Located inside the Postal Training Center in Nazarbad, the Postal Museum

Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. His annual salary was $1,000. 

National Postmark Museum    Bellevue, Ohio     

The best-selling commemorative stamp to date is the Elvis Stamp that was issued in 1993. Since then, USPS has come out with all kinds of intriguing stamps, including triangular, round and holographic stamps.

The Smithsonian National Postal Museum

2 Massachusetts Ave NE,

Washington, DC

With all the talk about the Post Office lately I was interested in a recent article in the Smithsonian Magazine about the history of the besieged institution and I discovered they had a museum for the institution (though if I’d have given it much thought I would have expected they did).

Anyway here’s some the facts you might not know:

Housed within the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian Postal Museum— Gatineau, Quebec

Veterans. The Postal Service employs more than 97,000 military veterans and is one of the largest employers of veterans in the country.

The British Postal Museum & Archive  London, England

The British established a primitive postal system to connect the 13 colonies—but it was Benjamin Franklin, who oversaw it from 1753-1774.  He improved it from primitive to an organization that was delivering mail from between Philadelphia and New York City in 33 hours (about 3 miles an hour which isn’t bad for those long ago days).

By the early 1770’s the leaders of the Revolution had an underground Constitutional Post and even before the Declaration of Independence they had turned the net work into the U.S. Postal Office.

It was James Madison who in 1792 denied a plan to allow for the cheap distribution of uncensored newspapers and the like to be sent cheaply, financed by the much higher rate of letters (that were mostly sent at that time by businesses, lawyers and the like).

The Postmuseum  Stockholm, Sweden

America’s first president was the first one to be on general-issue stamps that were released in 1847, and since then, he’s been on more stamps than any other person.

The Japanese Postal Museum is within Tei-Park, Tokyo, Japan

By 1831 the country the country boasted twice the post offices of Britain and five times those of France.  In 1840–sending a letter more than 150 miles cost twenty cents–about $6.00 today.  The answer to protests and the use of cheaper private carriers.  Congress converted the institution into a public service which no longer even had to break even.

During all this time the Postal Service subsidized private transportation companies and sent mail thru ships and the Panama Canal.

In the 1860 we got the short lived but very spectacular Pony Express that covered the distance from where the rail roads ended from St. Joe Missouri to Sacramento, CA—1,800 miles in 10 days.

The Pony Express Museum preserves the legacy and legend of the nation’s pioneering Far West mail carriers–St. Louis, MO

The National Museum of Postal Services and Telecommunication Rabat Morocco 

That five cents didn’t include home delivery, though.  If you wanted your mail, you had to go to the post office to get it. Free City Delivery wasn’t started until 1863 by an industrious postal worker in Cleveland, Ohio. He didn’t enjoy watching his female customers standing in line, in the freezing cold, waiting to get news from loved ones fighting in the war. To remedy the problem, he started delivering to his customers. Of course, this service was so popular that news quickly spread and postal home delivery became the new

post office in the Eiffel Tower.

During the Civil War the mail service was up-graded as they saved money by suspended service to the Confederate states.   

It was also during this time (in 1864) that the first money orders were introduced.  These allowed Union soldiers to send money home without the risk of sending cash.  Oh and by the way, the postal service was  the first institution to employ large numbers of women and African Americans.

In 1869 the Transcontinental Railroad was complete giving the mail a service they could use instead of ponies.

Vanuatu Post’s Underwater Post Office; Republic of Vanuatu

The number of gallons of fuel used in 2009 was 444 million, at a cost of US$1.1 billion. The fleet is notable in that many of its vehicles are right-hand drive, an arrangement intended to give drivers the easiest access to roadside mailboxes. Some rural letter carriers use personal vehicles. All contractors use personal vehicles. Standard postal-owned vehicles do not have license plates. These vehicles are identified by a seven-digit number displayed on the front and rear.  ^Wikipedia

Post Office Bay; Floreana Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

1896:  Rural Free Delivery was started

1913:  Parcel Post was began

Bringing the rural population into the main stream.

They also began using planes for transporting mail and the postal service was the main support for the Aviation industry until the late 1920’s.  

After World War II the service grew rapidly

Washington Park and Oregon Zoo; Portland, Oregon. Portland, Oregon

Street postboxes used to sport various colors in the past until they got standardized to blue in 1971. Before that they had been green, red and white, among others.

Madison Square Post Office; New York, New York

But with growth came increased cash problems.  So in 1970 Congress made it into the US Postal Service, a government business which interestingly enough, according to the article hasn’t received a tax dollar since 1982,

As usual Congress’ over sight cost money and provided more burdens.  It’s  Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act in 2006 required that the service pre-fund its retiree’s health benefits–resulting in tens of billions of dollars of debt.

Oh and despite all that negative press  the Gallup Poll of 2019 found that the Post Office was the Federal Service that Americans rated most highly.

Post Office of Mardin; Mardin, Turkey

It may be a cliché, but the mailman-hating dog is a real problem. In fact, close to 6,000 mail carriers are bitten or attacked by dogs each year, inspiring the post office to sponsor an annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week in June. To stave off potential problems, the USPS advises homeowners to secure their pets before opening the door to accept a package, refrain from taking mail directly from the mail carrier’s hands in the presence of your dog (some canines can perceive this as a threatening gesture), and remember that mail carriers who feel threatened by an unsecured dog can refuse to deliver mail directly to your home.

 Austrian Postal Savings Bank; Vienna, Austria

With the internet, Face Book, Email and the like the Post Office mostly delivers parcels of all kinds (and if my mail is any indication junk mail keeps them busy as well).   This seems to have been a good thing—again the article says that between 2018 to 2019 the service had a $1.3 billion increase in its revenue.

In 2020 it has been a great deliver of stimulant checks and don’t forget all those ballots—being received and hopefully mailed back again…..as well as getting test results and the like.

Polish Post Museum; Gdansk, Poland

• Vote early: If you do plan to vote by mail, voting early can help ensure that the USPS is not overwhelmed at the last minute. The website Vote.org has a good roundup of early-voting rules by state.

U.S. Post Office, Christmas, Florida

This modest post office sits on the site of H.H. Holmes’ famous murder castle.

And let’s don’t forget what month it is:

This modest post office sits on the site of H.H. Holmes’ famous murder castle. 

check it out

and this Postal Service Ad is great

This Utah post office makes haunted house list. See the creepy photos

NCXIAO Magnetic Mailbox Cover – 18”W x 21”H, Zombie Head Evil Dead Man Portrait Fiction Creature Scary Monster Graphic,Mailbox Wraps Post Letter Box Cover

https://www.amazon.com/NCXIAO-Magnetic-Mailbox-Cover-Portrait/dp/B07X3G3XCX

Meet the man:  Wilde

Great stylist and lovely lady working in an area where you can become beautiful without becoming infected —-just across from Winter Park Village.

