The Graveyard of the Atlantic

The Graveyard of the Atlantic is a name given to a stretch of coast from the Chesapeake Bay down to the southern tip of North Carolina's Outer Banks due to the number of early shipwrecks there. The first recorded one occurred around 1526 off the coast where the Cape Fear River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Even when sailors learned the coastline, shifting

sandbars would still cause problems. The shallow waters, strong currents, and unpredictable weather added dangers. Lighthouses were constructed all along the Outer Banks to try to help. Adding to the problem were wreckers, residents who scavenged goods from wrecked ships for part of their livelihood. Some even lured the ships into a dangerous situation hoping for wreckage. 

Thousands of vessels and the men who manned them went down. Somewhere around 3,000 vessels are believed to have sunk in the area off the Outer Banks between Hatteras and Ocracoke alone. During wartime, more German submarines sank off North Carolina than any other state. For more information you might want to visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village, North Carolina.

_______________________________________

Living the Victorious Life

"We must not be satisfied with less than the victorious life to which God calls His children," writes Andrew Murray in Power in Prayer (Kindle loc. 2894). Victory depends on us having a right relationship with Christ. This includes our complete surrender, unwavering faith, and unbroken fellowship. To get to this point, you have to realize how unable you are to live the Christian life by your own efforts. You must allow Christ to take possession of you by His Spirit. You must abide in Him and He in you on a whole new level.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

This is how you can keep from sin - not you but Christ in you. We tell ourselves that we cannot keep from sinning, but we use this as an excuse not to try. The secret to living the holy life God tells you to live is to not depend on yourself but to let Christ take over through His Spirit. Then he washes away any sin with the blood he shed for you. If you give Him control, He takes over and guides you.

"...ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45b)

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11).

"My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness" (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, p. 254).

______________________________________________________________

Corn Crop

Corn became a staple in many areas. It could be grown in less than ideal conditions, had a shorter growing season than many other crops, wasn't as susceptible to diseases, and had many uses.

Corn provided good eating during the summer months until frost and could be prepared in a variety of dishes. The kernels could also be soaked in an alkali solution, simmered, and rinsed to make hominy. Hominy could be eaten as it was or dried and ground into grits. Indians, like the Cherokee, had grits first. The kernels

were also ground to make cornmeal to use for bread, mush, and in cooking. The corn could be ground by hand, as the Indians and Mexicans did, but Europeans learned to build mills, and American colonists continued the practice. The first ones were powered by waterwheels or windmills. Most communities had

access to a grist mill. In remote places, like the Appalachians, small mills at someone's cabin were usually located within walking distance.

In the fall, after the corn harvest, corn shuckings became a social event in some areas. The women usually provided a meal, and there were contests to see who could shuck the most corn. The one who found the first red cob often got to kiss the person of their choice. Work seemed more like fun when done in a social.

 Besides providing food for people, corn also fed the livestock. It could be ground into feed, cracked, or used whole. The stalk and leaves, or fodder, could be fed to cattle, horses, mules, etc. After the good ears of corn were pulled, the farmer cut the cornstalk near the ground and stacked it in a shock, so it would keep better. Corn help provide the livelihood for many families.

_______________________________________________________

Eating Green

News of the benefits of leafy, green vegetables escalates all the time. For example, kale is one of the world's healthiest foods. It's better for you than spinach and tastes less bitter. Dark green, leafy vegetables are known to be good for the skin and hair, promote healthy bones and teeth, control sugar levels and diabetes, lower blood pressure and the risk of cancer, and decrease the chance of having lung problems like asthma. 

turnip green

I like to plant a mixture of turnips, mustard, and kale. These three greens have the same cooking time and work well together. When they are ready, pick, look, wash, and cut them into a large pot. They will cook down quite a bit. Almost cover them with water, bring to a boil, and simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Drain. At this point, you can freeze them for 

kale

later, put them in the refrigerator for a coming meal, or finish them to eat now. To finish, put your favorite seasoning oil or grease in a pan, add greens, salt to taste, sprinkle them with sugar (about a tablespoon, depending on the amount of greens) and cook for about 15-20 minutes on low heat, stirring once or twice. For a healthier choice, I fry them in beef stock that I have refrigerated and skimmed all the tallow off which forms at the top.  It gives flavor without the harmful fat. 

mustard

If you just don't like greens, give kale and/or mustard a try. They have a milder taste, and you may learn to appreciate them.

