Forest of Words

I always considered myself to be the girl who had a soft heart, kind and loved without measure. I always told my kids to give more than you take. I might not be a superhero, but I could certainly depend my ZIP code.
My sweet angel breezed into my life and put a few things into perspective. What does it mean really to defend your ZIP code. Every single day in Pakistan.My family gives to those in need. Gives more than they take or receive. They have demonstrated what it truly means by living generously.

I have lived such a privileged life. I am really grateful, profoundly in awe. Each day embrace a heart full of gratitude and a purpose to walk gently on this earth.

I thought

I thought

I thought

I thought I was humble, kind, gentle and generous. Today and everyday, I have lessons to learn. Take a chance it’s the season of perpetual hope and glorious Christmas trees with the twinkly, sparkly lights. I know that my Shohar, my Ami, my Abu, my Bahi, my Api’s and my sweet Bhanja, angel of my life and my precious one yet to be born. Spoiler alert pretty sure I’m getting another Bhanja!
People live and exist every day, with no privilege, no opportunity and yet most of us take all the things we are GIVEN for granted. So I never was a super hero and defending my zip code was simply an aspiration, I really didn’t a have a single clue. Take a look around at the real hero’s of the world today and every single day.
PS I have already named a few of mine.

Once upon a star kissed dream you reached out across time and space and rescued me! The girl with a dream in heart scared to hope it might actually exist. You, Umair, the man who brought a hopeless romantic to her knees. I got all that I hoped and dreamed for and so much more. My dazzling Mr. Darcy combined with chemical Christian Gray, add in my own special Pakistani spices, and you are my EVERYTHING and so much more! Forever and always in your arms is where I want to be!
You, Umair are forever fulfilling my hopes and dreams! Longing and aching for you each and every single day we spend apart!
My home is not four walls and a door! My home is your heart, your hands all the things I adore! My home is safely surrounded by your arms nuzzled in that place where I lay my head on your chest! A cascade of warm soft hairs tickle my nose and beckon me to sheer bliss! Falling asleep in your arms and surrounded by you is the love story that brought me to life. A love story written across the sands of time! A love story that a star kissed dreamer was afraid might not exist. Then out of that dream our love story knocked me off my feet! A love story written entirely for you and me! I am your princess and you are my king! I wouldn’t want to have it any other way! My home is a palatial palace because of the way you have loved me!

You, Umair lit my entire world on fire with a love etched across the sands of time!

In the beginning of our love story you dreamed of the day when a girl might etch her love in ink for you! I already knew I loved you in the most profound and beautiful way. Scared to utter the words, I set about articulating in action. You, Umair lift me up when I need it most encouraging me to fight a little more! I’m not entirely sure you’re utterly pleased the words once captured in my brain are now on display for the entire world to see. What better way to prove to the world all the ways I love you than stand up and shout!

I wish to the heavens that I had money like each sonnet that brilliantly dances onto every page. Captured captive words meant to illuminate. I wish for every single moment to be in your arms nuzzled in my favorite spot every fucking day and you can take that little piece of information and put it in your bonnet! You are my air! You are everything I have ever needed! You took the heart of a girl and loved back all the pieces back together that others had torn apart!

I love you profoundly look all around you! You will find the whispers of my love in every single day. The chirps of the birds, the gentleness of the breeze, even in the soft afternoon caress of the suns rays! Right down to the moon shining down on you! Utterly, completely and entirely for you Mr. Muhammad Umair!

Mr. Muhammad Umair, my life began when you and I proclaimed to each other we were husband and wife, I love you forever, for always, you are my beginning and end you are my everything! Below are my scarfs Umair sent me for my birthday!

When I say I love you, I love you from the very depths of my soul!

When I say I need you, my entire life I have never known a need the way I need you!

You pick me up, lift me up each and every day!

When I say I need your support it’s the strength of your words, your voice and your arms wrapped around me! You shelter my soul when I am weary!

When I say I need to be with you know the time spent apart rips at my soul! You, Muhammad Umair are the beginning and end of me! You have left me utterly weak with need! You are my everything! You are the burning ache inside of me that gets me through each day! You are my first thought, my last thought and all the thoughts in between! You are every thought that keeps me from surrendering to sleep! You are the thoughts that pick me up and urge me on! You are the fire in my heart! ILYVMU

The scarfs Umair sent for my birthday!

