Sepia Saturday - 241 16 August 2014

Letters home.  Ah yes.

"I like the storytelling and reading the letters, the long distance dedications.  Anytime in radio that you can reach somebody on an emotional level, you're really connecting." - Casey Kasem

It's all about communication.

SEPIA SATURDAY

Post Office in Fort Davis, Alabama

Our theme this week is "Remember to Write that Letter Home!"

Photo credit and story here.

So many sorts of situations lurking about the world in regards to sending letters home.


Here are just a few.


Soldiers writing home.  Australian Army Y.M.C.A. in Julis Camp soldiers writing home from their "Y" hunt between 1940 and 1946.

Another view of those soldiers.

Photo by the Archive.

Some letters written for home are incredibly funny!

Soldiers in Texas writing home.  April 24, 1914.

Mail orderlies at Hampton Roads between 1890 and 1901.

British and French prisoners assorting mail.

Between 1914 and 1915.

Between 1940 and 1942.  Writing letters for home.  A day with the tanks in the Western Desert, writing home before their day's work on patrol wearing mosquito nets to keep the flies away.

Six Word Saturday - 16 August 2014

COME ONE COME ALL LET'S GO!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

I'M HEADED TO THE MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Today is the first day of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!

See you all there!

Good Fences # 21 - 14 August 2014

Once upon a time, very long ago, the Brandtjen family farm came to be.

How happy they all were, throughout  their years there and today I'm sharing a few pieces of how their old family farm appears today.  Their traditions live on through so many other families.

GOOD FENCES

The Spirit of a timeless dream.  The spirit lives on today.

Now the Community Center.

Here to greet you are the black rod iron fences or pure white wooden fences all around the old family farm.

From their beginning this all began with a dream to build a farm, a family and a way of life close to nature, and yet have plenty of room to roam and grow.

They even feature nature's shrubbery fence that surrounds this wooden shelter which holds firewood and two picnic tables in the shelter and a fire pit.

This video shows the way the Brandtjen family lived in the beginning.  You'll recognize this barn right away in the video.

There's a community garden located right here.

How about a relaxing swim?

Where memories and traditions are still happening at the Spirit of Brandtjen Farm.

So if you're looking for a new place to live, this might be just right for you.

To view more Good Fences just go here.

Alphabe-Thursday - Mystery, Murder? The Whodunit Twist

Calling all Bone Detectives, or rather, Anthropologists to Hastings, Minnesota.


ALPHABE-THURSDAY 
and the letter M.

MYSTERY

MAYBE MURDER?

Whatever the case, it's right up my alley on interesting subjects.  After all, it happened nearly in my own backyard, so to speak.  But for Boston, Massachusetts to run our (mysterious little skeleton) story really peaks my interest.

In all probability the land where the body was buried looked much like this.  Maybe.  Until they determine a closer date of burial we won't know for sure.

The photo below indicates a typical Minnesota structure around the late 1800's.  However, it's more likely it occurred in the early part of 1800.

Photo credit Landmarks History Group Hastings

Last Wednesday's edition of Whodunit quickly becomes, who buried it and Who is it?

After a call from the local authorities, the Bone Detectives arrived quickly.  Solving crimes and uncovering the mysteries of the dead is their business.

The photo below only appears like a construction job in disarray, while in reality it's an active crime scene.  Although, authorities have already determined the body was buried with care, and that this isn't a criminal case.  As of yet.

Skeletal Remains found at construction site for CVS Pharmacy story here.

This is the updated version announced in the media.

Photo credit KDWA Local news 1460 am
view story here.
Click here for 21 second audio.


What an interesting field to be involved in right?

What we know.  The skeletal remains date back to the early 1800's.  Early indications determined it's a middle aged woman, most likely of European descent and not Native American.

The number of tacks and nails found in the area around the remains lead them to believe she was buried sometime in the early 1800's, in a coffin.  They believe the coffin's wood would disintegrate over the last two hundred years, leaving behind only the tacks, nails and bones.

Unless of course, some clever chap buried the remains of a victim and tossed about the tacks and nails from earlier days to throw authorities off, if the remains were ever discovered.

Without a doubt the anthropologists will be able to uncover more impertinent information, which they promise to deliver by next week.

To see what others are posting for their letter M go here.

