From the Halls of Montezuma..."God is nigh"

AP photo Arlington National Cemetary

In the late 1950s, my parents bought an organ for me, a little one, when I was about 8 years old. The first song I learned to play was "From the Halls of Montezuma"...to the shores of Tripoli. I didn't understand much more about those words than that they were about brave soldiers somewhere fighting a war. I sang the song proudly while I played. I have always had an affinity for the military. Even at a young age, I appreciated bravery and willingness to serve others...qualities I recognized in young men in uniform. I remember watching TV programs in the late 50's about the military..."Men of Annapolis" and"West Point" .

Today is Memorial Day 2026. CSPAN is airing the National Memorial Day parade complete with marching bands, gold star families carrying flags, and Americans of all stripes and colors lining the street. The beautiful American flag is everywhere. It is the day the President will lay the wreath at Arlington National Cemetary while Taps is played.

Today is the day we get to donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation and Tunnel to Towers Foundation. They both have taken up the call to continue to support the families of military men and women who have lost a loved one by paying off home mortgages and providing programs and emotional support.

Today is the day for us to remember those who gave all by enjoying the freedoms for which they fought and died.

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".

May the words of Abraham Lincoln stir the hearts of all Americans as today we remember "these honored dead".

Hi, I’m Gary Sinise.

You may know me as an actor, but my life’s work has been to honor and support our nation's veterans, first responders, wounded heroes, families of the fallen, and those enduring invisible wounds. I launched Gary Sinise 

How Does My Garden Grow?

 Just back from my trip to SLO for Dave's Heavenly Birthday Celebration and found the yard ablaze with color and variety...This is the second spring for the new landscaping in front and nearly 50 years of caring for the backyard. Can that be true???

I'm starting with the backyard...this is a pretty fuschia my friend Marie gave me about 4 years ago. It is under the heavenly bamboo and so pretty much gets only shade..seems to be happy.

This Clivia is about 50 years old. It blooms at Easter and only at Easter.

Dave and I planted it together. It grows under the awning next to the house. 

Shade area.

Another 50 year old species...bottle brush. The bees go crazy for this plant as well as do the hummingbirds. Oh, and the squirrels get in and make a mess picking off the blossoms...grrr. But I love the view across the yard from under the tree.

Calabrachoa and Johnny Jump-up enjoying each others company...pretty much sunny growing area. I got into purples and lavenders for some reason so I keep repeating this color scheme.

In the same planter box the Johnnies wrap around the succulents (Aeonium?) ...I like the contrast of the purple with chartreuse. I did that in the front yard too.

Below...Another shady area under the awning...my particular favorite is the Japanese Sedge Grass "Eversheen' at the bottom of the photo...a bi-colored grassy plant. It completely dies back in the winter. I just pull off the dead leaves and then it fleshes out quite quickly. It will get 2-3 x this size by the end of summer. Dave planted the umbrella plant years and years ago. I asked, "Can a house plant grow outside?" He said, "Honey, all house plants used to grow outside." Hmmm.

Now, the rhododendron...not sure why we planted this right next to the RED bottle brush because they clash. But this plant is again, 40-50 years old. It is under the pine tree in shade but I think the pine roots are encroaching on its ability to spread its own roots and so it suffers. Still it puts out an annual spring display of prettiness.

Finally, another grouping of Aeonium...I show these because they were suffering from not enough water. I learned succulents need water too! They have tripled in size with loving water. I may need to decapitate or separate them before long due to massive growth.

Now, to the front....Happy Heavenly Birthday card to Dave..under the olive.

Sorry about the glare, but doesn't he look happy?

Here we are April 6, 2026..just 2 years old is my front garden. 

I mean Dave's garden because he was the inspiration.

Close up of Penstamon Betty Boop

Stunning color! The rain pretty much has beaten them down so I will need to trim them down...boo hoo. I don't want to!

Ornamental Oregano Kent Beauty...this died back completely and now the new growth is really coming out. The flowers will not start for a month or two and last until fall.

Scabiosa...this variety called blue but looks purple. It is next to the Penstamon. Problems with mildew in early spring. I prayed with fungicide and it went away.

I love seeing this view walking up the street...the kaleidascope abelia lights up the whole yard.

That's it for now.