Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. This weekend, we celebrate Veteran’s Day in honor of American veterans of all wars. Both my family and my husband’s family include a long line of men who have served our country. If you know any veterans, please thank them for their sacrifice. You will be surprised how saying “thank you” can make a difference.
Quote of the Week: “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” –Douglas MacArthur
Movie of the Week: One of my favorite military movies is the 1963 movie The Great Escape, starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood at that time. Steve McQueen, James Garner, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, and many others portrayed a version of the real-life escape that inspired this movie. Although its characters are combinations of actual people, it is amazing what these men accomplished by sneaking out of their compound. One of my favorite scenes is when the soldiers use potatoes to make whiskey. When they tasted it to see if it was anything like the real thing, they were overtaken by its strength and said, “Wow!” as each of the three men tasted it. Each “wow” sounded a little softer as the liquor burned their taste buds. Whiskey aside, this movie shows why the soldiers of that era are called the “greatest generation.”
Recharge Tip for the Week: I’m not sure about you, but as I navigated the time change this week, I felt as if each day had doubled in length. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it feels wrong for the sun to sit so low in the sky at 3:30 p.m. Be sure to get plenty of rest, so that when it gets dark, you won’t want to go to bed at 5 o’clock. Also, make time during the day to get your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun. When I worked in the radiology department at UT Hospital, I put in 12-hour shifts. I worked two days and was off two days, then I worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The following week, my days off flipped. During the winter, I went to the hospital before the sun rose and left after it set. For two days straight, I didn’t see daylight at all unless I walked outside somewhere at the hospital. That was not fun. Oh, one more tip: Be sure to have the necessary sunglasses for driving west into the setting sun!
Joke of the Week: What is the difference between a special forces member of the Navy and a four-legged mammal with short brown fur that swims well and eats fish? One is a SEAL, and the other is an otter.
Recipe of the Week: I think you’ll like this patriotic treat as we celebrate Veteran’s Day this weekend.
American Flag Cheesecake
What You’ll Need:
1-2 boxes no-bake cheesecake mix
½ cup raspberries
½ cup blueberries
In a rectangular pan, mix the cheesecake ingredients according to directions on the box. Once the cheesecake is in the pan, decorate it to resemble an American flag. Use blueberries for the blue square in the top left corner. Then, place the raspberries in lines to represent the stripes. Chill until cheesecake reaches desired firmness, then ENJOY!
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to shout out to everyone who has served (or is currently serving) the United States in any capacity, including the usual armed military forces and the Peace Corps or other groups like it. Without your dedication to protecting our country, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today. Thanks to you and to your families for all of your time spent at home and abroad. We salute you!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
