History Belongs To Us

Connection to History

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I am a student of history, a mentor, and a believer in the value of a “good” education. I love children, dogs, and most of all I love my family. My love of writing began as a child, and my greatest hope is that I have passed down that love to the many students I have worked with through the years. You’ll eventually be able to read about a variety of topics on this site, and I will enjoy writing and publishing each and every one.

  • Honey- Beauty from the Kitchen

    Our children learn about the process of pollination in grade school; the honeybee darting to and fro from flower to flower, gathering nectar and spreading pollen grains to keep the circle of horticultural life moving. What they often don’t learn is what happens between the collection of nectar and the appearance of the honeybee’s ultimate product stored so beautifully on the shelves at their local grocers. Honey is a delectable substance that naturally does wonders for the body both inside and out, a substance that has been used both medicinally and as a beauty treatment for centuries. This sweet, gooey treat is everything anyone could possibly desire in a “good for you” food.

    The Who’s Who of Honey

    Let’s talk about the rich and famous, the people who’ve made history by their actions and indulgences. Think Cleopatra, a woman who rocked the Roman empire and regularly added honey to her cleansing ritual…………… the milk bath. Her belief that the ingredient was irreplaceable for keeping the skin smooth and firm couldn’t have been too far off the mark, and the adoration of two Roman legends attests to her beauty. Queen Elizabeth I, Poppea (wife of Nero), and even Nefertiti the wife of an Egyptian Pharaoh (Nefertiti translates “the beautiful woman has arrived) also used honey in their beauty routines, and each of these women has garnered the description of having possessed great beauty.

    Other historically prominent women who have credited honey as a part of their beauty regimens are Madame du Barry, England’s Duchess of Marlborough, and Queen Anne of England. Once the mistress of Louis XV, Madame du Barry’s ritual was to lay down and rest after applying honey as a mask. It must have done its magic as the mistress kept her king. Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough was a 17th century icon and often claimed that a rinse of honey water was responsible for her luxurious, glowing hair. Queen Anne of England also extolled the use of honey as a hair beautifier, preferring her treatment be mixed with essential oils. She attributed this ritual to maintaining her long, lustrous locks.

    I Samuel 14

    Honey in the Bible

    Mentioned numerous times in the Bible, honey is extolled throughout the scriptures. Exodus, Proverbs, the Psalms, and the Song of Solomon speak of honey in terms of nourishment. Honey as a promise, honey as a description, and honey’s value to both our physical and spiritual states. During Biblical days, women were recorded to have applied honey to their skin in addition to other valuable oils used in bathing rituals. The Book of Genesis tells us that “honey” was a part of the bribe Jacob offered to Joseph for Benjamin’s release,“If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift–a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.” (Genesis 43:11, NIV)

    This sweet, tasty substance was a gift from God, and it was valuable. How fitting that one of the most valuable products available to consumers today is a God given natural substance; the result of the labor of only two of his creations. People spend thousands of dollars per year on man-made products filled with chemicals and toxins, and yet all they need is to study the properties of the miracles around them.

    The History of Honey

    With a history dating back to 3000 B.C., honey is most often recorded for its medicinal properties, something that shouldn’t be overlooked when writing about its intrinsic values. When applied to scrapes and cuts, honey naturally prevents the growth of bacteria; in ancient Egypt, honey was used in the mummification process as a preservative and embalming product, and in the days of ancient Rome, soldiers carried a supply of honey for its use as an antiseptic to treat wounds inflicted during battle.

    Ancient Romans were also hailed for their expertise in the beekeeping business. Overly fond of sweetness in both food and drink, ancient Roman recipes relied greatly on honey as an ingredient. Rumor has it that honey made the menu at each and every meal, and that they specifically made honey as a gift to their gods. But more importantly, the Romans also used honey for health and cosmetic purposes.

    The Beauty Benefits of Honey

    Today, in this age of organic foods and beauty products, the focus of beauty is returning the natural benefits of nature’s finest produce. Honey enables our skin to maintain the softness, elasticity, and suppleness that we lose during the aging process. Environmental and emotional stress, in addition to the daily attack of the chemical agents lurking in our environment rob us of our ability to retain water. Honey, a natural humectant not only helps us to retain water but attracts it as well.

    Although honey can be found in countless beauty products at various beauty supply stores, the expense of buying pre-packaged, expensively labeled, and preservative laden products is completely unnecessary. Available anywhere from the grocery store to your favorite market, honey is easily located and inexpensively purchased. Raw honey is without doubt the best as a topical treatment for the skin, as pasteurized honey will have lost some of its beneficial enzymes during processing.

    The Properties of Honey

    The properties in honey admittedly vary. Some honeys are made by bees who feed on flowers, whereas others are made by bees who feed on clover. Some beekeepers even feed their bees refined sugar to increase production, and although the differences between the honeys aren’t really known, all honeys have common enzymes in their content. These commonalities include twenty-four different sugars, eleven to twenty-one amino acids, eighteen types of sugar acids. eleven separate minerals, a total of five enzymes, and at least four different proteins.

    Many people are wary of using what they consider to be a sticky substance on their skin, but when used on damp skin, honey is not the least bit sticky. A dollop of honey applied to damp skin with wet fingertips will give your skin a beautiful glow and provide you with a base that will better absorb other products. Honey not only works to attract moisture but helps your skin to retain moisture as well.

    Honey’s natural abundance of nutrients and enzymes help the skin to counter the effects of our pollutant filled environments. In other words, this natural product can help protect the only skin we’ll ever have from the unnatural things we’ve created to harm it. Used routinely, honey will also help to reduce the fine lines we acquire in response to age and stress, help to alleviate breakouts with its antibacterial properties, and help slow the aging process of our skins. Filled with many of the nutrients craved by our ever thirsty outer layers, honey helps the skin to rebuild collagen and elastin, all while providing nourishment and rejuvenation. Amazingly, it can boast those same two benefits for our insides as well.

    DIY Beauty Recipes Using Honey

    Preparing honey for topical use on the skin is simple, quick, and affordable. Preparing a honey tonic is nothing more than a dab of honey and water smoothed across the skin. Particularly effective on the face, this tonic makes the perfect base for moisturizers and cosmetics and gives the skin a youthful glow.

    As anyone with an impeccable skin care routine can attest to, a good toner is irreplaceable. Admittedly, this is the step that I myself tend to skip most often because my skin is dry, and the tightening effect provided by a good toner tends to bother me. In my search for natural beauty products I came across a toner recipe that truly doesn’t leave me feeling like an old painting needing refurbishment, and that would be an application requiring nothing more than cucumber and honey.

    Preparing this Cucumber-Honey toner is easier than chopping up a dinner salad and just as refreshing. Simply take one medium cucumber (peeled) and chop into small pieces until you have the consistency of a puree. Grab a sieve out of the kitchen cabinet (if you haven’t a sieve check the nearest dollar store), line the sieve with cheesecloth, and allow the puree’s liquid to drain into a small glass bowl (the liquid should be drained in about 15 minutes). Once your liquid is fully drained pour it into a clean bottle (again, check the dollar store) and add two teaspoons of raw honey; shake the mixture and voila, you have a safe, natural, moisture infusing toner. Note that your toner can safely be stored in the refrigerator for a week, so if you find the recipe yields more toner than you need, adjust your recipe to eliminate waste.

    Other easily prepared skin treatments require nothing more than the opening of the refrigerator door or a short trip to the market. Equal parts of honey and yogurt make an excellent face mask to hydrate and moisturize tired, dry skin (one teaspoon each of honey and yogurt is sufficient). Naturally smoothing skin lotion is just as easily concocted with kitchen staples. A tablespoon of honey mixed with a tablespoon of oil (olive oil or coconut oil are both a great choice) and a few drops of lemon juice will quickly and naturally leave your skin soft to the touch. Best of all, this all natural lotion will keep you soft and smooth while repairing your skin and cost almost nothing.

    All in all, honey is a natural fit for almost every lifestyle. Take a walk down the aisle of your favorite store and you’ll notice shelves filled with ointments, lotions, conditioners, shampoos, and facial products that use honey in their ingredients. Women buy these products to pamper themselves, and I have often been one of those women. My journey into natural beauty has taught me that the best products are natural, and that they don’t have to claim a large part of my paycheck to take their place amongst the containers in my bathroom. Natural beauty is a small investment with a huge return; my advice is to invest in yourself and give it a try.

    Sources:

    The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers, @ MCMXCIX

    http://allnaturalbeauty.us/hbr_hair_skin_body.htm#skin_recipe_bookmark

    http://www.berkshirehistory.com/bios/sjennings.html

  • Rose Oil – The Beauty of Nature

    The Beauty of a Rose

    The rose is considered by many to be the most lovely flower in the world, and although the number of varieties is disagreed upon, our love for this flower is without doubt immeasurable and universal. Enchanting bouquets, petals strewn across the linens in a bridal chamber, luxurious perfumes and delectable oils invoke desire, memories and romance. They are aesthetic and sensual, and yet they are so much more.

    For most of us, the winsomeness of an established rose garden is virtually impossible to duplicate. My own horticultural skills are admittedly lacking, but I do occasionally indulge myself with an exquisite half-dozen or so, charmingly arranged and prominently displayed in my home. Unfortunately, blooms soon die and aromas fade. Fortunately, the process of distilling rose oil, and its availability in countless products from essential oils and candles to a variety of beauty products allow us to enjoy this pleasurable scent at will.

    Rose Otto versus Rose Absolute

    Creating natural beauty products with essential oils has become more than a hobby, it has become a passion. As I’ve gotten older, the additives in the products that make their way onto my body have become just as important as what I put into my body. Historically, the blooms, petals and oil of roses have been used to soothe the mind and soften the skin. As a bonus, it is also noteworthy that rose oil is safe and beneficial for all skin types. Thus, rose oil is a boon for one and all.

    Although many people make their own rose oil, I have not been quite that adventurous. Purchasing organic rose oil, free from any pesticides or other chemicals is my number one concern. There are two types of rose oil on the market; Rose Otto, which is steam distilled, and Rose Absolute that is solvent extracted. Rose Otto requires a two-part distillation process, which involves the treatment of approximately 60,000 petals per every one ounce of oil. This essential oil is light in color, has a weightless, airy aroma and is utterly stable when properly stored. It is also far more expensive than its counterpart.

    Rose Absolute is not considered an essential oil and is not recommended for skin care. Like the Otto, the Absolute is also produced in multiple steps, but that is where their similarities end. Absolute oil is extracted and washed, and, unfortunately, its heavier, more aromatic scent is derived from the use of ethanol in the washing. There are mixed reviews on the exact amount of chemical residue, if any, present in the Absolute oil. None-the-less, we are talking about skin care…… not candles.

    It is also important to note that the additives in Absolute make it unstable. Thus, when purchasing your rose oil take shelf-life and waste into consideration. The Absolute may be half the price, but because it has been diluted it needs to be used within six to eight months and then discarded. In comparison, Rose Otto is completely stable and will last forever if stored in a cool, dark place.

