Ice Cream - it's too early for good watermelon.

"Happy Memorial Day" How odd. It can't be long before Hallmark starts a strong marketing push for cards. And Peeps will probably follow.

Don't forget glycerine popsicles.

EL, its easy to think of Memorial Day starting after WW II, because the holiday was originally called Decoration Day - a day where people would go and decorate the graves of the fallen with flags, flowers, bunting and the like. The name was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1977.

Oops, make that 19_6_7.

I feel similarly about Happy Easter and "Good" Friday. The indiscriminate Happy Mother's Day to random men, women and children is goofy. Happy Father's Day has me reaching for the Xanax.

You just missed piglet's Lusitania Day (May 7) cookout. He claims it's a real holiday, but I think it's just an excuse to drink depth charges and Weizenbock, grill brats, and wear one of his questionable aprons.

Amanda, after viewing that apron, I'm going to go and give my husband a great big smooch for never wearing anything quite so questionable (when grilling or not ...)

At least the guy in the photo was wearing pants and a shirt!

Friday was World Turtle Day; Saturday World Schizophrenia Day, and yesterday was World Towel Day. Now, let's start on the menus!

Coincidentally, today is the late May bank holiday in England -- the Brits remember fallen soldiers on Armistice Day, 11 November.

I'm not sure which is more questionable, the apron or the pose.

As a veteran, I don't like hearing Happy Memorial Day. Especially with the current state of affairs. But yes, it is the Beginning of Summer holiday. And to celebrate, I went and had a margarita (or two) at one of the Gulf-front bars down here. Heck, summer started about a month ago down here.

But I would say no to the potato salad as a green vegetable. Unless you put a lot of parsley in it. My Mom makes a killer German Potato Salad, served warm.

That is NOT me! And besides, I only wear an apron when I grill on Naked Thursdays. Sauce gets everywhere.

I think Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. I like Red Lobster's Remember the Maine LobsterFest. Too obscure?

I just returned from a Memorial Day service in Normandy. Believe me, the French know what that day and D-Day are about. Walking on Omaha beach and through a cemetery that is the resting place of ten thousand American soldiers would probably remind you, too. It's not just the day the pools open and potato salad is served aplenty. (good luck trying to find German potato salad in France at this time of year) So have both watermelon and ice cream for dessert, but try to give just one moment of remembrance. Oh, and the French celebrate with food too, though I did really miss the German potato salad.

"Remember the Maine, Plymouth Rock, and the Golden Rule."
Prof. Harold Hill, The Music Man"

Would one be able to find German potato salad any time of the year in France?

Touché hmpstd. As for "Remember the Maine, Plymouth Rock, and the Golden Rule", you may see my comment as dumbed down patriotism, but it is nonetheless sincere.

Isabel, not questioning your patriotism or sincerity - it was just the first thing that popped into my head when I saw "Remember the Maine LobsterFest."

My head usually works like that. "Ah, non-sequiter."

Ms. Isabel, I, who usually do read phony patriotism into most remarks (rather like wearing a flag lapel pin [can't remember what it looks like?]) read your remarks as genuine and sincere.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
-- Samuel Johnson

I know you will appreciate the complexity of that statement.

The beloved non sequitur, cause of many a convoluted conversation. I've never responded to a blog before, so please forgive the mistake. My sister sent me a quote that doesn't apply to this conversation, but I think it's something you might like. There is no "I" in "Team," but there are four in "Platitude-Quoting Idiot."

Speaking of flag lapel pins, those of us of a certain age will recall that Richard Nixon wore one -- indeed, Tricky Dick may have been first to popularize the habit, which only goes to prove Samuel Johnson's adage that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore.

--John Prine

I've really enjoyed my first experience in the world of blogging. You are a group of interesting and well informed foodies. (I've been reading the other blog entries) Thanks!

Oh SNAP! You showed me. That quote of Johnson's was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson. I defer to history. You clearly defer to quotes from coffee mugs.

