Allison Bruning's Blog, page 40

OhioTribes: The First #NativeAmericans

Glyptodon
By:Heinrich Harder (1858-1935)
US Public DomainOhio Tribes: The First 
Native Americans

One of the first people to inhabit the Americas were the Paleoindians. They migrated from Asia following big game to the Americas via the Bering Strait during the the Late Pleistocene Period. The Pleistocene Epoch lasted from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. It was during this time that the earth's climate drastically changed. Most of the world was transformed through repeated glaciations. Ohio had been carved out of three such glacial periods during this time. We know this period more commonly as the Ice Age. Animals such as mammoths, mastodons, giant sloths, longhorned bison, saber-toothed cats, and other large mammals scattered the terrain of North America, Asia and Europe. 
The Paleoindian Period lasted from 13,000 -7,000 B.C, which was towards the end of the Late Pleistocene Period. Paleoindian life revolved around the hunting of the great animals listed above and was greatly affected by the Ice Age. The glaciers killed the plant life which meant the herbivores had to migrate elsewhere. Thus humans and the carnivores had to move with the herds into previously unknown territories. Paleoindian groups were highly mobile. Any given band could consist of anywhere between 20-60 members, all of whom were extended family. Hunting and gathering were done during the spring and summer months when smaller hunting parties left the group. These hunting parties would return during the fall and stay throughout the winter. Their diets varied depending on how successful the hunt was. Their clothes and the covers for their shelters were made of animal skins. 
Glaciers during the Pleistocene Period
US Public Domain
(Notice Ohio is completely covered)The earliest Native American group to inhabit the northern state was the Clovis Culture. The Clovis Culture appeared around 11,500 B.C. but didn't inhabit Ohio until between 9500 - 8000 B.C.  The northern glaciers retracted, exposing new land for exploration and settlement between 17,500 to 14,500 years ago. The animals and Clovis culture took advantage of the new Ohio lands. During the late 20th century, the predominant theory of human colonization of the Americas had been Clovis First, meaning the Clovis Culture were the first group to inhabit the Americas. In 2011, archaeologists at the Buttermilk Creek Complex close to Salado, Texas unearthed an occupation that was proven to be older than Clovis. The Buttermilk Creek Complex isn't the only archaeological site that predates the Clovis Culture.   The following are a list of sites that predate the Clovis Culture. 
Pedra Furada, Piauí, Brazil (55,000 yr BP ABOX)Topper, (at least 22,900 yr BP; possibly 50,000 yr BP but this is disputed) South Carolina, USMeadowcroft, Pennsylvania, US (16,000 yr BP)Cactus Hill, Virginia, US (15,070 14C yr BP)Monte Verde, Chile (14,800 14C yr BP)Saltville, Virginia, US (14,510 14C yr BP)Taima-Taima, Venezuela (14,000 yr BP)Connley Caves, Oregon, US (13,000 yr BP)Page-Ladson prehistory site, Florida, US (12,425 ± 32 14C yr BP [15,405–14,146 cal yr BP])Lapa do Boquete, Brazil (12,070 ±170 14C yr BP)Paisley Caves, Oregon, US (14,300 cal yr BP)Tanana Valley, Alaska, US (13,000–14,000 cal yr BP)Nenana valley, Alaska, US (12,000 yr BP)Tibitó, Colombia (11,740 ±110 14C yr BP)Tagua-Tagua, Chile (11,380 ±380 14C yr BP)

It seems the culture that predates the Clovis Culture is not genetically Native American but Caucasian. You can learn more by watching this video:


The earliest archaeological evidence of human habituation in Ohio may lead back to the Clovis culture because Ohio did not exist until the glaciers retreated but that doesn't mean the Clovis Culture were the first inhabitants of the Americas. I ,for one, will be keeping my out on what other discoveries scientist make about the colonization of the Americas. It would very interesting to see how the new information changes the way we teach our future generations about the first human occupation of the Americas. 

