Love a Good Story

Posted on by judycar

Love a Good Story. I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Well, here is another Good Story.

The Piano

I just finished dusting my piano because I wanted to play something, and it was pretty dusty. I don’t know what led me here. Maybe it’s because the piano needed, really needed dusting, or maybe I remembered how nice it felt to play music, the songs I played and the singing. I’m not good at singing, so perhaps that’s why I stopped singing. I admonish myself for disregarding my Yamaha piano, one of the best brands of pianos, and I promise myself I will never do that again. I lift the top and dust the ivory keys, making certain I find the dust balls between the black and white keys. I realize I have always dusted the piano, but until now, it never occurred to me to play again. I haven’t played regularly in over ten years. Oh, I stopped once or twice to try something, checking to see if it still works and if it is still in tune. A piano is not just a piece of furniture, the way I thought of it. It is an instrument, something that creates beautiful music. I touch the keys and play something simple. I can’t believe I even remember the notes. I touch the keys again and listen. I hear the most beautiful sounds, clear and whole. My piano always had such a beautiful sound (which gave me the illusion that I could really play). For a second, my mind goes back to the recitals and concert halls where I played pieces I’d learned. But that only saddens me, so I push that out of my thoughts.

          I don’t know why I stopped playing the piano. I also wanted to write novels. When I played, I spent the entire day at the piano, playing one piece after the other. Writing also took a full day. I had a choice between the two, and I chose to create stories. I look through all the music I once played and am surprised at the level I’d reached. I had accomplished much more than I thought or remember. I hope it will be easy to start again. I would like to start again.

          As a pianist, playing the piano encouraged changes that improved me. It allowed me to trust. A pianist must have trust in his/her playing. I had to know and trust the fact that the piano keys will always be in the same place every time the note is needed. The pianist knows that the sharps and flats will also always be in the same places. So, the pianist must trust, in this case herself, and know that the key is always in the same place, sharp or flat. It can be assessed by playing the note.

Playing the piano strengthens the memory. The pianist must remember the key and its location. The key is there, but the pianist must remember the key on the page and the key on the piano. The pianist must also know the other things in the piece, such as the whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, rests, and other directions in the music. In order to make beautiful music, the pianist must remember the directions and where the notes are on the piano.

Playing the piano taught me how to budget my time and keep to a schedule. This is important where there are other items on the calendar, such as a class, a dental appointment, a dinner engagement, and a variety of other things. The pianist must select what to play and put a time limit on how much to play and how long to play and when to stop.

Playing the piano gave me confidence to increase the difficulty of playing, such as learning how to cross one hand over the other, play a difficult chord, play in either the treble or bass part of the piano. The ease of managing this so that the piece sounds beautiful developed confidence in me. The pianist will not only accomplish the new but will accomplish other things in life that were never considered.

Playing the piano enabled me to widen my horizon and play other music genres, appreciating a variety of music types. More importantly, playing the piano is something that belongs only to the player. No one can take away the pianist’s ability. The pianist created a personal style, and no one can make playing the piano as important as the pianist made it according to that special style. The personal development, desire, love for playing and the skill and ability all belong to the pianist only.

So, there is a connection between playing the piano and life. It’s not just an interesting hobby, or only a way to relax. Playing the piano uses the same keys but generates different music. Life is not always the same. No one can count on the same events happening the same way all the time. The more skilled the pianist, the more the pianist can step outside what they have learned and go further, to go over and beyond. The more experiences we have in life, the more we can trust that we can step outside the box and expand ourselves.

Isn’t that a Good Story? That’s all for now.

Do you play an instrument, game, or anything that enabled your growth? Tell me about your experience. I would love to hear from you.     

Look for my novels on Amazon and/or Black Rose Writing.com                                                                                     

Blog – Love a Good Story

Posted on by judycar

Love a Good Story. I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Well, here’s another Good Story.

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

yet, their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  

The word for the month is: Putrefaction [pyoo-truh-fak-shuhn]; it’s a noun.

The process of decay or rotting, especially of organic matter; decomposition

Examples of putrefaction in a sentence:

The smell of putrefaction emanated from the decaying carcass in the forest.

Proper disposal of waste is essential to prevent putrefaction and the spread of disease.

Now, for the Good Story

This month, March, is my birthday month and I’ve been thinking about my mother. I miss her and sometimes I just stop and ask myself how she’s doing and if she remembers me. I think about the birthday cakes she made for each of us according to our personal taste. Mine was chocolate, no fruit. I lost her years ago. When I bring her to mind, I often think of those times we read together. When I was young, and before I went to kindergarten, my mother taught me how to read. Every afternoon, while she prepared the evening meal, I would gather the books in my arms and bring them to her. When she saw I was ready, she would turn the knobs on the stove, dry her hands on her apron, and amid the aromas of the baked chicken, her “special sauce,” she called it, and my favorite baked bread, we would sit at the kitchen table where she read fairy tales to me. I couldn’t get enough of the Princess and the Pea, The Snow Queen, The Little Mermaid, The Christmas Tree, and my favorite, Thumbelina. I loved being with her in the kitchen’s warmth, and her smile while she read. I loved the way she used her voice and made the action sound scary, or the people sound happy or sad. She made the stories seem real, as if the characters were sitting beside me listening to my mother read. I looked forward to our time together, just she and I. She was patient and understanding, especially when I asked her to repeat a phrase, or explain a happening in the story. Children that age ask the same questions repeatedly, and I was no exception. My mother would relay the same responses from the day before and the day before that, all the while smiling and saying things like, “You remember that. I know you do.” Being with my mother reading to me made me feel valued, loved, and brought me closer to her.

