Remembering Your Present Stories: The writing blog of Stacy Duplease, a 34+ year journal keeper and writer of nonfiction and fiction.
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Day 2 What is a Life of Thanks (in America)?
Welcome to the second day of: "A Life of Thanks: The Blessings of Life in America Since 1607." This is a combination of a blog post series, a memoir, and daily devotional and journaling thoughts about counting my and our blessings of life in America. It's to help us appreciate the supreme blessing we have now, from our past, and in our future as a nation and as individuals. Therefore, as I share daily thoughts, I hope we will count our blessings--and do so more each moment of every day.
Counting our blessings helps us ensure we do not take anyone or anything for granted. It also helps live a more intentional, purposeful life.
There is another reason for this blog post series: I do not know about you, but what has happened in our country since September Eleventh, 2001 has me disturbed. Current events and politics only add to my disturbance. What has happened to us as a nation? Have we lost our way? Have each of us pulled our weight to make America the land of the free and beautiful? And far more importantly, have I?
Now would be a good time for me to make a request. Keep a journal and count your blessings about your life in the United States of America. Also, think through,and interact with, each day's material in your journal.
Why should you do this? It's because the more you think things through, and the more blessings you count, the more you will get out of these daily readings. Journaling will help you with this endeavor.
Another reason to have a journal and count your blessings is to help you keep track of them. On a tough day, or in a tough moment, it can be difficult to find one blessing to count. Keeping a list helps remember in spite of that moment, our lives are extremely blessed and it helps us see that this moment is temporary. Hence, counting our blessings gives us proper perspective and helps us live a better life in spite of the challenges of the moment.
The last decade and a half, our nation has seen its challenges. Our current events show how we are divided more as a country than we have been in decades. Living a Life of Thanks is one way each of us can actively make a difference in this regard.
Is living a life of thanks a way to have world peace? I wouldn't go that far. People are people. And, because people are people, I do not think without the hand of God we could ever achieve world peace. However, learning to count more bleeding than find worries or complains sure couldn't hurt or make things worse. In fact, it would help each of us individually to live better lives,more purposeful lives. If we were to really do this, we as individuals, as families, as communities, as states, as a country, and as a world would be radically transformed.
Devotional and Journaling Thoughts:
List at least five things you are thankful in your life.
List at least five things you are thankful for regarding America.
How would you define "A Life of Thanks?"
I would rather count my blessings than complaints. How about you? Journal your response.
List at least five more things you are thankful for.
Day 1 An Introduction and Explanation (A Life of Thanks in America)
Life has a way of steering us in the direction it chooses for us. Rarely, if ever, do things happen how we want them and when we want them. We have a choice to embrace where it leads or buck and complain or fret.
This new series of 365 blog posts is a prime example of this phenomenon and is my attempt to make the best of this new path in my life and in my writing and spiritual life more specifically.
Current events, among other words things, has led to my great frustration with the USA and with the people of the nation, including the government and Church, never mind the citizens thereof. And, these current events and other frustrations have forced me to look within. After all, I think it is imperative to look at self first and analyze and change self before I ever ask that of others.
The bottom line is this: I want to live a life of thanks through every situation and I believe if everyone did the same, this world would be a drastically different place.
This first round of 365 blog posts will be of my thankfulness for America the Beautiful, in the past, present, and future.
I use the phrase of America the Beautiful intentionally, for she is. I think we all have forgotten the beauty of this land and nation, and if we remembered it, this country would change and become truly America the Beautiful once again.
Would you care to join me on the journey of learning to live a life of thanks and finding the blessings in the United States? That's what the next 365 blog posts in this series will have as it's focus. After all, we are truly blessed as Americans.
Working title of a new blog post series:
A Life of Thanks: The Blessings of Life in America Since 1607
Journaling and Devotional Thoughts:
List at least 5 things you are thankful for.
Do you live a life of thanks?
Do you live a life of thanks every moment?
Do you want to do so?
Are you thankful for America? How and how not?
What makes the United States of America beautiful?
List at least five more things you are grateful for.
Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease
Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Silent no more
Speechless... but not...
Ever since the attack on the World Trade Center, the first time, the attack on the USS Cole, and September Eleventh, I have been so enraged, I become speechless. There is a group of people for centuries have wanted those who do not believe what they do--dead.
