Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Sunday, August 16, 2020

LST 325, Evansville, Indiana

Two weeks ago family got together for a day out.  I have a grandson who is a entering sixth grade this year and is a serious WWII student.  For us all it was a wonderful time together and to remember those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.
USS LST-325 is a decommissioned tank landing ship of the US Navy.  It's now docked in Evansville, Indiana.  It was launched on October 27, 1942 at Philadelphoa, Pennsylvania and commissioned in February 1943.  The ship opereated in the North Africa area and participated in the invasions of Gela, Sicily and Salerno, Italy.  It also participated in the Normandy Landings at Omaha Beach.  She carried 59 vehicles, 30 officers, and a totals of 396 enlisted men on that first trip.  
Wheel House
Artillery
Ship's Bridge
 Ships off ramp, restored M16 MGMC personnel carrier, the tank deck

After the war the LST was placed in service with the Military Sea Transportation Service in 1951.  From 1964 to 1999 LST-325was in Greece as part of the grant-in-aid pogram She served in the Hellenic Navy and RHS Syros.  LST is on of the last in operation in the US.  

She is now based in Evansville, Indiana.

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During WWII the Evansville, Indiana riverfront was transformed into a 45-acre shipyard to produce LST's.  At it peak the Evansville Shipyard emplayed a workforce of of over 19,000 and completed two of these massive ships per week, becomeing the largest inland producer of LST's in the US.  Although the evansville Shipyard was originally contracted to build 24 ships, the city would evenutally produce 167 LST's and 35 other vessels.  (Wikipedia)

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It was good to learn about the role this area played in the winning of WWII.   But the best part of the day was just being with family!!  For that I am truly grateful.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Mondayimage-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

Sunday, March 08, 2020

A Visit to Baton Rouge Louisiana



Visiting family is so grand!!  And so, before the weather got too hot  and we had the time my brother, Phil, and sister-in-law met us in Baton Rough, Louisiana to visit our brother, Tom, and his family.  It's a lovely city on the banks of the Mississippi not far from New Orleans.  So as always happens, we were given a tour of some of the  beautiful places in and near Baton Rouge.
 Old State Capitol Building
Baton Rouge Louisiana

The Old Louisiana State Capitol is an historic building, and now a museum in Baton Rough, Louisiana.  It housed the Louisiana state legislature from the mid-19 century until 1929-1932.  The building was added to the National Registry of Historic places in 1973.  It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
Interior of The Old State Capitol

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Rosedown Plantation was built in 1835 by Daniel and Martha Turnbull, over the span of six months at a cost of $13,109.20.  This was a cotton plantation and consisted of 3,500 acres and 215 slaves.

They raised three children on the plantation, two sons and a daughter.  Their youngest son died of yellow fever at the age of 7 and their oldest son drowned in a boating accident at age 27, leaving their daughter Sarah as their only remaining heir.

Sarah married James Bowman from the neighboring Oakley Plantation, and together they raised 10 children, 8 girls and 2 boys.  Their 4 unmarried daughters inherited the property, living at Rosedown until the last  Nina Bowman died in 1955.  After the Civil War, former slaves became sharecroppers at Rosedown.  Sharecropping continued into the 1950's.

in 1956, Rosedown was purchased by Catherine Underwood of Houston, Texas.  Ove the next 8 years, Catherine had the plantation restored, opening Rosedown to the public in 1964.  The Underwood family maintained Rosedown as a tourist destination until 1994 when it was sold to a Georgia business man.  The state of Louisiana purchased Rosedown in 2000.
Statues are reproductions of original Italian statues.  
Purchased in the 1850's.
Fountains near the summer houses.
Azaleas and camellias in bloom

It was a beautiful place to visit and a grand way to spend time with family!  I'm sure everything is just exquisite later in the Spring, but I was happy to be there when we were.  It wasn't to hot or humid!  

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Catthy

Please join me for Mosaic Mondayimage-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

Sunday, February 04, 2018

Memory of a Short Visit to Lisbon




A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson
I

Jerónimos Monastery
Lisbon, Portugal







We were only in Lisbon for a few hours before we left for Fatima.  But while we were there we were able to see some very memorable sites.  The monument to Henry the Navigator was incredible.  We were able to tour the Church of Santa Maria that is part of Jeronimos Monastery.  The view of the city was inspiring.  I do love history and Portugal's is most interesting.




