Allison Bruning's Blog, page 19
June 18, 2014
#Appalachian Heritage: #Family Stories Brought to Life
This week on my blog we are focusing on families. Like Elsa, Field of Grace (my current WIP) is based on actual events that happened to my family. The main character in my novel is based off my great grandmother Stella Virginia McCardle. Grandma Stella's family had come to Ohio from the hills of West Virginia. She raised her daughters, Betty and Lois, in the tradition of her Appalachian family. I use to love hearing stories from my grandma and great grandmother about our family in mountains of West Virginia. When I was little my mom and I took Grandma Betty Carr and Grandma Stella McCann to the mountains for a visit. I will never forget that trip.The Appalachian people have a long history in the United States. Our ancestors were one of the first pioneers and we have the deepest loyalty for our country. Many people make fun of the Appalachian population but I, for one, and proud to be a direct descendent of an Appalachian family.
June 17, 2014
#MentalHealthAwareness: Families with #Autism
Welcome back to the Mental Health Awareness Month Blog Hop. This month we have been focusing on Aspergers Syndrome. Aspergers Syndrome was once a label unto itself but in 2011 the DSM - 5 removed the label and merged the disorder as one of the autism spectrum disorders.On Monday, we learned that Aspergers and other forms of Autism may be a genetic condition passed down from parent to child. Today I want to share with you views from a parent and siblings who have autistic children in their families. They open up what their lives are like with their loved one who has Autism.
To Be #Shawnee: Strong #Family Values
When most people think of the Shawnee family values is not something that comes to mind. The image of the Shawnee in today's society is one that has been well placed in our culture since Europeans first encountered the tribe.
The Shawnee have often been depicted as cruel warriors who kidnap women, children and kill men. Scenes such as the that last on in the video above are not often depicted in the media. The main reason the Shawnee have become one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented tribes in the United States mainly has to do with their history with the settlers. American settlers did not understand every tribe in the United States does not have the same culture. And it was this misunderstanding that lead to many disagreements between the two groups.
The Shawnee Family
The Shawnee family was a very tight unit yet whenever an outsider came into the village the Shawnee men did not give any attention to their family members. To the outsider, the a Shawnee man was cold hearted, lazy, unloving and cruel. In the village, men were often found lounging around while the women gathered berries, tended to the fields, skinned the hides, cared for the children and maintained the cabins. Women were never alone in the wilderness. The men would carefully watch the women do the work as they socialized with each other. Women were valued more than men in Shawnee culture. While the men may seem lazy in camp they were actually guarding their families while relaxing.
Family was very important to the Shawnee. Children were trained as soon as they were born to assume their gender roles. Gender roles are defined as a set of behavioral and social norms assigned to each gender in any given culture. Shawnee parents took the instruction of gender roles to their children very seriously. Fathers were responsible for training their sons and mothers were responsible for training their daughters.
As soon as a child was born they were placed in a cradleboard with their head bound so they would grow strong and straight. This practice produced a flat spot on the back of the Shawnee child's head. The flat spot on the back of the head was a characteristic of all Shawnee until modern times. Babies were also taught not to cry in case the parents needed to hide from an enemy. Shawnee parents would also bath their infants in cold water during the summer and winter in order to harden the child's strength.
A Shawnee child's education was never formalized. They were taught from an early age to respect their elders. Much of a child's youth was spent under the tutorage of their grandfathers or great-grandfathers. These elders would teach the children, no matter what the gender was, the history and traditions of the Shawnee people.
A Shawnee father would teach his son hunting, fishing, trapping, the art of warfare and discipline. Everyday activities included swimming, running and jumping. These activities taught young boys agility and strength. Boys would often play games in the village but these games weren't just for fun. They were used to develop a boy's resourcefulness and strength. The video below shows some of the games the Shawnee played.
Another game the Shawnee boys played was with a grapevine hoop and a toy bow and arrow. The boys would release the hoop and try to shoot an arrow through the moving target.
Shawnee girls did not play games but did have toys. They were given dolls so they could learn how to care for a child. The mother would use the doll to teach her daughter how to sew. Daughters were taught how to cook, take care of children, clean house, farm, pick berries, sew, and other skills they would need in order to be a wife and mother.
