Reading Aloud

Reading stories aloud to my children is my favorite time of the day (besides our scripture time). Our reading time is right before bedtime. This is what works best for me and the children look forward to that special time of the day. The magical hours of the night when anything and everything becomes real for a period of time.

Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day. . . . It is quite like tidying up drawers. . . . When you wake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind; and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on.

(Peter Pan / J.M. Barrie)

I love books!!! I love to read them, I love to buy them (especially old ones) and surprisingly my children love the smell of old books. They particularly love they way old books will lay open when they are reading them. I love the library, used book stores, and book sales. I love books stacked on the shelves, on tables, and of course next to my bed. You must have at least three different books you are reading at one time. Scriptures (for these are truly a mothers & fathers handbook to raising a family), then some kind of self-help or political book, last but not least my escape book ( very important for those difficult days).

I have older children and younger children. We have enjoyed the classics to Harry Potter. My older married children still reminisce with me about some of the books we have enjoyed together. Sharing those experiences together lasts a lifetime. We flew with Wendy, John and Michael Darling to Neverland, we walked with Harry Potter as he first saw Hogwarts, we fell into the goblin caves with Curdie, cried with Wilbur, admired Taran's courage, believed we were princesses with Sara Crewe ( okay maybe not the boys), loved Pollyanna's out look on life, silently spied the forests of Araluen with Will, helped pull the sword from the stone with Arthur . . . .on and on it goes. Books are the best adventures of all!

A great book to start with to get some even better ideas about reading together as a family or individually with your children is:

A Family Program for Reading Aloud by Rosalie June Slater

You will find some wonderful treasures within the pages of this book which will point you in the direction of many classic books you may have forgotten about. Books help to shape the minds of our up coming generation. Helping them and us to touch places and people we might not ever get a chance to experience . . . especially from the past.

American Christian homes have generally relinquished their educational leadership. It was the Christian Home in America which built our nation. Parents formed the character of our American Christian Constitution by first forming the character of their own children. . . . . .

Home is the educational center of our nation. . . . . Literature supplies parents and teachers with one of their most useful and beloved avenues of teaching and learning. Literature is the Handmaid of history. (A Family Program for Reading Aloud by Rosalie Slater)

When looking for a good book to read aloud or to yourself, look for living books. A book that will promote an experience . . . to feel as if you are really there with the characters and places. They will remember and learn from those experiences.

Honey For A Child's Heart is another good recommendation for finding great books to read. I enjoyed this book and hearing about Gladys' family reading time together. Their experiences and memories were fun and sweet. I think you will have as much fun as I had reading it.

I hope you will enjoy reading with your children as much as I do. Don't worry about making mistakes or learning new words . . that's part of the adventure. The more you read out loud the better you will get. Have fun, try different voices, learn about new or forgotten people and places. Start your adventure today . . . open a book!

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!"

With all our so called "modernism" we are no better than those of the past. Our technology has not really made us any wiser, nor has our conceit that we are better, stronger, faster.Patrick Henry gave a rousing speech on March 23, 1775 to the Virginia Legislature to pass a resolution declaring America independent from England. A heart felt speech that touched me in 2009. I think it a speech that would be very stirring for us today as well . . . . . . .

"This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery. And in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom on debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."

". . . . . it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, -and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. "

Patrick Henry talked about looking to the past and learning from it. The only thing our politicians have learned from the past is arrogance and pride, that they could persuade the people through flattery and deceit better than those who failed in the past. They feel they can remove our freedoms successfully this time without the sting of defeat or our notice. Sadly as history always points out they have been the ones who have truly been deceived by the ultimate flatter and liar - the father of lies himself, Lucifer. Who laughs at the willingness of men to continually repeat the haneous mistakes of the past for 30 pieces of silver; greed, power and despotism. When will mankind every learn?

Why do we continually recycle the same old ideals from the past just in a different package. Repeating them to the destruction of all that is good. How can we be so deceived as to think we would be happier if we lived in a socialist state - where all our choices are made for us. When we open the package is this not the same argument Lucifer has been fighting with us since the beginning.

What has happened to the words of our forefathers - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness! Socialism is not happiness. It is slavery! Slavery to the government and government run programs.

Are we past all reasoning or as Glenn Beck would ask, "Have we no Common Sense left?"

If we turn our backs on our Supreme Creator where does that leave us and looking back through history has that ever been successful. Or does peace and tranquility come through God fearing people who have a respect for Deity and his creations, mankind itself.

