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
What a lovely posting.
I have grown up with the two minute silence so it has been good to see it from a different point of view. Thank you.
One of our most moving moments for me is the Service at the Cenotaph in London and I would never miss watching it on BBC tv. For the first time ever, our Queen will not be taking part ….
Thank you again.
xxx
Because of her health? I have no doubt it must be awful for her not to take part.
Loved your remembrance post today and the England pics. Hope to go back someday to see more of the less touristy places…
When I was still teaching AP English, I did a unit on World War One poets. Flanders Field reflects a peacefulness while many of the others share the horror of this and all wars. The poppy is a wonderful way of remembering the sacrifices of those who served their countries but the horrors they faced should also be remembered.
I always read your Blog and enjoy it immensely. This time I forwarded you on to my daughter that now lives in England and I know she will enjoy you also. Thank you for bringing joy to your readers.
I feel as if I was with you on your journey! Thanks for sharing!
As others have already mentioned, the tradition of the poppy is alive and well in Canada every year. You can get them everywhere for a donation. It is unusual to see someone not wearing one by the time Remembrance Day rolls around. This time of year I often think of my grandmother (my mother’s mother), who had to endure having her husband and all three sons serving overseas at the same time. My mother would remember the joy they experienced when the war ended and they returned home safely. (Only one of my uncles was injured, and he survived after being nursed back to health by a quiet, calm Canadian Army nurse who he subsequently married. She was my Aunt Bambi, so nicknamed because of her quiet, kind nature.). I also honour the service of my Dad, who is American and proudly wears his WW II Navy Veteran cap when he is out in public. He is 96! Thank you for your post as a reminder of these memories. Looking forward to Willard! Would love for Vanna to pick my name!
What stories! I’m loving reading everything here, amazing. Thank you Barb!
Wonderful memories. I recall selling poppies with my grandma when I was little but I rarely see them anymore.
Kay
As always, a lovely blog post. I always get a poppy, and I love the tradition. My husband was in the Army for 30 years and we should always remember the past wars and the people who served. I am now headed to preorder a few things!
Have a lovely day!
Thanks so much for the photos of the poppy tradition and of Churhill’s Grave—very much appreciated.
Wonderful! My dear Dad still sells poppies with the Catholic War Veterans here in NJ every year too! I will have to share this with him, I never knew the British did the same!
I love the trips to England!
Always love your posts and pics! I get to go to places I’ll never see .. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Susan –
Your optimism always brightens my day! I love this post. My nephew and his family live in London, and about this time last year, he asked about my uncle (his great uncle) who he had remembered had died in WWII. I sent him the story of our Uncle Bob Kee and how he died in the battle of Iwo Jima and asked my nephew why he was asking? At his son’s (our godchild) school, they recite the names of any relatives of the students’ who had been killed in the line of duty, and my nephew wanted to add our Uncle’s name to the list. For as long at Felix is a student, our Uncle Bob Kee will be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice. It was such a nice gesture. And to add to that, my Uncle is buried in the Cemetery of the Pacific, and my mother never got to visit his grave before she died. One of my best friends visited Hawaii a few years ago and asked me before she left where he was buried. She offered and did visit his grave and place flowers there for all of us. It was the first time in lover 60 years that anyone had done this. This is the the most beautiful act of kindness I have experienced in my lifetime. Girlfriends – couldn’t imagine life without them. Lorraine
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thanks again for a wonderful post. I always buy the poppies from the Veterans here, but as someone else mentioned above, our Veterans’s Day does not have the same reverence. So many have sacrificed so much… We need to do more for them. Looking forward to receiving Willard. Peace be with you.
Loved this post and can’t wait for Willard to arrive! We were in Toronto a few years ago in November and everyone was wearing poppies. We joined them and I remember always buying one until my teen years here in Michigan. A tradition we should bring back. Thanks for brightening my day!
Susan, thank you for a beautiful post. Your writing is as enchanting as your paintings!
You are dear to say that, it means a lot. I’m still kind of new at it, and I love it. xoxo
Thanks for sharing the story behind this tradition. Happy Fall.
