May 27

Memorial Day.  I do not have a normal relationship with this holiday.  A few years ago, I was within 100 yards of the Vietnam War Memorial and couldn't bring myself to visit it.  A.E. Housman wrote a verse the last two lines of which I think should be on every war memorial.

Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose,

But young men think it is, and we were young.

I'm not sure whether his view of life was informed by a dissatisfaction with his existence, or the more philosophically subtle point that we don't miss life when we die.  I can't miss something if there is no "I."  Hence, it is nothing much to lose.  A point easy to explain, difficult to live.  I suspect Housman meant both.

Pete and Linda have a grandson who just turned 11.  Had a party for him at their house yesterday.  Much swimming in the pool, eating of cake, roasted corn on the cob, pork loin, grilled veggies and the like.  The birthday boy's dad is great with a grill.  A good time was had by all.  It was really neat observing the very nice relationship Pete and Linda  have with their daughter, the eleven year old's mom.  Bantering, teasing, openly affectionate.  I suspect their relationship with their other two kids is similar.  Well, it is Rivendell, after all.