    Rose Oil Benefits

    As already mentioned, Rose Oil is beneficial to every skin type and can be used alone or by mixing it into your favorite skin creams. Its moisturizing properties can hydrate even the driest, most sensitive skin. As we get older, our sebum production drops, leaving our skin undernourished and dehydrated. Rose oil is easily absorbed and provides immediate relief for tired, thirsty skin.

    Rose Oil’s versatility also helps to reduce redness and inflammation in sensitive skin, has antibacterial properties to help heal acne and prevent scarring, and antiseptic properties that help to heal wounds and ward off infections. It is a multi-purpose oil and an essential part of creating natural beauty products in the home.

    Making Your Own Lotions and Creams with Rose Oil

    Nothing is easier than mixing a light moisturizing lotion for everyday use. Start with a small glass bottle (four ounce); fill the bottle two-thirds full with your favorite carrier oil (jojoba oil is my own preferred carrier oil); and then add seven to nine drops of essential rose oil. This blend is simple and benefits all skin types, particularly those of us with aging, dryer skin. This combination of oils is also perfect for warmer weather when we tend to perspire …. it absorbs quickly and leaves the skin silky smooth without annoying residue.

    For a creamier moisturizer, we need to blend in a few ingredients; this will require a double-boiler (a must for creating natural beauty moisturizers at home). The base will comprise two-thirds of your mixture, so choose carrier oils that work best with your skin type. These oils can be used alone or combined to make a serum. I recommend Jojoba, Argan, and Apricot oils for dry skin; Safflower and Grapeseed for oily skin prone to break-outs; Almond, Hemp, and Olive are best suited for normal skin and may be exchanged per preference.

    Once you have chosen your carrier oils, you will need one-half cup of your serum. It is important to once again note that you can combine any of the oils above in any amount you choose, as long as the result equals one-half cup for your recipe. After mixing your oils, place them in a double boiler and add two tablespoons of beeswax (organic), stirring constantly until the mixture is completely blended (you may want to adjust the amount of beeswax in order to achieve a thinner or thicker consistency). Remove from heat immediately after the beeswax is melted and continue stirring until completely cool; Essential Rose Oil should never be added to your base ingredients until they are at room temperature. Adding essential oils at the wrong time (temperature too warm) will cause them to evaporate.

    Rose Otto oil is admittedly an expensive investment, but it is worth every penny. Essential oils are ‘essential’ to making beauty products at home. Our skin is our body’s largest organ, and it is responsible for protecting all of the others…..thus, it is our job to safeguard it the best we can.

  • Beeswax – The Beauty of Nature

    Historical Uses of Beeswax

    Throughout history, beeswax has been used in various ways. Up until the mid 1800’s, it was the most popular ingredient in candle making (replaced by paraffin). Candles themselves have been used for everything from religious ceremonies to romantic dinners. Coal miners once used marked candles to time their work shifts, whereas the wealthy used them to illuminate their homes and valued their sweet, aromatic scent. Artists have also prized beeswax for use in encaustic painting. In the first through third centuries, this medium was regularly used in Egypt to create the Fayum funeral portraits. These portraits then became memorial coverings for mummified corpses.


    Beeswax

    For all of its many uses, beeswax, for me, remains an essential ingredient in my own study of natural beauty. As I’ve grown older, I have become just as aware of the toxins and chemicals used on my body, as the toxins and chemicals we are exposed to every day in our environment and food sources. For those of us concerned with natural, organic beauty, beeswax is one of the finest additives available.

    It takes thousands of crafty, little worker bees to create the meticulously constructed honey-comb cells that provide us with beeswax. Beeswax is the foundation of their hive and is made up of multiple tiny, six-sided rooms, which store the hive’s honey until the beekeeper extracts the golden hued fluid. When the harvest is over, the beeswax left behind is melted, purified, and marketed in a myriad of different ways.

    Choosing and Purchasing Beeswax

    When shopping for beeswax to experiment with at home, be sure to note that untreated, pure beeswax is not white. Pristine white beeswax is not natural and has most likely been treated with chemicals (bleach), which is exactly what we want to eliminate. Beeswax should be golden in color, but the color will not be uniform from one purchase to another. It is a well known fact that the older the beeswax, the darker the color. Thus, don’t be afraid of fluctuations in shade.

    Purchasing your beeswax can be done in numerous ways. There are no shortages of sites marketing the product on the internet, and most health food stores carry one form or another; blocks; pellets or sheets. I personally opt for the local beekeeper, who might not produce in high quantities but supplies me with beautifully fresh blocks. Although it is not an option for everyone, locating local or state beekeeper associations helps to support your local economy. Purchasing organic beeswax is always preferable in order to avoid impurities, especially when your intent is to craft creams or balms for use on your skin.

    Whatever your recipe, feel free to be enterprising. We all have different skin types, favorite aromas and specific results we would like to attain. When creating natural skin care products, we are not choosing candle scents (that will come in another article), we are talking about the ingredients best suited to ourselves as individuals.

    Beeswax Lotion

    • 1/2 cup Almond Oil, Organic
    • 2 T. Cocoa Butter, Organic
    • 1/4 cup Beeswax, Organic
    • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil, Organic
    • 10-15 drops Essential Oil, Your preference
    1. Warm all ingredients in a double-boiler until melted.
    2. Add essential oil
    3. Pour into jars…. I prefer 4-6 ounce glass jars.

  • Early Egyptian Civilization

    What is History?

    History is the story of humanity and its longstanding education to understand and live in this world. It traces our development from our beginnings to the present… the world as we know it today. How did the hunter-gatherer society learn to hunt, and what did they hunt for prey? How did they learn what was safe to eat, as opposed to what when consumed would end their lives. Prehistoric peoples faced many challenges that we cannot even begin to understand or imagine. Every day could be their last, but those who persevered became the catalyst for who we are today.

    Time is an all important part of the historical record. We mark events to measure the passing of time. Family vacation over Christmas; time spent with Gramma and Grandpa over the summer; “we’ll be there in three sleeps.” History is also measured by time, and one of the first examples of this measurement can be linked to the invention of writing, which separates history into two periods… the prehistoric and the historic. The Prehistoric times mark the years that people lived on earth before the invention of writing. The Historic era begins with the invention of writing, records often carved into clay tablets or wood.

    Though progress was slow and difficult, the hard work and determination of these people would prevail. The foundations for something bigger than even they imagined were being laid by their hard work and willingness to face the unknown. Would their contributions make a difference? At the time, they had no idea, but as we look back, it is easy to see that whatever contributions were made eventually led to success and the establishment of what we today call “civilization.”

    Cradles of Civilization


    The Cradles of Civilization

    The advent of civilizations gave humanity the ability to settle in one place, but the development of civilizations again required progress. Agriculture enabled humanity to establish homes and produce valuable food sources, but other things were needed for civilizations to thrive and survive as well. People had to be able to communicate with each other, creativity inspired invention and the arts, which were necessary for toolmaking, for enabling the farmers to plow their fields and to reap their harvests. The ability to successfully farm allowed artisans to specialize in certain areas and soon trade became a way of life… each person contributing their talents to the newly established communities.

    The world’s earliest civilizations grew up in the areas now deemed the “cradles of civilization,” the four lush river valleys that are located in different parts of Asia and Africa. Ancient Egypt is one of these civilizations.

    The First Egyptians

    Thousands of years ago, the Valley of the Nile, once a lush, grassy plain in Northern Africa, was inhabited by prehistoric people and numerous prehistoric beasts. Abundant rainfall had created the perfect living conditions in a land that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Over time, however, the rain declined, and the absence of those rains caused this prehistoric haven to become what we now know as the Sahara Desert… the greatest desert in the world.

    Luckily, the lack of rain didn’t affect the great Nile River, which was fed by the yearly rains that fell each summer along the Mediterranean coastline, overflowing the Nile’s riverbanks and flooding the area with water, which later receded, leaving in its wake a layer of rich, fertile soil. The marshlands created by the overflow stretched for five to ten miles on either side, and the greenery of the valley lay in sharp contrast to the desert surrounding it. In the valley, shallow basins, ponds, and pools filled with bushes and reeds thrived, providing shelter for the creatures who made their homes in and around the bountiful swampland. Crocodiles, hippos, elephants, snakes, and hyenas were prevalent, wild birds soared as they waited for the mosquitoes, a favorite food source, that hovered above the marsh.

    The Nile River Valley, which today is noted to be shaped like a lily, is the flower (a triangular area) known as the delta, which was formed by the river as it regularly received the deposits of soil moved from central Africa during the summer rains, creating the richest soil in Egypt. The stem, the Nile River itself, which is made up of several branches, makes its way to the sea, carrying deposits with it along the way.

    During the days of prehistory, the people of Northern Africa were hunters and herders. The land was lush and green, but as already stated, over time these conditions changed with the substantial decrease in rainfall. Some prehistoric peoples remained in the desert, others moved on heading south toward the jungles to hunt and search for greener pastures. Still others moved toward the Nile Valley’s marshes and were later joined by other people from other areas, namely southwestern Asia. These were the people that became the first Egyptians.

    Early Egyptian Farming

    Early Egyptian Agriculture

    As the first Egyptians settled permanently in the Nile River Valley, their first priority was farming the fertile lands along the Nile. Over time, they faced many problems, which in turn, needed to be solved. The rich black soil was perfect for farming, but farming within the marsh was impossible. Before they could utilize the soil, it was necessary to separate it, thus, the digging began as ditches were created to drain the excess water that collected in the marshes.

    With that problem solved, the area’s first farmers quickly learned that the valley wasn’t always green… that before the next rainfalls, the heat and sun would dry and parch the ground into a mass of dust and cracked earth. The vegetation disappeared with the water, leaving nothing behind. So, what did they do? Well, they didn’t give up… they innovated. They used their brains, and they problem-solved, soon realizing that if they were going to survive, they needed to guarantee that they would have a supply of water that would last them from one summer to the next. Innovation and brainstorming led them to discover a way to keep a supply of water by storing it in pools, by digging ditches and canals, by learning to prepare the land so that when the water levels lowered, the water could once again be raised from the canals and ditches for their use… for their survival.

    Once their water problems were solved, these early Egyptians had to learn to prepare the soil properly for planting. Initially, sticks and hoes served the purpose, but over time, the wooden plow was invented, using oxen for manual labor. The invention of the wooden plow was a game changer that allowed for larger fields and substantial harvests, but unlike the plows we envision today, the Egyptian plow was light and versatile, its reins tied to the horns of the oxen, rather than strapped over the oxen’s back. This form of plowing was only made possible because of the flooding in the valley, which created conditions that left the simpler task of breaking up the topsoil before planting. An abundance of flax and grains provided the sustenance needed for the people, and it also allowed the people to branch out into other areas. A farmer might have had more grain than he needed, and a hunter might have more meat than his family could consume without spoilage. The beginning of trade made a lasting mark, and most importantly, it allowed for the growth of civilization.

