Hi Everyone! Would you like to be in England for Remembrance Day? You came to the right place! MUSICA
I want to show you this wonderful thing that happens in England the second Sunday of November which Joe and I discovered a little bit by accident when we were visiting. 🍂 
It’s actually a lovely tradition that started in America in 1920 when the Poppy flower was proclaimed by the United States to be our national emblem of Remembrance. For Armistice Day, for never forgetting, and for the prayer of peace. See Joe? See that red poppy on his jacket?
Here he is, walking home from shopping at Blenheim Castle in Woodstock Oxfordshire, with a poppy on his jacket. Because, in November, all over the United Kingdom (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, too) . . .
. . . you rarely see anyone who isn’t wearing a poppy at this time of year. For some reason the tradition didn’t catch on for America’s Veterans Day, but it is huge over there. I wish I’d taken a photo in a train station, so you could see how popular it is, these little splashes of red hurrying hither and yon. You get used to it, then you start to fall in love with it, and especially the idea behind it.
This is Joe and Paul ( Rachel’s adorable husband, English man extraordinaire, one of your funnier and more charming humans on the earth), both of them poppy-decked of course.
We went to a dinner, and everyone was wearing a poppy . . .
Me too . . .
And Rachel too.
For a donation to the Royal British Legion ~ a pound for a poppy, you can pin one of these to your coat. The appeal raises millions for the care of British Veterans and their dependents, and by the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the whole country is decked in solidarity-red for Remembrance.
We read the paper and learned the significance of the Poppy.
As the years went by, other wars and more loss, “between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place…” to what was the war to end all wars, the first world war. Flanders Fields were the battlefields in France where so many were lost, the “western front”. . . is now covered in poppies for remembrance. And a beautiful heartbreaking poem was written:
The first Poppy Day was celebrated in England in 1921, and has continued every year since.
There will be no forgetting . . . the whole country shows their gratitude and old men wear their uniforms on the street with pride. I think maybe because when bombs literally fall on your house and your neighbor’s house, on your church, in your garden, you have a different relationship to war than others who were mercifully spared that experience.You turn on the radio, and there’s Vera Lynn singing We’ll Meet Again back in the day with the voices of servicemen and their sweethearts singing along, and you can feel the heart in the moment, and your own connection to it . . .
Poppies are everywhere, including pillows and sachets in the Blenheim Castle gift shop.
And we ended up with a bouquet of them for our kitchen counter.
You would find them on the street in simple little places . . .
And in the cities too . . . these are part of the Field of Remembrance, a small graveyard set up each year next to Westminster Abbey in London.
And there are remembrances in every small town . . .
This particular Remembrance Day found us in downtown Woodstock where we were staying, a small town in Oxfordshire with a population of 3,000, which is just 
around the corner from Blenheim Castle where Winston Churchill was born. Now Winston Churchill has a special place in my heart, for more reasons than one. The marriage between his American great grandmother Aurora Murray to Isaac Jerome produced a granddaughter, Winston’s mother, Jennie Jerome. That’s her in this picture. My grandmother is Irene Murray, and through her lineage I discovered that Winston Churchill is my 8th cousin! (If you go sideways far enough back, you’ll find everyone is related to everyone!)
XOXO
We came upon this solemn scene by happy accident. We were just walking back to the High Street after visiting Blenheim Castle (we stayed at the Bear Hotel ~ some parts of it 900 years old, you can see it in the video on the right), and didn’t know what was going on when we saw a crowd had gathered, families, babies, and dogs, people of all ages, clergy and soldiers too. It was 11 am on Remembrance Sunday, and the village had stopped to honor Armistice Day as they had done for 95 years, for all those who served and died in war ~ we learned that this quiet remembrance happened in every small and big town in England at this same moment every year, the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. MUSICA.
Tradition is such a beautiful thing. Honoring the people who built the world, who came before us is such a right thing to do. Afterwards we discovered that Winston Churchill was buried nearby, in a tiny churchyard in a small village called Bladon. So off we went through the golden air of the English Countryside with this music playing in our car to find Churchill’s grave. 🍂
When we found the tiny village of Bladon, we fretted about leaving our car parked halfway in the narrow street, 
only a bit more than one car wide, but it was the best we could do and still be in the town. How they could have had a state burial for one of the most famous people in the world in this teeny place with zero parking is a mystery. But look at that beautiful stone house. See the roof line, all curvy and crunchy from age? I always stop to marvel that they kept the beauty and history of what came before as times changed and such things as bathrooms and electricity were invented ~ how they did it is beyond me, but they did!
