Reflections on 9.11.2001: 20 years later!

 Usually I make a post about 9.11 on every September 11. In 20 years the world has changed. My life has changed. The views on history has changed. Time changes memories. Time and changes make these posts more important. 

No I wasn't at Ground Zero at the World Trade Centers in New York City. No I didn't know anyone who perished during the events of that day.  I did have a friend working in the Pentagon that day.  I did work less than a mile from the Pentagon. However, I had car issues and had scheduled the day off to look for a replacement vehicle. 

I lived a good distance from where I worked. Believe it or not my residence was about an equal distance from the Pentagon and where the other plane crashed in Pennsylvania. Weather wise it was a beautiful day with crystal clear blue skies.

My Dad who worked at the same place I did called me and told me to turn on the news. It was hard to belief when I was told a plane had hit a building. On the news I watched the other plane hit as well. Even seeing it unfold it was hard to believe.

My Dad would spend the day at the office as the plane hit the Pentagon. He passed away 11 months ago so I can't discuss his memories of day with him. My office mate who I lost contact with long ago ended up being a first responder at the Pentagon leaving her desk to go to the Pentagon to see what she could do to help.

My Mom who worked for another company close by was at the Navy Yard  in Washington DC and had to endure the facility going into lockdown. She passed away about a year before my Dad so she can no longer share her story.

It is my blog so it is my point of view. I can share my feelings and what I experienced. I will remember the God awful stench of the smoldering rubbish when I went to work in the pre-dawn hours of the 12th from the crash at the Pentagon. However I just shared about two people who can no longer tell their tale of 9.11. I shared how people lose touch me and my office mate. 

The events of 9.11 impacted more people then the three I shared in this blog. Many people lost loved ones, lost businesses, jobs, and were closer to the crashes. They have stories, they have a point of view. As we remember the 20th anniversary perhaps it is a good time to hear the remembrance of the day,  to hear the stories of those who survived it and those who were impacted by it. Many people's lives changed that day and they have a story to tell. They won't be around forever. Those stories are so important!

Blogging from A to Z: Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin

I'm a bad influence on my Mom! At least on her music. My Mom likes Led Zeppelin. I already wrote about going to see Robert Plant with her. I've also seen her post a video for "Stairway to Heaven" on her facebook feed.

She has posted about Robert Plant on Austin City Limits. Of course my theme about my mom was done with a "Whole Lotta Love"

Keeping it short as I finish the challenge!

Blogging from A to Z: Virginia

Virginia is the state my Mom ended up after she married my Dad in Sweden. They would also have a ceremony in the United States. In Virginia my Mom earned her United States Citizenship. It wasn't easy even if she was marrying an American Sailor who just got out of the service. After a few years of being introduced to Tidewater, Virginia charm they made a change. A move to Jacksonville for a half dozen years. Years spent worrying about me becoming an Alligator snack they moved to Maine for a year. After a year chilling out in Maine they settled back in Virginia until they retired. This time is was the bustling suburbs of Washington. In my Mom's life Virginia was
truly for Lovers.

Blogging from A to Z: U is for Unbelievable

My word for the letter U during this challenge is Unbelievable.  My Mother's love towards me and my daughter is unbelievable. My love from my Mom is second fiddle to the love my Mom has for my daughter and I completely understand why!

Here her Grandparents dressed her up as St Lucia a few Christmas back to share some of her Swedish heritage with her.

My Mom also loves this thing..

Unbelievable sometimes since they adopted this cat which still clings strongly to it's feral ways. The cat loves them back in her way. She likes to be near them and will check on them. Pet the cat at your own risk! Lately we have been bonding.

Talking about unbelievable things my Mom actually took my daughter for Surf lessons..

Yes my Mom's love is unbelievable. She has given so much and would give so much more if she could.

Blogging from A to Z: Trouble

"Trouble" by Little Feat. My Mom has troubles, I have some and everyone does. I love this line in the song...

"Well I'll write a letter, and I'll send it away

And put all that trouble in it you had today."

In Lowell George's days those would have been old fashioned letters. I wish life would be so easy to put the troubles in the letter and send it away.

Now Lowell George died way before I new who Little Feat was. However in the late 80's early 90s they had a strong comeback without George. My mom and I caught Little Feat on New Year's Eve 1992 into 1993 at the recently reopened Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.

They didn't perform this song but that is the connection with my Mom.

Blogging from A to Z: P is for Plant and Mom

The year was 1990. I had seen Mr. Plant in 1988 but this time I was going with my mom! The old, Capital Center in lovely Landover, Maryland. 

Alannah Myles opened..

I am sure she played "Black Velvet"

Robert Plant live in 1990 "Anniversary"

The last time he toured near me my Mom kept me up to date with every tour date in the South. 

