to pass,

The distant slopes but a dream, forgotten, and yawning, southward cache.

 

Trickling through the hollows hidden in woodlands, comes the water, hushed and sleek,

Sneaking down between grass and tree, it twines and whispers as if to pray,

 

Down to the thicket it passes, snaking round reeds like liquid glass,

Off to industry and homes, it travels, reaching, eastward amass.

 

Slapping over the mill wheel in the quaint hamlet, comes the water, fresh and free,

Rippling down the rocks on low, it glints and reflects the setting of day,

 

Down to peaceful lake it filters, calming, day ebbing, almost past,

Under ducks on the surface, so restful, the lapping; home at last!