The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. On this date, 16 April 1746, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force …
National Barbershop Quartet Day is observed annually on April 11. Barbershop quartets have a way making the heart flutter. Very often they transport us back to a simpler time or at the least make it …
We were in NYC April 6, 2019 for our daughter-in-law’s birthday and the Tartan Day Parade. Look who the Grand Marshall was! I am so sorry we missed 2015 when Sean Connery was Grand Marshall …
I spent many years helping the school librarian in my son’s elementary school. They do fantastic things! April 4th is National School Librarian Day. It is set aside to honor all school librarians. School …
Q: How many critics does it take to change a light bulb? A: Critics can’t change a light bulb. But they’ll watch you do it and tell you a hundred ways you could have done it …
May Day is observed annually on May 1. In many ancient calendars, May 1 was the first day of summer. This was a cause for celebration. One of the more popular rituals was harvesting flowers and giving them to neighbors and strangers in cone-shaped baskets. These “May Baskets” become more commonly known as “May Day Baskets”. The current tradition is observed by hanging a cone-shaped basket full of flowers or other gifts on the outside doorknob, then knocking or ringing the doorbell and run away.
May Day has been a traditional day of celebration for centuries, with some of the earliest appearing in pre-Christian times. In English tradition, May Day is celebrated by crowning a May Queen and dancing around a maypole. The Finnish tradition is a carnival-type celebration in the streets that includes a special type of lemonade that is made with lemons, brown sugar and yeast. In France, it is correct to give people either dogwood or lily of the valley to celebrate May Day. In Italy, a seasonal feast is held to celebrate the arrival of spring.
When we were kids, we learned how to dance a Maypole dance but no one else I’ve ever asked remembers doing this. Maybe it was just my small town? This was the town that gave out cherry pies for Washington’s birthday, too.
I don’t remember much about learning how to do this, other than we always got the strands tied up, possibly on purpose.
I have my Black Watch tartan ready to go to wear to the parade in New York this year.
Don’t be surprised if you see people decked out in tartan this weekend. Today, April 6, the United States is celebrating National Tartan Day. The day is intended to recognize the contributions of Scottish Americans to the U.S.
Here’s a look at five things you didn’t know about Scotland…
April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday which kicks off Tartan Week.
National Tartan Day honors all the Scottish heritage that flows through this nation.
From its earliest beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for that freedom as much as any American. It was in their blood.
It was 400 years before they had declared –“For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone which no good man give sup except for his life.” – from the Declaration of Arbroath
It might be surprising to know that of the 13 governors in the newly established United States, 9 where Scots. There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence.
Some scholars suggest nearly a third of those signers were of Scottish descent. Not only can we point to the country’s founding fathers, but of the 43 Presidents who have taken office, 33 have been of Scottish descent.
Those with Scottish blood were and are independent and resourceful. They are prolific inventors and writers. They are talented musicians and artist, skilled leaders and scholars. In the United States today, over 11 million Americans claim Scottish or Scotch-Irish roots. That makes them the 8th largest ethnic group in the United States.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Check local civic websites for parades, ceremonies and events. Wear your tartan and use #NationalTartanDay to post on social media.
Black Watch tartan
HISTORY
On March 20, 1998, the United States Senate passed Resolution 155 that designated April 6th of each year as National Tartan Day to recognize Scottish Americans and their achievements and contributions to the United States.
On March 9, 2005, the House passed Resolution 41 and by Presidential Proclamation, it was signed by President George W. Bush on April 4, 2008.
On this day in 1320, Scot’s signed the Declaration of Arbroath, formally declaring their independence from England.
The Thrillist folks said “As you cruise along the side of frighteningly sheer cliff-drops on this narrow-gauge railway, you can’t help but wonder who in their right mind actually built this thing during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. The train departs from Skagway on three different excursions, all of which take you up 3,000ft in 20 miles, past glaciers, mountain lakes, and thunderous waterfalls. The signature trip travels the original miners’ supply route to Carcross, Yukon, and stops at a restored station house in Lake Bennett. Or you can take the train past Bridal Veil Falls and Dead Horse Gulch to White Pass Summit, a 40-mile round trip that traverses massive trusses that are not for those with a fear of heights.”
My DH is a major train person. Even in Grad School at the University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, he worked for the now-defunct Milwaukee Road. They even gave him a company car!
Our time in Milwaukee might be the starter of another post but it was how I got my interest in trains.
Somehow, along the way, I learned about the Soo Line and I’d take a picture whenever I saw one. The very last one I saw, I was on a Cushing’s trip to Chicago. When we went by a railroad yard, I got a glimpse of a Soo and whipped around to get a picture. This isn’t that one but another example.
After Milwaukee, there has always been an involvement with trains – including taking vacations looking at spikes and tie plates.
Fun times!
