I'm never much of a Halloween fan, but my worksite said we were all to dress up this year, historical theme. I'm a fan of both British and Colonial American Naval History, and as a tribute to the French Naval power, I struck a pose with my hand in my jacket, Nepolian-like.
Also, we spent time in Albuquerque again. I like their unique architecture and southwest designs. Usually, it's warmer there than home, but not this trip.
A few years ago, while watching CSPAN II's weekly "Book T.V.", I came upon a great interview of author Nath Philbrick. I knew nothing of him. He was discussing his newest book, "Mayflower". I found this to be of much interest. Soon after, my oldest daughter, then attending BYU, told me of Philbrick's recent visit on her campus, discussing this book in a BYU Forum with students in the large Marriott Center. Thereafter, I myself listened to that address on the computer. I waited until the book came out in paperback, bought it, but then it sat on my nightstand book pile for months and months. I've just recently gotten to it, and have found it to be one of the best books I've read in a long time. I commend it everyone I know.
A few things I have found to be most interesting are cited here:
*Turkey, associated with Thanksgiving, was not something new to New Englanders. During Spain's explorations into Central America in the 1500's, domesticated turkey was found common place. Brought back to Europe, these smaller birds we raised thereafter in Europe. The wild turkey found in New England, were larger birds, easily tracked down due to their cumbersome size and heavy prints left in Massachusetts snows.
*Both Squanto and Massasoit may be viewed as "friends" from the English perspective, but they had their own agenda's, and were turn-coats of sorts, to their own tribes and people.
*Miles Standish......warmonger. I'm not impressed with him. Shady character.
*William Bradford.....certainly not perfect, but overall, never gave up on his goal of creating a society based upon the teachings of Jesus. Other's quickly recognized this new land for it's potential in yeilding personal wealth. Bradford, for the most part, wasn't persuaded thusly.
*The "Saints", religious, to the point of becoming fanatics or zealots almost, recognized early on that Plymouth Harbor was inferior to that of Boston Harbor further north. Yet they remained where they were instead of picking up, moving on, and taking advantage of a better place.
*I'm amazed that by the mid 1600's so many English were here. Their disregard for the Indians is generally well-known, but this book specifies things I had never known. For example, pigs belonging to the English ran freely, eating Indian corn, acorns, and trampling gardens. Cows, horses, and other English livestock became a constant source of trouble. Fence building was attempted, but to no avail.
I find the book to be worthy of the time needed to read it slowly, carefully.
Be well, do good...
