Memorial Day ­-- It is a time to remember

Hi neighbors. This Monday is Memorial Day. Most of us have our own way of celebrating this holiday; and for many of us it includes trips out of town to family graves.

In my instance, this includes some little cemeteries in pastures. Most of these rural burial grounds have been fenced to keep grazing cattle out. Although I'd like to think they are fenced to protect the graves; this is a two-way situation.

Keeping the cows out does protect the graves and gravestones; but it also prevents the cattle from stumbling over headstones, falling and breaking a rib, or having a hoof pierce soft dirt creating a hole that could damage the cow's leg.

I am always happy to find a fence around a cemetery within a pasture with cattle. I've had enough episodes with bulls in my life; I don't need to fight one off with a handful of cut flowers!

But enough about cattle! Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays. For all you readers who are also nostalgic and sentimental, today is the day to remember people in your past who have died. Parents, grandparents, great grandparents, children, cousins, aunts and uncles are all on the list to "visit" at their last resting place.

There are two rural cemeteries that I usually visit. One is near Stockton, Alder Church cemetery where most of my father's side of the family are buried. Both my parents and one child are buried there as well. Alder Church was built by my great-great-grandfather on part of the original homestead bought in the 1830s.

On my paternal grandmother's side, most of two generations of her family, back to her grandparents, are buried in either Plum Grove or on the old homestead in Dunnegan, Mo. Again, at least the Dunnegan cemetery, is located on land once owned by my grandmother's family. I don't know about Plum Grove yet.

To me it is always a comfort to know these homesteaders planted roots so many years ago; lived and worked the ground all of their lives, and are now resting in their own soil. These are a few examples of how I rattle on to family at these cemeteries. I hope the elders in your family do the same. I feel it is important to know not only whom your roots were, but also where they are planted.

Memorial Day is a great day for family history! Dig out those photo albums and tell your children about their family. Don't forget stories about them as well, children love to hear what they did when younger.

Have a picnic (did you know cemeteries used to be popular picnic places?), do some grilling, and play some frisbee. It is a family day.

Thursday was the Art Share from noon till 1 p.m. at the Art Gallery on 104 E. Cherry, in Nevada. Held every other month, this opportunity is offered by Andrew McNair who shares his studio for creative people of any interest to come talk about creativity in general and to share items they have created to show their individual talents. It was a good time as usual with discussions of ways to celebrate Nevada through various venues. Doug Harper has done a great job bringing local talents to this area and spotlighting Vernon County talent.

Please watch the Nevada Daily Mail newspaper to find the next meeting time and date.

Music on the Square has started and, with the exception of Bushwhacker Days, will be held every Thursday evening on Nevada Square. Please come and enjoy the bands and show them some appreciation. New talent needs encouragement folks, so let's support Vernon County's own musicians!

As the summer gets started, Nevada is offering lots of things to do. One of my favorites is the Farmers Market that opened last Saturday at Earp Park. There are usually home made jellies and jams, fresh produce and today some bedded plants for your garden. And there are always people you know at the market!

Until the next time friends, keep your minds and eyes open for new adventures and your heart receptive to those memories of past adventures you've shared with your family. Happy Memorial weekend!