A Memorial Gathering

On a very blustery day in our 100 acre woods (Hot Springs, South Dakota), an intimate group gathered at our public library to remember one of the active contributors to our community. It was at noon, lunch was served and close friends shared memories of the woman who had unexpectedly and suddenly died among her flowers and garden that she passionately tended each year.

A memorial service was held earlier, but this gathering was a dedication of a brick laid in the libray patio, and a time to reflect on an artistic life which had many years of influence on the arts in the area.

Stories were shared, both funny and poignant. It was most refreshing and hopeful to hear the strengths and weaknesses of another human being. It was a reminder that we all have our good sides, as well as our dark parts. This person, as most of us, was flawed, but grew and made the most of her gifts. What more can we ask of ourselves? And how much will we accept the totality, the light, as well as the dark, of those who share our lives?

Where is Reason?

All three of our congressional delegation wrote another letter to Secretary Shinseki, officially announcing their opposition to the VA Health Care System of the Black Hills plan to close the Hot Springs VA. (You can view it on our site: theveteranstown.com)

The first letter asking the Secretary of the VA to come from Washington to see for himself the facility in Hot Springs and listen to the proposal created by the citizens of Hot Springs, has been ignored up to now.

Senator Tim Johnson, Senator John Thune and Representative Kristi Noem are opposed! Why can't the U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary, Eric Shinseki respond to their requests?

The Hot Springs plan is far superior to serve the needs of rural veterans, as well as a plan that cuts costs in comparison to the plan put our by the VA Health Care System of the Black Hills.

What is wrong with the administrators of the VA? Will they listen to reason? Their plans seem to include the destruction of all rural VA facilities in the United States. They look only to the larger hospitals in the larger cities serving the needs of all veterans, even though many veterans prefer the intimacy and calm of the rural ones.

Is their plan to force many veterans to receive treatment at regular hospitals? It has been proven that treating veterans at VA facilities is more cost effective and helpful than sending them to civilian hospitals.

It is not rational to ignore the Hot Springs plan in any way, monetarily or healing wise. Again I wonder, what has happened to reason?

Closing In and Closing Out

The sun warmed me as I sat on the back steps enjoying what the forecasters predict will be the last balmy day for who know how long. Our bees were venturing out, but fewer than usual. Everything in nature had slowed a bit, except for the birds stuffing themselves at the bird feeders.

As I sat for that time, enjoying the late aftenoon fading rays of the sun, I heard Bob closing the windows....not just the inner ones as he usually does on cooler evenings, but I heard the swish of the storm windows, doubly closing out his expectations for the cold to come.

I sighed. It has been a wonderful October, but November is rearing its head. "Get used to it," I said to myself. It is coming and it is time to say goodbye to my favorite season. I have to get my mind re-set to the wonders of the coming season, the ones following, and then, as always, I will greet my pet season once again. I do know that as I grow older, time seems to escape me faster than ever, and so it will not be too long before I will be once again warming my chilly bones on the back porch in the late afternoon rays of the sun.

To the Honorable Eric Shinseki

It's all about hope, unity and commitment to the cause of all veterans. We continue on with one voice. We knew from the beginning that this would be a long, difficult struggle. We have been meeting, planning, making posters and writing letters, all in preparation for a visit from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Washington in response to an invitation from our congressional officials from South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. You can read their letter on our website, theveteranstown.com. Please visit it.

The following is one of my letters to the one who will make the final decision regarding the future of the VA in Hot Springs, SD.

Oct. 13, 2012

Dear Secretary Shinseki:

You have recently received a letter from the congressional representatives from South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska regarding keeping our VA in Hot Springs, SD. They all realize that saving this VA in its present location is very crucial to the health and well-being of veterans from the Indian reservation who face a huge hardship if they have to travel further for their health care, and who are treated with respect at this facility. This is also of importance to rural veterans from Nebraska and Wyoming. Another critical reason is that the veterans with PTSD and addiction issues recover better in the serene atmosphere of a small town, separated from the triggers they encounter in the larger cities.

I have interviewed many veterans from all branches of service and from all conflicts who use this VA for their care. They are passionate about saving this VA, and are increasingly mistrustful of a government who is taking away their lifeline to sanity, sobriety or physical well being.

I am capturing their testimonials in my next book, Voices of Veterans. This book will include the passion of the veterans, along with the fervor of a community known as "The Veteran's Town." This small community came up with a brilliant and innovative proposal which was largely ignored by your administrators who were appointed under your watch. This proposal will not only save the taxpayers and the VA money, but it will enhance the much needed treatment for our many returning veterans.