    Community and Cooperation

    There is no doubt that one of the most integral aspects of civilization is community and cooperation, a desire to be successful, and that everyone takes part in the community’s success. Draining swamps and irrigating the land is not the job of one individual, making sure that the water supply is adequate to sustain the community until the next rainfall requires cooperation. Rules had to be made and enforced to guarantee that supply would sustain the village, which resulted in the early and simplest form of government. Leaders, called chieftains, were chosen by the people to oversee arguments, to de-escalate and settle disputes. At this time, laws and rules weren’t written down, but everyone knew what they were. Later, King Menes, would be the first ruler of the country we now know as Egypt.

    King Menes

    Egypt’s First King, Menes

    Under the rule of King Menes, the first capital of Egypt was established at White Walls, which is located near the apex of the Nile River Delta. It was here that the first great city in the country of Egypt would be built. It was also during this time that hieroglyphic writing came into use for record keeping and communication. Laws and rules were made, followed, and punished if ignored. At this time, ancient Egypt began its chronological journey into what would become known as the Old Kingdom, a kingdom that would surpass all others for years to come.

    @ 2026 J.R. Watkins

  • The Black Hawk War, Battle of Stillman’s Run; Illinois, A History

    By the year 1828, Chicago was in the midst of a great transformation that would take the lakeside village and literally reshape its horizon. The fur trade began shuttering its windows and closing its doors, and Chicago, along with the times, changed and grew accordingly.

    With the end of the fur trade, so would come the end of John Kinzie’s life. The Father of Chicago closed his eyes for the last time, and the village he knew would become something he’d only dreamed about. Kinzie died on January 6, 1828, leaving his wife and children to adapt to Chicago’s transitions on their own. At the end of the War of 1812, Kinzie had made it clear that it was his firm desire that the area around Chicago remain Indian Country. He would never see the transformation of the area he loved, he would not be present for the next war, and as settlers moved into the area in droves and industry boomed, he would not witness the removal of the Native Americans he’d worked with so closely. Possibly, that’s the way he would have wanted it.

    Chicago, 1828

    The year 1828 also stood witness to the US militia’s return to Fort Dearborn, which had been sporadically manned and evacuated since its reconstruction. By this time, the garrison had already cut a passageway at the river’s mouth in order to more easily navigate their boats and plans had already been drawn that would allow for the closure of the original river outlet by US Civil Engineer, William Howard.

    Howard’s plans were intricate and detailed, but in layman’s terms laid out the specifics for straightening the path of the river and protecting the new outlet with the use of two piers, something that had already been successfully accomplished at Michigan City. The change itself would provide safety and efficiency, as vessels would have access to the harbor rather than having to anchor offshore and transport their goods using smaller boats, all while timing their excursions to avoid storms… safe harbor was essential. According to an article published in the Chicago Democrat on January 7, 1834, a man named Schoolcraft, who visited the area in 1821, addressed this issue in the following manner.

    “We allude to the formation of a harbor on Lake Michigan where vessels may be in safety while they are discharging the commodities destined for Illinois… It is well known that… there is no harbor or shelter for vessels in the southern part of Lake Michigan, and that every vessel which passes into that lake after September, runs an imminent hazard of shipwreck. Vessels bound for Chicago come to anchor upon a gravelly location in the lake, and discharging with all possible speed, hasten on their return. The sand which is driven up into the mouth of the Chicago Creek will admit boats only to pass over the bar… It is yet somewhat problematical whether a safe and permanent harbor can be constructed by any effort of human ingenuity, upon the bleak and naked shores of these lakes, exposed, as they are, to the most furious tempests. And we are inclined to think it would be feasible to construct an artificial island off the mouth of the Chicago Creek, which might be connected by a bridge with the mainland… with less expense than to keep the Chicago clear of sand.”

    President Andrew Jackson

    Indian Removal Act

    While the calls for improvement and better access to Lake Michigan became a priority for the government, these plans and improvements were accompanied by calls for the government to take a larger role in Native American affairs. In 1827, Ninian Edwards, the governor of Illinois, pressured then President John Quincy Adams to remove all of the remaining Native Americans from his state. Treaties had already been signed, and over the years, the Native Americans had turned over their rights to the land in their entirety. The only land still in question belonged to the Potawatomi in northeastern Illinois. Edwards wasn’t asking for negotiations… he was demanding compliance. In return, he was assured by the U.S. Secretary of War, Peter Porter, that the Native Americans had agreed to leave the state, an evacuation that would take place by May of 1829.

    Enter President Andrew Jackson, who strongly believed that the Native American population should be free to practice their native cultures… on the other side of the Mississippi, and his proposed Indian Removal Act, which passed through both houses of Congress in May of 1830. Jackson, however, didn’t believe that the removal of the Sauk and Fox tribes was an issue, as they’d already agreed to relocate west of the Mississippi, and they’d not only agreed to the treaty in 1804 but reaffirmed the treaty in 1816. The Native Americans, however, disagreed.

    Enter Black Hawk

    When Thomas Forsyth, Indian agent and former partner of John Kinzie, visited with the tribal chiefs of the Sauk and Fox in 1828, urging them to begin making plans for their move, he was greeted with dissent. The chiefs denied ceding their land and tensions once again began to grow. Enter Black Hawk, spokesman for the tribes, and the man for which The Black Hawk War is named.

    Black Hawk, the son of a medicine man, was born in Saukenuk, which is now known as Rock Island, Illinois. He had previously sided with the British during the War of 1812, and he resented white expansion into Native American territory. Black Hawk, along with his followers from the Sauk and Fox tribes, refused to acknowledge the Treaty of 1804, contesting its intent and content… the fifty million acres of land that the US government now claimed as their own. In his autobiography, Black Hawk writes, “My reason teaches me that land cannot be sold. The Great Spirit gave it to his children to live upon and cultivate as far as necessary for their subsistence, and so long as they occupy and cultivate it they have the right to the soil, but if they voluntarily leave it, then any other people have a right to settle on it. Nothing can be sold but such things as can be carried away.”

    According to Thomas Forsyth, Black Hawk genuinely believed that the Native Americans had not ceded their land to the US government and upon learning that the annuities were, in fact, payment for land in 1818, had since refused them. The annuities paid to the tribe were seen by Black Hawk in the same way he viewed the gifts the tribe had received from the British…. as nothing more than gifts. His belief is supported by the fact that Quashquame, the leader of the 1804 Native American delegation in St. Louis, assured him that “he never had consented to the sale of our village.”

    Black Hawk

    Concessions

    As time went on, Blackhawk determined to remain in his homeland, along with the rest of his tribe, as they awaited the corn harvest to provision their families. Government officials came and left, tribal leaders visited and called meetings for interventions, and offers were made and refused until, at last, Blackhawk received official word, “That no further time would be given than that specified, and if we were not then gone he would remove us.” The tribe’s withdrawal was imminent; the year was 1830.

    Soon, a large number of mounted men approached the village, setting up camp nearby, all while General Gaines made an impressionable arrival by steamboat. Gaines offered supplies in return for evacuation of the village to make up for the harvest that would be forfeit upon the villagers’ departure, and Black Hawk, right or wrong, signed the offered treaty and later noted in his autobiography, “I touched the goose quill to this treaty, and was determined to live in peace.”

    The supplies, however, were sorely lacking, and the sound of the hunger heard in the lamentations of the women and the children would lead the braves to return to their former home, so they could collect a portion of the crops they’d planted themselves. In return, the braves were fired upon for what Black Hawk described as the “depredations committed by some of my people, on their own corn fields.” We might ask is it’s stealing to harvest your own crop? And yet, Black Hawk’s people no longer lived on that land. He’d signed the treaty; he’d led his people across the river, and the people living on what was once Native American lands now claimed ownership… the land was bought and paid for.

    Looking at the big picture, is it truly possible to lay blame at the feet of any one group? Can we fault Black Hawk for his decision to relocate in the face of an army, for honoring the word of his predecessors? Should we fault the government for not providing the essential supplies needed for a positive outcome? And what about the settlers who’d paid for the land they now worked; do we blame them for wanting to improve their lives? Blame is a big word, a word we need to think hard about using before we lay it at the feet of others.

    Crossing the River

    In 1832, Black Hawk crossed the Mississippi once more, returning to his homeland with what is said to have been one-thousand men, women, and children, carrying with them stores of seed. His followers, who represented the Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo tribes, fully intended to resettle in the area they’d left behind. The land dispute continued, and war would ensue.

    The US government’s response to Black Hawk’s actions was quick and decisive. Governor John Reynolds immediately called out the militia, and the government assisted by dispatching troops to aid in his cause. The Native Americans had been warned to remain west of the Mississippi and told in no uncertain terms that their return would not be tolerated. Reynolds had even committed himself on paper in July of 1831 when he wrote, “If I am again compelled to call on the Militia of this State, I will place in the field such a force as will exterminate all Indians, who will not let us alone.”

    It is hard to imagine Black Hawk returning to wage war within the boundaries of the land he loved so well with women and children in tow, but it’s even harder to imagine that he couldn’t envision the circumstances he would face upon his return. Most sources agree that he wasn’t looking to wage war, but most sources were not present, and most first-hand knowledge lacks the objective viewpoint needed to make such assumptions. What we do know is that Black Hawk was willing and able to defend his people, that he wouldn’t bow down before the people he believed had usurped his homeland, and that he would not run away from confrontation. We know that Black Hawk felt his people had been betrayed… been duped if you will, to give up the homeland that he did not believe could be owned by anyone… a place that could merely be inhabited.

    Keokuk: Viewed by Black Hawk as a betrayer of his people.

    Black Hawk despised the Native American leaders that accommodated government demands and accepted concessions looking to benefit themselves in the process. Yes, he also desired peace, but he wasn’t going to sell out in order to achieve it. While Keokuk was showered with gifts for preaching patience to his people, all while urging them westward, and even going so far as to supply the Indian agent with information regarding Black Hawk’s plans, Black Hawk looked to the good of his people. While Keokuk would die in disgrace on a Kansas reservation, Black Hawk would continue to speak out, all while attempting to re-establish his village. Conflicting sources claim that settlers were terrorized and slaughtered in their homes, but the attacks in question had little to nothing to do with Black Hawk. Tribal discontent was widespread and growing, as was the fear of the newly ensconced settlers.

    Prelude to War

    In April of 1832, Brigadier-General Atkinson was ordered to Rock Island. His appointment placing him in command of the forces that would engage in the Black Hawk War. Initially, Atkinson issued warnings, sending his men to hold talks with the Prophet (White Cloud) and Black Hawk, who’d recently arrived. White Cloud encouraged Black Hawk, all while promising assistance. Black Hawk, on the other hand, refused to heed the warnings of the soldiers (in Atkinson’s name) to return east of the river, claiming that the “General had no right to make the order so long as his band was peaceable, and that he intended to go on to the Prophet’s village.”

    Shortly after, Black Hawk would find that Atkinson’s warnings weren’t merely warnings… he was ready to act. Militia had already arrived to assist Atkinson in fulfilling his purpose. Black Hawk, in turn, would find that he had been misled by White Cloud’s promises, and while at council with the Pottawatomi and Winnebago chiefs, would learn that he had no backing from the other tribes. They would not join him.

