Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Wows

USS Hornet aircraft carrier,docked in Alameda, California I know nothing about aircraft carriers but my husband is a military history and airplane geek and he wanted to visit the USS Hornet aircraft carrier while we were in Alameda as our son and his wife recently moved to this cute island below Oakland, California. If you … Continue reading Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Wows →

Reviews of My New Poetry Book

https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Troubled-Times-Nancy-Blodgett/dp/B0D5DD793P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TV7R8D8DYLPU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sVgiWxK0cFSYsl0BuV80RNLQAcYTc7I40AF6qv4L7EddU1CIhCk36V4_QCgiK8c3YFl-A1X64xajJz9TZuYTqwmEZGM66DOjkIGJgLc0gbvFyATe_IHwolV34Q6ssxy1uoVifn4SVRYMM1pM-9bO3OHmvsyWwf0KD--DEzStxxqXSjKcOX7rl4aAKAUA-sOfxFCDZdWBG9RWvy4Dvvg5EhbGdr-y07Lf6D6SNE4TUk0.GZY14nQQzSPIUW_kKV1nb9ZE7mxuWP5vdyHxkNbNLII&dib_tag=se&keywords=Poetry+for+troubled+times&qid=1718797759&s=books&sprefix=poetry+for+troubled+times%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C222&sr=1-1 Review by Canadian author Darlene Foster, appearing on Goodreads and Amazon This is a short collection of poems on various topics and issues that reflect the difficulties, and joys, of navigating through life in our current times. As in all collections of poetry, some spoke to me more than others. The poems I liked … Continue reading Reviews of My New Poetry Book →

Impact of Russia’s War on Ukrainians

---Sofia's story living in Spain Buildings destroyed by Russian bombing in Kharkiv, Ukraine Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February 2022, many people from there have fled to Spain. Indeed, the Spanish government granted temporary protection to more than 200,000 Ukrainian citizens starting on March 9, 2022 when it began giving immediate … Continue reading Impact of Russia’s War on Ukrainians →

Déjà vu

Photo by Pascal Ingelrest on Pexels.com War Bullets flying People dying Babies crying World War I Bodies still being found Deep within French ground Bones and shrapnel all around World War II Machine guns, grenades and land mines Shredded bodies thrown at various inclines Graveyards filled with white-crossed lines The Atomic Bomb Hiroshima collapses to … Continue reading Déjà vu →

A Navy Corpsman’s Experience in Vietnam

“We are almost in North Vietnam. The name of the place I’m in is Khe Sahn. I am doing okay and feeling well so for heaven’s sake, don’t worry about me.” --Letter Donald wrote to his mother on January 25, 1968 Donald van der Schans was my first cousin. He was the only child of … Continue reading A Navy Corpsman’s Experience in Vietnam →

Can You Help Me?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Why do I read the news so frantically, with such desperation? I am searching for a story that will tell me everything will be all right That the death of innocents, of children and old people, has some meaning That war isn’t senseless and stupid after all I am … Continue reading Can You Help Me? →

Both Sides Are Suffering

The other day I was walking by a commercial center and noticed a small black kitten run under a parked car and hiss loudly at a big cat nearby. I was concerned this kitten might run out into the street to get away from the other cat and get hit by a car. Suddenly, I … Continue reading Both Sides Are Suffering →

Six Generations of Sad Endings

On my father's side of the family, I have discovered one line with at least six generations in a row of family catastrophes. Men in this family just kept dying in all kinds of ways for 100 years. This is the Zealand line. Death at an early age is not uncommon in most families, especially … Continue reading Six Generations of Sad Endings →

Two Images

By John Edwards a wave surge smacks against this super-yacht languishing marina-bound and impotent now portals still gleam in clear sun looking out on peace no sound of incendiaries here an explosive surge exposes living rooms opening them as a can-opener would soul less eyes of the apartment block glare out onto shattered shards of … Continue reading Two Images →

A War Against Truth

Try to remain truthful. The power of truth never declines. Force and violence may be effective in the short term, but in the long run it's truth that prevails.Dalai Lama Lying during a war is the most intolerable crime When innocent civilians are killed The aggressor country says, "You committed these crimes yourself!" When a … Continue reading A War Against Truth →