Category: History
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Hawaiian Superstitions
Every culture has superstitious beliefs. As a child, I was encouraged not to step on sidewalk cracks lest I break my mother’s back, to throw spilled salt over my shoulder, and not let black cats cross my path. While researching my book Aloha Spirit, I learned about Hawaiian superstitions because one of my characters is…
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Fort Snelling
Fort Snelling is in Minnesota, but I am researching a time when it was part of the Michigan Territory, just after the Black Hawk War ended in 1832. My interest was piqued by an ancestor of mine who was born at the fort in 1836. Her father was the acting sutler at the fort. Her…
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When I Say Merry Christmas
Every year at this time, I hear cheery calls of “Happy Holidays!” I say, “Merry Christmas.” People say that Happy Holidays doesn’t offend non-Christians who don’t celebrate Christmas. I understand that, and I certainly don’t want to discourage friendly greetings of any kind. I, however, will continue to say Merry Christmas, and you should not…