    The Battle of Stillman’s Run would mark the true beginning of the Black Hawk War, as Major Stillman led a group of men up the Rock River to an area known as Sycamore Creek (now Stillman’s Creek) to observe and report on the actions of the Native Americans camped nearby. Note, the militia were sent to observe and report, but the group was made up of far more than militia. This group of almost three-hundred men was comprised of both militia and volunteers, men coming forward to answer the call of their government and protect their people, men who were untrained and inexperienced. Might we conclude that both groups were doing what they believed to be honorable, standing up for the same reason… the good of their people.

    Chief White Cloud

    Researching the Battle of Stillman’s Run leaves one with mixed emotions. Surviving records are anything but objective, something that can easily leave us shaking our heads. What we do know is that the abandonment of Black Hawk by those who’d promised assistance was a fact. We also know that Black Hawk was determined to reclaim and protect the land on which his people had lived for generations regardless of the cost. The knowledge that his objectives were near to impossible without the support of those who’d pledged assistance must have been devastating. In essence, one battle would be exchanged for another.

    Black Hawk’s re-entry into what was his homeland wasn’t a rash decision, nor was it completely based upon his determination to retake the land of his people, but rather an invitation. White Cloud, like Black Hawk, was young and rebellious, and renowned amongst his contemporaries as the Prophet. He worked alongside Black Hawk and had even invited Black Hawk’s tribe to settle with his own along the Rock River. Sadly, White Cloud also made claims that if the Sauk and Fox tribes were attacked, support would be provided by other tribes, as well as the British, who’d committed to send forces by way of Lake Michigan. All of these claims proved to be untrue.

    In late April of 1832, Black Hawk was forced to face the facts. On April 26th he met with two Sauk chiefs sent by Atkinson to inform him that he would not be allowed to remain on any land east of the Mississippi. As a result, the Ho-Chunk also took back their offer of allowing Black Hawk’s people to settle on their land because they feared reprisals. The news that the British weren’t coming placed the final nail in the coffin. In looking at the big picture, we can understand Black Hawk’s decision to withdraw. Sadly, methods of communication at the time were nothing like our own, and before Black Hawk’s journey could begin, plans and unforeseen developments created a chain of reactions that were impossible to contain.

    Major Stillman

    Negotiations, or Not

    On May 14, 1832, Black Hawk’s tribe was in the midst of preparations for their journey back down the Rock River to the Mississippi when they learned that Atkinson’s men were nearby. Black Hawk, who in his own words had already “resolved at once to send a flag of truce to Gen. Atkinson and ask permission to descend Rock River, re-cross the Mississippi and go back to their country….” then sent three of his warriors, carrying a white flag of truce, to arrange negotiations for their safe return. These negotiations never occurred.

    The description of the events that followed the warrior’s approach to meet with the militia at Sycamore Creek, also known as Old Man’s Creek, are varied to say the least, but I think it’s safe to say that many decisions were made in haste and without thought. The three warriors sent to parlay waved their white flag, the militia, most inexperienced, attempted to talk. Language was definitely a barrier. Some sources say that none of the militia present at the parlay spoke Sauk, others note that one had limited use of the language, and according to Black Hawk, one of the guards was “able to talk a little with them in their own language.”

    Language aside, the three warriors were quickly taken into camp, and for reasons unknown, the flag bearer was immediately shot and killed. Black Hawk, who’d intended to look out for the group’s safety, had also dispatched a group of scouts, presumably spotted and possibly the reason for the flag bearer’s swift execution. The scouts, however, did not engage the militia at this juncture and made a hasty retreat back to their camp, so they could inform Black Hawk of what had transpired. In their wake, a group of militia followed close behind, a group who without orders acted on their own to pursue the scouts and in turn, kill two of the retreating Native Americans.

    The Battle of Stillman’s Run

    The Battle at Stillman’s Run

    Amidst the chaos, Black Hawk had no need of this information, as word of the event had already reached him, and he immediately responded by rallying every warrior in the camp. Fifty warriors on horseback would set out from camp and quickly conceal themselves within the wooded landscape. Fifty warriors, tomahawks raised, would emerge from the brush ready to slaughter their pursuers. In the face of this band of warriors, Stillman’s militia, untried and inexperienced, and even in some histories described as drunk and disorderly, would collapse in confusion and chaos. Their hasty retreat would take most of them as far as Dixon’s Ferry, while others would head for the safety of their homes.

    The attack on Black Hawk’s camp was a distinct loss for the US militia, but in the end, the US government had no intention of being defeated. Black Hawk, himself, was amazed by the fact that so few warriors could defeat the attacking militia, but in the end, he knew that his dream for peace had come to an end. His decision to retreat to the north was based on the good of his people. They were starving and without supplies. The women, the children, and the elderly still had to be cared for, thus, it was necessary to remove them to a place where they could regroup and avoid their pursuers.

    Over the coming months, Black Hawk would continue to move north, but he would not escape conflict. Throughout the region, the battles would continue to rage, other tribes would engage the militia, and many lives would be lost on both sides. Rumors would abound, claiming that Stillman’s defeat was the result of actions of “2,000 blood-thirsty Indian warriors,” leading Governor Reynolds to call out another 2,000 militiamen. The battle was over, and a new war had begun, but that’s a story for another day.

    Sources:

    chicagoarchitecturehistory.com

    britannica.com

  • Life in Ancient Egypt

    Egypt is studied as one of the world’s earliest civilizations. Civilizations, as defined today, are made up of governments, religion, achievement, population, economy, social structure, and specialization, and if we look carefully at the civilizations in which we live today, it is easy to point out the similarities… the world has changed dramatically, and yet, we as humans continue to live in a world where all of these components, though transformed over the years, remain virtually unchanged.

    King Thutmose III

    Thutmose III, The Napoleon of Ancient Egypt

    Thutmose III, the sixth king of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty and a lauded military commander, is often referred to as “The Napoleon of Ancient Egypt”. As a warrior, he would conquer Syria, Canaan, and Nubia, expanding Egypt’s boundaries. As a king, he would enact major reforms that supported centralized power. Trade became all important, and with it, the fostering of peaceful interactions between regions, as well as a distinct focus on diplomacy. Expansion required a plan, it required growth, and most importantly, it required a prosperous economy. Thutmose’s dreams for an improved infrastructure required goods and labor. Trade routes didn’t establish themselves. Roads, canals, and bridges were erected to aid in the efficiency of transportation, travel, and communication. Without these things, governance would be difficult if not impossible.

    Thutmose III, however, didn’t merely focus on his own ability to rule. His patronage was essential to not only the building of temples for the many Egyptian gods, but the restoration of existing temples as well. A well-known example of this can be seen in the restoration and expansion of the Temple of Amun, where Thutmose III oversaw the construction of additional buildings and courtyards, which were adorned with intricately carved reliefs and inscriptions.

    Pharaoh Thutmose III and the Battle of Megiddo

    Ancient Egypt Under Thutmose III’s Rule

    As a patron of the arts, Thutmose III would support the work of Egyptian artists in their creations of exquisitely designed masterpieces using the mediums of stone craft, painting, and glass making. Many of these designs commemorated the king, portraying his (Thutmose’s) power and military conquests. Other artistry was centered around religion, the gods, and various mythological tales that have been passed down through the centuries. Art, like hieroglyphics, was used to tell stories, record history… to inform and preserve.

    If we set our sights beyond King Thutmose III, however, looking past his kingship, his conquests, his patronage, and his governance… we see the people. The Egyptians living under the rule of King Thutmose III were very much like the people we see around us today. These people, like us, had needs and wants… things that were necessary for survival, and things they dreamed of… sometimes attaining their dreams and sometimes not.

    The Opulent Homes of Wealthy Egyptians

    Lifestyles of the Rich and Powerful

    Just like today, the wealthy lived in what were seen to be large, opulent homes that were often surrounded by gardens filled with flowers, vegetation, and trees surrounded by high walls. Built with sunbaked brick and wood, the bright, spacious rooms filling these homes were decorated throughout. Murals adorned the walls, and the ceilings were often painted to mirror the night skies; floors were painted with the intention of bringing the landscape indoors…. a pool here, grass there… art was everywhere, found even in the heavy floor mats and rugs that were woven with reeds and rushes.

    For the wealthy, food was abundant. If you had money, there was no limit to the fresh food, vegetables, and types of meat (regional) available to the household. Meal times were a time of family socialization but a bit messier than we’re used to. Where we use plates, the Egyptians utilized large portions of bread to hold their food. Where we use utensils, they used their fingers, wiping their fingers on their plates (bread), nothing was wasted.

    Ancient Egyptian Fashion

    In addition to a wide array of food, the wealthy enjoyed well made clothing. Both women and men dressed with care, focusing on their appearance. Women wore floor length dresses with shoulder straps, covered by loose garments made from fine linen. Men dressed in skirts, short or long to suit their individual preferences, often adding a cape that was worn over their shoulders. Both men and women adorned themselves in white, which was often embellished with brightly colored, detailed embroidery.

    Slavery in Ancient Egypt

    As evidenced, wealthy Egyptians enjoyed lives of leisure. In addition to their beautiful homes, the wealthy also owned slaves. They were continuously waited on, fanned to keep cool on hot days, and entertained by those they held within their households. Food was prepared, laundry was washed, gardens were tended, and houses were cleaned… not by their owners, but rather, by their human property, property that was procured by both force and choice.

    Slavery, has without doubt, existed in one form or another since the beginning of civilization. The conquered were enslaved by their conquerors (prisoners of war), children were born into slavery via the circumstances of their mother. People, by choice, would sell themselves (or members of their family) into bondage in order to pay off their debts, many others were abducted and sold for profits, and yet still others, at the lower scales of the social hierarchy, would sell themselves in exchange for food and shelter. Sometimes, the thought of shelter and a good meal makes people do things they would never otherwise have done.

    Life in Ancient Egypt

    The majority of the people living in Egypt were poor peasants. They lived on land belonging to the nobles in simple, one room mud houses thatched with the abundant grasses flourishing near the Nile River. Furniture was sparse, beds were simple mats laid out on the floor (dirt), and meals usually consisted of nothing more than a few barley cakes, dried fish, and goat’s milk. Clothing was simply made. Men wore trousers and shirts; women wore dresses made of coarse linen. Everyone worked… long, difficult, and likely what seemed to be endless hours of labor. In the end, however, the progress made by the Ancient Egyptian civilization would provide for more and more opportunities for the peasantry to better their lives.

    Education in Ancient Egypt

    In the early days of the Egyptian Empire, education was a privilege, and schooling was only provided for the sons (yes, you heard it… no daughters) of the wealthy. The sons of the rich were trained to become leaders, scribes, and sometimes important members of the government. Over time, however, as populations exploded and trading reached new heights, some boys were allowed to branch out into new areas, learning new skills from those who specialized in a variety of areas… others were able to attend school, training for positions as clerks or record keepers. As the population grew, more jobs became available. As more jobs became available, opportunities for advancement grew and blossomed.