Dead. Murdered. Eliminated.
They want to murder people because of belief.
They. Terrorists. Extreme or radical Islam.
Belief.
That's it.
Belief means some should die and some should live.
Recent events have added to my righteous indignation.
The silence has appalled me. Shamed me. Enraged me.
My silence has made me feel worse. My silence has supported this. I am either for it or against it. Silence shows support, for it means lack of speaking against.
It's time for me to take a stand.
How about you?
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Remembering 9/11
Hello Patriots,
~ Stacy's Husband
On this the 11th anniversary of 9/11, there are many things which came to mind. Over the years there are many of us who have heard the horror stories of what happened that terrible day. Some of us look back with anger, sadness, maybe we feel numb at times. There are those who think back on that day and think "what if…?" (You fill in the blank; "what if we would have been better prepared?" or "what if we were a nation that was kinder to other nations?" might be what you ask. Or maybe you simply ask "why us?")
Well, let's talk about that. Why us? Simple. We are America; land of the free because of the brave. We have not had a history of apologizing to other nations for who or what we are as Americans, at least not until recent history anyway. We are a proud people, some are native to these lands and others from other shores, but all who found their way here legally have a place and purpose: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What if we were better prepared? Again, simple. Who in their right mind would even entertain the thought of hijacking a plane and using it as a weapon against other people? Who would be so savage as to attack people who were doing nothing more than trying to make it through another Tuesday? Who would do that? Again, simple. It would be a psychopathic group of soulless animals who had declared themselves to be sworn enemies of America. They have no concept of thinking as we do. They have ZERO appreciation or respect for ANYBODY with views different from their own. Their "holy" book calls for the death of anyone not of a like faith.
They have no desire to dialogue or reason. They seek the utter and absolute destruction of all with which they disagree. Reasoning with them is of no use at all. Anyone who claims to have the ability to reason with them can be successful only because he or she thinks as they do. And if a person thinks as they do, the only way they can do that is if they are OF them. Be wary of anyone who claims to "know how to talk with" this particular enemy, or "reason" with them, or says "I know these people." That person is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing, seeking whom he can deceive or devour. The only means of dialogue with this particular enemy is to root them out from wherever they can be found and defeat them with fatal finality. Nobody cannot shake hands with the devil and not get burned. I do not say that from experience; it's just common sense. Think about it. Before 9/11 this was only thought of by war-planners, then it was shelved as something so extreme that it would likely never be faced by our nation. (But now we know we face an enemy who will stop at NOTHING)
The defense of America is absolutely paramount. We can argue, disagree, vote people in, vote them out, even choose to sit silently…it's our right. But realize this, there are MANY people, factions, groups who live, breathe, and have their being for a single purpose: the destruction of our beloved America. 9/11 should remind us of that. President Bush said, "we will not tire, we will not falter, we will not fail." If we do any one or more of those three though, WE WILL FALL.
We can agree, disagree, agree to disagree…but where the defense of America is concerned, we cannot let up for even a moment. Our enemies are constantly on alert, looking for some weakness to exploit. They will take whatever we give them.
America's defense is the business of great people who do what they do, in relative obscurity, so everyone else can go about their own purpose and vision of life, liberty, and their own pursuit of happiness. Their numbers are being reduced, their funds are slashed, and their support is evaporating…by the way, all of this is playing us as a nation into the hands of a very patient enemy who will find a way to again bring us harm, but only if we let it happen.
Our preparation as a nation must NEVER be allowed to slip. But you might ask "didn't we deserve what we got? Those people over there got tired of being bullied by us…they fought back against imperialism, blah, blah, blah…" This kind of rhetoric is not only baseless, it is also senseless and quite dangerous. How can I make those assertions? Again, simple. We are a nation who acts in our national interest and that of other nations who ally with us. The attacks of September the eleventh were not sponsored nor conducted by another sovereign nation. Rather, they were carried out by groups of thugs seeking nothing more than the downfall of America. No nation sponsored them…in most cases nations can dialogue. With this group there can be no dialogue…their way of thinking is such a radical departure from that of our own, communication is next to impossible. Many Americans think if we are only kinder to them they will, in time, respond in kind. Of course you think that way…you're an American! We want to see the best in EVERYONE. But do not let your desire to see good blind you to the reality that these people have been fatally poisoned with thoughts and feelings which fly in the face of anything any American would hold dear.
