The Old Timers – How did they do it?

A mystery was solved, a rather intriguing one if you ask me.  These type of mysteries always make me wonder.  How did the people of that time accomplish some of the things they were able to do?

The Country:  Canada.

The Place: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

The Building: St. John’s Anglican Church

The church was built in 1754.  As you can imagine, the architecture of the church was absolutely beautiful. With the type of wood working that is usually found in very old buildings.  The church is the oldest Anglican church in Canada.  A lot of love went into this building.  Unfortunately, an arson decided to burn down the church on halloween 2001.  No one has been caught.  A lot of history was destroyed.

But the members of St. John’s decided to do something pretty remarkable.  They decided to rebuild the church.  Not just rebuild a new church.  No, they decided to rebuild the church, as it was before the fire, using what was left of the building after the fire, and existing wood that was salvageable. A costly task, estimated at 7 million Canadian dollars.  They managed it of course.

Using photographs, and excellent carpenters, they managed it.  But one task, given to a woman, brought out a mystery.

It had to do with stars that were painted on the ceiling over the alter.  The problem was that there were not a complete set of photographs for the woman to recreate the pattern of stars.  As she debated the problem, she followed a hunch.  She had a feeling that the star groupings were not something just randomly painted.  So, she contacted an astronomer.  He examined the photos that were available and found the constellation Perseus.  The problem was, the location of the constellation was wrong for the night sky in Lunenburg.

Acting on his own hunch, he used a computer program to show what the sky would have looked like on Christmas Eve, year 0, the celebrated birth of Jesus.  You guessed it, the stars matched.  The painted stars recreated the night sky of December 24th, year 0, in Lunenburg.

So how did someone in the 1800’s, when the stars were painted on the ceiling, recreate the night sky from that date?  What a feat!  I find it amazing.

Here are pictures of the church before the fire:

Here is a picture of the church after it burned, which gives you an idea of what they had to work with to reconstruct the church:

Here is a video of the star mystery:

Some of the information in the video is incorrect.  Such as the fact that the bible does not indicate that Jesus was born on December 25th, but it’s still interesting.

If you want more interesting facts on this historical landmark, go here.

Enjoy!

~ Kev

Happy Birthday Jesus

The wind of that morning was probably chilly.  Not the chill of winter, because it was spring.  The time of new things.  The chill air swept through a small town, a town of only about 30 houses, plus a few other buildings.

In what was probably a small cave, which was called a manger, was a young man and woman.  The woman was tired, having labored through the night after a long journey to this small humble town.  But though she was tired and weary, she was no doubt smiling with accomplishment and joy, the man, her husband, with pride and the awe that men get when women give birth.  They gazed at a small figure, wrapped and swaddled against the chill in the air.  They gazed on the very first and most important Christmas gift ever given.

Legend has it that at the moment the babe was born, every winged animal not in the air took flight across the entire planet.  Animals who had been sleeping or hiding suddenly leapt and ran.  Even the very bees took to the air, their buzzing wings sending a song of joy into the air.  It was as if the entire universe had just let out a giant breath it had been holding for far to long.

The town had no clue how they had been honored.  They had no clue what had happened.  They only knew that it was yet another day in a town purposely kept small, to avoid Roman attention.  The town was named Bethlehem and the man and woman were there due to Roman decree.  A census was to be taken.  So the man, Joseph had bundled up his pregnant wife Mary and took her to his town of lineage.

The town might not have realized what was laying there.  But someone did.  Three someones actually.  Three men from the East.  Wise men, men who knew things, men who studied things.  They had travelled far and long, following the direction of all things, a star, brightly lit.  A star so bright it could be seen during the day.  They travelled until they came upon the new parents, and the babe.

In the surrounding area, a group of Sheppard’s, sleepy from watching over their flock all night, came to alert, scared out of their minds.  For someone was suddenly there, someone who wasn’t human, so how could they not be scared?  But the one who appeared was not there to cause harm, but to deliver a message.

The message that the someone delivered fell on ears that weren’t quite sure yet what to think.  But the message was good.  It was so good that suddenly the someone started singing, and praising God, and a multitude of voices that could not be seen joined in, all singing praises to God.  For this day, the prophecy of a Savior had come to fruition.  Those sheppards were given instructions on how to find this gift from God.

So away they went, and found the manger, and the parents, and wise men, and a small babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

They gazed upon the babe.  With wonder.  With awe.  No doubt their bodies trembled, those sheppards and wise men.  For they were looking at something that was human, but not.  With the purpose of God shinning forth from Him.  Such a small innocent looking baby, shinning with heavenly light, a gift to the world.

