"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, November 28, 2014

My Thanksgiving Slow Takes About Plymouth Colony, Berkeley Plantation and Casablanca.

1. Writings about the Plymouth Colony. Both Edward Winslow and William Bradford were senior leaders. These writings and more history of the Plymouth are available here.

“And God be praised we had a good increase… Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

Edward Winslow, Mourt’s Relation: D.B. Heath, ed. Applewood Books. Cambridge, 1986. p 82

“They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which is place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.”

William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation: S.E. Morison, ed. Knopf. N.Y., 1952. p 90


2. Some Virginians claim that the first Thanksgiving was held at the Berkeley plantation, November 30, 1619. Thirty eight settlers sailed on the ship, “Good Ship Margaret.” The leader of the expedition was Captain John Woodlief. Details about the adventure are here.

“Then, at a command from Captain Woodlief, with which they were profoundly stirred to comply, the homesick men knelt on the dried grass to pray.

As instructed by the London Company, Woodlief prayed: “We ordaine that this day of our ships arrival, at the place assigned for plantacon, (meaning plantation) in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God”.

America’s first official English speaking Thanksgiving had just occurred, one year and 17 days before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts and almost 2 years before the pilgrims held a 3 day Harvest Feast with their Indian friends, which is referenced in some materials today as the First Thanksgiving.”


3. I have always heard that Ben Franklin had suggested we use the turkey as our national bird. However, an article by Jimmy Stamp, explains this myth. Mr. Franklin did question using the eagle and explains his reasons. The following is from a letter to his daughter.

“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping & robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country…

“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”

4. “Play it, Sam, Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”
“Round up the usual suspects,” 
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine,”
“Here’s looking at you, kid,” 
“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

These are some of the famous lines from “Casablanca.” It premiered on November 26, 1942 in New York City. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
A good friend of mine said Casablanca is a movie that is so good, it needs to be seen once a year. I try my best.

Bogart and Bergman
Humphrey Bogart
5. Harry Chapin, “Cat’s in the Cradle.”


6. Last Saturday’s football was not so good for the Irish Lads. They fell to the Louisville Cardinals, 31-28. They are at 7-4 as they travel to face USC on November 129.   

Post game notes from Spider Football.
“With the 34-20 win at No. 19/22 William & Mary, the Spiders have now won the Capital Cup for three-straight seasons and have come out the victor in “The Oldest Rivalry in the South” in eight of the last 10 games.”

The Spiders y play Morgan State at home for the start of the 2014 FCS Playoffs.

7. Photos of friends. 

Me, Tony & Jack

Dinner With Friends




Friday, November 21, 2014

My Slow Takes About Musicals, A Veteran Tribute, and Prayers.

1. “Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy” … for the Spiders and the Irish Lads each dropped another game.
Okay, so it doesn’t rhyme, but you get the idea.

2. More Minions this week. The following is from the blog, “Par la bouche de mess canons.”


3. Our granddaughter, Ekaterina, was in the musical, “Stage Struck The Story.” Dee and I went to the Saturday night performance with our son Todd. Ekaterina sang in the children’s choir and of course was terrific. It was her first "StageStruck" performance. 

4. Pam and Tony invited us to join them for “An Evening with the Richmond Pops.” It was held at the newly renovated Richmond’s Altria Theater. The music was presented by the Richmond Pops Band with Joe Simpkins, Director. The evening included The United States Army Voices, “Pershing’s Own.” Beautiful voices that joined the band in a tribute to our Veterans.


5. The evening included a selection of songs from World War ll up to Desert Storm. One of the songs I enjoyed was from the musical “Paint Your Wagon.”

Harve Presnell “They Call the wind Maria.”


6. Although this was not one of the songs, I’ve added it because Vaughn Monroe was part of the Big Band Era, Swing and World War ll.

Vaughn Monroe “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”


7. Please pray for Joan Keenan, her husband Bob joined our Lord 11-20-14. Bob was a good man and my friend and brother in Christ. He fought the battle of lung cancer for the last twelve months with Joan at his side. 

Also please pray for the family of Leighton Fuller. His father, Dorsey Wayne Fuller joined our Lord on 11-09-14. He had been battling cancer for the last several months.




 Read other "Takes" this week at "This Ain't The Lyceum."