Get up each day and #chaseyoursparkle and uncover every #historymysteries

As we venture closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, I hope each of you finds a reason to celebrate. I wish everyone peace and to see the world with gentle kindness and appreciation. 

In keeping with the tradition of holidays, it only seems fitting to pay tribute to the reasons and story behind the first Thanksgiving celebration. Today, each of us (I think) observes the holiday as an opportunity to eat magnificent amounts of turkey, mashed potatoes, your favorite bread and pie, and a gravy boat the size of the Titanic! Of course, I am in no way whatsoever meaning to elude or exclude any fantastic foods or traditions we might have the opportunity to explore at this food festival! Perhaps I recall food because, as you might remember, the olfactory system is one of our “superhero” senses! 

On Thursday, November 26, 1621, the Pilgrims, also called Colonists, collaborated with the Wampanoag Indigenous People for a three-day festival. The Autumn meal was a celebration of giving thanks for the bountiful harvest. The Wampanoag honor the Pilgrims with a gift of five deer for the festival. The menu included maize, cranberries (although fresh and not jellied), lobster, seal, and swan. It may be ironic as our current standing celebration of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie were not included in the first celebration.

In exploring these beautiful traditions and memories, I remember the bustle of grandmothers, moms, dads, aunts and uncles, and cousins, all gathered in anticipation of the forthcoming feast! I remember the delightful aromas that danced around from room to room. I remember my Granny’s sonnet she would recite with each slice of apple pie for someone! “An apple pie without any cheese is like a hug without any squeeze!” Do you have any of these beautiful memories that are a part of your history? Share the past, write it down, and celebrate it with the people you love! As always, there is so much more to every story! Gobble! Gobble! The celebrations and the stories! Remember to get up each day and #chaseyoursparkle and every #historymysteries!

“Road Trip through History” by Lynn Marie Allen

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly circumstances can change or reroute perhaps the fabric of existence. As each of you heads into the upcoming week, giving thanks and celebrating with your families, I hope your holiday is profoundly blessed. Recently, having been asked to explore towns that are no longer present. Eluding a little, this will lead to future and further exploration. In looking at now lost and forgotten towns of Brown County, Kansas, I discovered around thirtyish towns that have been erased by time. Remember, many of these towns were established initially by settlers looking for a piece of the “land of plenty.”

Baker, now nearly erased by time.  Once upon a time, in a not-so-distant time ago, Baker was a bustling town. Complete with a train depot, a grocery store, and a school, which also stood as the community center. Baker and all the beautiful pieces of history have nearly been erased from the maps.  Baker, Kansas, was established in Brown County, Kansas, in 1882, and by 1933, the town of Baker was rerouted into ghost town history. Baker was established by the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1882. People once hopped on board for Kansas City at the Depot in Baker, Kansas, for a delightful time in the city to return home at the end of their excursion home. Baker was located approximately 7 ½ miles south of Hiawatha. The town of Baker was named in honor of Colonel A.C. Baker, an early settler and a Civil War veteran. 

Carson, Kansas, was established in 1857 and erased by 1898. I was once holding the county seat of Brown County for a brief period of about four months. D. McFarland and others in 1856 established the township. The township’s original name was changed from Sawin’s Store to Carson in 1857. Carson was the first post office in Walnut Township, and M. L. Swain was the first postmaster. Carson is located 5 miles West of Hiawatha. Carson was named after William Carson, a Civil War veteran and prominent citizen who operated a mercantile and served as postmaster fo the town for many years.  

Claytonville, Kansas, was established in November 1856 and erased by 1882. Claytonville held the county seat of Brown County for a brief period. George E. Clayton laid out the township at a generous 320 acres, attracting 15 families and a store. G. E. Clayton established the store in August 1857. No city officers were elected.  The town site, now forgotten, has become farmland. Claytonville was located eight miles south and one mile east of Hiawatha.  The town was named after John Clayton, a prominent figure in the establishment of the town and businessman. 