    The girls in ancient Egypt also received an education, but their education did not include reading and writing. Mothers and grandmothers were the teachers in their daughter’s lives. The daughters of wealthy families were taught to run the household, oversee the work of the slaves, and most importantly, what was necessary to become a good wife and mother. Daughters raised by working families needed to learn how to cook, preserve food, weave cloth, make clothing, and yes… they still needed to prepare the mothering skills that would be necessary after marriage and the birth of children. This education didn’t happen overnight, but rather, took place on a day-to-day basis. There was no time to waste, as girls were considered marriageable by the age of thirteen, and they often became mothers before their fourteenth birthdays.

    Ancient Egyptian Farming

    King Thutmose’s kingdom, like all kingdoms, relied upon agriculture for its existence. Without farmers and a steady supply of food sources civilized society is impossible. Wheat, flax, and barley filled the fields, vegetables were sown, and livestock raised. The presence of agriculture allowed for trade both within and without the community. Craftsmen, suddenly in demand, could work from home workshops or set up shop along the narrow, crowded city streets. Sandal makers, jewelers, cabinet makers, bakers, weavers, and my favorite… glassblowers honed their crafts. Talented craftsmen had the opportunity to move up in the world, especially if one of the wealthy nobles offered their patronage to a promising artist.

    Pottery

    One of the most notable of the Egyptian arts was pottery making. Egyptians invented the pottery wheel, and with its use, beautifully crafted vases and jars were created for a variety of uses. Making pottery is in itself a painstaking process requiring skill and patience. Every piece was different, molded by hand, and baked in a fiery kiln. Initially, potters weren’t interested in creating works of art, but rather functionality. Pottery was an important commodity throughout Egypt that was used in barter and trade. A client needed to store his wares for sale; a potter needed to make a living.

    Initially, pottery was formed using silt from the Nile River, hence its name, Nile Silt Ware. This pottery was the most common, and it was primarily used for functional purposes. Over time, potters would come to use different types of clay, and the earthenware they created would move beyond mere functionality, taking full advantage of the variety of textures, strengths, colors, and durability of their sources. Today, Egyptian pottery tells the story of the ancient civilization in which it was created, from the simplest containers to the elaborate vases that showcased artwork depicting the lives, traditions, rituals, and beliefs of their creators.

    Trade & Barter

    As already stated, the Egyptian economy relied on trade and barter. Coinage hadn’t yet been invented or put into play. The wealthy, however, did sometimes use gold as payment for services, small gold rings that were carefully weighed and inspected to discourage cheating. The value and cost of items were assessed, but bargaining was always a part of the process. Some people were better bargainers than others, which was a benefit during the negotiation process.

    Pharaoh Ikhnaton aka Akhenaten

    Less than one-hundred years after the death of Thutmose III, the Egyptian Empire would fall into decline. Why the decline? Likely, we’ll never know. Some say that Thutmose III’s reign was followed by reigns of weaker men, who were less than capable leaders. Still others say that conquered lands grew more populace, stronger, building up their own armies to claim their independence. Possibly the nobles in these growing cities wanted to establish their own power, possibly those living in poverty grew so dissatisfied with their living conditions that they rebelled against working for those they didn’t deem worthy of their loyalty.

    Pharaoh Ikhnaton, also known as Akhenaten, was one such ruler. Rather than govern his people, protect his region, and look toward the expansion of his realm, Ikhnaton focused on religion. He is not remembered for his contributions to Egyptian society as a whole, but rather, for being the first pharaoh to abandon Egypt’s polytheistic beliefs, and the first to introduce monotheism.

    Monotheism in Ancient Egypt, Implemented and Rejected

    King Akhenaten with his wife Nefertiti and their daughters bearing offerings to Aten (Aton).

    Ikhnaton dedicated his life to creating a monotheistic Egypt, centered around what he believed to be the one true god, Aton, the sun-god. As ruler he set upon closing temples built to worship other gods and order the construction of temples dedicated to Aton. Traditional rituals were set aside, offerings were given up outdoors in open air courts, reliefs were carved into exterior surfaces to protect them from direct sunlight. Walking through the temples one could see a depiction of royal life, which most often portrayed the royal family’s dedication to Aton.

    Within five years, Ikhnaton implemented his new religion, moving his capital and religious center to a new, untouched, desert area surrounded by limestone cliffs on the east bank of the Nile River. Within nine years, he would go so far as to proclaim Aton not merely the most important god, but the ONLY god. In essence, he erased, or in today’s terms, cancelled the existence of all other gods, removing their names and images from the temples, rewriting, or attempting to rewrite history. If they were destroyed… they never existed.

    Tutankhaten, Son of Ikhnaton

    King Tut

    In the end, all of Ikhnaton’s changes would only succeed in temporarily altering the Egyptian landscape. His changes weren’t embraced or long-lasting. During his reign, the people were unhappy with his decisions, and they certainly weren’t ready for the elimination of their gods and religious festivals. With Ikhnaton’s death, things would quickly return to normal. Though his successor remains unclear, the eventual succession of his son, Tutankhaten, is clearly recorded. We also know that Tutankhaten, who we know as King Tut, in his eagerness to please the people, or perhaps because of his own personal beliefs, distanced himself from Aton, restored the old gods, and reopened the temples to the Egyptian people, but that is a tale for another day.

  • Ice Age Animals

    What an experience it would be to have one short twenty-four hour period of time to travel into the past and see the world the way it was. Always intrigued by people and the history they’ve lived before us, I often wonder what period I’d most like to visit, but the fact is I don’t think I’d ever be able to choose only one.

    Creation? Maybe, but we have the chance to see God’s creation renewed each and everyday. The birth of a baby, the flowering of a plant, birds meticulously crafting a nest, that rare meteor shower visible in the night sky. Sunrise, sunset, thunder, lightning, ever changing landscapes, and the roar of the ocean. Simple things like smiles, and yet all part of God’s plan.

    Creation of the Animals by Tintoretto, c. 1550

    So how did God’s plan begin? Prehistory? What exactly is “pre-history?” God created the Earth in seven days. How long were God’s days? Did he measure time? The monsters of ancient history; did God place these creatures on the earth to teach man humility, to teach him to survive? Genesis, Chapter One gives believers an inarguable answer to this question: “God blessed them (Adam and Eve); and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (New American Standard Bible).

    This one verse teaches us that God made man to rule over what we envision today as superhuman beasts with monstrously large teeth and claws to match, as well as majestic reptiles that yearned for nothing more than the salad provided by the creator’s splendid garden buffet. That man was meant to rule over them is satisfied by the knowledge that humanity has survived where their once great numbers dwindled into extinction. Scientists don’t share my beliefs, and they don’t have to. Nor do I have to share theirs…………..

    To go back in time would mean to become prey to the beasts that roamed the world before us. Could I survive even one day? Would I find myself in the midst of Hollywood’s Jurassic Park, only to become a small slice of meat on the evening menu? Would I miss all of the things I yearn to see because I’d run lickety split to the nearest place I could find to hide myself, only to be swallowed whole by the hungry vegetation I’ve never studied?

    The world of yesterday holds more mystery than any one person is capable of imagining, and I know that if I had the chance to visit, the things I’d like to see would be the moving, breathing animals we read about in our history books. The furry animals, you know, the ultra large versions of the animals we see today. The giant cats slinking through the tundra; the supersized elephant of yesterday sporting matted hair and unimaginable tusks; the animals that if I had them within close enough proximity (and muzzled), I’d like to scratch behind the ears. But enough of that………… let’s meet them.

    The Ice Age

    The Earth has experienced many changes since its creation. One of these changes is known as the “ice age,” a period of time in which large portions of the world were buried under massive sheets of ice. Some of these ice sheets are believed to have been hundreds of feet deep, and during the coldest times, approximately one third of the Earth’s land was blanketed beneath the frosty layer.

    During the Ice Age; North America, Europe, and Asia were home to enormous glaciers that rose up like mountains on the horizon. These large rivers of ice slowly moved downhill, grinding away at the landscape, crushing soil and rocks, using their immense weight to mold the land beneath them. Many of these glaciers would have made the tallest buildings in existence today seem small in comparison.The layers of packed ice beneath them are believed to have measured more than a mile deep.

    Animals of the Ice Age battled daily for survival. Seasonal changes and slightly warmer weather during the summer months would melt the ice and bring forth streams to feed surviving plant life. Many plants were buried in the snow; the flowing water helped them grow again, and the animals that needed them for nourishment were afforded the chance to survive just a little longer.

    Many animals escaped the cold and ice by migrating to areas with warmer climates. They traveled long distances, trekking across what was sometimes treacherous terrain. Their path was carefully chosen by instinct and a desire for survival; they followed their noses, as it were.

    The creatures who chose not to make the journey found other accommodations. They made do with what they had. Movements of glaciers had not only carved paths through the land; they’d carved out areas in the hills and cliffs as well. The result of those natural carvings were caves, and the caves provided shelter and protection for the animals who made them home.

    Hyena

    Today, hyenas are only found in Africa. Unless of course, you visit them at the local zoo. But thousands of years ago hyenas could have been found wandering through much of the European countryside and living within many of Europe’s finest caves.

    Caves sheltered newborn litters and gave the hyena somewhere to feast on a fresh kill. Hyenas both lived, hunted, and traveled as packs.

    Chauvet Cave Painting

    Cave Bear

    Another cave dweller was the Ursus-spelaeus, better known as the “cave bear.” Standing seven feet tall, the cave bear would have been extremely intimidating. Think about the grizzly bear…………. he might stand over three meters tall and weigh in at more than one thousand pounds…………… the cave bear; he was bigger!

    Cave bears lived throughout much of Europe, and like the hyenas, they lived in groups. The remains of more than 100,000 cave bears have been found in caves throughout Europe, most notably in Austria.

    It is believed that the cave bears were vegetarians, and information gathered from the study of their remains has concluded that a good many of the bears died during hibernation. Signs of sickness and disease were evident in studies that were performed on specimens of all ages. By the end of the Ice Age, these bears had disappeared.

    The “Woolly Mammoth

    The best known animal of the ice age, and my own personal favorite, would be the woolly mammoth. The name mammoth, derived from an old Siberian word, means “earth burrower.”

    When originally given its name, the mammoth was not thought to be an ancient, long extinct, prehistoric creature. Instead, it was believed to have been an underworld beast, something that lived underground in a burrow, never to surface because the open air would mean certain death. The mammoth was likened to a mole. Needless to say, those initial observations were incorrect.

    Far from creatures who burrowed beneath the earth’s surface, these “giants” stood more than nine feet tall at the shoulder and sported huge, curving tusks. Tusks were essential tools that allowed the mammoth to sweep aside snow and dig for the food buried beneath it; they were also useful during the mating season when the male mammoths busied themselves with fighting over the women.

