http://Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@w18?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Claus Grünstäudl</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/microphone?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

I went back and forth on this several times. What to say, how much was too much etc. I even wrote out show notes of a sort. Just about 3 pages worth on a legal pad. Okay, in total maybe 2 pages if I had used both sides. Then, after many days of podcrastination, I fired up my OBS app and pffft. I totally forgot everything I had jotted down. It was awkward and messy if I'm being honest and, why shouldn't I be? We're all friends here, right?
What is podcrastination? I'm so glad you asked. It's a condition where the podcaster does everything but create a new show. For example; I need water, or a snack, or the dog needs to go out, etc. In some cases, it can be "I need just a bit more research first. I love doing the podcast but, it can be hard for me to talk to myself for 20 to 30 minutes. I am sure many people suffered from this, at least in the beginning. After all of that, I started recording. I wound up with a whopping 11 minutes of content. I will be recording again. I know I will need to add more content to it. So, I will either find more about my topic or add part 2.

I wanted to talk about Memorial Day and what it means to me and thousands of veterans like myself. We needn't be thanked on that day. It's meant for the men and women that answered the call to serve and never got to come home. Veteran's Day is for those of us still around. There is also Armed Forces Day to honor those currently serving.
When I was a kid, my Grandmother and her generation called it Decoration Day. That's when families would go to cemeteries and decorate headstones with flags, wreaths etc. It also meant the unofficial start of the summer season at the shore.

If you'd like to learn more about it, please check out this information from History.com it's a good and quick read that delves into the creation of Memorial Day. I also included a poem that is very near and dear to me and a favorite of my wife.
I am including it here for you.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

As a Sailor, I would be remiss if I didn't include this one as well from Eileen Mahoney
In Waters Deep

In ocean wastes no poppies blow,
No crosses stand in ordered row,
There young hearts sleep… beneath the wave…
The spirited, the good, the brave,
But stars a constant vigil keep,
For them who lie beneath the deep.
‘Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer
On certain spot and think. “He’s there.”
But you can to the ocean go…
See whitecaps marching row on row;
Know one for him will always ride…
In and out… with every tide.
And when your span of life is passed,
He’ll meet you at the “Captain’s Mast.”
And they who mourn on distant shore
For sailors who’ll come home no more,
Can dry their tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath the heaving seas…
For stars that shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps marching row on row.
And they can never lonely be
For when they lived… they chose the sea.

If you are new to blogging or podcasting, may I offer the following advice. Just start. You don't need fancy equipment in the beginning. Many people record on their phones or iPads. There are so many free resources for editing and promoting your work. The same goes for blogging. You can start with free websites, although I don't suggest it. For not a lot of dollars, you can get a domain name and self host with Word Press. This will save you from having to move everything over. You also don't need to be a prolific writer. The hardest part is the first post. It will get easier and better as you go.

As always, just my .02 ¢ worth. YMMV
Craig