Heaven help us to awaken to the awful situation we find ourselves in, that we may break the chains that bind us. Breaking free from the ideals of oppression through tolerance. Striving to bind us with our own Christian morals.

Those morals are our God given standard by which we compass our lives and make righteous judgements of the world around us. Do not become confused that you must be tolerant of evil to be Christ like. A perpetuated lie by the master of lies, Lucifer.

Christ through out the money changers, cleansing the temple grounds. He condemned the sin yet reached out to the individual person. Is it not time to throwout our own money changers and cleanse the halls of Washington D.C. ? Were they not elected by the people to be the servants to the people, not the other way around. They seem to view themselves as the elite and that they know better than the majority of the people.

Our children are being attacked with the intent to ingrain and capture them into servitude to the government. With Hollywood produced propaganda commercials asking for their service amongst those things that might be deemed morally correct and essay's written to the President how they could better serve him. Was he not elected by the people to serve and listen to us?

If you are able to grasp hold of the children and youth, (sound familiar) half your battle is won. You have indentured the rising generation with a despotic philosophy that somehow the politicians (or elite) must be served and held on the pedestal of kings than the voice of the people themselves.

Where is Our Daniel Hannan????

Is there anyone within our Congress that will stand up to the Obama administration (without apologizing) as Daniel Hannan did with in Parliament??? Take a look . . . . . I say, "Hurrah!"

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents." (James Madison)

"The war against illegal plunder has been fought since the beginning of the world. But how is... legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish this law without delay ... If such a law is not abolished immediately it will spread, multiply and develop into a system." (Frederic Bastiat)

"Legal plunder can be committed in an infinite number of ways; hence, there are an infinite number of plans for organizing it: tariffs, protection, bonuses, subsidies, incentives, the progressive income tax, free education, the right to employment, the right to profit, the right to wages, the right to relief, the right to the tools of production, interest free credit, etc., etc. And it the aggregate of all these plans, in respect to what they have in common, legal plunder, that goes under the name of socialism. " (Frederic Bastiat)

Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) was a French economist, statesman, and author. He did most of his writing during the years just before - and immediately following -- the Revolution of February 1848. This was the period when France was rapidly turning to complete socialism. As a Deputy to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bastiat was studying and explaining each socialist fallacy as it appeared. And he explained how socialism must inevitably degenerate into communism. But most of his countrymen chose to ignore his logic. (Constitution.org)

Now where do you think we are as a country?

A Breeze before D-Day

How do you begin to write about D-Day. As I look through pages of information and photographs it brings tears to my eyes to think of these great men and how they must have felt that day with the impending doom or victory that lay ahead. It was reported that one commander told his men that only two types of people would stay on the beach--those dead and those going to die--so they'd better push forward. God given courage is how I believe these men were able to step off those boats and storm the coast line. God desires for his people to be free and we had a just fight. Again by the grace of our God in heaven America with her allies Britain, Canada and France gained a victory on the beaches of Normandy gaining a toehold in northern Europe.

I did come across a story I hadn't heard about this fateful day.

A brisk breeze left over from the English winter blew carelessly through an open window of the British War Office in London in May of 1944. With the impudence of winds everywhere, it whisked twelve copies of closely-typed orders from a desk, blowing them pell-mell into the crowd of pedestrians on the pavements below. Workers in the office, from top staff officers to

secretaries, raced down to the street after them, for these free-flying sheets were Top Secret--the instructions for the coming invasion of German 0ccupied France by thousands upon thousands of Allied assault troops. They contained most vital and secret information of World War II. Eleven copies of the missing document were recovered easily, but the twelfth

could not be found. To lose one was as bad as to lose all, for this information in German hands could wreck the whole Allied offensive. Two agonizing hours passed. Finally, a British sentry, standing duty on the opposite side of the street, turned in the missing copy, which had been handed to him by a stranger; to this day no one knows the identity of the passer-by

who held in his hand the fate of the Allied armies. The officers breathed a great sigh of relief and went back to work.

(American Heritage, D-Day Invasion)

I say again by the grace of God and His mighty hand upon us and our allies we won a victory.

"There comes a time when you've used your brains, your training, your technical skill, and the die is cast and the events are in the hands of God, and there you have to leave them."

"The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength, and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth."

"The Bible is endorsed by the ages. Our civilization in built upon its words. In no other book is there such a collection of inspired wisdom, reality, and hope."

(Dwight D. Eisenhower)

What Does A 12-year old Know?

