Friday, July 3, 2015

Why We Celebrate The 4th of July: Independence Day



Why We Celebrate The 4th of July - USA from Chuck Thompson


Above is the 7th Virginia planning their war strategy for an upcoming battle.


The largest cavalry battle of the American Revolution took place right here in Gloucester, Virginia.


We fought for our Independence from England partially because of taxation without representation.  Does anyone see anything similar today?


The king thought he had a right to treat his British subjects in these colonies as he saw fit.  The American colonies were flourishing in part because we gave up trying to use the kings coin for trading and debts and instead created our own script.  The king outlawed us using our own script nearly bankrupting the colonies.  The extra taxes without representation was insult to injury.


The British burned our houses and destroyed our crops.  But never our spirit.


The French came to our aid in the battle.



The Marquis de Lafayette came over with his and the king of France's frigates and infantry to assist us.


With perseverance we won the day against tyranny.  We need to stand up once again and claim what is right and demand our inherent rights no longer be infringed upon.   Happy 4th of July and may America see many more with great pride and dignity.


Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Dr Lianis Bidot: Some Stress Relief Tricks


In this hurried and stressful life we live in we forget to take care of the most important person, yourself.  You hurry from one thing to another eating unhealthy foods, not exercising or taking care of your body. We forget that if our health is poor we cannot help or support our families and we cannot fulfill our mission in this world.

There are many things you can do that do not take that much time. Start with gratitude. It is said that gratitude with increase your frequency, to a frequency closer to love. Before you get out of bed in the morning or while you are getting ready to go to work in the morning, give thanks to everything good in your life. This could be having a roof over your head, having food to eat, being grateful for your family or animals, the bed you slept on, waking up and having another day in this world, etcetera.  You will start seeing life in a totally different way.

Relaxation is also lacking in our society, we are always rushing from one place to another. Your stress hormones are always in high gear causing havoc with your body.   Relaxation is needed to reduce these stress hormones and their effects on our body. One way to relax is by meditation or prayer. All it takes is at least 5 minutes a day working toward at least 20-30 minutes twice a day. There is no special position required to meditate, just relax your body and refocus from your surroundings. Many people have a mantra, something they repeat to keep out other thoughts in their brain, or they focus on their breathing. For some people praying is like meditation, they are focused in their talk with God and the love they share. Your body will be relaxed, your blood pressure will be lower and you will be happier.

A bath with salts and essential oils is another way to relax and take time for your self.  It will relax your muscles and make you less tense.  Using epsom salt in your bath will help replenish the magnesium in your body that most Americans are low in.  Using lavender as the essential oil will also help you relax, it is also good during this time of the year against ticks, mosquitoes and fleas.


These are just a few of the self caring changes you can make to improve your health and your life as well as that of your family. I will give you some more suggestions in my next blog. Wishing you a magnificent day.


Dr Bidot is a medical surgeon who is now practicing Energy Medicine to help people in a more natural manner.  She is opening a location in Gloucester very soon.  That location will be at 3682 B George Washington Memorial Highway, (Route 17 South),  Hayes, Virginia.  Next to the Tidewater Motel.  


Governor McAuliffe Launches Statewide Virtual Datathon Challenge


~ Teams from across Virginia will create new and innovative applications ~
(Or, How to get people to work for free)

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today launched the 2015 Virtual Datathon Challenge, a competition that will bring together teams of innovators from across the Commonwealth to create new applications that improve government

“We can’t have an innovative new Virginia economy without an innovative government,” said Governor McAuliffe. “That’s why last year my administration launched Virginia’s first ever open data portal, and why last September we brought together state agencies to build brand new apps from scratch. This year, I’m challenging innovators across Virginia to use our state data in creative ways that will encourage collaboration and transparency within our government, enhance the services we provide our citizens, and build on our state’s reputation for innovative, efficient and customer-oriented government.”

Virginia Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson continued, “This Virtual Challenge will give all Virginians the opportunity to use data and technology to improve their government and how it serves their communities.  Apps are changing lives; we are seeing a movement where longstanding challenges are being solved by technology solutions developed by a growing population of civic coders. We want Virginia to lead the way.”

The Virtual Challenge winner will advance to the final round of competition at the statewide competition where they will compete for the Governor’s Cup.

For more information and competition registration, please visit data.virginia.gov.  To join the big data conversation, follow @DataVirginia and #TechInVA.


Sunday, June 28, 2015

Gloucester, Virginia History: Extremely Old Tombstone Headings


Tombstones of gloucester, virginia 1 from Chuck Thompson

Gloucester, Virginia is one of the oldest areas in the nation when it comes to early English settlements.  Its as old as Jamestown, Virginia as it was once a part of Jamestown back on 1607.  Later it was a part of Yorktown, but records show Yorktown being even younger than Gloucester which is just the way things get recorded.  For that matter, everything from North Carolina to Massachusetts was all a part of Virginia.  For the record, the American Indians or what is commonly know as native Americans which turns out are Chinese immigrants, were here before English settlers and so was Spain.  But its the English who were successful at settling the area.  (Politically correct history reporting is a pain in the ...).

  The main focus here is maintaining history.  Above is from the College of William and Mary that recorded the headings of old Gloucester tombstones.  Many which can no longer be read.  Some blame acid rain for not being able to read these headings, I blame nature.  Water is the worlds finest solvent.  It has nothing to do with so called acid rain.  (I refuse to argue politically correct areas when there is no real science behind it.)  There are many folks who like to wander through old grave yards and read the Tombstone headings and there are also family who can no longer read what the tombstones once said, so for these reasons, we have decided to reprint the information.

  Anyone is free to print out the above pages for historical research and or family posterity.  You may also download free copies of the above from our Slideshare site.  You have to be a member of Slideshare and if you are not already, then you can join for free.

Above:  The Godspeed.  One of the 3 ships that came from England to Virginia in 1607.  Jamestown Yorktown Foundation re creation.