Thank you hmpstd, you got the point. I feel sad that I need to explain that the point is not that patriotism is for fools or scoundrels, but that it is a refuge for the least worthy members of a democracy. It's all about people who HIDE behind the flag and do not embody the principles of our democracy. Isabel, I think you might not understand what a non sequitor means. Johnson and Jefferson are not known for their platitudes, whereas business-speak, or worse coffee room-speak, is. True patriots speak their mind; they don't suppress speech. Read Thomas Paine's speech that he wrote for George Washington as they decamped before crossing the Delaware River in abject defeat if you want to know a little about real patriotism. The patriotism of bumper stickers and flag pins is phony, and meaningless. His patriotism mattered. To be glib and try to put me down with silly coffee mug blather is to dishonor the true patriots who have given their lives for the ideals that our ancestors espoused and died for, foremost of which is freedom of expression.

Read his whole speech and I dare you not to be moved by the words from 232 years ago:

These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.
—Published on 23 December 1776

Enlighten yourself. The cul-de-sac is the bottom of the bag.

This discussion truly honors Memorial Day. If we live the ideal in all its chaos, we honor the sacrifice of those who fell for the sake of freedom.

RevEd, Isabel may have misunderstood you (although I'm not necessarily convinced she did...this may be a case of multiple levels of misunderstanding), but that quote she supplied is a keeper!

All of this talk of patriotism has me craving some Freedom Fries......mmmm Freedomlicious.

Hi Rev'Ed,

I'm five hours ahead of the east coast, so your comment hadn't even shown up by the time I posted mine. It was simply an amusing quote my sister sent me meant to give a laugh, and not directed at anyone. And yes, I do understand what non sequitur means, and more importantly, I agree totally and completely with your comments about patriotism. The Paine quote is excellent, thank you for posting it, I was not familiar with it. I really enjoy being able to discuss and learn from such a wide group of people. Clearly, you all have such different backgrounds and are well read and informed. However, I think perhaps because of the mode of communication, there is a lot of confusion followed by hostility. Maybe if I continue to read and respond to blogs, I can get to a point where that happens less. I do try to enlighten myself, that is why I am engaged in conversation with you. I probably won't quote too many books, coffee mugs, or banner slogans, but I will continue to muse over ideas such as patriotism (a topic I, historically, have not given much thought to) and enjoy reading others positions and thoughts about it.

oops, make that six hours ahead...

Isabel--blog on!

Aw, no hostility, just vigorous energy. The off the cuff written word is notorious for its lack of nuance. I do love that speech by Paine. I was really moved by its eloquence. I read an article in the New Yorker a while ago about him and his effect on the American AND French revolutions. Amazing how one person's words could have such an effect. If only I had one drop of his eloquence.

The New Yorker article is below:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/10/16/061016crbo_books?currentPage=all

I don't understand Isabel's time travel issues.

Freedomlicious, indeed. And now that excerpts are coming out from Scott McClelan's book we have yet another example of lapel flag pins proving treason not patriotism.

I'm not sure I understand my time travel issues either. Maybe I need Doc Brown and a DeLorean to get a better grip. Just kidding. I thought that maybe the difference in time put my messages further down the queue. Maybe not, I don't really know.

How would the computer know what time it is where you are? If you were in Europe that would mean that you could post in the future. What are tonight's lottery numbers?

23-16-45-12-4-9
Oh, and watch out, you're going to drive over a pothole later.

Isabel - You are a delightful newbie to the Sandbox. Thanks for taking the leap. Now, if you please, look into that crystal ball of yours and tell me about my love prospects. Oh, forget, it's just too depressing.

Nevertheless, welcome!

btw, Isabel - where are you? Oslo? Rome? Johannisberg? Just curious.

Btw, folks, in today's print edition of this rag, both appearing page 11A, we have Garrison Keillor waxing eloquently on "hollow patriotism" as well as an exhortation by Paul Roberts advising folks to stop whining about the high prices of the food industry and to start cooking at home.

Just a hunch, but I'm guessing Isabel won't be at the Owl Bar tomorrow--too bad!

She will be there 6 hours ahead of you.

What did you expect would happen to the true meanings of observances (maybe it'd be better not to use the word "Holiday"?) when you make them Monday "Holidays" for the sake of helping businesses make more money? We managed to change Veterans Day back to it's rightful day, maybe Memorial Day deserves the same?

Stuttgart, Germany for now. Wish I could swoop into the Owl Bar to meet you, have a great time!