Barb's Babbles

      “ It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle. ”  Norman Schwarzkopf quotes  (U.S. Army officer who commanded Operation Desert Storm, b.1934) From what I’ve learned, it’s apparent that the need for honoring our vets came from the women. Those who survived. It also began during and after the American Civil War. Both sides had a need to honor their dead. The women would mourn over the death of their husbands and lovers, sons and brothers, fathers and daughters. They’d decorate the graves. This is why it was first called: Decoration Day. Leave it to the women to start something to honor their heroes who’d stolen their hearts.      A hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's  Historic American Shee

How about having a new read with a new author? Sound good? Below you will find a huge selection of new authors just waiting for you to give them a try.  If you get one read and the time limit for the link hasn't run out, go ahead and read another. Remember, they're FREE!                                    Here is the link:  Bookfunnel       You can find me here:  website     Goodreads    Facebook       Thanks! and feel free to share or leave a comment!     Barb

     It's getting time to think about spring and summer. The flowers are soon blooming and finally, we'll have color. We need it, especially live up here in the Northland!  Winter skies are gray. We see white all winter long, so much so, that we can almost go color blind from looking at white.        I started learning more about my Norwegian heritage.  I do have a great-grandma from the Lillehammer area that I don't know much about. She's from my dad's side. Most of my dad's ancestors, I know little about.  I found out more from cemeteries.     My mom's family is like an open book.  Both of Mom's parents were from Norway and left a wonderful legacy of names and dates, etc.  I had learned the language while in high school but that was many years ago. I am now using the Duolingo app on my phone and it's helped me to remember.  The Sons of Norway lodge in Bemidji also has a Snakke Norsk group which meets on Saturday morning.  I attend that