Christopher Columbus coat of arms
Americans, celebrate this Official US holiday by flying the Stars & Stripes and enjoying a special meal with your family. Be thankful for your many blessings and strive to make your life and the lives of others better by sharing your time and talent with them. Take a page from the life of Christopher Columbus and never give up -- keep trying to achieve all your goals and never stop searching for the new horizons in your life.
Forget the negative speculation about what he did and thought and behaved and who really discovered America. Go for the intent, the enthusiasm, and the conviction of this man and live your life to the fullest! Who knows, you may discover a new world in a microscope or a telescope or in the human heart. [But of course if you uttered something un-PC at anytime in your life, you will have shelves of books written about it and speculated on for centuries -- but I say, go for it! Risk the controversy! Just do it!]If you are of a certain age, you may remember this poem from elementary school. Share it with the youngsters in your life who might only know that Columbus mistreated the native populations of the lands he visited and that he brought syphilis and tobacco to Europe and that he was an evil entrepreneurial capitalist. [Lest we forget, he also brought cocoa to the "civilized" world. But of course, that has brought on terrible obesity five hundred years later.] But I digress. Here's the old ditty:
In 1492
In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.
Celebrate the Day!
For more information visit: Columbus Navigation
Visit the Sunflower Ranch store for books and one-of-a-kind collectibles, and for some fun things to see, do and read, please visit the Sunflower Ranch blog.
Thanks for Visiting
and Have a Wonderful Day!
and Have a Wonderful Day!