Loved the England pictures. I remember wearing a poppy for remembrance when I was a child. I wish the custom would be revived in the US.
I so needed this sweet and most lovely post. Thank you!
I love how you share your trips to England with us all, Susan! You are a wonderful story teller! Thanks for the uplifting post to remember so many who sacrificed so much.
Hi Susan. Thank you for the orange marmalade recipe from the last blog. I used my fig preserves instead of orange marmalade and it was delicious!
Lovely new things. All are so pretty. I love the story you told of remembrance. It did tug at my heart strings just a bit. A harder time, and yet in many ways a simpler time. The Brits do remembrance up just right. The architecture there is stunning. I love the older buildings. Thank you for a timely remembrance Susan.
Enjoyed reading all about the poppies! Would love to win any one of those pretty things!!
I love your stories, especially of your travels in England. Like poetry.
Dearest Susan,
Thank you for sharing that wonderful English tradition of remembrance…the poppy. It makes me question why we Americans haven’t started something like that here? Such a meaningful way to demonstrate how we recall those who have fallen for our country and our freedom. And then we could provide some financial support for our veterans, who need it desperately! Oh, I do wish we had this in place!
I truly appreciate all that you shared regarding this beautiful tradition!
Blessings!
Chris
Loved revisiting England with you, Susan!
Beautiful post, Susan. I understand how remembering the wars and honoring those who served is so different for those whose soil it was fought on. I wish it were more like this in our country….we take so much for granted.
My “Pop-Pop” flew 60 missions as a bomber pilot in WWII. He returned to my “Mammy” and their baby boy (my daddy). They lived a life of thankfulness, so grateful to have survived. They went on to have 4 more children. My “Granddaddy” served in the Navy and also returned to my “Grandmother” and their 2 children (one of which is my mom). My family has felt so thankfulness to them and their history is a part of who we are today. We will never forget what they did for us all.
Your new items are so beautiful! Thank you for always sharing! 🙂
Thank you for taking me to the English countryside. As always your writing puts me right there with you! The fall color is at its peak here in Indiana! It’s always so awe inspiring! Someday I hope to see theNew England fall colors. Enjoy Autumn! Love, Lucy
Susan, What a great post regarding the poppies seen all over England
remembering so many who gave their lives in World War I.
I was in England the summer of 2016 and got to the tiny churchyard where Sir Winston Churchill is buried. How wonderful to see your pictures of the place. He chose to be buried there rather in Westminster Abbey because “I don’t want people walking over my grave”. I look forward to your next adventures in England and Ireland.
Love him.
I love your writing and your art. You bless my day!
Linda
Hi Susan. In Australia we also commemorate Remembrance Day November 11 with poppies.A lot of us make our own, knitted or crocheted.In fact a huge carpet of poppies has been made from donated handmade poppies that looks fantastic.On Remembrance Day at 11am we have a minutes silence to remember all our service men and women. I was wondering why the USA doesn’t celebrate this day with the rest of us.Enjoy your blog.🇦🇺
Oh we do celebrate, it’s called Veteran’s Day here ~ but we’re just too far away. It’s a federal holiday, and there are parades and other events across the country. Just not enough poppies anymore! And maybe not enough solidarity between ourselves and all the other countries that came together to defeat evil. We should have a giant November 11th high five between Allies that made it happen. 😘
It makes my heart so full Susan, that you hold our dear little island, UK, with such fondness. Yes it truly makes you feel so proud, and humble, on Poppy Day , watching on tv the service coming from the Cenataph in London. No one has a dry eye also watching the remembrance service on Saturday evening coming from the Royal Albert hall. Did you manage to see either on your last visit? Truly heart breaking.
With love from Gill in north Devon U.K. Xx
I think we did see Royal Albert Hall …. it was all so touching ~ and all the stories in the magazines too.
I took a little break from my day and enjoyed my little trip to England. So glad to read your blogs and feel like I’m on the journey with you.
I would love to see an overall remembrance such as this in our own country. There are generally small ceremonies in towns, but not on this level. We do more for Independence Day than we do for recognition of Veterans. I think you are correct that having dealt with daily bombings in England there is more of a recognition of the horrors of war.