            Thumbelina is a story about a little woman who was the size of a thumb. I couldn’t imagine anyone being as small as a thumb. To help me understand her size and recognize the name Thumbelina, my mother took a thimble out of her sewing kit and put it on my thumb. Every time she read the story, I wanted her to put the thimble on. I could now “see” the size of this little girl and understood how small she was. My mother would ask me things like: What’s Thumbelina doing now? What does she want? Her way of making sure I understood the story. Thumbelina liked and helped the other animals as she encountered them and, by seeing who they were, she came to discover herself and what she wanted. She also exhibited independence and, though she was different, she did not see herself as “less than.”

            One day, my mother changed our routine. “It’s your turn to read to me. Read Thumbelina,” she said. I was surprised. I didn’t know how to read. “Mommy, I don’t know how to read,” I said. “Oh, yes, you do.” She picked up the book, Thumbelina. “I’ll show you.” She read a line, pointing to each word as she said it, and I read the same line as she pointed to each word. She had me read that way through the entire story. Then she asked me to read the story while she listened. I couldn’t believe it when I read the entire story with only a little help from her. She gave me the biggest smile that afternoon that made me feel like the best little girl on earth.

However, I still asked the same questions, and she still answered them. The thimble on my thumb enabled me to understand dimension, the size of things, the depth of concepts, what’s true and what’s not true. Asking me to read brought another dimension to my reading and our relationship. I was not a baby anymore. I was a little girl growing up loving stories.

            As I grew, because of her encouragement during my early years, I was and still am a ferocious reader. In middle school, my teacher told me about library cards. I asked my mother what these cards were, how to get one, and how to use it. She explained a card would enable me to borrow books from the library. I knew right then I had to have a card.

The next day, while I was in school, she called the library and arranged for me to get a library card. When I came home from school, she sent me to the public library to pick up my card. I entered reluctantly, and instead of heading for the front desk, I saw books everywhere, so I headed in that direction. I wasn’t overwhelmed; I was overly excited. Books, books, books everywhere. I couldn’t wait to get started. Where should I begin?

A lady came over to help by showing me the books for middle school students. I asked how many I could borrow and took that amount to the front desk, as she asked me to. The lady at the desk said I had to return the books in two weeks, so I should think about borrowing fewer books. I told her I was fine. I took the books home, gave one to my mother, the one I picked out for her, and took the rest to my room. I did my homework first (something my mother always asked of me) and then I started reading my novels.

            When I returned the books, the librarian looked at me over her glasses. “You know you can always renew them if you haven’t finished reading them.” I smiled and said, “I’ve finished reading them. I want to borrow more.” She removed her glasses and looked at me as if she didn’t believe anyone my age could read three books in two weeks. I read all the time. I was hungry for knowledge. I wanted to know about people, objects, and places. I would find out the state where a city was located or where a country was located. I’d research the customs of people and places in another country. I even found differences in the north and south of America. (I don’t think there’s much difference today given how often people move around, but when I was young there was.) At night, I would read in a corner of my room with a blanket over my head and a flashlight. I don’t think I fooled my mother or father. When I was older, my father mentioned it.

            My mother predicted that I would be a teacher and someday be an author. Today, I am an award-winning author of three novels. I taught elementary school, middle and high school and am now a professor at a two-year college.

            Fairy tales are on the banned book list. I don’t know whether Thumbelina is on that list. I bought the book. I wanted the large picture book for children, like the one I had but, Thumbelina didn’t come in the children’s big book. It is An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales. As I read the contents, I recognized other books my mother and I read together. Thumbelina stayed with me because of the thimble my mother put on my thumb. Fairy Tales are stories that are not true, but truth is embedded throughout the stories. If we only read the words, we won’t find the deeper meaning or the depth in the story. If we “read” what’s beneath the story, we may find a wealth of meanings. I love stories with deeper meaning. Fairy tales have deeper meaning.

Isn’t this a good story? I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it to you. Do you have a good story? Tell your story. Don’t forget to use putrefaction in a sentence and send it to me. I would love to see what you’ve done with that word. Keep it clean now.

That’s all for now. I look forward to being with you in April. Meanwhile Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and please visit my website: www.judycar.com and see what’s there. Follow me there as well. Don’t forget to read my novels. I know you’ll love the stories.

The Attractiveness of Wisdom, Winner, The Independent Press Award, 2022, and The NY Big Book Award, 2022.

Blessings and Curses, Finalist in the Readers Favorite Award, 2020, also awarded Top Ten Most Popular Books in the Frankfurt, Sharjah, and Guadalajara International Book Fairs, 2018.

Love A Good Story

Posted on by judycar

I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Here’s another Good Story.

Dear Artist of the Universe, Beloved Sculptor, Singer, and Author of my life, born of your image I Have made a home in the open fields of your heart. The magnetic tug of your invitation to grow is slowly transforming me into a gift for the world. Mentor me into healthy ways of living.

             By Macrina Wiederkehr

Last month I asked how you keep yourself safe. Did you send in your comments? Here are ways some people keep themselves safe:

           My husband makes me feel safe and validated.

          A good friend gives excellent advice whenever a problem arises.

          Some pray when they are afraid or don’t feel safe.

          Some have a group of friends that make them feel safe.

          Some turn to their fathers and/or mothers for advice that keeps them safe.

          Some have family gatherings that help them feel safe and wanted.

Some have family members in other states or who have passed away, and they don’t feel very safe.

The word for the month:  cantankerous.

Cantankerous is an adjective and means bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. It is often used to describe or applied to people, especially regarding their behavior.

