Entry for September 25, 2006

On this day in history--1932, my dad was born
Happy Birthday Dad

Life Lessons
You may have thought I didn't see, Or that I hadn't heard, Life lessons that you taught to me, But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all, And that we'd grow apart, But Dad, I picked up everything, It's written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be The woman I am today; You built a strong foundation No one can take away.
I've grown up with your values, And I'm very glad I did; So here's to you, dear father, From your forever grateful kid.
By Joanna Fuchs

I've been thinking quite a bit about Christmas and posting various Christmas type patterns and I just realized that I've spaced out Halloween! Halloween is a fun holiday--it just isn't the same now that my "kids" are grown and on their own. Please forgive me! Anyway, here's some patterns for Halloween that I've found on the Internet.

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa100497.htm
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/halloween.php
http://www.crochetdoilies.com/crochet_halloween_web.html
http://www.sassy1.com/holidays/halloween/cro.htm
http://hometown.aol.com/lffunt/mask.html
http://www.kreinik.com/PDF/crochet_spider_web.pdf
http://www.crochetnmore.com/happypumpkintreatbag.htm
http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/CraftIdeas/CraftIdea-HalloweenBasket.html
http://www.crochetnmore.com/holiday.htm

A search on google or other search engine should yield many more patterns for Halloween. Good luck!
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 24, 2006

This day in history-- 1960: Launch of the USS Enterprise, the worlds first nuclear powered aircraft carrier. For an “official” look at the history of this ship, go to http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv65-enterprise/cv65-enterprise.html
Another good site is http://www.navysite.de/cvn/cvn65.html .

We had a lot of rain here Friday and Saturday. The Internet was down for quite a while and the Dish satellite was down too. The husband and I weren't too happy. We're up and running again. Yippee!!! Tomorrow, I'll get some more crochet links posted. Take care.--Sharon

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 23, 2006

On this day in history 1952-- Richard M. Nixon gave the "Checkers Speech." Nixon was running on the Dwight D. Eisenhower ticket as Vice-Presidential candidate. Nixon had been accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions. Nixon admitted that by accepting a dog, Checkers, he could be accused of that but that he was keeping the dog anyway. To read or listen to the speech, please visit the American Rhetoric page at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/richardnixoncheckers.html .

Here are some links for crochet patterns for Christmas ornaments:
http://home.inreach.com/marthac/ornaments.html
http://crochet.about.com/od/ornaments/index.htm
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/ornaments.php
http://hometown.aol.com/lffunt/christmas.htm (go to middle of page)
http://members.optusnet.com.au/we2/miniaturehatmittens.html
This is a small selection of what is available

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 22, 2006

On this day in history 1776-- Nathan Hale, a Connecticut schoolteacher and captain in the Continental Army, is executed by the British for spying. A famous quote attributed to Hale is "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." The American Revolution web site has a very interesting write up on Hale and contains numerous links to sites on Hale. Please visit here http://www.americanrevolution.com/NathanHale.htm .

Today is a great day--I start work again! I'm going to be substitute teaching for Hardin County Schools here in KY. I really want a full time regular job but this one will at least get my foot in the door so to speak. I have amassed an extensive collection of printed works to supplement classroom instruction if I should ever be fortunate enough to get my own position as social studies teacher. This collection has taken over my family room to such an extent that I've had to get rid of the majority of my works of fiction! Maybe I should take a picture of my collection and post it here. Mmmmm, interesting thought! lol!

Take care all, and I'll let you know later how it went. ---Sharon

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 22, 2006

On this day in history 1776-- Nathan Hale, a Connecticut schoolteacher and captain in the Continental Army, is executed by the British for spying. A famous quote attributed to Hale is "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." The American Revolution web site has a very interesting write up on Hale and contains numerous links to sites on Hale. Please visit here http://www.americanrevolution.com/NathanHale.htm .

Today is a great day--I start work again! I'm going to be substitute teaching for Hardin County Schools here in KY. I really want a full time regular job but this one will at least get my foot in the door so to speak. I have amassed an extensive collection of printed works to supplement classroom instruction if I should ever be fortunate enough to get my own position as social studies teacher. This collection has taken over my family room to such an extent that I've had to get rid of the majority of my works of fiction! Maybe I should take a picture of my collection and post it here. Mmmmm, interesting thought! lol!

Take care all, and I'll let you know later how it went. ---Sharon

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 21, 2006

On this day in history 1897--The New York Sun publishes the famous editorial by newsman Francis Pharcellus Church that starts with, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." This editorial was in response to a letter sent to the paper by 8 year old VIRGINIA O'HANLON. Virginia wrote “DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O'HANLON. 115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET." To see Church’s response and view the newspaper clipping of the article please visit Nuseum http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/ .

For a "blast from the past" look at crochet, The Project Gutenberg has numerous items in their inventory. One especially interesting item is Beeton's Book of Needlework (originally published in 1870) at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15147/15147-h/15147-h.htm . This book contains patterns too. It is interesting to see the difference in how patterns were written then and how they are now written.

