First of all HAPPY SAMHAIN!!! Today is one of my two favorite holidays. I love Samhain. The only other that comes close is Beltane. I love this time of the year. It's a bit colder than normal for this area but the leaves are falling; there is the smell of wood fires in the air. I just love it. And it's my anniversary. Nine years ago tonight, hubby and I had our hand-fasting at the rose garden in Balboa Park in San Diego. I'm looking forward to many many more years, my love. Happy anniversary.

www.balboapark.org

NOW! As always my facts come from 50states.com. 


 If you want to join our discussion on keeping the right to worship as you choose or just to tell us what a great time you had in a certain state, head over to "What Makes Your State Great"! We'd love to see your pictures, hear your stories and have you join us in sending love and protection across the US.

HAIL ILLINOIS!

www.cityofchicago.org/‎

The first Aquarium opened in Chicago, 1893.

www.sheddaquarium.org/‎

The world's first Skyscraper was built in Chicago, 1885. The Sears Tower, Chicago is the tallest building on the North American continent.

www.skyscraperlife.com/chicago/2294-sears-tower.html‎

Before Abraham Lincoln was elected president he served in the Illinois legislature and practiced law in Springfield. Abraham Lincoln is buried just outside Springfield at Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton hosted the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates that stirred interest all over the country in the slavery issue.

The music of Illinois is amazing!
Groups like Styx, Chicago, Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon hail from Illinois. Jazz musicians like Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis and Benny Goodman are all native to Illinois. As many of you know I have a deep love of the Blues. Blue icons Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters as well as many others were instrumental in the creation of "Rock" music. Here's a great example of Chicago Blues.



I love this second video as well.

http://www.native-languages.org/illinois.htm

The original inhabitants of Illinois are:

The Chickasaw tribe
The Dakota Sioux tribe
The Ho-Chunk tribe (Winnebago)
The Illinois tribe (Illini)
The Miami tribe
The Shawnee tribe

I found this video about the Shawnee Tribe.




Sending love and protection and a salute to the Blues to the great state of Illinois!

Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(

Wow, the month is nearly gone, Samhain is just around the corner! I'm so very excited! Today we're going to jump right into the next stop on the DC40 Prayer Initiative. If you'd like to chat with us on our journey around the US. Head over to our Facebook Page "What Makes Your State Great" for songs, stories and photos honoring the state of the day.

My facts come from 50states.com.

Hail Missouri!


Missouri is known as the "Show Me State". The 'Show Me State' expression may have began in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, "I'm from Missouri and you've got to show me."


St. Louis Missouri is considered the "Home of the Blues". The origins of the blues are closely related to the religious music of the Afro-American community, the spirituals. The origins of spirituals go back much further than the blues, usually dating back to the middle of the 18th century, when the slaves were Christianized and began to sing and play hymns. Singers like Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith took Blues to a whole new level.

According to legend, Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil at the cross roads in order to learn to play in exchange for his soul.



The Blues is famous for using the "Slide Guitar". I love hearing this being played. Here's an example of the slide guitar. There is nothing sexier than this.






Jefferson National Expansion Memorial consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. During a nationwide competition in 1947-48, architect Eero Saarinen's inspired design for a 630-foot stainless steel arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. Construction of the Arch began in 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965.The Arch has foundations sunken 60 feet into the ground, and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds. It sways up to one inch in a 20 mph wind, and is built to sway up to 18 inches.


Creve Coeur's name means broken heart in French, comes from nearby Creve Coeur Lake. Legend has it that an Indian princess fell in love with a French fur trapper, but the love was not returned. According to the story, she then leapt from a ledge overlooking Creve Coeur Lake; the lake then formed itself into a broken heart.



The original inhabitants of Missouri are:
The Chickasaw tribe
The Illini tribe
The Ioway tribe
The Missouri tribe
The Osage tribe
The Otoe tribe
The Quapaw tribe


I found this intro to a movie called "Lost Nation: The Ioway". This clip is called "I am Ioway".



Being connected with your ancestors; your past allows you to know who you are today and allows you to be prepared for the future. As a solitary, I have my altar set up for remembering the dead. Looking into the past and honoring those that have gone before me.


Sending light and love to the great state of Missouri.

Namaste & Blessed Be!
Sosanna
)O(