The rising generation are our hope. This twelve year old girl certainly brings hope to me when I hear her speak with conviction about her school report. It reminds me of a scripture found in Joel 2:28, it reads: . . . . I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

The Lord does indeed send those wonderful children that are needed for this time. A 12-year old grasping and understanding a subject that even our own president does not.

"Abraham Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should therefore be slaves. Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abondoned to abortion or infanticide. . . . . . .there is no cause more important for preserving that freedom than affirming the transcendent right to life of all human beings, the right without which no other rights have any meaning." (President Ronald Reagan)

"I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself and if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?" (Mother Teresa)

Betsy Ross

I thought it fitting to post the story of Betsy Ross, especially with the last story about Debbie McLucas and it being June when legend has it that Betsy Ross was commissioned to sew the first official American flag.
I say legend because history is not quite sure nor does it have proof (sadly) that the story of Betsy Ross is accurate.
Betsy's story was first made public in June 1776 by her grandson William Canby when giving a speech to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. William Canby and other members of Betsy's family signed sworn affidavits stating that they had heard the story of Betsy making the first American flag from her own mouth. (For full text, see Affidavits. That's good enough for me!)

So the story is told of a 24-year old widow named Betsy Ross who was working in her upholstery shop on Arch Street when three well known gentlemen entered in. The first being George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army. The second George Ross, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and uncle of Betsy's deceased husband. The third Robert Morris, also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington pulled a folded piece of paper out of his inside coat pocket showing a sketch of a flag with with thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen six pointed stars. Washington asked Betsy is she could make the flag from their design. She replied, "I do not know, but I will try." (This line was used in the sworn statements of many of Betsy's family members, suggesting that it is a direct quote from Betsy.)

Betsy then took out her scissors and quickly cut a five pointed star suggesting to the gentlemen that it be used instead of the six pointed star. They all agreed to use the five pointed star and Betsy was officially commissioned to sew the first American flag.The home of Betsy Ross.

It is definitely a well beloved story of an American patriot stepping up when asked to contribute her talents and abilities for her country. It is one that I personally will continue to share with my own family as I do apple pie.

You Took Down My Flag?

The stories that have been coming out lately seem so unbelievable yet here is another one.The audacity of the enemy and their presumptuous nature seem to underestimate the courage and patriotism of the so called average person. Those that are stepping forward boldly proclaiming their rights as Americans to uphold our own laws and freedoms are the true heroes of our times. We can take strength from their experiences and hope to stand firm ourselves when the time comes and the time is now before it's too late.





President Woodrow Wilson, 1917
This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us — speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it.

The Budget!!!

This is such a great visualization of the disaster our country is in right now and the meaningless words and empty promises from our elected leaders. Would you ever leave such a debt for your own children with in your own household. I don't understand why the American people allow this to stand. I know there are many hard working parents providing and setting aside savings for their children's future yet don't seem to be too concerned about the horrendous spending of its government. It won't matter if you have set money aside or not there just won't be any left. Or rather it won't be worth the paper it's printed on.
We have come a long way from the words of Davy Crockett and his concern for recklessly using the tax-payers money. I fear it will be too late by the time the people awake from their long sleep of prosperity. Watch and let me know what you think.

Rebecca Motte - Revolutionary War Woman

Rebecca Motte was a courageous woman willing to sacrifice all that she had for her country. A strong persevering woman with a great attitude to survive the many pitfalls of her life and an undying patriotism to her country. She also had a great respect for humankind no matter enemy or friend, always seeing to the needs of others before her own welfare. Showing forth a class of genteelness and hospitality.

Rebecca Brewton (Motte) was born on the 28th of June, 1738. She later married Jacob Motte in 1758, she was the mother of six children with only three living to maturity. Her husband had died in the early beginnings of the Revolutionary War leaving her a widow. This great woman lived in a beautiful mansion on the south side of the Congree River in South Carolina.
In the early part of May 1781, British soldiers under the command of Captain McPherson took possession of Mrs. Motte's plantation home to use as a fort. McPherson along with about 175 of his British soldiers fortified her home, surrounding it with a trench and parapet. She moved into a small farm house on the plantation. Soon a force led by Francis Marion and Lighthorse Harry Lee laid siege to Fort Motte and called upon the British commander to surrender, Captain McPherson refused. The British captain left them no other alternative but to burn the plantation mansion. Upon hearing Marion and Lee's plans for her home Mrs. Motte replied: "I am gratified with the opportunity of contributing to the good of my country, and I should view the approaching scene with delight." Mrs. Motte even presented Lee with the combustible arrows that were used in the burning of her home. History says she inherited them from her brother Miles Brewton who had brought them from East India.

