Gettysburg

Gettysburg......that's in Pennsylvania, if you didn't know.....I guess this means we are in for a history lesson.

Why did I decide to write about Gettysburg?? I am not really sure, and if you ask my husband he would say I have no business writing about Gettysburg. He's somewhat right, here's why.


I am not a fan of history, never have been. I understand why it is important, but I also have no more room in my already overfilled brain to remember any of the interesting tidbits about war, battles, or which happened first. Before I go on I need to apologize to any of my former high school history teachers. I paid attention then, I just don't care so much now....I have to worry about when I am going to do laundry and what's for dinner, and that comes before history.

Thankfully my boys didn't inherit my lacking interest of history, they actually enjoy it. Phew, I did something right. Now we have traveled across this wonderful country, and we were lucky enough to visit the Battle of Little Bighorn also known as Custer's last stand in Montana but for me it wasn't as interesting as Gettysburg. I actually would like to go back to Gettysburg, so I have done a little research and I hope to make my children and husband proud of what I have learned, as long as they keep in mind that if there is laundry to do or dishes to be put away I may just forget some of this information.

So here we go,  things you may or may not ever want to know about Gettysburg......

From July 1 to July 3, 1863, Gettysburg was the site of one of the largest battles of the American Civil War, the deadliest by a wide margin, and one that is widely considered the closest the South came to winning. Also, on November 19, 1863, it was the location where Abraham Lincoln delivered The Gettysburg Address.

One of the most persistent legends, is that it was fought over shoes. Ten weeks after the battle, Confederate general Henry Heth, a Virginian whose troops were the first to engage on July 1, filed a now-famous report in which he explained why he had sent a portion of his division into the small Pennsylvania town. "On the morning of June 30," Heth wrote, "I ordered Brigadier General [Johnston] Pettigrew to take his brigade to Gettysburg, search the town for army supplies (shoes especially), and return the same day."

So what are the real reasons for the battle? There is no question that the Union and Confederate armies collided unexpectedly at Gettysburg (in what, in military terms, is called a "meeting engagement"). It is also true that Heth's men—indeed, much of the Army of Northern Virginia, were short on shoes. (and they say women love shoes)

The oldest soldier to volunteer, John L. Burns, a resident of Gettysburg, was 70 years old when the battle started.   Hearing the sounds of war, and being a former soldier, he grabbed an eighteenth century flintlock rifle and ran out to take part. On the way to the battle, he found a wounded soldier and traded his gun up.  After volunteering his services, he was sent to the front line.  Three bullets struck his arms during the battle, and he was abandoned as the Northern soldiers abandoned the position.  Southerners found him, and he lied to them, claiming non-combatant status so he could receive medical attention instead of being shot. He outlived the battle by seven years, even though it was unusual in his day to live as long as he had when the battle started.

The Southern cavalry, under General J.E.B. Stuart, was attempting to ride round to the rear of the Northern position, where they could have wreaked havoc on the Northern supplies and greatly compromised the Northern position.  They were intercepted by the brash Brigadier General George Custer, known to most today only as the guy who got killed by Native Americans at Little Bighorn.  He managed to stop a much larger Confederate unit, and said of his own attack, “I challenge history to cite a more brilliant cavalry charge.” 

From the Battle of Little Bighorn, the site where Custer died.

Robert E Lee had a pet chicken named “Hen”. Hen was kept at headquarters tent and would lay an egg under Lee’s cot each morning. He would eat the egg each morning for breakfast. Hen did survive the battle of Gettysburg, however it is reported that Hen did not survive the war.

After the Battle of Gettysburg, the discarded rifles were collected and sent to Washington to be inspected and reissued. Of the 37,574 rifles recovered, approximately 24,000 were still loaded; 6,000 had one round in the barrel; 12,000 had two rounds in the barrel; 6,000 had three to ten rounds in the barrel. One rifle, the most remarkable of all, had been stuffed to the top with twenty-three rounds in the barrel.


Enjoy the summer, and maybe your plans can include a visit to Gettysburg and you'll have an amazing time.

I know this...In My Life teaching my children about history is much more fun than doing laundry, just don't quiz me about it later....

 

Do They Have Hot Dogs in Italy??

OK, so most of you know I would love to raise my 3 boys in Italy, and have been pursuing a move there. My paperwork to obtain citizenship through my mother is on its way from the Italian Consulate in Boston to Cento, Italy where my parents grew up. I have family there (actually all my cousins, aunts and uncles) my brothers, myself, our spouses, and our children are the only ones living here.  

We were born here and I love this country, but I would love to live there. Obtaining dual citizenship is a fantastic opportunity, and I do not think my mother realized what she did for us by not getting her citizenship until after I was born. I hope to pass my heritage, that I am extremely proud of to my children and open up some fantastic doors for them when they are older. Even if we never make the move, this is the least I can do for them.

