July 2016

Lost Objects and Found Memories

Sunday, July 31, 2016
Lost Objects and Found Memories
Ridge Road Elba New York

Long-forgotten memories can be found again at the most unexpected times.

The photo above may not look like anything special but it's the place where i grew up. Many of my memories were made in that little town in Western New York. Our house was on a dead end road that transitioned into a field path. To the right is the driveway that led to our former home and little has changed since i was last there in the late 90s. Even the posted sign seems on one of the poles seems to be the same one. The little 'garden bed' is new, having replaced the bushes that used to be there. But the maple tree and the blue spruce tree are the same ones that were there back in the 90s. At one time there was a tall paper birch tree near the spruce tree, to the left of the garden bed, but it died from an insect infestation around the year 1996. The road itself still looks as beat up as it always has. They paved it in the early 90s, when it was nearly worn to gravel by then, and i'm sure they've paved it within the past few years though.

Across the road is the field where my siblings and cousins used to play in as children. We'd wait for the corn to get high enough and play a game that we called "ghost". We'd attach a piece of window plastic to a tall stick (the ghost) and run through the rows of corn chasing someone until we caught them. Then they'd become the "ghost". Everyone would have ten seconds to get away and hide and/or keep moving before the "ghost" started chasing while holding the stick of plastic and making ghost sounds. Sometimes, if we had enough sticks and plastic, we'd continue until everyone was a caught and became a ghost. I remember we'd usually play a little before sunset too. It was a game of tag, more or less.

Beyond the field, on the edge of the woods, my brother and i made a small, partial tree house in an old tree that leaned at an extreme angle. It was a large, healthy tree with a massive trunk that just grew strange. Given its size, the tree was at least 100 years old. Near that tree were remnants of what was probably a small building of some sort. The old, crumbling bricks and stones were hidden in the grass and in the dirt, along with remnants of a foundation. On old maps there is no evidence of anything ever being there. So we never knew what it actually was in the past. Further in the woods was old fence wire likely left over from when there were no trees there. Near that were two names carved in a tree that were at least ten feet up. The carving was kind of elaborate and definitely looked like it took a while to carve. I cannot remember the names but they'd certainly still be there.

One of the biggest memories i have though, from when i was around eight, involves the field path. We had neighbors around our age that'd we play with all the time. One summer the neighbor girl, who was my age, and i were running down the path. We ran all the way to the end and she'd realized that she dropped her necklace somewhere along the path. It was one of those colorful plastic bead snap-together necklaces. We searched the path and couldn't find her necklace anywhere. We gave up after a while and headed back to my house. This would've been around 1988. Years later, in 1997, and years after her family moved away, i was walking that path and randomly spotted the plastic necklace in the tall dry grass. It was along the path and about halfway up it. The necklace was worn and its colors had been faded by the sun over the decade. This was long after i'd forgotten about that day but picking it up triggered my childhood memories of that summer day. Almost like the memories themselves were locked up in that faded, worn, and dusty toy necklace.

Though we only lived there for around twelve years, my memories of that place are endless. I have so many memories of the people there, in the town. And they of I. I remember so much that i could probably write a short book on the years spent living there. Despite being a small town, it was definitely a lively and interesting town that i was glad to have lived in.

The Daily Post Prompt: The Things We Leave Behind

Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza - Piano ballad cover by Halocene

Friday, July 29, 2016
Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza - Piano ballad cover by Halocene
A chill piano ballad-style cover of Mike Posner's I Took A Pill in Ibiza.

Halocene is a female-fronted band from Phoenix, Arizona that regularly uploads covers to their youtube (and sometimes original songs too). Browse through their videos on youtube, visit their Official Site, and support them on Patreon.