Thank you Susan for this wonder reminder of what our veterans have done for us. Glad you got your poppy back!
Everything beautiful, as usual!
Love your blog and Willard. You are the best.
You bring back many memories of times spent in England as a child, and again as a teen. My father served 35 years in the Royal Air Force, so we moved about quite a lot. As a teenager I spent some months in Penrith in the Lake District, such beautiful country. I attended a Rememberance Day gathering on November 11th, walking with so many others to where a wreath was laid on a memorial. A day of remembering, a day of emotion, and of a bond with all who were there. Thank you for your Blogs which bring such beauty and hope into our lives.🌻
Just love your blogs. Hopefully the next generations will continue the custom of wearing the poppy. It is so important to remember what happened and not repeat. I am fearful of what is to come. I am hopeful however that enough people in this world are good so It wont happen.
I so look forward to these lovely posts, living through your travels. What precious gifts you are sending out to some lucky ducks!
Thank you, Susan. I am from a military family. My grandfather fought in the Argonne Forrest in France in WW1, my dad and all my uncles served during WW2…Dad retired from the Air Force…my hubby fought in Vietnam, and our son served in the Navy. Every year at this time our veteran’s organizations sell the little paper poppies, and I always buy a handful in honor of the real life heroes that I have been blessed to know and love. Granddaddy passed away in 1964, my dad was 92 when he died seven years ago, and my last surviving uncle passed at the age of 98 a couple years ago. Words cannot express how proud I am of all these men. My husband and I tried to watch the Ken Burnes series about Vietnam on PBS last month. We believe his goal was to present a fair, ballenced, comprehensive account of that awful time…but we soon found that it was just too hard to relive it all again.
Anyway, thank you again for this post. The giveaway is just lovely. xoxo
I asked Joe if he was watching it, we do love Ken Burns, and he shook his head and said, “I’m not ready.” Which is exactly how I feel. Just not ready yet, and maybe never. We have too many friends still hurting from that war.
I remember as a child we wore red poppies. I remember crepe paper style but people passed them out on the street. I also remember it was called Armistice Day rather than Veteran’s Day (nice to include all now). I will be on the hunt for a red poppy to wear tohonor all of our service men and women.
Susan – love the heart shaped bowls. Since my sister was born on Valentine’s Day I am always looking for something heart shaped. You are so talented; just love to look at your artwork in all my Susan Branch cookbooks.
Love all of your pictures! It lets me pretend and dream that I am there if but not only for a moment or two! Thank you!
Such a great blog!! Debbie
Hi Susan! This is my most favorite blog on the internet 🙂 xoxo
Susan, thank you for this most meaningful post about Remembrance Day. The poppies are an honored flower to represent those who lost their lives while serving their country.
I sponsored two of the poppies that were part of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red display in the moat of the Tower of London, England, between July and November 2014. Our ceramic poppies made their way to New England thereafter, with one now displayed in our living room and the other in residence at our daughter’s home.
We must never forget…
Beautifully written tale of Remembrance Day in Britain!!! I enjoyed it immensely!!! I have love Susan Branch postings for years!!!!!
Thank you, as always, for inspiring words and pictures. My grandfather fought in Europe during The Great War, so poppies remind me of him. I have a picture of him as a “Dough Boy” in my dining room.
Thank you for remembering… and helping us to remember. We must help those whom we love to remember, too, so that those who have made such great love of history and have always made a point to teach our children that they have received a beautiful inheritance of freedom as a direct result of the sacrifices of others, some of them family. The Flanders Field poem has always tugged at my heartstrings, when I think of so many, so young and so brave. I do love poppies, but unfortunately they do not grow well here. Still, a couple of summers ago I purchased some and babied them along in pots until they suffocated in the heat. 😉 I have always loved paintings with red poppies, such as Monet’s Poppies at Argenteuil. Yours are beautiful, as always. Thank you for the trip back with you to England and remembrance.