    The woolly mammoth was covered with long, shaggy hair that could reach three feet in length; thus its name. But the woolly mammoth needed far more than a coat of shaggy hair to keep warm in the ice age environment; he actually sported not just one, but three coats of fur.

    The woolly mammoth’s outer coat was very coarse and very long. Underneath that wooly layer was a thinner, shorter underfur that measured ten to twelve inches and provided extra protection. A mammoth’s third layer of fur was its undercoat, a thick layer of wool next to the skin. Although this layer only measured one to three inches, it may have been the most important as it provided necessary warmth in an unfriendly environment. Further insulation was provided by four inches of fat located just beneath the mammoth’s skin. In other words…………. he was always ready to go out and play; no jacket required.

    Mammoths originated in Africa but eventually they migrated to faraway places, and took up residence in North America, Europe, and Asia. They traveled in herds searching for plants. Moss, grasses, herbs, and ferns were favorites. It is said that they consumed an average of 300 pounds of vegetation per day; now that’s a big salad! Plants were pulled from the ground by the mammoth’s trunk which served as a very strong, very flexible, and extremely handy appendage. The mammoth’s trunk allowed it to feel and grasp for things. We are able to observe similar movements in the modern-day elephant.

    Painting of a wolf in Font de Gaume

    Surprisingly, they say that outside of humans hunting for food, the mammoth’s most active predator was the wolf. It was during this period that the now extinct Dire Wolf roamed the world, specifically in North America. Large concentrations of fossilized remains have been found throughout California and Florida. The large numbers of fossils in these areas are attributed to their excellent conditions for preservation.

    Packs of hungry wolves would stalk the herd and choose its weakest member; then they’d give chase, tiring the animal to the point they could surround and bring it down. Dire wolves differ from the wolves we know today in that they were much larger, had sharper teeth and stronger jaws (perfect for crushing bones), shorter, stronger legs, and smaller brains. Seeing that the grey wolf migrated over the land bridge of Berengia some years after the dire wolf; I have to wonder if intelligence had anything to do with the survival of one and the extinction of the other. Maybe someday we’ll find out.

    Early cave art contains many depictions of the woolly mammoth. Most of these works have been found in the caves discovered in France and Spain. They are believed to be thousands of years old.

    Sabre Tooth Tiger

    It isn’t difficult to understand how the saber-toothed tiger got its name. Their large front teeth were razor sharp and shaped like the sabers (swords) we see on film and in museums. Many variations of the saber-toothed cats stalked their way through most every continent on the planet before their eventual descent into extinction.

    Growing to more than nine feet in length, the saber-tooth tiger was far larger than the tigers we know today. They boasted powerful front legs and shoulders, extremely large jaws that had the ability to open to an angle of over 120 degrees, and fangs measuring up to 10 inches long. Not one to waste time, the saber-tooth tiger aimed to kill its prey by penetrating the soft folds of its neck.

    As strong as they were, the saber-tooth tiger didn’t always have it easy. Their prey was often bigger, stronger, and more than ready to fight back. Brittle teeth were one of this big cat’s weaknesses; missing their mark and connecting with bone would often result in broken teeth. Scientists believe that many a tooth was fractured while attacking the belly of another beast and hitting the ribs of their prey. The saber-tooth cats were intimidating and a force to be reckoned with, but they were not invincible.

    La Brea Tar Pits

    The La Brea tar pits in California were a death trap for many ice age animals, and many of the remains that have been excavated from the site are both complete and intact. Entrapment in the sticky tar would have made for a slow and agonizing death in its own right, but to be eaten alive by predators such as the saber-tooth while sinking into the ooze and stench must have made that slow death even more unbearable. I wonder if it would have given the animals any sense of justice to know that the predators who attacked them at their weakest usually followed them into the abyss. The tar pits didn’t pick and choose; everything was fair game, and everything was devoured whole.

    Megaloceros

    To sight a Megaloceros would be any modern day hunter’s dream. Making their homes in Europe and in sections of Central Asia, the Megaloceros boasted the largest antlers of any deer that has ever existed. During the growing season, the male deer’s antlers would grow at a rate of a quarter inch per day. By the end of the season their crown would span an approximate length of nine feet.

    These immense antlers were a source of pride and a sign of vigor. As the end of the growing season marked the transition into the mating season, these deer would become combatants in contests that would require both strength and endurance. Large males show evidence of having weighed in at up to 1,540 pounds, with 80 of those pounds carried on the tops of their heads. Their prize was the right to mate. Shortly after mating, the females would go off to live on their own, and the males would do the same.

    For the male, the end of the season was marked by the loss of his antlers; they simply fell off, leaving the male a bit lighter and affording him the necessary agility he needed to move about during the harsh winter. Come spring, his antlers would once again begin to grow aided by a diet that consisted of grass, trees, and willow shoots. Willow shoots provided the vast amounts of calcium necessary to augment the antlers’ growth.

    Many remains of the Megaloceros have been found in the peat bogs of Ireland. Because of this, the Megaloceros is often mistakenly called the “Irish Elk.” It is believed that many of these majestic animals died because the size of their antlers made it difficult to navigate through trees. Becoming entangled in the branches of their environment; having their antlers grow to such a great size that they found themselves unable to raise their heads; and malnutrition are three of the reasons given for their eventual extinction.

    Castoroides- The Giant Beaver

    Long ago, North America provided a home for the Castoroides (giant beaver). Dwelling in the lakes and forests of the continent, this very large amplification of present day beavers cut through wood with six inch teeth, grew to a length of eight feet, and could weigh up to four hundred pounds.

    This ingenious rodent lived through the last ice age before becoming extinct. The cause of its demise remains unknown, as does its purpose. No one knows if the Castoroides was a “builder” like its modern-day counterpart, nor do they know the reasons for its extinction. Minnesota proudly embraces the Castoroides as their state fossil.

    Megatherium Cuvier, 1796

    Before the Earth’s plates shifted, joining the South and North American continents, South America was an island. While much of the world struggled with the ice and bitter temperatures, its region was more temperate than others.

    South America’s habitat provided homes for many species that lived nowhere else in the world. After the eventual joining of the North and South American continents, at a small stretch of land called the Isthmus of Panama, the animals of the two continents began to move freely between the two. Opossums, sloths, and armadillos trekked northward, while animals like mice, wolves, bears and squirrels made their way south.

    The Megatherium, or giant sloth, was the largest of its species. Measuring up to nineteen feet long from the top of their heads to the tips of their tails, they didn’t hang from trees like their distant relatives in today’s rain forests.

    Walking on the knuckles of their front paws, they used their tails for balance when plucking tasty morsels from the trees. And if they couldn’t reach them at their full standing height of twenty feet, they’d simply break the branches down. At a full weight of five tons, I can only imagine how much food they’d eat per day, and I’d guess there were many broken branches left behind from their foraging.

    Diprotodon, Kings Park Perth

    Australia’s ice age mammals are said to be all marsupials (animals that both feed and care for their young ones in a pouch). Likened to a present day hippo, the largest marsupial was the wombat-like Diprotodon, a vegetarian. Tipping the scales at more than two tons, many wombat remains have been discovered in deep mud. Footprints have concluded that like the wombat, the Diprotodon’s front feet turned inward, mistakenly giving the impression it was pigeon toed. Large claws are believed to have enabled the Diprotodon to dig up the roots of plants. It is presumed that many of these mammals became trapped in the mud while trying to reach for foliage.

    Another of Australia’s ice age animals is a distant relative to the red kangaroo. The Procoptodon, also known as the “mega-roo,” was twice the size of its present-day family member. Standing approximately ten feet tall and weighing nearly five hundred pounds, the Procoptodon could move (hop) at speeds around 30 mph. The Procoptodon fed on grass and bushes, living much as the newer, smaller kangaroos do today.

    After the ice age came to an end, most creatures found life easier. The bitter cold slowly gave in to more temperate climates, vegetation was able to grow and spread unhindered, and the migrations of man and beast spread out over the globe.

    Many ice age animals didn’t live through this new change. All of the animals mentioned above eventually disappeared from the landscape. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed and supplied us with a glimpse into the past. Without them we would not be aware that these enormous versions of today’s animals once lived.

  • The Million Year Picnic: Middle School Book Club

    The Million Year Picnic by Ray Bradbury

    Here we are… it’s Wednesday again, and it’s time to catch up with my eighth graders; they are always hard at work, always looking to broaden their scope of knowledge, and always looking for the next debate. They love to disagree… always.

    I have to tell you that this was not today’s short story, and I guess I have to fill you in on a little secret. I am about a week late here; always living life just a bit behind and admittedly enjoying the fact that when it comes to some things… I can be late and not worry about having to punch a clock. There are so many other things to do, and although I truly love to write, I love other things more!

    A few weeks ago, we journeyed into Ray Bradbury’s, The Veldt. The kids loved it, and because they’ve asked, and because I am a pushover for letting them roll with the things they enjoy, Ray Bradbury is back, and we’ve once again delved into this author’s futuristic visions that somehow don’t seem to be quite as futuristic as they did during the time in which they were written. The Million-Year Picnic; what is it? Why would anyone plan a picnic that would engulf not just one lifetime but thousands? Why would a family travel to a destination light moments away? Why would they have to? Is it a necessity, or is it just another day? Let’s find out.

    “Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things.”

    Ray Bradbury

    Ray Bradbury

    Since I have already given you a glimpse of Ray Bradbury’s views on technology, and his reasons for questioning technology’s effect on the family unit in my introduction to The Veldt; I will not repeat myself here and take the chance of boring you. Bradbury’s novels are not only creative but are also used as a personal forum to address modern day issues and to make observations on the way we live today. The following words are Bradbury’s own. They encompass his views on education, and they should serve to humble the educator. If we love our students… we should take them to heart.

    In a nutshell…

    “The main problem is with our education, of course. First-grade teachers for many years now have not been teaching reading and we have to encourage them to pull up their socks and begin to pay attention so that the whole school system doesn’t go to hell. People are getting into high school who can’t read. It’s stupid, isn’t it? It’s crazy.”

    “The jails are full of one million non-readers. We can’t let it happen again. If you allow another generation to grow up to be 12 years old…. without the ability to read, write, and think, we’re sunk. If they can’t read, if they can’t write, if they can’t think, they become criminals. We’ve already lost two generations. Unless we teach reading intensely and completely in kindergarten and first grade, the whole civilization goes to hell.”

    “With computers, kids can connect and search libraries and the Encyclopedia Britannica, but if you don’t teach them to read in the first place, they’re not going to [log on], are they?” (Speech to National School Board Association, 1995)

    And then, we have his thoughts on life and getting older, as on the occasion of his 80th birthday in August 2000, Bradbury said, “The great fun in my life has been getting up every morning and rushing to the typewriter because some new idea has hit me. The feeling I have every day is very much the same as it was when I was twelve. In any event, here I am, eighty years old, feeling no different, full of a great sense of joy, and glad for the long life that has been allowed me. I have good plans for the next ten or twenty years, and I hope you’ll come along.”

