The Amazing True Story of Sir John Chandos

~ Janet McKee ~ 1 Comment

Nicholas C. Rossis's avatarNicholas C. Rossis

Henrey Bradley recently shared on Quora the remarkable tale of Sir John Chandos who rose from obscurity to become a hero of the Hundred Years War and a knight distinct from all others.

Sir John Chandos | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's books
Sir John Chandos. Image: Quora

Born to a family of small nobility in Derbyshire, Chandos, from a young age, honed his combat skills and military knowledge to an exceptional level. As the Hundred Years War broke out, Chandos, still a young man, joined King Edward III’s defense campaign as an adventurer.

His military aptitude was evident during the Siege of Cambrai in 1339, where he bested a French knight in single combat and led a small troop of warriors to thwart an enemy attack. Word of his martial prowess spread and Chandos was soon knighted. This event marked the onset of an extraordinary military journey that lasted the initial three decades of the Hundred Years War.

Longbowmen…

View original post 628 more words

A Few Words from Emily Dickinson

~ Janet McKee ~ Leave a comment

Wickersham's Conscience's avatarWickersham's Conscience

Some Keep the Sabbath going to Church

I keep it, staying at Home

With a Bobolink for a Chorister

And an Orchard, for a Dome

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice

I, just wear my Wings

And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,

Our little Sexton – sings.

And the sermon is never long,

So instead of getting to Heaven, at last

I’m going, all along.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman

Bobolink, Garden Valley, Idaho

— Emily Dickinson, “Some keep the Sabbath going to church,” The Poems of Emily Dickinson Edited by R. W. Franklin(Harvard University Press, 1999

Notes:

chorister, n.
A member of a choir of singers. Of a church choir; now spec. a choirboy. Also: a choir-leader (U.S.).

This post was inspired by Mrs. WC’s collection of this Emily Dickinson poem, one of at least three in which Dickinson praises the bobolink and its song.

View original post

Horses in the Snow

~ Janet McKee ~ Leave a comment

At the “farm” in Milford New Hampshire

This is a family photo, found in my “collection”. Laurie and Leslie and Charlie and 2 horses. I am not sure who owned the horses – a neighbor? The photo is dated 3/1603 – in my sister Ruth’s handwriting.

Going Home – soon

~ Janet McKee ~ 1 Comment

GP's avatarPacific Paratrooper

Christmas card

This was the Christmas card sent from Japan to Broad Channel, New York in December 1945. Anna Smith had been waiting to hear this news from her son Everett (Smitty) for over three years. On the back, it reads:

“Dear Mom:
This is the best Xmas card I’ve sent to you since getting in the army. I figured this would be what you have always been waiting to see, here it goes.

“I’m finally on my way, so don’t send any more mail.
Love, Everett
“P.S. I’ll keep you posted on my various stops.

Everett Smith, aka “Smitty” or “Pops”

CLICKAdvertisement from the era. At the bottom is an ad for George Burns & Gracie Allen

#####               #####

Much can be said about General Joseph May Swing that I am very surprised no one had written his biography. He stood tall and…

View original post 276 more words

Venezuelan Adventure – Daniel Beck Guion – Venezuelan Letters – Daily Activities – December 1, 1939 (2)

~ Janet McKee ~ Leave a comment

Judy Guion's avatar"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons

DBG - Dan in Venezuela with peaked cap - alone - 1940

Daniel Beck Guion in the field in Venezuela

It has occurred to me several times that I have never told you the details of camp life.  Just how much would prove to be interesting, I don’t know, but here is a partial story, at least.

There is a large canvas fly for the cocina (kitchen).  The cook has a small tent for sleeping.  There was a large tent with mosquito-bar sides for the office.  We use this tent for dining, also.  Our sleeping tents are two-man tents, containing our clothes, personal belongings and cots.  Under a second canvas fly are stored the extra supplies (tools, instruments, etc.)

Our camp personnel (at present we are short-he handed) includes  Simon, (the cook), Bill Rudolph (Chief of Party), Dick Wimberley (draftsman), Fred Chion (transit-man), Dr. Boshnakian (all-around engineer, College Prof., geologist, etc.) and myself.

We employ about 16 peons of varying intelligence &…

View original post 416 more words

It’s All About The Competitions

~ Janet McKee ~ Leave a comment

For the last 2 weeks it was all about tennis at Wimbledon, and Le Tour (de France), – now I can look away and devote some time to …………er My Blog, And Straightening up My Apartment (I’m almost buried in untidiness. Material for my blog seems to take over my desk. Does it have a mind of its own? There’s an idea for a story.

Before I write said story, here is another postcard from Kenya.

Elephant and Wildebeeast

I am not sure where I got this card but it’s a coincidence that it was written in June 1968 when I was still in Kenya. And it was posted to someone in Ranelagh in Dublin Ireland. I was going to take up residence very near Ranelagh in October of that year. (I don’t think I ever met the Misses O’Connor to whom the card is addressed.)

July 20th

~ Janet McKee ~ Leave a comment

This is a date etched in my family’s history – my brother’s birthday. He always (jokingly) kept family members informed of the approach of this IMPORTANT date.

Family photo – my 2 sisters and my brother Bob holding me.- 1937