America was a victim of a sucker-punch on that day. And like the unfortunate victim of rape, it WAS NOT OUR FAULT. We did nothing to invite or deserve what happened that dark day. And like the perpetrator of rape, these animals need to be decisively dealt with as the make themselves known.
If it is true that the victim of rape is NEVER at fault, then the same can be said of America. We did not get what we deserved. What we deserved was to simply make it through another Tuesday and get home…all of us, to our families, our friends, and our lives. What we got was a wake-up call and our lives changed, never to be the same again.
Did we learn anything at all from that day? I think we did, but are we willing to act on it? We cannot allow the War on Terror to return to our shores. I would gladly serve in a faraway place to keep my America from harm. I am NOT alone in that statement. The true "1 percenters" keep America safe every day.
We are at war not with simply different people, but against an ideology…a way of thinking which has its roots in a time centuries old. It has been handed down for centuries and will not be "talked away" in a few mere months or years. It is in their past, present, and in their desired future. They do not want or even imagine anything remotely close to anything an American would hold dear.
But again, you're an American…you truly want to see the best, the kindest, the most loving and appreciative side of your fellow person…congratulations…you are just the target our enemy seeks to destroy. For no other reason than you are an American, you would be eliminated from this life…rubbed off the face of the earth, because you have a value system which is vastly different from that of our enemy. It is nothing personal…it's just how it would be if they had their way.
Oh yes, they did have their way. Remember September the eleventh? Have you forgotten it already? Have we as a nation forgotten? Has our president even gotten the memo about it?
Learn from history or we will likely suffer it again.
All of those things I mentioned in the beginning of this writing, anger, sadness, etc., are stages of grief. Grief happens as a result of loss. But let us not forget what the very first stage of grief is: DENIAL.
If you were not angered, saddened, or otherwise felt like you were kicked in the gut, maybe you have never really dealt with what happened to our entire nation that day…and you should take time to grieve in a healthy way. But if you've moved past denial, sadness, anger, bargaining, numbness, etc., maybe you are at the point of accepting what has happened and are ready to help others lay aside petty differences and take up the cause for which America was founded: Freedom.
Thomas Jefferson so rightly said that now and then the tree of liberty must be watered by the blood of patriots. Where freedom lives, so do threats to freedom. We cannot be in denial about that, for that would be grievous. As much as we all want to see the best in others, it's sad, but simply not the way it is. Deal with that however you must, then be about the business of keeping our nation strong, so you can be about the business of seeking the best of America.
We need everyone doing what they do to make America work…but, in the most basic sense, if America is crippled or falls, does anything else matter? Do you really think the new power holder will allow you to enjoy the basic freedoms many of us so flippantly take for granted? Really, do you?
No, we cannot tire, we cannot falter, and we dare not fail. Ever. We must stand united, not divided. We cannot afford to be silent this election day and allow our military to be cut, lest we suffer the same fate we have previously; maybe worse. This was our generation's Pearl Harbor. Let us not allow our heirs to fall victim to one of their own.
God Bless America...Let Freedom Ring! VOTE!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
News and Planning of Books 1-2.
Book 1 Outline
I have been in the process of working on the outline for Book 1, FAITH AND JAMESTOWN the last three days. I wanted to make sure it was solid.
Planning for Book 2
I will work on planning for Book 2, the start of the story of the American Revolutionary War and my family from 12 September - 02 October 2012.
Writing
I will write Book 1 again from 03 October to 09 November.
Vacation
I will be on vacation from 12-23 October.
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:
Historical Fiction Writer of:
Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
My story from 9/11
SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH: REMEMBERING
On 9/10/2001, I watched as a beloved Broncos player, Ed MacCaffrey was hurt. He was given a life-changing break to his leg. It was horrible. It was an injury you had the feeling ended his career. I tossed and turned that night.
When I drove to work that morning, across town, I could not help but think of him. The radio talked about it as well.
Then... Everything was put into proper perspective.