That being said, what would I miss if I lived there? My husband and I often discuss what we would miss, most things relate to food. He's always asking me do they have.....in Italy?

Here are some things I would miss, I am almost positive they do not have these in Italy...

Brown sugar- I have heard that you cannot get this in Italy
Canned pumpkin- I will have to use fresh pumpkin
Cranberries, not sure if they have canned cranberry sauce
There is a theme developing here........
Whole turkey....apparently turkey is available but you have to find a butcher that can special order a whole one for you.
OK so yes I would miss the whole Thanksgiving feast, but I think it could be done

Peanut butter
Egg Nog
Kraft macaroni and cheese- sadly one of my favorites
Strawberry Quick (Nicholas would miss that)
Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee
Maple syrup
Pancake mix
American style hot dogs
Pop tarts- Never eat them, but I would miss them 
Buffalo wings- I would have to bring a giant stash of Franks Red Hot Sauce with me.
Maine lobster dripping with butter- no comparison

National Parks- Simply amazing here
Disney World- Euro Disney doesn't compare
The size and amazing differences in every state.


I am sure most of the food items can be found and shipped...thank goodness for the Internet. If I couldn't find them it is a great excuse to come back for a visit or open my door for friends to visit.
Quite a list, is it worth it? Well I may as well list some things I wouldn't miss

Processed foods that we seem to eat out of convenience
Aisle upon aisle of snack foods

American ice cream- sorry but gelato cannot compare
Michael said he wouldn't miss grits (we don't really ever have grits)
How about a fast paced lifestyle?
Traffic jams on the Friday night summer escape
The we have a bigger house and make more money than you mentality
Spoiled kids...that being said....

What about the differences between American children and Italian children?

American Kids: Move out when they’re 18 with the full support of their parents.
Italian Kids: Move out when they’re 28, having saved for that nice
house and are a week away from getting married …. unless there’s room in the basement for the newlyweds.

American Kids: When their Mom visits them she brings a nice bundt cake and you sip coffee and chat.
Italian Kids: When their Mom visits them she brings 3 days worth of food and begins to immediately tidy up, dust, do the laundry or rearrange the furniture.

American Kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them and its usually only on special occasions.
Italian Kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads come over,
unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00 and starts pruning the fruit trees. And if there are no fruit trees, he will plant some!

American Parents: You can leave your kids with them and you always worry if everything is going to be OK plus you have to feed them after you pick them up.
Italian Parents: No problem, leave your kids there and if they get out of line your parents can set them straight …. plus they get fed.

American Kids: Always pay retail and look in the yellow pages when they need something done.
Italian Kids: Just call their dad or uncle and ask for another dad’s or uncle’s phone number to get it done …. 

American Kids: Will come over for cake and coffee and get only cake and coffee, no more.
Italian Kids: Will come over for cake and coffee and get antipasto, a few bottles of wine, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad, bread, potatoes, a nice dessert cake, fruit, coffee and a few after dinner drinks …. time permitting there will be a late lunch as well.

American Kids: Think that being Italian is a great thing.
Italian Kids: Know that being Italian is a great thing.

American Kids: Never ask the reason you have no food.
Italian Kids: Are the reason you have no food.

American Kids: Will say ‘hello”.
Italian Kids: Will give you a big hug and a kiss, pinch your cheeks,
and pat you on the back.

American Kids: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
Italian Kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

American Kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
Italian Kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together.



I am not saying that living there will make my children, life, or attitude better, but I have an opportunity to try, and why not do it instead of living and wondering what would have been. 




I know this...In My Life when opportunity knocks you have to answer the door.

4th Of July

A celebration of the independence of the US, a sign that summer is here, and for most a barbecue of some sort with mass consumption of hot dogs, potato salad, and watermelon. 

When we took the kids on a cross country vacation a few years ago, my oldest told one of his friends he would be visiting Yellowstone National Park, and his friend had no idea what that was. You mention Disney World to anyone over the age of 1 and they instantly know what you are talking about, it's really sad that we do not know more about this great country we live in, from Yellowstone National Park, to Wall Drug, to Acadia.  So rather than talking about what I will be eating this July 4th, I thought a quiz would be in order.....how well do you think you'll do?

Question 1: What was the main reason the U.S. declared independence?
Answer: We declared independence because we were taxed without representation.

Question 2: How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: 56 people signed the Declaration of Independence.


Question 3: In what city was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Answer: The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


Question 4: What are the first seven words of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: The first seven words of the Declaration of Independence are “When in the course of human events."


Question 5: Who approved the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: The Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.


