No, no notorious mistake
You probably get spaghetti dinners while we get sugar skulls and inflatable yard decorations preparing for Dia de los muertos (Nov 1)©
No to nonsense
No longer needed.
No one really cares.
No cheers, no toasts, no green, white, and red draped fairs.
No longer the individual fair-haired – the darling Courted.
Should have been the Champion of Curiosity. (Although some, like cats, died from that).
One honored as bold and brave in face of the Unknown. (There were edgy rumors of dragons.)
Instead he sailed into irony –
as well as experiencing rust prone wardrobe
and a vessel stalled. (Had to iron out that)
Here, without the merchants’ sale banners, we’d cruise smooth past Columbus Day.
But as one who’s been in a very small boat in a very large sea –
with all sorts of electronics, GPS, flare guns, EPIRB, and the Coast Guard on the SAT phone’s speed dial….
I can’t help but wonder at Christopher Columbus and those crew guys who sailed off past known ocean charts and lived to tell about it.
Quite a super feat, you have to admit, no matter what you feel about the named result.
It ain’t as easy as it looks and it ain’t for chickens.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
So I don’t care if there are those who feel celebrating Columbus is insensitive and hurtful (Schools are so careful here), that voyage was darn amazing.
Should fuel intrepidness and encourage calculated risk taking – inspiring the explorer spirit.
Along with a cautionary tale to not be too smug about exactly what was accomplished.
It’s not the ones on the journey that cause the problems later – it’s the politicians and those wanting to split up the power, influence, and gold.
A heft of grog to the sailors and to all those wandering just to see what’s there.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Always more to the story…especially one from so long ago
- “How a Blood Moon eclipse spared Christopher Columbus from disaster on final voyage to the New World”
- Columbus’ journal was lost, but there is an abstract written in the 1530’s by historian and biographer Bartolome de las Casas who read the original journal of the voyage. (excerpts by Eye Witness to History)
- “Christopher Columbus’ writings prove he was Spanish.“..from Aragon in NE Spain and spoke Catalan as his first language…not Italian, French, Portuguese, Greek, Polish, Scottish?
- “Five Myths about Christopher Columbus” What was he thinking? On multiple topics – including the ones in the next article.
- “Christopher Columbus, a rapist, a murderer, deserves no holiday”
Paint as you will. It’s all in the medium.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
I sometimes think my dad is the reincarnation of mr. columbus… we always land in a corn field or at places outside of cicilization. we sadly never became famous for our odyssey’s … nevertheless gps and maps are overrated :o)
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AS kids we suspected the same thing of our dad who managed on car trips across country to locate all roads without any place to stop for food…we claimed to have know how Columbus’crew felt!
Glad you made it out of those haunting corn fields and back home safely.Thanks for mapping out a comment
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We are celebrating Christopher Columbus? I thought it was another gimmick for a Black Friday sale on a Monday. Cheers!
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Another turkey for sure. All that gobbles is cash registers – although I hear some still places have parades. NYC says their Italian pride one is the biggest http://abc7ny.com/society/italian-american-pride-on-full-display-for-columbus-day-parade/1547513/ , Boston, San Francisco, Chicago…Denver has pro and con parades. I’m sure stores are eager to continue the traditional holiday…celebrating diversity, right? Stores cashing in on that concept.
A bit of a giggle here as it is Hispanic Heritage month with big Greek festivals last weekend and this up coming weekend, the Korean festival on the 15th and the Egyptian festival on the 29th. Keeps the party stores, banner/flag makers and yard deco companies happy.
Any excuse to party! Thanks for dancing along
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We finished our festivals. The Greek on (great food!) and Celtic were the last two. Hunkering down for the REAL holidays now. Oh yes and the invasion of the vegetables.
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Darn – where are the local Celts? They got food and drink – they have to have a festival – it’s written down somewhere.
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Their food I can pass one but they do have drink! We must have a Celtic population here north of Philadelphia because the fair is very popular. Includes all those feisty guys throwing poles and eating haggis.
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Ah, that explains it – this isn’t sheep country, pardner.
We do have a really giant Rennaisance Festival going on all month…turkey legs, grog, meade…and once a drunk sister-in-law came home with a young lamb…which she immediately had to find a home for as deed restrictions won’t allow even a little herd.
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“It’s not the ones on the journey that cause the problems later – it’s the politicians and those wanting to split up the power, influence, and gold.” So true, even today. Maybe especially today. Too many politicians and not enough journeys.
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Sailors, pilots, and astronauts just want to go into the wild blue…far away from the noise, no doubt. Hope the sun’s shining there so you can explore more. Thanks for landing a perfect comment
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Living smack dab in Native American country, I think the holiday should just be done away with. Native Americans have real issues with honoring this man. Yes it was a grand adventure. It was a miracle, really, that they survived the seas. It’s part of our history. But like many other ridiculous holidays, it is unnecessary to hold a day aside when there is such controversy. Does anyone really celebrate other than they enjoy the day off of work (for some)?
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No day off around here for a long time. Schools in session, but post office closed.(We live in Native American/Mexican/Latin American heritage country, too – but the merging of peoples seems to have gone differently. Sam Houston did identify and live with tribes.) The day seems to be only a marketing tool – which is what I dislike.
We should be able to see some exitement in exploration of land, sea, and space if for nothing more than to encourage an adventurous spirit in those coming up and looking around to see what’s next.