David Bald Eagle, who starred in Dances with Wolves, has died at the age of 97

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
David Bald Eagle, who starred in Dances with Wolves, has died at the age of 97
David Bald Eagle was a veteran of the Second World War and a drummer in a band, a champion ballroom dancer, competitor in rodeos and Hollywood stuntman during his younger years. He also had a starring role in Dances with Wolves. He died on July 22nd, 2016.
David William Bald Eagle, who died on Friday aged 97, was born in a tipi on 8th April 1919, in Cherry Creek, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. His name in Lakota translates as Wounded in Winter Beautiful Bald Eagle.
Dave was raised in the Minneconjou Sioux tribe, largely by his grandparents, on the prairies in the heart of America. He grew up speaking Lakota and immersed in Sioux tradition. One of his grandfathers was the warrior White Bull, who led the assault on General Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Inspired by stories of White Bull’s friend Crazy Horse, Dave was keen to make his mark. He won his first rodeo at 14. He underwent the traditional sundance ceremony aged 15, and at 17 joined the Fourth Cavalry where he participated in the last years of mounted cavalry before mechanization, and became a formidable boxer. He re-enlisted into the 82nd Airborne – the All Americans – at the outbreak of the Second World War and fought in the landings at Anzio in Italy where he won the silver star. He was severely wounded by German fire while parachuting into France during the Normandy invasion.

Read the Rest of this post on his Official Facebook Page.


Posted by Dave Bald Eagle on Sunday, July 24, 2016


Learn about Genesee County, NY History by Visiting These Museums

Monday, July 25, 2016
Learn about Genesee County, NY History by Visiting These Museums
Holland Land Office- Batavia NY (1)
Genesee County, situated in Western New York, has a long, rich history. Genesee County was founded in 1802 and got its name from the Seneca word for "The Beautiful Valley", Gen-nis'-hee-yo. Currently, there are twelve main museums in the county that provide insight into the history of the towns that they're in. You'll not only learn a lot of local history but you'll also feel a connection to it, through their exhibits.

So whenever you're in the area, definitely visit any or all of these museums.

Alabama Museum

Was originally a one-room school house. In the museum you'll find history about local industry, past notable citizens, and even historic items such as posters and even a horse buggy.

Alexander Museum

Plenty of old technology can be found in this museum, including a historic phone, a typewriter, and record players. Also, you'll find interesting tools, from the 1800s, that many may not even recognize.

Bergen Museum

The Bergen Museum is located inside what used to be a livery stable. You'll find works depicting local scenes, buildings, and even one of a classroom from the past. Many individual items are displayed for viewing to learn more about the local history.

Byron Museum

Located inside an old church, you'll find a lot of historic clothing and items on display. Displays related to the history of the local high school and local farming can also be found in this museum.

Elba Museum

This museums consists of three buildings and plenty to see. You'll learn the history of the local school, see how people used to live before any modern technology, and how farming was done in the 1800s.

Historic LeRoy House, Jell-O Gallery

These are two separate and distinct museums in LeRoy. The Jell-O Gallery, given its name, is where you can learn about the Jell-O brand's history, influence on American culture, and its beginnings. They also have a gift shop.

The Historic LeRoy House is a home that was built in 1822 and now houses many historic items. Also featured are items related to Jacob Leroy, who lived in the home in the 1800s. There's also an exhibit for the "father of the stringless bean", Calvin Keeney.

Holland Land Office Museum

This museum provides plenty of history about Genesee County and Western New York in general. There are also many historic items on display, including documents.

Oakfield Historical Museum

Learn about the local industry of gypsum mining, including photographs of operations and equipment. The museum also has a sizable collection of arrowheads found in the Oakfield area.

Pembroke Museum

Provides information on the history of the local post office and fire department. Including items from the past of these two facilities. Military history is also covered with military items on display.

Stafford Museum of History

One of the newer museums, featuring many items of historic importance and origin. Including excavated pottery that was created before, during, and after the times that settlers were moving into the area. Also has a gift shop.

Tonawanda Indian Reservation Historical Society

Features many interesting photographs and illustrations of the local history and that of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Including the history of the Seven Nations.

Learn More by visiting:


Matt Kibbe: On the Road to the RNC. A 'Wake' for the Republican Party?

Thursday, July 21, 2016
Matt Kibbe: On the Road to the RNC. A 'Wake' for the Republican Party?
Matt Kibbe, of Conservative Review, gives his views on the Republican National Convention. He feels that this election's convention for Republicans feels less united and more like a 'wake'. Kibbe asks, "Could it be that the Republican Party is facing a mortal experience?"