#HappyEaster

To All My Fans,

Happy Easter! 
May you day be filled with gladness, friends, family and plenty of candy. 

-Allison Bruning-

#Ohio Has It All

Ohio byDaniel R. Blume
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drb62/45...

Something New,Something Old,In America's Heartland
I've decided to end our daily blogging journey of odd holidays and Tudor Troubles in order to focus more on a topic that near and dear to my heart. When I began my writing career almost six years ago I never could have imagined that most of my stories would take place in my home state. Let's face it. I am in love with Ohio. My heart yearns for the state.
My family was one of the first families of Ohio. We arrived in Ohio soon after the end of the American Revolutionary War. My family has been given land in Ohio as part of my patriot's pension. We settled, helped organize Marion County and have never left. 
Ohio has a wonderful, vibrant history. I had recorded some of that history in my book Reflections: Poems and Essays. My latest book, Calico ( Book 1: Children of the Shawnee) takes place in Ohio during the middle of the 18th century. I have other projects in the works that take place in Ohio during different times periods. Armed with Ohio history and my family's stories I have plenty of things to write about. 
Ohio has it all and I'm proud to bring this eclectic history to you. Here is something to think about. 
Known as "The Mother of Presidents," Ohio has provided the United States with more presidents than any other state. 

Other famous Ohioans include:
Johnny AppleseedThe Wright BrothersNeil ArmstrongBob HopeDean MartinJack Nicklausand Roy Rogers
You can see more at http://laika.ed.csuohio.edu/students/kim/famous1.htm
I will be blogging about Ohio culture, history and Native Americans of Ohio every week.
Tuesdays: Native Americans
Thursday: Ohio History
Sunday: Guest Postings or Ohio Trivia. 
You won't want to miss this. 

LET THE #SHAWNEE SPEAK!

Native American Indians
Painted by Mary Louise Holt
http://www.natureartists.com/artists/...

March 22
Let The Shawnee Speak






My fans have asked for it and you shall have it.
Next month, Calico, will return to Amazon in paperback and ebook. Calico is book one of the Children of the Shawnee series. Here's what reviewers have said.
"The two main characters Calico and Little own stand out on their own, but the secondary characters make the book what it is. There is just enough suspense throughout the book dealing with the British and the French to keep the reader involved right to the end. In fact I read the book in two settings. The book does contain some scenes of rape and incest but they are not in a sensual or graphic detail. Occasional violence but nothing more than would happen in any novel pertaining to war among the whites and the Indian Nations." --- Lynn
"Calico has a strong cast of characters that Mrs. Bruning manages quite well. The story simmers along, gradually picking up speed and drawing you into the world just a little bit more with each event that takes place. Allison represents the Native Americans in a genuinely respectful, entertaining way that I found most humbling. As an author, I respect her ability to adhere to their ways and portray them so fearlessly. Her facts are stated with enough clarity and confidence that readers of any age can follow them. Calico is full of people dealing with real struggles, living real lives and loving in real ways. There is an element of romance that I found surprising and sweet." ---Princess Jen
"Calico is a fantastic love story filled with history. Her knowledge of the Shawnee Indians adds to this book. Authentic Shawnee vocabulary; though sometimes difficult for me to pronounce, was fantastic. You can tell that Bruning has done extensive research in this area for her book."----- ANNETTE M GUERRIERO.
Calico is written from the Shawnee's perspective although the main character is white. I really enjoyed writing this book and am grateful for all the high praise it has received. There are alot of characters whose back stories intertwine to present the present situation that Calico finds herself in. Much of her circumstances are out of her control yet Calico must learn to overcome them.
I have decided to allow Calico's family stories to be told in a series of series. Here is the breakdown.
Gaelic Twist of Fate series - Calico's grandmother. We follow her grandmother's story in Ireland and how she raised Alexander and Anna despite the struggles she faced there. Her family was Irish Catholic and her husband, Anglican. How will Kathleen preserve her Irish hertiage and Catholic faith through her children while her British Anglican husband demands his children comply with his culture?
A New World - Calico's mother. This series follows Calico's mother, Anne, as she and Alexander are forced to start a new life in the Kentucky wilderness. We'll follow Anne as she spies against the French only to fall in love with the enemies' commander, Duke Francious Dubious. How will Anne escape from her controlling father and begin a new life with a man she shouldn't trust?
Children of the Shawnee - This series belongs to Calico. We'll follow her as she lives through the American Revolutionary War.
There will be two more series with the perspective of the Shawnees and their struggles with losing their way of life. The next one will be about Calico's daughter and how she supports her brother as her family fights with Techumseh.
The last series will be about Calico's granddaughter.

