Pinterest has become my new favorite place for feeding that addiction. I have found lots of other WW2 enthusiasts out there, and I'm learning quite a few things I never knew before. One thing that fascinates me about this war is how all-encompassing it was. It really was a world war in every sense. Hardly a corner of the globe went untouched by it, and when you think about it, that is mind-boggling.
Thus, my learning about this conflict will never, ever be over. There will always be something new to discover, something new to unearth and research. Which means I can spend a lifetime studying it. Awe...some.
Lately, I've loved finding pictures of soldiers with animals. There's something rather beautiful about seeing a hardened man in combat snuggling with a dog or kitty, or taking time out to help an animal that has been wounded by the humans fighting around him.
Here's a few of those photos:
I love all these photos. They show humanity during a time of great upheaval.
So what are your addictions?
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My wife is a pinterest addict. I only dabble there.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten addicted to it, too, and have made several recipes I've found on there.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteHistory is also one of my addictions. I have a particular fascination with the late 1800s, whether it be Victorian England, the move west in America or the settling of my own country New Zealand. The gold rush in my part of the country - which started in Otago in1861 - also grabs my attention!
Late Victorian England is fascinating to me, too, JT. And I really don't know the whole history behind the settling of New Zealand - I'd love to know more!
DeleteI love to make people laugh, LOVE historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteThere is something almost heartbreaking -- and heartwarming -- about those pictures. Kindness during wartime... We're not all bad, are we?
Pearl
Hi Pearl! Thanks for stopping by. Yay - another historical fiction lover! :)
DeleteYes, I agree...there is something bittersweet about those photos that just pulls at the heartstrings. I'm tempted to try and do a photo essay of them at some point.
I love history too. There is something about discovering what went on here before we arrived. We have several books in our shop about the role of South Africa in World War II - which I have paged through. I've started reading several books about SA history and the Anglo/Zulu wars which is just fascinating stuff. I agree that history is very cool!
ReplyDeleteClare - I don't know much about South African history, either, though I did study it a bit in graduate school when we studied European colonialism, and I don't much about it during the war, either. Yet one more thing I can't wait to learn about! :)
DeleteThose are awesome photos. I'm always emotional when I see the photos of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with dogs. So many abandoned animals during war - they need the soldiers as much as the soldiers need them.
ReplyDeleteIt's great when your two addictions can feed each other. :)
I'm the same way, Heidi. I have a picture on my FB now of a service dog whose soldier woke up from a nightmare and just clung to him. Companion animals play such an important roles in our life, I think.
DeleteI love reading about World War 2 as well and even had a story idea, but historical fiction is kind of intimidating.
ReplyDeleteIt can definitely be intimidating! I have wondered myself if, with all the research I'm doing, I'm still getting everything right.
DeleteMelissa-my NaNo novel is partially set in WWII because I'm writing a fictionalized account of my Uncle Pete's experience. I love doing the research-I find it very exciting!!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking how comforting it must have been for soldiers to have animal companions when they were so far away from home. Something familiar during such a stressful time. I love the pictures you found!
Oh, Valerie, what a cool idea for your novel! Can't wait to read it.
DeleteI agree - their pets must have been a way to escape from reality for a time.
I've always been crazy about history too. There's a ton of fascinating time periods and events I'm interested in, mainly in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centery, and WWII is one of them.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, have you ever read Green For Danger by Christianna Brand? It's a murder mystery set in a military hospital in the English countryside during WWII. It was written in the very midst of the bombing raids, and the detail of the wartime setting and how it plays into all the characters' motivations is really what makes the book as good as it is.
Elisabeth - Oh, wow. That book sounds awesome. I'm going to check and see if my library has it. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteJust checked and they have it. Woo hoo!
DeleteI'm addicted to writing and animals. Those pictures are so touching, Melissa. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love reading fiction set in WWII but I couldn't write it. The research would take far too long. :)
I love the research! Unfortunately, I can get lost in it. *grin*
DeleteWhat incredible pictures Melissa! My addictions are singing, well, music, and - no I'd better not list the rest!!
ReplyDeleteFlower - would wine be on the list? ;-)
DeleteGreat minds think alike! The other day my Pinterest was filled with pictures of soldiers with animals or various military animals. So I did a post with animals through the American wars and it's sitting in my queue for the future (I'm trying to work on doing more of a variety on my site and not just war)!
ReplyDeleteBut besides history and Pinterest, I've recently been addicted to BBC shows. The other day I finished Sherlock (which was FANTASTIC) and just started on Downton Abbey (LOVING)!
OH. You are going to become a Downton Abbey ADDICT, just like me! It is SUCH a good show. I adore it.
DeleteI can't wait to read your post on animals through the American wars - I'm thinking of writing an article on it for a future publication.
How good to see these photos. Since it's D-Day, I plan to watch "The Longest Day" ... again.
ReplyDeleteI watched it on Memorial Day - such a great movie.
Deletelove these pictures. I wonder if there were really any places that managed to be unaffected by that war?
ReplyDeleteI'm addicted to reading. I stayed up to 2 am the other night to finish a book, and THEN I had to get my materials ready to teach a VBS class that same morning!!!