November 11

On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., a declaration of armistice, a formal agreement to stop fighting, was signed, to end what was then known as the Great War, which we now call World War I.  Apparently, the day and the time were selected because of the saying, "at the eleventh hour", which means "at the very last possible minute".  I suppose it seemed appropriate that the armistice should be signed on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour.   At the time, it was called Armistice Day.  Eventually, it came to be known as Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries.  It is also known, informally, as Poppy Day, after the poem, "In Flanders Field" by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, which refers to the red poppies growing on the graves of fallen soldiers.  Today, we commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the signing of armistice.

November 11 has another significance to me.  It is my birthday!  And because I was born on Poppy Day, my mother selected a name for me that paid tribute to those special flowers. 

Last night, daughter and I video chatted and she insisted on staying on until midnight so she could sing Happy Birthday to me!  LOL! 

This morning, I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing - Aunt C, calling to wish me a Happy Birthday!  The phone rang all day, with family and friends calling to wish me.  There have been emails, too, and several of you have posted well wishes, too.  Thank you.  I have felt much love and I know I am truly blessed.

At noon, one of my long time friends and I video chatted, which was one of the highlights of my day! 

Friend R and I had planned to go out to lunch, today, to celebrate my birthday, but she called me in the morning to say she wasn't feeling well.  We decided to postpone the lunch date for another day. 

Instead, I treated myself to a pizza!

Pepperoni Pizza

My favorite pepperoni pizza!  $5.48 with tax for a large pizza.  I had two slices for lunch and another slice for dinner!

I also bought a loaf of my favorite bread from the nearby Armenian store.  They've been out of that particular bread on recent visits, so I was happy to see they had some available, today.  I said so to the cashier and she said it was my lucky day!  I told her that's good because it is my birthday!  LOL.  I had two slices of the bread with my afternoon cup of tea. 

In the meantime, my daughter went shopping at the dollar store and bought, among other items, brand name pure almond extract (lower right in the photo):

Daughter's Groceries

She sent me the photograph of what she had bought and I sent her right back out to buy some almond extract for me, too!  LOL!  I haven't seen them at my dollar store and they cost more than $1.00 at the grocery store!  Each bottle is under the amount of liquid allowed in carry on luggage, so she'll be able to bring them with her.

The air quality was much better, today.  But, after going out to buy the bread and pizza, I decided to wait at least one more day before I resume my walks, as we are still under an air quality advisory. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Living to see my 63rd birthday
- All the well wishes from family and friends
- Being able to video chat with my friend
- Better air quality
- Warm sweaters and knitted blankets!

How was your Sunday?  Do you have a holiday, tomorrow?  If so, what have you planned for tomorrow?