The podcast for kids that the whole family will enjoy!

These

interesting stories of the law are from the UK and not the USA

nothing crazy like this happens here I’m sure ????

This church once part of the larger abbey bordering on the Epping Forest in Essex.  The monastery, which dates way back further than I have studied the history of, was founded during the reign of King Cnut (1017-1035)  

which is one of the kings of the Viking period in England and the now UK.    but it’s main claim to fame came a few years later when Legend says that  Harold the  Saxon King who was killed at a battle with the invading Normans at Hastings and his body was brought here and buried with that stone at the front of the picture—which was at the time of the burial was at the Abbey’s High Altar sight and so the stone marks it spot (above) which would have been inside the building and over his grave.  But others insist that he was left at the sight or near it of his death and dumped with no ceremony at the site of the battle itself—-and if that isn’t enough there have long been legends that Harold survived the battle—though his kingship did not and that he retreated from the Normans to the north and stayed out of sight and sound until his death of natural causes many years later.  But visiting Hastings and the church is an interesting way to spend a day and just in case you’ve got two out of three of the burial spots off of your to do list.  In all fairness there’s a lot more than 3 but I didn’t want to discourage you

King Harold ‘may have survived Battle of Hastings’ claim

Marking King Harold’s Grave. The inscription reads: ‘This stone marks the position of the high altar behind which King Harold is said to have been buried 1066’.

BLENDED SCOTCH V SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY: WHAT SHOULD I BUY?

Halloween Ideas

THE FIRST HEALERS: Ancient Medicine and the Art of Wellness

It was over 284 years ago that the first British Prime Minister:  Sir Robert Walpole moved into Number 10 Downing Street.

Bright fireball widely seen over northeastern Mexico

The Key West Cemetery 

is much like the town it serves—a bit (or more) off the beaten path.  One of the oldest markers is the final resting place of Duncan Cameron since 1855.

Next along the way is a tiny stone that marks an the early grave of 22-year old Rev. J. Van Duzen, the first missionary to Cubans in Key West

if you continue along the semi-circular roadway northeast along 3rd Ave.  You’ll pass Tombs of Key West elite:  The Lowes, Careys, Pinders and Currys.

Note the two ceramic swans and double white roses at the corner.

and finally on the right are 42 “condos” burial cubicles stacked to conserve space.

The Witches’ Ball  Orlando 2020 

37 is the angle that the number 10 is painted on the door of #10 Downing Street

7 Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Fall Activity

Ormonde Castle

Carrick-on-Sur

County Tipperary

Ireland

DISCOVER GHOUL BRITANNIA

Today, thanks largely to the efforts of Heritage Ireland , 

the old house is gradually assuming something of its former glory and visitors can admire its atmospheric huddle of rooms, including a Long Gallery that stretches for an impressive 100 feet, and which is unique in Ireland…

…On its wall the marks of the original staircase are clearly visible.  It is here that ghostly activity has been experienced.  Michael Wallace, a sprightly guide who looked far younger than his 80 years when I met him, used to live in the house.  There were nights when as he sat close to the bottom of the staircase, he would hear the distinct sound of a ball apparently being held in the Long Gallery above.  He would hear the swish of the ladies skirts, the echoing sound of their footfall and from time to time the voice of a one minstrel that would burst into song and entertain the assembled phantom throng with a mournful rendition of “Greensleeves.”

Haunted Houses of Britain and Ireland

Richard Jones

19 Incredibly Haunted Hotels Around the World

The largest room at 10 Downing Street is the 42 foot long State Dining Room

International Archaeology Day

Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead

Dripping Springs

Texas

Hair-raising stories from pioneer days. – Texas Escapes

Three families settled here from Missouri in 1853.  One a Physician Joseph M. Pound and wife Sarah built a one room log cabin—they would eventually be the proud parents of 9 children.  The cabin became the site where a Methodist circuit rider gave meetings for the community.  Eventually the cabin grew to include a kitchen, dining room.  The site remains intact today looking much like it did then.  The site houses family items including desk and the doctor’s medical tools as well as a Confederate flag.  There is also a smokehouse, corral, windmill, and a barn.  An item that sounds particularly interesting is an old time green house called a “hot frame”.

The Land and Its Early People – Texas Our Texas

A brown and white cat named Larry is the Official “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office”—-it’s reported that there have been assorted felines in residence here for over 500 years—Nelson, by the way was the name of the feline for Churchill.

Discover The Power of Pollinators

Knights Templar: Escapees in Scotland | Crusader History

At Peterculter

a paper mill town, the statue seen from the bridge overlooking Leuchar Burn is Rob Roy (1671-1731) the traditionally amiable outlaw (who in fat was just a cattle-lifter and freebooter) Peterculter and Maryculter were named after St Peter’s Chapel and St. Mary’s Chapel when the Culter district was divided by donation of the south bank of the district (Maryculter) to the Knights Templar in the late twelth century.  The Roman Catholic St Mary’s College (founded in the 1827) has some notable treasures which include a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots found hidden at Doual after the French Revolution.  Aberdeen is eight miles (13 km) from here.

Around Scotland:  A Touring Guide

Ken & Julie Slavin

The Salacious Letters That Helped Bring Down Mary, Queen …

  Stan the T. rex just became the most expensive fossil ever sold

St Paul’s Episcopal Church and Rectory was originally built on corner of Duval and Eaton Street in Key West in 1838, this plus two subsequent churches built on the same spot were all destroyed by hurricanes.  The current church was built in 1919.

Stan the T. rex just became the most expensive fossil ever sold

More UK pictures both the main and this and again I lost track of where exactly they were taken.

The Best Halloween Decorations to Celebrate The Spookiest Time of the Year

Check out THE MAN:  Bogart

6 New Showstopping Fall Cakes

Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Acorn Clearance Sale

Artificial intelligence is preserving our ability to converse with Holocaust survivors even after they die

England’s Only County Without a McDonald’s Is About to Get One

Have you ever heard of Rutland County in the UK.  Well I hadn’t but now…

Rutland is just 2 hours north of London and just 17 miles wide with only 2 towns.

I found that the county’s land originally was granted to Emma of Normandy (another person I wasn’t aware of) who was the mother of England’s most saintly king–Edward the Confessor.  Edward  

gave the county to his wife Queen Edith in 1053—-Edward who was known for he non-indulgences in the pleasures of the flesh it would seem that  it’s the least he could offer as the marriage didn’t seem to have that which is one of the usual perks    

as one of his clams to Sainthood was his chastity.

Of course by 1080 or so  it went to Edward’s cousin William the Conqueror, who no one ever nominated to sainthood as far as I can see in my studies.

