tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post788201591079601636..comments2024-03-29T08:29:20.833+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Lest We Forget – Remembrance Day with its Two Minutes Silence at 11.00amHilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65185649054570716762011-11-18T14:20:23.913+00:002011-11-18T14:20:23.913+00:00Hi Theresa .. it's the 'same' as your ...Hi Theresa .. it's the 'same' as your Veterans' Day' ... <br /><br />John Macrae's poem is very evocative isn't it .. and poppies are just so beautiful in their ephemeral state, with their everlasting seeds .. <br /><br />Glad you enjoyed the post - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37387425568967118072011-11-18T13:46:26.245+00:002011-11-18T13:46:26.245+00:00I'm sorry I missed it.
What a powerful poem. ...I'm sorry I missed it.<br /><br />What a powerful poem. I love using the poppies as a symbol. Thanks for sharing this information.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-82031071574676173802011-11-18T08:03:21.715+00:002011-11-18T08:03:21.715+00:00Hi Amy - thanks so much for this comment - you are...Hi Amy - thanks so much for this comment - you are so right about the tenderness of the human spirit versus the horror of that war in particular - the trenches must have been monstrous.<br /><br />Interesting re Lady Nora Montague .. this village was taken by the Normans ..and kept its name .. though Shepton for sheep was added .. as names described places or people.<br /><br />Shepton Montague sounds as though it has an interesting history ..<br /><br />However your 'Lady' too sounds as though she had a great deal of character .. someone you'll never forget ... <br /><br />Thanks for coming by .. and adding to the conversation .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-45472789383500930492011-11-18T00:48:45.140+00:002011-11-18T00:48:45.140+00:00The tenderness of the human spirit. Imagine men, ...The tenderness of the human spirit. Imagine men, in that scene of horror, taking time to press a flower! The contrast is heartbreaking. <br /><br />Hmmm...years ago (early 1970s) I had a client in Edmonton by the name of Lady Nora Montague. Do you think she may have come from the family so noted? <br /><br />We had to be very careful with her. She would forget that we'd given her cash which she would put in her purse. She'd get in her chauffeur-driven car, then pop out with great pomp and roar in to accuse us of forgetting to give her the money. We'd quietly ask her to look in the compartment into which we had carefully observed her placing the bills.amy@ Souldipperhttp://souldipper.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-40251356412662699572011-11-17T16:02:46.987+00:002011-11-17T16:02:46.987+00:00H Slam Dunks .. no worries - I'm pleased I pos...H Slam Dunks .. no worries - I'm pleased I posted that poem .. it resonates so well .. <br /><br />I'm just amazed that journals and poppies keep appearing - giving us yet other insights into a very difficult War ... <br /><br />Good to see you - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57735068124365725202011-11-17T14:45:47.603+00:002011-11-17T14:45:47.603+00:00Excellent tribute Hilary--and sorry I am late.
I ...Excellent tribute Hilary--and sorry I am late.<br /><br />I have not heard the "In Flanders fields..." poem in a long time. Thanks for sharing.Slamdunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087161268629251860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-33555286065277020302011-11-16T13:49:34.723+00:002011-11-16T13:49:34.723+00:00Hi Deborah - I agree .. we probably should all rea...Hi Deborah - I agree .. we probably should all read that book .. and especially the young of today - to realise how some lived for those years (conditions, rations, lack of water at times etc etc) .. but could see the beauty.<br /><br />It was incredible that true story about the Christmas Day ceasefire .. fascinating to see as a documentary film.<br /><br />They certainly set us a lesson and a standard to live up to .. very interesting to read about both your grandfathers and I'm so pleased they survived and lived to ripe old ages - good to know.<br /><br />Many thanks Deborah for commenting - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79787571748771633322011-11-16T12:52:34.063+00:002011-11-16T12:52:34.063+00:00Another inspiring post Hilary - I feel I must rea...Another inspiring post Hilary - I feel I must read that book. My grandfather fought in the Battle of the Somme, as did my husband's grandfather. (The latter lied about his age and joined up when he was only fifteen) We often wonder if they ever met. Both survived and lived to ripe old ages. My grandfather used to talk of the Christmas Day ceasefire and how they swapped gifts and played football with the enemy. It sounded like a fairy tale yet now we know it to be true. Thank you for this Hilary!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-9136325024636495132011-11-16T07:53:53.919+00:002011-11-16T07:53:53.919+00:00Hi Sara .. good to see you - there have been many ...Hi Sara .. good to see you - there have been many stories of bloggers family members - and it is interesting to read about. Thank you for letting us know about your father and brother .. it certainly does seem to be a trait of post-war .. you put the ghastliness of it behind you .. and 'forget' ... <br /><br />Perhaps dying for your country in a field ... where the poppies will grow each year - is a peaceful place to be ... always remembered.<br /><br />The appallingness of War must be terrible, but the camaraderie something else to be remembered. There are still personal histories being told - though we had the last of our WW1 veterans last year .. there were none this year.<br /><br />Thanks Sara .. and for your comment with its interesting points .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-67583698219927011202011-11-15T22:24:21.392+00:002011-11-15T22:24:21.392+00:00Thanks for this post. I came from another site rem...Thanks for this post. I came from another site reminding us about the meaning of Veteran's Day here in the States. <br /><br />I loved the story about poppies and how soldiers saved them. It's sad that a beautiful field of poppies, like the picture you show, can become a place of death. <br /><br />My dad was a surgeon in WWII. He served in Iwo Jima. My brother was in Viet Nam. Neither men talk about what they experienced. <br /><br />Wars have a way of silencing everyone, don't they?Sarahttp://www.sarahealy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-47332494749644136072011-11-15T16:03:47.869+00:002011-11-15T16:03:47.869+00:00Hi Talli .. Blogger lost my comment!
