Once again, it’s time for one of my favorite events: The Patrick Cleburne Festival in Cleburne, Texas. Some had forced the festival to end due to Cleburne being a Confederate General. Ironically, he was one Confederate who early in the war advocated emancipation of all slaves in the South and stood opposed to it in principle. albion gold Here are my two favorite quotes of Patrick Cleburne:

Here’s a good synopsis of the Festival and what you can expect to see this year as well. I found this in an article by the Cleburne Times Review in 2011 when the festival returned: After an 11-year hiatus, a birthday celebration for Gen. buy albion silver Patrick Cleburne returns to his namesake city on Saturday. The full day of events to honor the Irish-born Confederate general takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Buddy Stewart Park, on U.S. 67 South in Cleburne. buy albion gold “I don’t know how many times people stopped me at Walmart or the grocery store and said, ‘Hey, when are we going to do the Pat Cleburne celebration again?’” said retired train conductor Melvin Burt, who is helping organize the event along with the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce. The birthday commemoration activities include a Scottish Festival and Heritage celebration with living history camps, Civil War re-enactors, a chuck wagon cooking contest, Scottish and Irish vendors, a wild west show and Scottish games. Activities also include a tractor show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., courtesy of the Johnson County Tractor Club, a car show from 10 a.m. cheap albion silver to 2 p.m. and a period style fashion show at 2 p.m. The Sons of Confederate Veterans Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937 will conduct re-enactments throughout the day and the Heritage Brass Band from Dallas, a volunteer re-enactment band performing on Civil War-period instruments, will perform a concert at noon. “[Terry’s Texas Rangers] has two cannons. cheap albion gold They will be demonstrating firing and loading of those cannons,” Burt said. “We’ll set up command tents just like a camp where soldiers would live.” Chamber President Cathy Marchel said that they have also received many requests from residents to bring back the birthday commemoration. “The board this last year wanted to bring back the event. We’re excited about the opportunity to start the birthday celebration again for Cleburne,” she said. “We’re really hoping the people will come out. It’s going to be a fantastic event. The committee is very embraced in it.” Historian Rick Pitman is also onboard to speak about Cleburne and the history surrounding him at two sessions at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Born in County Cork, Ireland, in March 1828, Cleburne immigrated to the United States in 1849 to escape the Great Famine. Nicknamed “Stonewall Jackson of the South” and beloved by the soldiers under his command, Cleburne was also known for a most controversial proposal in an effort to save the Confederacy, proposing to enlist slaves into military service in exchange for their freedom. cheap albion gold He even proposed extending that freedom to their families. He hoped emancipation would bring foreign support to the Confederacy and solve the manpower problem, and despite a similar proposal from Gen. albion silver Robert E. Lee, most Confederate leaders did not share the same opinion as Cleburne. Cleburne would not live to see the act passed by the Confederate Congress in 1865 allowing slaves to enlist, dying in November 1864, along with Gen. Hiram B. Granbury, in Franklin, Tenn., in an ill-fated battle under the command of Gen. John Bell Hood. Cleburne is buried at the Confederate Cemetery in Helena, Ark., where each year around his birthday, the Arkansas Division Sons of Confederate Veterans conducts a memorial service. buy albion gold “It’s going to be a family fun day. We would like everybody to come out and see what the Pat Cleburne Day is all about,” Marchel said. “We hope to grow this event every year. We just need to have a sunny chamber day.” Admission and parking is free and volunteers will be available to help visitors in and out of the park area.

I believe in serendipity, especially when it comes to the discovery of a good book. Air Jordan 7 Retro At a Friends of the Library sale, I came upon The Wilderness World of John Muir, Edited by Edwin Way Teale. polska biega asics Having ancestors who are Scots-Irish and knowing members of the Muir Clan, I was intrigued. cheap albion gold With this book, I encountered the real man, a real Scottish man who had changed the world by changing man’s view and estimation of his environment. Reading an overview of his on-foot journeys, reminded me of Guy Clarke’s song, “Walking Man.” The book is dedicated to The Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, The National Parks Association, and all those who are fighting the good fight to preserve what John Muir sought to save. I had heard of Muir, but knew little about him. soldes nike 2017 From this book, I learned many surprising things about him–his Scottish outspokenness, his family, his journeys and journals, and most of all, I realized how ignorant much of America is about this Scotsman, who came to a land rich in beauty and wanted the world to know. buy albion silver Muir had a toughness that few even in those hard frontier days had. Bulldog Football Jerseys buy albion gold According to the jacket of the book, from 1838-1914, he covered most of the American wilderness alone and on foot, without a gun or sleeping bag with only a sackful of provisions (prob. Portland Trail Blazers cheap albion silver hardtack and tea) that would have challenged the will of the most dedicated ascetic monk. Air Max 90 Yeezy The introduction ends with this very fitting quote: “His [Muir] finest monument is the wild beauty he called attention and helped preserve–beauty, however, that is never entirely safe, beauty that needs as vigilant protection and tomorrow as it needed yesterday (xx). albion silver Muir once said, “A man in his books,” he once wrote, “may be said to walk the earth long after he had gone.” Muir did make our world better. Canotte Los Angeles Clippers albion gold He loved nature as much, if not more, than the Transcendentalists, and without a doubt, I think he knew nature better than they. Toronto Raptors cheap albion gold If I’ve tweaked your interest, find this book. new balance 1600 femme buy albion gold Used copies can be had cheaply on Amazon.

