Kenneth George was born in Birmingham, England back in 1934 to Harold and Ethel.  He lived with his father and stepmother in Hastings, Sussex.He worked for a circus where he learned to ice skate.  Having a taste of show business, he formed a comedy act called the Minitones, making the nightclub circuit. He was able to land some roles in several films.  Living in Preston, Lancashire he died just 11 days prior to his 82nd birthday.  What you may not know about Kenneth George Baker is that he is best remembered as the character of R2-D2 in the Star Wars movies, for you see he stood only 3’08” tall.  He married Eileen who also had dwarfism.  They had two children who did not inherit dwarfism. On a side note he also was the Ewok in the 1983 Return of the Jedi film.  Until tomorrow keep that ... 12/02/2017

Mary Mason was born in Buckland, Massachusetts back in 1797. Her father died when she was 5 and her mother remarried when she was 13. Her mother moved with her new husband however, Mary stayed behind so the home and farm would stay in the family.In her spare time, she attended various school and in 1814 she actually taught some classes. She was called upon to help open a school, more on that in a moment. She was a hard teacher, having the students exercise by walking one mile after breakfast. During the winter the students was required to do calisthenics for 45 minutes instead of walking.She died in 1849 from erysipelas (look that one up), her burial site is marked with a granite stone surrounded by an iron fence. What you may not know about Mary Mason Lyon is she established the Wheato... 11/28/2017

Hanna Lindberg was born in 1865 in Sweden.  She worked as a Gofer and a milliner before opening her own hat shop in 1891.  She was active in the YMCA as well as within the women’s suffrage society.  As far as my research could go she never married and was quite wealthy in those days.  She died in 1951, nothing much here is it?  Well now let’s get to the rest of the story.What you may not know about Hanna is that she was the first woman elected to the Orebro city municipal council, thus making her the first female in Swedish history to do so.   Short one for today nonetheless important as a first.  Until tomorrow keep a smile on your face and pass it on.    11/17/2017

James Buel was born in Russellville, Arkansas back in 1933. Sorry that is all the information I have, that is except for the rest of the story.I lived on Linker Mountain between Dover and Russellville, Arkansas several decades ago. So, the area is familiar to me. I had some of the best times of my childhood on Linker Mountain. I can remember the old potbelly coal burning stoves in the classroom and no air-conditioner. Anyway, let’s get to the rest of the story.He spent his young adult life working as a high school teacher, served in the United States Army and as a construction contractor. In 1971, he became what he had always dreamed of and that was being a knife maker.He was particularly known for his Survival knife. He made several Bowie knives that he presented to then Governor Bill ... 11/16/2017

James Patrick was born in Paisley, Scotland back in 1911.  The family moved to the United States in 1920.  For medical reasons he was separated at Ellis Island from his family for three and one-half days.  He had planned to be a priest however while in school he began to abuse alcohol and drugs.  In 1950 he attended Alcoholics Anonymous.  While attending those meetings he met someone that forever changed his life.  In 1953 he and some other members of Alcoholics Anonymous began to hold their own separate meetings.  He was granted permission from AA to adapt their Twelve Steps for his program.  He wrote the program and to this day is still used.  He designed the logo, the Group Logo, The Service Symbol and wrote the Gratitude Prayer just to name a few.  What you may not know about James ... 10/27/2017

Arthur J. Hubbard was born in Topawa, Arizona Territory back in 1912.  He studied at the University of Arizona, he led the Navajo tribal band as a trombone player and singer.Just prior to WWII he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.  he was an instructor for the Navajo Code Talker’s.  he trained over 200 men to transmit coded messages using the Navajo language.  After his tour of duty, he was appointed Director of Indian Development. District of rezone by then Governor Jack Williams.   Among his other duties he served as a water rights advisor to the Tohono O’odman Nation as well as a Navajo culture and language instructor at Arizona State University.  He helped establish the first college within the Navajo Nation, Dine College.  He died in2014 at 102.  What you may not know about... 10/01/2017

