What do you know? Only five General Jones! (To go back to the end of the last post.)

​General Thomas Jordan was apparently in charge of some Confederate espionage and (according to Wiki) Rose O'Neal Greenhow's, I quote, "handler". Very interesting...

There were six general Lees:

I'll leave you with the Lee's this evening....

Or "Why I cannot engage in Civil War debates".

After a VERY long hiatus, in which I had completely forgotten the existence of the forums, I returned this week to CivilWarTalk.com. There is so much information for both historical research and reenactor improvement on there that it is well worth the time spent poking around. BUT. Enter my problem--I cannot engage in the secessionist/slavery debates. Thankfully, there are plenty of other topics I can join in on, but these two--very important issues, I cannot. Why, you ask?

Well, I made two separate comments on two separate threads--one concerning secession and the other concerning Northern slavery. (The secesh thread also had plenty of slavery discussion, too.) I knew better at the time. And I there after, essentially slunk coward-like out of the picture. Why? Because I'm not sure where I stand? No...but for the following reasons.

First, and probably the most glaringly obvious, is that I am #1 probably one of the youngest members of the forums and I hate to come across as an antagonist twit. Well, that actually wasn't what I was going to say, but it's applicable. #2 I am quite obviously not as well read...and therefore less prepared. In addition, when I DO have a "quote" I can never remember where I read it, or where to find it again, etc. In other words, I can't source myself (which I've seen multiple demands of in my short time back in the forums.) It really is a good idea, being able to source oneself. (I just so happen to have the same issue with recalling Bible texts. I can't chapter and verse it even if I can paraphrase accurately.)

To add to this obvious set of problems, I have this one--I have acres of trouble being articulate. Some days it's worse than others (and I'm actually managing okay with this post), but other days I simply cannot for the life of me say exactly what I mean in a way that makes sense. I have leaps and gaps in my logic, of which I am glaringly aware, but I cannot see how to bridge them or articulate the bridge. 

This in and of itself is enough motivation for me to keep my trap shut in conversations that have a tendency to turn ugly. (Besides which, they are just exercises in rhetoric unless you really do have uncertain persons engaged or reading them. But once you've reached your conclusions--it's a waste of time to ARGUE the point. Not that I think it's really a waste of time to read them and thereby understand the other opinions thinking.)

But, my second point is really the one that propels me to stay out--and really makes me wonder how much of a coward I am. I'm a fool for getting into something unprepared, but am I a coward because I stay out due to my second issue? Tell me honestly what you think.

My second issue is as follows: I come to history, as with any other area of life, with a self-consciously Christian perspective. I want to look at everything through the lens of Scripture...and this includes history and those "sticky" issues--like slavery. 

I understand that at least part of the cause behind the War Between the States was theological--but once again, I cannot speak of it because I lack the depth of understanding I hope to someday have. But because I come to it from a "what does the Bible have to say about this" point of view, it makes it awkward at the very least to address a bunch of probably non-Christian, or at least minimal Christians. I am fairly sure that I would be attacked by a particular member who shows all signs of being socialistic. 

So, am I a coward because I won't go into a discussion, on slavery for example, and say, "According to the Bible, slavery, in and off itself is not a moral wrong. There are specification for proper treatment of slaves and whenever those are broken then it becomes morally wrong, but the simple act of owning a slave does not make you a sinner." Like I said in a previous post, I have not yet determined how much of Southern slavery was down-right wrong. 

*EXPLOSIONS*

And what could I do? Sit there and take it and feel smug because I think I have the Bible on my side? (Not that I would feel smug; I'm not built that way.) Perhaps in a one-on-one conversation...but not in a group setting. I don't see HOW getting myself in on something like that would be a good witness--no matter if I'm right (which I could be wrong) for very, very, VERY few people would think that I was and would thereby think they had excuses to lambast Christians. Plain and simply, I think picking other hills to die on is a whole lot more, well, wise--and useful. So, I will read. I will watch. I will listen. I will learn.

And by the way, I've noticed that the seceshes, like me, drop out of the conversations sooner. Maybe it's because we know we can't force people into our way of thinking and that we are a minority (THANK-YOU Government Education!) and it's really not worth our time banging away at a wall of abolitionist thinking.

Anyway...there is my explanation of why I solemnly resolve to keep my nose clean. I won't promise, because I may slip up....but I resolve to stay out of these kinds of explosive conversations, from here on out. Well, at least until I'm a bit more learned.... ;)  

Now here's an interesting fact. Mrs. Abe Lincoln had a half sister married to a Confederate General--Benjamin Hardin Helm. 

​I wonder if General Theophilus H. Holmes was acquainted with some of my cousins?? He was born in Sampson County, North Carolina where some of my folks hailed from pre-war....

There were SIX Confederate General Jacksons:

And here we have General Adam Rankin Johnson (one of four CS Gen'l Johnsons). He acquired the nickname "Stovepipe" in the following fashion:

"He was well respected for his bravado, once capturing the town of Newburgh, Indiana from a large Union unit with only twelve men and a length of stovepipe mounted to a wagon. The Union soldiers, fearing the "cannon" surrendered..." (from his Find-a-Grave page)

Now...I wonder how many General Jones there were...I guess I'll find out soon! :D

Maybe you'll find a few more tidbits over here tomorrow...but that's all for today! 

