Summer break: “Waste” some time on something beautiful
I have another suggestion for your summer: “Waste” some time appreciating something beautiful. Go to an art museum, marvel at the paintings; attend the symphony, be taken up with the music; take a long hike, be absorbed by nature; sit on the beach, stare at the waves; seek out a flower garden and just smell […]
Summer break: Read a book because you want to, not because you have to
Well, it has arrived—the last week of school. And while our focus is still on finishing well, I thought I’d take the opportunity these last four days to recommend a few things you might consider doing this summer. My first suggestion: Read a book because you want to, not because you have to. Frederick Douglass, […]
The art of ending well
Ten years ago, at the Peachtree 10k Road Race in Atlanta, Ben Payne was approaching the finish line in first place. The Peachtree is the biggest ten kilometer race in the world, with over 50,000 runners participating each year on the morning of the 4th of July. Having pulled away from his competition, Payne raised his […]
Unsung Heroes: The unknown soldier
Henry Knox, Joseph Warren, William Eaton…they’re all lesser known heroes of American history. But at least we know their names and their stories. In Arlington National Cemetery, three American soldiers are buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: one from World War I, one from World War II, and one from the Korean War. […]
Unsung Heroes: William Eaton
I know that you’re familiar with the United States Marine Hymn that tells of the Marines going “to the shores of Tripoli”—but do you know what, or who, it is about? The song refers to an attack on the Tripolitan city of Derne in 1805, and the 8 Marines responsible for leading the attack that […]
Monticello: The architecture of a man and his home
When you visit Monticello, you quickly learn that there were some rather quirky things about Thomas Jefferson. He used to read and write in his study with birds flying around inside; despite their many impracticalities, he loved Alcove Beds, which are beds built into the wall, with just one side open (his guests who had […]
Colonial Williamsburg: Before America’s “first freedom”
One of the most interesting things about colonial Williamsburg is that it is preserved as colonial Williamsburg. What you see and experience is Williamsburg as it existed in 1775—the year before America declared her independence from England. That is why, when we got to observe the royal court in action, we all had to rise and declare: “God save […]
Jamestown: The original American underdog story
One of the things that I learned while visiting Jamestown was that its eventual success was not just uncertain…it was downright unlikely. Sure, the settlers were bold adventurers. But they were also what you might call clueless incompetents. Many of the men were not sailors or farmers or soldiers, but gentlemen and manservants, completely unaware […]
Holy Wednesday: “You must make your choice”
Wednesday of Holy Week is, for many Christians, known as Spy Wednesday. It commemorates the betrayal of Jesus by his disciple Judas. Matthew 26 records: “14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty […]
Holy Monday: “You must accept or reject the story”
For Christians around the world, this week marks perhaps the most important week of the year: Holy Week. Beginning yesterday, with Palm Sunday and continuing through Holy Saturday, the days of Holy Week follow the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and the subsequent betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus as recounted in the […]
