Tag Archives: history

Graduates: Show Courage

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

It’s graduation season and with that, commencement speeches. Two recent speeches have resonated with me so far this spring. President Obama, addressing the Atlanta, Georgia- based Morehouse College, a historically all-black male school founded after the Civil War, invoked Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in bike riding, celebrations, commentary, Cycling, Education, History, Movies & TV, New York City, sports, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

College Graduates: Finding their Place

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

By the end of this week, we’ll be driving home from Ohio, with our daughter, a new college graduate. With her diploma in one hand and a bartending license in the other, she’s hoping to find her place in the … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Books, commentary, daughters, Education, History, Museums, galleries, New York City | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Birthday! Biking & Hiking!

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

To celebrate my birthday (5/5), I wanted to cycle the Covered Bridges of Bucks County, PA. , all preserved bridges built in the later part of the 19th century. We had cue sheets from organized rides and opted to try the … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrations, Cycling, exercise, Family, Grandchildren, History, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Cleaning My Old Desk Drawer: A Slide Rule, Kilt Pin & Peace Now

Posted on March 1, 2013 by

Remember these? This was my first record player.  Perhaps I’ll try to find a needle for it and play some of my old records. I cleaned a couple cupboards and my childhood desk drawer when visiting my parents. No, the … Continue reading →

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On the Trail of the Ancestors: The Buffalo Soldiers

Posted on February 25, 2013 by

The last  excerpt from my book, On the Trail of the Ancestors: A Black Cowboy’s Journey Across America brings Miles Dean to New Mexico where he honored the Buffalo Soldiers.  From Ch. 19:  Retracing the Steps of the Buffalo Soldiers Using the … Continue reading →

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On the Trail of the Ancestors: The US Deputy Marshals

Posted on February 18, 2013 by

This week’s  excerpt from my book, On the Trail of the Ancestors: A Black Cowboy’s Journey Across America brings Miles Dean to Arkansas where he remembered the black US Deputy Marshals.  From Ch. 13: Imagining Bass Reeve After crossing the Mississippi into … Continue reading →

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On the Trail of the Ancestors: Excerpt Two: The Black Abolitionists

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

  This week’s excerpt from On the Trail of the Ancestors: A Black Cowboy’s Journey Across America  comes from Ch. 6, Meeting the Black Abolitionists and brings us to Philadelphia.  …Grateful for the tree canopy on the unusually warm day, Miles hugged the shade … Continue reading →

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Good Reads: Tracy Chevalier & Barbara Vine

Posted on February 4, 2013 by

In 1850, Honor Bright leaves England for Ohio, accompanying her sister Grace who is engaged to be married. Grace dies on the voyage and Honor is left to face the many challenges of adjusting to life far from home. On … Continue reading →

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Book Excerpt: On the Trail of the Ancestors: A Black Cowboy’s Ride Across America

Posted on February 1, 2013 by

It’s Black History Month.  While I can argue that honoring African American history should be celebrated year-round, I’d be taking on greeting card makers, postage stamp designers, and education publishers who’ve created materials for this month. Given I have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, celebrations, Education, Family, holidays, interviews, New York City, Reading, teaching, travel, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Ed Kane: Pearl Harbor Survivor

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

December 7, 2012 marked the 61st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I interviewed Ed Kane, 92, about his experiences for JerseyMan magazine. Kane is one of about 3,500 remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack.  Prepared to talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, interviews, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments