marshmallows & poppies

Tuesday was veterans day. Robert took little miss to Science World so I spent the day listening to the CBC and working on the Somos project. Veterans day is not a day that has ever really been part of my life even though my grandfather was a doctor and pilot for the Navy in World War II. I have such a disdain for the whole idea of war as a way to settle conflict.  I often say to my toddler when she is frustrated, "Use Your Words!"... this seems to be a much better, healthier way to deal with conflict in my opinion.  In Canada veterans are remembered and helped through the sale of little red poppy pins. They begin to appear everywhere in November...news broadcasters, teenagers, I have even seen them on dogs! I asked my husband about the poppies and he told me that it is a way to honor those that have served but also as a way to remember  why they served so we can as a culture do not let it happen again...to reinforce the lesson we have hopefully learned. So the poppy is a blend of pride and reflection and peace...an endearing symbol of what makes us human.  As I made marshmallow & honeycomb and dipped various treasures in chocolate on Tuesday, the radio was full of stories from and about Veterans, sometimes tragic, sometimes hopeful interlaced with a fantastic collection of music. (mostly canadian content of course!) I thought about my grandfather flying his plane along the Oregon Coast looking for Japanese Submarines. I am ready to purchase and wear a red poppy.