#Poetry: Keeping It Alive For Future Generations

Ink jar and quills
By: Charles Standford
@http://www.flickr.com/photos/84299143...

March 21
World Poetry Day



Happy World Poetry Day! World Poetry Day was declared an international holiday on March 21, 1999 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It purpose is to promote writing, publishing, reading and teaching poetry internationally. 
Ms. Irina Bokova, the General Director of the UNESCO stared in her address today, 
"Poetry is one of the purest expressions of linguistic freedom. It is a component of the identity of peoples and it embodies the creative energy of culture, for it can be continuously renewed. The power of poetry is transmitted from generation to generation, in the hallowed texts of great authors and in the works of anonymous poets. We are duty bound to transmit this heritage - the legacy of Homer, Li Bai, Tagore, Senghor and countless others - for it bears living witness to the countless diversity of humanity.  We, in turn, must tend it to bear fruit, as a source of linguistic wealth and dialoque."
You can learn more about International Poetry Day at http://www.un.org/en/events/poetryday/index.shtml
Poetry is a great way to express your inner emotions that are hard to articulate. They are also a great writing tool to use when you are trying to dig deeper into your characters. You can feel the heart and soul of your characters if you write a poem from their perspective. 
Writing poetry can be used to heal emotionally. Poetry allows you to dig deep into your innermost thoughts where you are forced to confront your emotions. It can be a painful experience but once it's on paper there is a cathartic release. The pain, joy, and any other emotion you were hiding now resides on the paper and not in your heart. Once you have it on paper you can burn the paper as a response that you are letting go of the pain. I have done this several times. 
In honor of International Poetry Day I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems from my new book, Reflections: Poems and Essays. 
I wrote this after my Grandmother Carr died. 

Grandma
The thought of death doesn’t elude meAs I sit upon the hard, cold groundJust beside your tombstoneBeckoning my sorrowsI never thought this day would come
Life without you, GrandmaSeems so unbearable Why did you leave me?Memories of the joyous days we shared fill my mindThe past my friendThe future without you, my enemy.Oh how I will miss your Laughter, wisdom, and love.
My heart cries with sorrow! Who will sing to me the songs of long ago?Who will listen to my stories?Who will share a strawberry shake with me? Who will I confide my secrets to?Now that you are gone?
Grandma, Oh Grandma!You taught me life-long lessonsAnd showered me with unconditional loveYou laid the foundations of my faithAnd taught me to chase my dreams
A world without youHow can I go on?My guide and friendBlessed by all who called you their grandmotherYou possessed a gentle heartKind spirit and unyielding faithMourned by manyYet only a few truly knew you
You, my gracious wise grandmotherRest with the angels nowReconnected with those who have gone on before you Never forgotten and always loved
I shall be the woman you want me to become.Never forgetting you or the lessons you have taught meGrandma, O GrandmaYour time has come. 

#EarthDay - Hope For The Future

Earth - Global Elevation Model with Satellite Imagery (Version 2)
By: Kevin M.Gill
@http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmgi...
March 20
International Earth Day








Today is a very important international holiday, International Earth Day. Some of you may be looking at this screen with a confused look on your face. Earth Day? Isn't that in April this year? Americans will celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. Today's holiday differs in that the today is an international event. 
Chief Seattle of the Duwamish tribe once said, "We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children." 
The United States Census Bureau claims there are 7.074 billion in our world. The UN claims the world's population hit the 7 billion mark on October 31, 2011. Here is a breakdown of the worldwide population growth since we had hit the 1 billion mark in 1804 via wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population.

