The featured image is the Greenwich Meridian memoir on the screen surrounded by various memorabilia like the economy class menu of the Czechoslovakian Airlines. I flew with them in 1989 for my second immigration to the USA.
Blogging anchored, Greenwich Meridian memoir evolves forward
By Emma Palova
EW Emma Writing
Lowell, MI- Now, that I am firmly anchored in the blogging world with Emma Blogs, LLC, a portfolio of blogs, I resumed working on the Greenwich Meridian memoir in mid-May. The blogging part may seem like a detour to many, not to me. I feel like I can take the book to its finale. I didn’t have that feeling before.
It took me a year-and-a-half to set up the blogging portfolio under the umbrella of http://emmapalova.com. Fellow blogger Leigh Ann Dickey said it took her two years to prove herself. So, don’t believe the hype out there like “Get a blog in 60 seconds,” or in five minutes, in an hour or in a day. And definitely, don’t pay any money for that pitch.
It just doesn’t happen. It’s like saying you’re going to learn calculus in a day. You may get the template like you would get a college-ruled notebook to start your math, and then what? Do you start with fractions, trigonometry or double integer?
Of course you start with the About page in the world of blogging. After all, you know the best what you are all about. Add a picture, it’s worth a thousand words.
Many blogging colleagues out there don’t know what their niche or target audience are. How are they supposed to pick a theme? Should they post every day and what should they post to attract that ever elusive traffic?
Maybe Stephen King asked himself the same question before his big Carrie break, “What should I write about so I make it big?”
I know I ask myself that question every week before posting, “What am I going to post this week or what is the next chapter outline?”
Other than King, I always think about German Martin Luther posting 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517 according to the student custom. The theses were a catalyst to a change.
Blog posts carry those same signs of a changing world. A shorter, faster world of pixels that has no time for long “expose” articles. Readers want to know everything and immediately.
Without the “how to” knowledge, blogging can feel like sailing on vast seas after you lost your compass. You started out right, what next?
Editorial/marketing calendar for July, August, September
Dive into summer fun with Emma
The editorial/marketing calendar for Emma Blogs is flexible and I invite anyone who wants to contribute whether with stories, photos or ideas.
As you can see the topics range from blogging to vacationing, and everything in between. I am looking forward to the new summer series, Living in the country vs. living in the city. I bet anyone can attest that both have their advantages and disadvantages. So, feel free to write about your take on where you live and why. It will be hilarious.
Kathleen Mooney’s abstracts.
Also sign up for Emma Blogs July newsletter for blogging/design tips and How to get story ideas and bring them to fruition.
July
Blogger of the month
Creativity
Independence Day
Vacationing
Summers in Czech
Riverwalk 9, 10, 11/local
Summer series
Living in the country vs living in the city
August
Summers in Czech on the ranch
Vacationing
Mom’s birthday
Lowell youth fair/local/Aug. 6-13
Summer series
Living in the country vs living in the city
September
Fall fest with Fallasburg village bazaar /local Sept. 1&20
Fairs/expo Brno
Socialist brigades for students and army
Summer series
Living in the country vs city
Schools/universities
Copyright (c) 2015. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Lowell, MI – Under the gloomy skies Monday, the people of Lowell honored the 629 veterans who found their final resting place at the Oakwood Cemetery.
Groomed to the nines by Don DeYong and the crew, the lovely cemetery whispered its own stories of 151 Civil War veterans. The Boy Scouts marked each veteran’s grave with a star and a flag.
Emotional Dave Thompson was the featured speaker for the ceremony located by a monument to the unknown soldier.
Memorial Day 2015
“I like to think the rain are tears,” he said. “This is the first time in many years it is like this.”
Oakwood Cemetery
Thompson introduced the beautiful strings band of Wendy Tinney. As the violins played their sad tunes and rain sprinkled, many people were wiping off tears from their faces.
The strings band.
The only two remaining veterans from WW II laid flowers to the monument, much like representatives from the local organizations.
The flags were flying half staff in the wind that was blowing from the south.
“We have 29 new veterans here at the cemetery,” said tearful Thompson.
