We have to live life with a sense of urgency so not a minute is wasted. Les Brown

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Alligator and friends—enjoying a Gatorland http://www.gatorland.com/public/the-park/hours-prices/index.cfm     moment of the day at Scottish Festival for our PICTURE OF THE DAY

JESSICA HERNANDEZ

 In addition to candle warmers and scented wax, Scentsy also sells bath products, cosmetics, laundry items, and similar products

WWW.JESSICAHDZ.SCENTSY.COM

AND THAT’S OUR HONORABLE MENTION TODAY

See what they’re doing in Falkland/Fife for filming: http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2016/01/outlander-returns-to-falkland-fife-to-film-possible-inverness-scenes/

CAMPBELL KIDS 1991 Cup Mm! Mm! Good!. Campbell Soup With

$4.30 USD
 
LAKE COUNTY AIR SERVICES
In consideration for a possible adventure
$50/person (plus tax)
Live narrated tour–Aviation headsets for two-way cabin communications
Up to 7 passengers.
Birds eye view of Lake County.  Fly over favorite towns and special landmarks, pristine lakes and rivers, rolling hills and lush forests.
Everyone has a window.
218-682-2006

I thought I’d end the week by just offering some places in Florida that might get you away from the ordinary, whether you live here or are visiting–it sets you apart from the tourists:

USA Today posted this:

Tourists

 A tourist may carry a camera, guidebook and map at all times and wear the same clothing he’d wear at home. Tourists tend to stay in their comfort zones a bit; they may speak only English instead of trying to learn phrases in the local language; stick to major cities instead of venturing to smaller towns or off-the-beaten-path locales; and stay in areas where the amenities are similar to what they have at home.

Travelers

Generally speaking, someone who considers himself a traveler will try to immerse himself in the local culture rather than standing out. If you’re a traveler, you may try to explore the less-traveled areas and explore locations where tourism doesn’t drive the economy. You’ll interact with locals. Your goals for a trip will be to learn and experience new things, rather than to take a relaxing break from everyday life. A traveler may consider a trip a journey rather than a vacation.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/differences-between-tourist-traveller-103756.html

Authentic Gulf Coast Fishing Villages

LOOKING FOR Great Sunsets and Seafood Restaurants with several marinas, charter and guided fishing not to mention Victorian-style condo rentals?

Try

Keaton Beach

http://seenorthflorida.com/destinations/keaton.php

and/or

Steinhatchee

http://www.steinhatchee.com/

for the best of old time Florida

Together these counties have deployed 80 artificial reefs off shore:

Dixie

http://dixie.fl.gov/

Levy

http://www.visitnaturecoast.com/

Taylor

http://www.taylorcountychamber.com/

Suwannee  situated at the River by the same name has:  House boat canoe and fishing boat rental–but you don’t just (or even at all) fish, you can explore the river delta or the Gulf shoreline which is what Florida was before Disney and NASA.  You can also take a leisurely ride upstream on the Suwannee to several nearby streams.

http://www.suwanneeriverchamber.com/

And remember Cedar Key from previous Blog–It is one of the oldest ports in the state and once had its own rail connection making it a major supplier of seafood and timber products to the northeast.  Now it’s a haven for artists and writers who love the unspoiled environment–check out the many galleries and award winning restaurants that are all over the downtown.

http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/cedar-key.html

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
6,000 acres with a maze of underground caverns
and the world’s deepest and longest fresh-water spring
all of it overflowing with wild life.
Guided riverboat cruises through protected Old Florida
1930s-era lodge with dining room
Bathhouse, beach, and observation platform/diving tower near the spring.
Ginnie Springs
Springs, campsites, world-renowned cave-diving with dive shop and equipment rental with loads of B&Bs in the area.  Kayaking, canoeing, bikes and nature.
Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory
Panacea
Get up close and personal with local marine life.
An array of weird and wonderful treasures from the NW Gulf Coast in touch tans and aquariums (crabs sea urchins, starfish, stingrays, turtles and seahorses)
More cave diving and snorkeling
Both in Williston
Just plain Diving and Snorkeling
Manatee State Park
Fanning Springs State Park
have both
for those of you that are also into light activities:  Antiquing and Unique Shopping
 
Antiquing:
THE HICKORY HILL ANTIQUES AND GIFTS
Madison
There’s Hickory Auction right next door
Crystal Ice House
Trenton
Manatee Antiques
Chiefland
Dixie Antiques
Cedar Chest Antiques
Williston
Micanopy
has many hand crafters and antique shops full from treasures from yesteryear along it’s shady streets.
High Springs
Down town is a prime area for antiquing
and Wine is always a good investment
Monticello Vineyards & Winery
Small and unpretentious
Red Hill bioregion in north central part of the state
at Lady Bird Organics
The Dakotah Winery
on US 19
Named Florida’s Wine Shop by Florida Monthly Magazine
North of
Chiefland
The Suwannee Valley Quilt Shoppe
in a restored 1926 Coca Cola Bottling Company Building
on Main Street
Draws quilters and cross-stitchers from the southeastern U.S.
Trenton
The Levy County Quilt Museum
Founded by the Log Cabin Quilters Club
The only registered quilt museum in the state.
Twice a year the Club organizes a Quilt Show for quilters to display their work at the museum and offer their work at the museums and other items for sale.
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Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive about what could go right.

A tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure. CHARLIE CHAPMAN

THE DRAGON LAIR DIVA’S

NEXT BIG ADVENTURE

Leaving in May:

OR at least working on it.

PICTURE TO THE DAY
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A Lovely lady out strollin’ at the Scottish Games
Honorable Mention: 
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Gatorland
http://www.gatorland.com/
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32837
This attraction has been in the Central Florida longer than me and I’ve been here since the early 70’s (picture above is a couple of the staff at the Scottish Games)
Gatorland provides affordable family fun while showcasing thousands of alligators and crocodiles including four extremely rare leucistic “white” alligators. The free-flight aviary, petting zoo, one of a kind animal shows, natural alligator breeding marsh, and the “thrilling” Screamin’ Gator Zip Line provides interest for everyone.
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” — T.S Eliot
 “Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.” — Henry David Thoreau
 

BRYAN ADAMS 1981 LP You Want It-You Got It Vinyl 33 1/3 record Vinyl 33 1/3 record

Presented to consider for A NEW ADVENTURE
TAMPA BAY GRAND PRIX
2 Locations
Tampa:  3404 Cragmont Dr
813-341-6300
Clearmont:  12350 Automobile Blvd
727-527-8464
Race on Grand Prix-style tracks up to 50 MPH.
Large comfortable lounge areas for viewing and reacting:  Climat -controlled and equipped with leather couches, flat screen TVs, and free WIFI
Open late
“Follow your bliss, and doors will open for you that you never knew existed. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell
Santa that was handmade in the USA  Primitive one of a kind
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So far this week I gave you an example of two towns that didn’t seem to have much to offer and then gave you all kind of alterative offering that turned the town from a spot on the map to a real adventure.  Today we’re gonna look at some more tiny towns in Florida (but trust me they have them everywhere if only to take up the blank places on the map) that have more than a name and cross roads to hold your attention.
 “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” – Katharine Hepburn
Cedar Key is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 702 at the 2010 census.[3] The Cedar Keys are a cluster of islands near the mainland. Most of the developed area of the city has been on Way Key since the end of the 19th century. The Cedar Keys are named for the Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana, once abundant in the area  OK I got some of you in that it was on an island but then we got to the trees and you started yawning.
But Cedar Key has The Island Hotel and Restaurant (ok perking our interest a little?  http://www.islandhotel-cedarkey.com/) which is one of the most famous B&B’s in the state.  It also has the Cedar Key Museum Stat Park which depicts the colorful history of what was once a thriving Gulf Coast Port City.  Ok more of you are say—hey tell me more.
and there is MORE:
It has boats, birding, antiques http://visitcedarkey.com/town.php and even Jimmy Buffett sang about the town–and one of its Fictitious visitors Travis McGee–“out in Cedar Key, that’s what John McDonald  http://jdmhomepage.org/travis-mcgee-novels-1-9.html said.”
http://visitcedarkey.com/town.php
They have