 So now for a Good Story or a Really Good Story

          Early College Students. Have you heard about Early College Students? Have you wondered who or what kind of student is an Early College Student? Until I was given a class, I had no idea that such a thing existed. An Early College Student is an eleventh (11th) grade student who is enrolled in his or her high school and simultaneously enrolled in the first year of college. The student must have good grades and a GPA and must apply for the program. They usually begin their college career in a two-year college in order to get them acclimated to the college environment. They quickly come to realize that college life in a two-year college is very different from high school. They stay through the twelfth (12th) grade and the second year of college, where they, after completion of the two years, earn an AA degree and their high school diploma. During their second year at the college, they apply to a four-year university where they complete the final two years and earn their bachelor’s degree. 

          I was totally against this program when I first heard about it. High school is a time for growing, learning about oneself, and bettering oneself. High school teaches so much, even though much of the teaching seems negative during the high school years. For example, a female student whose boyfriend – the boy she thought was her boyfriend – who is disloyal and sees other girls, teaches the female how to respect herself and not worry so much about someone whose values differ from her values. We eventually learn these things, and use them later in life, probably when we encounter the experience again. An injury in high school, such as a star football player, who can no longer be the star, teaches the boy what is important in his life. Almost every experience we have in high school teaches us to grow, understand ourselves and causes us to be better people. We don’t see this while we are in high school and going through these experiences. It is a stage in life that I always felt everyone had to pass through, or for some, endure. The value of this learning comes when we need it and when we are older. What about the prom and the “grand to do” about who will be the prom queen and who will she ask to be the king? We learn tolerance from this and the fact that the king and queen are only the king and queen at the prom, which occurs at the end of the school year. But we also learn what we want for ourselves, what’s important to us, and being popular is a high school only concept. Almost everything we didn’t say or didn’t do, said or did, is a learning experience in high school. These Early College Students, because they are in a college, will miss out on this growth period when they join this program.

           What happens later in life for these students? The students I had in my classes were focused on their classes. They were all very brilliant students. It would seem that they were mature enough to manage those missing high school experiences. They also seemed like studious students who ordinarily would stay to themselves in high school, missing out on those experiences enabling growth and helping them find out who they are, the values and beliefs they hold, what they want for themselves and who they select for friends. Those students in my classes had already figured out what they wanted for themselves, knew who they were and had a path for themselves. These students were creative, ambitious, and outstanding in every way.

          When I had my first class, I began to understand the need for this type of class. These students take all of their classes at the college and the group stays together from English to biology, to math, and the other classes, like they would in high school. They would often leave to take tests at their high school, but generally, they were together. This was a good idea since putting them in classes where they didn’t know anyone would cause these students to be more apprehensive and feel they were being matched with adults. Keeping them together was important because high school students group themselves with their friends, especially if they live near each other. They form a large group of friends, and then they pair off into smaller groups. In college, students do not group of pair off. It is also not likely that they live near each other.

The students in my classes liked each other, so I did things in class that kept them working together and in groups to rely on each other, both in and out of class. These high school students were amazing. The work they turned in was incredible. These students applied deep thought to their assignments and projects. They were creative and information thirsty. They were phenomenal. Toward the end of the semester, the students matured more. I was worried about their growth, but they grew and natured more.

If your child qualifies for this program and you and your child feel he/she can manage it, sign your son or daughter into this program. I recommend it. There may be other things in your child’s school, so find out what those programs are and see whether they are right, or better, for your child. But please, please, please. Don’t force your son or daughter to enroll by signing them up for something they don’t feel they can manage. Children don’t want to disappoint their parents. The idea of failing something the parents wanted can stay with the student for the rest of their lives, for some. It will keep them afraid to “step out of the box” and they will not depend on themselves or think well of themselves.

Please let me know your thoughts on any of these programs. I want to hear what you think and what you have done so far.

Send a sample of how you used the word cantankerous, either in your writing or in your daily conversation. Send it to: www.judykelly@judycar.com and follow me.

          Isn’t this a Good Story? Below are two other Good Stories. Give them a read. Take good care. Until next time.

Love A Good Story

Posted on by judycar

Love a Good Story. I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Here’s another Good Story.

            First, I’d like you to know that I am back. Over the past year and a half, I have had my share, and the share of several others, it seemed like, of challenges with my home, my car and my health, all at the same time. I declare myself to be finished with all of that so I can get back to you. I missed writing to you and receiving your comments to me as well. So, with all that behind me, let’s focus on Love a Good Story.

            I get a Word of the Day that I sometimes use. So why not send you a word for the month. You may be able to use the word as well. The word for this month is:

Circuitous [ser-KYOO-i-tuhs]   1. Having a circular or winding course; not direct

Examples of its use:

  1. The mountain trail took a circuitous route, winding through dense forests and crossing streams.
  2. The circuitous explanation confused the audience, who expected a more straightforward answer.

Here’s another good story:

            Last summer, two foxes found their way into my backyard. We don’t have alleys where I live and I am in the middle of the street, which means that the foxes and deer have to come from other yards before jumping the fence and entering my yard. Once they get to my yard, it was easy for them to find their way back when they left. I guess that’s why they kept returning. When I would see these two foxes in my yard, I would take a broom and swing it around, yelling for them to leave, as I bravely approached them. They, frightened by my maniacal behavior, would try to jump the fence and get away. Yelling and swinging the broom, I gave them the extra time they needed to jump the fence. One, after about three of four tries, would get over and the other would keep trying until he or she made it over the fence and into my neighbor’s yard. One day I watched one hide in my Hosta plants that had grown and spread out. About an hour later, he or she came out of the bushes, yawning. That reminded me to be more cautious when I had to weed.

