est we forget, Tuesday is Veteran's day. In the British Commonwealth where I grew up, we called it Armistice day and each year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the nations of the Commonwealth would stop almost every activity for a minute, or more, to pay tribute to those who served their country in uniform. On this day we would contribute money to those in need and we'd receive, as a token of gratitude, a hand-made replica of a poppy. The event dates back to the end of what some believed would be " the war to end all wars". A naive hope.

It was so good to see the opening of a relationship between the soon to be outgoing president and the soon to be incoming president. It commenced with the arrival of the limo transporting the Obamas to the White House and the greetings exchanged between the current and future leaders and their wives.
According to reports of their two hours together all went well. This level of camaraderie between two political foes is uniquely American. President elect Obama had never visited the Oval Office in the past, nor had they seen their future home, on the top floor. The four of them appeared so relaxed.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the new president could, on his first full day on the job, make it known that he was going to close down the Guantanamo prison in Cuba. Other nations would willingly help us, by keeping in custody those who, for one reason or another, would not be accepted in the free world or might well be a danger to mankind. A step in the right direction towards improving the image and stature of the United States in this world.

There is so much to talk about, think about and write about, but for me, this is not possible at the moment; I have just been "invaded" by two granddaughters who require attention. Amelia and Adeline, the six and the four year old, have asked me to turn off my computer for a while, and they send everyone their love.