The Shawnee have often been depicted as cruel warriors who kidnap women, children and kill men. Scenes such as the that last on in the video above are not often depicted in the media. The main reason the Shawnee have become one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented tribes in the United States mainly has to do with their history with the settlers. American settlers did not understand every tribe in the United States does not have the same culture. And it was this misunderstanding that lead to many disagreements between the two groups.
The Shawnee Family
The Shawnee family was a very tight unit yet whenever an outsider came into the village the Shawnee men did not give any attention to their family members. To the outsider, the a Shawnee man was cold hearted, lazy, unloving and cruel. In the village, men were often found lounging around while the women gathered berries, tended to the fields, skinned the hides, cared for the children and maintained the cabins. Women were never alone in the wilderness. The men would carefully watch the women do the work as they socialized with each other. Women were valued more than men in Shawnee culture. While the men may seem lazy in camp they were actually guarding their families while relaxing.
Family was very important to the Shawnee. Children were trained as soon as they were born to assume their gender roles. Gender roles are defined as a set of behavioral and social norms assigned to each gender in any given culture. Shawnee parents took the instruction of gender roles to their children very seriously. Fathers were responsible for training their sons and mothers were responsible for training their daughters.
As soon as a child was born they were placed in a cradleboard with their head bound so they would grow strong and straight. This practice produced a flat spot on the back of the Shawnee child's head. The flat spot on the back of the head was a characteristic of all Shawnee until modern times. Babies were also taught not to cry in case the parents needed to hide from an enemy. Shawnee parents would also bath their infants in cold water during the summer and winter in order to harden the child's strength.
A Shawnee child's education was never formalized. They were taught from an early age to respect their elders. Much of a child's youth was spent under the tutorage of their grandfathers or great-grandfathers. These elders would teach the children, no matter what the gender was, the history and traditions of the Shawnee people.
A Shawnee father would teach his son hunting, fishing, trapping, the art of warfare and discipline. Everyday activities included swimming, running and jumping. These activities taught young boys agility and strength. Boys would often play games in the village but these games weren't just for fun. They were used to develop a boy's resourcefulness and strength. The video below shows some of the games the Shawnee played.
Another game the Shawnee boys played was with a grapevine hoop and a toy bow and arrow. The boys would release the hoop and try to shoot an arrow through the moving target.
Shawnee girls did not play games but did have toys. They were given dolls so they could learn how to care for a child. The mother would use the doll to teach her daughter how to sew. Daughters were taught how to cook, take care of children, clean house, farm, pick berries, sew, and other skills they would need in order to be a wife and mother.
June 16, 2014
#ExpressYourself: Overcoming Nightmares of Witches
Welcome to this week's Express Yourself Weekly Meme. This week I was asked what the scariest movie I've watched or book that I read that made me unable to sleep?
When I was a kid I was always scared of witches and vampires. I remember the first time I saw this scene in the Wizard of Oz. The Witch of the West was so scary. I had nightmares for a long time about that witch.
Now that I'm an adult I look back at that scene and just laugh. How could I have been scared of that!
I'm obsessed with all things Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz has such strong characters and world building. As I grew older I read every book of the Oz series. I would watch the movies and the TV shows. When I heard about Wicked I immediatly wanted to see it on Broadway but lived too far away. I want to read the book and see it on stage. I had come to Indianapolis but my husband and I were unable to go. I really hope they make a movie version of Wicked.
Last year, I watched Oz and was delighted to learn that Once Upon a Time was featuring the story. I'm a faithful Once Upon A Time watcher. I love the way they retell classical stories for adults. Here's the scene where Zelena meets Dorothy for the first time.
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June 15, 2014
#MentalHealthAwareness: Is #Autism a genetic condition?
Welcome back to the Mental Health Awareness Month June 2014 series. We have spent the last few weeks learning about Aspergers Syndrome. Last Sunday was Father's Day in the United States. In honor of fathers throughout the world I will be focusing on fatherhood in all my daily postings.One of the most asked questions about Autism (Aspergers Syndrome is on the Autism Spectrum) is whether or not it has is a genetic condition. There are many families where more than one people have been diagnosed with a type of Autism.
Scientists have been interested in determining why Autism seems to run in families. A 2011, a study of 226 infants throughout the United States found parents of an Autistic child may produce more Autistic children. Of the families who were studied 8-10% of Autistic children had siblings who had Autism as well. Nineteen percent of these siblings were younger than their brother or sister. The more children a family had the more likely they were to have Autistic children. Gender seems to make a difference as well. Of the families studied, 26% of boys were Autistic compared to 9% girls. The result of the study strongly proved there may be a genetic condition to Autism.