In its earliest days it was royal hunting grounds and there is still a Forrest Leighfield to the west.  The county actually disappeared for about 20 years starting in the 70’s when it became part of Leicestershire-–but reappeared in the 1990s as Rutland again.

Okham is the site of a castle, which was originally more of a manor house and today it is  considered among the most beautiful Norman Domestic architecture in the country.    Check out this virtual tour

Upper Humbleton is the other town or village (?) in the county and is home to Humbleton Hall with a world class restaurant among other things

Oakham Castle Horseshoes

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Bookstore

Geisha Ware

is made from porcelain, a clay mixture of petuntse and kaolin.  When fired in the heat of a kiln, it becomes a hard, translucent material.  While porcelain weights vary from the thinnest “eggshell” to pottery look-alikes, all porcelain bodies have one thing in common–light can be seen through them.  The thinner the porcelain, the more light shines through.

The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Geisha Girl Porcelain

Elyce Litts

Isle of Scilly:  Autumn:  A feast for your senses.

Greenville, South Carolina

ROKR 3D Wooden Puzzle for Adults-Mechanical Train Model Kits-Brain Teaser

The Waterford Fair is coming

Use 21st-Century Technology To Experience The 18th Century

FANTASY FEST BACKGROUND

The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden

On College Rd in Key West

Through a combined effort of the Key West Garden Club and Monroe County. this garden was open several years ago, creating a natural preserve of indigenous and south Florida botanical species.

Key West: Graves, Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls

12 Excellent Things To Do In London In October 2020

Beheadings And Ferocity At The National Gallery: Artemisia Is An Artist We Should All Know About

At Fort Christmas, It’s History All Year Long

It’s Christmas All Year In Florida

in 1837,

Fort Christmas 

was built in east Orange County.  In 1977 the Orange County Parks Department constructed a replica of Fort Christmas about one mile south of its original location.  The fort is used as a museum honoring the memory of the Seminole Indians who were defending their freedom, the soldiers who fought for American expansion,  

the runaway slaves who sought refuge in Florida and the early pioneers who set up communities in the area.  Museum guide Vicky Prewett explains how Fort Christmas got its name:  “There were two thousand soldiers that were marching from Fort Mellon, which was over in Sanford.  When they arroved at Powelltown, a large Indian village that was abandoned, of course at the time, they built their fort on the opposite side of the creek.  They arrived there on December 25, 1837, and that was Christmas Day, so they decided that ey would name their fort Fort Christmas.

Beyond the Theme Parks:  Exploring Central Florida

Benjamin D. Brotemarkle

Stone Age Rock Tombs Found Near Göbekli Tepe Provide More Ancient Clues

It also comes in tee shirts

Behind the Scenes Peek into Audubon’s Raptor Trauma Clinic

Memories of Halloweens past

6 fantastic masks travel fans will love

Looking into the past of a few places in Longwood

Not too far from the train depot for Amtrack—-to the west on Church Ave is

The Old Post Office

117 Church Ave

In a building that one held Pete’s Eats more recently, it was built in 1920 and was later owned by the Paynes.  It served as the Longwood Post Office from 1931-1946 with Blanche (Payne) acting as post mistress.

Keep going west toward 427

Turn left over East Church Ave when you reach 427

Henck-Tinker Building

101-159 South CR 427

Which is on the SW corner of 427 and East Church Ave

It was built around 1925 by Edward Hench and Baseball Hall of Fomer Joe Tinker short stop for the Chicago Cubs.  The  Longwood state bank operated out of the building’s  north end, and a drug store, a grocery star and a barbershop operated out of the south end.  Hit by the Depression, the bank folded in 1932, but its vault is still inside the building. The Hench-Tinker Building is constructed of brick and false-brick stucco.

Longwood pioneers are colorful lot

The Forgotten Kidnapping Epidemic That Shook Depression-Era Americ

they have it on Amazon OF COURSE

About the Purple Leash Project

Getting a Florida Fishing License: All You Need to Know

Fort Desoto Park

At the mouth of Tampa Bay,

a few miles south of St. Petersburg Beach

Park & Campground Office (727) 582-2100, select Option #2

….consists of several sun-drenched islands surrounded by miles of beautiful beaches and sparkling gulf waters.  The sites in the camping area are among the most attractive in the state.  Many of them are directly on the water yet cut into a thickly wooded area of oak trees, palms and palmetto bushes.  Points of interest include the fort and a long a long fishing pier.  This county park is exceptionally popular so reservations are a must and they can only be made at the campground office for a maximum of 14 days.  Pets are not allowed.

Guide to Florida Campgrounds

Jim Stachowicz

Explore Ft. Desoto

Lakeridge Uncorked

And the answer is $8,000 to $12,000

Writer Sailor Soldier Spy: Ernest Hemingway’s Secret Adventures 1935-1961

Cobra Season One—Watch the Preview

DRUM CASTLE, GARDEN & ESTATE

This is an ancient castle—dating back to medieval times and the family that lived lived here for 21 generations (over 650 years).  But it did not stay rooted in the ancientness of its origins–and while you can see a medieval tower, there’s also a Jacobean mansion house and many Victorian additions.

and don’t forget the gardens which include a Historic Rose corner with roses from as far a China and Japan.

Secret medieval chamber found in Scottish castle

Viking Raids in Britain – Ancient History Encyclopedia

The Abingdon Sword

(surviving length 31.5 cm)

The warfare between the English and the Vikings in the late 9th c was perceived by some contemporary commentators as a struggle between Christians and pagans.  This sword of English manufacture, is decorated with a combination of designs best understood in relation to the Christian symbolism of other late ninth-century metal work, and seems in this way to capture the “Onward Christian Soldiers’ mentality of the age.  The sword was found at Bog’s Mill, Abingdon, Oxfordshire in about 1874.

The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings

Edited by Peter Sawyer

Magical swords in myths and legends – from Britain to Vietnam …

• Still staying in—how about being Sherlock Holmes Assistant

Castle Howard

Runestone Discovered in Sweden Provides Window Into Viking Past

Symbols & Secrets At the Charter House

One of the places we were planning on visiting on our rescheduled trip to London is the Charter House

And one of the things that endears this site to visitors are their gardens which form part of the 7 acre site that sets just minutes from the City of London  and has done so since 1348 during the time of the  Black Death.  

It has been many things including a Carthusian monastery, 

a private home in Tudor times

and finally even a private school….