A Wild Life Refuge:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Cedar_Keys/

and much more

http://visitcedarkey.com/cedar-key-guide.php

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” -W. M. Lewis

Or there’s CROSS CITY:

Cross City is a town in Dixie County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,728 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dixie County.  According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all land.    Ok I don’t see anybody rushing off to Dixie  Co.  But the city  does have the historic Putnam Lodge (late 1920s) which is like the old National Park Hotels with a “pecky cypress” interior.   http://putnamlodge.com/history.php   And don forget The Dixie County Cultural Center in an old Elementary school and there  are beaches, and much more–check it out:  http://www.dixiechamber.org/history.php

Perry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017.[3] It is the county seat of Taylor County.   The city’s web site states that the city was named for Madison Stark Perry, fourth Governor of the State of Florida and a Confederate States Army colonel during the American Civil War.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry,_Florida And it has an authentic Cracker Farm at the Forest Capital Museum and  several other things:  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34553-Activities-Perry_Florida.html

While GREENVILLE:  Greenville is a town in Madison County, Florida, United States. The population was 843 at the 2010 census.  According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), all of it land.   But it has something that some of you might be interested in–The Honey Lake Plantation Resort and Spa which houses the oldest stained glass window in the state. 

  http://www.honeylakeresort.com/

“Always remember, it’s simply not an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons.” Sarah Ban Breathnach

Ok now you try it:

MICANOPY near Gainesville has some historical highlight as well  as was the site of a movie you’ve probably seen (see picture)..check it out and find out what natural site just disappeared one day.  PS and just how old it the town and area for European settlers.

Cross Creek is the title of what  and played a part in what best seller, not to mention a couple movies and who lived here and what did she /he leave behind in this town just south of Gainesville.  PS there are guided tours.

Perry–what takes place there and what was it nominated for and where does it take place at?

Wakulla and Alachua County are both home to a scenic one and an old one…what are they and what do you do there?

 “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” — Thomas Alva Edison

 

Vase 8 1/4" tall 1982 FORREST FANTASY Togo

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Ghosts, like ladies, never speak till spoke to. Richard Harris Barham

THE COMING ADVENTURE

the Once and Future King is in my Cornish part plans

Still waiting for friend to confirm time off.

FOR YOUR ADVENTURE PLANNING CONSIDERATION
TREE HOPPERS/AERIAL ADVENTURE PARK
27839 St. Joe Rd
Dade City, FL 33525
813-381-5400
Florida’s largest zip line adventure park
8 courses
100 different challenges
MONTICELLO is a town in Florida and according to ABC new (Oct. 2003) it is “The South’s most Haunted Small Town”.  Oh and at Halloween (also in June as part of the Watermelon Festival http://www.bigbendghosttrackers.com/Events.html The Big Bend Ghost Trackers host ghost tours here.
OK so some of you are interested, but some are yawning at these spirits they’re not too impressed by…or appalled that anyone wants to do anything with that kind of thing.
Another description I found that Monticello is considered a beautiful mall town with lots of southern charm by day and ghostly spirits by night.
According to THE BOOK LOVER’S GUIDE TO FLORIDA (Editor–McCarthy) :  The town is north of I-10 on US 19 and was named for Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home and has a court house (see above picture) modeled on that home and it is the county seat of Jefferson County.
Oh and there’s a book written about the town:  MONTICELLO (Rust–1991) nticellohttp://bit.ly/1xc728h
In fact according to Natural Florida the town is legendary for it’s number of restored and registered historic homes and buildings along moss-covered, oak-lined city streets.   There’s even a self guided walking and driving tour.    http://www.visitjeffersoncountyflorida.com/contactus.aspx
THE 1890’s MONTICELLO OPERA HOUSE is listed as a don’t miss in the town.
According to Wikipedia “The Perkins Block was built in 1890 by Monticello businessman John H. Perkins. This building included three first floor bays housing Perkins’ mercantile interests – a general store and sewing machine shop, a hardware store and a farm implement supply store. In addition, Perkins built a stable behind the building from which horses, mules and wagons were sold. The second floor of the Perkins Block included a large foyer and an opera house boasting unparalleled acoustics and the largest stage in the region.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkins_Opera_House 

Well, I’ve claimed to have seen two ghosts in a hotel room.

Monticello is included in THE BEST SMALL TOWN UNDER THE SUN (Howard),  it lists watermelon as a popular crop along with pecans peanuts, cotton (popular since before the Civil War) and corn as well as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries

 

There’s fishing in Lake Miccosukee (8 miles from the town and in above picture) and hunting (with land owner’s permission and a license of course) for deer, small game and birds.

 

Tennis, soft ball and hand ball are possible at Jefferson Co. recreation park on the edge of town and you can play golf and swim at the Monicello Country Club.   And for the less active there’s a library and dog racing at the Jefferson Kennel Club.

There are a few of the open-air spirits; the more domestic of their tribe gather within-doors, plentiful as swallows under southern eaves.

WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS, The Celtic Twilight

Oh and about those ghosts.  According to the Gainesville Sun:  The Palmer House (1840) has witnessed object flying around and they’ve even snapped a photo of a ghostly woman in 19th century clothing.    http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091025/magazine01/910269984

And there’s a(nother) book about the town(well at least it’s ghosts) as well:  Haunted Monticello Florida, full of tales of ghosts and paranormal encounters written by Betty Davis and those Big Bend guys we mentioned earlier and includes legends, tales and personal stories of ghosts and the supernatural.    http://www.northwest-florida-travel.com/haunted-monticello-florida.html

Then there’s  (see picture at top)

The Daffodale Estate

 620 West Washington St.,

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/18166#sthash.hSemdeYO.dpuf

 1 hour ghost tours available by reservation only,

scheduled between 6-9 pm. –

There’s said to be angelic music in the Safari room, an unseen pipe smoker by the 1927 elevator, a woman in white, an unknown occupant on the 4th floor not to mention ghostly apparitons and more.

Now it is the time of night That the graves, all gaping wide Every one lets forth his sprite In the church-way paths to glide.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

GUINNESS Polar Bear figurine My GOODNESS My GUINNESS.

The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always — take any form — drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!

EMILY BRONTE, Wuthering Heights

EARRINGS  Beautiful VINTAGE Multi-colored, Multi-facetted, Screw-on

“people are more ferocious and the land is colder” Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo,

SPECIAL NEWS:  A NEW DIRECTION(Kinda) FOR MY BLOG

I KEEP INSISTING THAT YOU TRY ADVENTURES & SHARE MY WEEKEND MINI ADVENTURES

But in May I will be going on a real adventure

and I will do pictures and commentary ONLY on this Blog…..the first couple of weeks are in London and more—then I’m spending some time in Cornwall (already have reservations made).  So keep reading for up dates daily.

 

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PICTURES OF THE DAY:  Another lovely lady from the Scottish games….the rest of the personal pictures are from last weekend at Mt. Dora with my Meet Up Group

By the mid-sixteenth century King Philip of Spain felt an acute need to establish a coastal stronghold in the territory he claimed as “La Florida,” a vast expanse including not only present-day Florida but most of the continent.   http://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/LAMP/Historical_Research/a-brief-historical-overview

WEDGEWOOD 4" VASE Vintage

HONORABLE MENTION

(ok WAS WRONG–these next 3 are personal pictures and are from previous wk. end at Scottish Games again)

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MICHAEL HAYMAN JEWELRY

www.haymancelticjewelry.com

985-630-3447

haymancelticjewelry@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.416352491404.218450.318369591404&type=3

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On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed on the shore of what is now called Matanzas Bay and began the founding of the Presidio of San Agustin. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_augustin_1.html

Freeform Butterfly Bowl Mid Century Modern 1967 Aluminum Alloy Vintage Nambe #567

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and another Scottish day–this one at the Outlander Tent—you’re never too young to love Jamie—a bit Bree? (that’s Jamie & Claire’s Daughter)

All kinds of fun things:

OUTLANDER-INSPIRED MERCHANDISE AROUND THE WEB

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While on a quest for gold, Juan Ponce de León founded the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico and landed on the mainland of North America, a region he dubbed “Florida.”    http://www.biography.com/people/juan-ponce-de-le%C3%B3n-9444105

