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About bigskybuckeye

Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.

Trivia’s Facts and More (12/20)

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

How many people is “two pairs of twins twice”?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Arkansas becomes the 25th state in the American Union on June 15, 1936.  The name “Arkansas” is a name used by French explorers, and it refers to the Quapaw native people.

Here are a few interesting facts about Arkansas:

  • Capital City:  Little Rock
  • State Bird:  Mockingbird
  • State Flower:  Apple Blossom
  • State Motto:  Regnat Populus (The People Rule)
  • Major Rivers:  Arkansas and Red

Arkansas uses two different nicknames:  Land of Opportunity and The Natural State.  The Natural State recognizes the state’s diverse landscape of mountains, lakes, hot springs, and forests.  Numerous natural hot springs can be found, and they welcome people who visit with hopes of finding relief from certain illnesses.

In 1803, the United States greatly expands its land size when the Louisiana Purchase is bought with France.  As part of these new lands, Arkansas becomes a territory in 1819.  The state features many key battlefield sites from the American Civil War.

In 1932, Hattie Caraway becomes the first American woman elected to the United States Senate.  The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, is born in Hope (1946).

The state’s economy has transformed from its reliance on agriculture to a more diversified one.  Corporations founded in Arkansas have led the way, such as Walmart and Tyson Foods.

In 1957, landmark school integration is enforced by the federal government.  With a U.S. Army escort, nine courageous African-American students attend a now integrated high school in Little Rock, and become known as the “Little Rock Nine.”

During World War II, two major Japanese internment settlements are established at Rohwer and Jerome.

top left and MOVING clockwise:  little rock nine, hot springs national park, Ozark mountains, apple blossom, mockingbird, state capitol in little rock, Ouachita mountains, japanese internment settlement in rohwer, u.s. senator hattie caraway.   (Courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Eight (2 x 2 x 2)

From My Journal (12/20)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

There will be days when we look into life’s mirror and see past reflections.  We realize that today needs to write a new chapter.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated December 20)

Arkansas Voices

City of Little Rock

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973, born in Cotton Plant)  Singer and songwriter

I’ve learned to rock my troubles away.

Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964, born in Little Rock)  U.S. Army general

Men since the beginning of time have sought peace.

Johnny Cash (1932-2003, born in Kingsland)  Singer and songwriter

A person knows when it just seems to feel right to them. Listen to your heart.

 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, General Douglas MacArthur, Johnny Cash (all images courtesy of pinterest)

One Journey (Elfchen Series #280)

Hope Reframed

Sharing

Gospel’s truth

Simple fishing boat

Serving as Christ’s pulpit

Witnessing

Grace Welcomed

Witnessing

Spirit’s presence

Life’s next appointment

Jesus will be there

Teaching

Peace Fulfilled

Teaching

Light embraced

Proclaimed in Scripture

Father loves His Son

Sharing

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

From My Journal (12/19)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Embracing and walking in Christ’s light, we witness the enemy’s shadow of darkness less and less until he’s gone.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated December 19)

D. L. Moody Quote

Photo by Dylan Chan on Pexels.com

A holy life will produce the deepest impression.  Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.

From Titus 2:7:  “In all things, offering yourself as a model of good works and in your teaching offering integrity.”

D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher.  He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.

Kitchen Table’s Witness

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Farm’s eternal footprint

Memories held tight

From each generation

Nurturing what’s right

 

Kitchen table’s witness

Writes each diary page

Chronicles history

Filling life’s rain gauge

 

Precious hope’s future link

Tough times overcome

History comes alive

Leaving each bread crumb

 

Confidence builds each spring

Another crop sown

Expected fall harvest

Paying back bank loan

 

Farmer’s faithful outlook

Every season’s birth

Tomorrow remains bright

Blessing Mother Earth

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From My Journal (12/18)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

With faith in God, one’s confidence will discover ways to grow beyond any fear.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated December 18)

William James Quotes

Photo by LEONARDO VAZQUEZ on Pexels.com

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.

Pessimism leads to weakness.  Optimism leads to power.

Williams James (1842-1910) was an American psychologist and philosopher.  He has often been referred to as the “father of American psychology.”

Advent’s Journey

From Luke 1:46-47:  “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.'”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Advent’s journey

Following Savior’s star

Walking toward Bethlehem

Nurturing hope from afar

 

Advent’s patience

Sowing fresh seeds of hope

Harvesting heavenly peace

Grasping eternity’s rope

 

Advent’s witness

Wrapping faith in God’s Word

Waiting for hope to be born

Seeing prophecy unblurred

 

Advent’s treasures

Rising without fanfare

Revealing Messiah’s hope

Answering every prayer

 

Advent’s cleansing

Leaving darkness for light

Replacing man’s sins with hope

Raising redemption forthright

 

Advent’s glory

Sharing from hope above

Bearing world’s ultimate joy

Believing in Father’s love

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Luke 1:54-55:  [Mary continues speaking] “‘He has come to the aid of His child Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, according to the promise He made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.'”