Relief of Henry the Navigator Monument


~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Monday, February 08, 2016

A Weekend Pilgrimage


God's glory appears in Bardstown, Kentucky

We had a glorious weekend in Kentucky.  Sister Therese, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, told us that this area is called the Promised Land of Kentucky.  


The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani 

The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani is a monastery part of the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Order, also known as, the Trappists.  Founded in December, 1848 it was raised to Abbey in 1851.  Gethsemani is considered the mother house of all Trappists and Trappistine monasteries in the United States.  It is the oldest monastery in the United States still in operation.  It was home to Thomas Merton from 1941 until his death in 1968.

 Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral
 Bardstown Kentucky 

The cornerstone of Saint Joseph by Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget in 1816.  In 1775, Catholic settlers, mostly of English and Irish descent began emigrating chiefly from Maryland to Kentucky, an outpost of the crown colony of Virginia.  The first missionaries came around 1787.  In 1808 the four new Catholic diocese created at the request of Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, included Bardstown along with New York and Philadelphia.  The new diocese of Bardsowon covered almost the entire Northwest Territory, south to New Orleans and as far north as Detroit.  

The Cathedral was consecrated in 1819.  When the Episcopal See was moved forty miles away to the fast growing city of Louisville in 1841, Saint Joseph's because a parish church, hence the title "proto-cathedral."  In 1995 Bardstown was named a Titular see by the Vatican for ints contributions to the Catholic Church heritage in America.


Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were founded in 1812.  Mother Catherine Spaulding, along with Bishop John Baptist David, are honored together and remembered as co-founders of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.  

The New community followed the rule of Saint Vincent de Paul and their dwelling was named Nazareth.  They serve in 20 states in the United States, in India, Nepal, Botswana, and Belize.

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It was a grand weekend all round.  The weather was good and we even toured Makers Mark distillery.  There are many on what's know as the Bourbon Trail.  But, that is for another day.  And you can read much more about these grand places by going to their webpages. 

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy


I'm here to play and invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  Should be fun!




Please visit Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and share in the beauty offered there.

Mosaic Monday


I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

Labor Day, 2010 

Part II



“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson




Barrington Hall
Antebellum House
1842






This has been the home to four generations of descendants of Barrington King.  Located in the city of Roswell, Georgia, the family had owned the home until 2008 when it was sold to the City of Roswell.







Restored ice house






Artifacts inside the ice house







Flowers in the formal garden...











 ...were just beautiful that late summer's day.




















And there was even a glimpse of Autumn in the garden has the mums
began to blossom.








It was a wonderful day as we visited this home where history was made.  It is a home that survived the Civil War.  A home visited by dignitaries such as President Theodore Roosevelt.  This is one of three homes in Roswell.  There are two others, Bulloch Hall, the childhood home of Theodore Roosevelt's mother and Smith Plantation.  Called A Southern Trilogy I think I would like very much to visit the other two the next time we visit!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!
Now it's your turn. Please join in the fun and post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

Central City, Colorado

Gold found there in May, 1859 caused it to be
called The Richest Square Mile on Earth.
Saint James United Methodist Church
One of the oldest churches in the state.
Central City Opera House
Built in 1879 by Welsh and Cornish Miners.
Carriage House Sign
Store Fronts

A journey to Central City is step back in time.  Though gold mining is no longer the main source of income, it is grand to walk the streets and wonder what thrilling events took place here.  There is a wonderful book written by Caroline Bancroft about the history of Central City called Gulch of Gold.  I highly recommend it.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Now it's your turn. Please post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

~~Mosaic Monday~~

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The Walk of the Presidents

Rapid City, South Dakota is only 23 miles from Mount Rushmore and so I suspect it gets overlooked by those on pilgrimage to the "Mount." I know that until our last two trips to visit my mom in Montana, it was just a stop over on the way. Not so any more.

I really enjoy our visits to this city of the High Plains. Not a big city but is has an historic downtown where walking is a delight. There are lots of antique stores, wonderful restaurants, and the Presidential Walk. On nearly every corner in the downtown is a bronze sculpture of the Presidents of the United States.