Item picture

SHOULDER PURSE RED & BROWN ALL WEATHER LEATHER DOONEY AND… (262252561228)  $26.00

Present for CONSIDERATION FOR A NEW ADVENTUE

 FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
University of Florida Cultural Plaza
3215 Hull Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-846-2000
Butterfly Rainforest(live butterflies, turtles, birds and fish) in outdoor tropical setting with plants, waterfalls.
Hall of Florida Fossils
Northwest Florida Waterways and Wildlife
South Florida People and Environments
Energy Future
Florida Wildlife and Butterfly Garden
Children’s Discovery room
Daily Butterfly Plant Sale
Gift Shop
Admission free except for Butterfly Rainforest and special temporary exhibits.
Parking $4.00 (cash)
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 Along with the Spaniards came diseases to which the New World natives had no immunities.  What followed was one of the greatest tragedies in human history as smallpox, influenza, and other communicable diseases ravaged the native populations, killing millions. http://www.shmoop.com/spanish-colonization/summary.html
THOUGHT I’D EXPLORE SOME FLORIDA STUFF THIS WEEK
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FINALLY Mt. Dora—it’s most famous historical house.
and today’s location an area that you might not think of as historical–you probably don’t think about it at all.
The King of Spain gave “Governor” Hernando DeSoto four years to colonize America from the Port of Havana. DeSoto’s long journey through America, searching for riches in order to entice more settlers to his new colony, was well documented in candid, personal journals by members of his all volunteer “army.”    http://www.floridahistory.com/inset33.html
According to Wikipedia
CRAWFORDVILLE, FL

 is an unincorporated community and county seat of Wakulla County, Florida, United States.  It is also the birthplace of:  Buffalo Bills linebacker Nigel Bradham and that is more than I knew before I started looking into the place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawfordville,_Florida

 

CRAWFORDVILLE IS
THIS FAR (MILES) FROM:
Tallahassee ……………………….24
Jacksonville ………………………165
Tampa ……………………………..191
Orlando ……………………………217
Atlanta ……………………………..250
Miami ……………………………….397
according to Trip Advisor the #1 thing to do is
TNT Kayak Rental

T~n~T Hide-a-Way, Inc.  6527 Coastal Hwy.    Which rents canoes on the Wakulla River which is fed by an underground spring that emerges at Wakulla Springs State Park and flows out to the Gulf of Mexico. http://tnthideaway.com/#_=_

and the #1 Restaurant is

HAMAKNOCKERS BBQ   2837 Coastal Hwy
Hamaknockers BBQ is a Family Owned Restaurant that has been spoiling customers for over 9 years with their World Famous BBQ. Known for their fall of the bone ribs, juicy chicken, famous smoked wings and of course  tender pulled pork!!           http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34156-d1892647-Reviews-Hamaknockers_BBQ-Crawfordville_Florida.html
 BUT A SIDE TRIP LESS THAN 10 MILES AWAY WILL BRING YOU TO SAN MARCOS

That this is an important historical area—because of the Spanish…someone we more generally think of as only being on our East coast.  In fact the territorial governor Panfilo de Narvazez landed (this was his second site of landing) here in 1528 with 300 men and stayed long enough to build the FIRST EUROPEAN SHIP in America.

Then in 1539 Hernando de Soto and his men came through here on their way to Mexico.

in fact the 2nd oldest fort (St. Augustine being the oldest in both the state and the continental United States.) in the state was built here in 1679, when Spain decided to secure La Florida to protect their trade routes.  http://www.northwest-florida-travel.com/san-marcos-de-apalache.html

Today the site I commemorated at

SAN MARCOS DE APALACHE HISTORIC STATE PARK

Above is the museum which along with self-guided tours interpret the ruins left by the Spanish.

The museum has displays, programs and artifacts to let you experience the history filled past of this small little known area in north Florida.  The museum was built in the 1960’s on the foundation of a Civil War Marine Hospital, which was itself made of material from the original fort.  It includes an 18 minute video with the history of the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces all of which once occupied this site.

The Historic nature trail (.33 mile) goes past the historic ruins in the park.

http://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/florida/san-marcos-de-apalache-state-park

THEY’RE EVEN CLOSER TO Wakulla River Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

This park boast one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, and there are daily guided riverboat tour, as well as glass bottom boats,  swimming and nature trails thru the old growth forest.  A 1937 Lodge open year round with a full service restaurant round out the facility.      https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Wakulla-Springs

So what I’M TRYING TO SAY IS NEVER RULE OUT AN AREA

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Until you’ve checked out all it’s little nooks and hidden places.  Do a little walking with your fingers before you go or even decide to go somewhere and you’d be surprised what delights you might discover within your budget and often just around the corner.

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OH and that Commander who landed there:  Facing attacks from native tribes and diminishing rations, Narváez and his men built five barges using pine trees to set sail for a Spanish settlement in Mexico. A storm in the Gulf of Mexico destroyed the barges and most men perished, including Narváez. Only four survivors made it to Mexico.    http://www.floridahispanicheritage.com/facts.cfm?lang=en

Collectiable Plate from Germany:  FURCHER KIGELHAUS 1989 Teller Nr. 3042A

 

.

 


 

 

 
 

and yet I cannot be quit of you. Mary Queen of Scott to John Knox

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PICTURE OF THE DAY:  A FAIRY PRINCESS (still at Scottish Games) doing her Queen Elizabeth wave.  Can you say AHHHHHHHHHHHH?

Fortune sometimes doth conquer kings…Elizabeth I

EARRINGS clip on circles and cluster of Pearls VINTAGE

HONORABLE MENTION

RED SCARF TRAVEL

1924 Ayrshier  Pl.

Oveido, Fl. 32765

Luxury Tours, Customized Weddings and trips to Italy & France

Chuck Spina, President

chuch@redscarftravel.com

www.redscarftravel.com

www.redscarftours.com

407-929-4811

1-800-257-9499

How much better everything would be, if the two queens were indeed friends! For I see now that the world is not that that we do make of it, nor yet are they most happy that continue longest in it.” Mary, Queen of Scotland

American Airlines DIscover America: NEW YORK 1965 Magazines

American Airlines DIscover America: NEW YORK 1965 Magazines

DragonLaire
$15.80 USD

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Can you say Outlander Shrine????  THE CENTRAL FL. OUTLANDER’S Tent they even brought their own stone circle–abet a tiny one

Cait’s favorite Outlander scenehttp://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/11/golden-globes-2016-caitriona-balfe-favorite-outlander-scene

I do consider a multitude doth make rather discord and confusion than good counsel.  Elizabeth I

GRAND PRIX of Palm Beach 1988 Program with Castrol Jaguar on the Cover

A SUGGESTION TO CONSIDER FOR AN ADVENTURE

THE DALI MUSEUM

One Dali Blvd.

St. Petersburg, Fl. 33701

www.thedali.org

10 am – 5:30 pm

Thurs 10 am -8 pm

Sunday 10 am – 5:30 pm

Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas

On downtown waterfront.

Dali’s finest works–from iconic melting clocks to imaginative visual illusions and avant-guarde symbols.

Inspiring architecture,

Authentic  Spanish cuisine at Café Gala with indoor and outdoor seating:  Tapas, sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, coffee, beer and Spanish wines.

Unique educational programs and activities

Outside on the waterfront, the Avant-garden creates a unique environment of learning and tranquility.  Includes Labryinth, Mathematical Garden, and the Dali’s Wishing Tree.

Sat:  11:45 am – 4:30 pm Family fun:  Dillydally with Dali, free games, puzzles, arts and crafts.

“The matter is so horrible and strange, as we believe the like was never heard of in any country…There is nothing remaining, no, not a stone above another, but all carried far away, or dung in dross to the very groundstone..Mary, Queen of Scotland.

MOTHER of PEARL Inlaid Earrings Wires with Dangly Vintage

So now you have it.  Mary who has spent more time in France and is more French than Scottish rules the north of the Island but it is questionable as to how much power she really has.  She is of the Tudor line through Henry VIII’s oldest sister who is her grandmum and she has designs on the English throne which she, as a Catholic and ruler of a poor estate is very understoodable.  She is reputed to be pretty and she certainly is tall and in the possession of a considerable dowry to assist her in finding a mate as would be appropriate for the former queen of France.

