by B.L. Unkel | May 25, 2024 | Holidays
Before Memorial Day, there was . . . Decoration Day The Civil War—the country’s bloodiest military conflict—touched everyone. Between 600,000-800,000 soldiers were killed, their graves scattered across the U.S. Even before the war ended, Northerners and...
by B.L. Unkel | Dec 30, 2023 | Holidays
2023 is quickly coming to an end, or rather, 2024 is fast approaching. And you know what that means? People are setting goals for the new year. Trains Have you ever ridden on a train? I’ve been on several in the states (specifically in Washington and Alaska),...
by B.L. Unkel | Dec 23, 2023 | Holidays
Christmas customs and traditions are many and varied. One of the best-known, at least in the U.S., is the Christmas tree. Evergreens Evergreen trees, like mistletoe and other evergreen plants, have been used in pagan and Christian winter festivals for thousands...
by B.L. Unkel | Oct 28, 2023 | Holidays
Another Halloween is almost upon us. History Halloween began more than 2,000 years ago as a pre-Christian Celtic festival called “Samhain” (pronounced “sow-in” and meaning summer’s end). It marked the changing seasons and the final day of the...
by B.L. Unkel | Dec 31, 2022 | Holidays
A friend recently said, “God, it occurs to me, is a lot like Tetris. He nudged and shifted all the pieces of your life until they fit together again just so.” The Game For those of you who don’t know what my friend was referring to, Tetris is an electronic game...
by B.L. Unkel | Dec 24, 2022 | Holidays
Christmas. As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” and the “Happiest season of all.” Gifts Christmas is about giving, but it’s more than an exchange of brightly wrapped presents, whether bought or made. The best Christmas gifts can’t be...