Mayor Jim Hodges also laid flowers to the monument.
Memorial Day 2015
Even though it started to rain heavily, people stood there in the rain under the umbrellas listening to Thompson hauntingly name the deceased veterans followed by a bell ring for each.
We thank you all veterans for our freedoms and your sacrifices.
Writer Sarah Harmon participates in the Lincoln Tribute
Note: The article is Sarah Harmon’s account of the two-day Lincoln Tribute held in Washington D.C. at the Ford’s Theatre this week.
“The Lincoln Tribute was definitely unforgettable and I am so glad I was able to experience it,” Harmon said.
EW writer Sarah Harmon in Paris
Lincoln Tribute, 150 anniversary
By Sarah Harmon
EW Emma’s Writings
“Lincoln shot! Condition considered hopeless!” Those were the headlines around America this very week 150 years ago. The night of April 14, 1865 changed the history of the United States forever when actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth jumped down onto the stage of Ford’s Theatre screaming “Sic semper tyrannus!” (Thus always to tyrants) and ran out the back of the theater after shooting President Abraham Lincoln. What should have been a time of celebration that after four long years, the Civil War was finally over immediately became a nation in mourning for one of its greatest leaders.
The box with the flag on the upper right of the theater picture is where Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.
The National Parks Service, Ford’s Theatre, and Civil War buffs everywhere have eagerly anticipated the commemoration of such an important turning point in American history. Museums throughout the D.C. held special exhibits in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Lincoln assassination, and Ford’s Theatre in particular opened a special exhibit featuring artifacts that had not been all brought together under that roof since April 1865. Notable elements include the Derringer pistol Booth used as well as the bullet itself. They also show the objects that were in Lincoln’s pockets that fateful night. Perhaps most interesting of those was a Confederate five dollar bill.
The brick and white building is Ford’s Theatre during the vigil.
The two-day Lincoln Tribute at Ford’s Theatre began at 8 am on the fourteenth with a behind the scenes tour of the theater and concluded with the 7:30 pm performance of the play “Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War” on the fifteenth. In addition to the usual spring performances of the one-act play “One Destiny” and the Detective McDevitt walking tour, several dozen living historians were on the sidewalks of Ford’s and across the street at the Petersen House, where Lincoln died. Both days included a panel discussion of the parallels between Lincoln and his legacy in America and the life and legacy of South African president Nelson Mandela. From 9pm to 10:15, the moment Booth fired the gun, a special performance, “Now He Belongs to the Ages,” took place on the stage at Ford’s. It was streamed live online and at the National Portrait Gallery for those unable to get tickets inside the theater.
The show began with music and an introduction by Colin Powell. Actors and historians shared words spoken by and about Lincoln including some criticism from his peers to remind us that the sixteenth president was not just the perfect marble version in the Lincoln Memorial, but was a man with faults who loved to laugh, tell stories, and be a loving father to his sons as well as his nation.
Crowds during the candlelight vigil on Tenth Street with Petersen House on the left and Ford’s Theatre on the right at 11:30 p.m.
The sound and emotion of 150 years of history reverberated through the theater and Portrait Gallery courtyard as the audience joined in singing “Amazing Grace,” a song Abraham knew and loved. Following the presentation, most participated in a candlelight vigil in honor of the president’s last hours, which he spent laying diagonally on a too small bed in Petersen House.
Actors in the crowds would suddenly burst into a monologue, telling of how she saw Booth just that afternoon or how he held Lincoln’s head while the doctor examined him. It truly felt almost as if the entire block traveled back in time a century and a half. The vigil and tours of the theater continued throughout the night and culminated in a ceremonial wreath laying outside Petersen House at 7:22 am, the moment Lincoln passed from life into history.
Artifacts at the Ford’s Theatre on display.
John Wilkes Booth wanted to be a hero for the Confederate cause by murdering the American President. He hoped that it would help to erase the name of the Great Emancipator from time, but in fact, his actions did more than any other single episode to make sure that the name of Abraham Lincoln would echo forever throughout the ages.