Hamlin, Kansas, was established in 1857 and erased by 1973. Hamlin was a place in the community much like others where the families who took up residence proudly called Hamlin their home. The town was named after Hannibal Hamlin, who served the distinct honor of being Vice President to Abraham Lincoln. Ellen Palmer Allerton, famous for her “Walls of Corn” poetry, rests in the Hamlin Cemetery, a beautiful cemetery. The township boasts approximately just shy of a mile. You can arrive at Hamlin by driving about 8 miles North of Hiawatha and about 5 miles West. 

Mercier, Kansas, was established in 1897 and erased by 1972. Mercier has a fascinating story. Let’s start with a few details. Mercier was originally named  Germantown, and because of the negative connotation, rather than seeing the honorable homage to heritage, it was considered a poor choice. Renamed Loyalty, thinking this would be a more enticing draw for people. The township finally settled on Mercier, named after French Canadian fur trader Francois Mercier. Mercier had established a trading post in the area in the 1850s. The Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad established the township. The township was located approximately 10 miles Southwest of Hiawatha. 

Comet, Kansas, was established in 1881 and erased by 1894. Comet was named after James Combs, an early settler in the town, in 1887. Comet was located in Powhattan Township,  9 miles north of Netawaka or 15 miles southwest of Hiawatha, 6 miles west of Powhattan. The Post Office was established in 1883 by E. S. Hale; the first established postmaster, W. E. Sawyer, in 1884.  The nearly erased town has a small cemetery, a testament to this now ghost town. 

Mannville, Kansas, was established in 1871 and erased by 1875. Mannville is located in Brown County, Kansas. It was named after Captain John Mann, a Union Army veteran of the Civil War. Captain Mann served in the 6th Kansas Cavalry and was a Quantrill’s Raiders. The Quantrill Raiders were a group of Confederate guerrillas during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Mann was one of the first settlers of Brown County, having arrived in 1873.  Mann eventually became a prominent landowner in the county and established the town of Mannville. The town was officially incorporated in 1877 and was named after Captain Mann in recognition of his service and contributions to the area. Mannville is located on the Little Blue River and is approximately 4 miles East of Hiawatha. 

Nohart is a small town located in Brown County, Kansas. It is a rural community located 13 miles north of Hiawatha. The township was established in 1859 and erased by 1860. Nohart was named after Charles A. Nohart, a prominent businessman and landowner in the area.

Charles A. Nohart was an early settler of Brown County, Kansas. He was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Kansas in 1869. Nohart was a member of the first county board of supervisors in Brown County and was the county’s first treasurer. Nohart was a successful farmer who owned land in the county. Nohart was a Mason and active in Church. 

Padonia, Kansas, was established in 1857 and erased by 1933. Padonia is located in Brown County, Kansas. Padonia is an unincorporated community located in Brown County, Kansas. Padonia is approximately 6 miles northwest of Hiawatha. Padonia township was established in the 1880s, and the post office was established in 1884. Padonia was named after the Padonia family, some of the earliest settlers in the area. The Padonia family were originally from Kentucky and moved to Kansas in the late 1800s. The family prominent in the community owned the local general store. Padonia is primarily an agricultural community, with the main crops being wheat and corn. 

Eyerton, Kansas, was established in 1881 and erased by 1882. The town was likely named after a prominent resident at the time. In 1887, the town of Eyerton underwent a rebranding to Everest, Kansas. It was named in honor of John B. Everest, a prominent local physician and businessman who greatly influenced the community.

Everest was a prominent figure in Everest, Kansas, and multi-talented. Everest was a respected businessman who ran an implement store,  a banker, and was the first president of the Farmers Bank and Trust Company. Everest is involved in the community, donating generously to educational, religious, and civic causes. Everest was a Mason and was responsible for the local Masonic Lodge. 

Pierce Junction was established in 1888 and gone by 1914. Pierce Junction is approximately 16 miles southeast of Hiawatha. The town was established by William Pierce, who was born in Brown County, Kansas, on December 16, 1876. Pierce worked as a coal miner in his younger years before marrying his wife, Ethel, in 1905. 

Pierce was involved in local politics and was elected as a county commissioner in 1908. Pierce fought for educational systems and healthcare. Pierce was an active member of the local Masonic Lodge and the Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of a local Church and served on the Brown County Fair Board. 

