Freedom’s Journal

By Eilene Lyon -- March 16, 2021 This date in 1827 saw the publication of the first issue of Freedom’s Journal in New York City. It was the first newspaper produced by and for Blacks in the United States. A group of free men of color, primarily clergymen, met at the home of community organizer... Continue Reading →

March 16, 2021 30

Peoria Pair

Week 4: #52 Ancestors – Favorite Photo By Eilene Lyon This is a snazzy portrait of The Putterer’s parents, Cliff and Fran, taken in the early 1940s. I love many things about it: their clothes, the car, the expressions on their faces. I also like how they had it framed: Clifford Park Lyon, Jr. (Cliff)... Continue Reading →

March 13, 2021 29

From the Vault: Berlin Wall

By Eilene Lyon The “From the Vault” series features an artifact or family photo from my collection to illustrate a tale from my distant past. Bridging the East-West divide has never been a simple matter. It's complicated further when the two sides have been handed entirely different sets of expectations. My tale begins when a... Continue Reading →

March 11, 2021 43

Meet The Lyons

Week 1: #52 Ancestors – Beginnings By Eilene Lyon As I mentioned in my post Reflections, I plan to do a number of stories on The Putterer’s family this year. Neither he, nor his sister, have children to pass their legacy to. But there could be extended family (second cousins or beyond) who may find... Continue Reading →

March 6, 2021 26

Jonathan Zane: Traitor?

Week 8: #52 Ancestors -- Power By Eilene Lyon “Revolutions, by their very nature, produce dilemmas of loyalty. Practically overnight men who previously had been considered good citizens find themselves suspected of treason while those who betray the existing order are hailed as heroes and patriots.” Robert F. Oakes The two men huddled through a... Continue Reading →

February 27, 2021 35

Reflections

By Eilene Lyon Happy New Year and welcome to 2021!! Well, I'm pretty sure we're all happy to say "adios" "adieu" and "farewell" to 2020. But it wasn't an entirely bad year - I had the company of my fellow bloggers to cheer me along the way. This is the third anniversary for the Myricopia... Continue Reading →

January 2, 2021 46

La Vida Alta

By Eilene Lyon Just over 35 years ago I made the decision to settle in southwest Colorado in the foothills of the spectacular San Juan Mountains. I hope I never have to leave this beautiful place. I'd like to share some of my favorite high-country photos and touch on a few aspects of life up... Continue Reading →

December 29, 2020 44

In the Line of Duty

Week 52: #52 Ancestors – Resolution By Eilene Lyon Katie Davis, my first cousin 2x removed, grew up near Kendrick, Idaho. She was the second child of Charles A. Davis and Minnie Holcombe. Charles was the older brother of my great-grandfather, Sterling Price Davis. Katie and her sister, Sarah, were less than two years apart... Continue Reading →

December 26, 2020 24

The Slide Years: Christmas Tree

By Eilene Lyon The Slide Years is a series in which I select an image my dad took from 1957-1982 with Kodachrome slide film, then I write a stream-of-consciousness essay – a sort of mini-memoir. When we arrived in Guatemala in January 1974, Christmas was the furthest thing from our minds. But as the holiday... Continue Reading →

December 24, 2020 33

Myricopia