Christi
Well, part of the middle of my comment went *poof*… it should read (computers have minds of their own!):
We must help those whom we love to remember, too, so that those who have made such great sacrifices for us will not be forgotten! Our little family of 5 have a great love of history and have always made a point to teach our children that they have received a beautiful inheritance of freedom as a direct result of the sacrifices of others, some of them family.
Beautiful post! Our Dad was a WWII vet as well. He taught us the lore of the poppy. As children we memorized the poem. It is just dust now, but among his things we have an envelope containing the remains of a poppy he picked in Flanders Field. I wear my special poppy twice a year – both in November and also around Memorial Day. Such a wonderful tradition. Thanks for helping perpetuate it, Susan.
What a wonderful post! I love the poppies! Happy Veterans Day!
Hi Susan,
Your posts bring me much joy. I love the fall- I can’t get enough of it. You inspired me to hang leaves in my windows. Joy to my soul. Thank you and Sherri for a restock of autumn cups. I have been having warmed mull cider every night. I’m not sure what warms my heart more my autumn mug or the cider <3.
I am grateful for you! Duly noted in my gratitude journal.
Much love, Barbara
Thanks for the lovely trip Susan. Red poppies grow wild in my garden each spring and I share the seeds with anyone who asks…always remind me of Flanders Fields. Thank you. <3
Susan,
A lovely remembrance! I remember wearing remembrance poppies as a child, although I have not seen them available in years. My Dad served in WWII, and was so proud of his service. Thank you for the beautiful post!
Lynn
Thanks for taking us to see where Churchill is buried….and for the poppies!
In grade school we memorized the Flanders Fields poem. It was nice to read the whole poem again as an adult.
Hi Susan,
Feeling blessed. A Susan blog and a Willard. Yippee
Thank you for the gorgeous photos of England. Only you can take such heartwarming ones of buildings and countryside and animals.
I also love the poppies and what they represent.
There would be no ‘us’ without our majestic veterans and the men and women serving in our armed forces now.
🙏🏼
Just say Yorkshire pudding and my mouth waters, I had to make Popovers in honor of my Mom’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.🍁🍂 The poppies are beautiful and the sentiment even more so. 🌺 Almost a poppy. Love Chatswell and the old stone buildings. Thanks Susan for whisking me away. ♥️
Beautiful poppies!!! And beautiful pictures. Makes me feel like I just took a trip!! Thanks so much!!!!!
I always get a poppy from a veteran. I remember the poem from childhood..
I love your stories! The poppy story is great! What a lovely way to remember.
I love the poppy tradition! Thanks for sharing!!
Awesome!
I so loved your post this morning. I remember as a child in Virginia Poppies being handed out/bought for rememberence. Thanks for the memories. ~carol
Currently watching The Royal House of Windsor on Netflix. Excellent historical account of the royal family. Also, have been watching Penelope Keith’s English Villages. We lived in England and Scotland for 12 years and it is fun to see Royal Deeside and so many other places we visited while living there. My husband is British, from Bristol, so we also are very fond of Bath. I was so happy to read your blog when you were traveling in the UK and it was so much fun to follow you, especially to Bath. Looking forward to the next trip! Thanks for inspiring us ‘girlfriends’ to be the best we can be and to be the love that the world needs so much at this time.
Hi Susan,
I got a double surprise from you today. I got your blog and your email!
Yeah, never before.
I was born in Chicago and moved to CA when I was 6. I remember poppies
being sold mostly in front of banks. My mother would buy one.
I am not sure if I saw them in Chicago….too young? Anyway thanks for the
story of the tradition and it should be revived.
All of your new items are great. I wish your cups were 110z. I can’t drink enough for 16oz.
Thanks for bringing fall to us today. It is 102 here. We could use some fall.
The four seasons cups are all going to be 11 oz. ~ in case that helps. xoxo
I always enjoy your stories, Susan, and your photos! Thanks for sharing!
mind how you go, YvonneJ
I love your posts about England! I went to England for a college class after my first year of teaching 1st grade in 1973. It compared our early childhood education to England’s nursery schools and I got to spent each day visiting schools. I was in love with everything about England and still love to dream about returning someday. Your posts and pictures today about the poppies was lovely.