But for the last 400 years it has been an almshuse which opened to the public 3 years ago and gives tours of the House and Garden on select dates, as well as noee having Open Gardens in the evenings of summer which allows you to access the paces and even was to feature BBQ and a bar.  check www.thecharterhouse.org to see what is actually going on under the restrictions of the pandemic (not to be confused with the medieval plague)

In The Charterhouse—Plague Pit

What I Wore When I Went Through Menopause

London has several church ruins scattered about —unlike the Greeks and the Romans, these are of much closer dates mostly thanks to the German’s bombings during the Second World War.   This is one of those churches—sorry cant say which one  

• The main picture was the starting site at Plymouth in UK for a cross Atlantic Sail race—though I knew little about the details, the ships were beautiful and the activity highly exciting.

Visit George IV’s private apartments

What you need to know now about COVID-19 in Florida

Sorry I didn’t do my blog last week–-2 wks ago I got my flu shot and spent some time at a shop awaiting some service for my car .

By Sat a week ago my  usual energy was waning and I spent the weekend just watching TV—not something I do very seldom—by Monday last I was not feeling well at all with some fever—not severe and intermittent but still an indication I’d managed to pick up something.  I was able to schedule a Virus test by the next Friday.  Meanwhile I was self isolating and not going even for my brief grocery shopping and the like.

I was very apprehensive about this whole thing of testing I had seen the long lines– despite appointments I might add—Setting large parking lots in the high head of fall which seems to have caught on to the fact that it could stay hot for global warming.  I left early—after extensive driving up and down and about in the small town the test was being given in— I finally found the park and was courteously told which area to go to—I drove there and found that it was a small area, far from the maddening crowds and people who might decide to wander in and try to be included in the testing lines, causing delays in a system I’d been told specialized in delays.

More than that the small parking lot is lovely bordered on one side by a lovely lake all alight with the morning glow.  Trees kept the sun off of you while still allowing a nice light to surround us.  The staff—part county workers who specialized in organizing all manner of responses from hurricanes to floods and now even pandemic.  They got information and things set up at a few sites  to confirm who you are, get your ID and then send you on where Allied does the testing—-a throat rather than a nose swab and while maintaining a great routine of glove changing and the like—I was in and out in less than 45 min —and my attendant apologized for being a bit slow as one of their staff had called out that day.    And that was it and I was free to go back and hide in my house and progressively feel better.

Oh and today is Monday–and about 10 ish this AM–exactly 3 days from my test date—-and I got that call they promised (I was given a full page of instruction—only partly for me as only part of English)  that confirmed who I was and told me I was negative—OK can we close the Pandemic now?

[

        The Oldest Continually Inhabited Cities on Each Continent

Sam Kinison, the outrageous comic  was known for his substance abuse and his reckless life filled with drugs, alcohol and controversy—but did you know he died of a broken heart?  On April 10, 1992 a group of teens who reportedly had littered their car with beer cans swerved into traffic and hit head on into Sam’s car (occupied by Sam and Sam’s new bride Matlika Souiri ) near Needles, California.  He survive for a short while after.  But it seemed that he hadn’t been wearing his seat belt and when he struck the other car his body was slammed into the steering wheel, the sudden deceleration ripped his aorta from his heart—a broken heart and he passed away along HWY 96.

By the way he’s buried at his family’s plot at Memorial Park Gardens, Tulsa.. OK            

SIX – Live At The Lyric

Travel the world without having to social distancing, mask—hell not even a passport.

Archaeology:  An Introduction to the World’s Greatest Sites

over 20 sites and lectures —-you can purchase and watch it on demand on line or buy the videos.

Sites include:  Pompeii & Herculaneum

Troy

Jericho

King Tut’s Tomb

Sutton Hoo

Micho Picchu

I purchased one of these on Great Britain and loved it.

Ten Banging Chocolaty Desserts

This is Hattie Daggert

she was one of those rare women—particularly for the late 19th century—first of all she actually had a profession–she was a nurse and second she was apparently quite independent—traveling to the lightly developed area of Central Florida that is now Clermont, FL.   

At age 23. she came as a dutiful daughter to check the area out for a possible place for her her parents to settle.  However she was so impressed with the area she purchased  20 acres and eventually would be joined by 17 other pioneering families around what she had named Monte Vista.  (in Current Clermont)

She spent her summers in Philadelphia working at her nursing profession for the money to hire laborers from the Sanford Docks to build a canal between Crescent Lake and Lake Minnehaha.  

But she didn’t stand by being idle—she supervised the digging and reportedly the use of dynamite to blow cypress stumps.

And when the 6,600′ long 30′ wide canal was done she wasn’t done yet and purchased a steam launch to haul produce and in her spare time she married a Robert Mullholland, a widower from Oakland.   

and of course there was a house—a home for her and her hubby—Called thee Log House (3-stories high) which she used for—you guessed it—a headquarters for her

Monte Vista Land & Improvement Company that marketed the property she owned.  The street here still bears it’s name—no she didn’t actually, physically build it–she had her brother do that.

Lake County history: Did you know?

Glastonbury Tor:  this terraced mound raises above what at some point following the last ice Age, was in fact a shallow inland sea.

Smart Talks

The Aardvark isn’t just a bottle shop – it might be the best and truest gastropub in Orlando 

William  the Conqueror  (Formerly William the Bastard of Normandy) was cousin to the English King Edward the Confessor.  William insisted, but had no actual paperwork, that Edward left the throne to him—But William eventually defeats Harold, whose claim to the throne was also unsupported by documents—and makes himself king after which he built the Tower of London—giving Henry VIII a place to put unwanted subjects and wives.

Is it safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy?

---

Trina Robbins

Serpentine–New Alex Delaware Novel

A Secret Garden tour of England

More tips for Lock Down

Now that we’re inside much more some of us (me!!!!) have shed those shoes unless I’m making rare excursion out and about—But whether all natural or in your favorite pump your feet need to be cared for regularly.

Of course there’s the basics:  clean and dry for both and all 10 digits

Check regularly for cuts, blisters all that kind of thing.

Going to spend some time by the pool or the beach—don’t forget to put sunscreen on your feet—and don’t forget the rest of you that’s bare to the air and of course sun.

Just cause you love the look doesn’t mean that the shoes are right for you—make sure they fit well—no pinching, rubbing, well you get the idea.  Avoid those flat ones with the thin soles as they leave your feet to absorb the stress of walking.  And don’t get me started on High heals—from tendon issues, bunnions and hammertoes to name a few.  And get some good and well fitting exercise shoes if you plan to walk, run or—-well you get the idea.

And if you have any issues with circulation or Diabetes, neuropathy you need to get at least a yearly check as these have been known to cause major problems—some of which may result in amputation of toes for instance.

Boris Johnson orders British pubs to close early as Covid-19 cases rise

RIX:  A Celtic word meaning an act of stretching or reaching

Making Miami plans?

HistoryMiami
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130

305-375-1492

The Museum’s Research Center is a repository of hundred of photos, period maps, posters and related materials showing the significant role that South Florida played in WWII.