I don't ...Hi Talli .. Blogger lost my comment!<br /><br />I don't think I'd come across the poem properly before .. so I really wanted to post it here. It is a very moving poem with some wonderful words - even more remarkable that he survived.<br /><br />I loved the details for the children's book in Scarlett's comment above and the details I gave in the reply. <br /><br />I can understand your eyes welling up - memories at that age, seem to stick with us so much and affect us for years to come. We had Jerusalem as our anthem at school .. it's a bit over-egged now! - but it can bring tears to my eyes too ..<br /><br />Thanks for your memories of primary school .. and Canadian home times .. Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-14930550521371389652011-11-15T14:38:31.495+00:002011-11-15T14:38:31.495+00:00Thank you, Hilary -- and for including one of the ...Thank you, Hilary -- and for including one of the most poignant poems I've ever read. My eyes always well up when I hear it; as a Canadian, we had to memorise it in primary school.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80303221327224287122011-11-15T07:38:28.082+00:002011-11-15T07:38:28.082+00:00@ Ron - many thanks for coming by .. this time of ...@ Ron - many thanks for coming by .. this time of year it is essential for us to remember - as many of us do. You too have a good week.<br /><br />@ Madeleine - Buying poppies from or collecting for the British Royal Legion - is a part of our custom here in the UK. I don't have a metal pin poppy badge though ... Happy Birthday little brother ..<br /><br />I hope your short story sees the light of day and is successfully received.<br /><br />I did see most of that programme about art therapy .. it was very interesting - well worth watching. So the artists (Len Smith and Cecil Roughton) were releasing their creativity even in their darkest hour ... and I'm sure it helped them through those times. <br /><br />Thanks Madeleine for mentioning the programme: BBC2's art-heroes-culture-show-special<br /><br />@ Scarlett - thank you for the information on the children's teaching aid .. The Story of the Poem "In Flanders Fields" by Linda Granfield (author) and Janet Wilson (illustrator) ... <br /><br />The book's description says: "The lines of the celebrated poem are interwoven with fascinating information about the First World War, details of daily life in the trenches, accounts of McCrae's experience in his field hospital, and the circumstances that led to the writing of "In Flanders Fields." "<br /><br />Thanks Scarlett - could be a very good teaching aid .. hospital, WW1, poetry, daily life on the front .. etc etc <br /><br />Great seeing you all here - thank you .. have a good week .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15599601297469622172011-11-15T03:20:01.072+00:002011-11-15T03:20:01.072+00:00Such a heart felt momento...a simple pressed flowe...Such a heart felt momento...a simple pressed flower carries so much meaning and history, I love hearing about these. There's a wonderful children's book I just want to mention if anyone is interested in passing this history along to the younger generations... "In Flander's Fields" by Wilson/Granfield, very well done and presented for young readers. <br />Thanks,Hilary!<br />~ScarlettScarlett Clayhttp://bluepurpleandscarlett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-74978665048105011462011-11-14T20:35:45.607+00:002011-11-14T20:35:45.607+00:00What a lovely collection of poppies each with hist...What a lovely collection of poppies each with history of their own & varied stories to tell. <br />We always buy poppies and I also have a metal pin badge poppy.<br /><br />My brother was born on 11th November.<br /><br />I wrote a short story about a soldier and his girlfriend, which is awaiting the correct venue to be published.<br /><br />Did you see that fascinating programme about art therapy for soldiers suffering from PTSD and how it has helped those who have suffered the condition for decades.<br />http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/art-heroes-culture-show-special-bbc-twoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1921528602961313622011-11-14T20:16:09.077+00:002011-11-14T20:16:09.077+00:00Amen! A great post Hilary. May God bless and prote...Amen! A great post Hilary. May God bless and protect our military men and women.<br /><br />Thanks for your recent comment on<a href="http://theoldgeezerblog.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> My Blog</a><br /><br />Take care and have a wonderful week :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84680665919114614022011-11-14T17:53:38.376+00:002011-11-14T17:53:38.376+00:00Hi Stephen .. I've never heard of melting cray...Hi Stephen .. I've never heard of melting crayon shavings to give a backdrop .. but a very obvious thing to do - must have made your art work different. We must have pressed flowers - but obviously I don't think we were very successful!<br /><br />Good for you - for wanting to repeat the process with your kids - hope the kids don't see you running next door to get the flowers?! Hope they enjoy it ..