Memorial Day

Posted on May 31, 2021 by M. E. Murray

Dear Readers, I find it difficult to write about my feelings regarding this important date in history, particularly this year. It could be due to the fact that we have lost many friends and relatives to Covid-19. In addition, many members of our military have given up the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, years ago and recently; therefore, I think that veterans should be honored, not only today but every day.

My oldest brother an army veteran passed away in 2016, and probably fought in the Vietnam War. My husband an army veteran also served our country during the Vietnam War. I consider myself very lucky because my husband survived Vietnam. Two days ago, we celebrated our 50^th wedding anniversary. My husband’s brother, David was a Marine. He was a kind person and truly cared for his family. Unfortunately, cancer took him away from us too soon. I truly miss him and my brothers. My younger brother was not able to enlist in the Vietnam War because a foot deformity kept him from joining the Army. He passed away August of last year, and I truly miss him. Whenever we chatted, we resembled a pair of comedians performing a comedy sketch. It is difficult to live without recalling those times that made our insides hurt from laughing.

I can’t keep the tears from flowing when I recall losing loved ones. People who have not experienced the loss of a beloved family member or friend in a war might have difficulty figuring out why some of us get emotional and teary-eyed when our country sets days aside to honor our deceased and surviving veterans. This Memorial Day, I truly wish folks, who have lost a loved one in a war or to an illness, a pleasant day full of precious, positive memories.

Twenty-twenty

Posted on January 6, 2021 by M. E. Murray

Peaceful Sunset

Dear readers:

It’s been a while since I blogged. It’s time to talk about twenty-twenty, the year, not eye problems; even though, I have dry eye. Who knows? Maybe I even have cataracts, no telling. Anyway, I’m talking about 2020. Please pray that 2021 will not be a repeat of last year.

January 2020, fibromyalgia my stubborn friend paid me a visit. My muscles painfully tightened, so my doctor prescribed physical therapy. It was at this time that I heard about the first few cases of coronavirus entering the US and the ridiculous comments made by the president. In spite of the fear of contracting Covid-19, I went to the physical therapy sessions. Late February, I still had not recovered from my fibromyalgia flare-up. I needed another month of physical therapy, but being a scientist, I considered Covid-19 a real threat and did not continue therapy.

March came around and things around the world exploded with comments about how to deal with the coronavirus, so my husband, my sister, and I immediately followed the physicians’s and scientists’s recommendations. Soon we found ourselves under strict lockdown. My husband shopped on the Internet for food and ordered curbside service while I cared for my sister and pets. I worried about my husband contracting the virus when he went for our food supplies and other staples, such as toilet paper (hard to find), hand sanitizers, and bacterial sprays.

During these days, I did not attend any massage therapy sessions. I requested help from The National Massage Chain, who helped me by freezing my account for a few months. This was nice of them. I had been a member for many years, but I was worried about contracting Covid-19 and transmitting it to my husband and sister; therefore, I discussed my concerns with the national group and the local massage managers. They offered me a special deal; however, I did not approve the terms, so I canceled my membership and lost six paid massages. That’s a lot of money to throw away, especially from a person who grew up in an impoverished neighborhood, but life happens. About all I can do is to pray that these folks will reconsider and give me an opportunity to use the massages that I’ve already paid for.

April came around with a fury. My sister fell at her home, twice. The second time, she broke her shoulder and had surgery. She spent some time at a rehab center, and I tried to get her up here to Fort Worth. That didn’t happen. My sister-in-law wanted to take care of her. Why? I don’t know. After much discussion and retaining a lawyer, we lost. My sister was released to my in-laws. Later, my sister-in-law changed her mind. One day she called to tell me that she could not take care of my sister, and that she was placing her in a nursing home. “During a pandemic?” I asked myself. I didn’t want the person who took care of me, as a kid, and my parents, to contract Covid-19, so Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I drove to Brownsville, and picked up my sister. In Fort Worth, a psychiatrist determined that she has Alzheimer’s. (In 2016, when I was finally able to travel after breaking a hip from a fall, I visited her. I noticed that she had a memory problem, but I was not able to take her to see a doctor.) May and September, my husband and I spent a lot of time trying to recover the medical information that my sister lost or had not updated. We are still working on this in 2021.

August came around, and my dear brother, Hector, passed away during this horrible Covid-19 pandemic. I miss him, but I know he’s happy in Heaven with my older brother, and my parents. I’m losing my sister little by little. Her short term memory is declining. I truly sympathize and pray for the folks who have lost loved ones through Covid-19, medical problems, and careless police officers. I can only wonder how these people must feel since I haven’t recovered from losing my brothers!

September through December, my husband and I are still dealing with the government so my sister can acquire benefits that she deserves. We filled out a form so she could get her 2020 stimulus check, but so far she hasn’t received it. Why? I have no clues!

