Flying Over America

 Maximize the screen! 

Breathtaking scenes across America...

Embrace the Past...

Enchanted Land 

Encountering land after many weeks at sea embraced an enchanting site! The spirit of European exploration exalted its presence in the most significant landing in our nation’s founding: Jamestown, Virginia, 1607.

  Visions of enchantment
Transcended from shore to shore
Awakening sleepy thoughts
Of adventures o’er and o’er

Seekers and adventurers
Left families, loved ones behind
Marking the end of one era
A new beginning for mankind

What was it they heartily sought

Across the raging perilous sea?

Was it peace and tranquility

Or simply a new life meant to be?

Ferocious winds, hostile seas

Crushed the hull and tore at the sails

With strength, determination

Safe passage did at last prevail

"Land ahoy!" echoed loudly

Along the horizon's thin line

The journey to the new world

Ended as hands firmly entwined

Ailing men, women, children

 Lined the deck toward their utopia

"Look at such magnificence

The land of enchantment—America!”

   

©2013 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults

 

 

If you missed it...

It Matters Radio Halloween Special was a huge success! If you missed the show, here are the contributions which, by the way, my little short story, The Haunting, won first place! Listen, if you dare, to chilling tales by authors, Sharla Shults, Simon, Rogghe, Cynthia Ainesworthe, Phil Richardson, Ingrid Ringler, Danny P. Barbare, Caleb Puckett and Micki Peluso. Also featured is music from the UK by Mark Handley and the Bone Idols.

Find Additional Entertainment Podcasts with It Matters Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Hail to the Cowboy and Westerns!

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Few images of American history pose pure masculinity like the cowboy. His rugged, heroic bravery stood tall in the saddle as he headed across dangerous territory facing nature's sprawling, treeless plains and humanity's outlaws. He donned a cowboy hat, spurs, and boots proudly laced with both humility and a sense of arrogance.

American cowboy, circa 1888

Fact vs. Fiction: The cowboy, an icon of the American West, is filled with half-real, half-mythical symbolism.The cowboy is depicted as being tough-as-nails with a stoic romanticism inspiring envy. His constant companion—his six-gun! His best friend—his mustang! His home—the open range.

Cattle roundup, before barbed wire times

Is it the cattle roundup that earned the 'COW' in his name? What about 'BOY'? All descriptors/historical records portray the cowboy as being anything but a boy. The title lends itself to visions of both cattle/cattle-tending work and age factors. Interestingly enough, the origin of the word in the English language is very old securing a place in recorded history prior to the year 1000. In antiquity, herding of sheep, cattle and goats was often the job of minors, and still is a task for young people in various third world cultures [Source: en.wikipedia.org]. 

It is the American cowboy, however, that has captured the hearts, minds and souls of millions of people. He has earned many names, including buckaroo, cowpoke, cowhand, cowpuncher, to name a few. His place in American history does not simply include recognition in history books but immortalization within the senses of cinema.  

Hail to the cowboy and Western movies!

"Shane! Come back!" "Shane" (1953) Little Joey cries out these words as Shane (Alan Ladd) rides off into the sunset. Sure, the mother seems to be interested in him, the father wants him to stay, and the kid has made him his idol, but Shane’s done what he needed to and, even though all he wanted to do was settle down, he has to move on. We see this theme of the gunslinger who can never escape his fate in dealing death many times in the Western genre.

Read more: http://www.mademan.com/mm/ten-most-famous-lines-cowboy-movies.html#ixzz2jX4HDQSc

 

Related Articles:

Are we there yet? http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2013/01/are-we-there-yet.html
LOVING THE WESTERNS: http://teepee12.com/2013/09/23/loving-the-westerns/
Western Badass Violence Fix - Tombstone, 1993: http://teepee12.com/2013/08/23/tombstone-1993-my-favorite-badass-western-when-i-need-a-fix/
Reviewing the Oldies: Along Came Jones (1945): http://teepee12.com/2013/09/23/reviewing-the-oldies-along-came-jones-1945/ 

The Origins of the Cowboy Culture...: http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/cowboyculture.htm

The History of the Vaquero: http://www.americancowboy.com/culture/history-vaquero

Cowboys: http://www.history.com/topics/cowboys

COWBOYS - VAQUEROS: http://www.nmhcpl.org/uploads/CH11.pdf

Cowboy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy

 

Do you have a favorite cowboy, movie line, Western movie? Share it here. We would all love to hear from you!

Prelude to Veteran's Day 2013

When you hear the word veteran, what is your first impression?

Veteran is an all-encompassing word. 

It is feeling absolute pride, joy, exhilaration and emotional gratification for serving one's country. It means extreme sacrifice for both self and family. It bears pain and anguish during times of separation. It means not knowing sometimes when you will be coming home or even if you will ever make it back home. It brings on happiness and tears at the birth of your child when you are not there to hold him or her for the first time. It recognizes the sufferings of family when shunned by others. It means goosebumps every time the National Anthem is sung or the American flag is flown. It encompasses carrying the scars, mental and physical, sometimes never being able to let go but if asked would you do it over again, the answer would emphatically be YES! It is putting others before yourself never missing a moment to help when needed. It is having a deep love of country and everything she stands for, past, present and future. It is being privileged to maintain the safety and security of America. It is making grave sacrifices and putting your own life on the line if necessary. It is strength, honor and courage even in the direst of times. That is only a part of what it is to be called a veteran!

   

As you approach the celebration of Veteran's Day, take time to inquire, research, discuss what it truly means to be a veteran, especially in  terms of those who not only laid the foundation and established the platform for our American freedom but also those who sacrificed to maintain that freedom. Know what this day will truly celebrate and be a knowledgeable part of the celebration.

"A grave price is being paid every moment of every day of the year for all the freedom America has to offer. Let us not forget those who have fought or are fighting for our nation; they are the epitome of the human spirit called freedom!" 
~Sharla Lee Shults, Awakenings from Then 'til Now

Greet every soldier with a smile, a handshake, and a thank you for serving the USA!