Project Gutenberg has a large selection of ebooks that are FREE for you to download and read.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 20, 2006

On this date in 1378 The Great Schism in the Catholic Church began when Gregory XI died. Amazingly, the Catholic Church had 3 popes at one point in time! To read an informative article go to New Advent’s, (the Catholic online encyclopedia) page http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13539a.htm to read about this tumultuous time in church history.

For some vintage crochet patterns for Christmas, visit Celt’s Vintage Crochet pages. The home page is http://www.angelfire.com/folk/celtwich/ . There are some really cute things to make for Christmas as well as other patterns too.
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 page)

Entry for September 19, 2006

This day in history 1945-- Nazi propagandist William Joyce, known as Lord Haw-Haw, was sentenced to death by a British court. William Joyce and his wife Margaret broadcast propaganda for German radio stations during WWII. William was hung for treason while his wife was not prosecuted. An article about Margaret is found on a CNN web page at http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/UK/11/09/london.hawhaw/
An article on William Joyce can be found at http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWjoyceW.htm
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog

Entry for September 18, 2006

On this day in history 1895-- Booker T Washington delivers "Atlanta Compromise" address. The speech is reportedly one of the most important and influential speeches in American history. Mr. Washington made this address to a predominantly white audience. He urged the whites to hire blacks and not rely on immigrant populations. The blacks were encouraged to seek work in the South and not to seek their futures in the North. To see the text of this address please visit Wikisource at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Atlanta_Compromise .

Below are some links for patterns to crochet Christmas stockings to hang up for Santa to fill with all kinds of tasty goodies and little gifts. "*" indicates that you must sign in as a member to see that particular pattern.

*http://www.freepatterns.com/ select crochet then special occasion then Christmas and look for the stockings
* http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/cjif-stockingBells.html?noImages=0
* http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/cjif-stockingTree.html?noImages=0
* http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/cctq-stockingCorrection.html?noImages=0
* http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-santaStocking.html?noImages=0
* http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/clc-stocking.html?noImages=0
http://www.craftown.com/xmascrochet/pat2.htm
* http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=253
* http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=258
* http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=245
http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/free-patterns/Holly-Stocking-LW1409.pdf#search=%22free%20christmas%20stocking%20crochet%22
*http://groups.yahoo.com/group/abpatterns/files/Christmas%20Stuff/
http://members.aol.com/lffunt/bbstocking.html
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/lffunt/bgstocking.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/4054/cstocking.htm (No picture)
http://huggems.netfirms.com/christmasstockingrwb.html
(Originally on my Yahoo 360. Links checked when posted here)

Entry for September 17, 2006

This Day in History 1787 The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia approves the constitution for the United States of America. The site Teaching American History.org at http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/lloyd.html gives a good, logically arranged look at the constitutional convention where the Constitution was formulated and signed. Great ideas for teachers of American history or history buffs.

The Avalon Project at Yale Law School has transcripts of the notes of the debates at the convention as documented by James Madison (delegate, future member of the House of Representatives, U.S. secretary of state, and president) online at http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/debates/debcont.htm .

Sorry I didn’t get an entry posted for the 16th. I had out of town company and just didn’t have the time! Not much going on with my current crochet project—a granny square afghan that I am making for a Christmas present for my son and his wife. Just haven’t had the time to work on sewing those squares together. I felt such as huge sense of accomplishment when I got all 165 squares made that I’m finding it hard to get and stay motivated with the sewing together! Oh well, I still have time before Christmas! LOL!

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 15, 2006

On this day in history 1935 The Nuremberg Laws were passed in Germany. These laws deprived Jews of their rights as citizens and also adopted the swastika as the official symbol of Nazi Germany. To see the English translation of these laws go to The Jewish Virtual Library at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/nurlaws.html and click on the links in the text.

At the Crochet Works web page, there are patterns for cute tp toppers for Christmas. There is a pattern for Santa, Santa’s hat, a Christmas tree and a candle. So many patterns, so little time! http://www.sarahanns.com/crochetworks/cwhome.html
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 page)

Entry for September 14, 2006

On this day in 1940 - The Selective Service Act was passed by the U.S. Congress providing the first peacetime draft in the United States. At answers.com there is a pretty good summary about the Selective Service and the draft-- http://www.answers.com/topic/selective-service-system . On October 29th, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a radio address in recognition of the first drawing under this act. A transcription of this radio address may be found at The American Presidency Project page http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/print.php?pid=15886 .

