The Last Post.

Post 662 ~ ~ ~ Sunday, 7th February, 2010.

Dear Friends ~ ~ It is nice to be back with you. I haven't been feeling the
best but see how we go today. I hope you are all enjoying your lives and
having some fun as well.

We had a wonderful 2 plus inches of rain last Thursday, which was so very
welcome - the first decent rain for many months, and the first for this year.
And there may be more to come this coming week. Send her down Hughie.!!!

My dear friend, Connie aka Meow, sent the first joke today. Thank you.

A older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his
collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then
followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in a
corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he
was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot
in the hall and again slept for about an hour.

This continued off and on for several weeks.




Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "I would like to find out who is the
owner of this sweet, wonderful dog is and ask if you are aware that almost
every afternoon, your dog comes to my house for a nap."

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his
collar: "He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - so he's
trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I Come with him tomorrow?"
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My dear friend, Barbara sent me this interesting story of The Last Post.
I hope you may find it interesting. I found it very touching.

If you have ever been to a military funeral in which The Last Post was
played; this will bring a new meaning to it. Here is something everyone
should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but checked and it's true.

We have all heard the haunting song, "The Last Post". It's the song
that gives us the lumps in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be
interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when
Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's
Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the
narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who
lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or
Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the
stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach,
through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began
pulling him towards his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was
actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit
a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.
In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.
The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.
Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his
superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he
could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son.

The request was turned down, since the soldier was a Confederate. But,
out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical
notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's
uniform.
This wish was granted. The haunting melody we now know as "The Last Post"
used at military funeral was born.
The words are :

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky,
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.

Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky
Gleaming bright
From afar
Drawing nigh
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise
For our days
Neath the sun
Neath the stars
Neath the sky
As we go
This we know
God is nigh.

I too have felt the chills while listening to "The Last Post" but I have
never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know
there was more than one verse. I also ever knew the story behind the
song.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember those Lost and Harmed while serving their Country.

Also remember those who have served and returned, and for those
presently serving in the Armed Forces..

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A lone bugler played The Last Post at my late husband's funeral and
it is played many times on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and it
usually reduces me to tears. Merle.

Another reason for my tears today is the Anniversary of the awful
Fires last February 7th, so there are lots of stories of survival and
terrible stories of losses and tragedy. Some people cannot bear to
go back to the areas where they lost loved ones and homes etc.
But some have rebuilt or are intending to. This year the temp is 30C
about 86 F. This day last year we had 46C almost 115 F. and killer
winds.

Will find a few jokes to lighten things up a little. . . . . .
One from my friend,, Linda in Canberra - Thank you for this one.

Sister Mary Ann's Gasoline.

Sister Mary Ann worked for a home health agency and was making
her rounds visiting homes, when she ran out of gas. She walked to
the service station only a block away. But they could not help her
as their only gas can they had been loaned out, but she could wait.

Sister Mary Ann returns to her car and looked for something to hold gas
and spotted the bedpan she was taking to a client. She takes it back to
the service station and gets it filled with gasoline.

As she was pouring it into her tank, two Baptists were watching from
across the street. One turned to the other and said:

"If it starts, I'm turning Catholic."
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One from my dear friend, Margaret in Queensland. Thank you.
Little Johnnie Strikes Again.

Kevin Rudd was visiting a primary school and he visited one of the
classes. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words
and their meanings. The teacher asked Kevin, (the saviour of working
families) if he would like to lead discussion with the word 'tragedy'.

So, Kevin (the saviour of working families) asked the class for an
example of a 'tragedy'.

A little boy stood up and offered, "If my best friend, who lives on a
farm, is playing in the field, and a tractor runs over him and kills him
that would be a 'tragedy.'

"No ," said Kevin - "that would be an accident."

A little girl raised her hand, "If a school bus carrying 50 children,
drove over a cliff, killing everyone, that would be a 'tragedy'.

"I'm afraid not," explained Kevin -" that's what we would call a 'great loss.'"

The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Kevin searched the
room, "Isn't there anyone who can give me an example of a 'tragedy.?"

Finally at the back of the room, little Johhny raised his hand.
In a quiet voice he said If a plane carrying you and Julia Gillard was
struck with a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens, that
would be a 'tragedy'.

"Fantastic", says Kevin. "That's right. And can you tell me why that
would be a tragedy?"

"Well," says little Johnny, It has to be a 'tragedy', because it certainly
wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be a bl***y
accident either."
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Kevin is our Prime Minister and Julia Gillard his deputy. Another joke
about Kevin next time.
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Thank you Barbara for "The Thoughtful Scottish Husband."

Did you hear about the thoughtful Scotsman who was heading out
for a pint at the pub? He turned to his wee wife before leaving and
said, "Margaret, put on your hat and coat, lassie."

She replied, "Awe Jock that's awfy nice - are you taking me to the
pub with you?"

"Nah," says Jock, "I'm switching the central heating off while I'm out."
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A Wings over the Mountains of Life one called "A Tight Hug."

We had made some changes in our lives. My husband had lost 50
pounds and after 8 years of being a housewife, I had taken a job in
a restaurant.

When I returned home after my first day at work I gave my husband
a big hug. He seemed to cling to me longer than usual.

"Did you really miss me that much today, dear?" I asked.

"No," came the reply. "But you smell so much like pancakes, I hate to
let you go."
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I'll close with just a few quotes . . . . . .about money . . . .

The trouble with the rat race is even if you win, you're still a rat.
~ ~ ~ Lily Tomlin.

The only thing that money gives you is the freedom of not worrying
about money. ~ ~ ~ Johnny Carson.

Whoever said that money can't buy happiness simply didn't know
where to go shopping. ~ ~ ~ Bo Derek.

Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we
cannot get on without it any more than we can potatoes.
~ ~ ~ Louisa May Alcott.

When a fellow says "It ain't the money but the principle of the thing"
It's the money. ~ ~ ~ Kin Hubbard.
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Well, time to close for this post - I hope you found something of
interest and something to make you smile. Take great care, my
friends and enjoy your lives. Love and best wishes to you all.
Cheers, Merle.

Post 662 ~ ~ ~ Sunday, 7th February, 2010.
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