So interesting I have always loved poppies
I’m hoping you will start a new tradition, Susan.
Hopefully on 11/11/17 we will see millions of poppies
Worn proudly honoring our veterans and lost soldiers!
Thank you for sharing the history of remembering and honoring and poppies. I love the way you combine history, photos, travels, and fun little tidbits of joy.Fun reads for a rainy and windy day.
I so enjoyed this! Thanks for another visit to England!
Lovely & timely as usual….it came in at a moment while I was sitting inside listening to pouring rain against my windows….perfect somehow.
I would love to be entered in the drawing. Thansk!
Ah, Sue! Such wonderful honoring of those who served! I will search for a poppy here this year!
Always amazed at your creativity and how it is transferred to such lovely pieces for us! What a pleasure to have your designs available!
Sending lots of hugs to you, Joe, and Jack!
XOXO – Nellie
Susan Dearest, You always make my day when I have a post to read from you. Keep them coming Please!!!!!!!!!!
Your little Inspiration House lists “…hearing La Vie en Rose….” Love that tune! For some inexplicable reason, it always makes my eyes leak. Maybe someday I’ll find out why. Must have meant something powerful in a past life – or something.
May the Force be with you! 🍁
I’m the same. It’s my favorite song in the world. xoxo
Love the stories of Remembrance Day, which is a special day for me as my only child was born that day. His father was a veteran and he was the first child of a veteran born that morning so three dear little ladies arrived with huge baskets of gifts for him. (We fondly referred to them as Bibbity, Bobbity and Boo when telling this story as it seemed quite magical). There were hand made baby clothes and knitted baby blankets, just gorgeous gifts that I know were the results of many hours of work. For years after that, I would send them a photo of “their baby” on that day so they could see how he had grown. So sorry we moved away and lost touch. I think I shall look for a red poppy to wear on that day. The Veterans groups here sell them but it is nothing like the UK, where everyone participates. Rather sad to me. Thanks Susan, as always, for your lovely stories and photos!! They mean so much to all of us! Love to you, Joe and Jack!
I think America could use a quiet day of remembrance just as England does. The idea of whole communities donning poppies in solidarity to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed is such warmhearted tradition that should be celebrated. Thank you for your lovely post.
When I was growing up in New York, veterans were out selling red paper poppies for veterans’ charities everywhere in November. I remember my parents explaining what they meant as they pinned a poppy to my coat. Now in New England, it is a rare sight. Sad. I grew up with photos of my father and uncles, all WW2 vets and two of them POWs, framed in the living rooms of both sets of grandparents. It was a daily reminder of their service.
My husband left for Viet Nam thirteen days after our first anniversary. We did not know if we would have a second anniversary. Thank God we did and many more. I wish people would wear red poppies for our Viet Nam vets as well and for all those who serve still, especially those who have given ‘the last full measure of devotion.’
Could not agree more. The Poppies in England are now for all wars, including Iraq… xoxo
Thank you for this beautiful post and reminding us to pause and remember. The Poppy is such a simple yet lovely flower in red, as we see it in England as well as thru France.
As you know, the Golden Poppy is our State flower here in California, they are all
just cheery.
Awesome post ..bringing back memories ..I also lost my poppy …someone (that would be me) didn’t have it fixed well on my jacket…it was from my grandma..so that made it sadder …
Your blogs always leave me feeling cozy ..looking forward to Willard …
Thanks again …for this post … it’s like comfort food and warmth all rolled into one!!!
My uncle and his wife are on a trip to England, Scotland and Ireland! Makes me wish I was there too!!
Love your blogs – especially the recent one about fall, my favorite season. It’s always a day brightener when I open up my lap and see another “Willard” has arrived. I had a pen pal in England for years (she’s now deceased), so England is always interesting to me! Marilyn B.
I have a faded poppy in my car from years’ past. I can’t bring myself to toss it out! What a lovely story.
