carryforthtradition

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Coble Landing and Filey Brigg

Quieter days in Winter before the tourists arrive to enjoy their time by the sea. Cobles are fishing boats, sadly none are here any more…..

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'Dream Angus' played by Becky James

Dream Angus is a traditional Scottish lullaby from the 19th Century about the mythical Angus, a benevolent being bringing sweet dreams. The lullaby is set to a traditional Gaelic air, origin unknown and possibly much older.

Here I am playing the beginners version of this Gaelic air 'Dream Angus' arranged by Angela Boraston - from 'How to Harp' created by Heather Downie.

Filmed by myself today in our garden!

howtoharp.com

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The Power of Traditional and Ancient Artwork

Today we were chatting about Paula’s recent trip to New York where she attended The 6th NTD International Figure Painting Competition (NIFPC) Awards, her past entry to this wonderful competition and her visit to the the MET to see ancient artwork.

Becky mentions her days when she helped The Art of Zhen Shan Ren International Art Exhibition (Truth Compassion and Tolerance) and we talked about the beautiful and powerful influence of art can benefit us all.

Here are the links we mentioned -

https://oilpainting.ntdtv.com/

https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/painting-the-truth-5199809

https://www.ntd.com/the-infinite-grace-of-Buddha-on-view-at-NTD-competition_966881.html

http://zhenshanren.com/

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/42716

The Art of Zhen Shan Ren International Art Exhibition in York, England, 2013 - https://youtu.be/5kfB2PEecLo

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Catch Up and Batch Cook

In Late Winter it's good to get the slow cooker out and cook nourishing, wholesome stews. We chat about food, some of our favourite cooking methods, some time-saving and food storage tips.

Paula shares about her passion for traditional knitting and my little sister gets a shout out for a crochet doll she made!

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Gene Hsu's Quest for the Traditional Chinese Language

Becky and Paula chat to Gene Hsu, an independent researcher, linguist and vocalist. Gene is an amazing young lady with a quest to build a bridge between cultures of the East and West by her research and work in music, translation and interpreting.

As a singer, song-writer, she's been exploring the role of music in bridging this gap to enhance mutual understanding which has led to a journey of discovery and self-discovery. She hopes to bring peace and to bring people together by translating ancient Chinese poems in a singable way.

Find out more about Gene's work below

Gene is a professional conference interpreter and certified translator. She is also a qualified court interpreter, and holds an MA, PG Dip, BSc, Level-6 DPSI. She has presented her research papers at several conferences in the UK and abroad and this week will be presenting her paper at the Royal Musical Association Annual Conference 2024.

Gene's website - https://versevoice.org/media-coverage/

Her research article "Make It Sing?" is on pages 11-13, Vol 63, No 2, Summer 2024, The Linguist. 

Article link: https://www.ciol.org.uk/sites/default/files/TheLinguistSummer24.pdf  

https://www.ciol.org.uk/the-linguist#ufh-i-687750543-the-linguist-63-2-summer24

Gene's English singing performance of the ancient Chinese poem mentioned in the article: https://www.ganjingworld.com/s/7j0M4EJoNg

Most recently, in June, Gene presented the paper related to this song at the Symposium Programme "WORDS, MUSIC & SILENCE", in Bournemouth.

The presentation: https://youtu.be/RBJc6IyTZ-o

Archive: https://www.ganjingworld.com/s/X0RV0RJM8w

Learn more about Gene's research: https://genejo.blogspot.com/p/music-languages-translation-and.html

Gene's research drew the media's attention and she was interviewed by an American media group. 

Here is the news report: https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/connecting-east-and-west-with-meaning-and-melody-singer-translator-gene-hsu-5671762

There is another article about Gene published in the UK: https://www.ish.org.uk/bridging-the-gap-between-the-west-and-the-east-through-music-gene-hsu

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Johanna Schwaiger, sculptress, finding a traditional path in today's world.

Our friend Johanna Schwaiger, sculptress, joins us to talk about her career and finding a traditional path in today's world.

In Part 1 - Johanna talks about her early sculpting days, New Master's Academy and her interest in Albreight Durer and following the paths laid by the Old Masters. In Part 2 -Johanna shares about her early experiences, working with marble and the importance of sharing skills and meaningful art with the world.