Since it’s so close to Halloween, I decided to publish here a short story I wrote some time ago that is based on the legend of La Llarona. I’d like to know what you think of it, so leave a comment if you can.

BODIES IN THE TRINITY: by Rickey Pittman

A story of La LLorona

Evil is a true thing in Mexico. It goes about on its own legs. Maybe some day it will come to you. Maybe it already has—Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses I AM LA LLARONA, AND I WEEP FOR MY CHILDREN. cheap albion gold For centuries of nights I have wandered along the waters throughout Mexico. College Football Jerseys And yes, I walk along the banks of your Trinity River. albion gold I have strolled along your Turtle Creek, your Bachman Lake and the other waters. You are surprised to find me in your country? Do not be. No, in my lifetime, your land too was once a part of Mexico.

I am a Mexican ghost, born of a desert tragedy. On that dreadful night, when I realized my lover had abandoned us, I blew out the last candle I had lit for him and drowned my two little children, damning myself forever. But as I was a whore in the eyes of all, what else could I have done? I had given this man my virginity, my honor, my future. No one would help us—-not my parents, not the Holy Church, not the residents of our pueblo. adidas stan smith rose gold I am forever lost now—in the night, in the madness, pain, hopelessness, grief, and loneliness. Ay, mis hijos, ¿Donde Estan mis hijos? But I have found I am not so alone. cheap albion silver One night, I came upon a couple–shouting, fighting. asics gel lyte 5 donna Two young children clutched each other nearby, watching. A boy and a girl. They so reminded me of my own. “Jorge, please, take us home,” the woman said. “The children are frightened.” The man spat at her and threw her to the ground. “No.

I do not care where you go, but you will not return with me.” He cursed, then stormed out of sight. When I came to her, she was weeping. “Why do you weep, querida?” I asked. She shook her head and did not answer, wiping fiercely at the tears on her cheeks. I lifted her chin with my hand so she would look at me. Air Jordan 4 Retro “What is your name?” “Veronica.” “He was your man, was he not? And now he has left you? Answer me.” “Yes. But who are you? Are you an angel?” “Yes, querida. I am your angel tonight—your guide and guardian.” “Oh, thank you!” She clutched my legs and buried her tear-stained face in my dress. Her weeping tore my heart. “Jorge has abandoned me. And now who will take care of my children?” She clenched her fists and held them against her face. I sat next to her and wrapped my arms around her. “I will help you take care of them. I am your sister. Do you not see the resemblance?” I brushed my fingers through her long dark hair and looked deep into the black-pearl eyes. “I understand your pain. Look into the river. buy albion silver The river holds the secret. The river will tell you what to do.” Dipping my hand into the water, I held my arm up and watched the drops slip back into the river. As she sobbed and stared at the water, I held out my hands to the children. “Come, hijos.” I led them back to Veronica, and we sat together, staring at the river. In the distance I could see the Dallas skyline, and even in our remote location, the sirens, and sounds of the city roared in my head. I knew what the mother would soon do, and so I kissed each of them and left them there by the water, and followed Jorge. buy albion gold I found him leaning against a tree smoking. He smelled of tequila and beer. I stepped behind him and gently tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he said, “Jesus, you scared me. buy albion gold Buenos noches.” He attempted to walk away, but I moved in front of him. “Ah, but you would not leave me so soon? And such a handsome man.” I stroked his cheek and placed my hand on his chest. “Such very fine clothes. Surely you are able to give a woman all the things she needs.” “So the lady wants something from me, tonight, eh?” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and put my arms around his neck. “I knew a man very much like you once. Why are you here, guapo, my handsome one? You are all alone and along sad waters.” “I’m looking for a beautiful woman like yourself.” I could see the lust in his eyes. “Why won’t you marry Veronica?” He pushed me away. albion silver “You know her, don’t you? She sent you? Does she think she can trick me into keeping her? Why should a successful man marry beneath himself? My family disproves of her. As they would of you.” The arrogance in his eyes enraged me. cheap albion gold “But she will have nothing without you.” “She is no longer my concern.” “I know you, Jorge, and many more like you.” I clutched him and kissed him hard, biting his lip. “So the lady wishes to play hard?” “You have no idea how hard I can play.” I took him by the hand toward the river. “Come, lie with me.” He grinned. “You will not forget this night.” “Nor you,” I said. He struggled to live, but it was in vain. nike requin tn pas cher In those last moments, when I held his head under the water, I knew his thoughts. How can a woman be so strong? Will my body be found tomorrow in the dirty water of the Trinity? You think I’m cruel. A murderer of my own children. A malevolent spirit. adidas original pas cher fille Perhaps. But I am no more cruel than your society, which drowns your little ones in violence, in drugs, in neglect. It is a terrible thing to lose a child. asics sneakers sklep If you listen in the quiet of the night, you will hear me weep for my children, and for yours. They are all my children now. I want to save them, but I don’t know how. Ay, mis hijos, mis hijos. ¿ Donde estan mis hijos? And Dallas has many drowning children for me to cry for.

