“We celebrate Women’s History Month to remind ourselves of the accomplishments of women throughout the years to our culture and society. From science to politics, it’s is a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who lead the way for change.”
This was my first read novel by Luanne G. Smith, which is interesting since I already have her earlier novel, The Vine Witch title on my kindle, but I haven’t read it yet. I snagged this title as an Amazon first reads for January. Her cover of The Raven Spell was enough to draw me into the story behind it. This story was set in Victorian England and revolved around a series of missing people and murders. Private detective, Ian Cameron awakes along a London River without his memories and stumbles into local witches, the Blackwood sisters. Edwina Blackwood teams up with Ian to find his lost timeline, but they uncover secrets Mary will wish had been left hidden. The first in a new series, this is an intoxicating blend of magic and history and murder. The ending was a dynamite cliff hanger. I will be adding the sequels to my TBR! (4/5 rating)
“Native American Day, observed annually on the second Monday in October, celebrates the cultures and contributions of the many Native American tribes. While it is not celebrated in all 50 states, it is recognized in both California and South Dakota and gaining popularity in the rest of the nation.
While it is not celebrated in all 50 states, it is recognized in both California and South Dakota and gaining popularity in the rest of the nation. In other parts of the country, Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations occur on this day. Events such as traditional dances, art displays and ceremonies have begun to replace Columbus Day practices.
The observance focuses on celebrating the culture, heritage, and history of tribes across the nation. Each diverse nation carries its own traditions, rituals, and beliefs. The day celebrates their knowledge, contributions and enriching heritage. It’s also a reminder of their enduring legacy of strength, energy, and fortitude. “
“Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.[1][2][3] It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend.
Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty states in the United States officially celebrated Labor Day.”
To say I am emotionally drained after finishing this book, is an understatement. And she did it in less than 300 pages. I am saddened to discover that Octavia passed away some years ago but grateful I have other the rest of her books to draw from. We lost, in her, as master of her craft. Incase it wasn’t obvious, gave this book an easy 5/5.
This book was first published in 1979 and became a study in “the peculiar institution” of slavery. In this story, Dana a twentieth century black woman, is pulled from her time to 1820’s Maryland. Her first task becomes saving a young white child named Rufus, who is drowning in a river. After an altercation with his father, she is returned to her own time.
Her husband claims to believe she believes what happened to her, despite coming back wet and muddy from being in the river. She then travels back to Rufus’s time whenever his life is in danger. Her husband Kevin, doesn’t really believe where she is going until they manage to go together. Dana is forced to be seen as Kevin’s slave instead of his wife since it’s illegal for them to be husband and wife in this time.
As Rufus grows, Dana attempts to humanize him and prove that there is more to his slaves that just property. Dana and Rufus develop a sort of love hate relationship but we eventually discover they are related. Dana suspects she is sent back in time to make sure her ancestors are born.
She holds an uncertain place among the entire setting since she is an educated black woman. She is asked to teach other black slaves to read and writes. She is caught and whipped by Rufa’s father, himself. Her experience is an unusual premise. She is hated by some slaves because she ‘acts more white than white people’, but she is also hated by the white members because of her intelligence. It seeks to be a no win situation for her.
I think the part that stood out the most was the interplay violent power struggles between the players. The way slaves’ were forced to do whatever it took to survive and there is no small amount of courage in that act. There is also a disturbing double image of the 1820’s not much different from the 1976 experience. It is scary but I believe it’s true.
I had hoped to begin reading this list during the month of February. but real life didn’t work out that way. I still intend to take the time to add some wonderful reads to my March reading list.
It is important for us as a country to observe this month’s meaning for the entire year. Its meant to acknowledge all of the years of struggle they have have endured just to have freedom and equal rights. Its also important to note that we are not to the equality part yet. The last 4 years with Trump as president have made that easy to see. It seems to be a never ending issue but I am hopeful we may see some real progress with Biden in charge.
I am looking forward to these reads as a break in my usual fantasy reading material. I hope to be posting book reviews in the coming weeks.
Somehow, we made it this far, after the chaos that was 2020. First, the pandemic hit the US in February and forced most of us into lockdowns by mid-March, while most recently, we watched Trump deny the legal declaration that he was no longer president. The sheer weight of 2020s history, will make it difficult for future generations to ever, completely comprehend it.
All Images courtesy of Pixababy.
There are many sites posting the full year of ‘most unexpected’ events of 2020, (https://mashable.com/article/what-happened-2020/) or (https://cbs4indy.com/news/20-noteworthy-things-happening-in-2020/0. though there are several out there.) Each contain unique takes on 2020, and the news stories they felt were the most important. I will follow up on the items I felt more strongly, than the rest. Not to imply any of these more important than the other but, for whatever my thoughts count for these days.
1 – Death of Chadwick Boseman and BLM.
For someone who is not black but appreciates black culture, I feel like Chad and BLM go hand in hand. He was the epitome of beauty and grace in life and death. Black Panther was a testament to his spirit and I, personally, loved every minutes of it. Losing him, we lost part of our soul as a human race. He was also a constant statement to BLM and bringing equality to Hollywood as a whole. I was excited to see our country come together to demand change. I also really hope the dialogue continues into 2022. (Source:https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/06/black-artists-letter-hollywood-divest-from-police)
2 – Australia faced devastating fires, then California joined them later
This was hard to watch this year and our heart heart for the destructive path, fire left behind.
We live within the typical higher snow area, and the current snow situation has me concerned for this year, as well. Unless we get dumped on in early 2021, we will all be in the same situation, with little snow runoff, and our years of willful denial of Science and pollution will create our just desserts. This one of many years, I am embarrassed to be American, since we reuse to acknowledge science.
This was, to me, the saddest example of Trump’s ignorance of how the American Justice System is meant to work. We complain about this exact thing when it happens in other countries but no one that could, held him responsible.
Really? It was 2020 after all, and at least some of us were stuck inside and bored with our lockdowns. I have no words to express the epitome of ignorant that gave this any traction at all. Most days of the last 4 years, I have been embarrassed by Trump to claim I am American. Items like this obvious ignorance and unwillingness to accept reason, will always wear on my faith in us a nation.
5 – President Trump was first impeached and then, acquitted.
Another instance of wishing I could melt into a tree…There were sooooo many in his last four years.
6 – Discovered water on the moon and life on Mars.
Since I couldn’t do a list with only Trump embarrassment moments…This is also very exciting for all of us patiently waiting for flying cars and that premier hotel thing on the moon. Good job, guys!
7 – Macaulay Culkin turned 40. Because we all needed something to laugh about right?
Ha, ha, ha, sigh, OK I feel old. Really old.
8 – I really wanted more than 7, but some long works days cut into giving this post everything I wanted it to be.
Nonsense, nonsense, nonsense. Lol.
Wishing you all, a wonderful Happy New Year. May it be full of love.