Thematic Photographic - 305 - Look Straight Down

Look Straight Down.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC


To explain my madness for TP posting, I first scan my cell phone and post. Later, I search for the perfect "whatever theme" and post again.  Otherwise, I may get caught up in life missing my chance to post and what if I don't get another shot worthy of posting?  See my dilemma?  Plus, it's so fun bending photos from my current collection to his theme.


You also know by now, I'm a hobbyist at shooting photography, shaping photos from my own perspective.  My rules.  Sometimes, I get lucky.

I shot this from the second floor, to capture the little playhouse.  But my main intention was to shoot the gorgeous two trees and the lake to appear like I was standing at their level?

Weird?  Yes.  But do think I made it happen?

I lucked out catching Mother duck and her babies as well.  Did you notice them?

Move Up Shoot Down

Of course this was taken last winter.  My main goal was to capture as many shadows as possible.  Moving up and shooting down was the best option.

Okay, I'm heading out of town for the day, and you can bank on my keeping this theme in mind everywhere I go.  Hopefully, I'll capture some fresh, Look straight down shots and see you again right here.

To view other Thematic Photographic posts go here.

Open Link Monday - 11 August 2014

Good morning, why not wander about the Imaginary Garden of Real Toads with me this morning?

OPEN LINK MONDAY

Those things that are around us are, simply things.

"You must not simply believe

what other people tell you.

You must choose for yourself

the path that leads to 

understanding and peace."

But when does love enter?

I've heard from several people claiming to have experienced a near-death experience, that they miraculously visited the afterlife.  Not only was it life changing for them, but they were all asked this one important question.

Did you love enough?

 "You must simply believe even without seeing.

You must pay attention to everything around you.

Respect all living

things.

Use with care all that's

entrusted to you.

Waste nothing.

Want for nothing.

Everything is in you.

Miracles always exist

in all that you pursue

by listening

loving

and giving

more."

-KMS-

"When all your 

desires are

distilled;

You will cast just

two votes:

To love more,

and be happy." 

Rumi

The Mag - 10 August 2014

Every child is an artist.

"Everything you can imagine is real." - Pablo Picasso

Keith Haring

My Magpie in
Tanka Poetry
A Japanese poem of 31 syllables
in five lines, with 5 syllables 
in the first and third
and seven in the others.

THE MAG

FROM A CHILD'S EYE

Marriage on canvas.

By the hands of little ones.

One meets another

and their wings begin to grow

together, by golden ring.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 10 August 2014

Let the hunt begin with, Bathroom selfie, hop,skip or jump, creative angle, box or package and unfocused.

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 

While somewhere it was a dark and stormy morning, in our make-believe world is was time for silliness.

BATHROOM SELFIE

Sharing selfie time with some well known characters.

Oops darn camera gets in the way!

That's better!

HOP, SKIP OR JUMP

CREATIVE ANGLE

It's not what's in the- BOX OR PACKAGE

It's what came out of the box or package.


UNFOCUSED

Thanks for playing along with my hunt for today!

For other posts go here.

Sepia Saturday - 240 - 9 August 2014

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes." - Arthur Conan Doyle

SEPIA SATURDAY

Well, I don't believe we have any criminals in our family, at least not any that I ever heard about, (excluding all pranksters, of which there are many) so I paid The Library of Congress a visit to unearth at the very least, a man wearing a hat.  Or, not.  Nothing worth discussing there either.  Stumped.  So, I pondered through my lost thoughts of what criminal is still at large, (even though perhaps dead for years) but a real life criminal that got away with it?


So why not bring delightful murderess, Lizzie Andrew Borden to my criminal post?

As the poem goes, Elizabeth Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks, and when the job was nicely done she gave her father forty-one.  Lizzie's unsolved case is known as, Cause celebre but surely someone (the murderer) knew the whole truth.

Some folks said, "She did it!"

While others said, "No, she didn't."

But she had to have done it.  

Or not?

As her story goes, she was tried and acquitted in the 1892 axe  murders of her father and her stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. 

All these years, and theory after theory it's still a mystery.

I won't bore you with the old Lizzie Bordon poem, or this really excellent song form, but if you haven't read or heard it yet, you can check out these links.

The link for the music video has actual photos, and other humorous clips but is definitely worth viewing if you haven't ever seen them before.