If they had only known then what was to come, the purpose for which he was born, they would have rent their clothes and wept.  But that was for another day, years in the future.  For the moment, they basked in light of His purpose, His innocence that would never disappear, and Holiness He exuded.

There, surrounded by the Wise men, representing The Father, The Sheppards, representing The humble Son, and The Parents watching over their babe, representing the ever watchful Holy Ghost, was a most humble babe who would change the course of human destiny forever.

His name was to be Immanuel, meaning God with us.  And He was.  And God looked, and saw that it was good, as he had known it would be.

Jesus, the Christ, the Savior, was born.

All Hail the King of Kings.

Happy Birthday my Lord.

Something winter this way comes

I’m like most people where snow is concerned.  It’s pretty to look at, fun to play in (when dressed appropriately – ahem) but it sure makes a mess.  But I can even deal with the mess.  Snow just brings out the kid in me.  Like last year, when I helped decide it would be fun to take our 4 indoor cats and throw them outside in the snow and watch what happened.  Fun was had by all.  Except for the cats that is.  For some reason, they were not amused.  Oh well, I had fun, and that is all that matters right?

For those of you who are animal lovers, no cats were harmed in the “throw the cats in the snow marathon”.  I’m just saying.

Like I’ve said in the past, Richmond usually gets the short end of the stick for snow lovers.  We are right on that boarder line where we either get rain, freezing rain, or sleet.  But this makes twice in one year we have gotten more than flurries, which really makes me question the idiotic nice scientists who are pushing global warming.  We haven’t gotten this much snow in Richmond in 20 years I think.

I guess I’m not the only one who has their inner child pulled out by the snow.  At least judging from this nice piece of snow art.

Maybe the artist was also making a statement about global warming, since the global warming summit thingy made front page news.  Who can say?

Now, I’m the type of guy that really hates sitting around the house with nothing to do (other than my wife’s never ending to-do lists which she seems to think I will work on while she is working – yeah right babe.  She is a sucker like that).  So, even when we get snow, I just have to find an excuse to go out.

It could be that I just like driving in the snow.  I will neither confirm nor deny.  I plead the 5th.

Which brings me to my point.

Why are all these people out on the road, interrupting my sightseeing run to get extra milk?  Never mind me, I can actually drive in the snow (no really, I can).

Something about living in Richmond makes people turn stark raving mad when we have snow.  They all immediately jump in their cars and hit the roads, especially when the officials beg us all to stay home.  Just another example of the man trying to keep me down in my case, and a truly desperate plea in everyone else’s case.

Let me tell ya.  Richmonders can NOT drive in the snow.  Period.

Some of these drivers are to be expected.  The adolescent boys in their jacked up 4-wheel drives out having fun doing donuts in the snow, drinking, and trying to impress their hormonal girlfriends running food to the needy.  Then there is the law, trying to help stranded motorists and keeping the peace (no, I did not pass a poor policeman in his car, trying to make it up a hill, all the while laughing evilly – I have an evil twin and it was him I tell ya).

I mean, while I’m out driving, minding my own business, I have to put up with either someone going 5 miles an hour, or 100.  I have to put up with the yuppies in their SUV’s, thinking they are invincible in the snow.  I have to put up with the Notherners who have moved down here and are sure they won’t have a problem because of all he snow they have driven in from their home state.  Usually, it’s the Northerners who have to be rescued first from the ditches.  Which makes me giggle for some reason.

Of course, I like to tell my wife these amusing stories, which in turn, leads me to get yelled at, because she is convinced I can’t drive at all and I end up sitting at home.

ALL BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE WON’T STAY HOME WHERE YOU BELONG WHEN IT SNOWS.

Life isn’t fair man.

Looks like I’m stuck here, looking out the window.  Now, where did all our cats go?  I think they are hiding.

~Kev

I’ve got that loving feeling (again).

Right now, everything in The Life of Riley is pretty much… well, like The Life of Riley.  Meaning everything is running smoothly and well.  Except the part where I haven’t won the lottery yet.  My wife is being domestic and nice to me.  Giving me extra kisses, not forgetting to say goodnight, calling me on the phone just to check in on me and generally being sweet.  My daughter, the sass master of all time, is being nice to.  She is speaking to me in the mornings (she is a horrible morning person), texting me to let me know where she is like she is supposed to, and listening to me lecture her when needed without rolling her eyes or sarcastic comeback.

Lucky me right?

All of this leads me to realize I can choose one of three multiple choice options in response.

a) Be appreciative and say awwwww and try to be nice in return

b) Accept it as my due, since I am the big bad man of the house and deserve such due to my awesome good looks and mighty charm

c) Realize I’m being buttered up like a Christmas Goose

Well, my Momma didn’t raise no dummy despite her claims to the contrary and I know my two women well.  After all, I’ve been married for 20 years, and my daughter is 17.  Which means I only really have one option here.  Option C.