Question 6: Whose signature is the largest on the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: The largest signature on the Declaration of Independence is John Hancock’s.


Question 7: Who proposed “Lee’s Resolution” on June 1, 1776, declaring that we were independent of Great Britain?
Answer: This is one of the hardest Fourth of July Trivia Questions. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed Lee’s resolution.


Question 8: Who was the king of England when the colonies declared their independence?
Answer: George III was king of England when the colonies declared their independence.


Question 9: How many people were living in the U. S. in 1776?
Answer: There were 2.5 million people living in the U. S. in 1776.


Question 10: Where does the word “patriotism” come from?
Answer: The word “patriotism” comes from the Latin “patria” meaning “fatherland” or “homeland”.
Celebrations

Question 11: How many hot dogs are consumed on July 4th each year?
Answer: Americans consume 150 million hot dogs on July 4th each year.


Question 12: How much money is spent on fireworks every year?
Answer: Americans spend around 211 million dollars every year on fireworks.


Question 13: Who invented fireworks?
Answer: The Chinese invented fireworks.

Question 14: How many people have cook outs on July 4th?
Answer: Over 74 million people have cookouts on July 4th.


Question 15: When did the Liberty Bell crack?
Answer: The first Liberty Bell cracked when it was being tested. It and the second bell were re-melted and forged again. The third Liberty Bell cracked in 1835.


Question 16: When did the Fourth of July become a national holiday?
Answer: This is the only three-part answer to the Fourth of July Trivia Questions. The Fourth of July became an unpaid holiday for federal workers in 1870. In 1938 it became a paid holiday, and in 1941, it was declared a federal holiday.
American Symbols


Question 17: What is our national bird?
Answer: Our national bird is the bald eagle.


Question 18: Where is the Liberty Bell located?
Answer: The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the tower of Independence Hall.


Question 19: Does the Liberty Bell still ring today?
Answer: The Liberty Bell no longer rings. It rang from 1778 to 1835, when it cracked.


Question 20: How did the name “Uncle Sam” originate?
Answer: The name: Uncle Sam” originated in 1812, when a meat packer by the name of Sam Wilson provided meat to the U. S. Army. Someone saw the meat shipments that were stamped with U. S. and joked that the initials stood for “Uncle Sam” and the name stuck.


Question 21: What is the name of the National Anthem?
Answer: The name of the National Anthem is the “Star Spangled Banner.”


Question 22: Who wrote the words to the National Anthem?
Answer: Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the National Anthem.


Question 23: Who wrote the music for the National Anthem?
Answer: The music for the National Anthem comes from an old English drinking song named, “Anacreon in Heaven.”


I hope you did well, and if you didn't, I hope you learned something about this great country.

So as you put mustard on your hot dog, or take a refreshing bite of watermelon, or chomp into your ear of corn, take a minute and reflect on why we celebrate this Holiday, and then think of maybe visiting a historical site and appreciate what we have here and what others have given up for us.

Mount Rushmore

Crazy Horse Monument

I know this...In My Life I will enjoy the holiday's with my family, but I will also teach my children the true meaning of the holiday.

Awesomeness

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
“If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.” 

My mother taught me RELIGION.
“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.” 

My mother taught me LOGIC.
“Because I said so, that’s why.” 

My mother taught me IRONY.
“Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about!” 

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out..” 

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
“Stop acting like your father!” 

My mother taught me about ENVY.
“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.” 

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
“Just wait until we get home.” 

My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
“You are going to get it when you get home!” 

My mother taught me GENETICS.
“You’re just like your father.” 

My mother taught me WISDOM.
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.” 

My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"

I have a 15 year old son who reads  my blog. I am grateful for 2 things about that. The first being that he actually is interested in what I am writing about, the second is that he is actually reading something other than what is written on his Facebook wall. 

I am often critiqued by him about what I write about, and this may sound funny but I appreciate what he has to say. So when he read my last blog Winner Winner Chicken Dinner he was a little miffed that he was only mentioned in a small part, and almost refused to read the rest.

He then told me I should write a post about him.....
"OK Brian, what should I call it?" 
His reply..... AWESOMENESS!

Seriously, are you kidding me? My 15 year old thinks he's awesome? Well I guess it's my job as a mom to tell his awesomeness story........Or at least try...

When I  was younger I always thought I would have children, and envisioned having 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. Well we all know that you can't pick what you give birth to, and so came my first....a bouncing baby boy. I was thrilled!

Minutes old and already awesome

Brian was born on a Wednesday,  2weeks after my due date, by Cesarean, 2 days after I was induced and it didn't work. 
He was 9lbs 13oz. I joke that I would still be pregnant with him if I didn't have the c-section. 
I guess this is his first feat of awesomeness.

