Celebrate vintage Christmas inside the Fallasburg schoolhouse.
Source: Vintage Christmas at Fallasburg
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Happy Thanksgiving 2016
What is your favorite holiday parade character?
This question was inspired by the 90th anniversary of the Thanksgiving Macy’s Parade special.
“Mine is Lucy,” I laughed with my husband Ludek last night.
“Mine is Popeye,” Ludek said. “I didn’t know anything else.”
Thanksgiving & Christmas traditions inspire creative work
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Lowell, MI – From our family to yours, I would like to wish everyone a great Thanksgiving. Like…
Source: Happy Thanksgiving 2016
Happy Thanksgiving 2016
Thanksgiving & Christmas traditions inspire creative work
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Lowell, MI – From our family to yours, I would like to wish everyone a great Thanksgiving. Like many, I consider Thanksgiving a kick-off to the holiday season filled with joy and traditions.
Being the little kid that I am, I love to discover new things and start new traditions.
Last night, I watched the 90th Anniversary special of the Thanksgiving Macy’s Parade in NYC.
In awe, I watched the balloons flying seven stories high, and I wished I could be in one of the apartments watching the parade at the same level as the balloons fly by you.
“What is your favorite character?” was the question at large during the TV anniversary special.
Living here in the 70s, I loved the Peanuts, and pretty much I didn’t know anything else.
“Of course it’s Lucy,” I laughed.
“Mine is Popeye,” said Ludek.
Since, I am not from this country, I have only heard about the famous parade in NYC. I don’t know what I’ve been doing up until now, but I definitely haven’t been watching TV on any given Thanksgiving morning.
Like most women, I must have been cooking and getting the house ready for the guests.
But, last night’s anniversary special about the Macy’s Parade totally changed my perspective on Thanksgiving.
I got up early this morning to get a head start in the kitchen, so I could be ready by 9 a.m. to watch the parade and start a new Thanksgiving tradition.
“How come the communist parades in Czechoslovakia didn’t have these cool balloon characters or the floats?” I asked my husband Ludek.
“They did,” he laughed, “Don’t you remember the allegoric vehicles?”
“Is that what they called the floats?” I smiled. “What did they look like?”
“I don’t remember,” Ludek said.
That’s the problem with time as it passes by like a parade, you don’t remember all of them. But, some stick in your mind.
I am a natural lover of all parades. They inspire my creative work. A hometown parade in Lowell, MI in October of 2006 with a clown theme prompted me to write the short story, “Riddleyville Clowns” © copyright Emma Palova.
Three years later based on the short story, I penned the screenplay “Riddleyville Clowns” © copyright Emma Palova.
Along with the short story “Tonight on Main” © Emma Palova, these two original works have base in small town America.
“Mom, that’s a great story,” said my daughter Doc Emma.
“Really?” I paused in disbelief.
I have learned to love dearly this piece of Americana; that is the traditional parades.
And I rejoiced, as I watched the 90th anniversary Macy’s Parade special when I found out that the Rockford Marching Band will be in the 2017 Macy’s parade.
I live 10 miles southeast of yuppie Rockford.
The two towns, rural Lowell & suburban Rockford, have engaged in an unfair competition in everything ranging from sports, bands to MEAP scores and more. Lowell steadily wins the sports competition not just with Rockford, but in the entire West Michigan region, under the tutelage of coach Noel Dean.
I suppose one day, coach Dean will be in one of the allegoric vehicles or honored as an oversized balloon floating high above the crowd.
Lowell will hold its night Christmas parade next Saturday on Dec. 3rd. Even though it’s a lot of vehicles sounding off sirens on Main, I still love the flavor of the parade with the marching bands and the Grinch, and finally Santa and his wife, Mrs. Santa.
“I would love to have an exuberant parade,” said Lowell Chamber director Liz Baker. “We have the village theme this year.”
My favorite is the Lowell Area Historical society float with horses and period costumes.
The noontime Christmas parade in 1999 set off my writing of the novel “Fire on Water” ©copyright Emma Palova.
I remember writing notes on a receipt from the Meijer store, while I waited for my son Jake who played the saxophone in the parade.
After all these years with all the parades, I still love clowns and the characters from Peanuts.
Have a great holiday season.
What is your favorite character?
About the featured photo: Prague Christmas markets on Wenceslas Square. Watch for stories about the Christmas markets in Europe that coincide with the Advent Sundays.
Copyright © 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
27th Anniversary of Velvet Revolution
May freedom prevail
Masses commemorate 27th anniversary of Velvet Revolution in Czech Republic in march for freedom By Emma Palova Lowell, MI- I watched the live stream from the demonstrations commemorating the 27th …
27th Anniversary of Velvet Revolution
Masses commemorate 27th anniversary of Velvet Revolution in Czech Republic in march for freedom
By Emma Palova
Lowell, MI- I watched the live stream from the demonstrations commemorating the 27th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Czech Republic with mixed feelings as they turned into protests against the current government. That is mainly against the third president of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman.
Only yesterday hundreds of college students walked out against the President-elect Donald Trump in the USA following high school students’ and citizens’ protests across the nation.