As you can see by the chart, our population continues to grow at an astounding rate. With a great population comes the need for land, water and other resources. Unfortunately, we have not been wise stewards with this beautiful planet we call home. 
International Earth Day reminds us to conserve our resources and use them wisely. We cannot pollute our earth and if we want to create a better environment for the future generations then we need to start now.
You can learn more about International Earth Day at http://www.earthsite.org

#Amazon #Bestselling Author Madison Johns

http://www.sadanduseless.com/image.ph...

March 19
Granny's Got A Gun



Look out world. 
Granny's armed and she knows how to use her gun. 
We'll be taking a break from our Tudor Troubles today so that I can introduce you to another amazing author, Madison Johns. Madison is the bestselling author of the book Armed and Dangerous . Her genres include horror, mystery and romance. I've asked her to tell us about her latest book Grannies, Guns, and Ghosts.  
About The Book
Senior snoop, Agnes Barton, has taken up residence in a Winnebago at a campground in East Tawas, Michigan. It’s not the ideal place for a woman of seventy-two to live, but she’s making do. She had planned to start a detective agency with partner in crime, Eleanor Mason, but a snag with the license has them free wheeling it, not that it matters because they are the ones folks call when dead bodies turn up.
A frantic phone call has Agnes and Eleanor racing to the scene of yet another crime scene. Herman Butler has fallen to his death from a third story window, and the widow, Betty Lou, is besides herself with either grief or competing for the Oscars, and it’s up to Agnes and Eleanor to unravel the mystery, which gets more interesting when a ghost is listed as a possible suspect.
This time around, Agnes and Sheriff Peterson can agree, the widow is nuts, but wait, a few days later the ghost ship, Erie Board of Trades, was spotted off the shores of Lake Huron. Ghost hunters, G.A.S.P., hightail it into town, and East Tawas is overrun with ghost sightings.
Agnes and Eleanor must sort fact from fantasy before another body is found or a curse is realized.

Excerpt

I, Agnes Barton, of sound mind and body, promise not to throttle my partner in crime, Eleanor Mason, no matter how much she tries to get a rise out of me. 
I must have lost my mind when I decided to partner with Eleanor in our new detective agency, Pink Ladies. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Truth be known, she had saved my life. I wonder if I'll ever hear the last of that?Oh, who was I fooling, she’s the only one I’d want to snoop with. While we are quite the odd couple, we’re also a great team. So what if the official paperwork and licenses are out of date, that won’t stop us from investigating whatever we had a mind to.
Charter Arms couldn't have made a better pistol than The Pink Lady. What woman wouldn’t love a pink, ultra-lightweight .38 Special. It’s perfect for women to tote around in their handbags. Not that you would call a carpet bag a handbag by any means. Some of them are large enough to conceal an arsenal of weapons, if a body had a mind to do such a thing.
Unlike the fictional bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, I like to keep my sidearm handy. Nobody really gave a squat what a person of a certain age had concealed in their bags. I suppose most younger folks think we all knit and do all sorts of creative things. Oh, I have a creative mind all right, but not creative enough to dodge Eleanor. Poor dear wouldn't know what to do without our adventures.
I had taken up residence in a camper of all things, parked in a camp-ground in East Tawas, Michigan, on the tranquil shores of Lake Huron. Lucky for me I got a larger spot at the camp-ground and I had adjusted to living in a Winnebago. My house had been fire-bombed during our last case. It's not so bad. I get to enjoy the misty lake as the sunrises and some of the most spectacular sunsets in Michigan.
I eyed my cat, Duchess, and said, “I hope it doesn't take ‘til winter for our house to be rebuilt.”

