Posted in Holidays, Wacky World

I Trashed the Neighborhood: Part I

Wednesdays are special days in my neighborhood.  It’s the day that Marc “Somebody” stops by to clean out a little corner of my world.  He painlessly rids us of the grime, goo, and waste that fits into our 96 gallon trash receptacle.  He does this weekly, before the birds sing. Oh how I love garbage day!

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After recently cleaning out our basement, I donated “treasures” to the Salvation Army and an excessive amount of trash to Marc’s truck.  Dumping all those bags made me feel like Santa when he tosses sacks of toys into his sleigh.  The basement overhaul required two Wednesday visits from Marc. I was tempted to bag up the rest of the junk and spread the holiday cheer into each of my neighbors’ cans.  I stopped myself though, remembering an incident that happened years ago with the family next door. Continue reading “I Trashed the Neighborhood: Part I”

Posted in Family, Holidays, Inspiration

Thank you Veterans for your Service to America

Frank T. Snyder, my father, was a man who valued family and brotherhood, and it’s no wonder, since he was the baby of nine boys.  

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Frank T. Snyder – Army 1952

Their father, Janko Petrovich, immigrated from Croatia to America as a young man who wanted to give his family the streets of diamonds Eastern Europeans (and many others) were promised.  My grandfather was advised on his boat ride over to Americanize his richly ethnic, beautiful name for his family’s future in this country, so he entered America as John Snyder.

A changed name didn’t change the Snyder boys’ merit, contributions, or devotions to community, country, and church.  As young men, all nine extended their band of brotherhood patriotically by serving their country in all four military branches.  

In fact, several of the Snyders served in different branches at the same time during WWII. This was an extremely unusual circumstance, since there had been an unwritten embargo placed by the government that prohibited more than a few brothers to be in the service during war times.  Somehow, they got through this protective red tape and bravely served simultaneously; thankfully, all returned home safely and honorably.

My father was stationed with the Army in England at the tail end of the Korean War. Thank you to everyone who has, does, and will serve our country with loyalty, dedication, and patriotism.  

I’m proud to be an American!

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