June 14, 2014
#FathersDay fun: #Quotes from our favorite fictional fathers
In honor of Father's Day, I will be sharing quotes by these three remarkable men and other men that have had an influence on Calico, Elsa and Kathleen today. You can view these quotes on my twitter page. Just follow me @emeraldkell and have fun reading everything these men have to say.
This week's blog postings will also focus on different aspects of fatherhood. Be sure to visit my blog each day as you never know what I might post.
June 13, 2014
#SmallBlessings: My friend, the dietician.
Happy Friday!
Can you believe next week will be the middle of June already? Where has the time gone by?
This week my small blessing was a visit to the dietician. In 2002, I was diagnoised with a severe case of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I have had to change my lifestyle in order to control my health. Having PCOS is a never ending battle with weight gain and other health concerns. I have always been told by my doctors that I need a dietician. I went for years without consulting one. I had bought a book called the PCOS handbook that helps you with diet, exercise and other matters relating to PCOS. I thought I had the diet down but things happened in my life and I slacked off of it. That was one of the worst mistakes I could have ever made.
This week I finally visited with a dietician. It was wonderful. She has helped me get back on my diet and is helping me to monitor my diet/exercise routine. It feels so great to be back on the healthy living track.
From Cob to Chip: It's probably from #Marion County, #Ohio.
Welcome back to my series on Marion County, Ohio and World War 1. Marion County was started by farmers and farming has continued to have an impact on the county. One the most important crops produced in the county is corn, especially popcorn.One of the most influential Ohio based snack companies is located in Marion, Ohio. Wyandot, Inc. began in Wyandot County in 1936 when W. Hoover Brown and his wife, Alva, wanted a supplement to their grain and livestock feeding operation.
“With our farm income depressed, and with Ava’s encouragement, I decided to go into the popcorn processing business. We thought this would bolster our income and, at the same time, allow me to continue to operate the family farm. In early May 1936, I planted 100 acres of popcorn.” – W. Hoover Brown.
Mr. Brown operated his popcorn business out of the one room school house he had attended when he was a boy. During the Great Depression his popcorn became a favorite, inexpensive treat. Sales grew so quickly he needed to expand his operations. In 1944, he added a four story factory adjoining the school house in order to keep up with the growing demand of his product. Annual sales for that were three billion pounds of popcorn!
Four years later, Mr. and Mrs. Brown founded the Popped-Right Corn Company, located on Mill Street in Marion, Ohio. The Popped-Right Corn Company was a subsidiary company that produced popcorn for movie theaters throughout the United States. In 1950, Popped-Right Corn Company released a caramel flavored corn that was called "Golden Crisp Caramel Corn."
Mr. Brown's company continued to expand during the 50's. He opened other subsidiary companies in Ohio, Nebraska, Indiana and Kentucky.
In 1961, the Frito Company merged with the H.W. Lay Company. Mr. Brown's younger brother, Warren, recognized that this would be a great opportunity for Popped-Right Corn Company to become a supplier to regional potato chip manufacturers. Warren approached farmers throughout the Midwest and along the East Coast with the brilliant idea. Popped-Right Corn Company would manufacture and package chips under the chipper's brand. With a greater operation behind their name the chippers could market their brand into larger markets. The idea took hold and Popped-Right Corn Company's sales expanded.
In 1964, Wyandot and Popped-Right Corn Company established their offices in Marion at 135 Wyandot Avenue. You can read more about the company's history on their website. In 1982, the company built the Wyandot Popcorn Museum in Marion, Ohio. The Popcorn Festival, held annually the first weekend after Labor Day, was named as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association.
Chances are if you order a salty snack at a restaurant or buy one in the grocery store you are probably eating something that was made in Marion, Ohio.
#HeSaidWhat: Chief Little Owl dedicates his life.
This week on the That's What HE said Thursday I have featured one of the most romantic things Chief Little Owl has ever said to Calico.
#QuoteMeThursday: Family Feud
Today's quote for the Quote Me Thursday Link Up is taken from my first book, Calico (Children of the Shawnee: 1). It's not one of Little Owl's finest moments. He's speaking to his father - in - law, Pierre Lutree.
