Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Is Cursive a dying Art?

My Mom's amazing cursive writing.
I have heard that school kids are not taught the Art of Cursive writing anymore. I guess that is due in part to the high-tech computer and smartphone age. No need to write anymore, just hit a button and a keyboard pops up. I remember when I was in 1st and 2nd grade, we had the alphabet above the chalkboard. Each letter was in cursive handwriting, both the Capital and lower case letters. I even think we had the printed letters also but I am not certain of this. Some people say you could tell one's personality by examining their handwriting plus you could tell if the writing was a forgery. In the old days cursive was done with such style and grace that no one dared used sloppy writing. Just look at the signers of the Declaration of Independence with their flawlessly immaculate letters and long curly designs at the end of their name. I was always amazed at how well Momio would write. It seemed to her it was just like breathing, it came so naturally. She even got into calligraphy which is writing with india ink with special metal tips you dip in the ink. Momio even painted the bottom of our 2nd floor steps with a brush done in calligraphy style. She also embroidered pillow cases with cursive writing. It seems a lot of new high-tech things have made it easier but it has also taken the beauty and style out of the way it was originally done. At least we can preserve cursing writing in museums.
Momio's cursive writing on our home's name: "Lochaven"

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

A Blast From the Past

Historical Ken with other Reenactors
Saturday August 23, 2014 I was transported back in time to the Civil War Era. The smell of wood burning and the scent of pork, chicken, potatoes and various pies gave an added reality check of what it must of been like back then. All the campsites with their cooking utensils and furniture were very authentic looking as were the uniforms the soldiers wore and the clothes the citizens dressed in. There was even a doctors tent for first aid complete with many old herbal concoctions and such plus the lead that was yanked out of arms and legs. Some were singing songs while the military brass band played on. The Main Event was of course the Battle and the soldiers awed the crowd with splendid displays of bravery and dying. All in all a great time with good food and drink to be found and plenty of Mid 1800s clothes and guns and musical instruments buy. Take a camera next time the Jackson Civil War Muster is in town and record your historical memories for years to come.
Soldier stirring the chicken stew.

Medicines and bone fragments.