At Mantia's Craft pages, an interesting pattern for goldilocks and the 3 bears toys may be found. Really cute! She has other patterns listed too. http://members.iglou.com/mantia/crafts/

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 13, 2006

I am adding another link for the USS Houston CA 30. This link will take you to a special collection at the University of Houston. There are many digitalized resources about the ship and her crew available there. Photo is Copyright © 2000, University of Houston Libraries. http://info.lib.uh.edu/sca/digital/cruiser/cruiserh.htm

On this day in history 0122 - Building begins on Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian's Wall established the boundry of the Roman empire in Britain. This wall was ordered built by Emperor Hadrian. The wall was to establish a frontier and control access to Roman Britain. An interesting web page that is easily comprehensible for children is Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site http://museums.ncl.ac.uk/wallnet/ A biographical article on Hadrian can be found at http://www.roman-empire.net/highpoint/hadrian-index.html

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 page)

Entry for September 12, 2006

This Day in History 1942, a German U-boat sinks a British troop ship, the Laconia, killing more than 1,400 men. Laconia was a Cunard cruise ship that had been requisitioned as a troop carrier during WWII. The German U-Boat U 156 torpedoed and sunk her. Information on the Laconia can be found at http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/2157.html . If you continued down to the bottom of the page there is a link for an interesting article written about this battle.

For today's crochet link, there are some great doll clothes patterns found on the website Creative Hands.Com found at http://www.fibrecraft.com/ . If you go to the pull-down menus and look under "dolls and bears, doll crochet" you should find something that will interest you.
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 page)

Entry for September 11, 2006

Here's a picture of 2 of my kids wearing the new sweaters I crocheted for them. My husband says that Opi looks a bit girlie in his navy blue and orange furry sweater but I think he looks cute! Nellie is sophisticated with her black and white sweater that is shot with silver threads.

On this day in history 2001-- 4 commercial airlines were hijacked by terrorists. These planes crashed into and destroyed the two towers of the World Trade center, crashed into and damaged the Pentagon and the 4th plane crashed in Pennsylvania. The US State Department has extensive online information on these horrific events. http://fpc.state.gov/c12030.htm

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 10, 2006

1939-- Canada enters World War II. Great Britain's other dominions entered the war on September 3rd but Canada's Parliament did not convene until September 9th. An interesting article may be found at http://www.worldwar2database.com/html/canada.htm .

For free crochet patterns, Lion Brand Yarn web site has a nice selection. http://www.lionbrand.com/
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 09, 2006

1739-- The largest slave rebellion prior to the American Revolutionary War commenced about 20 miles southwest of Charleston (S. Carolina). It became known as the Stono Rebellion. For more information please do an online search at the Library of Congress American Memory site http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

Today's crochet link is Stargazer's World. This is a very well organized site with many, many free links for patterns to crochet. http://home.inreach.com/marthac/index.html
UPDATE http://home.inreach.com/marthac/links.html if that doesn't work go to http://marthac.info/crochet.html . From my understanding she is "moving" and one of these is the new site and one an older one and all links don't work on one but may work on the other. Clear as mud?
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog. Update upon posting here.)

Entry for September 08, 2006

On this day in history 1892 - The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America was written by a former Baptist preacher, Francis Bellamy. For a little more background on this please visit http://www.usconstitution.net/pledge.html

A great place for free crochet patterns is http://www.freepatterns.com/. There are also patterns for other types of crafts and they are FREE! You do have to register to use the site and download patterns but I think you will agree that this site is absolutely fantastic.
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 07, 2006

Todays crochet link is Jen's Stuffed Toy Archive. She has a plethora of links to patterns, mostly free, for stuffed animals and toys to crochet. You can find her home page at http://www.bsu.edu/web/jmsutton2/cr/index-cr.html
UPDATE new url is http://www.jmwjewelry.com/toys/

History trivia for today is that in 1940, Nazi German (during World War II) began the infamous blitzkrieg over London causing death and destruction by bombing the city. A first hand, eyewitness account of this time can be found at http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/airbattle.htm

(originally posted on my Yahoo 360 page. Updated upon reposting)

Entry for September 06, 2006

This day in history 1941 Nazi Germany orders all Jews over 6 yrs of age to wear a yellow star on their clothes IAW a decree that was adopted on 01 Sep 1941. To read this decree, please visit the following webpage.http://www.adolfhitler.ws/lib/genocide/starlaw.html This is the English translation.

(The text was originally from my Yahoo 360 blog; photo added later)

Entry for September 05, 2006

On this date, Dr. Zhivago is published in the United States. When I was looking for this entry, I had a sense of deja vu--I recently began reading this book! For more information, please see
http://www.history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=2781
On the crochet side, the following page gives a listing of pages that have patterns for a wide assortment of granny squares. I am making a granny square afghan now. It is slow going for me--My ADD kicks in and I have a hard time staying focused. LOL! I have the squares all made--all 165 of them! I'm sewing them together now and weaving in the ends. Before I forget, here's the link I mentionned.
http://www.heartmadeblessings.org/afghans/links.asp
Have a great day!
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for September 04, 2006

Los Angeles was founded by Spanish settlers.
A quick history of Los Angeles can be found at the following web site.
http://www.laavenue.com/LAHistory.htm

A large listing of crochet patterns can be found here. Please note that there is a section for holiday related patterns which is helpful since we are nearing several major ones. http://www.myhq.com/public/c/r/crochetpoet/

I know that I haven't been great about keeping up with this blog but that is all about to change. I will try to put up an a piece of interesting historical trivia everyday plus a link to some crochet patterns. Hope everyone enjoys.--Sharon
(Originally on my Yahoo 360 page)