Blogging from A to Z: Mother's Little Helper and a Battle of the Bands

My Mother has reached that age where she needs a little help, and can use all the Little Helpers she can get. I'm still keeping with my theme and I am multitasking this one into a Battle of the Bands as well!

I am using the classic Rolling Stones tune "Mother's Little Helper" as the song. I am not going to post the original this time.

Contestant One: Eric McFadden

Contestant Two: Liz Phair

Tell me which version you like best in the comments. I will count up the votes and announce a winner  before The Rolling Stones reschedule their postponed tour. Yes, I have a ticket to see them in Jacksonville. The plan was to visit my Mom and see the Stones. That's life for you it changes plans. However, I will have the results probably on the 28th.

Blogging A to Z: L is for Love

My April Challenge is slightly different from other years in that I have a theme. My theme is about my Mom and I chose that topic with love.

Things my Mom loves..



A picture of one of her Evelyn Roses. She loves her Granddaughter Evelyn and searched far and wide for Evelyn roses.



My Mom in better days in her Garden! Well a bit of Love today!

Blogging from A to Z: Gardening

My parents enjoyed gardening. Most of my life my parents had a garden and when they didn't they would grow plants, flowers and the such. The gardening has dwindled down due advanced age and health issues. The fruit trees still produce and a crop or two may pop up in the old garden.

To me it looked like too much work! They didn't do a small garden. My parents came from a generation that wasn't scared of hard work. The garden did provide my Mom and Dad something to do together. The garden produced a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Produced enough to over flow their table. They would share their abundance with neighbors, friends and shelters.

I want to say the garden was probably my Dad's influence. I know his parents had a huge garden. My Uncle also has a large garden. My Grandfather was the first generation to leave the farm so I'm sure there is some tradition and heritage somewhere in the mix.

It could be mutual. I know my Mom has relatives in rural areas in Sweden. Whatever the case mght be my Mother enjoyed gardening.

A to Z Challenge: Education

Education is very important to my Mom. She wanted my brother and myself to go to the best public schools we could go to. She was proud of me for getting my undergraduate and Masters degree. Yes having her children gain a solid education was important to her but there is more to the story.

Her education was important too! What she achieved really impresses my Dad. English is not my Mother's native tongue. My Mom gave up a lot to live in America. Life in her country isn't bad. She didn't come here to escape something. She didn't come here because America was better. She didn't come because she had to come. My Mom simply came to America to be with my Dad.

Everywhere we lived my Mom was working on her education. She could speak it when my Dad and her met. My Mom not only Mastered English but got a degree in it!

Now she is proud of her Granddaughter for her grades and wants her to continue her education into college when that day comes. Me, I am just dreading the expenses.

A to Z Challenge 2019: C is for Clapton

Over the years my Mom became a fan of Eric Clapton. My taste of music was a strong influence on my Mother's taste. She didn't like everything I enjoyed but their was common ground.


                                               "Motherless Child"

She saw Eric Clapton once with me and once with my Dad. She got to see him in Jacksonville with Derek Trucks....  "Why does Love have to Feel so Bad"

My Mom was impressed by Derek..

"Crow Jane"

But it was the Blues side my Mom really likes...

"Old Love"

Thanks for visiting I will be back tomorrow with a post for D!

A to Z Challenge 2019: B is for Birthday

Today is my Mom's Birthday! If my Mother is following my blog Happy Birthday!

Here is a song for you..

Plenty of B's to go around with The Beatles "Birthday"

Over the years my Mom has bought me concert tickets and has even gone to concerts with me. One of those artists was B.B. King.

"The Thrill is Gone"

I was lucky enough to see B.B. King several times and I was lucky enough to have seen one of those concerts with my Mom. Thanks for visiting and I will be back with a new post soon.

A to Z Challenge 2019 A is for ABBA and Battle of the Bands

"A" could be for Ambitious as I try to tackle the first post of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge with my Battle of the Bands blog hop. My song choice comes from ABBA so it certainly features the letter "A."

ABBA is from Sweden and so is my Mom so there is the correlation with how this post relates to my Mom. The song also has "Mother" in the title.

How does the Battle of the Bands post work? I announce a song, try to use the original as a reference, and it will be the first song. You don't vote for this one. I will have two contenders (sometimes more) that will battle it out. In the comments you vote on what version you liked best . You can expand on your vote and tell why, or you can share memories or what not when you vote as well. If you want to find out more about this blog hop visit here.

The Song: ABBA  "Does Your Mother Know

The Battle is between the next two!

Contender One: Cher

Contender Two: B*Witched 

Maybe it is also April Fools Day since I am using ABBA? Anyway please vote in the comments and I will count up the votes and post a winner probably on the 14th. It is usually sooner but with the A to Z Challenge the 14th looks like the best date!