    The Million Year Picnic

    Emotional Journeys

    The million year picnic begins as a trip. It isn’t forever, it isn’t anything that is seen in any other way than the way in which it has been addressed… it’s a fishing trip, but is it? The trip was Mom’s idea, but why mom? Why would she want to go fishing? Dad, on the other hand, seems nervous. His hands are trembling, he shuffles his feet, he has a hard time looking his children in the eye and questioning looks are shared between him and his wife. Their oldest son Timothy watches them both with eyes that also question, eyes that are also young enough to hold curiosity.

    Timothy remembers the trip from Earth. He remembers the night before they left, and he remembers the negative undercurrents that accompanied the packing… the rushed hurrying of unplanned spontaneity. Where had his father found the rocket? Why travel so far away? Why Mars? Timothy had kept silent. He’d questioned nothing in his desire to not to worry his brothers, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t have questions, it just meant that he hadn’t voiced them out loud.

    Their arrival on Mars finds them at the beginning of a journey. The two younger brothers are ready to fish, but Timothy senses that their presence in the water boat and their departure down the canal is more than what he’s been told. He holds onto his father’s hand, and he watches the changes in his father’s face… a look in his father’s eyes that he has never seen before, a look that isn’t easy to decipher, but also a look that doesn’t alarm him. The look he sees is reassuring, but why does this look ease his fears, and even more importantly, why was his father afraid? What has happened in the lives of these five people that forced them to take this trip to Mars, and are they the only ones making this fateful trip? Are there others, and if so, where are they?

    Timothy breathes in his father’s obvious sense of relief at their safe arrival, it calms him, but he continues to watch his father’s face while listening to the sounds of the violet water splashing against the sides of the boat. He relaxes even more as he observes how the lines in his father’s face are changing before his eyes… crevices caused and deepened by worry and apprehension are slowly transforming themselves into the lines of long-lost smiles.

    The Discussion

    Another story by Ray Bradbury was specifically requested by my students, and their request couldn’t have come at a better time, as Bradbury’s work enabled us to continue a discussion that had already begun. A Million Year Picnic was my own personal choice, and it was chosen to make them think. What is it that we are really afraid of, and if we’re scared, what will it take to alleviate our fears? Who is responsible for the situations we find ourselves in? Who and what protects a nation from fear, and who do we trust to make decisions for what are our lives? Do we trust anyone? Have we lost trust, and what will it take to get it back? The following quotations have already been mentioned in the summary, but these quotations are what became the basis for our discussion; “I was looking for Earthian logic, common sense, good government, peace, and responsibility.” His son asks, “All that up there?” To which the father responds, “No, I didn’t find it. It’s not there anymore. Maybe it’ll never be there again. Maybe we fooled ourselves that it ever was there,”

    The belief in the existence of Earthian logic is well and alive in our twelve and thirteen year old children. They concede that there are great men and women… men and women who possess great minds, compassion, empathy, vision, understanding, and the ability to use those gifts for the good of the whole. The American people. That our country feels as if it’s on a shaky path was agreed upon unanimously by the students, that we have reason to fear for our futures was also a majority rule decision. There was no debate that we are in trouble both as a country and as citizens of this planet, but they also have faith that if the people with power choose to use it in the right way, with good intentions, we can make it. They firmly believe that things can be better, that they can get better.

    Common sense and good government did not receive the same vote of confidence. There was much discussion about our government’s “posturing” for the media, for the people who watch. Posturing was not my word, but it was used by the children, and that’s how they perceive our government officials. They specifically noted several members of Congress (who will remain unnamed) that they consider to be fabulous orators, socializers, and ambassadors… great to watch on social media, but unrealistic in the capacity of government leaders. They do not see these overly loud and demanding officials as people who are leading a country, but rather, people who are looking for attention. They believe that too many decisions are made on the basis of what looks good, and the things that in all reality are good; they are put aside to suit the roles our officials have decided they want to fulfill. They see their government officials as having a great presence that is partnered by a lack of substance. They left me speechless.

    Peace is their greatest desire. Talk Middle Eastern politics with a group of middle schoolers; discuss the wars that have continued and repeated themselves for thousands of years and all for the same reason. Their immediate response is, “We were told to share in preschool. Why can’t adults learn to share?” We talked about religion and the way that one specific city is claimed by many religions, but why it can never really belong to any one of them. We talked about the privileges we take for granted… the church over there, the mosque in the city, the cathedrals, the temples, the freedom of religion we hold as God given rights.

    Natural resources, shortages… wars over oil, the probability of water someday holding that same value and provoking the same results. Peace is desired and unrest is inevitable, but how do we encourage the world to place the same values on the invaluable. How do we get the population of the Earth to hold morality and values as what is most important. Who is responsible for what could be a “global education,” and why doesn’t anyone want to take on the responsibility of just standing up and saying, “this just doesn’t work anymore; we are all responsible.” Where’s the common sense, and won’t the use of common sense bring us peace? I can’t answer that, but I did listen. I think we should all listen.

    There was a bright spot though, a moment of positivity, as my students proclaimed the father wrong, someone was giving up on the goodness of humanity. They believe that the things he searched for while looking back at the Earth he’d fled with his family had existed. They saw him as having given up, but they also saw what he’d done for the good of his family as the right thing. They saw him as a man who embodied Earthian Logic, as a visionary, and that his vision had taken him and his family on the million-year picnic that would enable him to do it all over again, the right way.

    The Reality

    Watching the rocket disappear behind them, the family moves on down the river. The younger boys ask, “How far are we going? How long until we get there?” The same questions asked by children everywhere at the outset of a family road trip, but this is not a “normal” family vacation, and the father responds that they are traveling, “a million years.”

    Their ride down the river reveals cities, but the once thriving cities are now dead and deserted. The father looks pleased; he’s obviously happy they’ve been abandoned, but why is he happy? Why is he visibly pleased at the sight of desolation and emptiness? A bird flies nearby, and the father is startled. He explains that he believed the bird to be a rocket, and he seems to be frightened.

    Traveling along the family looks towards home, searching the sky for a glimpse of Earth… the war torn cities they’d left behind. The father once again looks sad, nostalgic, and then he looks away to the empty, pink horizon that lay before them. Timothy senses his apprehension and asks why he is looking so hard… what is he looking for. His father responds, “I was looking for Earthian logic, common sense, good government, peace, and responsibility.” To which his son asks, “All that up there?” To which the father responds, “No, I didn’t find it. It’s not there anymore. Maybe it’ll never be there again. Maybe we fooled ourselves that it ever was there,” and he finishes by pointing out a fish nearby in the river.

    Further on they find themselves looking for Martians, but there is no evidence of their existence. The planet is empty, empty but for the family that has traveled there because their planet and the world they lived in no longer exists. The boys are entranced by a silver ring fish floating near the edge of their boat; they watch its actions, and the father responds by comparing the fish to the ravaged world they’d left for what three children had believed was a fishing trip. His comparison, “Just like war. War swims along, sees food, contracts. A moment later- Earth is gone.” What does this mean?

    The children continue to look for Martians… Martians that their mother claims to be a dead race, and their father says, “Maybe tonight.” He doesn’t deny their existence. The boat continues to roll through the canal, each inhabitant wearing a different faces… Dad’s look is determined, whereas Mom’s look is resolved. It is what it is, a simple fishing trip, rockets, an endless supply of food hidden where they’d landed, a gun, and then suddenly out of nowhere an explosion. Everyone jumps. The rocket has self-destructed, and the father’s intake of breath signals relief, but the children are now overcome with questions. Only Timothy seems complacent; he seems to understand.

    This is where we’ll leave off. If you want to know and understand Bradbury’s vision; you will need to read it for yourself. Is the family alone? Has anyone other than the father, once a state governor, seen the future and prepared? Will anyone else complete the journey? Has anyone else survived the end of the Earth, and if they have, will the generations of the future have learned from the mistakes of the past? Who are the Martians, and will they finally see them face to face? The answer to the last question; yes. Can you guess who the Martians are?

  • Assyria- The Rise and Fall of an Empire

    Hammurabi’s Legacy

    At the time of his death, Hammurabi, the sixth king of Babylon, had complete rule over the lands of Mesopotamia. The first few decades of his rule were peaceful, and during this period of respite from war, Hammurabi dedicated himself to the improvement of his capital in Babylon.

    Walls were made higher for defense, temples were expanded, dams were built, and alliances with minor kingdoms were forged. He had imposed a set of laws, the “Code of Hammurabi,” and his skills of leadership improved the administrative efficiency of his government… Hammurabi’s Babylon was powerful, wealthy, and well run. But for some reason none of his successors were able to maintain it, and before long invaders were knocking at the gates of his capital.

    Hammurabi

    The Assyrians

    After several centuries of turmoil, war, and invasion, Hammurabi’s former empire returned once more to imperial rule. The Assyrian cities of Assur and Nineveh had been amongst the first to break away from Babylonian rule after Hammurabi’s death. Improvements were made, armies were organized, and trade routes were established, and by 1300 B.C., Assyria had begun to gradually extend their control and authority over a very large portion of southwestern Asia.

    Assyrian armies brought fear to the masses; no city was safe from invasion. Battering rams and wheeled towers were implemented to bring down the walls of protesting cities; horse drawn chariots were added to the cavalry units and soon became a staple of war. Because of this, battles were not only more ferocious, they were quicker and more efficient. Archers decimated their foes from these rapidly moving platforms, and those who survived soon found themselves vulnerable to the infantry and cavalry units that followed.

    Assyrian forces were organized into units and commanded by professional soldiers. Attaining rank was not dependent on having political connections or having been born into the nobility. Assyria’s military leaders were chosen based on performance, merit, skill, and bravery.

    Prisoners were sometimes tortured, but most were taken captive and transported to growing cities as slaves. These conquered souls provided cheap labor for farmers and physical strength for building projects. Some prisoners actually escaped and returned to their homelands, but many embraced their lives in Assyria and eventually went on to start their own families and become citizens. Newly acquired skills afforded them job opportunities, family afforded them a sense of community, and citizenship gave them the right to vote.

    Ninevah

    Ninevah

    The Assyrians, like the majority of Mesopotamian peoples, relied heavily on the methods of administration their predecessors had implemented. Laws were similar to the Code of Hammurabi and literature was preserved in huge libraries.

    The vast library established at King Assurbanipal’s court housed literary and scholarly texts, as well as diplomatic correspondence and government records. One of the most important pieces of literature found among his texts was the Epic of Gilgamesh, a true gift to those who have read it.

    His palace was magnificent and luxurious, and the citizens of his empire shared in the wealth, enjoying a comfort never before known. That’s not to say that all citizens were fat, happy and content. Many of the people living in regions outside of Nineveh and Assur found Assyrian rule less than desirable. Rulers frequently faced rebellion by their subjects over what was an enormous area.

    These rebellions soon became a challenge to the administration, and ultimately, the combination of unrest and its ensuing assaults caused the empire to crumble. By the year 612 B.C., the Assyrian Empire had ceased to exist.