Fredericksburg’s Fall Activities

The Tarot Card Queen of Wands  Represents a passionate female who wants to rouse people into action through her outspoken and critical nature.  Although she appears to be fighting those that cross her, she is a true champion of anyone she supports.

Ancient German Tomb With Circle Of Female Skeletons Found

Fort Taylor

Fort Taylor, situated at the southernmost point in continental US was built in 1832 to guard the entrance to Key West Harbor.  The fort is now a state park and can e reached through the Southard Street entrance.  Civil War Parrott guns and other military relics are exhibited.  One can park in the grounds adjacent and see ships passing through the Main Ship Channel.  Swimming at the beach can also be enjoyed.

Key West Booklet

Coronavirus mutations: What we know so far

St, John’s Wort is also called Amber, goatweed, Johnswort, Klamath weed and Tipton weed

Celebrate Black History Month

This and the main picture are from my trips to Edinburgh

AI ‘resurrects’ 54 Roman emperors, in stunningly lifelike images

More B&C

Picture above is Faye Dunaway  modeling more of the creations for fashion inspired by the movie.

Still more places to visit

Bonnie and Clyde Shootout Souvenirs: Jefferson City, Missouri

Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Apartment: Joplin, Missouri

Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Relics: Joplin, Missouri

And don’t forget those movies

The Bonnie Parker Story (1958)

Bonnie and Clyde (2013)

‘Bonnie & Clyde: Justified’ (2013)

and finally Faye’s Last Scene in the 60’s move

Bikes are Selling Out Everywhere—Here’s Where to Buy the Best

Park of Indian Hills 

Clermont, Fl.

a block long park

1199 W Lakeshore Dr.

Includes a waterfront picnic area, leashed dogs are permitted on the shres of Lake Minnehaha.

The name Lake Minnehaha (Clermont, Florida) came from Wadsworth Longfellow‘s Song of Hiawatha, and was selected by Mrs Tom Hooks, who was one of Clermont’s earliest residents.

History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation

Spooktacular Halloween Fun this October Half Term

The Green Parrot in Key West slogan is “A Sunny Place for Shady People”  but they don’t allow Sniveling—or bad music on their Great Jukebox

It also was or use to be when I hung out there with my hubby and the locals treated us right–The First and last bar On US 1—home of great drinks and bad art. (you really have to go there to see the reality of that.)

]

All Spice:  Common Names–Clove Pepper, Jamaica Pepper, Pimento

10 Dragons From British Folklore

Ft. DeSoto Keya

seems like a different land compared to the beach scene of the upper islands.  In this sanctuary–for birds and humans alike-–camping,   fishing, and exploring nature an the military history of Pinellas county are the favorite pastimes.  some goes for Edmont Key, a free-floater across the bay from Mullet Key, Fort DeSoto’s main island.  A favorite among weekend boaters, it grasps its past at the sites of a historic lighthouse and Spanish-American War fort ruins.  

Florida Island Hopping:  The West Coast

Chelle Koster Walton

Egmont Key, Florida by the US Fish and Wildlife Service

Discover hidden gardens in the City

Vitamin K, is important in the blood clotting process.  Eat Alfalfa, green leafy vegetables, soy bean oil, cauliflowers and tomatoes.

QUICK VIEW

COLLECTIONS AND BUNDLE

Dashell Hammett created Sam Spade, a legendary private Eye with a sardonic sense of humor who was voiced by Howard Duff in the late 40’s and early 50’s on radio.

A Road Trip to Relive Special Movie Moments: Legendary Film Locations

The longest running radio detective show was Mr Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, which starred Bennet Kilpack and run from 1944 – 1950

Beautiful and remote Scottish island looking for someone to run its only restaurant

10 of the Best Tudor Historical Sites You Can See in Britain

North York Moors

Mining here was an industry created by Henry VIII’s attempt to break the Pope’s monopoly.  He also was responsible for the ruins of Fountains Abbey founded in 1132 ,  (near and had became one of the greatest monasteries in England when it was destroyed  by Henry in 1539 when claimed for the crown and then sold, awarded as gifts or a few like Westminster, which was the burial place of his parents, was converted to a non-monk establishment.

Here heather is the dominant plant with grouse feeding and all this is highlighted by Christian Crosses (at least 30) and earlier monument of pre-history, some standing stones.  One of the crosses  Young Ralph is the symbol of the North York Moors National Park Authority

See and do – North York Moors National Park

Your dream vacation starts at check-in with this exciting new offer.

3 Shipwreck Diving Tours in Florida | VISIT FLORIDA

Ship at Matanzas Inlet

Pictured above in a more modern era

This was a Spanish cargo vessel that sank in a hurricane and was dragged by the currents to Matanzas Inlet where it was finally submerged in 18 feet of water.  She was carrying gold bars and coins.

Florida Shipwreck Treasures

L. Frank Hudson

Snorkeling in Shipwreck Trail, Florida

Fort Matanzas

Every Stephen King Movie, Ranked

755 miles south of LA, Key West is truly America’s Southern-most city

BRINGING IRELAND TO YOU IN 5 DAYS

Best Things To Do & Days Out In Dunmore

Who knew Pineapple in Scotland.

Dunmore House–Dunmore Pineapple

Blt 1724–Summer house

on grounds of Dunmore House

Ancestral home of the Earls of Dunmore

the 14 m tall pineapple topped building presides over a wall garden that legends says once grew pineapples among other things.

The pineapple wasn’t added until after 1777, when Lord Dunmore returned from serving as governor of Virginia, 

where it is said that sailors put pineapples on their gate posts to announce they were home—legend says that Lord Dunmore announced his return with a bit more permanent play on that tradition.

The building is rented to vacationers by the Landmark Trust

Visit Valkirk

Dunmore Park Seen from the South

Fall into the Gardens

If crows fly in pairs, expect fine weather; a crow flying alone is a sign of foul weather

COVID-19: Global coverage for a pandemic

Washing your hair and discover you’re out of conditioner—according to what I’ve read you can use beer for that—just pour it straight from the can (or bottle) onto your freshly washed hair and then comb it thru and rinse–interesting.

Five Legendary Lost Cities that have Never Been Found

Still more on B&C

Places to see the True Crime trio or at least about them

Historic Bonnie and Clyde Gas Station: Gibsland, Louisiana

The Authentic Bonnie and Clyde Museum: Gibsland, Louisiana

Clyde Barrow Endorses the Ford V8: Dearborn, Michigan

Other movies based on the Killer Couple

The Other Side of Bonnie and Clyde

 AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains (2003 TV Special)

Chasing Bonnie & Clyde (2015)

Not Rated | 87 min | Documentary, Crime, History

Real Bonnie & Clyde: Has history been too harsh on her role in the infamous killer couple?

