happy veterans day!

What a splendid day it has been!
Bright sunshine! Warm sun! Loving wishes from family, friends, students, and strangers!
I tell you, it makes me quite proud to have served in the US Navy for eight years!

My day began with me dropping off the cell phone for my middle brother with Barbara. She owns a furniture store that is in his neck of the woods, so to speak, and knows him well. She promised to give it to him when she sees him. What a load off my back! I've been carting that phone around in my car for a month for him.

Then my day became even more wonderful by having lunch with my first niece at Olive Garden. Most excellent! As a veteran, my lunch was free, and a fine lunch it was! I selected the Garlic Rosemary Chicken, with extra broccoli instead of the mashed potatoes. I paired that with bottomless salad, having two bowls full! yes, I had dragon breath after all of that garlic and red onions and peperoncini, but it was soooo worth it!
Plus, that's what the little mint is for, non è vero?
(smile)
James was a fabulous waiter, so sweet and charming for the entire two hours that we were there! Every time we needed anything, he was right there. (That's an inside joke between me and the bfe!)
Christina even paid for my drink!
I felt so very cherished!

Then, off to the school for my Office Hours at the Learning Commons. Only Cameron came by, but what a great visit we had! We talked about chemistry, a little, but mostly about China and history and government. For almost two hours. No, I didn't get any grading done, but my energy was way up and that was great!

After that, I did get some grading done. In fact, I got all the grading done for my lab students! Hooray! And I even had some time to goof off before the lecture.
Definite plus!

Lecture went swimmingly, but what I very much enjoyed was lab tonight. Sure, my reason started out for it being the very last lab of the semester. Hooray!
But I had decided to make sure folks were aware that it was Veterans Day. I had included a question on the quiz: "How many veterans do you know?"
Cognizant that some might not actually know any, I had asked if any of the students were veterans.
Nope.
To make sure everyone knew at least one, I announced that I was a veteran and had served eight years in the Navy.
Know what they did?
They applauded me!
They even thanked me for my service!
It was incredible!!!
Some even started talking about folks they knew who were veterans. Then, when they reached that fourth question, I could tell they were truly thinking about all the veterans they knew.
Very nice!!!
The whole atmosphere in lab tonight became like that of a private party.
Excellent!!!

Shortly after 8:30 pm, a full two hours before lab was scheduled to end, we were done. Done! Hooray! And all wished me a 'Happy Veterans Day' as they left.
I wish every semester could have a Veterans Day in it!

I headed to Appleebee's for my free dinner a little earlier than I had thought. Good! I was hungry!
Nicki was my waitress and she was at least as sweet as James had been - and so very energetic! My table was catercorner to one where another lone female veteran sat, as Nicki made sure we both knew.
What a smart and kind young woman!
While I awaited the Oriental Chicken Salad, the other woman and I began chatting. In no time at all, it seemed, my delicious meal had arrived! Yum! Grilled chicken, crispy rice noodles, crunchy slaw! The woman and I kept each other company for some time longer, with Nicki checking on us for anything we might need.
What a great dining experience!
What a fabulous treat!

Then I came home and was able to set up a well-deserved, and well-needed, New Year's Eve holiday for my first niece and her kind husband. I had just enough points for their three-night stay - what serendipity!
I must say, next year's Veterans Day will be hard pressed to top this one for happiness, contentment, and love!