In a time of political unrest all over the world, I attempt to dissect everything impartially. I don’t know if it is always possible to be totally without any bias because I don’t live in social isolation.
“Milos into the trash,” reverberated the crowds marching from the Prague Castle Square known as “Hradcany” across the Manes Bridge over the Vltava River and onto the Wenceslas Square. A stage was set up by the King Wenceslas statue for a concert for freedom in the evening.
At times the crowds used the 1989 slogan of the Velvet Revolution, “It’s already here,” That was a reference to the movement started by students in memory of the death of Jan Opletal by the Nazis in 1939.
“We don’t want another totality,” was the message for the Nov. 17, 2016 events. “It’s already here.”
“It was always here, then and now,” I say while watching the history repeat itself.
I was still in Czechoslovakia in that critical period of time from Nov. 17 to Dec. 10, when the communist officials including former president Gustav Husak resigned under pressure.
A democratic coalition and an economic forum led by former dissident Vaclav Havel replaced the dictatorship.
I was finalizing my emigration to the USA to join my parents and my husband, who had already left the homeland for Austria in 1988.
I dedicate a few chapters in the Greenwich Meridian © memoir to this difficult time in my life, when I was living alone with my kids. My grandfather Joseph Drabek was already in the hospital dying from lung cancer.
In those 23 days from Nov. 17 to Dec. 10, 1989, I learned more than I have learned in all the schools: past and present, physical or virtual.
I’ve learned that a change in the society is possible as long as enough people want it, and if they are willing to stand behind their beliefs in face of adversity by taking action.
The 1989 demonstrations for freedom from the communist dictatorship spread across the country. I was standing together with thousands of others on the town squares in the cold November nights, sporting the tri-color ribbons on the lapel of my coat.
My friend Zuzana was watching my two-and-a-half year old son Jake in the stroller, while her boyfriend was speaking from the podium.
We all took part in the change. It didn’t happen by itself. And it didn’t happen overnight. It started with the political movement for the reformation of the communist party known as the “Prague Spring” in 1968.
The Velvet Revolution was 21 years in the making since the Soviet tanks invaded the country to punish the reformers including Havel. Even in prison, Havel, known as the poet of democracy, never gave up.
I’ve learned that anything is possible including my highly improbable exit from the politically torn Czechoslovakia.
I’ve learned that we are stronger than we think, and that we have to make decisions that will impact other people, as well.
Speaking about decision-making.
I was standing on the brink of freedom, with exit visa in my drawer, shaking with cold and not just from the November night, but from the things to come.
The CTK Czech Press Office covered the demonstrations in Prague.
To be continued……..
Copyright © 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
In nature’s harmony
Hunting season 2015 opens strong, artist inspired by hunting
By Emma Palova
Lowell, MI- Today is the opening day of the firearm hunting season in the Midwest. It will last until the end of November.
It may or may not mean anything to big city folks, but out here in the country it is a big deal.
Some school districts like Portland schools in Ionia County close for the opening day, so kids can go out and hunt with their dads.
Although I am not a hunter, I have so many friends, both female and male, who are hunters that I had to post this to honor their passion.
The first who comes to my mind is my artist hunter friend Linda Kropf Phillips of Lowell. Inspired by nature and hunting, Phillips has created a line of slab wood paintings “Natures Serenity.”
The second hunter is a long-time friend from former Czechoslovakia, Miroslav Hlavenka. He now resides in Montreal, Canada. Hlavenka is an awesome chef a la naturelle.
Both are hunting now, as I write this post that could also be called “Living in harmony with nature.”
Annually, the sports hunting industry fuels the economy in many ways from direct hunting permits, & gear to indirect sports hunting tourism.
And the experts predict a good hunting season due to unseasonably mild weather.
“The deer had a lot to feed on,” said TV sports commentator.
This morning opened strong with clear skies and 50 degree temperatures. Hundreds of hunters in camouflage headed out into the woods.
As I drove to an appointment through the country, I could see cars parked by public hunting lands.
One opening day, I actually headed out into the Lowell State Game Area and joined a local hunter for a great experience, and a great story.
We always took photos of proud hunters who brought their deer in at the various newspapers that I have worked for.
Phillips of Lowell is already in Upper Peninsula with four guys determined to get their deer.
We postponed our interview for IW Inspiring Women series until Phillips returns in December.
Phillips fascinates me that she is both an avid hunter and a very apt nature artist and she shows that off in “Natures Serenity.”
She was one of the first artists at the Fallasburg Village Bazaar last year.
Hlavenka used to hunt already back in former Czechoslovakia. He picked back up his passion in Quebec, as he heads out into the woods.
Back in Czech Republic, hunters and public at large celebrated the hunting season with the annual Hunter’s Ball in the winter months.
The hunters wore their green uniforms and made hunter’s goulash for the occasion. It was either venison, boar and rabbit stew or steaks with potato dumplings and red cabbage.
There is something about hunting that’s inherent to human kind. That’s how we survived in the first place all the earth’s elements, agriculture came later.
Whenever I see deer in my garden feasting on apples or turkeys running in the cornfields, there’s joy in my heart, that peace will prevail.