Nothing in the town had changed since the day the Prime Minister was laid to rest, except the people. The generations have turned over more than once.
We walked through the quiet, echoing streets of the village looking for the church listening to the birds singing . . .
. . . enjoying cottages and curtains . . .
. . . and people who brought nature inside.
We peeked in the windows at the far end of this house with the amazing vine . . .
. . . and saw these in the little panes of glass! It was the Studio of a sculptor . . . ohhh, I wanted to go in so bad!
But it wasn’t to be . . . “Open Daily 10-6” said the card in the window, but another sign said, “Closed!” Travel is all about the serendipity!
I was perfectly happy wandering the lanes, taking pictures of the stone houses with names on them . . .
and of course, the little charmers out for a walk . . .
And there it was, the flag flying over St Martin’s Church . . . where the bells had just rung for Armistice Day.
A small, rather austere church . . . an unassuming village church like so many others wherever you go.
with lovely details
And a sweet peaceful graveyard, these being my favorite, family gravestones held in nature’s embrace.
Next to Churchill’s grave were simple elegant memorials, and benches for sitting.
with rather an amazing drain in the stone path ~ I had to take a photo of it!
Churchill’s grave sort of broke our hearts. Everything so real. I couldn’t help but think of my dad who had fought in WWII and had died a few months earlier. 😢 We’d been to Churchill’s wonderful house called Chartwell and learned about him and his fascinating wife Clementine ~ and here they were, buried together. History of the world, just waiting for us to find and remember and learn.
It’s actually his family burial ground, his mother, Jennie Jerome, Lady Randolph Churchill is buried in the center grave surrounded by the hedge.
Sure and certain hope.
Afterward we stopped at a nearby pub to read our paper and eat “Sunday Roast” ~ another wonderful old tradition, served in most British pubs every Sunday,
. . . a glorious menu consisting of your choice of beautifully cooked roast beef, roast chicken or roast pork ~ with Yorkshire Pudding, stuffing, roasted carrots, parsnips, and potatoes with gravy.
And poppies on the mantle . . .
After lunch we drove to Oxford to see Carrie and Stuart, who took us on a tour ~ here we are in one of the churches.
Then back to Carrie’s kitchen which was in full-remembrance mode. We had a wonderful visit with them . . . but when we got back to our rental house, I noticed I had lost the poppy from my jacket. wah. I know, I had another four in my poppy bouquet, but I hated losing even one.
We spent more weeks in England, taking long walks under blowing leaves, enjoying the fall, and did not return to America until late November ~ celebrating Thanksgiving on the ship, going home the old way, past the statue of liberty into New York harbor, dreaming our memories in the rocking of the boat.
And finally home, where Jack was waiting, and H❤️ME was waiting, and of course we brought our poppies home with us. A few days later, a surprise arrived in the mail from England.
It was a book-gift from Carrie, along with the poppy I’d dropped at her house! She found it and sent it back to me! Total perfection!And that’s my story for today, Girlfriends . . . Celebrate November 11 … Remember our Veterans. Study history, see how we got here. With life’s vagaries it’s a pure miracle we are!
Here is my kitchen this morning, sparkling with light from the sunrise…
It’s our time now . . . and one of the gifts of remembering is the gift of knowing the real and important things of life, and passing them to the ones we love . . . 
Clothespin caught a leaf, and I got to make a wish. So I think we can all make a wish!
Ah yes, time for tea! Hope you enjoyed our trip to England! Have a wonderful day! XOXO
Thank you for sharing Susan. You continue to make me look at my own world with fresh eyes. What a wonderful gift you have & continue to give!
Loved the story of the poppies! Makes me a little sad.
Thank you for taking the time to write about remembrance. It is so easy to take for granted what our ancestors did for us. I hope the younger generations can grasp exactly what our history consists of. Thank you for mentioning Veterans Day.
I am reading this at 10:30 at night on Tuesday, October 24 and I’m nearly crying you are so gifted with your words pictures and illustrations thank you so much for being you
☺️ Thank you back Christine. xoxo
Thank you for a lovely post. Both my parents served in WWII and I have worn a poppy on Nov 11 my entire life.
