Welcome to summer

Yes, today is Memorial Day and the official start of summer. Here in our neck of the woods, it's been rainy and cloudy. Nevertheless, the lines have formed down the street at Jefferson Barracks and since it's so close to the police station, they're actually out directing traffic.

At my house, I've officially got the bike out for the first time this year. I'm going to use it as transportation tomorrow while the Swedish silver bullet goes in for maintenance. (I'm just hoping it doesn't rain while I'm out!)

I even baked a couple of these cheesecakes. I decorated them with blueberries and strawberries and one tub of Light Cool Whip.

Here are a few items to ponder on this holiday from my meanderings on the web today.

History.com has lots of information on this holiday.

See lots of information on today's holiday at usmemorialday.org

Barefoot in the park? Watch your step (from http://www.nytimes.com/)

It's not holiday related, but happycatholic's always good for an off-the-wall joke (this one with Forrest Gump).

Thoughts on the drive to work

My drive to work is quite placid and not your average commute. Just down the street from my house and on my way to work is Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. My unit is within sight of the fence on the northwestern end of the hospital grounds.

The cemetery itself is also visible from the highway, but it is, in my opinion, best viewed from the entrance off Sheridan Road. Right now, the grass is getting greener, and in the morning, you'll often encounter deer or other wildlife out and about.

The hills are rolling and the symmetry of the markers in the early morning is amazing. Some people might find it upsetting. However,it makes me think of this portion below of Song of Myself by Walt Whitman, as I look at the grass, and in a way, it inspires me to do a better job at work.

And now it seems to me the beautiful uncut hair of graves.
They are alive and well somewhere,
The smallest sprout shows there is really no death,
And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait at
the end to arrest it,
And ceas'd the moment life appear'd.
All goes onward and outward, nothing collapses,
And to die is different from what any one supposed, and
luckier.