Wright Brothers' First Attempt at Powered Flight

On December 14, 1903, near Kill Devils Hill and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina,Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first successful attempt at flying a heavier-than-air powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer I. The Smithsonian Institute called it "the first powered heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard."*

The Wright Brothers had shipped their flyer disassembled from Ohio to North Carolina. While they readied the plane, they practiced flying with a glider. On December 14, with the help of some men from the nearby life-saving station, they moved the Wright Flyer and its launching rail to a nearby sand dune. The brothers tossed a coin to determine who would pilot the craft first, and Wilbur won. 

The plane left the rail, but Wilbur pulled up too sharply, the plane stalled, and it came down in about three seconds, sustaining minor damage. After three days to repair the plane, the brothers made four other tries on December 17, but these also ended in a bumpy, uncontrolled landing. However, the last flight went 852 feet and stayed aloft for 59 seconds, more successful than any others. It showed that such a plane could stay in the air and that the Wright Brothers patience and persistence had paid off.

*Information from Wright Flyer exhibit at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D,C.

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Angels on High

Angels are powerful, spiritual beings who serve God to do specific tasks, both in heaven and on earth. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Although we usually picture angels as being females, the two angels mentioned in the Bible by name, Gabriel and Michael, are males. Gabriel delivered God's messages, and Michael was an archangel, or chief angel. We get our idea of guardian angels from Luke 4:10-11:

For it is written, He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hand they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Angels are all through the Bible, beginning with Genesis and going through Revelation. Abraham hosted three of them, Jacob wrestled with one, David wrote of them, Elijah was fed by one, Daniel received a revelation from one, Zechariah and Elizabeth were given startling but welcome news, Mary and Joseph received important messages, one greeted the women at the tomb of Jesus, John saw them in visions, and the list goes on and on.

Certainly, one of the most spectacular angelic visits to earth was to the shepherds at the birth of Christ. Read Luke 2:8-14. Can you imagine the scene and feel the excitement? Here was a group of common, lowly shepherds tending their flock through the night, when an angel appeared to tell them of the birth of "a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." At first the shepherds were terrified, but the angel assured them he meant no harm. After the angel delivered this life-changing message, a whole host of other angels joined him, and they begin to sing praises. What a glorious sight that must have been! How much the Christmas story should make us also want to sing for joy!

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Working with Editors

I worked with many different editors when I wrote for magazines. Naturally, some were better than others, but I never encountered one I would call "bad." I appreciated their suggestions, because it enabled me to grow as a writer. In fact, with one article that was rejected, the editor told me how I needed to change my focus and made a few other suggestions. I did exactly what he asked, resubmitted it, and it was published.

When I began publishing my historical novels, I didn't know what to expect. I had heard some horror stories from other authors, but I remembered my experience with the magazines and went into it with an open mind. My first editor with Ambassador was one of the best I've ever had. I enjoyed working with her. I didn't relate to the second one quite as well, but we still worked well together.

In looking at self-publishing a couple of my stand-alone novels, I have hired my own editors. I tend to turn to the people I know in the field, and one of them surprised me. She was extremely picky and seems to want me to write my manuscripts exactly the way she would. She has allowed little room for individual author style. However, I'm still trying to keep an open mind. I think her edits will help me get better. I considered everything she suggested, and probably accepted about 90% of them, although I only think about 40% were really helpful.

I have actually edited manuscripts, and one of the author's works has so many mistakes (mainly grammatical), it takes forever. However, I try to allow the authors room for individual style and creativity. I don't make edits for what could be considered acceptable and only note obvious mistakes. Since I have worked from both sides of editing, I have a broad perspective. All authors don't need to write by a formula, and they shouldn't all write alike. I saw the project with this independent editor through, but I didn't use her for the next manuscript. Editors need find a balance between what they think is best and allowing the author some leeway. 

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International Mountain Day

December 11th is International Mountain Day with a special emphasis on small mountain farms, which have long supported mountain families. I grew up on such a farm, however, such cultures are diverse. Traditionally, most mountain cultivation has been subsistent farming. There are some exceptions to this, however, especially in modern times.