But I commanded my best friends to permit me to have my own way…”

While Elizabeth is the product of a broken marriage….not to mention spousal abuse (father beheading mother) and near death experiences under the reign of an evil step sister (this woman could be her own fairy tale).  She is a Tudor and who will prove to be (though she and the country doesn’t know it yet) the last one (5 total, father, son, grandson, and two granddaughters)of the direct line to set the throne of this isle.    She has never been, to my study’s finding, away from England though she (like all the Tudor line) was well read and speaks multiple languages, though English is her prime language.  She knows that many fractions wants the throne and she will hold it with the same tenacity that kept her going through years of adversity and walking a fine line between survival and her enemies’ plans to destroy her.  She was not beautiful and in fact when she was 29 she contracted small pox–which like all the other adversities in her life she managed to survive, but it left her with pock scars on her face, which I have read, is when she began wearing that ghastly white make up—which hid the scars—but was full of lead.    While Mary was 6′ tall (which for me made the Vanessa Redgrave movie on her so good given Vanessa’s height it was for me a great production) Elizabeth was about 5’3 – 5’5″ depending on the source.  While Elizabeth had a lot financially to offer her future mate she always managed to avoid the deed and died the Virgin Queen.

I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.
(Elizabeth to Parliament)

While Elizabeth had ideas of marrying her reputed lover and “Horse Master” off to Mary, Mary had ideas of herself.  Now if you have been reading this on going account (and heaven knows why you would do that, but thanks my dears if you have) you might remember a Lord Darnley has popped up on several occasions.

She finally notice this persistent courtier Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley:  Henry was 3 years and 364 days younger (his birthday being Dec. 7, hers Dec. 8).  He came from a wealthy, family in Yorkshire (England) who was spoiled and doted on he–and he also came from ancestors with blood ties to both Scottish and English royal blood lines.  Reputedly handsome and tall (they actually measured his femur–do not ask me where they got it I do not want to know) and he was reputedly between 6’1″ and 6’3″ (average height for a man was 5’6″) which made him perfect for Mary.

Despite the fact that he had alienated her brother Lord Moray, upset Elizabeth as their claim (together) to both thrones was very impressive and very Catholic, the marriage was carried out by a Mary too infatuated with the slick exterior to see the problems with her new husband. .But the honeymoon didn’t last long as Darnley was in fact spoilt, wilful, immature and grossly uncouth and those were some of his better points, as he was also ruthless, vengeful and vicious and I could go on and on.  After the marriage Elizabeth began to support and encourage Moray against the rightful queen.

And things went bad to worse.  Darnley, use to getting what he wanted, was upset when Mary would not give the crown matrimonial which would put him in charge if Mary died childless.  Then there was Rizzo, an Italian secretary who was one of Mary’s confidents and a trusted advisor.  Mary though was occupied with other things including a pregnancy which further alienated Darnley who now realized he would never rule once the child was born…then came the bad blood and even some bitter gossip that Rizzo and not Darnley was the father.  A plot was hatched by Darnley’s fraction to execute Rizzo–it was Darnley’s insistence that it be done in Mary’s presence.  (interestingly my favorite religious figure Knox was aware and condoned the murder in advance).  On March 9, 1566 (beware the ides of) Mary was held by her husband and manhandled despite her pregnant state while Rizzo was stabbed 56 times.

Eventually he turned back to Mary who was being held a virtual captive by the hostile lords until she was rescued by a border laird Bothwell.  Eventually she reconciled or pretended, with Darnley to and her pregnancy came to term and she  bore a son James.  Darnley continue with self indulgence and a loose life style and contracted syphilis and a little less than a year from the murder of Rizzo Darnley’s residence–the Old Provost’s Lodging was blown up–however he was found outside, untouched by the explosion but dead none-the-less resulting in a political scandal and debates now hundreds of years old on exactly who was responsible for the murder of the Queen’s unsuitable mate.

Tribulation has been to them as a furnace to fine gold – a means of proving their virtue, of opening their so-long blinded eyes, and of teaching them to know themselves and their own failings”. (Mary Queen of Scots)

If Hollywood had been responsible for this story thing couldn’t have been more eventful.  Mary is accused of much. Her son James comes under her half-brother’s control (from now on he shows little interest in his mother until he comes to his full power (when she was executed he did protested it to Elizabeth, but it did not effect his friendship with her)  when he has her body brought from her lowly burial place to London where she is put in one of the most elaborate tombs that Westminster Abbey even knows).  She is kidnapped by Bothwell (there is two sides of whether he was truly her abductor or not) and eventually she marries him and they raise a rebellion that fails.  Bothwell would eventually escape Scotland, only to be captured in Denmark and held there until he died  in 1578 at age 44.

Mary was taken prisoner and held  in Scotland until 1568 when she escaped to England and threw herself on Elizabeth’s mercy.  Elizabeth kept her on house arrest for about nineteen  years while she fought with her advisors and parliament to try to keep from having her cousin queen executed.   Mary for her part appears to on more than one occasion to have welcomed the advances of plots against Elizabeth and the throne.   She was executed on Feb. 8, 1587  at Fotheringhay Castle–legend has it that when the executioner went to pick up the head by her hair, it fell back down as she was wearing a wig.

From mine enemy let me defend myself; from a pretensed friend, good lord deliver me.  Elizabeth I

Mary’s courageous demeanour  on the scaffold according to Weir “obliterated for many–as it still does–the earlier image of her as an adulteress and murderess and led to perception of her as a tragic heroine rather than a fallen woman. ”  MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS AND THE MURDER OF LORD DARNLEY

I am myself a Queen, the daughter of a King, a stranger, and the true Kinswoman of the Queen of England. I came to England on my cousin’s promise of assistance against my enemies and rebel subjects and was at once imprisoned.”  Mary Queen of Scotts

Elizabeth lived another 16 year as supreme ruler of England.  She never married and was as far as we can prove childless.  When she died Mary’s son James VI of Scotland took a joint thrown for both counties becoming James I of England.  Elizabeth ruled for 45 years and has had mixed reviews on her reign but considering her life before taking the throne and all that went on while she was queen I think she deserves the best of these.

Your judgment I condemn not, neither do I mistake your reasons, but pray you to accept my thankfulness, excuse my doubtfulness, and take in good part my answer, answerless.
(Elizabeth to Parliamentary Delegation again in regards to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots)  

Elizabeth felt duped by her advisers and was angry that the execution took place.  http://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/elizabeth-i-and-mary-queen-scots

and that  my dears concludes the 3 queens.  I will let you  make your own conclusions.

BELL PRECIOUS Moments 1981 with "A friend is Someone" Ceramic

Sources

THE CELTS/Hern

THE FIRST ELIZABETH/Erickson

THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH/Weir

THE OXFORD ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE VIKINGS/Ed. Sawyer

THE TUDORS/Meyer

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS AND THE MURDER OF LORD DARNLEY/Weir

ROYAL BRITAIN/Encyclopedia

HOUR GLASS Shaped Small Shot Type Glasses Clear

“It came with a lass, and it will pass with a lass.” James V (of Scotland)

The lead in quote:  Of the crown of Scotland, on learning of the birth of Mary Queen of Scots–6 days before his death

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Featured PICTURE OF THE DAY…another lovely lady from the Scottish Games with a little help from mom.

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Robert Bruce 1554 – 1631

“Now, God be with you, my children: I have breakfasted with you and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this night.”

