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Using ribbons, lace, flowers and painted leaves, a young woman's enterprise in the 1840s initiated a significant shift of cultural landscape. Desiring something more personal than the valentine cards imported from England, Ester Howland set about creating her own, personalizing them with her initial. Valentine card sales rank number two nowadays, but commercial flavor and flair [...] The hand on my shoulder gently shook away the deep sleep. "Get up," my dad whispered. "I hear it again." For several nights a peculiar sound had awakened him, not by its loudness, for it wasn't. But it belonged elsewhere, to the war perhaps, where sporadic, high-pitched tones reminiscent of Morse code might not have seemed [...] Using the lens of today (as supplied in a letter from my son) to sift through the fragments of a bygone era in our lives, I offer a simple observation for the New Year now upon us. Father's Day approaches, and I'm thinking of someone in particular. We lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same church and even carpooled together. But cancer claimed him in his prime, robbing a wife and two young sons of husband and father. He was my friend, Gerald Graham. Friends don't laugh at your dreams, no [...] This being the season for making New Year's resolutions, I thought we might be inspired in our own commitments by a few of the 70 resolutions made by a young man when he was about 20. His powerful resolves helped shape not only his own destiny, but also that of a nation. This being the season for making New Year's resolutions, I thought we might be inspired in our own commitments by a few of the 70 resolutions made by a young man when he was about 20. His powerful resolves helped shape not only his own destiny, but also that of a nation. Sunday, December 31, 1995. The big backpacking trip is over. It was exhausting, and I am still weary and sore. We rose at 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning and got an early start. Unanticipated logistics in shuttling cars, however, made us almost two hours late in getting on the trail. This put us way behind on time [...] For the 1876 centennial celebration of the Fourth of July, Daniel C. Roberts wrote a special hymn. He could never have known how applicable it would be 125 years hence. In 1887, Robert's hymn was chosen as the official hymn of the national centennial observance commemorating the adoption of our Constitution. Along with the original tune [...] For the 1876 centennial celebration of the Fourth of July, Daniel C. Roberts wrote a special hymn. He could never have known how applicable it would be 125 years hence. In 1887, Robert's hymn was chosen as the official hymn of the national centennial observance commemorating the adoption of our Constitution. Along with the original [...] When the 1960s dawned, a cloud of fear was creeping across our country. Russia was continually breathing threats, and many were anxious. Sputnik, Russia's first satellite, had launched the race for space. Spies were divulging our secrets. Times were tense. Cities and families made plans. One rural family we know agreed they would quickly tunnel into [...] |
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Copyright 2012 James McAlister - All Rights Reserved |
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