So, when we found ourselves at Skagway, we just had to go on this train.
I wanted to post some about this trip, so I searched my travel blog. When nothing came up, I thought all my notes were gone. I looked at the one measly post about Alaska and found a link to more info. I had completely forgotten that I had saved all my travel memories on a website in the days before blogs. Most of my info is here, except for some images I had stored on the now-defunct Posterous.
A place exists in Alaska where the past lives on, where the cries of “gold in the Yukon” still echo from steep canyon walls, where the sounds of barroom pianos and boomtown crowds ring out in the night. A place where the romance and excitement of yesteryear linger around every street corner, every bend in the trail.
Skagway! The wide Pacific lying at it’s door, the historic little community, known as the “Gateway to the Klondike,” occupies a lovely site with snow-capped and glaciated peaks as a backdrop. A port of call on south east Alaska’s Inside Passage route , this waterfront town, with it’s pervasive frontier flavour, attracts thousands of visitors annually via road, rail and seaway.
Designated a historic district by the US National Park Service, the area along Broadway from First to Seventh Avenues contains forty to fifty turn-of-the-century wooden structures, housing hotels, saloons and shops restored to evoke the days of the Gold Rush. The former railroad depot, a handsome 1898 building, serves as the Park Service visitor centre and departure point for walking tours conducted by park rangers.
So, join us in celebrating our Gold Rush past as we begin our second century being the gateway to the Klondike. Spend some time in our historical city, visit the surrounding wilderness areas or take in some of our events!
I woke up again sometime around 3AM when it was light again but managed to sleep a bit more. The plan had been to get up at 6 so we could have breakfast before we set out for the day. We missed breakfast. We were to meet our tour at 7:15 AM. Amazingly, we were first on the bus. I don’t think we’ve ever been first for anything!
Our bus driver was a very good driver who told us all about the history of Skagway and the surrounding areas. Our first stop was Liarsville (http://www.klondiketours.com/goldcampshow.html), a tent village for gold miners. It was called Liarsville because many newspaper reporters were there publishing tales of how “easy” it was to find gold and become rich. No Way! The locals did a show for us and let us pan for gold. Of course, most everyone found some little gold flakes. A very hard way to make a living!
We made our way up the White Pass on the Klondike Highway to a 3,000 ft waterfall, Dead Horse Gulch (a lot of pack horses couldn’t make it the whole way), the Moore Bridge, Yukon Suspension Bridge at Tutshi Canyon and up over the West White Pass into Fraser British Columbia Canda, the same way that the miners had to walk or go with pack animal and 2,000 pounds of supplies. Much easier by heated bus! It was very scenic and we took lots of pictures.
At the summit of that, in Fraser, British Columbia, we got on the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) Railroad train.
The WP&YR was originally built to help those miners who were hauling the ton of supplies up the pass but they finished building the railroad a year after the gold rush had ended. There’s more info about this railroad at www.wpyr.com We went over trestle bridges, through tunnels, over glaciers. Definitely a worthwhile trip.
Here’s a bit of our train trip. Tom took this from the platform between the cars:
Back in Skagway we stopped in the train shop but all I got was coffee, my first of the day. Another Alaskan T-Shirt Company for yet more fleece and stuff and hiked back to the ship.
Tom took a little nap and I read for a while. Then buffet lunch time.
Tom went out to a meeting and I napped for a while. He came back and I started typing this again – and he napped. What old fuddy-duddies!
Time to get dressed for tonight’s show – dual acrobatics, Jean-Claude and Gaby – followed by “casual” dinner. Any dinner that requires anything more than jeans is hardly casual to me!
Sunset 10:23. Hubbard Glacier is 300 nautical miles.
That Thrillist had a couple other trains of interest – 1 that we took and one that we always wanted to take. I’ll save those for another post.
Today would probably have been a better day for the Music Man post since it’s about marching forth on March Fourth.
In honor of dedicated musicians and performers of many diverse styles and backgrounds, Marching Music Day celebrates all varieties of the art forms bringing us “music on the move.”
For centuries, the beat of a drum has kept military units moving in unison. From the training field to the battlefield, the football stadium to the Broadway stage, small gyms, auditoriums and grand arena spectacles, fifers, pipers, buglers, drum corps, marching bands, parade groups, drill teams and color guards bring music to life to the delight of millions of performers and spectators.
The military roots of the drum corps have evolved into an art form which moves us during somber memorials and thrills us with their ability to perform delightful music while executing intricate routines with exact precision. Drill squads, marching bands, drum lines, and drum corps name but a few of the many styles of marching music which have developed over the years, engaging hundreds of thousands of performers of all ages, abilities and experience levels.