Fall came, and they left. It was a surprise. I thought they would stick around. I looked for them daily, but they didn’t return in the fall or winter. Then, spring came, and the two foxes returned. I think deep down I missed my friends, and I finally realized I wasn’t yelling at them to leave. Instead, I worried about them. Where did they go in the winter? Whatever they did, they made it back to my yard..

 Early one summer morning, I opened the door to my back deck and heard this scurrying noise. The two foxes were on my deck, sleeping. When they heard me opening the door, they ran down the steps to the back of the yard to jump the fence. That’s when I noticed the fence was a little too high for them to jump over. They saw me coming toward them and in a panic, the first one kept trying to jump over until he/she did. Then the other tried and tried and tried and finally made it over. My neighbor’s backyard is not fenced, so they found their way out.

Since they were on my deck, which is much too close to the inside of my house, I decided to check my deck as soon as I got up every day. Early in the morning, I found them not only on my deck, but sleeping together in a cushioned chair. One was curled inside the other. They were so cute; I wanted to take a picture of them. But I stood there inside, watching from my window. They seemed comfortable. They weren’t hiding. They were out in the open in a chair on my deck, sleeping. They just wanted to be safe; to sleep and feel safe doing so. Isn’t that what we humans want, too? We want to feel safe, especially with what’s happening today in our city and around the world. The foxes heard me walking around in my house, so they got up out of the chair and ran down the steps to the back of the yard to jump the fence. This day, as they tried to jump over the fence, they watched me. The first one stopped for a minute, watching to see what I would do. I shifted my weight, and the fox tried again and made it over. The second fox continued to look at me, then tried to jump over the fence. I encouraged him or her to try again. He or she did and finally made it over the fence. Instead of running away, they both stopped to look at me for a while. I asked them to stay together and look out for each other. It was at that moment that I understood the foxes.

Foxes are small animals. They are the size of small dogs. In fact, bigger dogs are much bigger that a fox. A fox is always on the alert. They have to be ready. They are the prey. The two foxes who slept on my deck, in my chair, were just looking for peace; a place where they could sleep without being chased away, without another animal trying to take their life. They must be tired of running, tired of hiding, and tired of trying to find some place safe. They were just looking for a place to relax, a place where they could be calm and free of worry about staying alive. They have no other fox or person to help them. They must depend on themselves.

Foxes are not the only ones who worry about things. Where do you go to feel safe? What do you do when you are worried about something? Do you have someone to turn to? How do you manage your worries? I know what I do, but please let me hear from you. What do you do?

Please let me hear from you. Also, if you’ve used “circuitous” in your story or in a writing, please send that as well. I look forward to hearing from you.

Please contact me at:  judykelly@judycar.com or respond to the bottom of this page.

Love a Good Story

Posted on by judycar

Merry Christmas Everyone

Love a Good Story. I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Here’s another good story.

Hello, from the Maddox family, Eric, Anna, Jeremy, HolliAnne, and Hamilton in Judy’s latest novel, The Attractiveness of Wisdom. We wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Jeremy, my youngest, sends you a special blessing.

                             The Lord bless you and keep you;

                             the Lord make his face to shine

                             upon you, and be gracious

                              to you;

                             upon you and give you peace.

                             the Lord life up his countenance

Numbers 6: 24-26, The New Oxford

This is the first Christmas in almost three years that many have felt at liberty to visit others or participate in activities. Please everyone, make this a momentous holiday. Appreciate those around you by saying nice things to your family, friends, and strangers and doing nice things for your family, friends, and strangers. Let this time with them be stamped with love and happiness.

If you are looking for Christmas gifts, why not gift your friends and loved ones The Attractiveness of Wisdom? I know they will love you more for your kind heart.

Read this wonderful story about the Maddox family. Don’t forget to email me and let me know what you think and go on Amazon to post a review.

www.blackrosewriting.com

Also, enjoy my podcast with Gabby as I talk about The Attractiveness of Wisdom.

https://www.independentpressaward.com/thegabtalksaudioonly/the-attractiveness-of-wisdom

The Independent Press Award magazine is magnificent!! If you are not sure which other books to buy, please order the magazine. Remember, if you order The Attractiveness of Wisdom, send me a copy of the invoice, you will receive a link where you can have the magazine free. And, to my surprise, my book is in the magazine.

Merry Christmas from Love a Good Story

Posted on by judycar

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

 

Love a Good Story. I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Here’s another good story.

Hello, I’m Hamilton Maddox, the main character in Judy’s latest novel, The Attractiveness of Wisdom.

I realize you haven’t heard from me, though you’ve heard from my sons and daughter and my parents. I implore you to read The Attractiveness of Wisdom because it’s a story of not only me and my family, but also of Judy. In the story, I didn’t realize the impact I had on others. It’s important to me that I see that now. Read this wonderful story. Read about the strength and power of love and the effect love has on us all.

If you are looking for Christmas gifts, why not gift your friends and loved ones The Attractiveness of Wisdom.? I know they will love you more for your kind heart.

Read this wonderful story for yourself and see. Don’t forget to email me and let me know what you think and go on Amazon to post a review.

https://www.judycar.com

www.blackrosewriting.com

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B00I3KVGFM?

Also, enjoy my podcast with Gabby as I talk about The Attractiveness of Wisdom.

https://www.independentpressaward.com/thegabtalksaudioonly/the-attractiveness-of-wisdom

 

The Independent Press Award magazine is magnificent!!

If you are not sure which other books to buy, please order the magazine. Remember, if you order The Attractiveness of Wisdom, send me a copy of the invoice and you will get a link where you can have the magazine. And, to my surprise, my book is in the magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love a Good Story

Posted on by judycar

Merry Christmas

Love a Good Story. I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Here’s another good story.

