Memorial Day - First Day of Summer

 Cemeteries everywhere this weekend have been humming as people have been placing flowers on the graves of their loved ones.

I went to a Memorial Day service this morning, As I have probably mentioned before, I have the greatest admiration for the commitment to service, and the patriotism, Americans have for their country.

I think you will probably recognise my friend Cecil in the foreground, Louise was there somewhere but I could not find her.  The guy in the other wheelchair is Cecil's brother, Chester.  Cecil was a major in the army, and Chester a colonel in the airforce.

I saw a few people I knew there, the lady in the red coat is Kate's mother who said the Senior Centre would probably like to put up the photos I was taking.  I'd better go to a photo lab tomorrow.

The weather wasn't too bad this morning but has been mostly grey and overcast, I am not sure how many were out in their gardens grilling and bbq'ing, and knocking back the weak beers.  There was a very strong wind, and talk of possible tornadoes later in the week.

 I think the weather is going to be severe from Wednesday and will extend across several states - Abilene is in Texas, Des Moines is in Iowa, and Rapid City is in South Dakota.

Before I went away I discovered there was a Hobby Lobby in Moore, and I went this afternoon to see if it was an easier drive than the one in Norman, but it wasn't.   The store wasn't affected by the tornado, but driving along the interstate frontage road I did see some houses completely demolished, like the pictures we've seen on television. The destruction is almost unbelievable, the houses are, literally, shredded.    The tornado just picks them up, the debris can be seen swirling around in the air, then it is all dropped to the ground.

I hope we don't have any more this week.  I think the worst part of them are the sirens, they sound so menacing.