I listen to history lessons on CD’s from the Teaching Company. Lately I have been learning about the Wars of Religion which culminated with the Thirty Years War. The Thirty Years War started as a civil war in The Holy Roman Empire (HRE) --- primarily Germany and Austria --- and became what was perhaps the first European international war involving not only the HRE, but also Denmark, Sweden, France, Spain, with financial support from England and Holland.
The causes and of the war are many, since many of the countries had their own agenda, but the initially cause of the civil war was clearly a struggle between Catholics and Protestants in what is now Germany, with the emperor trying to force Catholicism upon all his subjects. The war was devastating to Germany. Nearly one-third of the population was killed. Agriculture was ruined because the war was fought on the fields. The Emperor essentially lost his power, for the peace treaty allowed each German prince to decide the religion within the area he ruled.
Why did Denmark, Sweden, France and Spain become involved? Why did Netherlands and England give financial support? The reasons are involved, but France and England were concerned that a strong Germany would threaten the balance of power. Netherlands wanted independence from Spain. Denmark and Sweden sought an opportunistic seizure of land on the Baltic cost. Spain was a champion of the Counter Reformation, and was allied with the HRE. The King of Spain was related to the emperor of the HRE. Except for the destruction of the power of Germany – certainly not the goal at the start of the civil war, little positive was attained by this dreadful and destructive war. Religion toleration was about the same, except that Calvinism was recognized as an acceptable religion, in addition to Catholicism and Lutheranism.
One needs to contemplate some of the terrible and bloody struggles that have occurred in the past, and see if there are lesson to be applied to situations today.. The Thirty Years War occurred from 1618 to 1648 and started primarily from one group trying to force an ideology on another group. Any sensible person can see that there must have been a better way, negotiations, compromises and tolerance to accomplish objectives. The similarity to conditions among the Christian populations in the 1600’s and the Moslem populations in the 2000’s seems obvious. What can we do to insure there is not another Thirty Years War?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Street Painting, Feb 26, 2007
This weekend Madeline and I, and with our grandchildren and their family, went to a Street Painting Festival in Lake Worth, Florida. This is a street fair that has become an annual affair in Lake Worth (name of a city). Street Painting, using chalk – not paint – is said to be an Italian tradition dating back to the 1500’s. More recently, annual street fairs, featuring street painting have become popular in California.
The street painting festival here had both local artists and artists that participate in competitions from various parts of the country. Much of the street art is a copy of a well-known painting. Other presentations are copies from photographs, magazine covers, or about any picture that has caught the artist’s eye. I am told some of the street art is original art, but for the most part, it appeared to me most of the artists were working from some type of printed picture.
I have included a few samples of the street paintings that were being made during our visit. I am told this festival is unusual, in that spectators are allowed to go right up to the street painting, and not have to view it from the distance.
There was also a section set aside where children and aspiring artist could try their hand in making street art. There was also music, lots of food, and various form of entertainment to fill out the festival.
This is our last week in Southern Florida. Later in the week we will be moving. We are planning to visit the Space Center in Cape Canaveral next weekend, and then move on to Jacksonville to go to have annual medical checkups at the Mayo Clinic.
The street painting festival here had both local artists and artists that participate in competitions from various parts of the country. Much of the street art is a copy of a well-known painting. Other presentations are copies from photographs, magazine covers, or about any picture that has caught the artist’s eye. I am told some of the street art is original art, but for the most part, it appeared to me most of the artists were working from some type of printed picture.
I have included a few samples of the street paintings that were being made during our visit. I am told this festival is unusual, in that spectators are allowed to go right up to the street painting, and not have to view it from the distance.
There was also a section set aside where children and aspiring artist could try their hand in making street art. There was also music, lots of food, and various form of entertainment to fill out the festival.
This is our last week in Southern Florida. Later in the week we will be moving. We are planning to visit the Space Center in Cape Canaveral next weekend, and then move on to Jacksonville to go to have annual medical checkups at the Mayo Clinic.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
2/14/2007 Down Memory Laine
Frankie Laine died last week at the age of 93. His death brought to mind his many renditions, recorded over many years. According to Wikapedia, his first big hit was, That’s My Desire, released back in 1947, when I was a teenager – 15 years old. So Frankie Laine singing career and my attention to popular music must have traveled down the road together. I was certainly aware of Frankie Laine in 1947 and I recall That’s My Desire. But at that time my major interest in music was Benny Goodman, and Stan Kenton. This was the later part of the age of the big bands. Another big favorite of mine was Spike Jones, with his, what we thought hilarious, spoofing of popular music. Clyde Slade, a wonerful friend who introduced me to popular music, could mimic an entire Spike Jones record such as “Tea for Two”.