It’s a beautiful thing to remember, even if the memories are a little sad– a father that’s gone now– roses in December. Hopefully it gives us energy to make today’s memories. Like you do. A lovely post.
Lovely interesting post. Beautiful way to remember veterans. The old places are so kept up and makes one want to visit and see firsthand. Thanks for the look.
Joyce Fowler
Thanks so much Susan-So glad you told the story of the poppies…my uncle is a navy veteran & will turn 101 this November 11 veterans day! I will be sure to have some poppies on hand to remember all the fallen as well as all our veterans who have done so much for our country!
Wow! Birthday wishes to your Uncle, and a kiss of gratitude. xoxo
What a lovely tradition. I love hearing about your travel adventures. It always makes me want to pack a bag and take off! But until my kids are older, I will just live vicariously through you and Joe.
Purchased a poppy a few weeks ago from a veterans group here in Illinois they stand at stop signs and give you one in turn for a donation love the red poppy! It’s a great way to support our vets too
Susan, what a lovely story, so nice to see people stop what they are doing to honor those who gave their lives, that poem is so sad but the poppies are a beautiful symbol for remembrance day. It seems as though the English have a wonderful perspective on the way to pay respect to their veterans. Thanks for the reminder of what’s important.
I lost my father in 2000 so Remembrance day in Canada always reminds me of him but a year after he died we were given the gift of a baby girl, my daughter Linnea on remembrance day 2001! What a special way to honour the day with this lovely giveaway! Good luck to all!
Happy Birthday to Linnea! xoxo
Makes my heart sing to read of Autumn in New England and England!❤️
Such a beautiful story, Susan! Remembrance Day is a very important day for us Aussies too. All the children make poppies at school and the country pauses at 11 am to remember those brave and courageous people, who gave their lives to protect our way of life. Now and always, we will remember them. xx
As a small child, I remember my dad wearing a remembrance poppy every year. He always bought one for me, too.
Emma
I, too, immediately thought I wished we showed such caring on Veteran’s Day in the US.
Teary thoughts of remembrance followed me throughout. Thank you for the beautiful remembrance!
I love the tradition with the poppies. All my UK friends start posting all their poppies around this time of year on facebook and I can share from here. Hubby is going to have one on his hat when we go to Epcot, too. On a complete side note, the roast with yorkshire pudding looks so yummy!
Especially enjoyed this one today!
I love your writings and art! They cheer me up.
Thank you, Susan, for reminding us to remember all the brave souls who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our liberty. A beautiful post!
We were in England on Remembrance Day and saw the crosses at Westminster Abbey! I still have my poppy in a scrapbook, but my husband wears his on Veteran’s Day.
Thank you for the post!
Your blog is it’s a breath of fresh air…
XOXO from Naples Fl.
Thank you! I love your story of the poppies! A good reminder to be prayerfully grateful for those who died in service to this great country of ours.
Thank you for this … Remembering is so important. I am in Santa Rosa CA where the fires are just being extinguished. My home is safe and so are my people (some of them lost their homes). A dear friend passed away the day of the fires, no time to mourn, must keep moving, supporting, planning. Except, it hurts, all of it. Stopping for a moment in history, puts it in to perspective, we live on, we grow, we remember.
Thank you 🙂
Blessings Daralyn. I’m so sorry. What a terrible disaster. xoxoxoxoxo
Such a lovely and touching post, Susan – thank you <3
SUSAN: Thank you for the post about the poppies, England anventures, including lovely thoughts and art!! We have a daughter and her two adult children who are in England right now on a vacation! They set a goal 1 year ago and made it happen! They are having such an amazing and magical time. They even went to Scotland for a day trip! And the wonderful and inspiring stories about the poppies touched my heart. We have a new grandson serving overseas in the military. I am going to either buy or make a poppy for our granddaughter (his wife of 7 weeks), and print up some of the info about them that you have shared. My dad also served overseas in WW11 and my mom worked as a secretary at a hospital that injured servicemen were cared for. That’s how they met. Love and read your blog regularly, and have read several of your books. OH! And I adore Beatrix Potter!!! I better stop. Thanks again for your inspiring posts and especially your art! (I dabble a bit myself in watercolor). And a HELLO to Joe. Blessings, Dix
Susan,
I just returned from a trip from Washington, D.C. My husband and I visited Arlington Cemetery with some wonderful friends from Ohio. We found the graves of an uncle from each of our families. Our hearts filled with pride as we knelt by their graves to honor them and their commitments to fighting for freedom and against a common enemy in WWII.
