The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month. . .

Today, thoughts turn to my maternal grandfather David Lewis Stokes, his brothers (Baxter and Jackson), and his brother-in-laws (Bob, Sydney, and Charlie). Amazingly, all six of them served, in one way or another, during the Second World War of 1939-45 and somehow managed to make it home relatively unscathed. So too did the only First World War veteran I ever met, Harrison Terrell, a Pennsylvania Quaker no less, who answered the call in 1917 and ended up in the trenches of northern France. They are all gone now, but I knew each of them well and think about them often. . . well, all the time really. It's November 11th everyone, formerly known as Armistice Day, now called Veterans' Day here in the United States. Please take a quiet moment to remember those who have served in previous and present conflicts around the world.

Comments

Bluebear Jeff said…

In Canada it is known as "Remembrance Day" . . . and almost everyone I've seen in the past week or so has been wearing a poppy.

-- Jeff

1:28 PM

A J said…

The last of Britain's WW1 veterans passed away this year. We owe all those who fell in both wars so much. We will remember them.

9:04 AM

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Taking Stock Part II: The (As Yet) Unpainted but Planned OOB. . .

Two companies of Reichsarmee grenadiers painted back in 2017 or 2018. Minden Austrians of course. A lovely early autumn day here in the grand duchy. Bright sunshine and a light breeze with cool temperatures will make for some very pleasant late afternoon lawn mowing in a little while. But first a bit more discussion of painting plans for the future. Last time, I looked back at the various and sundry units, support troops, and civilians that I've managed to paint in the last 17 years as the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has developed. So today, let's look into the seemingly bottomless Drawer 'o' Lead to my left for a clue to the new direction. Be forewarned, it's not going to be a quick job getting everything painted and based, but there we are. The following plans are based on the pile of unpainted figures already here. Any future purchases will be limited to small things that might be needed to fill out the envisioned units (the odd few officers mounted o

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday a

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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