Willis was established in 1882 and mostly erased by 1960. Willis is an unincorporated community located about 7 miles southeast of Hiawatha. The town was initially known as “Lone Tree” and had the first post office established in Brown County. The post office was established in 1869 and named after William Willis, one of the first settlers in the area. The town was founded around the same time and was incorporated in 1877. 

And just a little more of the history: Willis was formerly known as Lone Tree. The Lone Tree Post Office was established in 1873. Willis’ story went even further with the first name of  Sager. The name was changed to Lone Tree in 1880 due to the single tree in the middle of the town.  The name Sager was after early settler William Sager, who settled in the area in the 1880’s. The town was located on the south side of the Smoky Hill River. The town boasted one of the oldest continuously operating one-room schools in Kansas. 

Reserve was established in 1882 and erased mainly by 1983. The town was incorporated and situated near the northern fork of the Soloman River. The town was named after William Reserve, a Civil War Veteran who established himself in the community in the 1880’s. 

Buncomb, Kansas was a small unincorporated community in Brown County, Kansas. It was located at the intersection of U.S. Route 36 and U.S. Route 83, ten miles northeast of Hiawatha. The township established in 1885 and became a popular stop for travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. The township was established in 1870 and was gone by 1871.  Buncomb was named after William Buncomb an early settler in the 1860’s. 

Coss Kansas is a small unincorporated township in Brown County, Kansas. It is located on the south side of the Solomon River, about two miles northwest of Hiawatha. Coss was named after James W. Coss, a local landowner. Coss was a landowner and business owner, serving as a grain and coal merchant and a  grain elevator operator. Coss was very active in the local community, serving as a school board member, a church trustee, and a board member of the Farmers Alliance. 

Discord, Kansas, is an unincorporated township. The town was established in 1874 and gone by 1881. The town was named after Major Discord, an early settler who homesteaded in the 1870s. Discord earned the rank of major in the Union Army during the Civil War.  Discord was prominent in the community and responsible for helping to establish a post office in the town. Discord was located approximately 9 miles south of Hiawatha. 

Emmett, Kansas is a small unincorporated township in Brown County, Kansas. Emmett was located approximately 8 miles east of Hiawatha, Kansas. Emmett was established in 1881 and erased by 1882.  The town was named after Emmett F. Mudge, an early cattle rancher in the area. 

Frinkville was an unincorporated township. Frinkville isapproximately four miles northwest of Hiawatha. Frinkville was established in 1878 and gone in 1883. Frinkville was named after Stephen Frink, a businessman of the community. Frink ran a general store and post office in the town. Frinkville was platted in 1868 as part of the  Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. 

Grand Prairie was a small township approximately five miles west of Hiawatha. The town is named after the Grand Prairie, a large area of grassland located in the area. The town was established in 1870 and gone by 1888. Grand Prairie symbolized hope for settlers to start a new life on the prairie. 

Jonesville is approximately twelve miles south of Hiawatha.Jonesville was established in 1879 and gone in 1885. Jonesville was named after David Jones an early settler to the area. 

Marak, is located about 6 miles east of the city of Hiawatha. The town was named after a railroad engineer who had worked for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Marak is located on the banks of the Little Blue River. Marak was established in 1870 and gone by 1882. 

Randall, is 13 miles east of Hiawatha. The city was named after settler William Randall, a businessman and rancher. Randall owned a store, a livery stable, a hotel, a bank, and a newspaper. Randall was also postmaster. The town was established in 1864 and erased the same year.

Arnold. 1897-1898, was named after Arnold Griswold, and early settler and farmer

Cleo.  1885 – 1887, named after and early settler & rancher

Mission Center  1877 – 1882, was named after French Catholic Mission work done in the area. Nearby to Mission Creek. 

Mount Roy  1857 -1858 & 1871-1882, located east of Hiawatha, named after Roy and Katherine Cole. The Town is also referred to as Mount Roy. 

Pony Creek 1858-1861, close to Pony Creek which is the namesake and the wild ponies that used to roam free in the area. 

Saint Francis  1871 – 1872, located 12 miles north of Hiawatha and named after the patron Saint Francis of Assisi who is named for animals, nature and the environment. 