One example of commercial mountain farming can be found in the Appalachian Mountains, where the Christmas tree industry is an important business, and Christmas tree farms often dot the mountainsides. In addition, other crops, like cabbage. corn and apples, also bring in needed family income.

As my historical novels in the Appalachian Roots Series show, farming in mountain regions can offer special challenges, but it can also be rewarding. Some of us love the aesthetical value of living in such a scenic area, where we feel close to nature, and there's a special sense of freedom in that.

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The Moravian Star

The Moravian star is a Christmas, advent, or epiphany star, which originated in Germany and spread to wherever the Moravian congregations went. Therefore, they're prevalent in places like Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, and other places settled by Germans. They're made to be illuminated. Traditional stars are white, but they've been made in other colors. There's even clear ones.

The first known Moravian star came from a boys' school in Niesky, Germany in 1830, probably as part of a geometry lesson. Math classes sometimes still use them today. Around 1880, Peter Verbeek, a graduate of the boys' school, started making them along with the instructions to sell in his bookstore. His son, Henry, formed a factory to produce the stars. Although it had some difficulties during World War II and communist occupation, it resumed operation. Today it's owned by the Moravian Church and is still making stars.

31-ft. Moravian star

Moravian stars are used to represent the Star of Bethlehem. The city of Wintson-Salem, North Carolina, founded by Moravians, uses the stars as their official Christmas decorations. The largest one in the world sits atop Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's north tower during the holiday season. This star is 31-feet high. One of the prettiest Christmas trees I've seen was decorated in white Moravian stars and small candles.

At Old Salem

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Foxfire

Have you ever seen foxfire glowing at night? It's an almost magical sight, but it's really a fungus that grows on rotting wood. Records show that sometimes the light has been bright enough to read by, but usually it's much fainter than that. The color of the glow can vary depending on the species of fungi. Some give off a green or blue light, and others have a reddish glow. All I've seen has been red or reddish orange.

We know that it's an ancient plant, because Aristotle wrote of it in 382 B.C., and Pliny the Elder mentioned it growing in olive groves. Much later, it was used to light the barometer on The Turtle, an early American submarine.

Foxfire grows and shines best at around 70 degrees in moist conditions. Forests are more likely to provide the deteriorating wood and have ideal conditions. Too hot or too cold deters the light, as does too wet or too dry. Glowing foxfire can be a pretty sight, but most people never get to see it.

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Colonial Ovens

Oven in a colonial bakery

When the holiday season arrives, homemakers began thinking of traditional baked goods. It might have been the the same in colonial America, but baking was certainly different then. There were bakers in some towns and cities, where baked items could be purchased, but most women baked their own breads and pastries. However, since it was such a chore, they often baked on one day a week, especially for yeast breads.

At Somerset Plantation, Creswell, NC

Getting the oven ready was important. The oven had to be fired to a proper temperature. For yeast breads, there needed to be a baking oven. Quick breads could be cooked in a Dutch oven in a regular fireplace or even on a campfire, but yeast breads were different. Many fireplaces had a baking oven to the side of the regular fireplace. However, it was also common to have a baking oven outside. This was particularly helpful in the hot summer months, and it helped reduce the chance of a kitchen fire. 

At Fort Dobbs, Statesville, NC

There were at least two common types of outside ovens, the beehive shaped oven and the masonry oven. The beehive oven was made of clay and had a door or lid to cover the front and help make the heat more even. Masonry ovens were made of brick or stones and were often larger. Either served the same purpose.

Covered spider (center) and Dutch oven (right)
could be used for baking quick breads

While they had the oven hot, the baker would often bake all the bread and pastries the family would need for the week. However, if they ran short, they could always bake cornbread or biscuits in the Dutch oven. Some families also had a warming oven, sometimes in the form of a metal cabinet to go in front of the fireplace to keep foods warm.

Although the task of baking was a more tedious job in colonial times, the results were appreciated just as much. Those special breads, cookies, cakes and other pastries made the holiday season even more special.

Fireplace with metal warming oven

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