The bow and arrows were placed in the hands of Nathan Savage, a private in Marion's army. He shot three arrows that impacted and ignited the roof. Captain McPherson seeing his men could not easily put out the burning mansion quickly threw out the white flag to surrender. Marion and Lee's men took back possession of the Motte mansion and their men where able to put out the fire on the roof saving the mansion house.

In true southern hospitality Mrs. Motte cooked a dinner later that evening for both the American and British officers and served it in her dining room.

Rebecca Motte was a woman we can all look to as an example of fortitude and bravery during difficult times. We need to look within ourselves and find that courageous person as well, and to always carry a good attitude with a sense of class.

Marion. Friends! fellow-soldiers! we again have heard

The threats of our proud enemies; they come,

Boasting to sweep us, like the chaff, away.

Shall we yield? shall we lie down like dogs beneath

The keeper's lash? Then shall we well deserve

The ruin, the disgrace that must ensue.

Ne'er dream submission will appease our foes;

We shall be conquered rebels, and they'll fear

The spirit of liberty may rouse again;

And therefore will they bind us with strong chains,

New cords, green withes, like those which Samson bound,

And we, alas! shall have been shorn and weak,

On Folly's lap, if we yield up our freedom.

MRS. S. J. HALE'S TRAGEDY, "ORMOND GROSVENOR." ACT IV.

A Tea Party

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

Protesters were concerned with a variety of issues:

1. The familiar "no taxation without representation" argument, along with the question of the extent of Parliament's authority in the colonies, remained prominent. Some regarded the purpose of the tax program—to make leading officials independent of colonial influence—as a dangerous infringement of colonial rights.

2. Legitimate tea importers who had not been named as consignees by the East India Company were also threatened with financial ruin by the Tea Act.

3. The Tea Act gave the East India Company a monopoly on the tea trade, and it was feared that this government-created monopoly might be extended in the future to include other goods.

Samuel Adams was the Boston patriot who led the resistance to the Tea Act. In 1772, Samuel Adams suggested that political leaders in Boston form a twenty-one member Committee of Correspondence to help get the word out to other communities how the British actions threatened American liberties. One example of their efforts occurred when Great Britain blockaded the Boston Harbor in 1774 with the intention of starving the colonists into submission. The communities quickly spread the word and soon wagon-loads of food and supplies were rolling into Boston to help its citizens. Little did his Majesty understand that he was uniting the people even more to become ever stronger. When the British tea ships arrived in Boston Harbor, the colonists wanted to send them back to England. Governor Thomas Hutchinson rejected their wishes. Feelings in Boston continued to escalate especially when the townspeople were told that the Governor refused to send the ships back. On December 16th, 1773, Samuel Adams told the towns people that their meetings could do nothing more to save the country, and there was a cry from the crowd: "Boston harbor a teapot tonight!" "Hurrah for Griffin's Wharf!"
About 100 Bostonians disguised as Mohawk Indians, went to the Wharf and raided three British ships docked in Boston Harbor, dumping their cargoes of 342 chests of tea overboard, so as to avoid paying the tea tax.

From a letter written by George Washington to his friend George William Fairfax, about the American resolve in regard to the Boston situation:

The [British] ministry may rely on it that Americans will never be taxed without their own consent; that the cause of Boston--the despotic measures in respect to it, I mean - now is and ever will be considered as the cause of America . . . . . and that we shall not suffer ourselves to

be sacrificed by piecemeal, though God only knows what is to become of us . . .while those from whom we have a right to seek protection are endeavoring by every piece of art and despotism to fix the shackles of slavery upon us. (Andrew M. Allison, The Real George Washington,page 106)

Soon it was clear that the Americans meant to stand up for their right.

And so it continues today - We as Americans are crying out to our political leaders that we oppose the spending of our government in Washington. As they continue to insist on shackling us, our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, our great great grandchildren, etc., with their poor stewardship of our tax money. Just like his Majesty King George who would not hear the shout from the New World and its Colonists our government (of the people) are not listening to the will of the people today. Let us continue our shout (with peaceful demonstrations) as we remind our elected leaders that this is a government by the people and for the people.

"We, the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln

"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." Thomas Jefferson

Information taken from: The American Heritage Junior Library Books

"I have not yet begun to fight!"

As the Revolutionary War progressed, the British found themselves more and more on the defensive. Those blasted Americans were not only sinking His Majesty's ships right and left, but had the audacity to attack right in the British home waters!

