Pioneers - Ancestors

Yesterday we celebrated Pioneer Day (in certain parts of the world).

It's a day to honor those who blazed trails into innovative new territory.

There are many different kinds of Pioneers to talk about as well: those who braved the Atlantic in order to find Religious freedoms, those who found new ways of keeping us safe and protected, finding new medical procedures and cures, finding and charting new territories and land, and so on.

Who we are today was brought about by those pioneers who came centuries before us - our ancestors who carved out a better living for themselves, wanting the same for their descendants.

Christopher Columbus was a pioneer of his day - wanting to reach new routes to China and the Indias for trade. He found the Caribbean islands, and eventually Flordia - ushering in a new settlement.

(Note: I should credit the Vikings for the discovery of the America's first, considering they found Newfound-land for trade and other commerce. It's a technicality.)

Once Spain had found the States (as I will heretofore call them), the English knew it would be prudent to have a colony founded for themselves.

"In 1607, we sail the open sea, for glory, god and gold and -"

The Virginia Company.

A joint company of businessmen (okay, rich, wealthy, men) formed the Virginia Company in the hopes of starting a colony and using the gold and silver found to repay those who invested in it. It was a grand idea at the time - a pioneer effort for those wanting to build a better life.

Almost a hundred years later more pioneers would go on to found the beginnings of the Western half of the American continent.

In 1846 the "Mormon Migration" had begun.

As with other before them seeking religious freedom, the newly formed church began the crossing to reach the outer territories outside the rule of the new United States.

With hundreds of people joining in the trek West to escape religious persecutions (as their ancestors who came over from Europe and other countries) - we honor those who make the journey. They who suffered deprivation, loss of homes, illness, and often death.

We give thanks for those who came before us - who paved the way to religious freedom.

The Trials of a Blogger

A spoofed title taken from the last book that I finished.

While there are dozens of amazing book series that have a lasting impression - Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia - there are some new ones that are stepping up to the plate.

Over the last few years Rick Riordan has given us a new twist on Greek Mythology. He's even gone into Roman, Egyptian, and Norse Mythology. Spinning tales set in modern times with the old legends.

While these series are well-worth the read, I have found new love in the latest series.

"The Hidden Oracle" series, follows a disgraced god as he becomes human to atone for mucking things up and causing a massive war.

"The Trials of Apollo" - aptly follow Lester Papadopoulos, a sixteen year old who falls from the sky to land in a dumpster. He angered his father, who punished him by making him a human.

Oh?

Lester was Apollo.

The God of Music, Poetry, Archery, Medicine, bringing the sun across the horizon - is now reduced to a teen who can't seem to make any of these things work for him.

While in the service to a feisty young girl named Meg McCaffrey, he has to redeem himself in order to become a God again.

Follow his first person whining, er, tale-telling, as he goes from dumpster beatings, to battling plagues, to being the worst in everything he's supposed to be good at - to having to deal with an old "friend".

Oh.

And he has to find and save all the Oracles.


Trust me - this book is far better than I am making it sound. So please PLEASE - go check out this amazing book.


And, if you have a favorite myth, post it in the comments below.

Planning - or A Beginner's Guide to Blogging

I have read various blogs and articles about haivng a plan on what to write about each week - each month.

Last week I made of list of topic I was going to cover for the rest of the year. I accidentally left it at work and it has since been tossed in the garbage. Sadly, while I remember some of the months topics (the big holiday ones), this month seemed a blur.

Bear with me while I try to talk a little about a random topic given by the internet!


This will be a Beginner's Guide to Writing A Blog!

Firstly:

Find a website you love that supports blogs and/or writing.

A few ideas: Blogger.com (obviously, 'cause you're here)
Weebly.com
Wix.com
Squarespace.com

....to name a few.


Once you have something that works for you - set a weekly date to update.

Step Two:
I suggest finding a day that will be easy for you to remember, or a day that is less busy than the others.

I chose Tuesday as my weekly update day for a few reasons:
    1. Tuesdays' are typically when people go to read blogs.
    2. It's not Monday
    3. Nothing really happens on a Tuesday

Step Three:
Once you have your site, your date, set up what you are going to blog about.

I know I'm the last person to talk about this, but I will be getting better - but get a calendar and plan out what you plan to write about before your Post date. This will make it easier to gather your thought, and it will reduce your ranting to posts that have some sort of meaning.

Step Four:
Post each week on your self-assigned date.

Repost the link to your blog to your friends/family/co-workers, and let the idea spread.


Any of you have a blog? Post a link below!


(I am not paid by anyone for doing this - or for name dropping.)

Free Day - An Ideal Day

What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself?

Shopping - day at the movies - hiking - sports - relaxing with a good book - ?

I think my ideal day would be spent in a mixture of things that I find relaxing.

I would start out the day with a light breakfast, to get myself going. Foods would include: apple, water, maybe a waffle or two.

Next would be some shopping, going out, walking around the mall (a great way to exercise by the way), getting various little things - or simply enjoy window shopping. Planning out things to purchase later on. This can also be done on the internet, if you don't want to go out.

For lunch I'd find a nice little spot either indoors or someplace shady outside. I would probably have just a baguette, some honey and cheese, and cranberry juice. With maybe a few Hershey kisses for dessert.

The afternoon would be spent out walking, or exploring one of the many gardens around the city. Taking pictures of the flowers, or some candid pictures of friends. I love taking photographs, so this would be ideal. Maybe I could convince then to make a short video or something.

I'd make it back in time to clean up and get ready for a night out.

I'd have a nice, brief dinner before heading to an 8PM show. Either a play or musical that interests me. Ideally it would be Phantom. Theatre is my favorite thing.



What would you consider an 'Ideal Day'?
A spa trip?
A long drive?

Leave a comment below describing how you would spend your day.