What a bond we share with our friends now as we contemplate this memory and our relatives’ willingness to serve our country.
Grateful for all who serve and sacrifice to defend our freedom.
Precious post…You have such a sweet heart!! Yes we should always remember!
Blessings,
Donna
Thank you for the reminder of poppies and Veterans Day. I remember seeing the poppies for sale every year and buying them when I was growing up, but now I rarely see them. Why do we forget and lose such lovely traditions? We need you Susan.
Thank you Susan for helping me remember celebrate Armistice Day as a child in school. We all marched in a parade and loved all the celebrating. I am going to ask all the grandchildren and children to send a card to Grampa , age 92, to thank him for his service in the Pacific. Thank you for a wonderful idea. You have been truly blessed to be able to inspire so many people.Thank you. Charlene Scholey
I hope to see poppies to buy too!
I loved reading about the changing seasons in Willard. Here is So. Cal today it was 102 and windy. Wish I lived where there were seasons. Thank you for the Poppy history.
I was going through boxes yesterday that I had shipped out to California from my childhood home in New York State and came across several paper poppies that my grandmother had when she “sold “ them to raise money through the American Legion! This was done at Memorial Day….she raised so much they called her “The Poppy Lady.” Your sweet post brought back such dear memories!
Your words and pictures are always so moving. Thank you!
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area so I never really knew what it was like to live in a area with four seasons. We now live in the mountains in Nothern California and have a real fall and lots of snow in winter and I love it!
Hello Susan,
Thank you for another wonderful post! …always uplifting & enlightening!
Hugs,
Charl
Inspiration and joy to read this evening. Thanks so much!
My favorite quote sits on the self above my kitchen sink . . . .
“Be joyful even though you have considered all the facts”. Wendell Berry
Always happy to see your name on my incoming emails. This particular one about poppies is a treasure. Thank you for bringing all the British loveliness to us.
Today I made your Short Rib recipe and oh, the dark, rich gravy. I am a potatoes and gravy and popover person. I saved every drop and leftover rice for another side dish. Definitely a winner. Thank you for that, too.
Thank you so much for this post, Susan. I intend to revive the poppy tradition in honor of my dad who was a WWII vet, stationed in England for most of the war.
I remember the poppies on Veterans as a child here in California. Also as an adult there was always a rather disheveled but proud old man with a handful of poppies outside our grocery store for several years. I was happy to give him a dollar and wear my poppy. I still have one on my bulletin board from many years ago.
So interesting—I haven’t noticed poppies lately on Veteran’s Day & that’s sad. I’ve been reading the Maisie Dobbs series that started during WW1 & continues in the period between the wars in England (wonderful books!) & it’s shown me what a terrible war that was & how the gases they used ruined people forever. I wish we put more emphasis on WW1 in the US. Loved “Remembrance” because I love England & “English” history—–great blog! Thanks Susan!
Every time I read your posts about England, it makes me want to go back there so badly!
Dearest Susan, What a wonderful tribute to all Veterans everywhere in the world!
Here is a little story: My Mother grew up in England during the war and was drafted as a Land Girl and worked on a farm during the war. She was proud of being a member of the WLA. She spoke of all her experiences during those war years.
In almost every little hamlet in England you will see a memorial to the fallen. There are homes that still show the scars of the terrible bombs, they may be small but they carry so much history. My Aunt & Uncles home “Bryanston” named after my Uncle as he was the youngest and the only son with 4 older sisters, Mom being one of them. This house is my Mother’s family home. The front door has a lovely stained glass window but there is a crack in it from when the bombs fell, it has never been repaired or replaced in all the years! It still stands strong!
Thank you for your wonderful “Remembrance” blog! Hugs!
History comes alive doesn’t it? Thank you Candice!
Thank you for the Lovely trip to England, I will be dreaming of Poppies…Karen Seward…
You put me in the mood for Autumn and your newsletter was again so enjoyable!
Thank you for making my tea a little sweeter and sharing your stories with us!