    Gilgamesh and Enkidu

    Many monuments have been discovered in the ruins of ancient Assyria; one such monument boasts the following inscription, commissioned by King Ashurnasipal to describe his army’s conquest of a city;

    “Their men, young and old, I took as prisoners. Of some I cut off the feet and hands; of others cut off the noses, ears, and lips; of the young men’s ears I made a heap; of the old men’s heads I built a minaret.”

    Sources

    Hawlinson’s “Five Great Monarchies” vol. 2, p85, note.

  • The Veldt: Middle School Book Club

    Beyond Entertainment

    Wednesday is my favorite day of the week, well, at least at school. It’s the day I get to move beyond the ever changing routine and actually have a discussion with the kids that they want to have. Wednesday is the day I actively challenge the people who repeatedly tell me that American children no longer possess imaginations, that they have no focus beyond their video games, or that they just don’t have the drive they used to have academically. You are wrong, and my kids will prove it.

    It isn’t the children who lack imagination, it’s the world they’ve grown up in. If all they ever experience in school is rote learning, fact based, nonfiction texts, and art projects that are planned rather than created, in addition to screens, screens, and more screens… it isn’t a surprise that their imaginations have been affected. If time at home is spent playing games, we aren’t enhancing their imaginations, we are allowing them to exist in a place that is the result of someone else’s imagination.

    Children and Voices

    It’s important to remember that everything we do influences the minds of the children around us. The things we wear, the things we say, and more importantly the opinions that we sometimes pass down without even stopping to really think about what we say. They learn from our every word, the words we don’t say, the shrug of our shoulders, the spontaneous smiles, and the smiles that are withheld. Book clubs encourage discussion, friendly debate, and critical thinking. They are not a venue for showcasing our superior minds; they are meant to “open” up the collective minds of the group itself, to allow for imagination, and most importantly give the children a voice to interpret and apply fine literature to their own lives, to see that they’ve something of their own experiences to apply in every situation, and they do just that…. proudly and loudly.

    Ray Bradbury

    Ray Bradbury is one of the most popular American writers of our time. Over the years his writing has not only been embraced by literary circles but has served to inspire filmmakers and television executives as well. His writing is timeless and appreciation for his work has no boundaries. He appeals to young audiences, as well as the more mature. He changes the way that people think, but more than that, he makes them think.

    The Veldt is one of Bradbury’s short stories and was originally published in the Saturday Evening Post under the title, The World the Children Made. It was later republished in Bradbury’s anthology The Illustrated Man.

    Change In America

    The 1950s brought many changes to America. America was changing, technology was changing, and the fear that families too would change became a worry for many. Technology was feared, not for the advances being made, but for the way they might affect the family as a whole. The world of television was invading the homes of American families, and American families were both enthralled by its appearance, and yet, they were unsure how this new family member would affect the family unit as it settled in and made itself at home. Bradbury wrote The Veldt in response to this fear, but he takes it one step further. Bradbury creates a machine that purposely allows that same separation and detachment everyone was worried about… a machine that has the capability of destroying the family unit, and ultimately, it does just that.

    The Veldt/ A Summary

    George and Lydia have it all, and that’s exactly what they’ve given their children. The couple have purchased a Happy Life Home, and they’ve purchased it for $30,000.00. Just think! It cooks your food…. no more cooking; it does your laundry, and it dresses you. Breakfast, lunch, dinner… all you have to do is sit at the table, and your every wish is granted. You are washed and bathed, massaged and coddled, rocked to sleep, and transported through your home without having to move a muscle, all of this luxury, and yet, they’ve even upgraded. At half of the cost of the house, a mere $15,000.00, they’ve added an enormous nursery. Nothing is too good for their children, or is it?

    The nursery can be anything the kids desire. It can be the beach or a fairy tale. They can travel anywhere they’d like, experience anything the world has to offer, and do it all from the enormous addition that was made to their home. The room comes complete with wind, hot sun, and yes, even “odorphonics.” You’d never know the places weren’t real, or are they?

    The Dreams of Children

    The story opens with Lydia drawing her husband into a conversation about their children. She is visibly worried that they are spending far too much time in the nursery, that the places they’re visiting aren’t suitable, and that the fact they have chosen the African Veldt as their escape of choice is alarming.

    She wants her husband to call the psychologist, but she wants him to call the psychologist for the house. The “happy home” that they talk to, the home that talks back, that they thank for its every service; the home that was supposed to make their lives perfect, but it isn’t perfect and she’s crying. She wants to leave. Lydia feels as if she’s become unimportant, that she’s not needed. She’s no longer the caregiver, no longer a wife, no longer a mother, and she isn’t wrong.

    The children come home, and they want their nursery. When their parents talk about shutting it down, they react as if a cherished family member has passed away. They throw tantrums, they threaten, and then they shift gears just quickly enough that they get their way. They know exactly how to manipulate mom and dad. They know that their parents will give them anything to keep the peace, and they know this because their parents have forgotten how to be parents. Their attachment is not to the ones who gave them life, but rather the technology that has taken care of them. The house is their parents, and it’s the only caregiver they’ve ever known, and because of their love and loyalty to that caregiver, they are willing to do anything they have to in order to save its life.

    Where did the veldt come from, and why is it their preferred destination? What happened to the fairy tales, the trips to Wonderland, the cow jumping over the moon, and visions of Pegasus flying in the sky that was a ceiling. Where had the fairy castles, fireworks, and sounds of angels gone? Why the veldt? Why the sounds of roaring lions, the heat from the sun, the smell of blood, and why the screams? Who is screaming?

    Exasperated and frightened the parents call on the psychologist. He too is concerned, and explains what the room was intended for:

    “One of the original uses of these nurseries was so that we could study the patterns left on the walls by the child’s mind, study at our leisure, and help the child. In this case, however, the room has become a channel toward destructive thoughts instead of a release from them.” The Veldt

    He explains that the children are emotionally “in trouble,” that the children have become more than the spoiled children he’d originally become acquainted with, and that for some reason they’ve become angry, or let down in some way. George admits that punishments for bad behavior have been to deny the children of things that are second nature to them and is told that these things that have been taken away are the things that have replaced both he and his wife in the children’s affection. George had once been a Santa, and now he was a Scrooge, and we all know that kids don’t like Scrooge.

    His advice is to shut off the house completely, to put the children in therapy, and to get as far away as possible from the life they’ve been living, but can they? Can they get away? Can they say no and really mean it?

    That is where I’ll leave the summary…. look the story up online; it’s a short one, and here is what my eighth graders had to say about the whole thing….

    The first part of the discussion was pretty basic, but it was also filled with surprises. I almost wanted to make a list of the things that came up, but I don’t think that it would have the same effect. I would rather invite the parents of these eleven children in for an instant replay. I think they’d be touched, but that they’d also leave feeling more than a little guilty. It was an eye opener.

    For starters, your kids know the difference between wants and needs. They love technology, but they love something else more, and that would be you. I’ll start with smart phones; the kids love to own them, but they want you to lose yours more than they love the ones that they carry. There wasn’t one child in this group who didn’t dread the call from work on the weekend that would take their parents away. They hate the accessibility that takes you away from them. They look at your phones as intruders, and they are almost jealous of them to a certain point. The girls talked about waiting for shopping trips with their mothers, and then never having their mother’s complete attention because they spent their time on the phone… at that point they wished they’d just gone with their friends. This is where we lose them, the times that we’re with them, but we’re not; the times that are supposed to be planned and special, but that lose the “special.” They want that undivided attention, and they need it.

    Most all of these kids come from two income families. They appreciate that their parents work to give them the things they need, but they don’t like the time taken away that gives them what they want. None of them claimed to be immune to wants, but each and every one of them admitted to having more than they need. They all want to spend more time with their parents, and they want it more than they want the video game or the new clothes. They want the time, not the overtime.

    The boys talked a lot about baseball games, and they glowed over dad showing up for the last few innings, but they also had no trouble mentioning the missed home run. All of them, both the girls and the boys wished there were more family dinners, resent the times they’re shooed out of the room because everyone is too busy, and claim that each of their parents has unknowingly used the television, gaming systems, or the computer as a babysitter. Don’t get me wrong, there was no parent bashing in this group; it was all just honesty; their feelings and their honesty.

    “Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you’ll never, never have to worry about grown up things again. “

    One of the boys… one of my quiet ones, made one of the most thought provoking analogies of the entire discussion, one of the best I’ve ever heard, maybe because I’d never thought of it myself. We won’t talk about the fact that I’ve used this story probably fifteen times in the last twenty years, that it was required reading for me while in high school, or that I’ve had the pleasure of working with some really brilliant kids in the past; he wowed me! As all of the other kids were challenging each other over the deep meaning of Africa, the smell of blood, bloody wallets, and comparing Bradbury’s futuristic vision of the nursery to the present day IMAX Theatre and playing games on their Switches, he completely changed the course of the discussion with this simple question, “Do you think the author had a hidden meaning in using the characters of Peter and Wendy in this story? They are Peter Pan and Wendy you know?”

    Well, I didn’t know, and I still don’t, but they had an unreal debate about the lost boys and the desire to stay children, as well as the fact that technology, going home to empty houses, and all of the chaos of everyone coming home and just trying to get it all done has taken away their ability to just be kids. They talked about wanting to go fishing and to be able to do something after school without it taking major planning. They talked about just wanting to be able to go outside, and the fact that most of them can’t because they need to go home. They don’t want to, but they need to, and they do understand, but they also grasped this understanding that Peter and Wendy didn’t know love, and how it made them selfish, and they likened this understanding to Peter Pan’s not understanding what a mother is. Peter Pan thought nothing of his actions because he didn’t know better. He couldn’t understand Wendy’s attachment and love for her family because he’d never had one, and that lack of knowledge made him their perfect example of unknowing selfishness.

    The end of our time together brought even more insights to the way our children think, and don’t ever misguide yourself into believing that they don’t. They think, and they think deeply. Our discussion ended with thoughts of what would happen if a child had never known love, a child’s never having been nurtured, and the fact that love grows through a sense of touch, the feeling of security, and what you see in the eyes of the people who love you. My readers conceded that Peter and Wendy had never experienced the warmth of human touch, or that they had forgotten it. They described the children’s lack of emotion and detachment from their parents as inevitable. The children were cold because they’d never felt warmth… they were detached because they’d never felt connected, and they were unable to really feel love because they didn’t know what it felt like. The children felt nothing, nothing for their parents, and nothing for the things around them. They were empty inside, and it wasn’t their fault. All they knew was the house, and to them the house was the one living thing they had to come home to every day. It took care of what they needed, and they didn’t want it to die. One of the girls likened this to a boy she’d had a crush on. She said he was a jerk, but he was a boyfriend, and a jerky boyfriend was better than not having one at all…. so in her eyes, the house was better than nothing. I’ll give her that, but I will be challenging her jerky boyfriend theory in a smaller setting.

    That is where I’ll end. The rest of our discussion was all about Bradbury’s conclusion to the story, and I want you to read it. Revealing the end would be defeating the purpose, and it’s a killer ending.