No one ever told me how much fun and how hard it would be. My first few weeks with Brian were the toughest, he wasn't enjoying the formula he was on.....and before you think the worst of me, there was a medical reason why I did not breast feed...enough said. After we got him on the right formula he was great, or as he would say awesome!

He started walking at 11 months…by no means extraordinary, actually pretty average, ask him he would say he's awesome.

4 Generations!

Michael & Brian at the Basin in NH

Let's talk about food, when Brian was 4 1/2 we were at Sea World in Florida and stopped for lunch, where they had these giant club sandwiches. I was hungry, but didn't feel like eating a  huge sandwich, so Brian and I decided to share,  except I don't think he understood the concept.....I had 1 bite, and 1/2 a pickle and Brian ate the rest. That's his awesome appetite.

He started school like any normal child, and I was actually pretty excited because his writing was pretty decent, and the fact that his handwriting was legible was good too...fast forward 10 years and his handwriting is atrocious….here's where the awesomeness comes in ….when I ask about his terrible handwriting, he tells me its not bad, I just have my own font and that’s because I am awesome.

Brian"s awesome green Mohawk

"that's an AWESOME look"

Over the next couple of years Brian grew to be a very caring and kind, young boy. Or awesome in his words! I now have a 15 year old, who is still kind, and caring, (not all the time especially with his brothers, but would do anything for them) . I hope he doesn't change.

Very proud of my awesome son

I know this....In My Life raising children is a tough job, raising an awesome one is even tougher.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Urban legend has it that years ago every Las Vegas casino had a $1.79 dinner special consisting of three pieces of chicken, potato and a veggie. A standard bet at the time was $2. When a person won a bet, he had enough money for a chicken dinner. Thus, he would holler out, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner!" 

That's what I yell out when my kids ask "what's for dinner?" it has become a common phrase at our house, but now it's more like a death sentence if you ask my children. I used to yell out winner winner and the kids would yell back chicken dinner, now when I yell winner winner I hear " o come on, seriously, again, NO!" If you look at our dinner time menu in any given week chicken is served once a week, but if you ask my kids we eat it 7 days a week. 

I would be happy eating it 2-3 times a week. My 15 year old says we have it all the time.....pork is not chicken, neither is beef, or fish for that matter. Why do they think we have chicken so much?

I grew up raising chickens, and I didn't like chicken either, but that's because I named the chickens and then they would end up on the dinner table. So I would always refuse to eat it......so my reasons for not eating chicken as a child are good ones. 

Maybe my kids read the story of Mike the headless chicken and feel they cannot eat chicken any longer. Never heard of Mike? Great story, here is a summary about him.

September 10th, 1945 a five and a half month old rooster from Fruita, Colorado was supposed to be dinner. Lloyd Olsen was sent out to prepare the rooster for the pan. Lloyd knew his Mother in Law would be dining with them and would savor the neck. He positioned his ax to leave a generous neck bone. The chicken staggered, like a chicken with his head cut off.
Then the bird shook off the traumatic event and never looked back. Mike, returned to his job of being a chicken. He pecked for food and preened his feathers. Not sure when or how he got the name Mike.
When Olsen found Mike the next morning, sleeping with his "head" under his wing, he decided that if Mike had that much will to live, he would figure out a way to feed and water him. With an eyedropper Mike was given grain and water. It was becoming obvious that Mike was special. A week later they packed him up and took him 250 miles to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City . The scientists were eager to answer all the questions about Mike's amazing ability to survive with no head. The scientists figured that the ax blade had missed the jugular vein and a clot had kept Mike from bleeding to death. The majority of his brain stem and one ear was left on his body. Since most of a chicken's reflex actions are controlled by the brain stem Mike was able to remain healthy. He lived for 18 months. Crazy!

Back to chicken dinner......

So many different ways to make it, all of them good. I am always looking for a good recipe so my kids will say "this is awesome! Can you make it again tomorrow" one of their favorites is breaded chicken cutlets. That's one of my favorites too. Hmmm maybe chicken for dinner tonight?

I have yet to understand the minds of my children. I don't know what the big deal is with chicken. I secretly think their father is poisoning their minds, because he would rather have a steak dinner instead of chicken. I often tell them that I can always cook like my mother did.....before I go on I have to first tell you that my mom was an amazing cook, but she also cooked old fashioned Italian.......we had tongue, tripe, and I am sure lots of other animal body parts that I don't want to think about, but she also made fantastic foods that I am proud to make for my children now.

So, guess what, until I understand why my children do not want chicken for dinner, and it makes sense to me I will be yelling Winner Winner.....

I know this...In My Life variety is the spice of life, and that gives it all its flavor.