846 a.m. Eastern Time (It was 646 in Denver, where I am from and will return one day.)
I heard the radio announce: "An airplane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City."
I remember saying out loud, "WHAT?" That sure caught my attention.
Was it a Cessna or a commercial jetliner? Was it a terrorist or an accident? I could not help but wonder. Then, the guy on the radio speculated the same questions over the radio.
A couple of minutes later, he announced again, "A second airplane has struck the World Trade Center." There was a pause. "It is now safe to say that this was a deliberate act of terrorism."
"War has been declared on the United States of America," I said to myself. Hearing those words, and speaking them, were rather mind-boggling and stunning. Never mind what just happened in NYC.
We were at war.
How many people just died or were hurt? How many fathers, mothers, children, friends were not going home that night? I thought as my heart went to my throat. How many people were in the towers? How many people worked in the towers?
They radio program, a music station which played the 80's to today music, had a guest who said over 50,000 people worked in the World Trade Center's two towers.
I knew someone who would most likely be going to war. (My future husband.) The thought hit me pretty hard.
I thought about the two most important dates in U.S. history, according to my father: 04 July 1776 and 07 December 1941. Both days were marked by the shedding of American blood for freedom. 12/7 was a day of infamy.
My dad made sure I knew all about the events on 12/7, those that led up to it, and the aftermath. I knew the costs of that day.
My dad was too young to know 12/7 personally, but I could tell it impacted him and his life. (It still does today.)
Any day when THOUSANDS of Americans die is a terrible day. (Never mind any other nationality across the world.)
I knew September Eleventh was most likely going to be worse than Pearl Harbor. The numbers, and airplanes, only cemented this reality.
"It has been confirmed that it was two commercial jetliners, folks." The guy over the radio shared with us.
I had just pulled into the parking lot at work. I turned off my truck and said a prayer before I headed into work.
The radio was not on. It was always on. But, it was not on yet. This struck me.
"Turn on the radio," I hollered across the print shop to the gal closest to the radio.
"Why?"
"Two commercial planes have hit the World Trade Center in New York City. That's why." I shared the simple truth with them. I heard my voice quiver a little as I spoke.
The guy and gal looked at one another and then LAUGHED at me in disbelief.
I remember feeling furious, but I bit my tongue. This was not something you joked about or made up. Ever. "I am serious. Please turn on the radio." I requested and headed to the back to punch the clock.
When I got back up front, they stood there, mouths hanging open.
I immediately called our supervisor and he brought in a t.v. He was getting ready to leave his house.
937 a.m.
I then called my dad, and woke him up, since he worked nights. This was something you wake people up for. We just heard how the Pentagon was hit. (That was yet another declaration of war. How many more would we get today?)
Then, I called my mom.
959 a.m.
The moment our supervisor got to work, and plugged in the t.v., the first tower fell.
I will never forget a group of us standing around watching this. Two were former military. They said it would be a matter of days before we responded. I agreed. How could we not? They both said they would want to re-enlist that second if they could, but they could not. One had physical problems. One had too many obligations at home. He was also a single father and the mother was out of the equation.
1006 United 93, southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1028 The second tower fell.
I will never forget how we could tell when customers walked into the print shop--whether they knew or not about what happened this day. Those who heard, said something, and were somber. Those who had not heard were loud, happy, continued on with life as normal.
Since I was the one who ran the counter, along with A/R, I was the one who told them.
"I take it you haven't heard." I knew not to ask if they had or not. It was obvious.
"Hear what?" All of them asked.
"About how two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City."
"No!"
"Yes..."
The moment I got in my truck to drive home, I listened to the radio. The moment I got home, I turned on the t.v. I saw all of the images again... Heard stories...
Just as I did a couple of days ago.
My husband and I drove home from a Presidential rally when he turned on the radio. They were replaying the sounds of that day.
For 45 minutes, my husband and I drove in silence.
Today, I have been peeled to the t.v. again... as I am every year.
One day, we will have a child. They will know about the three dates in U.S. history to never forget. 04 July 1776. 07 December 1941. 11 September 2001.
Our future child will know how many military men and women we have personally known who have fought and fallen since.
Freedom costs. It is not free.
We will never forget.
We will not falter.