Duchess responded with, “Meow.”
“I know girl, no mourning doves here,” I said to her. I strode by the mirror as I made my way into the bathroom and deep lines formed as I grimaced. I'm still wearing my pink bathrobe with pink ruffles, white sandals covering my feet. My unruly salt and pepper hair was tangled and I tried to work my fingers through the knots. Every dang morning it’s the same thing, my hair looks like a rooster did it in my sleep. Puffy dark circles were apparent, obviously from the restless slumber as my hip ached something fierce last night.
I made my way into the kitchen and poured coffee grounds into my new fancy-dancy coffee maker that is supposed to make a good latte. If I ever figure out how to use the damn thing! It's only seven in the morning and I'm already cussing, if only in my head at the moment.
I jumped and bumped against the counter and clutched my chest when my door vibrated nearly off the hinges. Whoever could that be and this early?
I pulled back the pink lace curtains to reveal a familiar pair of friendly blue eyes. Eleanor, had her face pressed to the window with both her hands against my door like a lost puppy begging to be let in.I yanked open the door and watched in amusement as she tried to steady herself, resembling a Weeble Wobble. What is the saying? Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down.
“Have you been camped outside my door all night waiting for me to let you in?” I body blocked the doorway. I wasn't ready to let her in just yet.
She puffed up her chest, trying unsuccessfully to act offended. “Of course not, Agnes. I just didn't want to bother you if your hot-shot lawyer man is here.” She giggled, her large belly jiggling. “Unless you want an audience,” her eyes danced.
She wishes.
Amazon US  http://www.amazon.com/Grannies-Ghosts-Barton-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00BVR73P6/ref=la_B0063EXBNA_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363793198&sr=1-4
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grannies-Ghosts-Barton-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00BVR73P6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363808228&sr=8-1
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/296615
  Who Is Madison Johns? Amazon bestseller ~ Armed and Outrageous.
Author Madison Johns early days weren't spent writing -- they were spent dreaming. Her vivid imagination ran wild and took her places only dreams could. She read books, tons of books — they were her only friends. As a child, Madison Johns preferred to distance herself from other children her age, and had been described as a dreamer. Even as a small child, she remembers staying awake many a night fighting dragons, whisked away to foreign lands, or meeting the man of her dreams. She was a voracious reader of historical romance in her teen years and has always wished to one day journey to England, France, Ireland, and ScotlandThe writing bug bit her at the age of 44 and she pounded out four books since that time. As the publishing climate changed, she became an independent author publishing her first novel in late April of 2012.

#Tudor Troubles: Playing with a King's Heart

A portrait of Anne Boleyn by Wenzel Hollar (1607-1677)
March 18
Tudor TroublesAnne's Greatest Sacrifice






We return to our Tudor Troubles series on an important day of the year. It seemed only befitting to return to our series on the unusual March holiday of Supreme Sacrifice Day. Supreme Sacrifice Day occurs every year on March 18. A supreme sacrifice is a sacrifice where the petitioner offers their own lives to gain their goal. Modern day heros such as the military, police, EMS, and firefighters do this on a daily basis in order to protect other lives. 
King Henry VIII had first taken notice of Anne Boleyn sometime after she had arrived to England from France. We do not know exactly when King Henry VIII's attentions swayed from Mary to Anne. As previously noted, Mary Boleyn had been King Henry's mistress from 1520 - 1525 AD. Mary had been considered the more beautiful of the two sisters. Some at court had described Anne as pretty but not beautiful for her eyes were dark and her long hair was raven. Hostile chronicles deemed Anne as having a mole on her face and an extra finger on her hand. She was quick tempered and spirited. 
King Henry VIII had ordered Cardinal Woosely to end Anne's relationship with Henry Percy in hopes that he would be able to persuade Anne to become his mistress. Yet Anne had been so distraught over losing the man she loved she avoided the king, all his gestures of romantic interests, and continued to rant against Cardinal Woosley. The king had hoped a few months in the country would settle his distraught beloved so he ordered her father to send her away to Hever Castle. King Henry VIII visited Anne Boleyn several times at Hever Castle. The English king was paranoid of being assassinated so he traveled with a locksmith who would change the bedroom locks of wherever the king stayed the night. He would them remove the locks when the royal party left. 
King Henry had to seduce Anne but she dismissed all of his sexual advances because she did not want to become his mistress. She had learned her lessons from her sister's experience at court. She denied any gift he gave her, no matter how elegant or extravagant the gift was. Anne was not going to settle for any position less than Queen of England. It was a very dangerous game for Anne to play and it would be this game that would later convince King Henry VIII that she had bewitched him. No matter how many times she denied the king's attentions he would continue to declare his love for her in letters. King Henry did not like to write letters and there are so few of his handwritten letters that still exists. Seventeen romantic letters written by King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn are housed in the Vatican City. It is believed these letters were stolen from Anne's possessions and sent to the Pope in order to provide evidence against the English king. You can read these letters at http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/resources/anne-boleyn-words/henry-viiis-love-letters-to-anne-boleyn/