By now, dear readers, your eyesight is suffering from reading my blog, so I better end my griping (negativity). “Think positively,” I tell myself. I’m alive. My sister is at home. At the moment, she’s watching the “Twilight Zone” marathon. (I’ve seen a few episodes. I loved seeing the show when I was a kid.) I’m thankful that she’s healthy’ It’s her brain that is causing her problems. Fortunately, she loves my cat and foxhound, gets along with friends, my husband, and the neighbors, especially their pets. Moreover, she’s here where we can help her if she needs anything. I’m also grateful that my husband and I are well. I’m thankful that I have friends who have helped us in so many ways.

Today is the Feast of the Wise Men, those pious men who took the Baby Jesus gifts that winter when he was born in a manger. Today marks the end of the Christmas Season, full of festivities and Mexican customs, especially eating roscas (bread) and tamales. As I looked forward to a new year free of all the atrocities Americans had endured for 4 years, I was taken aback when the president’s supporters attacked the White House this morning. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect anarchy to take place in America. This occurrence made sad, but it also made me feel proud that I am an American; therefore, I am ending my blog with a patriotic song that I love.

I wish you the best of times in 2021. May this year be a successful delight for all of us!

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thorough fare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov’d
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

The Fourth Day of July

Posted on July 4, 2020 by M. E. Murray

When I was a kid, I knew nothing about The Fourth of July. What it meant to me way back then was that each 4^th of July I watched my older two brothers and sister blow firecrackers in front of our house. At that time, regulations to keep us from doing this did not exist. Maybe they did but I didn’t know. Anyway, what could you expect from a seven-year old girl?

As the years went by, July 4^th fireworks became a forgotten amusement. Now, in 2020, I realize what The Fourth of July means. Yet, I can’t help wonder how life was portrayed when the United States of America (USA) existed as 13 fledgling colonies. I cannot attest to life at that time since I wasn’t there. But if a time machine existed, I would take it to go back to that era so I could make a then-and-now comparison of our country. But a time machine doesn’t exist, so I am unable to witness what the 13 colonies experienced when they achieved and celebrated their freedom.

Yes, freedom is an important asset, but nowadays its interpretation is misguided. The principles under which our country was founded are almost unrecognizable. Lately it is difficult to ignore the clamoring of people demanding justice for improper police procedures leading to the death of innocent people. Moreover, our lives are being threatened by Covid-19, a highly contagious virus that some people assume will go away on its own. Well, the virus isn’t going away unless we work together to eliminate it, and our country will no longer be the USA unless we join forces to restore it to what it used to be as our founding fathers stated in the Preamble to the Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence (sic), promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

I’m grateful that I was born and live in the US. But this year, I’m not too excited about celebrating the Fourth of July. There’s too much unrest in our nation. Plus, my husband and I are taking care of my sister, who has Alzheimer’s. So, no fireworks or picnics will occur this day at our home. Instead, I’ll spend the day with my husband and sister, and try to forget the turmoil that presently assaults our country.

If you want to learn more about the fourth of July click here.

The Many Faces of June 19

Posted on June 18, 2020 by M. E. Murray

Several atrocities occurred during the spring of 2020, so I chose to enrich my blog with a picture of a downy woodpecker in its nest. The picture was taken by my husband in our backyard during the spring season which will end June 20. Although many events occur in June, the most salient ones took place on June 19.

1.Juneteenth. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance. (This information was obtained at https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm.)

Here are other events that occurred on June 19:

2. My favorite cartoon character, Garfield, was born on June 19, 1978, the day the first Garfield strip was published. Here is a copy of my favorite strip:

3. International Box Day. If you have cats, this is the time to watch them jump in and out of a cardboard box, or hide in one.

4.National Martini Day. I don’t drink. But in case you do, June 19 is the perfect time to relax with a martini and forget the turmoil caused by the invisible enemy, COVID-19.

Have a nice day!

Memorial Day

Posted on May 23, 2020 by M. E. Murray

During this coronavirus pandemic, I consider myself very fortunate to see another Memorial Day. It was during a Memorial Day weekend that my husband, who served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam war, and I got married.

The youngest of four children, I was too young to know about drafts and the Vietnam war, and why my older brother left home, wearing fatigues and hauling a large bag that was probably loaded with military gear. He returned to be with our family for a while, and then left again. The Army did not accept my younger because he had an imperfection on one of his feet. College students fled to Canada to avoid the draft. Others took whatever time they had left to enjoy themselves in any possible way because they were destined to go to Vietnam.

My older brother passed away on October 6, 2016. I miss him a lot. He was courageous and served his tour of duty and also continued to serve in the Army reserves. I never asked him why he continued to serve or why he did it. I’m sure he had a reason.

I’m not sure when David, one of my husband’s brothers passed away, but it was probably in 2003. Anyway, the year doesn’t matter. What’s important is that my brother-in-law served his country as a Marine. Whenever I talk to David’s widow, I always tell her that I loved her husband. He was a true friend. This year a dear friend lost his brother, Reynaldo Espinosa, who served many years in the Air Force. To these aforementioned friends and relatives, I offer my sincere thanks. They didn’t die serving their country, but I’m more than sure that they would have willingly fought to protect it.