I love how people in Britain celebrate Remembrance Day and honor veterans – particularly because they do it generally without glorifying war. I’m a history teacher and World War I has always been my thing – it’s a fascinating time period. (Although significantly more awful than implied by the peaceful rows of poppies in Flanders Fields… Have you read anything by the poet Wilfred Owen? Dulce et Decorum Est is one of the most powerful anti-war poems that I’ve ever read. It doesn’t really fit with the romantic, happy life that we “girlfriends” adore, but his work is well worth a read.) I think it’s hard to honor veterans without glorifying wars of the past in some ways, but somehow Rememberance Day seems to do it for me – it emphasizes the cost and sacrifice of war without glorifying it. You just made me want to get a wreath of poppies for my door!
We wear our poppies proudly here in Canada. Both of my parents were in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and we do remember with great love. Thanks for a special post.
Thank you for the history of the wearing of the poppy and all of the beautiful pictures! I always enjoy reading your posts! This November 11th I will be thinking about what I read!
Dear Susan … more sweetness from you: thank you for taking me to Mr. & Mrs. Churchill final resting place … I always pick up 3 Red Poppies, one each for sweet memories: my Dad,
Brian’s Dad and my brother Danny .. they served proudly with much devotion…
With much love and alo-ha-ha, Evie
Thank you for another lovely post. I think we are very lax in our remembrances of the great wars because we faced no war on our soil. For the British Isles and Europe, war has been a constant for centuries. Thanks to the United Nations and sensible governance in most countries, we have not faced a great war in decades. Long live diplomacy and may great wars never come again! We should wear our poppies proudly.
On a lighter note, your dishes are lovely and I MUST have some! All digits are crossed, in hopes that Vanna will bring a lovely surprise.
Beautiful picture & thoughts. My parents were married on Veterans Day & I always remember them on that day too. My Dad was a Navy man. Thanks for the remembering.
This was a beautiful post. My Dad served in WWII also, and passed on Christmas Day in 1999 ~ 3 days before my 50th birthday. I am saddened by what is happening to our country today and that is mostly because the things that have been fought for in the previous wars is being lost and forgotten. These tweet wars demean what my Dad and everyone else’s Dads, Moms, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and sons and daughters fought for. It is a shame. Thank you so much for this post. ♡
Always remember, nothing lasts forever. That’s the good news and the bad news. But until then all I can say is take deep breaths and go. be. love. xoxo
Thanks for reminding us of this special day and tradition. Loved reading about your vision of this day in England.
I’m always astonished by the degree of gratitude that some Europeans have towards American servicemen/women. They know more about our wartime actions than most Americans. I do think it’s true that, unless you have had bombs rain down upon your community, you don’t fully appreciate the true cost of freedom. Thank you Susan for once again reminding us of how simple it is to show true gratitude for the important things we mostly take for granted.
I really appreciate getting your e-mails. Tonight I was in a tail-spin and after reading your blog it calmed me down. I especially enjoyed the house full of nice little sayings. Thank you for sharing and many blessings for a beautiful day tomorrow.
My father was in the Korean War, and those poppies always had a place on the mirror in his truck. Very special tribute with the poppies!
I was just talking with my daughter about the tradition of poppies. Growing up, our neighbor always sold them for the American Legion. Thanks for reminding us of their significance and maybe your blog will restart Remembrance Day. Thanks to all those who have served
I so enjoy the beautiful pictures that you share with each post. Makes me feel like I’m there too! Thank you for sharing; very interesting about the poppies. What a lovely remembrance.
The poppies remind me of my grandpa. I always wore one on Veterans day. Beautiful memories. Love tradition.
What a beautiful story! So glad I got to learn more about rememberance day. My dad was in the end of WWII and I’m so blessed to have him still living today, with my husband and I. He is a dear 90 years old. On another note I love the color or your friend, Rachel’s coat in the picture! So beautiful! I have also been soaking up the beautiful autumn colors and hiding them in my heart to bring out in a few months when everything here in Oregon will be rain and gray, rain and gray. Time to think of cozy knitting projects I think! I’m so excited to order my winter cup. Blessing to you and your sweet Joe❤️
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the beautiful Remembrance blog. I read it with tears in my eyes. It brought back cherished memories of my wonderful trip to Dorset, England and the lovely countryside. May we always remember and wear a poppy, if we can, for all the lives given for freedom. Absolutely love your pictures, thank you.
When I was young, the Veterans always sold poppies, but I have not seen that for many years. It is a wonderful tradition.
I teach 1st grade and read ‘The Poppy Lady’ to my class. We make poppies and wear them. It’s a lovely way to introduce the younger generation to the older one that did so much.
Sign me up for the drawing too!
