Back in March, we visited the state capital of Illinois, Springfield, and one of our stops was the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where one of the Route 66 markers is located. After taking pictures and reading the information about this historic highway, along with the map highlighting the Illinois portion of the route, we thought it … Continue reading Our Route 66 Adventure Through Illinois
Tag: History
Book Review: Thomas Jefferson
Photo by Ed Ortiz My journey reading the biographies of the principal founding fathers of the United States has been very illuminating up to this point. My goal is to read biographies of the seven principal founders: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. While reading about … Continue reading Book Review: Thomas Jefferson
Swim Tests Don’t Belong in College Graduation
I recently read an article titled "Making waves on campus: A once-proud tradition is becoming awkward for elite universities" in The Economist about swim test requirements at some U.S. universities as a condition for graduation. I didn’t know that this was a requirement at institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and Columbia … Continue reading Swim Tests Don’t Belong in College Graduation
Book Review: The Complete Writings of Phillis Wheatley
Photo by Ed Ortiz - Book and Hot Puerto Rican Coffee in My Taíno-Inspired Mug I finished reading The Complete Writings of Phillis Wheatley over the weekend, and I really enjoyed reading her poems and learning more about her life. Most importantly, I learned that people often think less of others when they make no … Continue reading Book Review: The Complete Writings of Phillis Wheatley
Book Review: The Unexpected Abigail Adams
Photo by Ed Ortiz “Abigail was as learned as any man of her time, and she could write like an angel. And Adams kept a diary. When I read Abigail’s letters, I wonder how she ever had time to write them. She was raising a family with four children, running the farm without her husband … Continue reading Book Review: The Unexpected Abigail Adams
Book Review: History Matters
Photo by Ed Ortiz “Happiness—true happiness—is not to be found in vacations or the like. It’s to be found in the love of learning and doing what you really want to get up and get to each day.” – David McCullough I must confess that I have never read any of David McCullough’s work before. … Continue reading Book Review: History Matters
The Press Has Forgotten Its Job—and We’re Paying for It
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”1 — Thomas Jefferson Freedom of the press is extremely important, and there has been a lot of debate about this subject lately. The founding fathers of this country were keenly aware of its significance. Thomas Jefferson, while he … Continue reading The Press Has Forgotten Its Job—and We’re Paying for It
On Justice
“The cardinal virtue that most obviously deals with the social sphere, with our relationships, is ‘justice’ (dikaiosunê). The Stoics use this word to encompass both dealing fairly with others and acting with benevolence toward them, wishing for them to flourish in accord with virtue, Fate permitting.” — Donald Robertson, Stoicism and the Art of Happiness … Continue reading On Justice
Book Reviews: The Weight of Snow and Regret and Traveling Through History
Photo by Ed Ortiz - It’s still kind of cold, so the mug is trying to stay warm. 😀 I’ve mentioned in other posts that I don’t usually read much fiction, but I’m gradually adding more to my reading list. I’m discovering that biographical and historical fiction can be especially captivating. Following my instincts, I … Continue reading Book Reviews: The Weight of Snow and Regret and Traveling Through History
Book Review: The Hardest Job in the World – The American Presidency
Photo by Ed Ortiz It’s interesting to learn how the office of the president of the United States came to be and how it has changed over time, mostly due to Congress’s neglect. I have been reading about the Founding Fathers and the important documents they produced that have guided this country. So when I … Continue reading Book Review: The Hardest Job in the World – The American Presidency
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 