“Hoola” your dream for having a home based business
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Lowell, MI- Inspired by another woman at the Grand Rapids Women’s Expo last year, Sue Majinska started her home based business with Hoola jewelry seven months ago.
“I love the idea of having unique jewelry that nobody else has,” said Majinska. “And being able to get it at a reasonable price.”
Well, who doesn’t?
Sue Majinska surrounded by Hoola jewelry.
The Hoola interchangeable jewelry comes in individual kits with different pieces. From these kits, you design your own jewelry using a simple process. You start with a hoop, add a hoola, a second hoola and a third hoola or more if you wish. You get a beautiful piece of jewelry that looks a lot more expensive than it is.
The ever-changing jewelry sizzles and shines in daylight or night.
During the interview, Majinska showed two different kits and demonstrated the process how to put the jewelry together. The Silver Shine kit is for $49.99 and the Spring Bling Earring special kit is for $29.99. Each kit has a higher value. The shine kit is valued at $130 and the spring bling has a value of $70.
Hoola Jewelry is a new merchant this year in the GNO event.
“It’s a new concept to West Michigan,” said Majinska.
The Hoola business women are home based jewelry consultants or reps. They come into other houses for Hoola parties for 10 to 15 women.
Although one on one consulting is also available, the preferred way are the jewelry design parties with boxed starter sets.
“You just take a basic hoop and add anything you want to it,” said Majinska. “You get out of one kit over a 100 looks.”
Majinska, who is on the phone a lot, likes the jewelry because of its light weight.
The basic material is fine sterling silver with 7.5 percent alloy to prevent breaking. Sterling silver will eventually tarnish, not by defect, but as a result of exposure to chemicals, cosmetics, hairspray perspiration, direct sunlight, or humidity.
Other interesting materials used to make different jewelry designs are Mother-of-Pearl (M.O.P.) This is a shell with a natural layer of nacre, making it a close “relative” to the pearl. It has a similar luster to pearl and it works well in designing combinations together.
Sue Majinska put on a Hoola demo at the Lowell Expo last month.
The Spring Bling Earrings kit uses the mother-of-pearl hoolas for a colorful fresh look.
The company is a mother/daughter team, Laurel & Lauren Gravelyn based in Chelsey, Michigan.
For Hoola jewelry designers like Majinska, every day is like Christmas.
“How can you not go with that,” she said. “It’s no longer what am I going to do today?”
Most women like putting the jewelry together themselves. As a banker, Majinska deals with math every day.
“This is my creative side,” she said. “It allows me to be creative. I love being around people and socializing. Having a home-based business fits my personality.”
The other fun aspect of the Hoola business is that it moves with you.
“If we want to move, I can take it with me,” Majinska said.
Majinska carries all her Hoola jewelry in one compact bag.
And the company plans to grow all over 50 states. They have reps now in California and Florida.
“I think they would go international,” she said.
The Hoola business is allowing women to be independent and enjoy having options for jewelry that no one else has.
“You have a unique look,” Majinska said.
For Hoola parties, Majinska suggests having at least 10 to 15 people. She puts on a 15-minute demo, and then the hostess and the guests get to design their own interchangeable jewelry. The hostess earns her jewelry for putting on the party.
Majinska did well at last month’s Expo in Lowell.
“It was a great way to introduce the jewelry line to the local area,” she said. “It was time and money well spent. It was nice to see everybody in the community.
Majinska is taking the Hoola jewelry to Girls Night Out on April 16. She will be next to Advance Eye Care storefront along with Pauly’s.
For more information contact Majinska at 1-616-334-6744 or go to her Sue’s Hoola Jewelry facebook page.
Lowell, MI- Most European countries have calendars with a name attributed to each day of the year. These are known as name or feast days. Even though some of them originate with the saints, or in the testaments, their secular counterparts are much more prevalent.
They are more like stars in the sky and their constellations.
Most recently with our EW writing team, we found out that each name carries certain characteristics depending on the zodiac sign of the birth date, and even on the last name. The astrologist in “Soul’s Touches” advises parents to do research before giving a certain name.
“Some names I wouldn’t recommend at all,” writes the astrologist.
Name days are listed in the Czech calendar.