Yes, teach history – warts and all for all. It’s not celebrating diversity if one group doesn’t allow another group to honor their heritage or traditions?
Not sure why it’s a federal holiday other than people want a day off. Nobody expects to get George Washington’s or Lincoln’s bithdays off any more. There are far too many foolish holidays – local parades and festivals can be on weekends for those that want them. But then the retail groups will be mad ’cause they want people out there shopping – and bottom line for holidays or exploration – it’s all the money.
Thanks for floating a great viewpoint and comment this way
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If we’re going to celebrate the accomplishments of a man who explored the unknown, how about we celebrate Neil Armstrong? He seems like a more fitting choice to me. Another day off in July wouldn’t be a bad thing… 😉
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Great idea to have a celebration for the intrepid spirit. Do we have to pick just one guy?
I always thought Sacagawea was highly under rated and under appreciated. (but then again we had a lot more Native American history and individuals around growing up here.)
Yes, let’s applaud the individuals – not the results of their actions. (I’m sure Erikson didn’t have any intention to irritate/upset the people he ran into either – they all thought it was open land up for grabs? Foolish, perhaps – or in line with explorers’ actions in Europe/Asia/Africa) Columbus was just some guy who wanted to sail and test out his theories and found a way to get someone else to pay for it…like many hardcore explorers even now.
Another 3 day weekend in July might be a good thing – merchants/travel agents would love that – they glom onto anything. But maybe not – If you give anyone else holiday status with a day off, the St Patrick Day supporters are going to start making demands.Hey, he had adventures: was captured by pirates and taken to the wilds of Ireland ending up exploring much more…although there were not snakes really. So much unknown. Always good to celebrate that…on your own time and dime? HA HA. Thanks for exploring with a comment
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Well reasoned, my dear. ‘Tis a conundrum, indeed.
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That’s what got me started on the whole thing. 🙂
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I like the intrepid spirit of adventure and agree that a “Spirit of Adventure Day” would be fun and educational. We could all go on adventures in the wilderness or visit museums or try something we’ve never done before. I think our educational/societal denial of the Native American genocide is really painful and Columbus Day just rubs it in.
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Those of Hispanic/Latino/Central and South America aren’t real happy about what came after Columbus and the invasion by countries looking for power, influence, and gold either.
Depending on the part of country/heritage of that local area, the understanding of conquest of indigenous peoples has been taught or not taught by one view or another. It is what it is.
Right now I’m a bit hacked that the Tex. attorney general is blocking the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe from operating certain electronic gaming machines/casino although the Feds Dept of Interior and the National Indian Gaming Association has given approval. Note to AG.: State laws do not apply to Indian Nations. This is as bad as a Fed reservation agent deciding that this tribe should weave rugs like the Navajo to sell for money back in the 70’s – although there was no rug weaving tradition in this area. No wonder they are angry. For goodness sakes, give them back control over their lives. (No “Trail of Tears” here, but brutality/unfairness was/is)
Still, all intrepid explorers should be applauded going forward into the unknown.
I’d consider nominating Quannah Parker, Commanche chief and great Texan who not only led his tribe into a new age but also into an unexplored social change. Became a wealthy stateman in the process. Remarkable man. Niece and his descendents lived near us when were kids…there are local schools/towns named after him and his family. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fpa28)
Thanks for taking up the adventurouse spirit and leaving a comment
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When I talked with my husband about this, he also mentioned the Central and South American people who suffered the European invasion. It’s a terrible legacy and one that still hasn’t been made right. Clearly this country is still dealing with issues of white privilege. I hope someday we get over it.
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the European invasion caught the Aztecs(who were pretty brutal in their own conquests and domination – ask the Toltecs and other Mesoamerican groups) and the other locals totally off guard. Having horses and more advanced metals made a big difference. It’s been taught in this part of the country for ages – maybe others will improve their curriculum and get up to speed eventually. The information is out there, certainly not new – anyone can find the facts and information.
War and conquest regardless of continent/era/people is brutal and people suffer. It is what it is.
Linguist, historians and those who study writings/literature know it is always wise to keep context (view with the mores of that age’s civilization/societies)- not to apply current social values/views to incidents in the past. Historical events/facts are neutral. Not excuses. Not guilt. Just is what it was.
Wise to study, acknowledge both good and bad of a period – and learn – in order to move forward in a positive direction. Each species like the sharks: swim or die.
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Hmm. I agree, but I don’t think we should look at the past as neutral. Judging choices made in the past (even in context) should help us make better decisions now and in the future. History has a way of repeating if we don’t learn our lessons. Lovely to chat with you, as always 🙂
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Famous next to last line there. Exactly what I was saying. Facts and events should be evaluated without emotion. Humans as a species tend to be inconsiderate, destructive, and not considering long term effects of decisions/actions. We – all of the species – can – must – do better
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❤
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Noble Savage concept (similar to what we were taught in school). Finally found quote by Benjamin Franklin (who thought “no race had a monopoly on virtue”) “Savages we call them, because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs.” That concept was popular in art and literature around the time of the French Revolution (Dickins was not a fan. Thought Indians were appalling) The concept reoccurs periodically (Original version of “The Lone Ranger”/ “Dances with Wolves”). Idealism is difficult to live up to, though.
I think Disney and the cartoon industry has a lot to make up for with those ugly big nosed images and sports mascots. Certainly insulting.
Might be better to treat others as we wish to be treated – idealistic, but worth a try. Enjoyed the day, thanks
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