In Part 3 Johanna recounts her experience in India participating in creating 2 full sized sculptures which are part of the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial (Dandi Memorial) in India.

Durer, Duration and the Path to Mastery

Sharing Universal Truths creates Super Heroes

Walking with Gandhi

Find out more about Johanna’s work

http://www.johannaschwaiger.com/

http://www.nma.art

Johanna's channel on Gan Jing World -

'Mysteries of the Masters' - https://www.ganjingworld.com/s/ZNO1ZrZ4Dx

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Bonsai Expert - Richard Reah - To the Rescue!

Fortunately, I discovered that one of the countries leading experts on Bonsai trees lives quite near us. I've been thinking of finding a good home for a 60 or 70 year bonsai tree I was handed in my 20's - over 30 years ago.

Richard tried to encourage me to keep it, but I'd rather it was in his good hands and amongst other Bonsai trees.

Today I travelled with our dear neighbour to deliver the tree and to meet Richard.

We didn't know that we would be entering such an ancient, beautiful and elegant world....

https://www.northofenglandbonsai.com

Follow Richard on Ganjing World - https://www.ganjingworld.com/channel/1h3njalr0qs2T1eyGujvyaejp1u30c

Music - Sakuya2 by PeriTune | http://peritune.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

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The Art of Zhen Shan Ren in York, 2014

Between 2011 and 2015, I took part in organising and supporting the tour of 'The Art of Zhen Shan Ren' across Great Britain.

Zhen Shan Ren translates to Truth Compassion and Tolerance - these are the guiding principles of the ancient Buddhist meditation practice, Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong - which I have been practicing since 2011). The beautiful artwork shares both the beauty of this ancient pactice, and highlights the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China.

In 2014 I coordinated The Art of Zhen Shan Ren exhibition in York Guildhall. Being from Yorkshire, this was a great honour.

A friend, who is no longer with us, took this video to document it and I have shared it here to keep it available to all, as he had intended.

Find out more about 'The Art of Zhen shan Ren' here - http://zhenshanren.com/

https://www.ganjingworld.com/video/1h4j5k703on21qzvpxy3ttW371d11c/

https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/ancient-welsh-castle-hosts-world-tour-of-chinese-art-234162

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A Life of Contrasts.

Usually I find myself wanting to hibernate this time of year, but seem to have been out and about a lot recently taking in some fresh air, beautiful scenery and good walks.

I’m fortunate to live in both the South West and Up North - to-ing and fro-ing - enjoying the best of both worlds. The contrast is quite beautiful; the weather of course, the day lengths, the speed, the beautiful surroundings and those I keep company with - different family and friends.

Me and mum, 2nd January, 2025 in Scarborough.

My environment and home life centres around the River Avon in Bristol and this time of year, as the trees are bare, we can see more of the river with its strange tidal flow. When the tide further up the estuary turns, the river outside goes backwards, something which also turns the brain! After heavy rain, we see little islands of twigs and branches providing river taxis to various waterbirds floating by, the odd crocodile which always turns out to be a log after rumours of sightings, and watching the ducks swimming around under the bench on the tow-path never worries me anymore - having seen it regularly. We get the Severn Bore in Spring too - an amazing natural phenomenon where the tidal range is the 2nd highest in the world - it reaches right up to where we live!

Looking down at The River Avon, Bristol.

Filey, where mum lives, is by the sea. It’s freezing here as I write this. It certainly is colder up North. I take a day or two to adjust when I come up here and I’m supposed to be a tough Northerner! A few weeks ago, further up the coast, people were watching the aurora borealis ’Northern Lights’ reaching all the way down to us from the far north. The Yorkshire coastline is beautiful, wild and rugged, a sharp contrast to the gentle steady pace of the River Avon. The town is small and more manageable than Bristol, so I get out more on foot come rain or shine, as well as during sea frets blowing in off the North Sea - where temperatures drop even in Summer.

Watching the clouds forming above Scarborough as the cold air hits the warmer sea.

But these two beautiful, contrasting places are not in the extremes and are both equally home to me.

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Knitting to Brighten Other's Days!

little robin

 So what's this little robin then, Auntie Joan?  Well, this robin is to go in a Christmas bauble for our Christmas Tree Festival in December at church. And he's on a little stand, so he can stand up in this bauble. But I've put this to represent frost or snow. 