On April 22nd, 1778, Captain John Paul Jones boldly sailed his ship, the Ranger, right into the harbor at Whitehaven, England, and set fire to the assembled shipping. He then landed his men, seized the battlements, and spiked the guns (drove iron spikes into the holes where the fuses were placed for setting off the cannon) so they would no longer fire.Later that year, Jones went to France to bargain for a large vessel to add to the American fleet, and old Indiaman, the Duc de Duras. But what a vessel! She was about twelve years old, condemned because the rot had penetrated her planks. Jones took her over forthwith.

"We will name you the Bonhomme Richard," said Jones, in honor of his friend, Benjamin Franklin, the author of 'Poor Richard's Almanac', (Bonhomme Richard was the French translation of "Poor Richard").

The great, converted hulk put out of L'Orient on August 9th, 1779. With her went the American ships, Alliance, Pallas, Cerf, and Vengeance.

Early in the afternoon of September 23rd, off Falmborough Head on the east coast of England, Jones sighted a large fleet of British merchant ships, escorted by the Countess of Scarborough, 20-guns, and by H.M.S. Serapis, a brand new frigate of 44-guns, under Captain Richard Pearson. Jones ordered his ships to the attack. The Vengeance went after the merchant ships, one at a time. The Pallas engaged the Scarborough. While Captain Jones went straight for the Serapis, well aware that he was badly outgunned.Both ships fired a broadside. On the Bonhomme Richard, this was disastrous. Two of her old 18-pounders promptly exploded, killing the gun crews and blowing out the deck above. Now the deadly new guns of the Serapis raked the rotten hull of the American ship from stem to stern, killing entire gun crews and putting the guns out of action one by one.With his guns useless and the ship threatening to sink beneath him, the only hope Jones had was to engage in hand-to-hand battle. But his ship was clumsier than the Britisher. He had to try a trick. As the Serapis started to come about to rake the Richard with another broadside, Jones cleverly filled his sails as though to try to escape. Then he abruptly turned into the wind, luffed, and caught his opponent off guard. The two ships came together with a mighty crash, bow to stern, stern to bow.

"Heave grapnels!" shouted Jones, and within seconds the ships were firmly locked.

At the last moment, Pearson, seeing what was happening, ordered his gunners to discharge their guns, and the gun deck of the Bonhomme Richard was leterally ripped apart by the blast. Lieutenant Dale's few surviving gunners scrambled topside to fight with hand weapons. It was at this moment that one of the gunners, seeing the slaughter on deck, cried out "Quarter! Quarter!" This was the accepted cry of defeat.

"Have you struck?" shouted the British captain, hearing the cry."No!" replied John Paul Jones in words that have echoed through history, "I have not yet begun to fight!"

Now it was the skill of the American seamen aloft--fighting from the ropes and platforms in the rigging--that was to play a large part in the battle. Marines and sailors, armed with muskets and hand grenades, cleared the British from the rigging of the Serapis, and then dropped hand grenades on the enemy and picked them off with musket fire. By 9:00 P.M. the leaking, blazing Bonhomme Richard was strewn with the dead.
For a moment, it seemed that the British would rally. Jones held his ground, and the hand-to-hand fighting continued even more furiously. At 10:30 P.M., after three and a half hours of bloody battle, Captain Pearson struck his colors and the fight was over.Two factors had brought about an American victory: sheer courage and grim determination. So badly wrecked was the Bonhomme Richard that she sank, and Jones took over the Serapis as his flagship. The cost of victory had been high: about half of the crew lost their lives. But it was this action, more than any other in the Revolution, which established the American Navy as a fighting force of the very first order.

Information from: The American Heritage Junior Library Books

Another great read to go with this subject is: Carry on Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Surprise!

At sea, individual ships of the American navy were astonishing the oldline British officers and seamen who had thought of the colonists as ill-trained and poorly equipped. During late 1776 and early 1777, Captain Lambert Wickes was annoying the British by capturing vessels in the enemy's own waters. One of the greatest surprises of all was in store for the captain of an English ship, the Prince of Orange (who came up with that ridiculous name?). Leisurely taking breakfast on May 3rd, 1777, in his private cabin, while his ship was cruising right in the middle of the English Channel, he looked up indignantly when a stranger burst in -- an American officer.
"Sir," said the officer, one Gustavus Conynghan, "you will pardon me, but I am taking over your ship."
When the British officer stomped out on deck to reprimand his officers for permitting this intrusion, he was struck dumb with astonishment. For an American ship, the 10-gun Surprise, had lived up to her name by coming alongside in the heart of enemy waters and overpowering the British ship without firing a shot (Hurray for those crazy, sneeky Americans).