With the upcoming Thanksgiving next week, there is a lot to be thankful for.
Driving through the woods and the fields on a beautiful sunny November morning, crossing the Thornapple, Grand and Flat rivers, I realized how grateful I am for the surrounding nature, for the harmony, for the fall abundance and the co-existence of it all.
Send me a picture of you and your deer and I will post it on my Emma Blogs, LLC portfolio of sites.
Watch for a recipe for Hunter’s Stew coming up.
Also in the works are stories in the IW Inspiring Women winter series. They have the logo of the orchids.
Copyright © 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Haiku – Flames
I like this simple “Flames” Haiku. Watch for my interpretation of the Daily Post theme in words and photography. Flames and water inspired my first novel “Fire on Water”@. They continue to inspire me to this day. There are flames burning in my heart and flowing tears that put them out on this first anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Read my “Fear in the wake of Paris attacks” on my blog for insights and inspiration.
Dissent after election 2016
Election 2016 is the biggest political upset in generations
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Grand Rapids, MI- I am no stranger to dissent. I participated in the demonstrations leading up to the Velvet Revolution in former Czechoslovakia in November of 1989.
The historic protest was against the dictatorship of the Communist Party, its leaders in the Czechoslovak government and their hardline policies instituted after Prague Spring in 1968.
The demonstrations culminated on Nov. 17, 1989 when students and actors took to the streets of Prague, followed by 10 days of chaos. Those 10 days in the history of Czechoslovakia led both countries, Czech and Slovak republics to freedom.
Flabbergasted, I watched the demonstrations in downtown Grand Rapids last night. Just four days ago on election eve, hundreds lined up on the bridge crossing the Grand River for Mr. Donald Trump’s last rally of the 2016 presidential campaign.
“This is our Independence Day,” he said to the crowd on Monday, Nov. 7th at 11 p.m.
On Thursday night, hundreds of unhappy people took to the streets waving signs that read: “Trump is not my president.”
“Why are they protesting?” asked the TV anchor.
“We want to show other people that they are not alone,” said a protester in the streets.
“Alone in what?” asked the reporter.
“That Trump is not our president,” the guy said. “My vote didn’t count.”
The guy was referring to the fact that Presiden-Elect Trump won the electoral vote, but not the popular vote.
In other cities in the USA and Canada, the demonstrations mostly in front of Mr. Trump’s properties, turned into riots accompanied by violence.
Facebook has always been a good gauge of public sentiment. On election day, 700 million posts were election related.
“I didn’t go and protest when my candidate wasn’t elected,” posted G. E. “And I didn’t even vote for Trump or Hillary.”
In 2000 when Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore got the popular vote, but not the electoral vote and George W. Bush won the election, I didn’t go and protest.
I accepted the results of the democratic election process including the electoral college that propelled Mr. Bush into the White House. I don’t remember other disappointed people protesting either.
Actually W. was the only sitting American president whom I saw in Chicago at the Saint Pat’s parade after the 911 horror. I was happy to see the president of the USA. I didn’t care that he was a GOP president, that it was brisk and cold, and you had to go through security or that W. walked only a few hundred feet.
I never lost that respect to the office of the President of the USA., no matter who holds it.
In an interview with the founders of Americas Community Voices Network (ACVN) Donald & Ronald Brookins of Tampa, FL I asked the question:
“How will you accept the results either way whether your candidate wins or loses?”
“I will respond in the same way,” Donald said, “God bless our new President and God bless the United States of America.”
““The winner will be my President and the leader of the free world,” Ronald said.
The polls had major influence on the decision making of most voters.
“What kind of an impact did the polls make on your decision?”
“The polls created a sense of urgency that it was critical to vote and to encourage others to vote,” Ronald said.
“The polls allowed me to decide who was winning the election, “Donald said. “They are a good indicator of possible results.”
In the end, it was the huge turnout in the rustic belt of America and rural voters, who felt the current administration was ignoring them.
Previous GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney did not get the same numbers that Mr. Trump did in the rustic belt states known as the firewall.
“He’s the people’s man,” said a woman in a small community in Pennsylvania.
I had the same feeling, as we drove back home from the Gerald Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids through the rural communities on Tuesday evening. Voters were streaming into the Lowell Township Hall, into churches and the city halls., all bundled up and sporting patriotic colors and jackets.
This was the people’s election. It was the voice of change from the obsolete Washington self-serving bureaucracy, its institutions and non-functioning apparatus.
The people have spoken. They boldly stood up to the lies of the establishment.
Let freedom ring in our great country.
For more info on ACVN go to http://www.americascommunityvoicesnet.org
Copyright (c) 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Veterans at Fallasburg Cemetery
Honor a veteran on this Veteran’s Day 2016 Fallasburg veterans biographies Fallasburg, MI -The following information is from Faded Footsteps website by Alan Teelander of Lowell. Teelan…
Source: Veterans at Fallasburg Cemetery
Against all odds
White educated female Democrat votes red for the first time By Emma Palova EW Emma’s Writings Grand Rapids, MI- Reeling off from the historic “unprecedented & unpredictable” Election 2016…
Source: Against all odds
authoremmapalova 