What, the little bit of wool?  yeah, to hide the thing, because it needs to be stood up in this bauble. But I thought that looked quite cute! Yeah! and it's because he's got his little feet on there you see..

Cup Cakes

And what about this one here? Well, it's a cupcake and my neighbour next door gave me it. She said, I can't crochet, do you want to have a go? Now, crocheting is not my forte. I can make squares, so I've made a few little mistakes, but I still think it's quite adorable. 

It's really cute, and have you got a pattern?  And I love the strawberry. The only thing is I don't know where it is. But, yes, it was out of a magazine, but I don't know which magazine.

And it's got a little strawberry on top of some cream on top of its head. The strawberry's really cute. It looks so real.  So that's quite cute. 

That's really cute.

The Cosy Family

This is going to be the father and I'm in the process of making a little flat cap for him. And this little stitch marker is quite good because you've got to mark things so that you do the eyes at the side and everything, so that represents the center of this row. So everything's, like, based on that little marker. 

And then the little mum of the cosy family. She's actually sat on an egg and you've got to make an egg for everybody as well. This is a hard boiled egg to use for when you're in process of making things it sort of makes it rigid when you're sewing, you know, when you're doing things with it. They suggest you boil an egg and then you know your shape and everything. So hence that. So it's for all, because I'm making a whole family. The children and the father, which I'm in the process of. And it's useful. 

So it's to keep your egg warm.  Yeah, these are egg cosies. Yeah, you're right there. 

Tea cosy and knitting needle wrap by local ladies

So what's this little chart Auntie Joan that you've got of knitting needles? oh this little chart is because some patterns -  I'm the old-fashioned UK that's what I work on the UK sizes. All my needles are in this bag - this is my knitting needle wrap.

Where did you get your needle wrap? It's really nice. Somebody's made it? This is from a while ago a little shop in Filey was open and the people in Filey; it was an outlet for our local crafters. And they took the stuff in. And I presume, you know, they made a little bit of profit to pay for the shop. I think there were volunteers, the ladies who were there. 

 oh so they're all like local people who've made these crafts handcrafted Yeah. So that's my owl - teapot cover made by the same ladies, I don't know which lady, that made the needle wrap of this shop in file.

that's so lovely, lovely wool as well, really beautiful, that's so nice So that sits up there. And this mouse is from a shoe shop in Filey, for a charity. I can't remember which one, but that's quite cute. That's another egg cosy that people have made. 

So somebody else made that one, the little mouse in the teacup.

And you remember the teacosy that you knitted? You just showed me a pattern. Yeah. 

What did you knit that for?  For the church, our little stall to raise money for church. 

And is it for Christmas? It was our Christmas fair, yeah.

Do you do it every year? No, it was just a new group that started, probably late summer last year

You've always been involved in the church doing things to raise money definitely yeah yeah

and you've always done knitting? Knitting, yeah. Yeah, I made my grandchildren all sorts of things and my own children all sorts of things, yeah. I like to knit because my grandma showed me how to knit. I showed my daughter how to crochet and knit. And when I worked at the local school, on a lunchtime I showed some of the children how to knit and crochet. And we made little blankets and we took them in to Scarborough to something like the Red Cross Day Centre and we all went on a school trip and took them there and they made ice-cream for all the children. That was nice.

My mum's a knitter as well; both of you. Yeah, my sister.

And my sister, your niece. Yeah, who made the sprouts. 

(Both laughing because my sister Debs crochet some sprouts!!!)

And she made me a cactus family one year and that little doll. I'm hoping that I can get Debbie to come and do something on Carry Forth Tradition, she’s really good at crochet.

This (hat) was made by a friend because we talked about craft and she thought the hat I had on looked old, so she made me a little hat. And she says it's a petite one because you're only little. But my head's quite big. It does run sometimes. 

So what are these?  These are all snoods made by my sister. I've got every colour under the sun. I'm sure there'd be more about. 

Yeah. I think everyone in Filey's wearing one of them.  They are. You're right there. Because she did, didn't she, in lockdown, I think she was making them for people just to keep cheering people up. They're lovely. And she kindly donated some to our craft fair, so that was kind of her.

 Yeah that's really nice. It's a nice tradition.

