Tag: Life & Tradition

Fame, Obscurity, Controversy: Moses Ezekiel, Cadet and Sculptor

The place: New Market, Virginia; the date: May 15, 1864. Under the command of General John C. Breckinridge, 257 cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and other Confederate troops charge across a rain-soaked, newly plowed field against General Franz Sigel’s Union forces. Many of the cadets lose their shoes in the muck, rendering that…


The Family Table: 4 Secrets to Grandma’s Unbeatable Brownies

Submitted by Megan Baker, Grants Pass, Oregon My grandmother and I have similar penmanship. Perhaps that’s why I pull out the index card containing her “Saucepan Brownies” recipe even though I’ve had it memorized for years now. I like looking at her writing. Growing up, my family would spend Sunday mornings at church and Sunday afternoons…


Elephant Mom Brings Her Baby to Visit Man Who Raised Her 10 Years After Being Released

After being rescued and reintroduced to the wild over a decade ago, a once-orphaned elephant has returned to pay a visit to her keeper. Best of all, she brought her own baby to meet him. The elephant, named Sunyei, showed up to visit Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s head elephant keeper, Benjamin, at their Ithumba site in…


‘One Last Ride’: Biker Lost in Tragic Accident Gets Coffin Side-Car, Escorted to Funeral by 100 Bikers

A popular young biker who died at age 35 was given “one last ride” as he made his final journey in a glass hearse sidecar—escorted by dozens of motorcyclists. Dad-of-two Nick Bennell was killed following a tragic crash involving multiple vehicles on the A448 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on Aug. 18. Following his death, his sister…


‘Art Can Affect People’: Greek Artist’s Miniature Worlds Inspire Beauty and Kindness

With the harmonious combination of tiny pieces and materials, a Greek artist has been creating aesthetically pleasing miniature worlds enclosed in small boxes, frames, and watch cases. From an early age, Gregory Grozos had a natural inclination for the arts, as his father was a graphic designer who also liked to paint in his free…


Oak Wilt and Peach Tree Suckers

Q: I have an old oak tree. During the recent cicada invasion, this tree took a mighty hit from those insects. Numerous small branches began to fall. I assumed they were falling because of the cicadas having made slits in the branches to lay eggs. Then, later, the tree began to literally dry up. The…


October Is the Best Time to Buy These Things

And just like that, autumn has arrived! Oh, how I love this time of year! Cooler weather, sweaters, scarves, pumpkin pie, and beautiful fall colors make this, for me, the very best time of year. And there’s more—bargains galore await as we head in. Here’s a quick rundown of bargains we’re sure to find during…


2 Steps to Perfect Roasted Carrots

Cooking whole carrots requires only a tiny bit of prep (just peel and go!), but they take longer to cook through than smaller chopped carrots, especially on their thicker ends. If you roast whole carrots uncovered, the dry heat inside your oven will turn the carrots’ outsides dry and leathery before the insides are tender…


Young Mom in Menopause With No Chance of Pregnancy Gives Birth to Baby: ‘Miracles Do Happen’

A young mom of two who went into premature menopause at 28 thought her dreams of having a third child were crushed. However, she was in complete disbelief a year later when her pregnancy test came out positive—the news seemed unreal. She went on to deliver a beautiful baby girl, but the journey didn’t end there: she…


Photographer Captures Fantastical Long-Tailed Indian Paradise Flycatchers in Stunning Photo Set

An Indian nature photographer has captured the breathtaking Indian paradise flycatcher in a series of uncanny close-up shots, showcasing the distinctive-looking bird in all its glory through the lens of an expert. Originally from Cuttack, Odisha, award-winning photographer Gyana Mohanty now works out of Navi in Mumbai. His passion for wildlife photography is dominated by…