The Jury for Lizzie Borden.  In my opinion, they certainly aren't a group of men that I'd imagine would acquit her.


Last year marked the 120th anniversary of her trial, so all the players are gone.


The Providence Journal, Enduring Mystery The Life and Trials of Lizzie Borden, here.

Court room scene of the Lizzie Bordon trial.


Does anyone feel the desire to get a bit closer to the actual crime scene?  Well, if you are adventurous enough, and enjoy spending a wakeful night of sleep, you can check into the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum.

So, what are your thoughts on Lizzie Borden?  

Did she do it?

Six Word Saturday - 9 August 2014

"Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost." - Erol Ozan

Six Word Saturday

ANOTHER SOUTH DAKOTA 
ROAD TRIP 
SOON

Well, sort of. If, you can call the end of August soon, and at the speed July went it will be here fast.

Skeleton Man Walking Skeleton Dinosaur
Murdo, South Dakota


Okay, it's just some artist playing with his tools and sharing his imagination.  But wouldn't you stop and check it out too?


We don't vacation in South Dakota just to see the faces.

Although Mount Rushmore is any artist's dream, while also being sensational to witness.

For me it's all about the open road and discovering unexpected jewels.  Skeleton Man and his Skeleton Dinosaur are perfect examples.

I even made a little poem for them.

THESE BONES

Oh the stories they do tell.

Bones speak on sight
the who and what

written in bone.
Who needs skin when bones
 will do.
I'm just a skeleton man
with my skeleton dinosaur
walking a field of no return
or gain
just me and my old bones.



To see what others are up to go here.

Good Fences #20 - 7 August 2014

Greetings from a Wisconsin Campground this last weekend.

GOOD FENCES

Let's Go Camping!

(and search for fences)

In the summertime when the weather is hot- you pack up and head to the lake.

Warrens, Wisconsin-  Photo of a random owner's camping site. This Jellystone Park has many owner sites throughout the park, with some folks residing here all year long!

Really?  Who wears a princess dress while camping?

Lyra does!  Sunday's activities included a Prince and Princess Fashion Show with Miss Cindy Bear.  

Midnight stroll anyone?

So many sites with strings of lights, so little time to catch them all.

The days were packed with so many activities a midnight stroll was necessary to enjoy all the festive decor, and the quiet that awaits.

I can't forget to mention bonfires.  I'm totally hooked on that intoxicating smell of campfire smoke drifting through the air.

Kodak picture moment-

Show me your red tongues!

Ready to view more fences go here?

The Mag - 3 August 2014

"Up here, whatever your niche, no excuses you either party hearty or not.  Life is your own rodeo party." - Me

THE MAG

Image posted by Tess Kincaid for The Mag
featuring Elizabeth Taylor on the set of Giant.


A camping trip has put me behind, but I couldn't resist a challenge from Marilyn, aka Little Nell, by following a form that's new to me, The Minute created by, Verna Lee Hine Gardner and based on the number of seconds in a minute.
A twelve line poem in strict iambic meter.
The syllables are spread over 12 lines, 
8 syllables in the first, fifth and ninth lines, and four syllables in all the other lines.
Little Nell's delightful example is in this previous post many of you have seen here.

Let's Rodeo

She's a Rodeo Queen!

"This year I'm gonna rope me a-"
she says, spinning her web of love. 

Pickup Man

Why he's blazing sharp from start to
 finish. Best seat
 in the house.  A
hot silent star.
Ruggedly savvy vaquero
roping his game.

He's assisting

or persuading

and picking up wild one-ton bulls. 
This hot blooded
 Pickup man a 
roping the broncs.

Moral to their story- Just a stampede away he's pulling rank where ever he goes, but she's gonna make him hers.

Verna's goal was to create poetry which is easy to understand and hard to forget.

To view more posts go here.

Thematic Photographic - 304 - Please Be Seated

Carmi, from Written Inc has challenged us with "Please Be Seated" so grab your cameras and let's get seated.

By all means Musical Chairs,  is acceptable. 

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

Three Wise Monkeys

Please be seated.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Live (this last weekend) at Yogi Jellystone Park

Cindy Bear

Please Be Seated

Let the Prince and Princess Ball Begin

Delicious cake and sweet tea to follow the Prince and Princess Red Carpet walk.

To see who or what else is being seated go here.