 

1993 Brochue and Package Price List INDIAN River Plantaton Beach Resort

HONORABLE MENTION

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ARTIST KEVIN DYER

Artist Dyer:  Seen here with one of his beautiful Art Works.

www.castpaper.com

www.facebook.com/castpaper

castpaper@gmail.com

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The highlanders take pleasure in clothing of various colours, especially striped, and their favorite colours are purple and blue. Their forbears wore plaids of many colours, and numbers still in keeping with this custom, but most now prefer to wear a dark brown, matching the leaves of the heather, so that, while lying among it in the day-time, they may not be revealed by a sight of their clothing. In these, wrapped, rather than covered, they face the worst storms of the open, and at times will lie down and sleep, even in snow.” –Nicholas d’Afreville, Cosmographer to the King of France, circa 1580’s

1986 The Winston Censored Poster NASCAR with Several LATE Drivers.

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More of the ladies of Clan Outlander which is closely associated with the Fraser Clan.
what Outlander is and isn’t…
And my all time “I never thought I’d hear a hot hero say” lines:
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The site of Edinburgh Castle is where Scotland truly began. The castle sits on a high, rocky hill with a narrow ridge running east above the Old Town of Edinburgh.  There has been a fortification of some kind here for thousands of years.   The castle has existed through layers of time and history, and it is indeed magnificent
YBOR CITY HISTORIC LATIN QUARTER
TAMPA, FL.
An exotic blend of aromas, flavors, sights and sounds.  From the scent of roasting Cuban coffee in the morning to the rhythms of Latin music late into the night Ybor City has much to offer
Cuisine:  Spanish, Cuban, Italian, Greek, and Asian are all aong La Setima–7th Ave.  Try tapas and Sangria in a place in Florida and yet not quite.
Lots of shops, art galleries even a museum.  See cigars hand rolled, or set in a cafe with some café con leche and people watch
Listen to jazz, blues, salsa, reggae, even hip hop at the clubs and pubs some of Florida’s most active night spots.
And if you like to sight see there is Vincente Martinez Ybor’s historic city found as a cigar manufacturing center with its red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies and narrow brick street–old world charm in a new world city.
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Upon her high and windy ridge old Edinburgh has watched the march of Scottish history, and every ebb and flow of that often-stormy ride has left its mark on the ancient stones.
(Alan Hamilton, Essential Edinburgh, 1978)     
,
Since Elizabeth I is soon to enter Mary’s story and since I always intended it to be a story of the 3 queens I decided today I would tell you about Elizabeth up to the time of Mary’s return to England and Elizabeth’s offer of a husband.
Elizabeth like Mary knew the depths of despair.  Born in 1533 (she was over 11 years Mary’s senior but like Mary she was a girl child in a Royal world that only valued the male.  Her father,  one of the best known (now) and most infamous majesties in history, he had already married and divorced his brother’s widow, a divorce heard round the Christian world as it resulted in his break with the Catholic Church and the making of the English monarch forever head of the Church of England (at least till this day and time).  It also resulted in making his first child, another girl and a Mary too, of questionable legitimacy.  Within 3 years of her birth (1536) her mother’s marriage ewas done away with as he had had an affair with her sister (a third Mary) prior to marry her and her mother was beheaded in the Tower as she had been convicted of adultery, a group of highly suspect charges and men, especially as one of them was her brother.
Unlike Mary Elizabeth had no strong mother to protect her and no friendly, royal court to be petted and kept well in.  She was declared a bastard–abet a royal one–and put in charge of staff that kept her far from court and the sight of her father and most especially the Royal court and when her brother (child of wife # 3 (Jane) who died from the complications of childbirth) Edward VI took the throne after their father’s death (after annulling a 4th marriage, executing a 5th wife who at 17 may well have been guilty of the adultery charges as she was a lively girl married to an old man with serious health problems including a foul ulcer on one leg but who was reportedly deeply devoted to her when her family’s enemies  discovered her infidelity and finally dying allowing the 6th to move on to her 3rd husband–note the 1st, 5th and 6th wives were all Katherines and 2 Annes–2nd and 4th), which left her in a good place as they seemed to get along and they were both Protestant.
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In the heart of Scotland stands one of Europe’s oldest trees, the Fortingall Yew. Experts speculate that the tree may be 5,000 years old. It is named for the small village in which it is found—Fortingall, in Perthshire. The land surrounding Fortingall contains some of the most amazing archaeological sites in Scotland, from plague burial grounds to the remains of a 1,300-year-old monastery. While the Yew first sprouted long after the first people moved to Scotland over 12,000 years ago, it’s probably as old as the first settlements at Fortingall.
Edward VI Henry’s much anticipated son was born 4 years after Elizabeth and like Mary became a monarch at an early age–at  10 years (3,644 days more than Mary) but his health was  not good, some have speculated TB, while I’m feel it might more likely have been a birth defect of his heart–whatever the cause he was dead by 1553 at age 16.    This was followed by a short lived rebellion involving some Protestant lords and a young woman with good blood lines but that only lasted in the young woman (another Jane) meeting a terrible end on Tower Green.
Mary who we discussed before then took the throne with a swift return to Roman religion and mores —she only ruled for 5 years but during this time Elizabeth walked a fine line between continuing her life or leaving her blood on the green.  In fact at one time she was taken to the tower through Traitor’s Gate (very few persons ever entered this way and were ever seen without its’ confine again with their head attached).  But somehow she managed to survive Mary  and mount the throne a return to the Church of England status and all.
So she was finally queen, a young woman who might well have been killed by her sister for her religion, her right to the  throne and all manner of things.  Her mother executed through her father’s manipulations if not directly by his hand and her status coming and going while she hit away in country estates for years.  There is much rumor that her step mother Katherine Parr’s (she lived with Henry’s last wife after his death) husband Thomas Seymoure (Her brother’s uncle) was inappropriate with the young girl and the relationship may have gone much farther).  There are also rumors of persons claiming to be her children and years ago I read of a church which legend has it is the final resting place of two of her (presumably still-born) infants.
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Scots is directly descended from Northern English, which displaced Scots Gaelic in portions of Scotland in the 11th–14th centuries as a consequence of Anglo-Norman rule there. By the early 14th century, Northern English had become the spoken tongue of many Scottish people east and south of the Highlands (with Scots Gaelic continuing to be used in the southwest). Sometime in the late 15th century, the spoken language became known as “Scottis,” or Scots, a term that was used interchangeably with “Inglis” for some time thereafter.
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Scots, wha hae wi Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed
Or to victorie!
Robert Burns

She is as beautiful as she is strong. Her body is comely but fierce. Unidentified Roman Soldier

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AND OF COURSE WE START WITH OUR FEATURED PICTURE—A LOVELY CELTIC WARRIOR—and please remember that Celtic women were once warriors and had rights of inheritance and freedom not know to many other societies.  Thank you my dear for posing for my BLOG.

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and “the victorious Romans were confronted by women in black robes who stood at their wagons and slew the fleeing warriors – their husbands, brothers or fathers – and then strangled their own children and cast them beneath the wheels of their wagons before cutting their own throats.”   Quotes regarding Celtic and Gallic Women during the Roman Occupation

 

 

BEADED CHOKER Vintage Fashion 16"

Honorable  Mention
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Celtic Designs by Melodye
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Contact:

melodye@designsbymelodye.com                                               407.760.4472                                                                                   Facebook at Celtic Designs by Melodye

 follow us on Twitter at @CelticJewels

http://www.designsbymelodye.com/

OH AND THE LOVELY LADY IN THE FIRST PICTURE & HER DRAGON IN THE LAST IS THE DESIGNER’S DAUGHTER.

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Is ó mhnáib do·gabar rath nó amhrath.

It is from women that fortune comes, good or bad.

~from Acallam na Senórach, author

BEATLES Trading CARD With Repo Signature of George Harrison 2nd series #66 Original

BEATLES Trading CARD With Repo Signature of George Harrison 2nd series #66 Original DragonLaire   $4.99 USD

 

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OUTLANDER’S CENTRAL FLORIDA FANS AND “JAMIE” REPRESENTING THE FRASERS IN THE CLAN PARADE SCOTTISH GAMES WINTER SPRINGS
ONE BLOGGER’S OPINION ON 2015 BEST SEX SCENES
Why can’t I get a rub down like that…lucky horse
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‘…it may be more than coincidence that in a society where female deities seem to have been perceived as particularly powerful, both in terms of pagan material evidence and early myth, there is also evidence for a relatively high status for women, which compares favourably with that enjoyed by their counterparts in the Mediterranean world.’ (p27)  Miranda Green (Professor of Archaeology, Cardiff University); quotes from Celtic Goddesses
CONSIDERATION FOR AN ADVENTURE:
SARASOTA JUNGLE GARDENS
3701 Bay Shore Rd
Sarasota, 34234
941-355-5305
tickets available on line
Food an Drinks at the Flamingo Café
Gift shop
10 am – 5 pm Dec-Aug.
Closed Mon and Tues. Sept 15 – Nov. 30 and Christmas and Thanksgiving day
Hours may vary due to weather
Free ranging flamingos
Tropical gardens
More than 200 animals
Daily bird & reptile shows
Winding jungle trails full of discoveries
Up close animal encounters.
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Celtic women were distinct in the ancient world for the liberty and rights they

enjoyed and the position they held in society. Compared to their counterparts in Greek,

Roman, and other ancient societies, they were allowed much freedom of activity and

protection under the law. The Iron Age

Celts were nevertheless a patriarchal

people and for the most part men had the

ultimate power in politics and the home.