A few weeks ago, someone asked me the meaning of the title of my novel, The Attractiveness of Wisdom.

The title, The Attractiveness of Wisdom, comes from the Bible. In the Bible, Wisdom is a lady. In the story, Hamilton’s change comes from his interactions with three women. Each of the women offers him a new way for him to see himself and empowers him to change. The title represents the good or the positive that comes from being wise, knowing yourself and understanding what you need.

Read this wonderful story for yourself and see. Don’t forget to email me and let me know what you think and go on Amazon to post a review.

www.blackrosewriting.com

Also, enjoy my podcast with Gabby as I talk about The Attractiveness of Wisdom.

https://www.independentpressaward.com/thegabtalksaudioonly/the-attractiveness-of-wisdom

The Independent Press Award magazine is magnificent!! If you are not sure which other books to buy, please order the magazine. Remember, if you order The Attractiveness of Wisdom, send me a copy of the invoice and you will get a link where you can have the magazine. And, to my surprise, my book is in the magazine.

Love a Good Story Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on by judycar

Love a Good Story! I just Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story?

Here’s another Good Story.

Two weeks ago, when I sat down to write this. I wanted to write about all the ugly things happening in this country. I wanted to just let out my thoughts and feelings, without care, and what I would say about some people. I just wanted and still want to let off steam. I wanted to express my views on immigration, sexual orientation, teen violence, covid-19, the “I” generation with their personal rights, and a host of other problems we seem to have. But I changed my mind (remember, I’m a woman, and that is my right). In a previous blog on my website, (you may want to go and read it) I gave you a history of Stevensville, the place where my main character, Hamilton, in The Attractiveness of Wisdom, grew up. In the novel, Hamilton lives in Rockville, Maryland. Instead of the “downer” story, I thought it would be nice to give you a little history of Rockville. I think you will find it interesting.

If you are like me, hearing or reading the word “history” is a huge turnoff. But see history in terms of storytelling. That can make a difference. So, this is a story about the changes and growth in Rockville, Maryland.

By now, we should know that the first people who lived in this country were who we have identified as “American Indians.” The country was not named “America” at the time. We should also know that Indians would like to be identified by their tribal names, rather than American Indians. The number of tribes in this country, at least two thousand years before anyone other than tribal people arrived was well over two hundred. I don’t want to get too much into this history, but some either don’t know this or they treat it the same way they do the Holocaust, Slavery, Internment of Japanese and Covid, as it did not exist. There is evidence, and much of it, that the Indians walked the very ground you are sitting or standing on now, centuries and centuries ago. I heard someone being interviewed on the news some time ago, say that “this country was founded by immigrants.” That is not true. This country was already founded; it was already occupied by the many Indian tribes who had made this country their home for many centuries. They lost their lives and land to invaders and many Indians had to flee their homes and move to Canada, Mexico, and South America.

Indians created paths in Rockville as well as many other places, where they walked and hunted. In the 1700’s people who came to this country saw the paths the Indians took. In the central part of this country, Indians followed the buffalo for food, clothing, and shelter. They travelled from the east coast to the west coast and back again according to the change in weather. They were more nomadic.  Some of the streets and roads we now drive or walk on may have been a path travelled by the Indians.

Rockville was a small settlement of over 50 people and was originally called Owen’s Ordinary when General Edward Braddock’s troops marched through in 1776. By 1774 the place was referred to as Hungerford’s Tavern. After 1776, at the founding of the county, most people called it Montgomery Court House although it was officially named Williamsburg.  The Williams family offered lots for sale adjacent to the courthouse and by 1801 the name was changed to Rockville after Rock Creek. The town was incorporated. So, Rockville had several names before it was finally given its name Rockville. What do you want to bet that Hungerford’s Tavern was a gathering place where men drank beer and ale. Can’t you just see these soldiers gathering at Hungerford’s after a hard day of fighting Indians and drills?

The early settlers were English (of course), Scotch and Irish. In other words, the UK or almost. At the various times they arrived, they scattered over the county and most of the little communities they started such as Barnesville, Brookville, Laytonsville, Poolesville were not as large at Rockville.

Rockville is the county seat in Montgomery County. Many people worked in D.C. and commuted from Rockville. Rockville is still one of the major places where people live, but work in Washington, D.C.  These people are professionals interested in governmental and civic affairs. They are well educated and professional. I don’t think this holds true today. At the time, many Marylanders were not native Marylanders, and they brought political philosophies to the state.

Rockville was and still is an interesting place to live for some. The city has changed greatly since it was founded. Lewis Reed of Reed Automotives stated: “More than 250 years ago, land grants to European settlers formed the nucleus for today’s Rockville, Maryland. By the 1750s, local farmers were transporting tobacco to market in Georgetown down a road formerly used by Indians. The tiny settlement was designated as the seat of the new Montgomery County in 1776. Known as Rockville by 1803, the town’s life centered on Courthouse activity. More homes and shops were built, and the town of nearly 600 was incorporated in 1860. The dynamics that created Rockville in the 18th and 19th centuries are still the same ones attracting newcomers today: the presence of county government, a favorable location close to the nation’s capital, converging transportation routes that bring people here, and identity as an independent municipality.”