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Knitting to Brighten Other's Days! (Copy)

little robin

 So what's this little robin then, Auntie Joan?  Well, this robin is to go in a Christmas bauble for our Christmas Tree Festival in December at church. And he's on a little stand, so he can stand up in this bauble. But I've put this to represent frost or snow. 

What, the little bit of wool?  yeah, to hide the thing, because it needs to be stood up in this bauble. But I thought that looked quite cute! Yeah! and it's because he's got his little feet on there you see..

Cup Cakes

And what about this one here? Well, it's a cupcake and my neighbour next door gave me it. She said, I can't crochet, do you want to have a go? Now, crocheting is not my forte. I can make squares, so I've made a few little mistakes, but I still think it's quite adorable. 

It's really cute, and have you got a pattern?  And I love the strawberry. The only thing is I don't know where it is. But, yes, it was out of a magazine, but I don't know which magazine.

And it's got a little strawberry on top of some cream on top of its head. The strawberry's really cute. It looks so real.  So that's quite cute. 

That's really cute.

The Cosy Family

This is going to be the father and I'm in the process of making a little flat cap for him. And this little stitch marker is quite good because you've got to mark things so that you do the eyes at the side and everything, so that represents the center of this row. So everything's, like, based on that little marker. 

And then the little mum of the cosy family. She's actually sat on an egg and you've got to make an egg for everybody as well. This is a hard boiled egg to use for when you're in process of making things it sort of makes it rigid when you're sewing, you know, when you're doing things with it. They suggest you boil an egg and then you know your shape and everything. So hence that. So it's for all, because I'm making a whole family. The children and the father, which I'm in the process of. And it's useful. 

So it's to keep your egg warm.  Yeah, these are egg cosies. Yeah, you're right there. 

Tea cosy and knitting needle wrap by local ladies

So what's this little chart Auntie Joan that you've got of knitting needles? oh this little chart is because some patterns -  I'm the old-fashioned UK that's what I work on the UK sizes. All my needles are in this bag - this is my knitting needle wrap.

Where did you get your needle wrap? It's really nice. Somebody's made it? This is from a while ago a little shop in Filey was open and the people in Filey; it was an outlet for our local crafters. And they took the stuff in. And I presume, you know, they made a little bit of profit to pay for the shop. I think there were volunteers, the ladies who were there. 

 oh so they're all like local people who've made these crafts handcrafted Yeah. So that's my owl - teapot cover made by the same ladies, I don't know which lady, that made the needle wrap of this shop in file.

that's so lovely, lovely wool as well, really beautiful, that's so nice So that sits up there. And this mouse is from a shoe shop in Filey, for a charity. I can't remember which one, but that's quite cute. That's another egg cosy that people have made. 

So somebody else made that one, the little mouse in the teacup.

And you remember the teacosy that you knitted? You just showed me a pattern. Yeah. 

What did you knit that for?  For the church, our little stall to raise money for church. 

And is it for Christmas? It was our Christmas fair, yeah.

Do you do it every year? No, it was just a new group that started, probably late summer last year

You've always been involved in the church doing things to raise money definitely yeah yeah

and you've always done knitting? Knitting, yeah. Yeah, I made my grandchildren all sorts of things and my own children all sorts of things, yeah. I like to knit because my grandma showed me how to knit. I showed my daughter how to crochet and knit. And when I worked at the local school, on a lunchtime I showed some of the children how to knit and crochet. And we made little blankets and we took them in to Scarborough to something like the Red Cross Day Centre and we all went on a school trip and took them there and they made ice-cream for all the children. That was nice.

My mum's a knitter as well; both of you. Yeah, my sister.

And my sister, your niece. Yeah, who made the sprouts. 

(Both laughing because my sister Debs crochet some sprouts!!!)

And she made me a cactus family one year and that little doll. I'm hoping that I can get Debbie to come and do something on Carry Forth Tradition, she’s really good at crochet.

This (hat) was made by a friend because we talked about craft and she thought the hat I had on looked old, so she made me a little hat. And she says it's a petite one because you're only little. But my head's quite big. It does run sometimes. 

So what are these?  These are all snoods made by my sister. I've got every colour under the sun. I'm sure there'd be more about. 

Yeah. I think everyone in Filey's wearing one of them.  They are. You're right there. Because she did, didn't she, in lockdown, I think she was making them for people just to keep cheering people up. They're lovely. And she kindly donated some to our craft fair, so that was kind of her.