What a lovely post! I do wish we had a flower tradition like this one, something that the nation did all together. We could use a bit of unity right now. Thank you for the sweet reminder for us to remember. Your giveaway is gorgeous, as always.
thanks again for the lovely post , makes me want to make me a poppy and put it someplace. and that little white chia puppy looks just like mine!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the beautiful post today. I live in a small town in Minnesota. The VFW and American Legion are very active in town. Anytime it seems appropriate to honor our veterans they do. There is a memorial at the cemetery. There will be a band, speeches, taps, and a gun salute that day. A large crowd always gathers in remembrance.
When November 11th arrives I look for the poppy sellers. I would feel incomplete without one. I tend to wear it on my purse until it falls off by itself.
My family, like many others is filled with military men. One uncle in WW2 earned the Bronze Star. He was a Marine. Another uncle earned the Medal of Honor for a Civilian in WW2. He was in the army and fought in both world wars. I had cousins in Viet Nam. They were Army,Navy, and the Marines. All saw action. My brother was too young for Viet Nam but enlisted at 17. He flew President Reagan’s helicopter. I am extremely proud of my family.
What a moving remembrance poem. Made me cry. We should NEVER forget. They do sell paper poppies here in our town in Michigan and other towns we have visited. We always buy them.
Thank you for this touching message. ❤️
Beautifully rendered remembrance! Thank you!
My grandfather was born on Armistice day and so his mom gave him Armistice as his middle name. He was an amazing grandfather and I often “remember” him. Thank you for the fun post – makes me miss him a little more.
Hi Susan! I am full of questions after your beautiful post. Was “Let beauty, truth and good be sung…” your quote? Did you ever get in touch with Graham Pigott the sculptor? Did you realize that the picture you took on the way to Bladon is wonderfully reminiscent of your friend’s work ?(the one who takes pictures that look like paintings.) I feel like a visual glutton every time you write us. There is so much info, artwork and lovely detail in which to revel. God Bless your artist’s eye. And thank you for reminding us that the men and women of our planet had and still have the courage to defend what was right..and that those that remain should celebrate their strength of character.
Those words are from my Grandma’s favorite hymn which we use for a Thanksgiving prayer … I put it in my Fairytale Girl book. I looked up Mr Pigott, but didn’t see the bunnies! Thank you Nina …
Dear Susan,
Whenever I feel stressed from world news I always say……….I need a Susan Branch blog penpal letter to calm me. It always works! Thank you!
I simply love reading your blog. No matter what mood I’m in I always feel loved after a visit to your page. Christmas shopping here I come!
Hi Susan! Thank you for the lovely story…I have seen the red flowers but really didn’t know the history that went with it. Absolutely love poppies since I was a child, and your wonderful photos of England and Martha’s Vineyard too! I will think of poppies more then just beautiful flowers now…remembrance!!! Thank you!!
On Veterans Day here in coastal North Carolina, just outside of Camp LeJeune, local restaurants honor all military and vets by offering free breakfasts, free dinners, free desserts . Yay! We love our veterans and military. My neighbors on either side of my house are Marines, my son is an army veteran, and my dad and hubby are Navy vets. Thank you to all our veterans and active military. 🎆 🐩
Oh Susan, you brought tears describing Remembrance Day in England. My husband and I were on a tour and in London on November 11.
Ah yes, we were proud to wear the poppy as we walked in the mist inside and out around Westminster Abbey. What moving sights to watch three generations walk around the lawns with crosses bearing poppies popped from the ground representing individual soldiers in each bataillions. And to hear the elder of the group recall their father, uncle or cousin’s role in the war made us stop in respect and interest to listen and watch the reactions of the children. So moving. Oh yes poppies worn by EVERYONE; newscasters on TV, the weather men and women, servers in restaurants and pubs, residents in line at bus stops and shop keepers all. We just cannot imagine the devastating results of losing population so intensely during two world wars. Your observations were right on the mark. Thank you for the Re-visit of something so uniquely memorable.
Thank you Susan, for another enjoyable, timely, educational, lovely and inspiring letter to us all! I always enjoy following your links and learn so much from them and of course your beautiful photos, illustrations and words are a balm to our souls. Peace and Blessing to you and Joe.
Oh..how I look forward to your charming & magical journeys!
Beautiful thoughts and memories always come with your inspiring words. 🍁