Watching History Repeat itself

School is starting once again and school children all across the country will be headed back to classrooms to learn. One of their many subjects will no doubt be history. 

I love learning about history, I find it fascinating, but more importantly I know how important it is to learn from the mistakes of the past. 

As students enter their social studies classes, some of them may see a graphic like this, learning about the fall of the once great Roman Empire. 

Will these students make the connections from the fall of Rome to the events happening in our country today? Will they learn about greedy, inept leaders, unfair taxation on the poor, government corruption, and a widening gap between the social classes?  Will they see the parallels. 

This makes me wonder, what did Roman citizens think at the time? Were they able to see the dangers they faced? Did they have anything they could have done to change the course of history?

When I look at the headlines today I can’t help but make a correlation to the late Roman Empire. Will we sit idly by and just watch as our own empire crumbles under the weight of greed, corruption and apathy?

I do hope those students learn well, so they can become the leaders of this country and make positive changes, if our empire lasts long enough for them that is. 

Being a Grandma is the Best!

Getting a chance to Facetime with my amazing grandson makes my whole day so much better.  I just love being a Grandma – It is everything I hoped it would be. 

So many of my friends who are also Grandparents feel the same way so I wanted to share some fun Grandparent memes. 

This is so true, my daughter picks on me for spoiling my beautiful Grandson, but I consider it my official job as grandma to buy him too many clothes and toys.

 My Grandson lives far away, but I am hoping he and his Mom & Dad will move here soon.  

I took William shopping on my last visit and we had so much fun. He kept grabbing toys off the shelf and I have to admit most of them did find their way into my cart. 

 My hubby and I have teased about giving grandkids tons of sugary treats and then sending them home, but for now I do make sure my sweet boy gets plenty of good healthy food – but I’m not saying I won’t indulge him once in awhile.

I have always been accused of being a mama bear and you can bet that will not change with my grandson, in fact its probably even worse. That little boy is the light of my life.

Being a Grandma really is my happily ever after. I never thought I could love anyone as much as my daughters, but my grandson showed me that I could.  He is perfect and I am so grateful he is in my life. 

States I still need to visit

Have you completed one of those maps on social media, the ones that show how many states or how many countries you have been to? 

Here is a link if you want to visit one right now https://www.amcharts.com/visited_states/

One of my goals is to visit each of the 50 states here in the United States and so far I have managed to visit 40 states so far – which leaves only 10 states left on my list to visit. 

As you can see from the map, most of the states I still need to visit are in the upper Midwest of the country.  I was thinking of a big road trip to see all those states so I spent some time looking at the things to do and the places to see in each of the ten states on my list. My love of history and geography is clear from the places that are on my list.

South Carolina

I would love to see the City of Charlestown with its antebellum homes and rich history. I also would love a visit to Myrtle Beach. I have heard so much about it. 

Wyoming

The most obvious thing to see in Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park and I have heard that Cheyenne is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

Montana

A trip to Big Sky Country would have to include a visit to Glacier National Park, and I better hurry because the glaciers are receding quickly and they may not be there much longer. 

North Dakota

A trip to the Badlands National Park of North Dakota would be wonderful, and I would love to visit the national Buffalo Museum and also stop by the town of Rugby ND, to see the Geographic Center of North America.  

South Dakota

Of course I would have to see Mount Rushmore, but there is also a new landmark that I would love to visit, the beautiful Dignity Statue on I-90 at the Chamberlain Rest area. I have seen pictures on social media and she looks amazing. 

Iowa

I know there isn’t a lot to see in Iowa besides corn, but my first stop would be Dyersville, the home of the actual ‘Field of Dreams’. I also read about a kwirky destination, the Matchstick Marvels Museum in Gladbrook.

Illinois

I hate to admit it, but I have never actually been to Chicago, so a trip to the Windy City is a must.  

Nebraska

In addition to the corn and wheat fields, a trip to Nebraska would include a visit to the Homestead Monument and the Scottsbluff National Monument. 

Hawaii

Hawaii is a tourist dream, with beaches, waterfalls, and volcanoes I am sure I won’t have any problem finding things to see and do, and of course I will include a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial.  

Which states do you still need to visit? It is fun to do some research and find out the exciting places to see and things to do in all 50 states. 

Share your list in the comments below.