Despite this, ancient Celtic women

remain an inspiring example of

womanhood from the past.

www.celtlearn.org/pdfs/women.pdf

BEATLES SCRAPBOOK from th 1960s

This whole thing on Mary is taking a bit longer than I anticipated, but if I had made this up in a novel NO ONE would have BELIEVED it could happen and would have told me so again and again
Ok Mary comes back to a Scotland she probably doesn’t remember much about and for which she must have been poorly prepared for in comparison to the luxuries and more refined pleasures of the French…course they ate snails and the Scotch haggis (don’t ask) so I think they both had their problems—but I’m sure the French presentation was better—I am not sure that I ever saw anything quite as unappetizing than a sheep’s stomach filled with what ever the hell is in there even the French might have trouble presenting that.  She did however have beauty, grace and nice body–at 6 foot a real stand out and don’t forget a very generous dowry to assure the former Queen of France (widowed) and current Queen of Scotland wouldn’t have a issue finding an appropriate groom.
Scotland too had issues with her–she didn’t fit in, she was Catholic–and while a great many of her people (especially in the Highlands) remained faithful to Rome, her nobles were mostly Protestant and she had the overly pious reformer John Knox making her life miserable—if she’s been 13 like at least one of his wives he might have liked her better. (the fact that Mary’s final resting place is in one of the grandest tombs in Westminster Abbey and Knox’s is estimated to be under parking place 23 along the Royal Mile and next to Scotland’s main churches seems like so poetic justice to me)
Oh and then there was Lord James–First Earl of Morey and bastard son of James V (one of nine), he was an able and would have made a good king, but while the old Celtic laws did not rule out children born out of wedlock, the current laws, the ones brought about by the Christian Catholics (and Roman Based), would not allow it, so while Mary had been gone he had taken over much of the administration of the country and would remain the power behind the throne—he still could never rule, while his half sister, a French speaking,  Catholic (he being Protestant) woman could.
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“A whole troop of foreigners would not be able to withstand a single Celt if he called his wife to his assistance!” ~ Amicus Marcelling
 Once in Edinburgh she took up residence in Holyrood Palace at the base of the Royal Mile and at who’s opposite end and many feet elevated above was Edinburgh Castle a 10 acre fortress which stand above the city defying opposition.  Both Castles remain today and Holyrood is still the royal residence where the reigning monarch has apartments and it is only a short distance from the unfortunate building of the Scottish Parliament—and it’s not just me who thinks they could have done better.
The Lords of the Congregation was made up of the nobility who were stern in their Calvinist convictions and who along with Lord James, a very moral and intelligent, if somewhat on the greedy side at his sister’s expense, were the powers that be In Scotland.    At first things seem to work out and Mary did not push her religious convictions and in fact it is questionable if she was more than a front for the Congregation and her half brother.  A bit over a year from her arrival (August 1562)  though did find her leading a campaign (which she called a Highland Progress) against one of her Lairds .  Later when one of the lairds’ (one dropped dead of no physically apparent cause on the battlefield–his embalmed corpse was later tried and condemned for treason before Parliament in 1563 ) execution was bungled she screamed and fainted.
Life went on with Mary still unmarried and Elizabeth scheming so that in 1563 she proposed, Robert, Lord Dudley who was a widower by the sudden (and many believed un-accidental) death of wife and whom most believe had been carrying on  a rather public affair with the queen (Elizabeth)—anyway she proposed that Mary marry a candidate of her choice and even went to far as to promise that she might make her heir if the English Queen had no children.  Oh while she was proposing this new husband she never actually told Mary whom it was that she actually intended her to mary, probably because  he was so far below her in rank and well know as a consort of the English Monarch.
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They could even become Druids, who wrote laws that safeguarded all of Celtic society, including the elderly, disabled, and children. What’s really interesting about the latter is that children were protected under Celtic law because of their innocence. This is quite a contrast to the Roman world, in which unwanted children were abandoned and left to die in rubbish dumps. Turns out the Celts weren’t as bad as the Romans wanted us to believe after all.
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The very phrase ‘Celtic women evokes all kinds of images – fearsome warriors, romantic heroines and tragic, wronged queens – goddesses by the score, from old hags to screaming harpies, to beautiful wise women and learned Druidesses, to the great female saints of the early Celtic church. The women of the Celtic myths are a reflection of the historical women of early Celtic society with all their problems, loves, heartaches and triumphs. They display a range of characters and positions in society being powerful weak, serious, capricious, vengeful and ambitious – there are no empty-headed beauties. As Moyra Caldicott says in ‘Women in Celtic Myth’ . . . “one of the things I find so refreshing in the Celtic myths is that the women are honoured as much for their minds as for their bodies. The dumb blond would not stand much of a chance in ancient Celtic society”.  
Women of the Celts in Myth,Legend and Story
From SkyeViews Issue 8 June 1996

SkyeViews is a magazine devoted to The Island of Skye.

2 1/4" Gold-Toned with rhinestone inlays FLORAL Pin Vintage

In my end is my beginning. Mary, Queen of Scotts

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FEATURED LADY OF THE DAY AND HER DAD–this lovely little girl wasn’t keen on getting her picture taken on the way in to the Highland Games in Winter Springs Florida this weekend–but daddy persuaded her.  Thanks to mom too who unfortunately stayed out of the picture.

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Mary, Queen of Scots: [to Queen Elizabeth I] I might have known you’d come to gloat like this – stealthily, under cover of night.   From 1936 Movie:  Mary of Scotland

 

 

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HONORABLE MENTION:

CELTIC NORSE HERITGE SOCIETY

Patti Patten and Jack Booton founders

norseceltic@gmail.com

www.celticnorseheritagesociety.org

 

 

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Title card: 1558 / England and Scotland are torn apart by family and religious wars. Mary Stuart, the Catholic queen of Scotland, is married to the king of France. / When he dies she returns to Scotland to claim her throne and immediately becomes involved in a fight for power with Elizabeth, the Protestant queen of England. This is the story of the fierce struggle between… the rival queens.  From Mary Queen of Scotts 1971 Movie

 

 

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Look what I found at the SCOTTISH GAMES this weekend

https://twitter.com/FLOutlanderFans?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FloridaOutlanderFans

an check out this interesting discussion from a passage from the Outlander book:

http://www.amazon.com/question-about-scene-outlander/forum/Fx31V80PKE7QUYT/Tx3UF6MRC4RWQ33/1?asin=0099911701

I love this picture it’s so definitive of what I love in Jamie and Sam.

 

 

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If I could be anything in the world I would want to be a teardrop because I would be born in your eyes, live on your cheeks, and die on your lips.  Mary, Queen of Scots

 

 

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Suggestion to consider for a possible Adventure:

 

ORMOND BEACH:  CELTIC FESTIVAL 

April 16-17

At Rockefeller Gardens

25 Riverside Or. Ormond Beach

4 states of continuous music

Celtic Clans,  Vendors,  Highland Games, Kid’s Zone, Ethnic Food, Bagpipers

Sat 10 am – 7 pm

Sun 11 am – 5 pm

www.ormondbeachcelticfestival.com

 

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To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness.  Mary, Queen of Scots

 

 

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Was there ever a woman so star crossed as Mary Stewart.