Please listen to the voices of our veterans, most of whom live in the rural areas or the reservations. Many from urban areas, such as Denver, choose this facility because of the exceptional and personal care, and also because of the tranquility of the surroundings.

We are looking forward to your visit so that we can show you first hand this facility and community of which we are so proud.

Very sincerely,

Mary Goulet

Three Trapped Mice, See How they Run!

During the summer months I fed the birds saflower seeds, as suggested by a reader, to deter the greedy grackles until they fly south in the fall. Yesterday I went into the tool shed to retrieve my stash of sunflower seeds. I reached into the large plastic bucket to be greeted by a surpised mouse. (Actually, we were both surprised.) I went for help from my husband, being squeemish about reaching into the mouse's space.

Bob calmly tipped the can over. Out ran a terrified mouse. "Well," said Bob. "There is another mouse in here." He managed to shoo that mouse out, at the same time that we heard a third critter scurrying around at the bottom of the tattered bag of seed. It took some maneuvering, but my calm partner managed to flush the last one out.

I must say, those three mice must have been in there for a long time. The plastic bag inside the plastic container was shredded among the seeds, and the mice looked rather plump as they exited their prison. I wonder if they thought of it as a prison. I know they could not climb back out, but in the meantime, they gorged themselves while trapped at the bottom.

There are two ways of looking at a situation such as those three, tiny mice found themselves in while in confinement: they could expend all of their energy trying to escape, or, keep feasting and hope for rescue. Fortunately these little guys were discovered by a couple who "live and let live" unless forced to do otherwise.

Meanwhile, "Attention, all you stray cats out there. You are welcome to sustain yourselves in our back yard. Winter is on its way and there are some plump, furry creatures who may help you make it through the cold days ahead!"

A Touch of Summer

One moment it is balmy and the next moment it is cold and snowy. The snow does melt as it hits the ground, but it definitely is a warning of the season to come. Our September was gorgeous, but much too dry for our drought-filled winter, spring and summer this past year. We need the moisture, and much, much more to fill our lakes, rivers and parched ground. I remember our drought from 2000 to 2007 and the ensuing devastating fire of 7-7-7. So I welcome moisture in any form, even though the flakes were a mite sudden for my system.

The forecast predicts milder days ahead. Our bees will return outside once again, only to discover that all of their sources for nourishment have frozen in our first frost. Two days ago they were buzzing around, seeking the last remnants to carry to their hive for the colder days of winter. Now they are inside, hidden from our view, but I will supply them with sugar water on the warmer days to help sustain them and their queen, waiting for the new pollen and nectar that come with spring.

Bob gathered the remainder of our garden that he so carefully tended for four months. The squash are stored in the basement. There are some cucumbers, zuccini, peppers and numerous tomatoes. The green ones, also in the basement, will ripen, hopefully, and not unlike the honey for the bees, will help sustain us through the days ahead with that special sweet flavor not found in the store bought tomatoes.

The red flowers that Bob planted in our front yard planter are blossoming as if it were summer. He very carefully covers them at night, removing the cover when it warms to a safe temperature. My heart, too, warms when I look out our window. I don't know how long before the days become too cold, but for now all who pass can enjoy the brightness of a touch of summer.

Some Days are Better

The World War II veteran was sitting in his wheel chair in the VA hospital staring out the window. His wife called to tell me that he wanted to see me. He had a fall coming out of his house early in September. She called 911, the police arrived and took him up the hill to our VA. They told him that he would never go home again and that he had seven months to live.

"I didn't expect to end up like this after all of my years. I have seen better days, but then I have seen worse," he said as he looked at me sideways.

We both knew that "worse" he was referring to was his time as a medic on Guadalcanal during the war. He had told me some of his story one sunny afternoon last summer as I sat in his living room. He omitted parts that were too difficult for him to recall. His wife filled in the missing pieces, and I understood why he was loath to revisit those horrific times.

"I have known both the drama and the comedy. I prefer to talk about the comedy."

The nurses and aids who look after this tough old veteran seem to appreciate his sense of humor. He does not dwell on the negatives from his 89 years of living. He focuses on the positives, of which there are many. But always, among the lightness, lurks the pain.

"I have to live to make 90."

I have no doubt that he will make it to 90. He is determined to live out this next "blip" of his life, in the warmth of a hospital that cares about the veterans who served. His life, the part he shares reluctantly and infrequently, will live on in his story that will go to Washington and also in my book, a testimonial to all veterans from all branches and all conflicts.