Every President is represented except for the last three. There are the Founding Fathers, fathers with sons, and cousins. It really is a walk through history done by gifted sculpture artists and you never have to set foot in a museum.

If ever you have the opportunity to visit South Dakota, do it. There is so much beauty and history to be explored!

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

~~Mosaic Monday~~

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What a wonderful time we had in St. Louis. The gathering of the descendants of Herbert and Lilah Stubbs. There was conversation, laughter, and sharing. We attended a baseball game, sat on the lawn for Shakespeare In the Park. We went to the top of the Arch and participated in the making of fudge at the Fudgery at Union Station. There is nothing that can compare with a gathering like this, a family together!!!

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!!


Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

The History of Advent


I'm never too old to learn something new or relearn something I had forgotten. I hope this is true for you, too. It's good to understand that I don't "know it all!" Here is my offering today!

This History of Advent

In the early Church, four different "comings" or manifestations of the Lord were celebrated all as one feast on January 6: his birth, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his miracle at Cana. The feast was named "Epiphany"--a Greek word meaning "showing manifestation". Epiphany became, along with Easter, a traditional date for baptisms. Just as the baptisms at Easter were prepared for by a time of fasting and penance (Lent), so the baptisms were prepared for by a time of fasting and penance called "Advent" (from a Latin word meaning "coming").

Gradually, in may places, Christ's birth was given his own feast day on December 25, and the season of Advent shifted to a time of preparation for this feast.

Over the years, Advent became less and less a carbon copy of Lent (fasting and penance) and more a time of prayer and reflection to appreciate the meaning of Christ's coming at Bethlehem, and his coming at the end of time.

The symbols of this season had be come the Advent wreath, with the successive lighting of its four candles on each of the four Sundays--a sigh of the approach of the birth of the Light of the World. ~The Little Blue Book, Advent and Christmas Seasons, 2009-2010

I remember that time when Advent was a season of preparation by fasting and prayer. My family did not decorate until 10 days before Christmas and even though my birthday is during December a quiet celebration of the day was offered. When my sister got married on December 22, I remember that permission had to be obtained from the Bishop. It was a time for reflection on the real Reason for the Season at my house.

No I was never numbed by the glitz of the holiday because there really wasn't any and so when the day arrived there really was a sense of joy and jubilation!!!

Wishing you all a grand day!

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Thanks be to God!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Chocolate Lesson


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Originally uploaded by henkle110936
Has anyone been to Hersey PA? It's a delightful town. It is also a town INFUSED with the smell of chocolate!

"No!" you say.

If you have never been there you really don't know what I mean. It smells wonderful!!!!! A "factory town" that smells GOOD!

I probably would never have gone to Hersey had our son, Wes, not taken a position there as an athletic trainer there. We helped him move from VA to PA and though he was there only a short time I wouldn't have missed that experience for the world.

So this lesson comes from the book I read earlier this month, The Chocolate Snowman Murders by JoAnna Carl.

The Chocolate Comes to the U.S.

The earliest chocolate manufacturer in what is today the United States is believed to have been an Irishman, John Hannon, who came to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1765. although much information about Hannon remains unsubstantiated...he apparently had learned how to make chocolate in London. In Dorchester Hannon got financial backing from a man name James Baker.

Hannon's fate is a mystery. He was reportedly lost at sea...Leaving his company in the care of James Baker. Baker bought our Mrs. Hannon and thus was born Baker's Chocolate, a company that is still around. Today it's owned by Kraft Foods. (pg 80)


***
So now you know!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Editorial Comment: Proud to be Irish!

Picture originally uploaded by henkle110936

Friday, June 12, 2009

Thatched Cottage

I know school is out! It doesn't hurt to take a minute to look back to reflect on the past and marvel at how FAR we have come. This came to me from my friend Kay and so I offer it to you.

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The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn ' t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. So began the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies, by then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying It ' s raining cats and dogs.

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. And so began the saying, “dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway, hence the saying a “thresh hold.”

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.”

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share ith guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status.. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock a person out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for d ead a nd prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. And so the custom of holding a wake began.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a ....dead ringer..

And that’s the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!






Thatched Cottage
Originally uploaded by My Life - Orla CahillI