Friday, November 14, 2014

My Slow Takes About Fair Trade Bazaar, Moby Dick, and Minions.

1. Well, not all Saturdays are delightful. My Irish Lads fell to Arizona State putting them at 7-3. The Spiders lost to Maine moving them to 7-3.

2. We held a Fair Trade Bazaar at Church of the Epiphany. (This is our church.) Dee and I worked the 8:30 Mass and were pleased at the results. The items we offer benefit farmers and craftsmen in other countries. We don’t use the bazaar as a means to raise funds, we sell the goods at cost. There were also hand made baskets from Uganda that one of our parishioners, Barbara, brought in. Once again, no profit, sell at cost.

Coffee, tea, chocolate, jewelry, scarves and more!
The basket area. Barbara is the one on the left, drinking coffee.

3. The Kingston Trio - “M.T.A.” 1994


4. Quotes you may not have been aware of.

"If God wanted us to vote, he would have 
given us candidates."
~Jay Leno~ 

"We hang the petty thieves 
and appoint the great ones to public office."
~Aesop~ 
  
"If we got one-tenth of what was promised 
to us in these State of the Union speeches, there wouldn't be any inducement 
to go to heaven."
~Will Rogers~ 

5. “Moby Dick,” written Herman Melville, was published on November 14, 1851. The publisher was Harper & Brothers of New York City. It was not a popular novel.


6. Last week I presented my Minion Pierre. This week is a list of “named” Minions at "Who's Who Minions." Dave, Stuart, Jerry, Jorge, Tim, Mark, Phil, Kevin, Bob and Jon. Dave does look like Pierre, but is about 10cm shorter. 

7. During the darkness they approached the village. Sen and Klad, the harbingers of winter. They freeze the ground and all things that grow. The winds no longer calm but increasing in velocity. It is their time to rule the earth. All through the night they wander the countryside. Stealing through the forest and over the fields of harvested crops. They wait for morning but are thwarted from their objective. The morning brings the warmth and bright skies of their adversary Sol. There is no snow, not today. Perhaps later.
I awoke to temperatures in the low 30's. It will warm up to the mid 40's and the sun is shinning. Winter is trying to sneak in, but not yet.

  Read other "Takes" this week at "This Ain't The Lyceum."



Friday, November 7, 2014

My Slow Takes About Space, Marty Robins and Healthy Food.

1. Saturday was a great college football game day. Yes, both my teams won and both games were close and enjoyable to watch. 
The first game was the Spiders versus Villanova at 3PM. Spiders over Villanova, 10-9. That puts them at 7-2.
Then at 8PM the Irish Lads faced the tough Navy Midshipmen. Both teams played hard in an engagement that tested the abilities of all the players. Notre Dame 49 and Navy 39. They are now at 7-2.

2. November 3, 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first animal into space. The dog, named Laika, traveled in the spacecraft “Sputnik 2.”


3. We have bluejays drinking water out of the birdbath that sits on the back deck. Dee took this photo, with her telephoto lens, through the family room window.


4. Marty Robins sings “El Paso.”


5. The AARP put together “16 Foods for a Long, Healthy Life.” This is the list with my vote for each.

Coffee - Yes, I enjoy my “Brazilian Breakfast” blend and also Panera Bread “Dark Roast.”
Thyme - I thought the ancient Egyptians used it for embalming.
Wild Salmon - Yes, a delicious fish.
Kale - I like spinach better.
Avocado - Nope, they use to make guacamole, which I don’t eat.
Basil and Mint - Yes and maybe.
Olives and Olive Oil - Yes, my wife, Dee, is Italian.
Walnuts - My favorite nut, especially with wine.
Green Tea - I enjoy it, but drink more coffee than tea.
Sweet Potatoes - Dee cooks them a lot and I’ve learned to like them.
Dark Chocolate - CHOCOLATE, YES!
Asparagus - Nope, I keep trying, but it has no taste.
Pomegranates - You’ve got to be kidding.
Garlic - See Olives and Olive Oil.
Yogurt - Yes, but only with fruit.
Blueberries - Yes, especially in yogurt.

6. My very own minion, Pierre.
7. Next Tuesday, November 11 is Veterans Day. Hug a veteran, pray for a veteran, tell a veteran, thank you for all you have done. 

My Dad, Paul

Dee's Dad, Frank



Read other "Takes" at Conversion Diary.