We have seen ( http://chasingadventureorg.ipage.com/http/chasingadventureorg/2016/01/15/being-brave-enough-to-just-be-unapologetic-for-who-you-are-thats-a-goddess-banks/ ) how at only a few days old her father (wounded in battle with the English) died–some say as much from the disappointment of having a daughter as from his wounds.  That her mother reigned as regent for her and that by the time she was a few years old  when Henry VIII,  her uncle and ruler of the kingdom that Scotland shared the  isle with,  decided that she should marry his only son Edward to get rid of that bothersome northern place called Scotland.

 

Then she was pledged as a bride for Francis the future king of France and was at an early age shuffled off to France where she grew to adulthood among the weird, not to mention unhealthy children of the Royal court.  I spoke to someone the other day who had been watching Reign and said something about that.  I informed him that if Mary’s future husband wasn’t ugly, short and had skin so badly affected that some believed that he had leprosy,  then the story was not very accurate.  However Mary loved the boy she grew up with, despite all his issues including a permanently runny nose, and a moody and difficult personality.

 

She did learn multiple languages including Spanish, Italian, Latin and Greek.   Acknowledged to be of superior intelligence she also learned all the womanly art including needlework, dancing and played multiple instruments including the harp, lute as well as mastering archery and horsemanship.  She grew into a French speaking(it would from hence forward be her main language)  backgammon playing young lady who referred to herself as Marie and wore the finest clothes.

 

 

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for a Queen who has herself been called Most Christian, and who dies a Catholic, stripped of all her possessions…Mary’s final letter written to her brother-in-law the King of France    http://www.elizabethfiles.com/the-execution-of-mary-queen-of-scots-8th-february-1587/4725/#ixzz3xcgbtYTR

 

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So in 1558 Mary not yet 16 married the short, ugly and a year younger, Dauphin and if you’ll remember before she did so she signed over her kingdom of Scotland to the French line if she were to die childless.    Meanwhile back in England, the Catholic Mary had died and the Protestant Elizabeth who had taken the throne, was screaming mad over the French troops on the ground in Scotland.

A little over a year later the reigning king was injured by a ceremonial lance that pierced an eye and his throat–not that’s a bit hard to believe it was just an accident…but I’m always suspicious so….He died, mercifully 10 days later after suffering unbearable pain and the young couple took the throne.  and there were also family issues–on Mary’s mom and Francis’ mom feuding on whom would influence the royal government the most–we’re taking real mother-in-law issues.  Oh and a young man showed up at the wedding a Lord Darnley–then 12 but you’ll see him later.

 

The Reign lasted a bit over a year, then Francis developed an ear problem in November 1560  and as the infection spread to his brain and like his father he suffered greatly but a bit longer…finally dying in December never reaching his 17th birthday and leaving Mary a childless widow  at about 18 and his younger brother Charles, a 10 year old king and his mother as regent and Mary no place as the Mother in Law finally (as usual) got the last word “OUT”.

 

 

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What will my enemies not say, that for the safety of her life a maiden queen could be content to spill the blood even of her own kinswoman? (Elizabeth to another Parliamentary Delegation (1586),

 

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She was 18 when  her enforced mourning ended, and with a large French dowry.  There was no Kings readily looking for a wife.  Lord Darnley was available, a nice, English Catholic boy with almost as strong a claim to the British throne as Mary’s.  But Mary wasn’t interested (trust me the kid’s not done yet).

Finally Mary considered pretty despite the fact that she was 6 foot tall, which is much taller than the average man, and who spoke French as her primary language returned to Scotland without a good conduct by Elizabeth  I.

She made landfall at Leith, but arrived early and had to be put up at a merchant’s home until the Lords arrived at the appointed time….What a shock the country must have been.  Poorer than France (or England), even the nobles dress drably compared to France.  I’ve been there and the castles were largely much less ornate and the country side less populated.  Most of Europeans of the time, while they felt they were brave warriors,   also found them uncouth and lawless, hostile to strangers and inordinately quarrelsome….and I say this as a Scot myself (really that was my grandmother’s clan name Scott and there are 4 or five other clans at least in my background, including my father’s Swann which comes under the Gunn).  All this added to the fact that Mary had not been in the country since she was young child.

 

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Tomorrow we’ll look at Mary’s return home to the country now largely Protestant, at least in the low lands.  And that was just the beginning….I will look at Mary’s dealing with men, love, murder and much more tomorrow.

 

 

More often than not it was the maid’s cheerful voice that woke her, along with the hand on Mary’s shoulder and the delicious smells wafting from the breakfast tray.”
Author: M More often than not it was the maid’s cheerful voice that woke her, along with the hand on Mary’s shoulder and the delicious smells wafting from the breakfast tray.”
Author: Margaret George argaret George

 

Being brave enough to just be unapologetic for who you are, that’s a goddess. Banks

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PICTURE OF THE DAYUNKNOWN ENGINEER JUNIOR GRADE  ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIN IN MT. DORA  http://www.whattodoinmtdora.com/content/movie-train-content.shtml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HONORABLE MENTION
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LAFAYETTE & RUSHFORD HOME
444 W. New England Ave
Ste 118
Winter Park, Fl 32789
321-972-9883
Living your style
Home accents, fine gifts, holiday.
Rupert tells us all about Outlander
http://www.accesshollywood.com/articles/outlander-qa-grant-orourke-talks-rupert-agreeing-to-help-claire-rescue-jamie-160903/
At the headwaters of the Weeki Wachee River–the first magnitude spring–are the world-famous mermaids.  For over 6-decades, the mermaids have entertained with their daily underwater performances.  there is also a riverboat cruise, a native animal show and Buccaneer Bay–Florida’s only spring-fed water park.
BOYETT’S CITRUS GROVE (see pic above)
Part orange grove,  ice cream parlor, zoo and gift shop.  Near Brooksville— fresh squeezed juice.
CROOM MOTORCYCLE & ATV AREA
ATV & dirt bikes can explore the natural wonders at this 2,600 acre site in the Witlacoochee State Forest.   Includes entry level trails, young rider area, and miles of challenging terrain  that will provide something for all skill levels.
Aphrodite was the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty.
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 WE THREE QUEENS:
 