_____________________________________

Blackbeard

Edward Teach had a flamboyant personality and frequented the Carolina coast. As the pirate, Blackbeard, he indeed had a black beard into which he plaited hemp ropes and set them to smolder to intimidate foes. He also lit fuses under his hat for the same reason.

He was born in England around 1680 and sailed as a privateer during Queen Anne's War. For a while, beginning in 1716, he joined Captain Benjamin Hornigold for pirating around the 

Van Der Veer house in Bath, NC

Bahamas. He captured a French merchant vessel, refurbished her as a pirate ship, and renamed her the Queen Anne's Revenge. He joined with other pirates and blockaded Charleston harbor for a ransom. Sailing north, he ran his ship into a sandbar and settled in Bath, N.C., where he accepted a royal pardon. Before long, however, he went back to sea.

Pamlico River feeds into the Pamlico Sound near Bath

Blackbeard also loved women. While in Bath, he married Mary Ormond, and the governor himself performed the wedding. As it turned out, the pretty young woman was his fourteenth wife, and twelve of them were still alive.

Many legends developed about the pirate, but none of them have him being overly cruel, especially with his crew. He preferred to intimidate his opponents into submission by his fearful look rather than use excessive violence. After Blackbeard left Bath to go back to the pirate's life, Governor Spotswood sent Lieutenant Maynard and his men to capture him. In the ensuing battle, the pirate was killed.

______________________________________

Church in Early America

In early America, the church or meeting house usually played an important part in a family's life. Husbands might occasionally attend a council or court, go to a mill, or share a drink at the tavern, but a woman normally worked at home. Attending a service was her chance to go somewhere, visit, and get away from the grueling routine of everyday labor. If the preacher was vivacious and there was singing, it could be entertaining as well.

Before long, a family could choose from several denominations, such as Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Quaker, Puritan, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Judaism. All

denominations wouldn't be available in all locations, however. And, for years, remote places would have to depend on itinerant preachers or circuit riders if they had one at all.

The first churches tended to be strict. Because people cared about their standing in the community, the churches wielded a lot of social power. Being publicly punished or kicked out of a congregation was devastating. In Everyday Life in Early America, David Freeman Hawke writes, "The church, regardless of a family's religious or ethnic background, had the most influence beyond the farm."

At first, control remained in the hands of a minister or a few deacons, elders, or other governing body. Throughout the 1700's, church order became less demanding. With the Great Awakening, congregations wanted more say in the running of the church, and often they became quite proud of their church building. It remained an important part of the community for many years.

____________________________________

How to Care For and Display the American Flag

As anyone who has served in the military can tell you, there are regulations for displaying and caring for our flag. These rules were adopted in order to honor the flag and what it represents.

The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground, floor, water, or whatever is beneath it. When carried, it should always wave free, untangled, and unbound. If it is displayed with other flags at the same height, the American one should always be first to the observers left. If the flags are

displayed at different heights, it should always be the highest one - the center one in a fan shape or the top one on a pole. When placed against a wall, the blue field with stars should always be in the top left corner. It should also be folded according to specific directions. When the flag is raised or lowered in a ceremony or presented before a group, anyone in uniform should stand at attention and salute. Others should stand facing the flag with their right hand over their heart and holding any cap or hat.

A flag may be mended as long as the repair doesn't alter its appearance. When it becomes too dirty or torn, it should be disposed of properly by burning. An American Legion post or local government offices may do it for you.

Regulations also say that the flag should never appear on anything disposal, such as napkins, paper plates, or anything that can be thrown away. It should not be embroidered on items easily soiled, like handkerchiefs or throw pillows. I'm not sure we adhere to these anymore. In addition, the actual flag should never be cut up or used as clothing, bedding, or curtains.

The U.S. flag has had a long, honorable history. Many people have made great sacrifices to assure it remains flying proudly. As we remember on this Veteran's Day, let's treat soldiers, veterans, and our flag with respect.

____________________________________