That’s right folks.  I’m being set up.

The problem is, I haven’t been able to figure out for what.  To say I’m starting to get nervous is an understatement.  Sure, sit there in your chair and roll your eyes at me and mutter “wow isn’t he the suspicious sort”.  You’re either young (read naive) or don’t know my girls.

Both of them were born for the natural instinct that God gives all women.  Manipulation.  Both have large, female disney character style eyes, and pouty lips.  When they unleash their arsenal of weapons, it’s difficult for any man not to give in.  Oh, did I forget to mention the tears?  Big giant ones that slowly roll down their cheeks that somehow, can get turned on and off with a snap.  I know there must be a switch for that somewhere, but I have been unable to find it.  I did look.  Using my male authority, I had them both facing the wall, with hands on it while I frisked them.  Even amongst the giggling, squirming and annoyed questions of “what do you think you’re doing”, I failed in that quest.  Sherlock, I’m not.

But let’s do some reviewing shall well?

One year, when our daughter was still a rather obnoxious baby who had us wrapped around her little finger toddler, my wife decided she just HAD to have a Christmas tree in her room for her.  Well, being a man, I thought that was a bit of overkill.  Think of the expense, I reasoned, the trouble, the extra lights and ornaments.  Needless to say, that didn’t go over very well.  The worst part of it was, it had to be a specific tree.  Do you remember the fad years ago with the six foot trees that were really skinny?  Yup, had to be one of those.  And of course, she picked that year to try and get one, when everyone else wanted one.  She ran all over town, with me on the phone calling every store in the phone book.  It took a number of days, but she finally got that tree.  Yeah, I could have put my foot down, but I really didn’t want to face the big eyes, giant tears, and pouting.  So I was a wuss and went along for the ride.

You try saying no to this.

Or how about the whole year my daughter worked on me to get that nose piercing she just had to have?  I tried to be an adult, explain why it was “not a good idea” and all I got was the face, and the tears, and the moans, and they lectures from my wife of you just don’t understand young girls (which is true btw).  So yeah, in the end, she got the piercing.  Again, try saying no to the cuteness of the Kitty Princess.

Then there was the time a few months ago my wife convinced me to get my eyebrows done at one of those new kiosks in the mall where they use thread to painfully rip remove portions of your eyebrows, therefore shaping them.  She will deny this of course, but it was all her idea.  Hey, I’m a man, and I’m hairy.  I may look like a gorilla, but being a man, I don’t really care right?  Well let me tell you, that is one I will not make the mistake of falling for twice.  After the tears of pain stopped, I had to walk around with a glowing red forehead for an hour.  I looked ridiculous.  Like I had a neon sign on my forehead.  Not to mention the pain.  Man, the things women do to make themselves look good is beyond mentioning.

Of course, there is also the clues.  Even though I’m no Sherlock, I can still spot the signs.  The whispering, the sudden cessation of talking when I walk in the room, only to see two innocent smiles.

It all adds up one thing.  I’m in trouble peeps.

I’ve looked for clues around the house.  Scraps of paper, match books, the sudden appearance of brochures.  So far, I haven’t found anything.  But it’s coming.  I just know it.

I’ve got some vacation time.  I’m thinking of running off to the North Pole and help Santa, but I don’t know.  I’m afraid of what I’ll find when I return.

~ Kev

Tiger Tiger Woods Ya’ll

Well Tiger, you went and did it, didn’t you.  You left your house at 2:30 AM and crashed your car.  Somehow, this has brought out that you committed “transgressions” that you have apologized for.

Now, I’m really mad at you Tiger.

I want to give you the smack down.

Strangely enough, it’s not for the “transgressions” you committed.  Whatever “transgressions” means, since that was your word.

No, the reason I want to give the smack down on you is because now, I can’t read the news without hearing nothing but…… TIGER TIGER TIGER.

Now Tiger, I’m sure you’re a nice guy and all, except for those “transgression” you mentioned.  But like you even said, you aren’t perfect.  Who is?  I’m certainly not.  But if you have cheated on your wife, shame on you.

Just because you have as much money as God more money than almost anyone does not give you the right to fall into that rich man’s trap.  You know, the one where weird women will sleep with you, just because you have money.  Come on Tiger.  If that’s the only reason they slept with you, because you’re rich and famous, then admit it.  They are tramps.  So, stay away from the tramps, and keep your pants zipped, unless your wife lets you unzip them in the bedroom, that is if she ever lets you in your bedroom again.

But I digress.