Did you know Rockville was a resort town? Well maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but “Chestnut Lodge was a focal point on historic West Montgomery Avenue. Opened as a luxury hotel in 1889 for Washingtonians seeking to escape the city’s summer heat, the hotel thrived until the economy and more accessible transportation made Rockville a suburb of Washington rather than a summer vacation destination.” Everything changes, huh? Reed goes on to say, “The hotel was then purchased by Dr. Ernest L. Bullard who reopened the building, naming it Chestnut Lodge, as “a sanitarium for the care of nervous and mental diseases.” F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda, stayed in the sanitarium in Rockville. He took the long drive (about 45 minutes) from Washington, D. C. to see his Zelda almost every weekend.

“The Bullard family operated the nationally famous Chestnut Lodge for 75 years. It was closed only three years later. The building was conveyed to a developer in 2003 with the intention of converting it to condominiums as part of the development of the Chestnut Lodge property.” I drive by the exact corner where this sanitarium was located every time I use 270. “Sadly, a fire on June 7, 2009 destroyed the landmark building that began as Woodlawn Hotel and came to symbolize the psychiatric institution of Chestnut Lodge. Today, the Chestnut Lodge campus is preserved for the community and consists of Little Lodge, Frieda’s Cottage, a Stable and, an Ice House, and eight acres of forested lawn.” But it is not that today.

According to the history put together by Lewis Reed, “During the first two decades of the 20th century, the pace of growth slowed considerably. Between 1900 and 1920, Rockville’s population grew by only 45 persons. However, amenities available in urban areas came to Rockville in this period—electricity, telephones, indoor bathrooms, a sewerage system, trolley cars, a town park, and street trees.”

“The years after World War II were phenomenal ones in Rockville. The population swelled from 2,047 in 1940 to 26,042 in 1960. The newcomers to Rockville included WWII veterans and their young families who purchased starter homes in new subdivisions, including Hungerford Towne, Twin-Brook, and Montrose.” I live near these areas. The homes were small then, but many people have added on to those homes making them more attractive and of course, larger. The decade of 1950-60 proved pivotal for the area, as much of the old disappeared and the new was being constructed.

Unfortunately, building in Rockville continues. But look at the past. If you have been to Rockville, just think that just a little before you were born, the city was very different.

This is the Woodlawn Hotel. Wouldn’t it be nice to vacation here?

Rockville B&O Train Station early 1900s. On the left, a horse-drawn carriage has just left the station. Photo by Lewis Reed.

Halpine-Lenovitz General Store, 1906

“The Halpine Store, also known as the Lenovitz General Store, was built on Rockville Pike in 1898, taking advantage of the prime location on the trolley and railroad lines and the Pike. The store sold food, gasoline and other items to locals and Pike travelers. Note the telephone or telegraph poles, and the trolley tracks paralleling the road. The nearby Halpine railroad station also brought customers to the area, and the store became the social/community gathering place for the Halpine area.”

How many times have you passed this place?

Halpine-Lenovitz General Store at Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. Photo taken by Lewis Reed, circa 1906.

Rockville High School, 1911. Photo by Lewis Reed.

Veirs Mill Road looking east prior to paving. Photo by Lewis Reed, 1911.

What does this say, Veirs Mill Road in 1911? This is only one hundred and eleven (111) years ago.

Veirs Mill Road, 1911

“The popularity of the car coincided with the improvement of public roads around Rockville. Rockville Pike’s reputation as “one of the worst pieces of main highway in the state” helped initiate Maryland’s Good Roads Movement. Responding to citizen demands, the newly created State Roads Commission incorporated the Pike into the state highway system. By 1929, when Montgomery County residents owned 13,000 cars, the Pike and Montgomery Avenue had been paved, but less traveled Veirs Mill Road remained a narrow dirt road for decades.”

Veirs Mill Road is a main street now running from Georgia Avenue in Wheaton and ending at Rockville Pike in Rockville. It continues to be crowded and the 13,000 cars and more must all use Veirs Mill Road during the times I use it.

I wonder what the founders and those who lived here in earlier times would say about Rockville now? Would they like it? See it as a better place to live now? Think they were the ones better off? Today, we have people jammed tightly in small communities, as opposed to being spread out. I would think that would be hard for those who lived before us. There are apartment buildings that take up entire city blocks. You don’t have to worry about a place to live because there are townhouses, condos, and single-family developments everywhere you look. If you can afford it, it’s yours. How about when we go into stores in Rockville we are plagued with long lines and customers who always seem to have special problems that impose on others who are waiting their turn. I think those who lived before us would make a comment to the person holding up the line, bringing to the person’s attention that they are being inconsiderate. And what about cars? Should I bring that up? There are too many cars on the roads. So many that driving is dangerous, especially when people are on the phone, eating, eating soup (I’ve seen that so many times. I hope the soup is not hot.) Cars (including SUVs and trucks) are everywhere. It is even difficult for a homeowner to park in front of his/her house.  I don’t think those who came before us would appreciate this either. We no longer pride ourselves on the fact that we are educated and professional people because we have too many people who are not educated or professional or who live in poverty in Rockville. Progress does not always mean something good. Instead of saying progress, we can say “change.” Rockville has certainly changed from the ideas and principles that began this city.

Wasn’t this fun? I found it very interesting and to know that just 111 years ago Veirs Mill Road was a dirt road is amazing. Someone saw this change in their lifetime. And just so you know, I am not speaking of myself. This area has certainly changed since I’ve known it. History is something we all experience. Some events seem more important or historical than others, but history is what we live in and what we help create. History is exciting!

I thank you so much for allowing me to bring you this history instead of what I had planned. I hope you are calm, more relieved, and more at peace. You have given that to me. Focusing on something good, positive, and interesting does help.

Reading won’t hurt either. Reading makes a nice “get-away” as it takes you into a world of fantasy. Enjoy reading. You can get my novels here: Send me an email and let me know what you think.