In December 1775, Captain Biddle took command of the 14-gun brig Andrew Doria and joined the fleet commanded by Esek Hopkins in the expedition against New Providence.

One of the finest American ships was the frigate Randolph, 32-guns and later commanded by the 27 year old Nicholas Biddle. On February 12th, 1778, Biddle set sail out of Charleston with four vessels of the South Carolina navy: General Moultrie, Notre Dame, Polly, and Fair American. Heading into the West Indies, Biddle encountered a formidable enemy off Barbados, the strong, 64-gun ship-of-war Yarmouth. On the afternoon of March 7th, not hesitating at being out-gunned two to one, Biddle lunged to the attack in the trim little Randolph. Almost at the start of the battle, Biddle was wounded badly. None of the other American ships had sufficiently heavy artillery to get into the battle, except for the Moultrie, which became confused and fired into the Randolph by mistake. For fifteen minutes the gallant Biddle raked the enemy back and forth, inflicting heavy damage, and suffering little hurt to his own ship. But in the moment of glory as Biddle was waiting to get on the badly battered Yarmouth's quarter, the Randolph blew up. Flaming debris from the Randolph showered down on Yarmouth preventing her from pursuing the South Carolina ships which slipped away in the darkness.
Of the valiant crew of 315 officers and men, only four survived. Commodore Biddle was one of the casualties.

"I fear nothing but what I ought to fear. I am much more afraid of doing a foolish action than of loosing my life. I aim for a character of conduct, as well as courage, and hope never to throw away a vessel and crew merely to convince the world I have courage. No one has dared to impeach it yet. If any should, I will not leave them a moment of doubt."
Nicholas Biddle to his brother, Charles, 16 June 1776

Take What You Need

Esek Hopkins may not be a hero in the full sense of the word but I like his initiative and leadership. I think you will enjoy his story as well.

Esek Hopkins was born in Rhode Island on the 26th of April, 1718. As a young man he began a career at sea, captaining merchant vessels and, during the French and Indian War, he was a successful privateer. Hopkins had sailed to nearly every quarter of the earth before the Revolutionary War.
On December 22, 1775, Esek Hopkins was appointed Commander in Chief of the first American naval fleet.

In mid-February 1776, Commodore Hopkins sailed from Philadelphia, the Chesapeake Bay, along the southern coast and off Rhode Island. Realizing that enemy strength was too great to permit execution of this ambitious task, Hopkins instead undertook what would be the Navy's first amphibious offensive. On the 3rd of March, his squadron put a landing party ashore Nassau, in the Bahamas. Marines and sailors landed in "a bold stroke, worthy of an older and better trained service," capturing munitions desperately needed in the War of Independence. The American fleet returned home with more than 85 artillery pieces and a great deal of valuable gunpowder.

On the 4th of April, 1776, while en route home, the Continental ships encountered and captured two small British warships.

John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, wrote Hopkins: "I beg leave to congratulate you on the success of your Expedition. Your account of the spirit and bravery shown by the men affords them [Congress] the greatest satisfaction . . . "

Esek Hopkins then brought his fleet into home waters and began a successful foray against enemy ships along the east coast. Later in a battle with the British Glasgow, Hopkins came under critical fire for his undertaking with the 20-gun Glasgow and her escape. Several months later was dismissed as the only man ever to hold the title "Commander in Chief of the Fleet."

Esek Hopkins retained his local popularity and served the Rhode Island legislature. He continued to serve the Rhode Island General Assembly through 1786, then retired to his farm where he died the 26th of February 1802.

I would like to see this story in the headlines today. Of course there is no need for us to go and take munitions from anyone else we make our own now -- or wait a minute! China here we come. . . . . !

Pirates

I loved the recent news stories of our brave Captain Richard Phillips and his crew of the Maersk Alabama. It is a story almost out of the pages of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island'. With all the recent talk of pirates and the trouble the U.S. seems to be having with them I thought it fitting to do some history articles about our U.S. Navy and the political correctness of the past (or not).

The Maersk Alabama was the first American-operated ship to be seized in a series of hijackings in the waters off Somalia. The pirates gained access to the Alabama by climbing aboard using hooks and ropes. They fired shots into the air. Captain Phillips told his crew to lock themselves down while he surrendered himself to the pirates to safeguard his crew. He was then taken to a lifeboat were he was held for 5 days. I was delighted to read Captain Richard Phillips words about his brave rescuers and his crew.

