A woman who is writing a book on horse therapy is coming by to interview me this morning, so I am looking forward to that.
My brother informs me that a wonderful man we met because of the web has died. My brother decided to search out our father's WWII experience. He was a pilot of a B-17, and was shot down over Germany/Austria. We knew he was then placed in a prison camp. That is all my brother shared.
As my brother searched it out, we became more and more fascinated. It turned out the man who navigated Ground Happy lived a few miles from my brother in CT. We went to visit him, and learned more.
Steve and I went to Austria and saw where my father landed when he parachuted out of the plane. We met people who saw him land. They were children at the time. The farmhouse had been in the same family for hundreds of years. I stood where he was held. They might not have turned him in; it was a small village, but an SS man lived there. They had no choice. It was a most odd experience. The barracks where he was held are on-line. His name is there. He is dead, and yet he can be googled. It all felt so odd at the time. I am used to it now. Anyway, prayers today for a most wonderful man, "Tiff" as he flies in new skies and easily finds his way. His wife died a few years ago, and I see them happily together and happily hanging out now with my dad. They meet my mom. Scotch flows. All is very well, this Solstice Day. Savor the moments. They are so precious and quick, like snowflakes and the light of fireflies.
Something else - my father's father's family came from Germany. The people in the area where he was shot down looked like him. Germany and Austria somewhat merge there by Salzburg. It has always felt odd to me, this whole thing of war, and which side circumstances may force you to be on. That is why we need peace. It makes no sense anymore. Today, a long, long day, a day to pray for peace.