I think that I just must make this a series...  "Musket Echoes: Historical Teasers from the War Between the States". 

Anyway...the episode was actually compiled over two days. I am just doing "skimming" sort of research at the moment, so nothing overly spectacular is going to show here. I'm rather running down three main separate, but oh-so-interconnected things right now...I'm practically living and breathing Civil War/Confederate history when my brain is moving at all.

hey are related in the fact that both transpired in the same 24 hours. Other than that they are not related at all.

First was that I pin-curled my hair Saturday evening and slept on it. (Sorry, no pictures.) It worked well and was not as uncomfortable as I expected. While I'm not going to make this exactly a habit I do intended on doing it some more in the foreseeable future. I'm trying to perfect a hairstyle and I'm not quite sure how to go about it without multiple tries... :D (And it just *might* have to do with WWII reenacting to at least a degree... ;D)

Second: It's official. I have had my first ever public Lyme-related melt-down. 

It was at the end of the first service at church yesterday and I just turned into a puddle. I couldn't sing the last hymn because I was too busy fighting the tears which soon ended up coming down my face anyway!

Thankfully, after a couple minutes cry I was able to get through the rest of the day fairly sane. I did have tremors for the rest of the day, but oh well. The cup of coffee that Mama sent Daddy off to make me did help. Other than my family, I don't know how many people actually saw that Racheal was over there on the front row crying. My friend Hannah spotted me and after Mom went off, she came over to check on me and just the conversation was helpful. 

There was nothing to upset me. It was nobody's fault. I just had a emotional herx right there in front of everyone. And strangely enough I came out of it not even feeling embarrassed. I guess that maybe I have just come to accept my reactions and don't stress about looking like an idiot when I have a good, logical explanation of "It's just the fact that I upped killer dosage and am therefore herxing."  

Anyway...two unrelated firsts. ;)

Or something.

No matter what you want to call us, Katherine and I took on wood-duty today and brought in several loads of wood. Before we did that though, I moved all the stuff that was already in the basement from the "dumping room" to the furnace room. 

The temperature was about 20 and it was snowing. The wind, by the way, was coming almost directly from the west and the snow was blowing flat out. It stung a bit...

Neither one of us fell down (yay!!) but I at rate nearly slid out of the buggy in a painfully ungraceful fashion a couple of times.

Decked out in an old jacket that I had just replaced the front buttons on yesterday I wasn't overly warm--but thanks to my nice fuzzy-lined leather gloves, my fingers didn't get too cold. (I think, that had I buttons on my jacket sleeves, I would have been warmer...) We look rather like a couple of odd hobos...

When we got done, I had Katherine close up the window and all while I headed out to run an eye over my chicken coop. I didn't realize that Daddy had already fixed the holes in it...so I really could go ahead and get chickens. Mama told me the other day that the farm store had some in so my brain has been working along those paths a bit over the last few days (as well as "I need to get more bee-boxes!")

Well...that's part of the day in a nutshell...and I think I still have a wood-chip in my right eye. 

First, catch-up...

Saturday through Monday, the girls and I were gone. We went to a wedding. :) In Wisconsin. I had never been to Wisconsin before, and I think I like it up there alright. It's pretty. :) (And people drive really fast on the interstate there and around Chicago).
It was a simple, short service, but it was very nice too. 

On the way home, we met up with one of our adopted brothers--unfortunately, the other two were unable to make it. :( However, we had a great time taking up seating at a Panera's Bread and drinking coffee (or in Andy's case, lemonade). Can you tell we had just spent several hours enjoyably jawing?

Anyway, Tuesday I was wiped out...dull...dumb. I spent the afternoon being a pillow for my cats and knitting in bed watching something. 

Wednesday (which was yesterday), I decided that after waking up sneezing for the second day in a row that my room really did need a deep cleaning. It's been a while since I moved furniture and actually dusted. I think two things really spurred me onto it; first was the fact that I had just gotten back from staying at a quite clean, uncluttered home (Uncle Al has a beautiful place!) and secondly, the photos of someone else's room on their blog were so bright and cheerful that it made me really feel the dinginess of the dirt. Besides, there were those sneezes....and this ever growing consciousness that dust breeds mold.

I want to take the carpets out of my room (they are antique--believe me). They are worn out and are simply dust and dandruff traps...but since we would like to paint the floor when they come out, I think we'll wait until it warms up some. (Besides another something...but that'll come out in the wash after a while.)

Anyway, after wandering aimlessly for a few moments, wondering where on earth to start in my room (other than stripping the sheets), I began with the treadle machine (on the west wall) and then proceeded to systematically work my way all around the room. I waxed all the wood furniture (except for the bookshelf--which I dusted without removing the books. I'll take care of that when I take the carpets up). I guess I didn't really get rid of much, but I did manage to organize things somewhat better in a few "problem" spots. For instance, I had this very large Hobby Lobby bag filled with my wool yarn that would not fit in the drawer I keep it in...I rounded up a box and basically organized the extra and the stuff in the drawer better. The box is now still sitting on top of the dresser, but somehow it looks so much better than the bag sprawled up there. 

