As
you read this I am basking on a small island in the Caribbean, celebrating “birthday
week”.
This getaway marks more than just
a vacation. For the many years I worked
in corporate sales it was understood no vacation days were granted in October,
November, or December. Instead, we were
to be in our sales territory doing whatever it took to ensure healthy Christmas
sales. Best
case scenario; every few years my ‘lucky 13’ birthday would fall around the
Remembrance Day stat and I would get a long weekend. After giving my notice last year in order to
write full time I can now go away whenever I feel like it. I love being my own boss.
Today
at 11 am will be no different from past years as I bow my head and observe a
moment of silence in remembrance for the men and women who have served, and
continue to serve our country.
November
11th is the day the Commonwealth nations chose, because the First World War ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the
11th month. Other countries
have selected different dates and different names to pay respect to their
forces. In the US it is observed on this
same date as Veteran’s Day. I remember my
Grandmother always referred to this day Armistice. As kids we called it “Poppy
Day”, because we bought a poppy made by veterans to pin on our lapel.
I was surprised to learn not all Canadian provinces have today earmarked as a
statutory holiday. If you are reading
this in Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario or Quebec, you are likely heading off to
work or school.
In
recent years as I attended the service at the war memorial, I have been
heartened to notice that the crowd is growing each year. And while there are noticeably fewer veterans
from the First World War still with us, the memory of their sacrifice is being
carried on by younger generations. It
makes me proud.
It
also makes me proud to have time to write more books and bring more stories
into the lives of my readers. A huge
shout out to readers who buy my books, leave reviews and drop me an email. It means more than you will ever know.
My new series, Secret Seductions isn’t for
everyone. As the name suggests these books are extremely evocative and sexual. If you
enjoy a heated, sexy romance where the intimacy plays an integral part in the
character’s life lesson, you can check it out here.
And here. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZBL5271
This
month is about life lessons. I know mine
is “patience”. I loathe waiting in line-ups,
detest traffic lights, and am not terribly gracious when scheduled appointments
don’t run on time. And while practicing patience should be easier now that
I’m not driving around making sales calls all day on a tight schedule, the telephone has added to my frustration with the
invention of automated service. I don't appreciate having a computer tell me which buttons to push
before I am eventually put on hold with some terrible music or ads to listen to, when I
just want to talk to a real person!
At
any rate, I am blessed to be inspired by a partner who was gifted with an
abundance of patience. He sets a great
example for me follow. He’s also a huge
supporter of our veterans and wears his poppy proudly. Today it looks especially nice on his bathing
suit.
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Thank you to all the men and women who have served their country, especially my dad and father-in-law! We appreciate your sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteKari, so heartening for me that the young gens get it!
DeleteKathleen, I can picture you on the beach. Enjoy your well earned vacations and think up more stories for your readers. Am happy to hear about your partner! Have fun, both of you.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say, Nora, is that it is dream here in real time. And the muse is fully appreciative.
DeleteBeautiful covers Kathleen. And a lovely post. My SIL is a veteran and what he experienced is always there...under the day to day. We should never forget that it can happen again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie. Our own Roberta gets cover credit. And yes service to our country is something no one should dismiss.
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely post for today. Thank you. I wish I had grown up with the practice of pinning poppies to our clothes. It sounds very nice. Thank you for sharing your books, too and your life lesson. Patience is a problem for me, too.
ReplyDeleteI try, Kara, honestly I do. I wonder if it's something we're born with and I missed out.
ReplyDeleteThis IS a lovely post, Kathleen. Honoring all those who served is so important. My parents called it Armistice Day, too. I had no idea about the 11:11:11. That's a WOW! Enjoy your beach time with your fella. It's spitting snow where I am today. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn. Such a treat to have a sunny birthday. Sorry about the snow.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Kathleen. When I was growing up, my grandfather called Veterans Day Armistice Day. We all bought a poppy too. It's been years since I've seen anyone selling poppies on Veterans Day.
ReplyDeletethanks for remembering those who serve
ReplyDelete