Tag Archives: Native Americans

Chappaquiddick Lullaby Revisited…

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I think one of the nicest children’s books about MV is “Chappaquiddick Lullaby – a song of Martha’s Vineyard” written in 2006 by Stacy Elizabeth Hall and illustrated by Judith Pfeiffer.

The book also includes a CD by Kate Taylor and Taylor Brown.

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The book is basically about the activities and daydreams that children have during the summer. The illustrations are abundant with Island landmarks and places… you need to read the book several times before you’ve picked out everything included in this rich and lovely book.

One of the things that drew us to this book is that we had our own Chappaquiddick in the family, a Boykin spaniel we called Chappy,  and when we found out that there was a Chappy song, sung no less by Kate Taylor who we, and Chappy, have had the pleasure of meeting, we had to have the book,  which was autographed to my daughter Deb and her Chappy by the author Stacy Hall and her dog, Cala 🙂

(Chappy passed away a few years ago but these precious memories linger on and I’m always happy to share them).

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I also want to mention Stacy’s first book…

“The Legend of Katama” is a beautifully told story of Katama, a brave young Wampanoag woman and how she changed her world.

Interestingly our first Boykin spaniel was named Katama (Katy)… do you see a pattern here:)

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❤

 

 

Museum of the American Revolution-Philadelphia, Pa…

I wish there had been places like this when I was in school, history then was names and dates, this is hands on and brings history alive.  I know more about the American Revolution now than I ever did.

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The best place to start is watching the short film ‘Revolution’ and then proceeding to the main galleries.  Beginning in the lower right of the map we have…

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Becoming Revolutionaries (1760-1775)

The Darkest Hour (1776-1778)

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A Revolutionary War (1778-1783)

A New Nation (1783-present)

Last but not least, but certainly the most impressive – Washington’s War Tent

**From museum brochure – Created for use as a mobile field headquarters during the Revolutionary War, the tent likely was made in Reading, Pennsylvania in early 1778, while Washington was encamped at Valley Forge. It was used by George Washington from 1778 – 1783, and witnessed many dramatic moments during the War of Independence, including the 1781 Siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the war. The tent was last displayed several decades ago at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

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Since we had limited time in Philadelphia we weren’t able to see much else.  I did however want to see the Liberty Bell and although that museum was closed it was visible from outside.

 

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Stone Faces …

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Collecting rocks and stones is something you can’t avoid doing as you walk along a Vineyard beach. I admit I didn’t find the one with this poem:

“Weathered posts and sea grass, waves rushing in to kiss the shore; I closed my eyes and peace descends, I’m at The Vineyard once more.”

I didn’t find the stones below on he beach either.

These beautiful stone sculptures were done by a Native American from Aquinnah. I asked him how he knows what to sculpt and he told me that he has to get to know the stone first… let it speak to him and tell him what it is meant to be…  only then does he begin the process of letting the spirit emerge from the stone.

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This particular stone is double-ended.

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The face of a Native American.

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The spirit of an eagle.

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I particularly like this one below. I like the way the face looks peaceful and wise.

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Something I find interesting about these sculptures is that when you’re holding them they’re both cool and warm. Perhaps it’s the spirit from within.


Faces In Stone …

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These beautiful stone sculptures were done by a Native American from Aquinnah whose name unfortunately I’ve forgotten. I asked him how he knows what to sculpt and he told me that he has to get to know the stone first… let it speak to him and tell him what it is meant to be…  only then does he begin the process of letting the spirit emerge from the stone.

This particular stone is double-ended.
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The face of a Native American.
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The spirit of an eagle.

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I particularly like this one below.  I like the way the face looks peaceful and wise.

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Something I find interesting about these sculptures is that when you’re holding them they’re both cool and warm. Perhaps it’s the spirit from within.

(Click on pictures to enlarge if you wish).