Outlaws: Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker (Image: Getty)

9 Haunting Cases from Unsolved Mysteries That Have Since Been Solved

Follow the Honorable Phryne (fry-nee) Fisher through the back alleys, shady markets, and jazz clubs of late 1920s Melbourne. A glamorous lady detective in a mostly male world, she goes about her work with a pearl-handled pistol an . Includes Series 1-3, plus the feature-length movie Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. 35 episodes, 30 hrs, 12 DVDs ..

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 1920s TRAVELOGUE 7678

TOP 10 UK: TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN THE SHETLAND ISLANDS    

And if beer isn’t good (or bad depending on your take) enough I remember back in the day they also used mayonnaise, again start from the can (or jar in this case) to make hair soft and shinny.  The eggs in it were suppose to help brittle hair (something to do with their protein) and vinegar for the bounce (body)

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

traces of the Pagan past can still be found

The Hill of Tara

County Meath

In north east Ireland–the Hill of Tara has been described  as “the spiritual and historical heart of Ireland.”     It was a place that dates back to 4000 BC and was a place of rituals, where men met in battled and were buried when they died.  Many kings (estimated as well over 100) of ancient times were crowned here and Christianity stopped here in the form of St. Patrick to seek leave to spread his message of Christ in the land.

It has later been used for meetings and in one specific incident–a political demonstrations against the union with Britain 1843

It is still a site to spend Midsummer’s Eve

but unfortunately there was much damage done to the area of Tara for a new highway.

Highway through Tara was a waste

Fall Stove Top Potpourri Recipe

Glastonbury Tor is believed by some to be the Isle of Avalon, where Arthur was borne away after his death–some say wounding—to this isle.

Master of Seduction

​4​. 11 Famous Murders That Remain Bone-Chilling To This Day, From The Black Dahlia To JonBenét  Many recommend plain honey on your lips over night as a remedy for chapped lips. 8 Countries Americans Can Visit Right Now

Parish of Clackmannan

Clackmannan Tower

“Standing prominently on the summit of King’s Seat Hill,  Clackmannan Tower is an impressive 14th keep of three stories, which in the 15th century was heightened and then extended to L-plan.  Clackmannan was a property of the Bruces from 1359 until 1796, having been given to them by David II.  

Henry Bruce of Clackmannan fought for the Jacobires in the 1745 Rising, and in August 1787 his widow Catherine “knighted” Robert Burns with the sword of Robert the Bruce.  

The tower was abandoned only four years later; an adjoining mansion has bee demolished.

There have apparently been several strange happenings in the tower, leading some to believe that the building is haunted.  A paranormal investigation is apparently planned for the tower.

Haunted Places in Scotland

Martin Coventry

15 Haunted Castles in Scotland | VisitScotland

Witch Hazel has long been used by the American Indians as a treatment for many things including a food, to make weapons (bows), and to treat swelling, repair injuries to to the skin and to fight infection.

Archaeologists unearth Viking neighborhood in Istanbul

Noon to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Hours May Be Limited on Wednesday ~ please call ahead
Noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday
and by chance or circumstance

http://pweb.westelcom.com/keptwo/

Kingston’s heritage with a series of Open House and Heritage Open Days,

Black oral tradition states that those who escaped slavery before the civil war on the underground railroad relied on codes sewn into quilts that were hung public areas like windows or clothes lines to help them find their way to freedom—Historians have questioned this but to my knowledge there ha been nothing provided to disprove it at this point.

Hidden gems: 12 of the best Florida State Parks to discover

Cotswold Lions

The Cotswolds covers a huge area – almost 800 square miles – and runs through five counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire) in an area north west of London, England.  So it might surprise you to know that there be lions here.

Now this is an ancient breed of cowardly lions—but they have been in this area since medieval times, when they made the local merchants and the like a great source of income and even brought in Money Enough to build some cathedrals as well.

But with the Industrial Revolution came a shift of wealth to city mills and the Cotswolds became a forgotten place, too poor to do much but remain in place and unchanged—something that eventually paid off for them was now the tourists as well as local visitors began to come here, in droves, to see the 15th century buildings basically unchanged with their thatched roofs and quaint architecture.

And the Lions—they remain and in fact the word “Cotswolds” is thought to mean sheepfold on high, open land.  And the lions   

as you can see from the picture below, are still in the vales and on the hill sides to this day.

​​

New Art Just IN  

Want to improve your immune system–try unsweetened bran cereal with fruit (dark ones like blue berries) daily for breakfast.

Blue Grotto

Spectacular Springs

Florida has more than 300 springs, 

with about 120 suitable for diving and many more where snorkeling and swimming are allowed.  There are springs and rivers so placid a  diver an float suspended for an hour or more and watch a wold of aquatic life swim by.

Great Getaways:  A Floridian’ guide to Florida

Insider tips 2001

ART BY APPOINTMENT     Detroit

The Harrowing Mystery Of The Dyatlov Pass Incident

One of the best ways to find a mechanic and/or auto shop is to talk to people you trust–I would go to someone who has some knowledge of the mechanical first if I knew someone who did—ask how long they’ve gone there, and if they ever had any problem.  Also note if any local companies and the like use the facility for their vehicle maintanance.

How To Overcome Jealousy In A Relationship

Lights, Camera, Action: Famous Films, Commercials, TV Shows Shot in the Keys

The Keys to the Movies

Many movies have been made in the Keys- over the years—the one that bares one of the Keys’ name:  Key Largo –was actually except for a tiny bit filmed on sets in Hollywood so I really don’t consider it as really being filmed in the Keys.

MOVIE MEMORIES LIVE ON IN THE KEYS

The Rose Tattoo 

which takes place in Mississippi–it was filmed almost entirely in Key West (which makes up for Key Largo?).  In fact the house they picked to use for the film was right next door to the author, William’s house.  Stars Burt Lancaster and Anna Magani.

A Brief Guide To Key West’s Movie Career

Servant of the Crown

Camomile flowers can be made into a rubbing oil for swellings, callouses, and painful joints

11 Epic Fall Foliage Road Trips to Drive This Year

10 fascinating, lesser-known Revolutionary War sites in Pa.

Yankee Doodle

The song was initially popular among British forces during the War of Independence, 

as a mocking appraisal of the American soldiers’ inability to fight (and indeed dress themselves properly.  After the battle of Bunker’s Hill

the US troops themselves adopted it as a favourite marching song and threw it back at the Brits, to the annoyance of one British officer, who said, “It (“Yankee Doodle’) is now their paean, a favourite of favourites…a lover’s spell, the nurse’s lullaby”.  They even played it when the British Army came down to sign the surrender documents.  SO here’s early proof that Americans have a descent sense of comic timing and irony, whatever some commentators might say..