Springs   1896 – 1902, named after a family of settlers. Twelve miles north of Hiawatha

Tyler’s  1864 – 1878, named after Dr. William Tyler who was influential in the development of the community. Tyler’s is located approximately 8 miles southeast of Hiawatha. 

Ununda  1864 – 1871, located 8 miles southwest of Hiawatha. The exact origin of the name is unknown, but some believe it was derived from the indigenous word meaning “land of plenty” “good earth” and may have been located near Ununda Hill and was named by the settlers as they passed through. 

Seward located 12 miles northeast of Hiawatha and named after William H. Seward, who served as Secretary of the state under Abraham Lincoln. 

Plymouth located 8 miles northeast of Hiawatha and was named after the Pilgrims who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.

Lodiana located approximately 7 miles south of Hiawatha and was named after Lodowick Osborn, a pioneer from Indiana. Lodania. 

New Eureka located approximately 14 miles south of Hiawatha and was named after Eureka Springs, Arkansas. 

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you will take each and every moment to celebrate all the wonderous treasures around you. Always remember to get up each day and #chaseyoursparkle and every #historymysteries! 

by LYNN MARIE ALLEN

Bells have long been a part of Winter Holiday traditions, with Christmas and religious ceremonies in particular. Handbells have been traced back to the 5th Century B.C. in China—the oldest existing bells with handles found in China dating from 1600 B.C. Bells have been discovered all over the world. It was fashionable to carry a “handbell” to sing along to carols during the Victorian Era. 

Sparking traditions for ringing melodies and harmonies set to music for festive occasions such as Christmas got its claim to fame around the middle of the 19th Century. Throughout the 1830s, the Peake Family Ringers rose in popularity. The musically gifted family traveled from town to town as their engagements gathered popularity across America. Later, in 1840, P.T. Barnum featured handbells as one of his circus peculiarities with the Lancashire Bell Ringers from Liverpool, England. 

James Lord Pierpont wrote the catchy holiday tune Jingle Bells, published initially as a Thanksgiving tribute but later modified due to the winterish melody. There remains some controversy over “Jingle Bells,” written in 1850 when James resided in Medford, Massachusetts, or later in 1875 James lived in Savannah, Georgia. The song was published in the U.S. in 1857 and recorded in 1889. As always, there is so much more to every story. Cherish every moment to celebrate all the beautiful treasures all around you. Always remember to get up each day and #chaseyoursparkle and every #historymysteries!

Written by Lynn Marie Allen

Bells have long been a part of Winter Holiday traditions, with Christmas and religious ceremonies in particular. Throughout history, we associate bells’ sounds with happy and sad occasions. Now, here is where we embark on our history journey. Did you know that bells were used as a form of communication? Bells would announce the arrival of a distinguished individual. Bells announce celebrations and the beginning and end of events. Bells even notify us when it is time to arrive at school and when it is time to depart! Christmas bells were rung at midnight on Christmas to signify the birth of Jesus. Saint Patrick used bells to announce the beginning of lessons and the beginning of mass. 

Every year, each of us awaits in gleeful anticipation the arrival of our dear Saint Nicholas with the sounds of bells that triumphantly announce his appearance on the harnesses of his reindeer. Other religions used the bells ringing to ward off evil spirits. Bells gained popularity because it was and remained the least expensive instrument. Bells are unique and diverse! In America, we often associate bells with silver or brass bells. In Haiti, the bells are wooden. Bells have been discovered all over the world. What will you discover on your journey? 

Throughout history, Bells have signified sadness on some occasions, such as funerals, and, in some instances, are the means to overcoming hardship, pain, strife, and suffering. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who you might remember for his tribute and namesake to Hiawatha in “The Song of Hiawatha.”  The poem consists of twenty-three poems that speak of the life and journey of Hiawatha. Did you know that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow became deeply depressed when one of his sons was mortally wounded in battle? During this time, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem titled “Christmas Bells.” The poem is the foundation for the Christmas carol, “I heard the Bells on Christmas Day!”  As always, there is so much more to every story. Cherish every moment to celebrate all the beautiful treasures all around you. Always remember to get up each day and #chasingyoursparkle and every #historymysteries!