<br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-47082467348133732452011-11-14T15:46:03.085+00:002011-11-14T15:46:03.085+00:00I remember making pressed flowers and leaves as a ...I remember making pressed flowers and leaves as a kid in school. Sometimes we would melt crayon shavings as a backdrop too. <br /><br />Now I want to continue the tradition with my kids. Off now to pick some of my neighbors flowers. They should be at work by now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-28320459826277731072011-11-14T08:26:58.268+00:002011-11-14T08:26:58.268+00:00@ Manzanita - I guess they wanted something to be ...@ Manzanita - I guess they wanted something to be happy about .. to love .. that was pretty .. and if they were diarists, journal takers or artists .. then 'a record' too .. for when they got home.<br /><br />Certainly we don't appreciate what adults are doing for us in wars .. I know I didn't fully understand. Freedom is so important ... with a chance of having a fair life .. and choices.<br /><br />This year the Cenotaph Remembrance Service definitely involved more Service Associations .. so it looks like the British, Commonwealth Associations were gathered together to remember.<br /><br />@ thanks Julie .. both soldier's stories are worth remembering aren't they .. <br /><br />Thanks re my mother .. the most important thing is - that she's comfortable and then she can interact if she has the energy .. sometimes yes sometimes no! But happy with the company.<br /><br />Many thanks Manzanita and Julie - have good weeks .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-56574357503115761922011-11-14T08:01:10.106+00:002011-11-14T08:01:10.106+00:00These poppies really are beautiful. The touching s...These poppies really are beautiful. The touching story about the soldier was a perfect tribute for Veterans Day. I'm glad that your mother had a good weekend, and I hope that she has many more of the same. JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-31459103194655475862011-11-14T00:56:23.699+00:002011-11-14T00:56:23.699+00:00Hilary, I always wonder what motivates a young sol...Hilary, I always wonder what motivates a young soldier to pick a poppy and press it in a book. Nothing much saddens me these days, but I do get choked up when young people celebrate this holiday but don't know why. Oh well, I think that's the way of youth and change. I always sold the "Buddy Poppy" that was slightly different and was the poppy of the "Veterans of Foreign Wars" where my Father was very active. Thanks for remembering.Manzanitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06467261212623663365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-51666832976749129442011-11-13T15:51:28.034+00:002011-11-13T15:51:28.034+00:00@ Jarmara .. it is extraordinary to think that pop...@ Jarmara .. it is extraordinary to think that poppies from 95 years ago can still turn up. I went up to the Nursing Home this morning for the Cenotaph Service - but my Mama was asleep - I shall go for the highlights programme and see if she awakes for that. The Service and parades with all the organisations represented bring home much .. very evocative ...<br /><br />@ Clarissa - I think you're right in your thoughts and as your country is miles away from Europe that makes it even more difficult to bring home - the sacrifices made by so many .. <br /><br />Film, theatre, books, stories and blogs will open doors if people care to look - <br /><br />These two poppies with their artistic history - the drawings and paintings, as well as the subsequent book and reports .. give us another insight.<br /><br />Poppies are glorious - thanks Jarmara and Clarissa - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-33318326375108591032011-11-13T13:30:40.848+00:002011-11-13T13:30:40.848+00:00In Canada, Remembrance Day is celebrated but becau...In Canada, Remembrance Day is celebrated but because the Wars happened long before our birth, no one in my generation truly understands what went on at that time. It's nice that people have left us so much history behind for the next generations. Thank you so much for your research. I love poppies.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-91547521385799990022011-11-13T12:08:32.281+00:002011-11-13T12:08:32.281+00:00What amazing thing to find poppies which came from...What amazing thing to find poppies which came from those awful times. We are watching those amazing men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us.Paula RChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05550276147711384895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15677341243996841782011-11-13T08:11:33.299+00:002011-11-13T08:11:33.299+00:00@ A Lady's Life - many thanks .. the Flanders ...@ A Lady's Life - many thanks .. the Flanders Field poem is so moving and reminds us to think of the fallen.<br /><br />@ Kat - thanks very much .. a poignant time for your family - with thoughts<br /><br />@ Sharon - the poppies over the centuries have symbolised so much and continue to do so - many using their flower as an emblem. <br /><br />Jenny used a poppy on the cover for her Emily Hobhouse book "To Love One's Enemies" ... with a white daisy ... both found in the veld of South Africa.<br /><br />Lovely comments - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.com