Heavy Words Lightly Thrown

The reason behind the Rhyme

Chris Roberts

Honoring Memorial Day the Revolutionary Way

Highclere Castle is the real name of the setting for Downton Abbey.

Coronavirus updates: Florida bars allowed to reopen next week

]     Dark Song

Stolen from her home at a young age and tormented for centuries, Elisabeta Trigovise is scared to show herself to anyone. Even though she has been rescued and is now safe within the Carpathian compound, she has lived in fear for so long she has no idea how to survive without it. She wants to answer the siren call of her lifemate—but the very thought terrifies her. Dark Song a Carpathian Novel by Christine Feehan Book Trailer

Corn, Cotton and Chocolate: How the Maya Changed the World

The main picture and this are both somewhere in the British Isles, but as you can see they are from two quite different places.

Itinerary: The Wallace and The Bruce (pdf)

Discover Halkidiki: northern Greece’s best kept secret

Westminster Abbey will never be the same – a trip to the new galleries is the best £5 you’ll spend this year

​THE MONARCHS: RICHARD II – THE TRAGIC BOY KING

Portrait at Westminster Abbey, mid-1390s

If you click on the underlined topic (Richard II) you’ll find a brief illustrated article on this boy whose father died too soon and who inherited all of England from his Grandfather.  It goes on to include movies and TV documentaries on the king as well as site to visit in relationship to his life and death, which gives you lots of Lock Down entertainment as well as the possible beginning of a new vacation plan. You’ll notice Westminster Abbey as where he was buried—probably where he was crowned—Churches in Europe hold more famous people than you’ll find out and about most days—Westminster for instance has so many Check out this book–BHO (British History Online) from the late 1880s that give you a detailed account of the burials in Westminster Abbey–at least up till then: Westminster Abbey: Chapels and royal tombs Over the long years many of those monarch’s original resting place lost teo memory and location: some are much more bazaar—this story of a head of state—who’s head became a collector’s time:   Admittedly not a king, but Cromwell was certainly a head of state. And most of him has no grave. After leading the Parliamentarian forces to victory in the civil war against Charles I, Cromwell took the reins of power until his death in 1658 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. When Charles II came to the throne in 1660, his supporters decided to enact a peculiarly spiteful form of vengeance, exhuming Cromwell’s body and hanging it on the scaffold at Tyburn near modern day Marble Arch. John Goldsmith, curator of the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, said: “It was then cut down and beheaded. Despite various stories about it being spirited away, his body was almost certainly dumped in a nearby pit. “His embalmed head was later removed from a spike and went from owner to owner – including being an attraction in a travelling show – until eventually being reburied at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1960.” Find more interesting items along this line—where I got this story (from the BBC) at: Missing monarchs: The kings who did not rest in peace   Oh and check out that bit about Cromwell and how many places were found for you to see and visit with just a few articles we went thru  which might put you ahead (sorry couldn’t resist) on your vacation plans.   This bit on revisiting the deceased monarch and the items taken from them in some cases:   The corpses of 10 Kings and Queens of England exhumed centuries after death

Another great place to look are State sites

  Outdoor activities that naturally incorporate social distancing

This one is from West Virginia  which offers you general ideas and has lots of sites from canoeing to hiking and more in the state of West VA.

YORK has a Minster and much more—–Let’s check it out

First of all find out what a Minster is

York Minster Facts and Figures

How historic well the first Archbishop Egbert 

who made the cathedral school and library of York Minster the envy off Europe did so in the 8th century.  The original church burned down in 741 AD and was replaced with one with about 30 altars.

The current abbey is

York Minster

Human remains believed to date back to the 12th century discovered inside York Minster during rare excavation

and you can search for all manner of things:

Filming Location Matching “York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, England, UK” (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)

But York was not to remain under the Anglo-Saxons for too much longer for by he 9th century the Danes—-better known as Vikings showed up.

IVAN the Boneless was the invader in 866—and won against the disadvantaged Saxons (who had taken over the country from the Celts after the Romans had left) who were already involved in internal conflict

Top 10 books about the Vikings

Viking Place Names

and don’t forget Jorvik— 

you might think it’s just an attraction as it’s stylish and has a ride—but the villages you see are exact based on digs and other information—the people are real—faces and size based on skeltons found in digs done in the same area as Jorvik sets.  It is a must when going to York.

If you’re into Vikings there are all manner of things to see and do:

The Top 10 Places to Visit in the UK if You’re Fascinated by the Vikings

New ruins of Viking village near the Hudson River seriously question where were the borders of the legendary Vinland 

Retracing Ragnar: Scandinavia’s Top Viking Sites

The best Viking sites for travellers

and you can continue on and on—depending what you–your friends or family you’re traveling with.

Virtually

Overview tour/Westminster Abbey

New River Gorge Bridge Walk Fayetteville West Virginia …

Virtual York Minster

 

The Genius of ANDY KAUFMAN

Well he’s at

Beth David Cemetery

on Long Island—and You live and/     or are visiting there or maybe nearby

So you check out the cemetery and find that:

there are several:

Notable interments

• Eduard Bloch (1872–1945), personal physician to the family of Adolf Hitler
• Rube Bloom (1902–1976), musician
• Joyce Brothers (1927–2013), psychologist^[3]
• Bernard Herrmann (1911–1975), composer
• Sol Kaplan (1919–1990), composer
• Andy Kaufman (1949–1984), comedian and actor^[4]
• Martin Landau (1928–2017), actor^[5]
• Sam Levenson (1911–1980), humorist
• Chuck Low (1928–2017), actor^[6]
•                                                  Sidney Lumet (1924–2011), film director                                                                           Jack Newfield (1938–2004), journalist^[7]
• Doc Pomus (1925–1991), musician                                                                                                                   Saul Rogovin (1923–1995), baseball player

• Benjamin Stanley Rosenthal (1923–1983), politician
• Walt Singer (1911–1992), football player
• Harry Strauss (1909–1941), mobster
• Herbert Tenzer (1905–1993), politician
• Abe Vigoda (1921–2016), actor^[8]
• Herman Wouk (1915–2019), author

so You can visit the final resting place of several others of note

Now what else would you like  or do you to know about the area

Directions of course—BUT

How about a restaurant

Elmont Restaurants – Long Island New York Restaurants, NY

and how about making a day of it

So let’s  look for

Things to do on Long Island while you’re there?

with

43 Fun Things To Do With Your Kids On Long Island

or Without the small fries

Area Attractions

You can also look for hotels–B&B’s and that—-what ever you’re interested in just google  it—you’ve got the idea.

check out the without section to see where the picture below is of

Discover Long Island NY Virtually--lots of selections

Andy Kaufman on Letterman (October 15th 1980)

Andy Kaufman – BEST PERFORMANCE EVER

Viking Movies

The 13th Warrior (1999)

Beowulf (2007)

The Last Kingdom (2015)

Valhalla (2019)

Documentaries

1000 AD: A Tour of the Viking World // Vikings Documentary

Who were the Vikings? – Full BBC History Documentary

Viking Voyages: Wings of A Dragon (Viking Documentary) | Timeline

Why walking is the ideal pandemic activity

if nothing else its a good way to get out of the house.