That’s all for now. Purchase your copy of The Attractiveness of Wisdom and/or Blessings and Curses. Go on to my website as well. Don’t forget to send me an email. Take good care and many Blessings.

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Love a Good Story

Posted on by judycar

Love a Good Story. I Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story?  Well, here is another good story.

First, I want to say that when I began blogging and I promised myself that I would not be political in what I said. I just wanted to talk about experiences and events, and express insights. This time, I am breaking my promise. Don’t worry, I will punish myself with a big bowl of ice cream after I send this blog off.

The other day, I got a phone call from someone who asked me to support Trump. While she went through her spiel of why I would want to support him, I realized that she didn’t speak about the one major reason Christians would support him. I bet you can guess  and if you thought of the abortion issue, you are correct. After the call, I sat down to think about abortion, to see both sides.

Abortion is not an issue for me. Abortion is also not an issue for a single man. His stand should not matter, and he should not support a law that upholds one side. This is a female issue, and a female should have the power and say-so. To begin, a woman, married or not, finds herself in a decision-making position. If the woman is married, then she may decide to please her husband. If the woman is not married, or single, and because she believes she is protected, she decides to engage with her male friend. In both cases, the woman makes the decision. That’s the important part.

In today’s world, more and more women are working, attending college, finding a job they want, moving up the ladder toward success, or working on another degree so that they can climb the ladder of success. They establish goals and objectives and want more for themselves than the job of a stay-at-home-mom. They don’t want to be the only adult responsible for the children that she and her husband created together in love. These women have a future, and they want to participate as professionals. They want more and are not ready for a family with children before they are accomplished. Society recognizes women and women’s abilities to hold high positions and even own their own businesses. But a woman’s travel to the top entails a much longer journey, as she must always prove herself, and she encounters many more obstacles that make her journey a longer one. Nevertheless, this is what some women want. This is what makes some women happy; that they can accomplish something. This makes women feel whole. Reaching the top not only makes women happy, reaching the top also gives women life or fulfillment and offers them the liberty they need to make their own choices.

Men don’t have these problems. Their conditions are different. Unfortunately, men can’t get pregnant. Men are not expected to raise children, especially if the pregnancy is unexpected. That job belongs to the woman. Men also climb the ladder of success, but their climb is much faster than a woman’s climb. But that’s another topic.

Because men don’t experience what women experience, nor in the same way they do, it is difficult for a man to voice an opinion about abortion. After all, he will never have to experience having an abortion, unfortunately. However, a husband should support his wife’s decision, and after carefully reviewing their individual goals, the husband and wife may make the decision together. Aside from this, no one other than the woman who made the initial decision should decide what to do in the event she needs an abortion. Her reasons are her own personal reasons and should not be dragged through the news or courts. Thus, abortion is an individual decision made by the woman, or only when the man is consulted, a family decision. Access to abortion should be granted for women who need to have an abortion.

There are two issues. First, is the reason that is omitted. The Bible says that a man and woman must procreate. They must start a family, and that family must continue the line, the next generation must continue the line, and on and on. The Bible presents long lists of families and who came after who. The Bible identifies the men and sometimes women, who continued their line. Today, we must see it the same as much as possible and in doing so, we must see that decisions about one’s body, or whether to procreate are decisions that only individual people or families have the right to make. It is ridiculous to take abortion to court.

Christians who voted for Trump because he does not support abortion rights, obviously haven’t listened to the confusion he caused in what he thinks of as a “speech.” First, Trump did not run because of abortion rights. He ran for other personal reasons. These reasons will not be discussed.

Christians have no Biblical or Christian right to tell someone else, Christian or not, what they should do about their lives. As Christians, we are not to judge others. We have no right to do that. Jesus has asked us not to judge. We are to leave that to Him. When we make a decision about abortion rights, we are also deciding about someone else, thereby casting judgement on that person. Take a minute to think about what you say to yourself about someone who wants an abortion. Do you think the words “She shouldn’t have ” or “What was she thinking? ” or anything like that? Can you see you are casting judgement? Only the woman who finds herself needing an abortion can make that decision.

When we make sweeping judgements such as the abortion issue, we make these judgements without knowledge of the lives of those needing an abortion, their circumstances, lifestyle, physical condition, and health of the woman and of the fetus, of a woman’s mental health, living conditions, even their age. It is difficult to judge what another person’s life is like. Not to mention the fact that taking a stand against abortion (making a judgement about another) is a sin. As Christians, we are called to love one another and take care of each other. You can’t care for a person when you impose your thinking on them. Even if they are wrong, your sin does not make it right. We are not called to judge. We only have one Judge. That is His responsibility and His alone. We are not to make decisions for God. That is a sin, also. When we make a decision for God, we can misrepresent Him by adding ourselves. Misrepresenting God is a huge sin. When you add up everything, whose sins are greater? Yours? Or a woman who wants an abortion? So, Christians do not judge or tell others what they should or should not do. The word “should” implies that it is your opinion, and unsupported with facts.  Instead, Christians are asked to follow the examples Jesus provided for us when he walked this earth.

If a woman and her husband, or a single woman and her friend, or a single woman makes a wrong decision, then that is her sin. They are responsible for the sin they commit. Others are not.

Let’s look at this issue another way. The Constitution of the United States says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.”

I know you have read this many times in your history classes that you took both in high school and college or have read it and reread it on your own. So, I will not review the meaning of the entire passage. Instead, let’s begin with “inalienable rights.” What does “inalienable” mean? What is an “Inalienable right?” According to the Longman Advanced American Dictionary, inalienable means “a right that cannot be taken away from you.” According to the Synonym Finder, synonyms for inalienable are: “forfeitable, untransferable, not to be conveyed, consignable, unsalable, unnegotiable, positive, absolute, inherent, unchallengeable, and in the Law, indefeasible, not to be annulled, not to be made void, permanent.”