 Yeah that's really nice. It's a nice tradition.

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Strong Foundations

This is something I wanted to write, to show appreciation to the lads who do the groundwork.

Often the work no-one else is willing to do!

Since my parents moved in to this bungalow nearly 20 years ago, there’s always been an issue with pipes. This is more noticeable at Christmas when the gang is all here, and the bathroom is used more than usual. We get a flood on the drive.

Dad was a plumber, so we managed it ourselves. We are careful not to flush anything down the loo that shouldn’t be going down there - hair from the hairbrush, wet wipes - anything other than toilet roll, and we have been constantly reminded!! We’ve restricted time int he shower, tried to restrict the younger family memebers who love various potions and lotions from going crazy inthe shower or the sink, but alas, we still get floods on the drive.

This year, mum decided to get it sorted - and it turned out that there was half a brick blocking our flow into the main sewer - to cut a long story short - so matter how many times we tried to manage it and unblock our drain by the house, it would never have really done the job.

It was time for the big guys to come in and dig up the drive.

What we all thought would be pretty straight forward actually led to the most enormous hole dug out we could ever have imagined. I took mum to the hospital in the morning to have an eye operation and by the time we returned, our drive was a huge crevasse to traverse.

Photos - Richard and Nick - the grafters. Nick standing at the side of the hole with the bridge to get me and mum across to the house.

"I left school at 16. Straight C’s for GCSEs. Always wanted to work outside, so got an apprenticeship with a landscape gardening company. I did 1 day a week at Bishop Burton College then 5 days at work. Didn’t finish the 2 year course as I felt I was learning more at work and money was better if I left the course. Started doing landscaping which was paving, fencing, decking turfing etc . then moved on to do conservatory bases which was foundations and concrete work. I prefer the groundwork side of construction which is drainage, foundations, concrete and digger driving. Never wanted the stress of becoming a bigger company so decided to do smaller jobs that I can do on my own so now I try to concentrate on drainage jobs as they are a challenge to solve the problems and not many people like the hard graft of manually digging and working with 💩 but it’s never bothered me. But as I have a lot of experience in different aspects of construction I get asked to do different jobs each week. Love being self employed. In this industry you don’t necessarily need qualifications, it’s more about experience. So I’ve now had 19 years working outside."  -- Nick Barr - Groundwork

What’s more noteable than the hole is the local lads who did the work. Richard has done work for our family since my parents moved in. My dad was friends with his dad, Vic. Years ago I used to love sitting in the pub with dad chatting to Vic, a true Gentleman, always happy and smiling, and I’d often bump into him cycling past on his bike, curly hair bouncing and his knees sticking out, he always makes me smile, his dear wife too. Lovely family. Richard did our conservatory when my parents first moved in and then in 2020, he ‘project managed’ the construction of the extension on our kitchen. Nick came in to the groundwork, and other local lads to do the other parts, all friends and Richard finally finishing off with the roof. It was all completed, due to their extra hard work, in dad’s last few months - he wanted it finished for mum before he moved on from this world. And we use this room every day and dad’s never far from our thoughts.

I’d like to note that these lads work really, really hard, in all weather, come rain or shine, with great determination and with pride in their work. They go above and beyond to do a good job and are kind and helpful in their manner. I include my dear dad and husband in this too - these are reliable men built from finer stuff, something very genuine and of strong foundations. I would describe them as gentlemen, although I know this will have them laughing. Thank you to you all.

Neil in 1996 sat on an oil rig leg in dock in Singapore where we lived. Dad on his bike in France, 2007

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Reflections from a Winter Line

A yellow flash followed the click of the car doors locking; we turned to the trail, the cone of our headlamps shining bright.  Heading northeast into the dark and damp we set off at pace, our minds glowed with electrical ions positively connecting excitement, doubt and wonder. Our trail, steadily rising up to the Coire Dudh Mor 390m a high valley pass between Beinn Eighe and Liathach.   We were running through the ancient landscape of the mighty Torridon, a landscape that’s as old as creation itself.