Civil War Fiction Books about the Civil War continue to be churned out. I think the War Between the States must be one of the most popular topics to write about. Through the years, I’ve managed to build up a respectable library on the War. I’m working on a book for one of my publishers, Booklocker, on how to write about the Civil War. albion silver This book is on the list of my future projects, and as soon as I get a lot of rat killing done, I can see to it. cheap albion gold As an English teacher for both the high school and college levels, I’ve read and taught many books about the Civil War that are in the genre of fiction. If you’re a teacher, or just one who is interested in reading good Civil War fiction, here’s a list of those books with a few comments. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. An all time best seller and classic on the Civil War—and with good reason. buy albion gold I don’t think anyone has written anything comparable. cheap albion gold It is a masterpiece. Unfortunately, few in the modern generation have read it. Few have even seen the movie, one of the greatest movies of all time. buy albion gold Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier The movie was good, the book is better, but as they say, “Never judge a book by its movie.” This novel is rich in detail, honest about the Confederates who fought in the war, and more or less written from a Confederate-friendly point of view. His second epic novel on the Civil War didn’t have as much success, in spite of the big bucks he received for it. Andersonville by McKinlay Kantor. When I first began reading this novel, I was expecting more of the usual Yankee-point-of-view misinformation and propaganda. I was delightfully surprised. albion gold An honest representation of both sides and an unsettling description of this Georgia prisoner of war camp. cheap albion silver In a future article, I’ll write about some other pieces of literature. buy albion silver These should get you started.

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Rock-a-bye baby,

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A Review of Beuowulf: Retold by Gary Whitaker I still remember the first time I encountered the text of Beowulf. Air Jordan 5 Donna I was a NT Greek major at Abilene Christian University and one of the readings in British Literature was of course, Beuowulf. I was stunned and mesmerized. As I entered the kennings and litotes and other literary devices of my Viking ancestors, I knew I had found something that touched my soul and heart. College Football Jerseys Steve Weathers, a life-long friend, was my instructor, and as he taught the Anglo-Saxon account of the Viking tale, my soul took flight and in my imagination, I walked the mead-halls as a dragon hunter. Scarpe Jordan Basket The next significant time I encountered Beowulf was with Gary Whitaker, a storyteller who generously encouraged and prompted me to pursue Scottish-Irish storytelling. I owe him a great deal. In addition to the storytelling encouragement, I found a man who loved Beowulf as much as I did—a man who understood the tale, who felt it in his bones, and as I listened to his account, I heard the voices of the ancient bards and scops retelling one of the stories that made me decide to become an English major. Nike Air Max 2016 Dames Zwart I’m delighted to say that Whitaker has made a DVD that relates the tale of Beowulf, and one that does it well. chaussures nike air max pas cher You can find Whitaker as a storyteller at such prestigious events as the North Texas Irish Festival. You can order his DVD of Beowulf on his website below. nike He has other CDs and DVDs that would interest anyone who is fascinated by Celtic or Norse mythology or legends, including Tales of Ancient Warriors, Summer of the Red Dragon, and Something Wicked. For anyone who loves ancient legend and literature, hearing Whitaker as a storyteller is a mesmerizing and unforgettable experience. nike air max 90 donna Whitaker’s website is here: http://www.storymantales.com/ He is approachable, so listen to his samples and drop him an email. nike air max pas cher I highly recommend him. I’d love to hear your thoughts about what you find.

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