If inalienable is something, or a right, that belongs to me and me only and I cannot give that specific right away or have that right taken from me, then an inalienable right is a right that belongs to me and me only and I cannot have that right taken away from me.

The Constitution says, “Inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  The words “among these” implies that we have other right, and among all those other rights we have are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Keep in mind as we go along that these rights cannot be given away or taken away from us.

Next, we need to define life. What is life to you? If you were to ask a homeless person what life is, would they say “Oh, homelessness is the way to go.” Do you think a homeless person has life? What about someone in prison of any kind? Is that life? If someone restricts you from something you want or need and keeps you there, is that life? If a person is bedridden, is that life? If a person spends their days inside for whatever reason, is that life? Does life have to do with quality?  If that’s so, then couldn’t life be the use and experience of your talents and gifts?  Isn’t that why we are given life; to use are gifts and talents to grow ourselves and help others grow?  Stop and think about the work you and others do. Is there a job where a person does NOT offer something that some facet of the public can use?  A homeless person does not get to grow because he has no life. Society has stopped that for him. A prisoner gets a small chance for limited growth and may help others, but neither can really use their talents or gifts. What is growing? Isn’t growing developing and expanding our talents? Someone may be good with computers. That person will learn about computers by taking classes, by using the computer and by showing others. Then, after mastering those skills, the person may take more advanced classes and master more skills. Would a woman who has an unwanted pregnancy be able to grow? Would she be able to use her talents and gifts?

The next inalienable right (a right that cannot be given away or taken away from us) is liberty. Liberty means freedom. Not only are we given life, the ability to grow ourselves, as a right, but we also have liberty or freedom as an inalienable right as well. We are free to run our lives the way we see fit and we are free to grow ourselves in the manner we would like. Look at one more thing. These are individual rights. They are not group rights. A group has no say so over your individual rights, YOU get to run your own life. You are not bound by a group who gives you these rights and tells you how and when to use them. Remember inalienable. This is why it is difficult for me to understand why so many people feel they have the “right” to tell you what to do with YOUR inalienable rights. Even a judge thinks he has the right to override the Constitution and put his opinion into law. This is abuse of power. Getting back on track, Liberty, the freedom to use our talents and gifts in the way we like. Again, this freedom is granted to us individually, and not granted by others, but by the Constitution of the United States.

Then we come to pursuit of happiness. The following is what Brent Strawn, editor of The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness: What the Old and New Testament Teach us about the Good Life, published in 2012 has to say about Happiness.

“Arthur Schlesinger should be credited with pointing out in a nice little essay in 1964 that at the time of the Declaration’s composition, “the pursuit of happiness” did not mean chasing or seeking it, but practicing happiness, the experience of happiness — not just chasing it but actually catching it, you might say. Seeking happiness is one thing but actually obtaining it and experiencing it —practicing happiness! — is an entirely different matter. It’s the difference between dreaming and reality. Remember that the pursuit of happiness, in the Declaration, is not a quest or a pastime, but “an unalienable right.” Everyone has the right to actually be happy, not just try to be happy. To use a metaphor: You don’t just get the chance to make the baseball team, you are guaranteed a spot. That’s a very different understanding. So, now, in 2018, I continue to think that the thickest and best definition of “the pursuit of happiness” means we must think about facilitating the achievement of others’ happiness, and not be inordinately or exclusively self-obsessed with our own.

Happiness, then, is something we are and that we not only think about ourselves as being happy, but we must enable others to be happy, as well.”

Isn’t that a comprehensive way of thinking about the pursuit of happiness. If we reason this out using critical thinking skills, then we must find that we have the freedom to make decisions for ourselves that bring us a fulfilling life where we are able to use our talents and skills that fill us with happiness. Each woman and the woman only, has the right to decide what she will do with her body. She is given the freedom to make those decisions. If we do anything as a group, we must see to the happiness of others not ourselves. It may be difficult for some of the “I,” “All about me” people to see that. But this is the right thing to do. Let those people who are involved make their own decision. You maybe taking a “right,” such as the freedom to make their own choice, away from your daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister, best friend her daughters, and on and on. We are given these inalienable rights, and no one is given a right to take these inalienable rights away from anyone. Should a woman and her husband or woman and her boyfriend make a decision that is not in their best interest, then they will have to pay for that decision, and others will not have to pay for judging.

In my novel, The Attractiveness of Wisdom, HolliAnne, Hamilton’s wife, does not want children. She fears she will become a parent who neglects her children the way her parents neglected her. She also suffered from postpartum depression. But they have three children.  Read what happened and see how that came about in The Attractiveness of Wisdom.

I thank you for reading this.  Leave a message, share your thoughts with me on this matter.

 

While you are here, purchase The Attractiveness of Wisdom and Blessings and Curses.

The Attractiveness of Wisdom, Winner, The Independent Press Award, 2022, and The NY Big Book Award, 2022.

www.blackrosewriting.com

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B00I3KVGFM?

Blessings and Curses, Finalist in the Readers Favorite Award, 2020, also awarded Top Ten Most Popular Books in the Frankfurt, Sharjah, and Guadalajara International Book Fairs, 2018.

 

Love A Good Story

Posted on by judycar

I Love a Good Story. Don’t you just Love a Good Story? Here is a really Good Story.

Great News! 

The Attractiveness of Wisdom just won the NYC Big Book Award.

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Something exciting is coming up and I can’t wait to offer the event to you.

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