He said, "There were acts of heroism on the part of the crew. They got one of the pirates into some darkened space, stabbed him in the hand and overpowered him. Chief mate Shane Murphy was integral to them never getting control of the ship."On April 12, Navy Seal sharpshooters from the U.S. Navy destroyer killed three pirates holding Captain Richard Phillips. He said of those Navy Seals, "These Seals and the navy did an impossible job. They're unbelievable people. We really owe it to the military for what they do day in and day out that we never even hear about." Thank you Captain Phillips.Also our President, Barack Obama said in a statement, "I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans." (I'm just hoping it has been a model for President Obama)

An Advertisement in the Boston newspaper

recruiting crew for privateer Deane

An Invitation to all brave Seamen and Marines,

who have an inclination to serve their Country

and make their Fortunes.

The grand Privateer ship DEANE,

commanded by ELISHA HINMAN, Esq; and prov'd to be

a very capitol Sailor, will Sail on a Cruise against the

Enemies of the United States of America, by the 20th

instant. The DEANE mounts thirty Carriage Guns, and

is excellently well calculated for Attacks, Defense, and

Pursuit -- This therefore is to invite all those Jolly Fellows,

who love their country, and want to make their fortunes

at one Stroke, to repair immediately to the Rendezvous

at the Head of His Excellency Governor Hancock's Wharf,

where they will be received with a hearty Welcome by a

Number of Brave Fellows there assembled, and treated

with that excellent Liquor call'd GROG which is allow'd

by all true Seamen, to be the LIQUOR OF LIFE.

Doesn't that just cause your insides to yearn for the sea? I'm just not sure that I am Jolly enough but in the end I believe it is the GROG that will entice me the most.

A great read to go along with this subject is : The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Jeremiah O'Brien--Who????

Boys are fascinated by pirates but what they love more is a real hero. Jeremiah O'Brien is just that, a real American Hero. Jeremiah was born in Kittary, Maine in 1744. His family later moved to Machias, Maine were they ran a sawmill business.

Morris O'Brien (his father) was a strong patriot who took special care to instill his principles into the minds of his six boys; Jeremiah, Gideon, John, William, Dennis and Joseph. They were taught to read and write, "to handle the plow, the pitchfork, and the rifle, to raft lumber, and sail a boat." (I'm lucky if my children can wash some dishes and do a little vacuuming.)

Jeremiah was 31 when the Revolutionary War began. When news came from Boston of hostilities between the Americans and British the bold spirits of Machias were aflame. Soon came the Proclamation of Provincial Congress of Massachusetts "authorizing and requiring preparations and efforts incident to a state of hostility." Immediately Jeremiah and his brothers, Gideon and John erected a 'liberty pole'.

On June 2nd,1775, at the mouth of the Machias River coming from Boston arrived two sloops the Unity and Polly. On the Unity were provisions for the people of Machias that were to be traded for lumber. The people had decided they would not help the British by giving them the lumber. This was difficult since there were much needed supplies on the Unity. Now the Margaretta was positioned in the bay, it had escorted the Unity and Polly to Machias as protection against possible uprisings. The Margaretta had a crew of 40 men and four 6-pounder guns. It was commanded by Midshipman James Moore.

Captain James Moore had spotted the 'liberty pole' on shore and declared that it must be taken down or he would fire upon the town. The people voted to keep the 'liberty pole' in position "until it rotted down."

"There she is! Board her, men!" Were the echoes heard in the little seaport of Machias, Maine. Thirty-five brave men descended upon the Unity seizing her and heading out to bay to capture the Margaretta. The one sided battle of cannons vs guns last for over half an hour. The Americans riddled the British gunners at their gun ports and dropped the young Captain Moore on his quarterdeck. Captain Jeremiah O'Brien and his crew swarmed over the sides suprising the British with only their guns, swords, axes and pitchforks, seizing the Margaretta.

Captain Jeremiah O'Brien had the honor of hauling down the first British flag in the war of the American Revolution. He replaced it with a new flag fitting for those valiant lumberjacks. A pine tree or liberty tree with an 'Appeal to Heaven'.
The battle ended in a victory for the Americans. The first navel battle but not the last of the American Revolution.

During World War II the U.S. built 2,751 'Liberty Ships'. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien was built in 57 days at the New England Shipping Corporation in South Portland Maine. The SS O'Brien was launched on June 19th, 1943. The SS O'Brien was a rare survivor of the 6,939 ship armada that stormed Normandy on D-Day, 1944.