#FREE #Book on #Amazon

March 14 - 17
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#Tudor Troubles: The Jewel of #King #HenryVIII's Eyes

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
Oil on Canvas
By Arthur Hopkins
Public Domain


March 13
Tudor TroublesThe Boleyn Girls and King Henry VIII











I find it so benefiting that we returned to our  Tudor Troubles series today. Today is Jewel Day in the United States. To celebrate this little known holiday all you have to do is give someone a piece of jewelry. 
Anne Boleyn spent two years in seclusion at her childhood home of Hever Castle only to return to King Henry VIII's court in 1525. Anne had no reason to suspect she would capture the English king's attentions. Her sister, Mary, had been the king's mistress since 1520. Mary Boleyn had joined the English courts in the service of Queen Catherine of Aragon around the same time William Carey came to serve his distant cousin, King Henry VIII, as a gentlemen of the king's Privy Chamber. William was the second son of  Sir Thomas Carey (1455–1500)  and his wife, Margaret Spencer. His grandfather,  Sir William Carey of Cockingham, Devon, had fought for the Lancasters in the War of the Roses and had been beheaded in the after the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. William's mother was the cousin to King Henry's VIII's paternal grandmother. His position as one of King Henry's gentlemen of the Privy Chamber meant that he had access to the king on a daily basis. King Henry VIII was known to do much of his transactions through his personal attendants. 
King Henry VIII had enjoyed an affair with Elizabeth Blout until she gave birth to their son, Henry Fitzroy, in June of 1519. It is not certain when Mary caught the king's attentions. He had been present in the wedding party at her wedding to William Carey on February 4, 1520. William had become one of the king's favorite courtiers soon after he had arrived to court. The two cousins shared common interests in athletics and William has proven himself to the king as a fine jouster in the Field of Gold Tournament in 1520. 
Despite the marriage, King Henry VIII and Mary began an romantic relationship that proved beneficial to the Boleyn family and William Carey throughout the early 1520's. King Henry VIII elevated her father's, Thomas Boleyn, status by granting him the title of viscount and gifted him with several land holdings. William Carey received a stewardship, two keeperships, an annuity, manors in two counties and several small offices. 
Mary gave birth to her first child, Catherine Carey, in 1523. She would given birth to a son, Henry Carey, on March 4, 1526. Anne Boleyn had arrived to court while Mary was pregnant with Henry Carey. King Henry VIII had noticed Anne sometime after she returned to court. By the summer of 1525, the English king ended his affair with Mary with the determination to woo her sister. Rumors has spread throughout the court that Mary's children were the king's son and daughter. There is some evidence to prove that Mary's children were fathered by King Henry.  You can read more about this at http://www.genealogymagazine.com/boleyn.html
Despite the overwhelming evidence proving Henry and Catherine's heritage,  King Henry VIII never acknowledged them possibly because he had set his eyes on Anne Boleyn and was determined to replace Mary with her sister.