A Bridge Too Far - History

September 1944. The Battle of Arnhem was one of the most audacious but ultimately controversial battles of the Second World War. Airborne drops in Holland were to secure important bridges on the route to taken by ground forces racing to gain a foothold across the Rhine. Had it succeeded it might have ended the war by Christmas 1944.

Arnhem: A Bridge Too Far the True Story follows the route of the 3 airborne divisions British 1st US 101st and 82nd and presents new insights into the operation called Market Garden. It also follows the 2nd Army in their drive up a single narrow road to relieve the beleaguered British airborne forces in Arnhem. Arnhem expert Brigadier Frank Steer MBE provides a completely new and unique tour of the battlefield and the drama that unfolded in the epic days of the battle.

A Bridge Too Far: Part 1 of 9

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9 of 9

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

What a difference a year makes... last year we were waiting on a possible hurricane!  Here's last year's post. Not this year, Thank God!  Although it is 80 degrees right now, it's cloudy and a breeze from the north, so I have the windows open.  I love days when I can open the windows.  

It's also a time that I will remember my Great Uncle Joe who died by a sniper after getting his men safely across the river.  A book and movie were made about the battle:  A Bridge Too Far.   I have a great respect for those who serve our country and their families.  I remember my mother saying repeatedly, a soldiers family is never the same after losing them in the war.

S / Sgt   Joseph J. Butler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Killed in Action Oct.3, 1944

26 years old

My weekend will be quiet... still have work to do around here.  I'll look to see if I can watch the movie on my laptop and keep checking PBS for The Ghost Army.  My Nephew (in-law's) Grandfather was a part of this and I keep missing the rebroadcast.

Remember what this holiday is truly about as you barbq, party, do what ever you do, by raising the flag, saying a silent prayer for all our troops past and present and that God will Bless them all and their families.

freedom isn't free

all gave some, some gave all.

Looking back.... outside.

Sometimes I have to and sometimes it's good, to look back at where I  started and where I've gotten to so far.  Then I can see I have accomplished something and encouraged to keep on plugging away.

 

There was basically nothing growing but weeds and they grew very well!   The hitch that should have come off within 5 days of sitting it there, was such an eye sore...rusted and peeling.  Anything I did try to plant there either didn't grow or the man from the park that mowed, mowed or weed whacked the flowers down.

Finally the front turned into this:

You can read about it here:  My Beach Front.  More changes have been made.

WOW! It's been awhile!!

WOW!

I just saw how much of a while it has been... and I have been busy and doing one thing after the other and  allot is still not done.  Some things are done for now and I hope you follow along on Facebook to keep up with the zigs and zags.

Sometimes one thing leads to another, sometimes money gets in the way, sometimes my physical limitations get in the way or slow me down but there is always and still plenty to do....

I have taken on projects that I NEVER dreamed I would!  Living on my own and a limited income is not a dream when hiring someone to do the work...even when they say they will...so what's a woman to do?  DO IT YOURSELF!!!  And I have been.  I decided to write specific posts on the things I've done and completed, with the good, bad and the ugly.  I live in a mobile home, and let me tell you:  I love it BUT it is nothing like a house!  Wait till you  see and I explain as I go along...  I figure that I will win the lottery AFTER I finish everything!

OK so here is what's been going on is:

• Replaced the hot water heater element after waiting about 6 months for a man to do it!  Every time I asked, he said he forgot...even in Florida, cool showers get boring! IT WAS EASY!! 
• Replaced the hall floor with my own Boardwalk!
• Took down the inside wall in a room and took a wall down completely.
• Rewire (?) a hall light and move wiring.
• Lay down a plywood floor and stained; painting an area rug on top.
• Stained walls to match floor, hung a cabinet above the washer and dryer, painting mural on the hall wall(s).

These things are coming up next:

• Taking out the electric heater and making  a linen closet;
• Replacing a section of ceiling where I ripped it up looking for a leak!
• Taking down the 2 cabinets above the bar between the living room and kitchen.
• Hanging a bamboo ceiling in the living room.
• Lay a new floor in the kitchen.
• Enclose the patio with lattice.
• Never ending landscaping!
• Paint outside.
• Finish painting my shed.