The land of the free, the home of the brace.
God bless the USA.
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:
Historical Fiction Writer of:
Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction
Maybe because it's Tuesday
I am weepy. It started last night.
Is it because it's another beautiful blue sky Tuesday?
I realize, if I am honest with myself, I do not intentionally think of 9/11 as much as I should. This reality hurts.
My life, however, cannot help but reflect it every day. I support the U.S. military every day. They are still fighting for our freedom today. Even when the wars are ended, they still fight every day as they pay attention to current events all across the globe.
The military is my absolute passion. They fight for me, and my freedom, so I do not have to. This is never taken lightly by me.
But, the feelings from 9/11 are still with me.
9/11 was a day that changed everything for the United States of America--and for the world. But, it also changed for me. And for all of us individually.
9/11 was another day of infamy.
9/11 was when terrorist struck CIVILIANS at home. At HOME.
No. May we never forget. May it always be raw with us. May we ensure no one then or since has died, been injured, or fought be in vain.
I press the keys on my keyboard a little harder, and with more passion, now.
Today is another beautiful blue sky Tuesday. And, it still hurts.
You are remembered.
God bless America!
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:
Historical Fiction Writer of:
Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction
Living history
And not just because it is 9/11.
Every day, we are living history. After all, when tomorrow comes, today is history.
Are you living with this knowledge every day?
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
-- Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Presidential Elections
I just had an ephiphany when I spoke to my husband a couple of minutes ago and wanted to share it with you.
Vote in the Presidential Election in November.
Why?
This is probably the most important election of our lives.
(Image from Microsoft Images Online.)
-- Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Rootz (Roots)
Let me be honest. My family tree did not mean that much to me until June 2012. However, when I discovered I had a minimum of 22 family members land, settle, or be born in Jamestown, Virginia between 1585 and 1640, my heritage and lineage took on a whole new meaning.
Part of the reason why my family tree was not that important to me was because I am proud to be an American. I might be 50% German, 25% Swedish, and 8.33% English, 8.33% Irish, and 8.33% Scottish, but I am 100% American. Ask me to define who I am, 'American' is one of the things I will say. It is more than a place where I was born and raised. The United States of America is the best country on the planet: One Nation Under God--with the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. With the world's greatest military. The U.S. means something to me. Deeply. Powerfully.
Therefore, when I moved to Virginia, the meaning of patriotism and American pride has taken on a whole new meaning. Virginia is America's birthplace. It is where we landed first and is where the final deciding battle of the American Revolutionary War took place. Surrender Field is 15 minutes from my house! Jamestown, where I had several family members take impacted by the Jamestown Massacre, is less than thirty minutes from my house. This means something. This is the United States and all her glory!
U.S. History has come alive in a fresh, bold way.
Then, to learn about my family tree... It has only cemented everything I just wrote a million times over. It's several exclamation points and underlines.
Roots have come to mean something more to me.
I am proud my family was here literally from the beginning and has fought in every war the United States of America has seen. This is what the Family Treez Historical Fiction Series is about and is why I am writing it. I hope that it will help you to learn more about our great nation--as you enjoy a work of fiction which makes it feel less like a history book.
U-S-A!!!
(Photo Credit: Microsoft Images Online)
(Photo Credit: Microsoft Images Online)
Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez Etc
Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezetc.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Historic Triangle
Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg are part of the Historic Triangle today. All three are in Virginia and are connected by the Colonial Parkway.
(Photo is by Stacy Duplease.)
-- Stacy Duplease
Sent from my Verizon Smartphone
Sent from my Verizon Smartphone
Monday, July 23, 2012
Welcome
Welcome to a new blog about History, Writing, Historical Fiction, Geneaology, Family Treez, reading, and life in the United States of America.
Let me put it a little more simply.
Welcome to a blog about a new series of historical fiction. It's the Family Treez Series, and saga, about the tracing of an American family from 1585 to the present. (Think John Jakes and Herman Wouk.)
Book 1 is called, "American Roots 1585-1607."
If you like American history, and fiction, this book and series are for you.
(Photo by Stacy Duplease and Remembeirng Your Present, LLC.)
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(Photo by Stacy Duplease and Remembeirng Your Present, LLC.)
--
Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez
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