Coupon Clipping

Coupon clipping is an American pastime. I can remember my mother clipping coupons and best of all I remember S & H Green Stamps also called Green Shield Stamps. My brothers and I were so excited whenever our parents purchased gas or groceries and we'd receive a sheet of those stamps to put into our booklets. There was a catalog you looked through to see how many stamps you would need to trade for different items. Once your books were full you would take them down to the S & H Green Stamps Store to trade them for your desired item. I also remember the Blue Chips Stamps program as well. Good times!

I believe coupon clipping is an art or a curse that is passed done from mother to daughter. I am a coupon clipper but not the hard core clipper. I have just been recently reminded though of how to save an extra dollar or two by more vigilantly watching the Sunday newspaper ads along with Tuesday's ads. A friend instructed me on laying out all the ads with your coupons. Matching your coupons to the items that are on sale. Looking at the stores that will double and triple your coupons ( the slang for this is double whammy & triple whammy). Deciding which stores will have the best price for your money.

I have been searching around on different sites researching this topic. There is a lot to say about coupon clipping with many different styles of shopping. For me and my busy life I need things to be very simple and concise. When my friend talked to me about what she was doing to save about $100.00 or more per month I thought - I can do that! I have become lax with my grocery budget. I could do more to be saving the all mighty dollar.

So this is a friendly reminder to us all that if we planned a little better for our shopping excursions, by clipping a few coupons here and there, planned out our meals ahead of time making those dreaded lists we could save ourselves some money.

Some good sites for you fellow clippers are: http://www.momadvice.com/ , http://www.coolsavings.com/ , http://www.smartsource.com/ , and http://www.valupage.com/ .

I will have a part two to this article in about a month to let you know what great savings I have incurred with my coupon clipping.

With the uncertainty that is increasing in our world it is good to look at different areas in our lives where we can improve to save money. Let us network together with people you might work with, people within your churches, sports teams and communities to teach each other simple tricks to saving money. Happy shopping!

Spring!

I love to see, smell and feel the warmth of spring. It is such a renewing time of year that fills you with hope and joy. The poem 'April' by Sara Teasdale is perfect for this time of year.

The roofs are shining from the rain,

The sparrows twitter as they fly,

And with a windy April grace

The little clouds go by.

Yet the back yards are bare and brown

With only one unchanging tree--

I could not be so sure of Spring

Save that it sings in me.

"Save that it sings in me," is exactly how I feel about spring. I love gardens and everything about them. There is nothing better than getting dirt under those fingernails and your finger-tips scratchy from the soil. I have planted gardens from the East Coast to the West Coast and down into the warm south. I do not profess to be an expert by any means. I have had beautiful gardens and not so beautiful. Yet, every year I love to get my garden tools out and plant hopeful vegetable gardens. I am very excited about this new way of gardening or not so new to others. I have learned about raised vegetable/flower gardens or square foot gardening.

I discovered some great sites for tips on raised gardens. I first saw The Pioneer Woman with her handy step by step pictures & instructions for building a raised veggie garden -- http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ then I stumbled upon Square Foot Gardening, http://www.squarefootgardening.com/. Please take a look at these since they are full of great ideas. After viewing these I thought, "I can do that!" and so I did.

First I took my big strong son with me to Home Depot to buy the materials. I also had him unload the material into the back yard.

Now my dimensions were different because my space is more rectangular.

With the help of my children we set to work building our first raised veggie garden right on top of our lawn. I also love to build things (as long as they turn out right).

As you can see we finished building the box and felt pretty good about our work. It was a pretty easy project.

The next thing was to add the dirt (a mixture of garden soil & mulch) then we planted the wonderful seeds & starter plants. The children loved this part of the project the best. Especially using the watering can to water the plants.

We think it turned out great and as you can see the beans & peas have already sprouted within 1 week. My daughter loves to go out and check the growth of the plants every morning when she gets up.

I had some pots lying around the yard so I decided to use those for herbs. It's pretty exciting to use fresh herbs from your garden in your cooking. They can be pretty expensive at the grocery store yet they are so easy to grow.

If you are at all interested in a garden but just think you don’t have the space I would encourage you to try a raised vegetable garden placed in an area that receives sunlight throughout most of the day, or by placing some plants or seeds in pots around your yard. You will really love the benefits come harvest time. Especially with the high prices of Organic products in our stores these days. Learning to garden is a fun project for the whole family. Being able to provide for our own families by producing gardens I believe is essential at this time. Going back to the basics of learning simple things to better our homes and work together as families is key. This will not only help with the grocery bill but provides and teaches self-reliance within our families, neighborhoods & communities. Happy gardening everyone!