Cliff Friend was born in Cincinnati, Ohio back in 1893. He studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He wanted to be a concert pianist that is until he had a three-year bout of tuberculosis.He met Harry Richman and the two moved to Los Angeles, California where the two met Al Jolson. Al encouraged them to move again to New York City where they became part of Tin Pan Alley.   From there as they say the rest is history.You may not know Cliff Friend but you know of his works. So, tell me do you remember some of his writings? Let’s start off with Lovesick Blues, Then I’ll Be Happy, If I Only Had You, Let’s Have a Party, and of course The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down. If you don’t recognize the last one that’s okay maybe you recognize it as the theme song in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes... 09/19/2017

Pedro Flores was born in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Philippines back in 1896.  The family moved to the U.S. in 1915.  He attended the High School of Commerce in San Francisco, afterwards he went on to study law at the University of California, Berkley.Dropping out of school before graduation he found employment as a bellboy, working other odd jobs to make a living.  One day he red n article bout  self-made millionaire which got him to thinking about something he played with as a boy in the Philippines.He started the company in Santa Barbara in 1928.  In 1932, during the depression he sold the company for 250,000.00 (a fortune in those times) and never looked back.  In the 1930, he established contests which are still being played today.  In fact, I’m sure most of you as children had one of h... 09/09/2017

Edward Zane Carroll was born in Harpersfield, New York back in 1823. Th family moved to Bethany, Pennsylvania in 1826 and on to Philadelphia in 1834. In that same year at the tender age of 12 he ran away from home to serve on a Navy vessel. In 1838 he was commissioned as a midshipman in President Martin Van Buren.He served on the USS Levant, the USS Constellation and the USS Boston. He was involved in the Seminole Wars and after 4 years at sea he resigned. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the 1st New York Mounted rifles rising to the rank of sergeant however, he was dishonorably discharged for drunkenness. So, he began to write and write he did. His adopted pen name was a nautical term for a rope at the bottom or a square sail.In 1845 facing bankruptcy he fled from Ohio to Kentucky ... 03/22/2017

A soldier’s letterThe letter started out “Dear Papa”. We have all been in one fine fight and it was not so exciting as I had hoped, not as exciting as affairs in Mexico, because there was so much company. when the shelling first stared I had some doubts.The letter went on comparing the first major battle he fought in to that of taking a cold bath, once you get in it is all right.   During that same battle this soldier was wounded by a bullet from a machine-gun. The letter compared the battle to that of vanity is stronger than fear. In the heat of battle there is little of the element of fear.For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. You may be asking yourself who wrote the letter? Why I’m so glad you did for you see it was written by then 32-ye... 09/23/2016

Thor Heyerdahl was born in Larvik, Norway back in 1914 to Thor and Alison.  He was fascinated in zoology, he even created a small museum in his parents’ home.  The main attraction was a common adder.   Not surprisingly he studied zoology and geography at the University of Osio.  During WWII after the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, he served with the Free Norwegian Forces in 1944.  He married three times and the unions bore him five children.  He died in 2002 and is buried in the family’s garden in Colla Micheri.  He published two books one in 1938 and the other one in 1996.  However, during the time from 1944 until his death he will be noted in history one thing he accomplished, so can you tell me what that one thing was?  As usual you’re in luck because I know the answer and her... 08/10/2016

Roger Sherman was born in Newton, Massachusetts back in 1721 to William and Mehetabel.  His education did not extend beyond his father’s library and grammar school.  His early career was that of a shoe-maker. In 1743 due to his father’s death he moved (on foot) to New Milford, Connecticut where he opened u the town’s first store.  He had an aptitude for mathematics and became the county surveyor of New Haven County in 1745.  He was married twice, as a result he fathered fifteen children thirteen of which reached adulthood (busy guy wasn’t he)?    Anyway due to his let’s call it home schooling became an early American lawyer and statesman.  However, the all-important question is what will he forever be written down in the history books for? Well you’re in luck, he was a founding Father o... 07/31/2016

John Knox was born in Gifford, Scotland back in 1723 to James and Anne. He attended Haddington Grammar School and went on for a Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in 1739. He stayed at the university studying for another degree. He received an honorary doctorate degree in divinity in 1764. He became a Church of Scotland minister at Beith, Ayshire. He married Elizabeth, the union bore them ten children, only five reached adulthood.He became President and head professor at the College of New Jersey in Princeton.   In 1768 he became the sixth President at Princeton University. He was an avid supporter of the American Revolution. He was politically active being a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress. Sorry I guess I’ll tell you I’m writing about John Knox... 07/11/2016

Thanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post.  My intent is to put a smile on your face.  Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know.  Now sit back and enjoy the post for the day.Harry Conway was born in Chicago, Illinois back in 1885.  He graduated from the University of Chicago and worked in the sports department of the San Francisco Chronicle.  He was hired the San Francisco Examiner, owned by William Randolph Hearst.  His passion was drawing characters and as the say the rest is history.  He worked with Nestor Studios of New Jersey and then opened up a production company.  His drawings resulted in 36 short film comedies in 1913.  From 1916 to 1926 there were an additional 277 short films from the characters h... 06/10/2016

George MaledonThanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post.  My intent is to put a smile on your face.  Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know.  Now sit back and enjoy.George was born in Germany back in 1830. As a child his family moved to Detroit, Michigan and at 18 he moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas. He worked as a police officer for many years.  At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Arkansas Light Artillery, serving in the 1st. Battalion. After the war he returned to Fort Smith where he worked as a night guard in the Federal jail. When Isaac Parker was appointed judge over the Western District he hired George and as they say the rest is history. Not only did he serve as a Federal Officer he was... 05/15/2016

 George PerkinsThanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post.  My intent is to put a smile on your face.  Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know.  Now sit back and enjoy.George was born in Woodstock, Vermont back in 1801.  His father was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  He graduated from Phillips Academy and went on to Dartmouth College and graduated there with highest honors.  Afterwards he studied law in Burlington, Vermont where he was admitted to the bar in 1825.  In 1849 then President Zachary Taylor appointed him United States minister resident in the Ottoman Empire.So now I guess is the best time to tell you I’m writing about George Perkins Marsh.  But can you tell me what he is most note... 04/15/2016

Eleuthere IreneeThanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post.  My intent is to put a smile on your face.  Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know.  Now sit back and enjoy.Eleuthere was born in Paris, France back in 1771 to Pierre and Nicole.  In 1785 he entered the College Royal in Paris.  I do not know if he graduated but I can tell you a brief synopsis of the rest of his life.  Two in 1787 he was a student of Antoine Lavoisier a noted chemist.  He main study and focus was on “advanced explosives production techniques”.  In 1799 he moved to the United States and thus is where the rest of the story begins.  Oh I might as well tell you the rest of his name but not just yet…. He took his knowledge of chemistry a... 04/10/2016

Louis Aston MarantzThanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post.  My intent is to put a smile on your face.  Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know.  Now sit back and enjoy.Louis was born in Jamaica back in 1923 to Aston and Rosalind.  I have no history of his childhood, however at 17 he emigrated to the United States.  He attended Columbia University.  He served in WWII as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and fought in France, the Netherland, Belgium and Germany.  After the war he continued his education at the University of Paris before returning to the U.S.  So you may wonder who I’m writing about today well he is better known as Louis Simpson.  After returning to the U.S. he eventually graduated fr... 04/05/2016

The Living Bible Tour at The Great Passion Play and Christ of the Ozarks The Living Bible Tour included thee following stops (clockwise): The Shepherd    ♥  The Woman at the Well The Passover House   ♥  The High Priest The Temple  ♥  Ruth  ♥  Peter (2 Photos) ♥  Moses (2 Photos)  ♥ Mary, Mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene Center: Christ of the Ozarks We saw the Living Bible Tour in the morning, visited The Christ of the Ozarks, which is also on the same grounds,  and then went back to camp for the afternoon. We were back that evening for The Great Passion Play. The last time that we were here we did not do the Living Bible Tour. I’m SO glad that we did this time.  It was perfect to set the stage for the play that evening! If you are ever in Eureka Springs, Don’t miss out on the Living Bibl... 10/25/2011

  If you haven't heard me say it you might be the last person on earth (or at least Active Rain) hearing it. I tell everyone that will listen. I love summer! M. and I have a sort of 'close to home' life. Her business takes up a lot time especially in the summer months. My time is spent on real estate, as in yard work for our properties in addition to working with clients. Since that makes it a challenge to get away while it's warm years ago we decided to put together this little pool scene in the side yard. We have never regretted it even for a minute. In real estate pools bring out the full spectrum of opinions and debates about value and so on. I say a pool is a great deal. It can be difficult to get a day off and get away, but you can almost always catch a few hours here and there to... 06/29/2011