Loved your tour of England, it seems such a peaceful and soft country!
lovely blog – buy a poppy every year! Hoping Vanna will pull my name 🙂
Thanks so much for the great blog, it never fails to make me feel better. And remember good things. Again thank you. Linda
Veterans Day is under-celebrated here in the US. We always took our children to a local cemetery to hear the speeches and see the wreath laid – even if they thought it was boring. Eventually they realized the meaning of the day and the solemnity it deserves. Today they are quick to recognize and thank any veterans they see. As a family, we send cards to all veterans that we personally know. I’m glad it has become a tradition with us.
What a wonderful story of remembrance from England! Makes me want to make some poppies! I loved that poppy wreath!
Thanks for the generous give-away. Someone will be a very happy person!
Poppies are one of my favorite flowers. I have always been drawn to them. Susan, a big “Thank you!” for sharing the story behind the poppy. Happy Day😊💮💮💮
Thank you for that lovely story.
I love everything about England. I am still looking for that English pen pal, not being on Facebook, it’s hard to find one.
Enjoying Autumn, but hoping that the 100 degree weather with the fierce Santa Ana winds will soon leave us. We are so ready for cooler weather!!
I remember when we bought and wore red poppies for Remembrance Day! I’d just been thinking about it recently. Maybe we could all do it and start the tradition anew here! I’ve very much enjoyed this newsletter! Thank you!
You are a gifted storyteller and reading your blog just fills my heart with happiness! Thank you for sharing your life with us. Love all of your artworks!
Always look forward to your stories. I am never disappointed! Loved this one…..
Dearest Susan,
What a lovely post….we must never forget the sacrifices that were made, both on the battle fields and at home, so that we have the freedoms that we have today. Thank you for reminding us…and for encouraging us to keep this tradition alive. Our Girl Scout troop sold poppies way back in the 1960’s….I’m not sure, at the time, that I realized just how important that was, but age and time have a way of making us see how very important it is to remember.
Your recent post on your visit to Maine, has me wanting to take my stepdaughter and family back to places we visited when we lived in Boston….Wells Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Newport. Our granddaughters are at the ages to have a wonderful time, doing some of the things that their mother did when she was with us….perhaps next summer.
What a lovely give away…..you are so generous!! Thank you.
The weather has cooled here in central Texas…hooray!! I’m thinking of roasted chicken and vegetables…..or “someone’s famous chili”….perhaps pumpkin cheesecake or gingerbread with lemon sauce or both..ha!
Thank you for being you and giving all of us some much of yourself…..this world is better place for it.
“Hello” to Joe. Give Jack a tummy rub. I know you are enjoying every minute of your New England autumn. Wish we had more of it.
Love, Rachel
Love you Rachel, thank you for your sweet self.
Always look forward to your stories. I am never disappointed. Loved this one….
The poppies of Flanders poem gets me in the guy whenever I read it. Sigh. Anyway, I love those heart shaped new items. Gotta start my shopping.
Such a lovely remembrance story. I loved reading it and seeing all the beautiful photos. Thank you.
thank you for all you do! you will never know, how much it all means to so many people around the globe. enter me, I hope.
As a child I remember veterans selling poppies and everyone wearing them on November 11 in Chicagoland. Thank you for this dear rememberance ❤️
Here in Australia, the 11th of the 11th is known as Remembrance Day. We also wear red poppies and particularly when I was younger everyone stopped wherever they were, even in the streets, for a one minute silence to remember the sacrifice of so many
My birthday is on November 11th and my grandma and great aunt always called it Armistice Day. I am just beginning to understand more of what that day meant and your post added even more meaning to it.
There was a reverence in the Remembrance Sunday video – the song was familiar – it was called “Abide With Me” in our church. Thank you for making me pause and reflect as we go into November. I like Gladys Taber’s quote!
And I love you, Susan.
Hi Susan, Just finished up reading the latest Willard. Enjoyable as always. Please enter me in the drawing for the china. Crossing fingers and toes.🍂 🎃🐿 🍁 See you in Twitterworld.☮️
I’ll be there!
It’s always a happy day when I see an email from you in my mailbox! As a young girl, I remember my parents purchasing their Poppies every year and wearing them on their coats. Thank you for bringing back a warm memory.
Love your post. I’ve always dreamed of going to England. Your books and beautiful photographs bring the English countryside to life and make me want to go even more.