Some more from the Tuesday’s Bonnie and Clyde items—above is Faye Dunaway in one of those fashion spin offs from the popular movie of the late 1960s  Below a picture of Dunaway during that time.

Here are some more places to visit related to the Outlaws

Bonnie and Clyde Embalmed Here: Arcadia, Louisiana

Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum    

Bonnie and Clyde Death Site: Gibsland, Louisiana

Other movies about Bonnie and Clyde:

Teenage Bonnie and Klepto Clyde (1993)

The Highwaymen (2019)

Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula (2008)

13 awesome things you probably didn’t know about Westminster Abbey

This is a wonderful church in London and if you never has seen it — it should be on you list of things you must see.

Cats Cradle & 8 Other String Games

This finished this one—-my favorite Detective the bad ass woman who solves the most twisted crimes with the help of Peabody her partner—but before you think this is your normal crime who done it—the crimes are bad and the criminals way past evil….oh did I mention they’re set in about 30 or 40 years in the future—oh and I saved the best to last, she’s married to a hot, rich and seriously sexy—Did I mention he’s like super rich—-and handsome beyond belief, is a computer wizard AND has a past that Eve is glad he was never arrested for. Oh and his name is Rourke (and like Sting–no last name) and of course Irish and has a face and body that would make the inhabitants of Olympus jealous.   Oh and if that isn’t crazy enough its written under a pseudo-name by a romance writer–Nora Roberts–WOW—-start from the beginning it’s better that way:

UK parks and free public gardens: readers’ travel tips

More hints to plan a UK vacation

current travel to fredericksburg

Out and about in Texas

Zora Hurston  

would have been an amazing woman, no matter what her color—but in an age —20s and 30’s when women were just starting to find their way Zora wasn’t just a woman, she was a poor black woman from the south—-but it never seemed to stop her EVER.

In 1931 she collaborated with Langston Huges on a play “Mule Bone:  A Comedy of Negro Life in Three Acts.

But she didn’t stop there but went to visit Haiti where she found a whole new view of the Black culture which  included Voodoo   

and Zombies

Haiti Travel Advisory

From there she opted for less spooky trips including one to Honduras to seek a lost civilization

and another

a 1,500 mile houseboat voyage from Florida to New York.

and all this made her a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance.

Famous Places of the Harlem Renaissance

Author Zora Neale Hurston at the New York Times Book Fair in 1937, not long after she completed her interviews with Cudjo Lewis. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/LC-USZ62-126945

Why The FBI Thought Ma Barker Was America’s Most Dangerous Mind In

The 1930s

5 places where you’re most likely to spot fairies in Ireland

Westminster

One of the most visited and recognizable section of London

Setting only a small distance from Big Ben and the houses of Parliament is

 the main starting point for river tours

Westminster Pier

and if you look about while you’re walking there you’ll note that statue to the pagan queen who took down the town and the Romans.

Course the big guy along the river is

The Houses of Parliament

also known as

The Palace of Westminster

Once the site of a former royal Palace—the current building was built in 1840 to replace an earlier palace destroyed in 1834 by fire.  It was designed by Charles Barry in a Gothic, basically a Perpendicular style.  Augustus Welby Pugin designed the paneled ceilings, tiled floors, stain glass, clocks, fireplaces, umbrella stands and even the inkwells.

The previous palace here was the King’s residence since Edward the Confessor,  Edward built a palace here with a huge abbey close by something that seems quite appropriate for a man that was later made a saint by the Catholic church.  Interestingly enough,  at the time of this original building the land that the two building currently set on was an island.

It continued to be so,  until Henry VIII.  now this wasn’t just another of Henry’s must have episodes—though that may have played a part—but part of the Palace at Westminster (the residential part) had burnt down (something this palace seemed prone to)  leaving Henry without a residence in the country’s capital.  But then things went wrong, as usual to Henry’s advantage—his involvement with Anne Boleyn had started in 1526 and by 1527 he was pushing for a divorce since Anne insisted on marriage prior to giving up her assets—-short story Cardinal Wolsey who owned a lovely house in London failed to get a divorce for the king and he was stripped of all his assets which included the house just a short way down the river from  the former Royal Palace–Henry had it enlarged and the king’s residence was moved  to Whitehall.    Whitehall was later destroyed by fire.

Oh and by the way Hampton Court was also once Wolsey’s property as well.

Walk about the Westminster Area

But back to that original palace today

Westminster Palace is the center of the British democracy and contains both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

it has more than 1,000 rooms and two miles of corridors which covers approximately 8 acres.  Not a place I’d enjoy cleaning I’m sure.

Virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament

How French Pirate King Jean Lafitte Made A Fortune In The Louisiana Swamps And Helped America Defeat The British

“For much of the 70s, Buffett lived in a second-story apartment at

704 Waddell Street

Today the house contains several luxurious condominium that are rented out to up-scale tourists.  To envision 704 Waddell in Jimmy’s starving-artist days, push the calendar in your imagination back twenty years.  Envision the same house (minus the fresh paint) as it was then, battered by the winds from the sea, baked to silver by the tropic sun.  Then picture Buffett, sitting in a front porch swing, strumming his six-string on the wide, airy veranda

Key West & The Florida Keys

June Keiths

Jeanette Epps Will Be the First Black Female Astronaut on the International Space Station

The Whistle Bar in Key West:

Old-time bar offering three different experiences.

Round Up Your Ripest for These Banana Bread Recipes

8  Most Popular Cities for Filming Movies

Leeds Castle

Visit Mt. Dora

7,000-Year-Old Horned Face Image Discovered Under Ancient Polish Home

When Jessica Fletcher and the sheriff’s wife Maureen Metzger enter a fly-fishing competition at a nearby lake, they are surprised when their guide is Brian Kinney, an ex-con trying to rebuild his life. Yet when Kinney’s vicious ex-partner Jepson breaks out of prison vowing revenge on those who put him away—and the lawyer for both men is found murdered—Cabot Cove becomes the focus of the nation as local, state, and federal authorities descend on Jessica’s hometown. And to add to the tension, Maureen has gone missing. Is she lost or is she a hostage? Setting out to save her friend and perhaps thwart a killer, Jessica soon finds herself caught in a netful of lies, deceit, and ulterior motives.

GREAT EVENTS IN BRITISH HISTORY: OPERATION CHASTISE – THE DAMBUSTERS RAID