For weeks, I have watched my morning glory vines as they have slowly and tediously twisted themselves until they have finally become a glorious blue tapestry that has woven itself around my garden. Morning Glory Vines at the Back of My Garden – July 15, 2024 During the early part of summer, I praised my…
The Outlaw Years: Land Pirates of the Natchez Trace – Homes and Life of the Pioneers
THE OUTLAW YEARS: THE HISTORY OF THE LAND PIRATES OF THE NATCHEZ TRACE by Robert M. Coates James Calk keeps a diary: 1775 Mon 13th [March?] “I set out from prince william to travel to caintuck. . . . “Thursday i6th We started early it rained Chief part of the day. . . . “Wednesday…
Cave-In-Rock, Illinois – Legends of Keelboats, Frontiers, and Native Americans on the Ohio River
Image Credit: Ohio Scenic River Byway The Cave “River pirates were some of the earliest settlers around Cave-in-Rock who preyed on the Ohio River flatboats, keelboats, and rafts, as profitable targets of goods, attacking the crews and pioneers who were easily overwhelmed and killed. … Wikipedia History “From the 1790s to the 1870s, the area around Cave-in-Rock was…
Native Primrose Plants Growing in My Mississippi Garden
Oenothera speciosa ‘Siskiyou’ Evening Primrosea Image Credit: Rare Roots Height: 12″ – 18″ “Oenothera speciosa ‘Siskiyou’ produces 2″ pink, cup-shaped flowers most of the early summer. Also called Evening Primrose or Pinkladies, Oenothera ‘Siskiyou’ blooms are open during the day. ‘Siskiyou’ is a rapidly spreading perennial plant that makes a deciduous ground cover, but it should…
The Ancient Celts: History, Religion, and Mythology
Anglo-CelticPeople “The true term for the population of these [British] islands, and for the typical and dominant part of the population of North America, is not Anglo-Saxon, but Anglo-Celtic. It is precisely in this blend of Germanic and Celtic elements that the British people are unique—it is precisely this blend which gives to this people…
Samhain – The Ancient Celtic Origin of Halloween – A Struggle to Light the Darkness
Over the years, I have read many explanations about the origin of Halloween. Until recently, no explanation stuck, but I am in the process of researching ancient civilizations, and I have begun to understand why and how the need to celebrate Halloween has been etched on our consciounesses. Before I begin this post, allow me…
Halloween – History and Mythology of an Ancient Harvest Festival
SUN-WORSHIP. THE SOURCES OF HALLOWE’EN “If we could ask one of the old-world pagans whom he revered as his greatest gods, he would be sure to name among them the sun-god; calling him Apollo if he were a Greek; if an Egyptian, Horus or Osiris; if of Norway, Sol; if of Peru, Bochica. As the…
Time to Set Up Bird Feeders and Plant Wildflowers – Winter Comes Too Soon: Memoir Mondays
There’s a frenzy in my garden, Squirrels can’t get enough. Birds are looking frantically For seeds and nuts and stuff. The corn is dry and shriveled now, A vine has reached the top. Fading leaves are bending low, And bright red apples drop. – Jacki Kellum – I began writing the abovee picture book manuscript…
Sow Wildflower Seeds in Fall to Bloom in Next Year’s Garden
Image Credit: Eden Brothers All Perennial Wildflower Seed Mix 100% Perennial: Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance Leaf Coreopsis, Foxglove Excelsior, Purple Coneflower, Blanket Flower, Blue Flax Perennial, Perennial Lupine, Mexican Hat, Black Eyed Susan, Candytuft Mix, Gayfeather, Maltese Cross, Plains Coreopsis, Money Plant, Iceland Poppy Mix, Purple Prairie Clover, Sweet William Herald of Spring, Daisy…
Apples Are as American as Mom and Apple Pie – Memoir Mondays
Moments ago, I posted a rich testament to apples, but it was published in 1884 by a British man, Richard Folkard. Richard Folkard has provided us with an almost perfect history of the Apple and the Mythology associated with that plant. He drew upon stories from the ancient Brittons, the ancient Greeks, Italy, and several…