We see marching music in schools, military units, community celebrations and local auxiliaries. The music is as varied as the ensembles themselves. Instruments may be limited to brass in some settings or may include woodwinds and electric guitars in others. Dance teams, baton twirlers and color guards perform to soundtracks ranging from traditional, standard marches to rock and roll, jazz, contemporary and electronic dance music.
And marching music keeps changing! Spectacular string bands incorporate their own unique sound and elaborate costuming. Technology has brought about the production of lighter, electronic and digital instruments making it possible for musicians to march with violins, cellos, basses and synthesizers to entertain crowds in unique and creative new ways.
Today, March 4 (“March Forth”) is also National Grammar Day. In past years, the National Grammar Day organization promoted the annual date as follows: “Language is something to be celebrated, and March 4 is the perfect day to do it. It’s not only a date, it’s an imperative: March forth on March 4 to speak well, write well, and help others do the same!”
The original image was one a couple males, a couple females and a dog walking/running. No folks in wheelchairs, no older folks and certainly no zebras. It would be nice to have everyone out there walking or running but that’s not real life, at least in the Cushie world. It’s been a long time since […]
This narrative nonfiction novel chronicles my son’s twenty-year journey to get his Cushing’s disease diagnosed—a journey that took far too long. Throughout the book, I highlight opportunities for testing that could have been done according to endocrinologist guidelines. The core message is clear: early diagnosis is crucial for people to live vibrant lives. Read Surviving […]
Adrenal Insufficiency United’s Lunch & Learn Events are one day mini-conferences located in different cities in the USA. We find great local speakers to lead sessions and give presentations about issues affecting those with adrenal insufficiency. These one day events will be packed full of opportunities giving attendees more chances to ask questions, share their […]
Please add your bio. Your information will help others. If anyone would like to do something for the Cushing's Awareness Challenge but you don't have (or want to have) a blog, why not consider adding your bio?
The recovery rate of adrenal function after successful surgery as first-line treatment in patients with Cushing’s syndrome is high. However, it may take several months to years before recovery of adrenal function occurs. In case of early recovery of adrenal function, clinicians should be aware of a possible recurrence of Cushing’s disease.
In this case, we describe a 54-year-old man with a stage IV NET with metastatic liver and pancreatic lesions, who presented with Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic ACTH production.
Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disorder that occurs when the body is exposed to too much cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the body and is also used in corticosteroid drugs. Cushing's syndrome can occur either because cortisol is being overproduced by the body or from the use of drugs that contain cortisol (like prednisone)…
Adrenal insufficiency is a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough of certain hormones, primarily cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. This disorder can be categorized into primary (Addison's disease) and secondary forms.
Cushing's Disease is a rare condition caused by excessive production of cortisol, a hormone essential for various bodily functions. It is a specific form of Cushing's Syndrome, where the overproduction of cortisol is due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. The condition affects 10 to 15 people per million each year, predominantly women between […]
I’ll never know if that hit on my head contributed to my Cushing's but I have seen several people mention on the message boards that they had a traumatic head injury of some type in their earlier lives.
At our Maker Lab, you will have access to a variety of tools and equipment, including a 3D printer, sewing & embroidery machines, Cricut & Cameo cutting machines, robotics, circuits, arts & crafts and more. Fridays until June 9
Have a broken or damaged item you’ve been looking to get repaired but it’s too costly or inconvenient? We will have fixers skilled in various types of repair available to help you bring your items back to life for FREE!
Calling all knitters, crocheters, and yarn enthusiasts! Join us in our Makerspace to hang out with other fiber friends and maybe learn a technique or two.
Learn how to create a simple and personalized 3D object using TinkerCAD and then submit a 3D printing request at FCPL. Laptops are provided or bring your own. Monthly until December 28
The DC area’s un-official start to spring returns on Saturday April 26, (10AM – 6PM) and Sunday, April 27 (10AM – 5 PM). The streets of historic downtown Leesburg will be filled with incredible landscape displays along with vendors selling flowers and live plants, gardening supplies, and everything imaginable involving outdoor living.
Spring is around the corner and Earth Day Fairfax is almost underway! Mark your calendar for Fairfax County’s largest, family-friendly Earth Day extravaganza at the Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 26. Celebrate our world with a day filled with games, entertainment, food and hands-on crafts, exhibits and activities.
The City Band takes a musical world tour, featuring the music of Valerie Coleman, Percy Grainger, Frank Ticheli, and Leonard Bernstein! Highlights include: “Havana Nights,” “Vesuvius,” “Out of Africa,” and “Candide.”
For potty-trained three year olds through ninth graders. Embark on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS, based on Joshua 1:9 – "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Discover God's presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God's goodness together. Join us in a fun-filled adventure […]
Enhance your mental fitness with “Train Your Brain” activities! Sudoku, crosswords, Color Me Happy, and word searches. Each activity is aimed at stimulating cognitive function and supporting memory improvement.