But back to Frankie Laine. One record I remember well was “Jezebel” (“If Ever a Devil was born --- Without a pair of horns--- Jezebel--- [pause for one or two measures] “it was you.” In those youthful days of unrequited teenage love, full of hormones -- this song rendered tremendous emotion!
I never thought Frankie Laine’s music was great in the sense it would last generations – but it was a catchy and many of his songs were among the top ten on the Hit Parade. (Who among you, dear reader, remembers the Lucky Strike Hit Parade, first on radio and later on Sunday night TV? Indeed who among you remembers Lucky Strikes, or “LSMFT”, or “Lucky Green Goes to War”? I must admit I just barely remember when the Lucky Strike package was green rather than red, black and white.)
At any rate as I grew older I was particularly fond of Frankie Laine’s, Cry of the Wild Goose (“Wild goose, brother goose which is best, a wandering fool or a heart at rest?” (Rise and fall of trumpets, sounding perhaps like a wild goose traveling). Probably I should get this to accompany Willie Nelson’s, On the Road Again, to play when we hit the road in our RV.
Later as I grew older, it seemed as if Frankie Laine’s recordings had less substance, but were still memorable, and the lyrics catchy. It was almost impossible to get out of your mind some of the corny stanzas from tunes such as Mule Train (‘There’s a Bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black”) or Cool Water (“Keep a movin’ Dan, he’s a devil not a man, spreads the burning sand with water” [rest for a measure] “cool, clear water. [Chorus singing “Water water.”)
It is nice to think back to the days when Frankie Laine was releasing records. Those year span from my teen age years, through college days and the early years of my marriage, and are times I recall with pleasure.
But back to Frankie Laine. One record I remember well was “Jezebel” (“If Ever a Devil was born --- Without a pair of horns--- Jezebel--- [pause for one or two measures] “it was you.” In those youthful days of unrequited teenage love, full of hormones -- this song rendered tremendous emotion!
I never thought Frankie Laine’s music was great in the sense it would last generations – but it was a catchy and many of his songs were among the top ten on the Hit Parade. (Who among you, dear reader, remembers the Lucky Strike Hit Parade, first on radio and later on Sunday night TV? Indeed who among you remembers Lucky Strikes, or “LSMFT”, or “Lucky Green Goes to War”? I must admit I just barely remember when the Lucky Strike package was green rather than red, black and white.)
At any rate as I grew older I was particularly fond of Frankie Laine’s, Cry of the Wild Goose (“Wild goose, brother goose which is best, a wandering fool or a heart at rest?” (Rise and fall of trumpets, sounding perhaps like a wild goose traveling). Probably I should get this to accompany Willie Nelson’s, On the Road Again, to play when we hit the road in our RV.
Later as I grew older, it seemed as if Frankie Laine’s recordings had less substance, but were still memorable, and the lyrics catchy. It was almost impossible to get out of your mind some of the corny stanzas from tunes such as Mule Train (‘There’s a Bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black”) or Cool Water (“Keep a movin’ Dan, he’s a devil not a man, spreads the burning sand with water” [rest for a measure] “cool, clear water. [Chorus singing “Water water.”)
It is nice to think back to the days when Frankie Laine was releasing records. Those year span from my teen age years, through college days and the early years of my marriage, and are times I recall with pleasure.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Back in the USA
We were gone last week on a seven-day cruise. We went with Madeline's brother, John and sister-in-law, Katie. We had a wonderful time -- eating too much and being spoiled with too much service. we visited three places; Nassau in the Bahamas, Saint Thomas and Saint Maartens. We had good weather almost all the time and missed the terrible storms that occurred here in Florida. We returned to a wet and coldish rainy day, but arrived in time to watch the Super Bowl on TV last evening.
There is not too much else to report, except that we have been out of circulation for a week and missing most of the World news, which recently has not been very good news ( so a good thing to miss it for a while!)
There is not too much else to report, except that we have been out of circulation for a week and missing most of the World news, which recently has not been very good news ( so a good thing to miss it for a while!)
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