Memorial Day 2022

Thank you.

Click here for "The History of Memorial Day" from pbs.org

Click here for "First Official National Decoration Day" from nps.gov

Love,

T

Memorial Day 2021

To all those Angels who sacrificed everything for this country, for the idea of this country and for what it meant to you...

Thank you.

Also, I am sorry. 

You would think that one common enemy would have brought people together, but we continue to be a work in progress. I am sorry for not working harder, for not understanding more, for being too busy, and for not being involved enough in our democracy's processes. May we all remember you with the deepest respect and move ourselves to action in renewed commitment to this same country that you died for. May we all honor you - better than we have. May we arrive ever closer to those ideas of liberty, justice and freedom that so many have strived for - and ultimately make you proud.

May our efforts show our gratitude and appreciation.

Love,

T 

Fueled By Love

It's so easy to be motivated by things like anger, frustration, jealousy, etc. Sometimes we have to make a real conscious effort to increase our positive thoughts enough to be moved into action by them. What inspires us so much that we must DO something? 

Luckily, I have Zachary around and he wanted to make cookies - for the sheer joy of it. I think he wanted to be like Cookie Monster actually, but it was a joyful ride.

I wanted to plant some flowers.

Here's wishing us all a week of deliberate action, inspired by something good, fueled by Love.

Hope you all had a Blessed holiday weekend. I remembered this Memorial Day poem from 2014. It takes on a whole new layer of meaning this year...

"In Memoriam"

With teary eye I thank you, Boy

For giving me your life,

And who am I to take you from

Your mother, son and wife?

With heavy heart I thank you, Miss

Your courage hired for pittance.

If honor earned be heaven's price,

Be sure of your admittance!

To all we've lost, but Angels gained,

Who fly now free from chains,

Unburdened from this world of war,

Your light be not contained.

Our tribute then, could never be

The glory you deserve,

Our closest humble offering, 

In liberty preserved.

- Tanya Diona

Originally published in blog posted May 26, 2014

Love,

T

Jungle Boogie

Russ: So, how'd the new babysitter work out?

Tan: Whelp. I think we did a fine job of scaring her off.

The poor girl. Chaos reigns here. I'm just along for the ride.

She was only here for a few hours. It started off well. Introductions were made and she survived meeting the dogs. She and Zach were playing outside and I began to get some work done (disco songs galore). Then I realized the dogs had to go out (all downhill from there). Zachary heard me outside and knew I would come play. After finally making my second escape, I noticed a neighborhood dog loose and trotting down the street. I ran back out and passed them in pursuit of "Mickey." Of course Zach wanted to come (No, Zach). They caught up with me as I returned, with Mickey in my arms. Zach wanted to hold the dog. (Um... no. I wasn't sure Mickey was good with children). So I called the number on his tag with a screaming Zach in the background. After the dog's owner retrieved him, it was time to go inside. After some negotiation with Zachary, we finally made it back in. He was hungry. THEN, for no reason at all, the stove started freaking out. Mommy had to go trip circuit breakers until I found the right one to shut it off. I called Russ who called repair men and electricians on a holiday weekend (no dice). Zach was really hungry! I gave the kid Froot Loops and tried to immediately follow that with a bath. It was almost time for the sitter to leave and I hadn't finished one song yet!

To summarize:

One very polite sitter tries to help out.
Two household emergencies later, one very hungry kid eats Froot Loops.
Overtired and sugared-up kid takes reluctant bath.
Tan apologizes to sitter - hoping she doesn't feel bad or that she came for nothing because Tan still didn't get her work done.
Sitter goes home.
Tan wonders if we'll ever see that nice girl again.
Disco soundtrack plays on.

#HappyHolidayEveryone

Love,
T

Click here for "Memorial Day" - on history.com

Life's A Beach

I thought a nice long walk would be good to dispel some disappointment I was feeling for having not gotten into the summer study program I was hoping to attend. There happened to be a marching band rehearsing along the route we took and Zachary was beyond thrilled to watch them! #bonus

That evening I was in the emergency room because he accidentally whacked me in the eye with a puzzle piece with a plastic buckle on it. The next morning I followed up with an eye doctor where I was informed that I still have 20/20 vision (my vision hadn't been checked in years) and my "corneal abrasion" was already almost healed!

