Dec 312023
Dec 282023
Dec 212023
NATO Special Operations Forces Command
Dec 192023
Remember those that will not be home this Christmas
There are a lot of memes out there I could post, but this one moved me the most. They are overseas defending not just us here at home but those that need it in other countries. Take a minute or two out of your celebrations and remember those that will not be with their families this Christmas or Hanukkah season. Maybe send a prayer. Raise a glass or two or a cup of coffee and wish them safe travel. Pray they all come home one day, safe and sound. If you see a soldier in the course of your shopping….just say Thank You.
From Myself, the SgtMaj and everyone else here at Alien Dreams, we wish you all a Merry Christmas. May God bless you and keep you.
Stay safe
—Serenity
NSDQ!
nnn
Dec 122023
Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps
The Editorial
DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they
see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Dec 122023
Dec 012023
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nov 202023
Remember those that can’t be home this Thanksgiving.
From our house to you and yours….May you have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving
—-Serenity
nn
Nov 112023
Here is something that has become a tradition in our house. Sausage Cheese Balls! I make them on Thanksgiving and Christmas Morning. This is the original recipe from the Bisquick Cookbook. There are many recipes out there but this will get you started
Ingredients
- 1 Pound uncooked bulk pork sausage (Jimmy Dean ® Premium Pork Roll Sausage You can use hot, or mild, your choice Or use your favorite instead of Jimmy Dean.)
- 3 cup all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick ® )
- 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients in large bowl just until blended. Shape into (1-inch) balls.
- Place in lightly greased baking pans.
- Bake 20-25 minutes or until done (160°F). ( I find 18 minutes is perfect but ovens do vary
- Enjoy!
Nov 082023
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon `round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn´t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don´t cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don´t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps.”
With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn´t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night´s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn´t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
“Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!