All the Wrong Places
What we learned at school, what we see in movies and television shows, things we read, experiences we have… we all have an idea of where something is supposed to be. For example, mention of a span of ice stretching for hundreds of miles with no human in sight might make us think of the Arctic or Antarctic. But our world is full of wonders, both purely natural and those reflecting Man’s handiwork. Sometimes we are surprised, because some things are in unexpected locations. Where in the World? These small kangaroo relatives, known as wallabies, are extremely elusive, making them a treat to spot in the wild. They live in…
Iceland & Baby Names
I’ve always been fascinated with other cultures. Some of them have traditions which seem strange to those who live in other parts of the world. But keep in mind, if somebody else’s custom seems strange to you, they probably find your customs just as strange. One that I find odd is the baby-naming rules in Iceland. Iceland has very strict laws concerning what you can name your baby. They have lists of approved and forbidden names for girls and boys. If you want to use a name which is not on one of those lists, you have to submit your request to the Icelandic Naming Committee (with a fee), and…
Anacostia – An Inspiring True Story
I came across the most interesting video at YouTube last night. I was intrigued, and today, I did some searching and discovered a wonderful, uplifting story! The Anacostia neighborhood in Washington, D.C. was a run down slum. The primarily black residents were living in abject poverty. Children had little hope of advancement in life. In the late 1960s, the Smithsonian Museum got the idea to take over an old abandoned building in that neighborhood, and turn it into a black museum, which they named Anacostia Neighborhood Museum. The community embraced the project, and it became so much more than *just* a museum. Besides covering black American history and culture, it…