It’s irritating Tiger, irritating as all get out that you had the unmitigated gall to leave your house at that ungodly hour and wreck your SUV, thus causing a snowball effect which took over all the news.  There IS other things going on in the world right now you know.  Like the economy (something you won’t have to worry about… ever), kidnapped kids, abused wives or husbands or children, people losing their homes, the wars in the middle east, just to name a few.

Why do you have to be such a media hog?  Do you really think that is fair to the rest of the world?

So you wrecked your car.  There was going to be “an investigation” for some reason.  Anyone else would have just been slapped with a reckless driving ticked, like you eventually got.  But oh no, because it’s YOU, I had to listen to newscasters speculate on what the “investigation” was about.  I suppose they were hoping that it would lead to the discovery that you had not only cheated on your wife, but abused your children, caused global warming, and had dead rabbits hidden in your freezer.

And now?  NOW?  Now I’m, at this very moment, having to listen to the speculation about your prenup agreement with your wife and “oh my God, what should she do, should she stay or go”.

No one else gets this treatment.

What about other peoples lives that are destroyed by this kinda thing?  We don’t hear about it 24/7.  But oh no, you’re such a media hog, you’re taking over the airwaves.

Tiger, do me a favor and give it a rest will ya?

Ok, sarcasm aside, I really don’t get why this is all such a big deal.  You media people need a life.  One that doesn’t revolve around celebrities.  And you people who are obsessed with such a thing?  YOU need to get a life.

Know why?

I want to know what is really going on with the world.  You know, important things.

~ Kev

Today’s Youth = Tomorrow’s Leaders (Ahem)

Where did we go wrong?  Ok, maybe that is really just a rhetorical question.  However, somewhere, my generation took a sharp left turn in raising our kids who are now teens.

Oh I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking I’m going to rant about the foibles of today’s something or other generation (is it x? y? z? aa? I can never keep up).  Well, you would be right.

I mean come on, have you looked at bozo the clown looking teens of today?

Never mind the tattoos and piercings.  Never mind the weird hair colors, never mind the pants that are about to fall off.  No, wait.  Let’s mind it.  A lot.

Hey, I was a teenager once.  We had our own fads.  In my town, in my day, it was cowboy hats with roach clips hanging off the back (purely for aesthetics, honest mom, I never did drugs.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it).  But I look at today’s kids and I have to wonder.  I mean really really wonder.  How do some of these kids expect to get a job?

Whatever happened to the phrase, everything in moderation?  Apparently, we somehow missed the opportunity to pass that vital information on to our kids.  I can see my way past a little bit of “personalization”.  My own daughter has a piercing in her nose.  But I look around at some of these kids at the mall, even ones who are working and I think to myself – something just ain’t right yo.

Blue hair, red hair, white hair, green hair, practically every weird color you can imagine under the rainbow.  Facial tattoos.  More metal in their face than iron man, ripped clothing (if you can even classify some of it as clothing because it covers less than a bikini), thongs hanging out of the back of pants.  It just goes on.

If they aren’t trying to pass off as “Gangsta Paradise” (don’t judge, I roll old school Coolio ya know), their trying to look like something from the circus.

I expect a little rebellious behavior in teens.  I was one once, despite what my 17 year old daughter thinks.  But I look at these kids and I have to wonder, especially in talking to them, have they no idea what they are doing to their future?  The answer is a big fat no.  Why?  Because they don’t think what they are doing to themselves with their various circus colors and metal faces will make a difference.

Ahem

They obviously don’t understand corporate America.

Or they plan on working at fast food restaurants all their lives (no offense, but come on, how many more fast food places to we really need in this country?).

I’ve seen people who have just made it out of their teens, trying to make a living with battle scars from their piercings.  That’s right, they couldn’t keep them.  Once you get those holes in you, and let them close, they leave behind scars.

Then there is their clothing.  I’ve seen young adults, just out of their teens, still wearing their pants around their knees and wonder why they can’t get a decent paying job.

So where, exactly, did we take a left turn?  Did we get to busy, trying to keep our own heads above water trying to survive that we didn’t notice?  Or did we just get to the point where we made the mistake of not realizing the appropriate time to say no, and stick to it?

I don’t know, I just don’t understand it.  I’ve only let my daughter get one piercing and it’s in a place that won’t leave a visible scar and I have talked earnestly with her about the fact when she finishes college, she is gonna have to lose that nose piercing.  Which she doesn’t get.  Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed it in the first place.

Who knows what the future will bring.  We can hope that our youth start waking up and realize that youthful things must be left behind when they grow up.  It’s either that, or our next president may have facial piercings, and wear his pants around his knees.  What a horrible image.

~ Kev