We breathed deep, our lungs filled, our hearts pumped, our legs carried us. Eyes wide open we saw in awe, the rising sun as it begins its winter arc on the horizon. Glowing ridgelines on Liathach and the Horns of Allign, the dayglow had begun. The running was benign and effortless. We ran with joy and pace, fast and flowing, the trail a perfect match for our every step. Only stopping to absorb the views; a timeless distance hundreds of millions of years in the making. Banished from our minds the foolishness of our lives, the eternal stench of the city. We left behind relative figments of our imagination as we stepped through the boundary between creation and reality.

Photographer John Proctor, Photo: Tia Gibson by Loch Coire Mhic Fearchair

We turned to the southeast, heading to Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair situated below the iconic triple buttress of Beinn Eighe.  Mind-blowing reflections blurred our boundaries between reality and vision, eyes wide open we stood in awe. Created at the dawn of time, such wonder of a distorted, super-heated and metamorphosed mass. If the world has only one super sweet moment set aside for us, a moment of pure reflection; Torridon may forever be that place.

 Photographer John Proctor, Photo: Reflections of Triple Buttress Beinn Eighe

Engulfed in a snowstorm, we turned to the Far East wall heading up to the saddle between Ruach-stac Mor 1010m and the Beinn Eighe massive. Kicking in for the good stuff, spikes on running shoes, the deep snow numbed our toes. Axe in hand we left behind the valley views and headed for the summit, Coinneach Mhor 976m. Riding out the snowstorm as we climbed to point 956m, the swirling cloud opens as the panoramic across the whole of Torridon elates our senses. Pure white crisp snow crowns the massif mountain. We head west for the summit, the sun burning brightly, views of Liathch to the southeast, Slioch to the north.

Photographer John Proctor, Photo: Tia Gibson setting the map with Liathch in the backdrop

Views of everlasting beauty, our hearts lifted as we stood on the summit, we stopped and ate. The cheese and pickle sandwiches tasted good, we set the map and compass and headed west. Fresh steps through the pure winter cover, first a plateau then a fine mountaineering ridgeline led us to the summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach 993m. We turned to the descent at what felt like the edge of time, the sun low on its arc across the winter line. Staying focused on every step descending through the super steep crisp snow to a shoulder, 866m Stuc Coire an Laoigh.  We approached the sublime viewpoint, our descent directly below. 

 Photographer John Proctor, Photo: Tia Gibson 866m Syuc Coire an Lauigh

We stood to take in the final view, a transcendently beautiful aura all around; we had felt the winds of time.  A nip from a 15-year-old single malt whisky warmed us; it was our last day in the mountains. Yet we had to return to our lives. Fast and free, we descended once again, our lungs filled, our hearts pumped and our legs took the brunt as the joy of the run filled our minds. 

Article written by John Proctor: Mountain Climbing Instructor; Author of ‘Mapping the Mind; the art of skyrunning UK’. Instagram  big_friend_academy, Email: breakcliffe@googlemail.com

Runner Tia Gibson: Physical training coach & Skyrunner.  Instagram  tiatilly

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Thank a Veteran - November the 11th

In November we begin to think about being thankful for all we have. Each November 11th in America, we observe Veterans Day. Veteran's Day is a day of giving recognition to those who sacrificed for our freedom . This is for the volunteers and those who were also drafted. Maybe some don't realize that not all veterans were volunteers. I myself had forgotten and was reminded of it recently.

 By taking my kids to a WWII reenactment in Vincennes, IN, a WWII Vet recently gave his experiences. He brought me to tears on what he shared and it hit me in my heart in a new way with a deeper appreciation of what these men and women have done for us all. It gave me a new appreciation for the freedoms we have today. 

  I also interviewed another WWII veteran that was there and recorded it for you to see. He is so positive and lively. He is a fortunate man to have survived one of the most dangerous places during the war. Have a listen.

During this trip, I learned more about WWII than I ever had in the past. I spoke to reenactors who not only dress and act the part but have studied this history so well. They share a lot about what happened in different parts of the world during that time. History is a part of who we are and living it for them is keeping the lessons alive.

 For an example, they say WWII Veterans came from the "Greatest Generation."  Why were they called the Greatest Generation?

 Well, the best way I can understand this is by my meeting with a WWII US Pilot named Charles Huppert. He was a pilot with the 486th Bomb Squadron of the 340th Bomb Group of the great 57th Bomb Wing. He was the first that told me about the true story that is now called the Great Escape.  70 soldiers from around the world escaped in one night from one particular camp.  Charles was moved to a different POW camp just before the escape happened to live to tell the world about it. 

