FASCINATING FACES

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Sharing travels & reflections from around the world

Memorial Continental Hall honors the Patriots of the American Revolution.

The National Memorial Arch marks the road where the Continental Army marched into Valley Forge on December 19, 1777. It is one of eight places where the American flag is flown 24/7 by public law or presidential proclamation.

Raveen Arora and Opal Lee, the faces of compassion.

Memorial Continental Hall

Memorial Continental Hall honors the Patriots of the American Revolution.

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Memorial Continental Hall: illuminating and honoring our Patriots

“Memorial Continental Hall is a backdrop, a living stage to illuminate our Revolutionary War ancestors and all they sacrificed for us."

FASCINATING FACES

Cactusflower

Mar 319 min read

Celebrating Stars and Stripes: a flag for all seasons

",,,our ancestors fought to start this country, and then they fought to save it. That’s how important it is. Don’t ever forget that.”

FAMILY MATTERS

Cactusflower

Apr 2, 202410 min read

The arc of the moral universe travels east from Selma to Montgomery

On July 26, 2020, a horse-drawn caisson carrying the flag-draped casket of the late Congressman John Lewis left Brown Chapel AME Church...

Cactusflower

Apr 8, 202310 min read

A Revelation: unexpected lessons from the Seven Churches of Asia

The Book of Revelation is perhaps known best for the Apocalypse, the “end times,” and destruction of the world. Even non-Christians know...

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE APOSTLES

Cactusflower

Sep 18, 20226 min read

Separate Lifetimes: the hidden residents of Hackberry Creek

On the final morning of her life, Foxy’s nose was still in fine form. Though aged, drugged, weary, and suffering from several ailments,...

FAMILY MATTERS

Cactusflower

May 4, 20226 min read

Juneteenth, Nobel bring together hearts and minds of leaders who care

Circumstances of birth and events that we experience as children often have a profound impact on the quality and focus of our lives. Some...

FASCINATING FACES

Cactusflower

Nov 20, 20214 min read

Southern Turkey boasts ancient civilizations around every corner

Turkey’s Mediterranean shore, often called the Turquoise Coast, runs more than 900 miles, sprinkled with picturesque beaches and...

Cactusflower

Sep 13, 20214 min read

Hagia Sophia has become a Stranger in a Strange Land

In October 2020, I wrote the post “We could all use a little Holy Wisdom” about the Turkish government’s actions to convert the...

Cactusflower

Aug 14, 20215 min read

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Arora leads with humility from the heart

Hackberry Creek in Irving, Texas, prides itself on its diversity, as well as its reputation as a community of achievers. Now, it can...

FASCINATING FACES

Cactusflower

Aug 7, 20213 min read

Captain Molly Corbin: America's first female veteran

Captain Molly Corbin takes over the cannon after the death of her husband. (Photo courtesy Tracy H. Sugg) Women’s History Month brings...

Cactusflower

Mar 23, 20215 min read

Finding your family Bravehearts

Genealogy definitely was not a priority for me most of my life. My mother was from Illinois, my father from Ohio, and they ended up in...

FAMILY MATTERS

Cactusflower

Feb 2, 20215 min read

Thanksgiving at home and away

Like most things in life, Thanksgiving is what you make of it. The mad rush by so many people to get home to family and friends this...

FAMILY MATTERS

Cactusflower

Nov 25, 20206 min read

We can all use a little Holy Wisdom

Looking out from Gulhane Park on the grounds of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, our view was grand and truly fit for emperors, sultans,...

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Oct 6, 20208 min read

Hidden gems of Iznik

If you have ever spoken the words “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” you have a connection to Iznik, Turkey....

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Jan 17, 20205 min read

Georgia on my mind: history, nature vie for attention

Back in my early days as an Air Force officer, I was an “intercept controller” in what was then West Germany. We helped maintain radar...

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Sep 8, 20193 min read

Epic battles at Gallipoli and Troy: Achilles in the Trench

The Gallipoli Campaign and the Trojan War. Two epic battles, forever connected by “Achilles in the Trench.”

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Sep 4, 20196 min read

For the cats of Istanbul, life isn't always the cat's meow

I have written this blog post in my mind many time. Every time I see, feed, or pet an Istanbul street cat, I feel reinvigorated to tell...

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Apr 22, 20195 min read

Tulip Festival is a Turkish Delight

When you think of "tulip," what's the first thing that comes to mind? More than likely, your answer is Holland. You know. Holland with...

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Apr 10, 20194 min read

The Churches of Mardin, Turkey: it's what's inside that counts

After exploring early Biblical sites in and around Urfa (Sanliurfa) and hunter-gatherer wonders at Gobekle Tepe, we headed to Mardin,...

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Mar 21, 20196 min read

Stone Age sanctuary, Biblical sites are the amazing backdrop for Urfa

Like many people, as my husband and I approach retirement, travel is big on our radar. On a recent trip to Turkey, we decided to visit an...

FASCINATING PLACES

Cactusflower

Mar 11, 20194 min read

Note: This is a work of fiction, based upon facts.

Cactusflower

Mar 319 min read

FASCINATING FACES

Memorial Continental Hall: illuminating and honoring our Patriots

Cactusflower

Nov 20, 20214 min read

FASCINATING FACES

Juneteenth, Nobel bring together hearts and minds of leaders who care

Cactusflower

Aug 7, 20213 min read

FASCINATING FACES

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Arora leads with humility from the heart

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