The answer is, "Yes."


Be sure to watch the rest of his RNC videos this week.

If Donald Trump loses this year, under the environment of division being played up by some Republicans, then we will be seeing the end of the Republican Party. At the very least, in terms of being influential. It's like the establishment Republicans would rather undermine and burn down their party instead of uniting behind the current candidate.

If they don't want to make peace with the current candidate, fine. If they want to falsely claim that Trump is tearing the party apart, go ahead. Even though it is they, these establishment types, who are creating this divide and trying to make gains off of it. If we're seeing the death of the Republican party, so be it. It would have been a great run but less of us will miss the party than they think.

While i have my leanings towards the Republican party, my loyalty was never to you. Now that you're showing your true face it's even clearer that your loyalty was never with any of us either. It was always about the DC political environment first, wasn't it? The loss, none of this, will be something that you'll be able to pin on Trump and much less on any of his supporters. We owe you nothing and, after all this, the goodbye will be a good riddance (if it were to occur).

Trump isn't some idol to us, but he is a message to you. A message that you're not understanding the words of all that well. One that you're refusing to analyze. Instead, you go for the easiest, unintelligent definition of him that much of the left also has. Your simple-mindedness only has you seeing him as a "bigot", "racist", and/or a "disaster" to try and convince yourselves that you're right. When, in fact, you're the disaster revealing itself. It is you, this "establishment", that has created this fracture after the loss in 2012 with Romney. You've given free rent to the leftists and let them get into your heads. Now many of you, in the GOP, are willing to harm the future effectiveness of the Republican party. That is, instead of at least giving support to the GOP candidate. You completely refuse to even acknowledge any of the positives that he has.

If he loses, it'll be an, "oh well" for most of us and a shrug of our shoulders. Yet, for the Republican party, it's going to be an, "Oh shit!"

A Woman Called Moses - A Film about Harriet Tubman

Sunday, July 17, 2016
A Woman Called Moses - A Film about Harriet Tubman
A Woman Called Moses is a film/miniseries about Harriet Tubman, aired in 1978. The film shows both her life as a figure in helping slaves escape, as an abolitionist, and aspects of her personal life and relationships with others.

Much of the film takes place in her home state of Maryland. She returns there to rescue her family members from slavery. She aids a few of her relatives in escaping to Canada while taking her parents into her own home. She traveled back a few times to aid more of her family members, then branched out into aiding other slaves in their escape.

Harriet Tubman's actions were ones of bravery and courage of countering the unjust, alongside other abolitionists. The film gives some insight into how Harriet Tubman outsmarted slave masters, slave catchers, and taught other slaves (and escaped slaves) ways to escape on their own. Harriet Tubman is portrayed by the actress Cicely Tyson. Who also portrayed a former slave (although fictional) in the equally excellent film, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.

All in all, this film is definitely worth watching. You can get the full quality version on DVD here



Rural and Urban America is Similarly Affected by the "Normal White American"

Saturday, July 09, 2016
Rural and Urban America is Similarly Affected by the "Normal White American"
When i hear that label, as recently spoken by Newt Gingrich, i think of those individuals that i don't care to interact with. They are typically the types of people that live in suburbs or gated communities, places i've never known. Places completely devoid of any character and visible culture, that i'd never care to visit. When i think of them, i think of the settings of The Brady Bunch. Communities that are within distance of every convenient, inexhaustible resource, allowing them to rarely leave their "enclave". To me, that is what i see as the environment of the "normal white American".

Politically, these people tend to be very anti-individual, pseudo-liberal, and enjoy oversight from immediate government entities and Homeowners Associations. The white liberal. There's an elitism to them. An attitude of despising both urban and rural populations. If they choose to move to either area, rural or urban, they care little about the local economy and local businesses, bring rise in home and rent prices, and dilute, undermine (or even destroy) local culture for their benefit. I can't speak for the urban experience but we all know this as gentrification. And we can easily find a unity over this subject.




Katelyn Nicole Davis ? Forever Missed