You know as well as I do, the list goes on and on....

To "Teacher" ... With Love!

"To Sir, With Love" - LuLu


I have always, always, always wanted to do something creative.  In 1979 I started a business, got pregnant and closed the business {Fashion Odyssey - another journey!?}  to be a stay at home Mom.  Then life happened while I was busy making other plans (John Lennon)  Beautiful Boy

And life keeps happening...

Without all the gory  details...it wasn't very long ago that I found myself in a very dark place...I knew I didn't want to be there, I just got stuck.  It took a while to get unstuck and it was work.  I've been a survivor, even when I didn't want to be, but I dug deep to find those survival skills once again.

When I moved to Florida, Facebook became a means of staying in touch with family and friends and after LNT closed, it was a means of  networking, playing games and being there to encourage each other.  But then I surfed and I found many pages that inspired me, made me think in a different direction...I can't tell you what direction I was going but a new journey was beginning.  In February (2012) I started my blog and a companion Facebook page.  It was just going to be about DIY things around my home, decorating and learning to garden in Florida so my plants didn't die.

I wish I could remember when my journey began with the Facebook page, Paintin Place Decorative Art Studio, but I am so thankful that I did.  I am going to be very honest here.  There are a lot of wonderful pages on FB and the web.  They all have places for comments BUT if you ask a question, answers are not usually readily forthcoming.  For the most part, you get ignored.  Sherry holds back nothing... she is so willing to share her knowledge and if you haven't, you should follow her as 2013 is HERE WE GROW!  You can find her Facebook page here.

To get me started, she shared her information so I could get my feet wet at a local craft fair here.  I didn't do as well for Christmas with tropical signs and paintings but did have a few sales and have gotten orders since and an order for 10 tropical key holders for a snow bird's departure.  We have even talked about selling my work in her studio!  I am very excited about that BUT...

I am getting ready for my "here we grow" by clearing out a spare room, putting down a new floor and will be making that into my new ART STUDIO!  When I grow up I want to be a mini Ms. Pat just like my teacher, Ms. Sherry!!  My problem is that I can only do a little at a time, financially and physically, so everything is still in the works.

Sometimes a song can take you back to another time and place but sometimes that same song takes on a totally different meaning like: You're simply the best... I hang on to every brush stroke you make!

2013....HERE WE GROW!!!   and I am so COMING OUT OF THE DARK!!

Moving right along...

For those who follow and those who just stop by, it has been a very busy few months!  To get a better idea of what I've been doing, I hope you'll follow me on Facebook: Journey's End...

Meanwhile, I think this is how it's been going:

• had to rip up hall floor and replaced with Arkansas Pine boards stained with 2 different 'Driftwood' colored stains... I LOVE IT!
• then, I discovered a leak from the roof through the ceiling dripping on my new floor!!  damn!!
• tried to find leak, had the roof re-sealed, and before I repair the ceiling in 2 spots, I'm praying it is fixed.
• once I got the hall and washer and dryer re-situated it was time to empty the spare room, which had become the dumping room.  That was crazy!
• I took the wall down going into that room; laid plywood down for the floor; stained it the lighter driftwood color; and I'm currently throwing out, sorting, organizing, putting away, so I can have a workable space for an office and studio.
• Meanwhile, I also started a beach scene mural down the entire hallway and a souvenir map on the left wall left (closet on other side)  These still need more work.

And this is what I have to do:

• Finish sorting and putting away and call the SPCA Thrift Store for a pick up of my useless things; 
• Finish the murals;
• Paint an area rug on the floor;
• Do SOMETHING with a small section of hall floor;
• Finish yard clean up;
• Paint outside;
•  Paint a house-name sign for someone!

get my groove back to painting pictures and open an on-line store ....

We are getting into our HOT season so anything to do with outside has to do with working around the heat.  I just wanted you to know that I didn't forget about you but I've been very busy!!

Hoping all is well with you!!