 The Tudors brought us something unique to this day—3 queens who were powerful in their own right all being born, married abused and reigning (not necessary all in that order) in less than a century and all three on the Isle of Britian (though the Scottish one was also queer further abroad) and 2/3 named Mary.
Mary I (1516-1558–reigned for 5 years October 1553 – November 1558 when she died)
She was the first woman (Queen) to ever rule England in her own right.
Henry VIII’s own child–her mother was Katherine of Argon, a Spanish Princess and daughter of the pair that sent Columbus to the  European “New World” and Henry’s only royal wife, which means he had to divorce not rail road her to execution.
She went from royal princess to declared bastard when Henry “proved” that his marriage to her mother had been illegal and changed the religion of England from that all inclusive to protestant even though he really preferred the traditional church.
He did all this to assure he had a son–which he did one murdered wife and a remarriage later.
On her brother’s death (He reigned for 6 years having taken the throne, under a regent who actually ruled for him, at age 9) and after disposing the protestant’s effort to put her cousin on the throne she took her rightful place.
She married in 1554 to a Catholic prince of Spain the county that brought us the Inquisition.
She is remembered as Bloody Mary–for her (or at least her allowed) burning and otherwise executing Protestants within her realm.  http://www.thetudorswiki.com/m/page/EXECUTIONS+under+all+the+Tudors
She died childless at age 42, probably of a uterine or other cancer of the area as she was bloated as with child (which for many months was thought to be a real pregnancy until 9 months came and went).
The legacy of Mary has most recently taken a turn for the better.  Seems both her short lived brother and long lived sister had their fair share of murdered Catholics (the Protestants seem to have the best publicity people as they played their prosecution up while forgetting their own rampages).
This along with her avoiding the execution of her cousin who was a dupe of the lords rebellion and taking the field against Mary’s army. (Jane Grey ruled  only a few days,)  Later Jane’s own father led an additional rebellion forcing the ax-handed demise of the most poorly used girl ever (well there was Joan of Arc but that’s a whole other story) as well as accounts of Mary’s generosity and kindness seems to be making a different image for the first queen of England.
I also feel sorry for her because her husband was a cad who appears to have felt she had little to offer save a crown, while the woman who was long a virtual and in some cases an actual prisoner, who married late in life and appears to have loved this man,  who like the bastard she had for father did not appear capable of offering her any real kindness not to mention love.  Phillip in fact tried to convince her sister to marry him when she was gone.
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 Forms and content of worship varied. In modern times, the title “Queen of Heaven” is still used by contemporary pagans to refer to the Great Goddess, while Catholics and Orthodox Christians now apply the ancient pagan title to Mary, the mother of Jesus.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_heaven_(antiquity)
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MARY QUEEN OF SCOTTS: 
Part I:  Queen of Scotland
born 6 years after Mary I (1542) legend has it that  her father  lay wounded after a battle with Henry (yeah that one) when he was told his child, a daughter had been born and that he turned his face to the wall and soon died, some suggesting that it was as much from  the disappointment of her sex as from the wounds.  Making Mary Queen of Scotland at 6 days of age.
While Mary was growing up her great uncle (a king named Henry–him again –she was the granddaughter of Henry’s eldest sister Margaret Tudor) decided that she should marry her 5 year old cousin Edward.
Her mother  Mary of Guise (French women seemed to be a tough breed) who along with the Catholic Party ruled Scotland didn’t agree and Henry proceeded to ravish the country but never got his hands on the Scottish queen.
Part II:  Queen of France
By 1548 she had been sent to France where the king (another Henry) declared her to be perfect  and she was raised in the royal household—replacing her early life with pampering and petting galore, but she  was living in, what Weir calls “a moral cesspool” with her governess actually being one of the king’s mistresses and mother of his bastards.  (there are two pictures suppose to be Mary as a young woman where she was painted in the nude though she may have just had her face superimposed upon someone else’s body)
The Royal children were said to be a strange lot with the crown prince Francis being sickly and feeble and described as little and ugly as well as suffering from a severe eczema.  Her marriage was short   lived.  She was married in 1558 shortly after signing over her Scottish throne to the French should she die with out issue.  Her marriage lasted a little over 2 years and ended when the sickly king Francis developed an ear infection which ended in a brain abscess which killed the sickly young man.
 Francis’ younger brother assumed the throne as Francis (who had growing up with the princess and was Mary’s best friend) and Mary were childless.  “Her mother-in-law, Catherine de’ Medici, became regent for the late king’s ten-year-old brother Charles IX”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Scots
The In-laws
Word is that Catherine did not welcome Mary as one ex-queen was enough—by the way thee of her sons became king. And beside Francis’ poor health:   Charles suffered from hallucinations, another son Henry became a cross-dresser and Hercule had an incestuous affair with his nymphomaniac sister Marguerite.  Now that’s a family but hey guys that’s only 50% as there were 10 children and considering their grandfathers both died of syphilis well any way–Catherine decided Mary should go back and rule her cold, backwards kingdom and leave the weird but better dressed and housed kingdom to her.
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We’ll pick this up again on Monday
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 Anya, this traditional Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity.
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 I believe every single woman is a Goddess. We are divine, miraculous and glorious. It’s who we are down to our core. You may need to rediscover and reclaim this part of yourself but it’s there just waiting for you to rock it.”   ~ Alexandra Jaye Johnson

The average American owns 7 pairs of blue jeans

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FEATURED PICTURE OF THE DAY–ORANGE BLOSSOM CANNON BALL  http://www.orangeblossomcannonball.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initially, both men and women wore togas in Rome, but after the 2nd century BC, respectable women wore stolas and prostitutes were required to wear a toga.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEATLES CARD 2nd Series #63

Honorable Mention
ADIA OILS OF ORLANDO
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Developed by Craig Lynch
Essential oils/wellness oils/shea butter/natural, cold-pressed, castile, & black soap
Maitland Farmers Market & Centre D’Elle in Winter Park
Etsy
315-396-9422
 The Ancient Greeks exercised naked.  In fact, this is where our word “gymnasium” comes from; γυμνός (gymnos) means naked in Ancient and Modern Greek.
Check out Starz’s Finances and how Outlander plays into it.
SUGGESTION FOR A CHECK OUT FOR POSSIBLE ADVENTURE:
also shelling and island picnicking
Evidence for the first clothes dates somewhere between 100,000 to 500,000 years ago.
Early Egyptians wore little clothing like everybody else in a hot climate , but gradually the clothing progressed from loin cloths for everybody: men, woman,  rich and poor–only the material and style or lack there of made a difference
Clothing for both sexes was eventually complicated with headdresses, wigs and unbelievable jewelry, even fake beards.
But the make up:  There are papyrus showing women rouging their faces.  Oils and perfumes were common as is witnessed by the beautiful jars full of these that have been redeemed from the ladies’ tombs.  You’ve probably seen pictures of the Egyptian woman’s eyes lined with stibium making them look larger or some used Kohl (a mixture of ingredients) which was applied with sticks made of wood, bronze or glass.   Even the Bible mentions this (noting in II Kings 9:30 that Jezebel “put her eyes in stibium”).  Add combs and hairpins of wood and ivory and finally a fan and you have the ladies (or at least the upper class ones).    “Mainly, noble and high status women were highly idealized to express their eternal youth, beauty and fertility.”    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portraiture_in_Ancient_Egypt
HEY WHY DOES 2/3 OF THOSE SEEM STRANGELY FAMILIAR?
The bikini was named after the island Bikini Atoll, where the US military was testing its bombs in World War 2.  
ANCIENT GREECE CLOTHING APPEARED A LOT SIMPLIER THAN THE EGYPTIAN:  But the areas varied a bit.  For instance the Sparta women wore a short affair, called double girded chiton—think 60’s mini-skirt–as the 2nd girdle kept the skirt up so as to avoid restricting the athletics  that these women were partial to.
But they also wore ear-rings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and pins in their hair.   Added to this were artificial hair and of course fans.
A full-lipped, cheek-chiselled man in Ancient Greece knew two things – that his beauty was a blessing (a gift of the gods no less) and that his perfect exterior hid an inner perfection. For the Greeks a beautiful body was considered direct evidence of a beautiful mind. They even had a word for it – kaloskagathos – which meant being gorgeous to look at, and hence being a good person.   http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30746985
And who says that women are the only vain sex?
A size 8 dress with a 32-inch bust in 1967 is now considered a size 0 today.
I
If you’re looking at fashion you can not forever ignore the French and as you can see above both sexes were very bold in the Middle Ages (476 – 1500 AD).  It was the age we have never forgot–of adventure, of noble ladies and their knights gallant.  The woman of this period had begun her long road to freedom.  She attended banquets, spent time in religious study with nuns.  Learned to embroider and went on to teach and make wall hangings for her family with her learned skill  and also she also wove silken trophies to award the knights with.  She rode out with other ladies and  those same knights to go a hawking.
Following the crusades many poor women found employment in producing all kinds of luxurious wearing apparel including head-dressers, ribbons, buckles, clasps, furs, brass,  cooper and wire buttons, hose, shoes, and gloves to name a few.
Virginity’s monetary importance created a desire for ways to assure that a woman was indeed a virgin. Virgin brides generally came with higher dowries, making them more attractive to prospective grooms, and these prospective grooms, in return, were more likely to feel generous when it came to giving a return gift to the bride’s family. In order to help grooms ensure that the bride’s family was truthful about her “condition,” many medical texts included descriptions of methods and processes that could be used to prove or disprove a woman’s chastity. De Secretis advocates a number of different methods, which variously involve observing a woman’s behavior, urine inspection, and sometimes actual intercourse. Other texts offer not only the tests, but also ways to restore a woman’s virginity. One example from the Hebrew Book of Women’s Love dictates that in order to restore lost virginity one must “take myrtle leaves and boil them well with water until only a third part remains; then, take nettles without prickles and boil them in this water until a third remains. She must wash her secret parts with this water in the morning and at bedtime, up to nine days” or, if that will take too long, to “take nutmeg and grind [it] to a powder; put it in that place and [her virginity] will be restored immediately” (Caballero-Navas, 142-44).     http://www.library.rochester.edu/robbins/sex-society
 Men’s shirts button on the right, and women’s on the left.
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 Children dressed identically to adults until the mid 1800s, when the concept of children’s clothing took off.