This Veteran’s Day I wish for world peace. Let us not forget the past or those who sacrificed their lives, so that we may be free.
Peace to you Susan.
Loved this post…My Dad lost his right arm running messages for the US Army on Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day. There were no hospital beds available in his hometown of Boston, Ma. so was cared for in Percy Jones Hospital in Michigan. It was here the brave young soldier recovering from his amputation, far from friends and family met my mother. They married raised 5 children (4 brothers and myself) and 11 grandchildren. My Dad sadly died on their 60th wedding anniversary.
As a young girl, I would stand with my Dad and sell poppies for his VFW group. I still carry one pinned inside my purse and of course think of him, our humble hero whenever I see it. Thank you for sharing the significance and history of poppies.
Humble hero. What a perfect way to describe your patriot dad and the greatest generation.💞
Loving your wonderful blog more each time I am privileged to read it! Keep up the fabulous work and include me in your contest, pretty please?
Best wishes,
Lauri
In Flander’s Field —-vividly remember having to memorize in school and always always buying a poppy for your blouse. But until now, never connected the two–how wonderful is that! Linda from Idaho where the days have turned sunny and mid 60’s–perfect weather!
Susan,
When I was a young child in the early 50s here in the Midwest, I remember people selling the paper poppies made from crepe paper. Maybe the American Legion, or Veterans of Foreign Wars… I remember mother buying them and explaining them to me, but then the tradition was gone not much later.
Also, I was surprised that Winston Churchill’s burial place wasn’t larger, more spectacular or somewhere more prominent, as he was such an important person in saving the world.
One other thing, did you happen to notice whether or not milk in England is still sold in glass bottles? The one in Carrie’s kitchen with the blue lettering is charming. I hate our milk in plastic!
Can’t WAIT to give my sister your bluebird mug for Christmas!
You can get milk in glass bottles ~ there are so many farm stores everywhere, and even in the market, but for the most part their milk is in containers like ours. The first time I went, Waitrose had a milk called “Breakfast Milk.” I’m a milk person, I love it, and to see those words together, I snapped that right up!! But last time we went I couldn’t find it. So we’ll have to go look for it one more time!
A lovely post!
England has so much character; why even their poppies are wonderfully made, and I especially like the metal ones that I have noticed people on TV, in past years, wearing there.
Enjoy fall. It’s been glorious here in Canada.
Autumn blessings to you and Joe!
I live in England,and think it is a beautiful country but when I read your thoughts on it when you visit, it’s like being shown it for the first time – thank you!
Your posts help keep me sane in a world that seems to have gone mad. Thank you for reminding us that there is still good in the world and that we can take an active role in being the good that is so desperately needed.
I’m hoping to buy a poppy for Veteran’s Day as well… if I can find one!
Blessing to you, from one Susan to another.
Thank you, Susan.
Thank you, Susan- I had forgotten about those poppies. We were in London in 2014 and the Tower of London was embraced and surrounded by an undulating wave of ceramic poppies- it was an incredible sight and a lovely tribute to those who have served their country.
Always enjoy reading your blog Susan! When I was very small, I remember my mother always buying a poppy on the street. She was so very excited!
This was one of my most favorite posts you have done. What a beautiful tribute to these wonderful men who fought and died for freedom. I love how England celebrates and it was very touching. Thank you for it. I’m printing it and saving it. I’ve found two distant cousins in England in my family history who died in Flanders field and they were in the same family. I cried for that poor mother. I’m putting this in with their history. I love the wonderful things you share. Thank you so much. We all need to pause and remember what is important.
Sincerely, Connie Erskine or as the Brits would say Cheers.
We always had poppies for Veterans Day when I was growing up. I will Loi for them again. ❤️
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Thank you for sharing the tradition of Remembrance Day and the Poppy. How amazing to experience this while you were there! And very happy you got your poppy back. Blessings!
Thank you for this lovely blog post Susan. I’m almost 60 & I don’t remember this being an American tradition as other commenters have mentioned I always thought it was only a British one. It would be lovely to revive it.
Hope springs eternal. Thanks for the remembrance on top of remembrance. Those British, even the poppies are cute and clever. I’ll have to see if I can find out what the button in the middle says. So glad you got your poppy back!
I LOVE your blog! I get so much inspiration from all of you pictures and storys! My husband and I are in London right now and we are loving every moment of our trip!
Thanks for all that you do.