 Charles began to tell me that to escape the soldiers decided to dig a tunnel in the ground made of mostly sand. They dug 30 ft down! To see, they needed electricity as there wasn’t enough air for candles.  They began to bargain for wire w/ the German soldiers with  items that the Red Cross was sending overseas. They knew how to make the electricity with the Klim cans (milk cans that were given to the POWs from the Red Cross that were called Klim - milk spelled backwards.) They added the wire to the milk cans to make the electricity.   They needed to build the tunnel - no problem they said as they  used the boards from their beds. They needed passports to travel out of the country after the escape - no problem they said as they used rubber from the bottom of their shoes. They needed to get rid of the sand - no problem they said as they became instant gardeners to help spread the sand from their pockets a little at a time. These determined soldiers finally did escape in the evening!  I don't want to tell you the ending here as you may want to watch the movie called the Great Escape with Steve McQueen.

 Not having the life skills to do that, I may have given up easily in such a situation, and easily could have felt sorry for myself for being in a POW camp like that for over a year!

 AsI listened to Charles tell his story, I gained a new understanding. I felt that I needed to hear it told, to help me understand why it’s better to never ever give up! Before I may have had too much fear to handle a POW camp overseas! I am not sure if I would have even thought about doing anything like it. I could see myself waiting to be rescued. But they did everything they could to seize the day, which was quite impressive!

This to me is an example of why they were the greatest generation. While being at the re-enactment, I realized there were all kinds of stories like this! So much more than I could have even imagined. They really did give their all!

Being that WWII Veterans are around 100 years old, I thought their stories were precious to share this Veteran’s Day.

It would be great to watch the Great Escape sometime in November with young adults who maybe can make a difference in their life, like it did mine.

And please be sure to Thank a Veteran this Veteran’s Day and anytime you see someone with their veteran hat on - they are wearing it to remind us of what they did for all!

Happy Veteran’s Day to all who have served and to those that are today.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/courierpress/name/charles-huppert-obituary?id=12072795

The info is given more credit here in Charles obit.

[carryforthtradition]

Hometown festival became a national treasure!

Our little city has won the best Fall Festival nationally this year!

A full street with fried food vendors where people travel across states come over to try. Each vendor represent a nonprofit that is selling their goods as fundraisers. Most workers are volunteers! My entire family worked the booth all week long for their scouting experiences. Our booth won the best chili - Grandma's recipe! A parade on the last day shows the spirit of the town! Both kids participated in the parade showing the cars they helped build in their after school program called Supermileage. It was a week of working and playing hard!

In addition every year at this festival I have collected signatures to help stop a horrendous crime of genocide in China, forced organ harvesting. I know, and I'm sorry this is so terrible to even write about. However, raising awareness does make a difference so I thought I would add this here.

One year some friends and I collected 1,000 in one week. Since then, with the help of volunteers across the US, two federal resolutions passed unanimously and several states have passed a resolution to recognize this crime and now there is another federal legislation that can become a bill! To learn more and sign the petition please go to: https://www.fgpa-petition.org/

[carryforthtradition]

October means time to do the chicken dance!

Follow these girls if you forgot how! 

Autumn is a good time to celebrate the chicken dance song! This is Helen Kissel on the accordion, a lovely lady that has played German folk songs throughout my community for the past two decades.

Where I live there are Dutch and Irish and we celebrate our heritage every year in this way. This festival is called the Kunstfest where there is German music and food with local craft booths.

I hope you enjoy this recording of the chicken dance and if you dance along, you may enjoy it more! The kids are so cute and each year we share so others don't forget!

[carryforthtradition]

October means time to do the chicken dance! (Copy)

Follow these girls if you forgot how! 

Autumn is a good time to celebrate the chicken dance song! This is Helen Kissel on the accordion, a lovely lady that has played German folk songs throughout my community for the past two decades.

Where I live there are Dutch and Irish and we celebrate our heritage every year in this way. This festival is called the Kunstfest where there is German music and food with local craft booths.

I hope you enjoy this recording of the chicken dance and if you dance along, you may enjoy it more! The kids are so cute and each year we share so others don't forget!