All in all, it's much neater looking now. It feels cleaner and with the change out of the towels that I cover the furniture with, it's brighter. I may have gotten my hats organized better too. I guess I will find out when I go through them in a hurry next time I need one. :D (I actually need to freshen a couple of them up--the flat crowned straw one needs the brim flattened. I think I know how to go about it, but I probably should do a wee bit of research before I do.)

I woke up this morning with a sore throat. I am not sure whether it is the dirt inhalation of yesterday or the fighting of a cold (I was in contact with some sick people over the weekend). At anyrate, I still don't feel stupendous, but I nevertheless tackled another job (of an extremely similar nature)--my desk.

Over the weekend, Mama had left a note on my computer requesting that I clean up my "area(s)" and vacuum out my baskets. I have a couple of those for various projects--knitting/handwork and writing/books.

Therefore, knowing as much as she did that it really did need doing, I set-to. I pulled all the drawers out of my desk and emptied them and vacuumed them out. I tell you, I had stacks of books and papers and film stuff and odds and ends (including my pinned up queen bee) all over the dining room floor and table. Once the desk was empty, I slid it out from the wall and cleaned behind it. I think that is the first time since it got placed here.......

Then, I re-organized everything--more or less. The film stuff all went back into the same drawer it came out of, but I ended up switching some other stuff around. I actually think it will be more usable this way. I still have books lined and stacked up on my editing computer's "brain" as well as along the right hand side of my desk, but as it is cleaner and neater, it feels fine. :D

I cleaned out my knitting basket which I keep under my desk (I actually have two work-baskets...that just kind of "happened" in the last few months). I think, when I'm done with this latest pair of socks, that I will go ahead and finish up that acrylic sweater that I started...six(?) years ago. I'm a quarter of a sleeve and a neck binding, plus stitching it all together, away from being done with it. (I dropped it while in Florida. Acrylic is not something one wants to work with when they are hot.)

In addition, I got the payment from the lady who custom ordered the triplet "rompers" back last month. I will get them shipped out to her tomorrow!! YAY!!!

Now...I wonder what I should do with that three yards of "Sand" taffeta I ordered first? A swirly little girl dress? Something for me? (60" wide--I might be able to get something out of it to fit me!) I'll decided later. 

I still need to vacuum out my writing/book basket...I'd better go do that. And then I think I'll go wash my hair. I'm sure I've collected some extra dust in it today. :D

Daddy is in the process of switching us from a health insurance company to Samaritan and he gave us each the task of writing up our own medical history. Well, none of us have much of one, outside our Lyme (which gets submitted to insurance as Chronic Fatigue!)...and me the most. Two broken bones.

Anyway, I went trolling through old blog posts in an attempt to settle the question as to when I broke those bones. The first, my wrist, was on December 7th. I remembered that because it was Pearl Harbor Day and we were planning on watching Tora!Tora!Tora! that evening--but by the time we got out of the ER (at 9 PM!!) it was too late. Problem was, I thought it was '10--but it was actually '11. 

Then, I simply could not remember when I fractured my collar bone (thanks, Snip! ;] ), so I kept looking...and looking...and looking. Finally, I found it. August 2012. I only found it as quickly as I did because I suddenly remembered that I had the accident the day before a brother's wedding! That cleared things up fast.

At anyrate, in the process, I was looking at pictures and I blurted: "Man! I was fat!"

​I didn't realize how "puffy" I was looking:

You may not be able to tell, but in the 2013 photo, my eyes are dull--partly due, I am sure, to being hot and thirsty. In the recent picture, I have a little more life in them. That's one of the ways we tell how I'm doing--the eyes, y'all...they speak volumes. :D

​I have definitely lost 5-10 pounds (depending on the day ;D) ...but then again I'm eating a little more balanced diet. 2013 I had no idea that I had Lyme. As of 2016, I can't really say that I'm feeling better--but I think that I'm climbing out of the hole. 

I think I am eating better. I take supplements now that I didn't then. I certainly don't get near as much exercise (oh, Spring! how I look forward to you! And hopefully, I will be able to work twice as hard as last year--last year was a bad one for physical labor). I think my hormones are balanced out better (maybe). I'm detoxing and killing and detoxing. Life is getting better even if I don't always think so. I have had, the past two weeks, several bad days (in fact, I spent the day in bed yesterday), but I am having less of them and less severe. (Correct me if I'm wrong, mi familia...you see me when I'm oblivious to life!)

I must say that after going through loads of posts and pictures which referenced my horse, I kind of miss my Snip. He'd be an awful handful now on more than one front, but oh well. I just won't spend anytime being blue. :) 

Anyway...the comparison of my genetically-double-chinned face was startling. I look better, if nothing else! :D