More than 50 members of the extended Bowles family attended the reunion August 8-9, 2008 at the Riverside Resort in Canyon Lake, Texas. Entertainment and chuckwagon chow was provided by KR Wood’s Camp Cookie Trio. They had the crowd clapping, dancing, and generally having a grand ole time.
Being a fifth generation Texan, I have often been told I talk funny. When I travel I sometimes feel intimidated by the comments on my accent from people who aren’t from Texas. Can you imagine being told by a cab driver from Brooklyn that you talk funny?
There are different dialects spoken by natives of the Lone Star State. Texans from the piney woods of East Texas have a twang that surpasses any Georgia cracker you will ever meet. I enjoy the accents in West Texas the best and love the way they say “all bidness” (business).
Texas has been a melting pot of diverse cultures for 300 years, starting with the Canary Islanders to San Antonio, followed by land impresarios bringing settlers from Germany to the Texas Hill Country, Alsatians to Castroville, and Polish settlers to Panna Maria in South Texas. Each came with their native tongue, now five or six generations later. They all sound the same with a friendly Texas drawl and a tip of the hat. How ya’ll doing? I love that drawl and sure missing hearing it when I’m away from home.
Over the years I’ve found that words used in my family were not always understood outside the home. You should have seen the look my waitress gave me when I told her the glass of milk she brought was “blinky,” which to me meant it was about to spoil. Frequently older members referred to being “all stove up,” which was their way of describing joint or muscle pain. I have no idea where the word “stove up” or “blinky” came from. Are they unique to my family? Can anyone tell me?
This post is an entry in the Carnival of Genealogy that will be posted at What’s Past is Prologue.
The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) marked the grave of Revolutionary soldier William Galbreath in a dedication ceremony on July 19, 2008 in Ashmore, Illinois.
Pictured below are Ann Winkler Hinrichs, Galbreath descendant; Carolyn and Leona Muessman, SAR Sally Lincoln Chapter; Frederick Galbreath, descendant; Francis Williams, DAR William Winchester Chapter, MD; and David Bowles, San Antonio Chapter of the SAR.
During the program Lulubelle was kept entertained by a young descendant of William Galbreath.
I was honored to introduce State Senator Jeff Wentworth, the keynote speaker, at Let Freedom Ring in front of the Alamo on July 4th. Here are some photos of that wonderful, patriotic event.
I’ve described Spring House this way:
The Mitchells just wanted to be left alone to farm their land, practice their faith, and raise their family. But the way they responded to life on the new frontier, politics, and war made heroes of these ordinary citizens.
Other Patriots of the Revolutionary War also wanted to live their lives quietly … but, as this video says, they gave up their quiet lives to live loudly for liberty. Let’s remember their service and their sacrifices - and the service and sacrifices of all those who have followed in their footsteps - on this Independence Day.
Let Freedom Ring™ is an annual nationwide celebration honoring the Patriots who helped us gain our independence in the Revolutionary War. The observance begins in Philadelphia at 2:00 PM when the Liberty Bell is rung by four young descendants of signers of the Declaration of Independence. Then bells around the country are sounded 13 times in honor of the 13 original colonies.
As President-Elect of the San Antonio Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, I will be standing proudly in front of the Alamo at 1:30 PM on July 4th for the local ceremony. I will introduce the keynote speaker, State Senator Jeff Wentworth. Highlights of the event include the posting of the colors by a color guard in period costume and the ringing of the bell.
The National Observance will take place in Philadelphia, and bells will ring across the nation to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You can watch a video, download a brochure, and learn more at Let-Freedom-Ring.org.
My ancestor Adam Mitchell was one of the brave Patriots who helped to create a new, and free, nation. I am proud of him and all our Patriots and grateful for their sacrifices that made us free.
If you live in the United States, I hope you will join me on July 4th in commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence 232 years ago.
If you’ve visited here regularly, you’ve met my companion Lulubelle. I’ve written about several adventures we’ve shared: a day trip of fun and history, a spread in the local newspaper, and enjoying the grounds of my ancestors’ church on a research trip. I’ve even offered an autographed picture of Lulubelle.
I’ve been training her … then one day, I realized who had been training who.
Animals of all kinds communicate with humans who take the time to understand them. When I ranched, I could always tell when something was wrong with one of my cows. I’d take the animal to the vet. When asked what was wrong, I would reply, “I don’t know, but something’s not right.” Sure enough, the vet would examine the cow and find a problem that wasn’t readily apparent.
The communication is nonverbal. The look in the animal’s eyes and the way it hold its ears deliver a message. If people can’t communicate with animals, it’s not the fault of the animals - it’s because the humans haven’t taken the time to learn.
I get annoyed with folks who talk baby-talk to their pets. Dogs and cats don’t understand language - not adult language and not baby-talk. They do understand gestures, motions, and emotions.
Lulubelle and I don’t talk politics or the affairs of the world. She’s teaching me what’s important: quit work and relax when the day is done, eat regular meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. And, most importantly, share your life with a loving friend.
I’m still working on Adam’s Daughters, then I’ll write Rebeckah, the last book in The Westward Sagas. My next project will be a book in Lulubelle’s voice in which she teaches a young pup how to train its master. Here’s a sneak preview:
When they bring you home from a trip, look for the most expensive-looking rug in the house to do your business. After that, they’ll remember to let you outside as soon as you get home.
(Note: This post is my entry in the What I Learned From Animals Group Writing Project at Middle Zone Musings and the High Callings Blogs.)
Technorati Tags: What I Learned from Animals, Lulubelle, pets
We always hear, “You can’t judge a book by the cover.” Yet readers do that every day. It seems that book buyers look at the cover first when they’re shopping for a book. If the cover doesn’t appeal to them, they aren’t likely to pick up the book.
I had a clear picture of what I wanted for the cover of Spring House, but at one point, it seemed that the cover would be all wrong. You can read all about what happened - and how Spring House ended up with the perfect cover - in an interview at Judge a Book by the Cover.
After the book came out, I visited the area of Tennessee where the second book in the Westward Sagas, Adam’s Daughters, is set. I had the opportunity to visit a home built by William Fain, the son of Nicholas Fain, who was an important character in history and in my books. There I saw a real spring house that matched my vision. You can see a photo of the real spring house and the cover art side by side in an earlier post - and I think you’ll see why I’m so happy about the way the cover turned out.
You can read more about Spring House at In Detail with Nikki Leigh. Nikki asks some interesting questions, including what motivated me to become an author. I hope you enjoy learning more about my story.
Spring House: Book 1 in the Westward Sagas is featured at It Is All in the Setting.
Hope you enjoy reading more about the setting of my story.
Technorati Tags: all in the setting, Spring House