Only a few names carry strong personality traits in all the zodiac signs, others do poorly. Some names are so bad, that the astrologist advises to go and have them changed at the birth registry office.
I actually know a lot of people, who hated their names so much, that they just prefer to be called someone else. My artist friend originally named Karen is now Casey. My mother Eliska uses the name Ella.
Here are a few examples of names with their personality traits. Let’s start with my mom, Eliska. The name day is on Oct. 5th.
Eliska is an old-fashioned name used in many European countries. Famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven used the German version of the name in his symphony bagatelle “For Elise.”
Prague horloge on the Old Town Hall by “I love Czech Republic” group
The traits for Eliska according to Soul’s Touches: She loves to communicate, but she is very sensitive and longing for parental love. Eliska has common traits like Edita. They’re both very efficient, true women. They get their men where they want them to be.
Other traits for Eliska and Edita: inquisitive, eager to learn, happy, sometimes wild and very protective of their nests with the little ones.
The astrologist recommends the name for all zodiac signs.
My own name Emma with the name day falling on April 8th carries with it emotional problems because of the Sun in reverse position, according to Soul’s Touches. Other than that, Emmas are intelligent, lucky with huge personalities. However, the planet Pluto stops them or slows them down right before attaining their goals. Jupiter gives them luck, as well as the Sun. A career for Emma is a possibility, but there are problems in the family.
It’s interesting that Emma can help other people, but refuses to help herself. She is a fatalist by nature, meaning she believes in destiny and fate. The astrologist recommends the name in Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18).
However, I was born in May( Taurus), and even though most characteristics apply to me, one definitely doesn’t. And that is that I am lucky. I never won a dime in my life, except for $4 on a $1 ticket at a general store.
There’s an old saying in Czech, if you have luck in love, you won’t have it at game. (Lotto, gambling)
My mom gave me the name based on romantic connotations, when she a read a novel about a man deeply in love with a woman named Emma. He wrote her a letter, “Dear Emma.” In Czech, it sounds better, “Mila Emmo.”
Early on some people called me Ommo, which was a laundry detergent. I’ve always liked my name, because it is so short. The name originates in France.
I love the name so much that I named my daughter Emma, who was coincidentally born on her name day. My friend Eva named her daughter Emma in honor of me. The name has had a recent upsurge and trends in popularity.
On March 19th, I wrote about the name day Josephine, but not about the characteristics of the name, because I didn’t know them yet.
The characteristics that come with the name Jos are: talented, but shy, humble with karmic burden. Sensitive, more comfortable with animals than people, especially early in life and in puberty. Josephine needs to know that she is loved. Later, in life, the characteristics will also depend on her last name, main coordinate and date of birth. She is influenced by the Sun, Mars, Mercury and Saturn. The astrologist recommends the name in warm and stable zodiac signs, where Josephine feels the best.
“I wouldn’t name my daughter Jarmila, because of its primordial vibrations that affect the entire life,” wrote the astrologist in Soul’s Touches. “I don’t recommend it at all.”
In spite of the bad vibrations, Jarmila said she would not change her name.
“I like it,” she said.
Jarmila celebrates her name day on Feb. 4.
To be continued……….
Sources: “Soul’s Touches” and “Greenwich Meridian.”
Easter Monday traditions in Czech & Slovak villages
By Emma Palova
Stipa, Czech Republic- Emma & Ella Chavent get Easter whipping with custom home-made whips on Monday. For French girl Ella, it is the first time participating in an age-old tradition. She will tie a ribbon to the whips.
According to most, the lashing does not hurt.
On Easter Monday in Czech Republic, boys and men in villages head out to whip girls and women of the house. In turn for the whipping, they get shots of plum brandy, eggs and treats. The tradition resembles the whipping of the Christ. It is a holiday. Most men make their own braided whips from willow branches. The big whips have 12 willow branches, that have to be soaked overnight in hot water before braiding. They also have a braided handle. The girls tie ribbons to the whips.
At the end of the day, the groups walk the sidewalks with colorful whips. The whip with the most ribbons becomes a token of pride. The most popular girls run out of ribbons.