I lost a studio recording day due to scheduling, but booked three gigs!

The BEST part of the week was a family trip to the beach! Zachary LOVED it! He'd been there last year, but was too young to remember. It was positively joyous watching him experience the water for the first time.

Alright - so what I'm taking away from this week is that disappointments happen, but success is all about how you handle them. I'll keep looking for the bright side and going to the beach!
;)

Remembering those whose ultimate sacrifice makes our freedom and liberties possible...

Click here for "Memorial Day" from history.com

xoxo
Namaste,
T

"In Memoriam"

"In Memoriam"

With teary eye I thank you, Boy

For giving me your life,

And who am I to take you from

Your mother, son and wife?

With heavy heart I thank you, Miss

Your courage hired for pittance.

If honor earned be heaven's price,

Be sure of your admittance!

To all we've lost, but Angels gained,

Who fly now free from chains,

Unburdened from this world of war,

Your light be not contained.

Our tribute then, could never be

The glory you deserve,

Our closest humble offering, 

In liberty preserved.

- Tanya Diona

Originally published in blog posted May 26, 2014

Namaste,
T

Peace and Honor

The first thing I saw on Sunday morning was this post from Dr. Wayne Dyer:

"The only thing that feeling bad accomplishes 

is to plummet you into 

anxiety, despair, depression and stress. 

In such situations, 

ask yourself in that moment 

what thought you can have 

that will make you feel good."

I decided to think good thoughts, reposted Dr. Wayne Dyer's words, and got ready for church. Before leaving I said a prayer and asked for help listening. I got to church and the minister said, "I'm going to help you learn how to listen." :)

The first song was "Down By the Riverside."

"Gonna lay down my sword and shield

down by the riverside

down by the riverside

down by the riverside

gonna lay down my sword and shield

down by the riverside

ain't gonna study war no more..."

Pete Seeger, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee "Down By the Riverside"

The Reverend talked about Memorial Day and noted how we often speak of war. (I suddenly wondered if "Down By the Riverside" could be interpreted as "anti war" and felt pangs of conflict for singing it with Memorial Day just around the corner and the remembrance of countless brave men and women who gave their lives in service. I certainly would not want to seem disrespectful to any of them.) He recalled watching CNN and spoke about how we constantly feed our minds with negativity. After ten minutes of watching the news, we can become walking byproducts of media doom and gloom. Where was the holiday celebrating peace? What about John Lennon? We can, with intention and practice, quiet the noise and become aware of divine inspiration. We can train ourselves to listen to it.

Alright... Here's the thought that came to me...

I think a great way to celebrate Memorial Day and to honor those who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice for peace, is to shift mental focus to peace and gratitude. Thank God for all of those who paid for our freedoms and liberties with their lives. I thank them all dearly.

To all those who passed on while serving in the armed forces:

Today (Memorial Day) I will remember you and honor your sacrifice by lifting my thoughts, energy and spirit to a place of happiness and peace. I know that beautiful things happen every day that we don't hear about on the news. I know that people are helping other people in places all over the world. I know that we can accomplish amazing things with love and kindness - and we are.

"To everything... There is a season..."

- Pete Seeger, King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I will make today a season of peace, joy and happiness - inspired by your sacrifice. Thank you.

Namaste,
T

In Memoriam...

"So long as there are men there will be wars." - Albert Einstein

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” - Albert Einstein

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” - John F. Kennedy

“And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, ‘cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.” - Lee Greenwood

“Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o’er, / Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, / Dream of battled fields no more. / Days of danger, nights of waking.” - Sir Walter Scott

“When we say, ‘War is over if you want it,’ we mean that if everyone demanded peace instead of another TV set, we’d have peace.” - John Lennon

“Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace.” – Martin Luther

“In Memoriam”

With teary eye I thank you, Boy

For giving me your life,

And who am I to take you from

Your mother, son and wife?

With heavy heart I thank you, Miss

Your courage hired for pittance.

If honor earned be heaven’s price,

Be sure of your admittance!

To all we’ve lost, but Angels gained,

Who fly now free from chains,

Unburdened from this world of war,

Your light be not contained.

Our tribute then, could never be

The glory you deserve,

Our closest humble offering,

In liberty preserved.

-Tanya Diona

Blessed Memorial Day to you all.

Namaste,

T