Since childhood, the simple red poppy has called up haunting images, some recollected from movies and history books, and some from old timers gathered around a kitchen table. They don’t talk about themselves much, but they do get misty-eyed recalling the buddies they lost.

The red poppy takes us back to the Western Front during WWI, as American soldiers inched forward on their bellies to confront the enemy, and to Pork Chop Hill in Korea and the jungles of Vietnam.

Of course, it will always bring back the night of Jan. 20, 1991, when Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Public Affairs got the message saying two Whidbey boys — CHARLIE TURNER and TOM COSTEN — were shot down over Baghdad. From that point on, red poppies evolved into a personal statement of grief.

I believe the red poppy should be worn in remembrance of all the world’s war dead. Perhaps someday it will be raised from a symbol of war to one of reconciliation.

Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day for a complete history, then do a quick search for the poem “In Flanders Fields.” You will get a thumbnail history about Nov. 11, the day, month and hour.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7392 and its ladies auxiliary will distribute Buddy Poppies in front of Oak Harbor’s Albertson’s, Wal-Mart and Safeway grocery stores from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. Nationally, VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members raise about $15 million each year to benefit disabled and needy veterans and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

In 1923, VFW became the first veterans’ organization to promote a nationally-organized campaign for the annual distribution of poppies, which are assembled by disabled or hospitalized veterans.

More than 14 million poppies are assembled today and VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members raise more than $15 million annually from the distributions.

Stop by the post at 3037 N. Goldie Road, Oak Harbor or call 675-4048.

Shoulda been there

Thought you’d like to know that a pannier (pan-yer) is not just a basket flung over a bicycle’s rear wheels. It can also be the wire framework once used to expand a woman’s skirt at the hips.

At CARLA’S SHEAR INSPIRATION last Wednesday, satin skirts floated above panniers, with no detail spared in the wearer’s hair and makeup. It was truly a Renaissance Halloween.

“This year’s was our biggest ever in terms of participation,” said owner CARLA DOZIER, sounding pleased that everyone got in the act.

Customers came and went, many with checks for Carla’s special cause, the purchase of a digital mammography machine for Whidbey General North, sponsored by the local Soroptimists.

“We will lovingly dedicate our donation to the memory of CHRISTINE ELAZAR, a friend whose courage we will never forget,” said Carla.

So far they have raised $1,700. Thank you, customers, and to these ladies and ladies in waiting: CARLA, VAL, NANCY, MARY, JULIA, NAOMIE, PAM, SUSAN, SHARON, KIRSTEN and AMY.

Toxic or not?

ROB McKENNA, Attorney General of Washington, cannot stress enough the importance of checking a toy’s safety before it goes into baby’s mouth.

We hear it every day. Mattel recalled all its “Go Diego Go!” toys and Toys ‘R’ Us recalled about 16,000 Chinese-made Elite Operations toys for excessive lead in their surface paints.

As soon as a recall announced, you’ll know about it at www.recalls.gov. Plenty of links from there cover agencies that regulate recalls of all types.

Help volunteers at non-profit thrift stores who have a hard time sorting through donations. First go to www.cpsc.gov to see if the toys you plan to donate are subject to a recall. If they aren’t safe, don’t give them away. But in case the crib you want to sell or give away is NOT the model covered by a recall, attach information about the recall and a note explaining why your product is different.

There’s more information than can be covered here, so write to “Ask the AG”, Attorney General’s Office, 800 5th Ave. Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104-3188.

Long ride home

DON HANSON and his wife FAY have returned from a long trip none of us ever wants to make. Don is one of the North Whidbey Old Fogies and chairman of the Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial committee.

They went to Wisconsin to see Don’s brother who was quite ill. Coming back home, somewhere in Montana, word came his brother had passed so they turned the car around and headed east again to attend the funeral with family.

There’s still time

You may still sign up for classes in “Learning How to Use the Secret” at The Academy of Hope downtown. Classes are set for Wednesday, Nov. 14, and Thursday, Nov. 15, and will run for eight weeks with some postponed for the holidays. Call director SUE TINGSTAD at 678-5120.

Early darkness has fallen so watch out for munchkins. And as a favor to those past a certain age, please dim your high beams. Call me at 675-6611 or write lifeon

whidbey@yahoo.com.