Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 

Have had flags for years. Today, I am flying one of the big ones. Need to go to Loews to buy a clip for it. We are headed for Pottstown, where Captain B. will have his flag flying high and always at the ready. 

Mom says she knows where Pottstown is. It isn’t far from here, is it?

No, mom. It’s 30 minute away.
Pottown is nice. I remember always seeing the sign for Pottstown.
So, you remembering seeing the sign when you drove?
Yeah (weak smile).
Mom, you never drove near Pottstown at all.
Oh yeah. What are you doing?
Making lemon squares.
Oh yeah?
Yes, do you remember when you used to bake?
Oh yeah (weaksmile—always a dead giveaway).
Sure, mom. You never baked a cookie in your entire life. 

Rob started to laugh so hard, I followed, with tears streaming down my face. He said we should record our “conversations” and send them to Fire Sign Theater. I couldn’t do the judgin’ cause I didn’t know the Latin! 

Well, at least mom is showered and has had her cereal. All we have to do is load her into the car later, as she regales us with, I remember this, all the way down. If only she did. 

Rob started laughing as he recalled an incident with his father, who complained to his brother (Rob’s uncle) that we had gotten his towels wet. The response was priceless and delivered only as Ken could deliver it: But Crawford, that’s what they’re for!”

I reminded Rob that his father wasn’t demented. No, he said, irascible!
Curmudgeonly!
Cantankerous!
Contumacious!

We were halted by mom, who asked, Where did you buy this? Referring to a small container of Lancôme face cream, which I left on the kitchen counter for her.

At the store.
Really? How much did you pay for it? (That’s another favorite question for which she rarely seeks an answer.)
A lot.
Oh yeah?

Sigh! Went to Loews for the grommets. The American flag is now flying high—well, sort of. It’s over by the fence, but I still have the mounting bracket and will someday have someone mount it onto the house for me! God bless America and all the men and women who fought for us.