Since I got married on a Memorial Day weekend, I have good memories of friends and relatives getting together, and if it weren’t for my brother, Victor, I wouldn’t have had a single picture of my wedding day. I thanked him for his generosity, but I never asked Victor if he went to Vietnam. He probably did but never discussed it. As I mentioned, earlier, I was too young to ask such a serious question.

This year, Memorial Day is significantly important. It is a day meant to honor all the men and women who gave up their lives for our country through several wars. Currently, we are fighting a war against an invisible enemy, and a lot of people have died. We must remember them, and we must also thank fontline responders: nurses, doctors, EMTs, celebrities, and even children. They have donated their time and money to help folks who need food, clothes, lodging, and jobs. Thank our frontline heroes with all your heart. And ask God to protect them. On Memorial Day, please ask God to help scientists develop a vaccine for this contagious enemy known as COVID-19.

How Are You?

Posted on May 20, 2020 by M. E. Murray

Let a smile be your umbrella — **A Goodwill Wish from two lovable Mice**

Three days ago I learned that one of my entomology colleagues passed away. His passing saddened me but life happens. We get involved with looking for jobs and creating a family. Now we face a COVID-19 pandemic and very trying times.

I’ve had this mouse placard for a long time. I realize that it’s difficult to smile when things aren’t going your way. It’s hard to smile when you’re wearing a face mask,too, but if you can, try smiling at your family: children, spouse, and pets. Smile even if something upset you on any given day. And by all means, smile at our First Responders and generous volunteers. Thank them for their excellent service during this pandemic.

Today, I’ve been trying to find a doctor, who takes Medicaid, for my sister. I failed miserably. Fortunately, the folks that I talked to were in fabulous moods.Nevertheless, by late afternoon, I was exhausted. When a kind receptionist told me that my requests were not available, I laughed uncontrollably. You see, I get real simple when I’m tired, but my unrestrained laughter helped the receptionist. She’d also had a rough day and told me that my cheerful attitude had made her day.Her comment made me feel so good!

I hope the kind words displayed in my placard will comfort folks, and will also reach friends and relatives so I will know that they all right.

List of friends and relatives:

(Please go to my contact page: https://memurray.com/contact-me/ and leave me a message when you see your name.Thank you!)

Enedina Gonzalez (Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Juanita Alonzo (USDA, Brownsville, TX)

Peggy Nettleton (Ankenny, Iowa; ISU)

Betty Jo Robertson (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Lucila Solis ( Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Rosie Alaniz (Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Priscilla and Andy Rodriguez (Kingsville, Tx)

Maira Ortiz (UWM, Puerto Rico)

Elena Alaniz (Brownsville, Tx)

Aurorita Cuellar (Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX)

Ninfa Ruiz (Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX)

Aggie Perez Pena (UWM, Milwaukee)

Fred Armstrong ( CORP of Cadets, TAMU, College Station, TX)

John Henry Happ (CORP of Cadets, TAMU, College Station, TX)

Arabela Gonzalez (A&I, Kingsville, Tx)

Carmen Ramirez (Villa Maria High School; TAMU, College Station, TX)

Meagon Massey (Fort Worth, TX; Texoma, Tx)

Luis Longoria (Santa Maria,Tx)

Steve Grubbs (Forney, Tx)

Ruben Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Polo Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Jose Luis Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Armando Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Manuela Isela Cruz (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Moncita Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Sonny Solis (Brownsville, Tx)

Janet Ritcher (George & Charlotte Chapman’s niece, Milwaukee, WI)

Karen Manzoni (Southlake, TX; Boston, MA)

Gary Phipps (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Joan (Ostrow) & Gary Schwebel (TAMU,College Station, TX)

Jim & Dow Cox (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Happy Easter Sunday

Posted on April 12, 2020 by M. E. Murray

Happy Easter! Today Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His suffering to save us from our sins.

Have a wonderful day, and don’t forget to thank and pray for all the kind folks who are working around the clock to help people survive the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Good Friday

Posted on April 10, 2020 by M. E. Murray

Two Trees Surrounded by Grass and Wildflowers

Dear readers, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have been experiencing very difficult times, but I hope that this peaceful picture, one of my favorites, provides some comfort.

Initially, I had posted a picture of Christ’s crucifixion since today is Good Friday, but the picture reminded me of how much He suffered. I can’t imagine how the Blessed Virgin Mary must have felt to see her son being tortured mercilessly. I wouldn’t have had the courage to do what she did. She probably knew what His future entailed; yet, she courageously supported her son throughout his suffering and final death on the cross.

Dear Jesus, thank you for saving us from our sins, and kudos to you for proving to agnostics that You were the son of God when You resurrected on the third day after your death.

On this special day, Good Friday, I ask you to encourage humanity to follow Covid-19 guidelines, so our medical community will not have such a hard time treating folks who have contracted the virus. Also, I pray that You help our scientists develop a Covid-19 vaccine so we may win this awful battle against this virus. Lastly, please help us control global warming so we may preserve the beautiful world You created for us.