What's up, Chuck?
Jeff
10 Comments
I have no particular diabetes issues to review today, and there haven’t been any new whack-job herbal cures this week, so let’s look at something else.
Just before 8:00am on May 20th, 1927, Charles A. “Lucky” Lindbergh left New York’s Roosevelt Field on Long Island bound for Paris, France.
Looking at a map of the Northeast states recently, I thought 
for a moment about the possibility that, a short time after taking off, Lindbergh may well have flown directly over my home town of Little Compton, Rhode Island. Growing up, I spent plenty of time outdoors, and I always took notice of airplanes overhead, wondering where they were coming from, going to, and who might be aboard those big, shiny birds.
I imagined the skies were less crowded in 1927, and that any of the numerous farmers working their fields in my small seaside town would certainly have noticed Lindbergh’s fuel laden craft on that Friday morning, possibly unaware of the historic journey that was just beginning.
Last year, I shot these photos of some Lindbergh-related items at the Missouri History Museum in the Emerson Electric Center in St. Louis. They include a hand-written note acknowledging payment in full for a Curtiss airplane (not the plane that crossed the pond,) a plaque from the Spirit of St. Louis Association commemorating the flight, and a purchase order to Ryan Airlines, Inc. of San Diego, California, for “One Special” Ryan Monoplane in exchange for a total of $10,580.00.
At the time of Lindbergh’s first non-stop, solo transatlantic flight, insulin dependent diabetics were barely five years into the successful treatment of their condition. Depression eras notwithstanding, it must have been an exciting time to witness such innovative and technological advances.
Thanks to my brother for his recent aerial picture of Little Compton, looking southward all the way to Sakonnet Point and the old West Island. The exclusive West Island Club, burnt to ashes and virtually forgotten long before I took my first breath, was where men such as Presidents Chester Arthur, James Garfield, Rutherford Hayes, and Grover Cleveland, jeweler Charles Louis Tiffany, and other notable captains of industry with names like Vanderbilt, Lorillard, and J.P. Morgan gathered in springtime for what was said to be the best striper fishing on the east coast.
The photo would have been Lindbergh’s view as he flew east/northeastward, looking south over his right shoulder.
Reader Comments (10)
I love the history lesson! And I definitely love the aerial photo. Rhode Island has a ton of history. I always enjoy being there. I've never seen it from above before though! Very cool!
Thanks, Ashley. There really is a lot of history hidden away in a million places all over the state. All it takes is a little spark of curiosity to discover some significant, amazing, and often very funny stories from the past.
You are, as always, a wealth of information. I like it. So, thanks!
You're very kind, Colleen. :^)
Thanks for the Rhode Island history lesson, Jeff. Very interesting. I love the hand-written receipt, too. My grandpa was an independent carpenter his whole life & many of his receipts looked so similar to this. Brought back fond memories of him and a more simple time...
Hi Donna. The museum in St. Louis was really cool. They even had toys on display that Lindbergh played with as a toddler.
I still have many handwritten receipts that came from my grandparents' businesses going back many decades. It's fun to look through them from time to time. That's the pack-rat in me talking!
Thanks for the "About Today's Banner" feature. Cool. They are as good as the posts!
Marie -- Welcome, welcome! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It's so nice to get feedback on the new things.
Lindbergh is an interesting character as we know about his successes in great detail, but we have managed to gloss over the very unflattering aspects of his life. He was a notorious Nazi sympathizer and after his passing, his American family found out he had multiple other families in Europe; complete with wives and children.
Lidbergh's Nazi involvement definitely cooled America's sentiments about him at the time, but that story has faded while his accomplishments in the air have remained stronly linked with the Lindbergh name.
So, is it right to give accolades to such a man with so many flaws? The press would crucify him today, no doubt. But, I maintain that his personal life and beliefs should not diminish his accomplishments.
Although you say in this post that you have nothing to say about diabetes, I think this is a great example for diabetics not to beat themselves up when things do not go as planned. Rather than dwelling on the small missteps, you have to concentrate on your accomplishments.
For example; so you had a low sugar today...but what about the fact that you haven't had one in three weeks when you used to have them daily? Or how about getting down because dealing with infusions sets are a pain? Try remembering what a pain it was to have to give yourself multiple shots everyday. I bet that won't be hard to do. This kind of thinking is helpful to everyone, not just diabetics.
If we can forgive Lindbergh for some major faults and look past them to his achievements, why can't we do that for ourselves? I am betting our faults do not include a one-on-one meeting with Hitler!!
BTW, I'm very proud of what you are accomplishing on your blog and the information you are sharing and providing to the OC. ("Don't call it that" - Michael Bluth, Arrested Development)
Nancy TW
Thank you, Sweetie. You always provide a great perspective, and there's no way I could manage without your love, encouragement, ideas, and patience.