In neighboring country Slovakia, the men pour water on the women and girls, sort of like the “bucket challenge” here., as well as the whipping.
The cold water signifies health, beauty and purification.
Here is an excerpt from a Globe & Mail article by Slovak-Canadian writer Miriam Matejova:
“My Slovak Easter traditions mixed paganism with blatant gender inequality,” she wrote. “As a naturalized Canadian, I have treasured my ability to choose the traditions I find appealing and disregard those I detest. I have come to understand that it is fine to let go of some pieces of home and adopt a few new ways instead.”
In my memoir “Greenwich Meridian,” I write about Czech and Slovak traditions that I have witnessed while living in Czechoslovakia with a touch of nostalgia. Some of them disappeared along with the old regimes, but most have survived mainly in villages and small towns preserved by enthusiastic small groups of people. Festive costumes for the holidays and special events reflect these traditions, as well as music, dance, food, and customs specific to each village and town.
We lived in Zlin, Moravia, which is the central part of former Czechoslovakia embedded in traditions. Both as a child and an adult, I lived and visited with my grandparents in Vizovice, a treasure trove of traditions.
Cousin Bronislav Pink ready for “schmigrust”
Easter celebrations in Czech and some other European countries are longer by one day, and that is Monday.
We have always indulged in lavish preparations for the long Easter weekend. That meant having enough meat, desserts, eggs, and beverages for three days. There were long lines just like before any major holiday. I spent a lot of time standing in lines and listening to what the old broads had to say.
“I am not going to tell him how much I spent,” a woman wearing a scarf and a fluffy skirt shook her head defiantly.
The other one with an apron over her dress smelled of burnt dough.
I thought, she must have burnt her kolache, a traditional festive pastry with plum butter.
The broad leaned closer to the first one and whispered something into her ear. Then they both laughed, until their bellies and chests were heaving up and down. I learned a lot standing in lines. The longer the line, the more I learned.
So, the culmination of it all is Easter Monday known for its “schmigrust,” an old whipping custom.
Traditional Czech festive costumes.
On that day, early in the morning ,large groups of boys and young men head out into the streets with their braided knot-grass whips or oversized wooden spoons decorated with ribbons. The day before, they spent many hours skillfully braiding their whips out of willow twigs or scouring the house for the biggest wooden spoon.
The boys go door to door, reciting traditional Easter carols like “Hody, hody doprovody,” asking the lady of the house for painted eggs. Then, they whip all the present women in exchange for decorated eggs and ribbons. Single women, and girls tied ribbons on top of the whip. I always wondered about the whipping custom, long before I ever set my foot out into the world. One day, grandma Anna finally explained it to me.
“It is supposed to resemble the whipping of Christ before he died,” she said.
“But, grandma that’s evil,” I cried.
Grandma just shrugged, and turned away. Later in life, I knew better than to question a tradition.
Easter desserts
Women of the house offered shots of plum brandy, usually home-made or acquired through bartering to the “schmigrust” groups. Even family members took part in this ritual. Uncles and cousins visited for coffee, festive desserts such as kolache, shots and meaningful conversation.
On a good year, and especially when I was a teenager, we got anywhere around 100 passionate revelers. Sometimes, I ran out of ribbons. The boys and young men, competing against each other, took pride in the number of ribbons they got. The craft stores had to stock up with meters and meters of ribbons, plain or embroidered. The hens, of course, felt obligated to produce more eggs.
I have created a monthly newsletter so all can stay in the loop. It highlights news from my Emma Blogs including the flagship EW Emma’s Writings site on http://emmapalova.com
I will always feature in it: the current editorial calendar and excerpts from the editor’s picks for each month. The editor’s pick for the month of April is the story “IW Hiker babe walks 4,600 miles in memory of daughter.” I will also include valuable blogging tips both in content and in design. Eventually I will add marketing tips as well.
You can find the story on the company blog/website Emma Blogs on http;//emmablogsllc.wordpress.com
Blogging is a constantly evolving story. You can send your story with a link to your blog. Why did you start blogging?
Happy Easter and blogging to all from
Emma and the EW team
authoremmapalova 