American Heirlooms - August 2020

American Heirlooms - August 2020

302-653-2411

AUGUST 2020

CELEBRATING THIS UNIQUE HOLIDAY BY CLEARING OUR CONSCIENCE

We humans were made in the image of our perfect Creator, yet today we live with the effects of broken obedience. We’re bound to encounter mistakes of varying degrees; in life, we sometimes hurt others, and we experience the pain that comes from deliberate cruelty, betrayal, or wrongdoing against us. This is a fact of life. When we focus on these wrongs and the pain we have felt from other’s deeds, we are only hurting ourselves. In honor of International Forgiveness Day on Aug. 2, I wanted to offer a few thoughts on forgiveness. Now, International Forgiveness Day is surely one of those silly-sounding holidays that appear to be entirely made up, right? But unlike National Hot Dog Day or Read a Road Map Day, this holiday is a chance for us to examine a necessary part of our existence. And why? Forgiveness, as an act of choice, is a powerful sanitizer for the soul. At some point, we are bound to hurt those in our lives. Whether this is done intentionally or unintentionally, it’s part of life on this Earth. We make mistakes, we forget to follow through, and we say harmful things in moments of anger (we often think after we speak). And, all of us have been in the position of wronging someone else. We can never undo what we have done in the past, but we can change our future by asking for forgiveness. This we can do by going to the other person and saying, “I was wrong in

what I did or said. I’ll not do it again. Please forgive me.” Regardless of what the other person’s reaction is, asking for forgiveness frees our hearts. It cleanses the conscience.

my sins like I forgive others who wrong me? A well-known Psalm says that God removes our wrong-doings “as far as the east is from the west.” That’s quite a standard to live up to! I can only do this as I take God’s help and example and actively practice forgiveness. And teaching our children to forgive starts with leadership as a parent or role model. If I’m holding grudges or anger, then my child will copy me. Any parent can teach their child to practice forgiveness with others — but it requires practice. Forgiveness isn’t always easy. In fact, it’s often hard, very hard. We’re not always going to be asked to forgive simple misdeeds, like an unkind word. It may not have occurred to my friend what they did to me. And sometimes, a deliberate offense against me will never be made right by the evildoer. However, I would encourage you to practice it readily in your life, whether or not forgiveness is asked for. Offer forgiveness for all the mistakes you confront. It’s one of the best ways we can clear the slate and set a good example for those we love. –Ethan Zimmerman

On the other side of the coin, it can be difficult, but also freeing, to forgive

someone else. We acknowledge the other’s wrongdoing, lay all supposed rights aside, and go on from here. Does it mean we can fully trust someone like we did before? Not necessarily. Some wrongs require a lifetime of rebuilding, and some people need time to prove themselves before we just accept that they have truly changed. But as Jesus forgave his betraying friend Judas and his cowardly, lying friend Peter, so can I, with the Judases and Peters in my life. Forgiveness has been a big part of my understanding of the world. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That’s my part, if I have wronged others. On the other side, there is the example of the Lord Jesus’ prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Do I really mean that? Do I really want God to forgive

302-653-2411 • 1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

Although it is not as well-known as the major holidays throughout the year, on Aug. 18, Bad Poetry Day catches the attention of literature enthusiasts throughout the nation. There have been multitudes of great poets throughout history who have gained admiration for their work. However, for every great poet, there are many more poor ones. William Topaz McGonagall happens to be one of the latter and is considered to be the worst in history. McGonagall was born in Edinburgh and began writing poetry in 1877 after a voice told him to “Write! Write!” The first poem he wrote was in regard to a Reverend George Gilfillan, which he sent to the weekly news to publish with only his initials. The editor did in fact publish the poem, though with an added note, which McGonagall quotes in his autobiography: “W. McG., Dundee, has sent us a poem in praise of the Rev. George Gilfillan, and he sung his praises truly and well, but he modestly seeks to hide his light under a bushel.” The comment was meant to have a humorous tone, but

McGonagall was not a man of humor and took it very seriously. It solidified his need to write poetry for the next 25 years. His best-known poem is called “The Tay Bridge Disaster.” Some lines include vivid imagery such as, “and the rain came pouring down / and the dark clouds seem to frown / and the Demon of the air seem’d to say — / ‘I’ll blow down the Bridge of Tay.’” McGonagall published over 200 poems in his life, each written with the same simple rhyme scheme, disregard for meter, and rudimentary diction. After that initial calling, McGonagall strived for fame as a poet, but what he received in response to his poems was mockery. His complete works along with his autobiography continue to sell today. Though he is known as the worst poet in history, people continue to enjoy his verse, one way or another.

Photo Credit: Megan Leigh Zimmerman

Whether you’re organizing a barbecue or looking for a fun, easy way to pass a lazy Sunday afternoon, cornhole is the game to try. The origins of cornhole are largely unknown, but its roots in the U.S. can be traced to the Midwest, where it rose in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, cornhole exists with many variations and family-favorite rules. In an American Cornhole Organization-facilitated game (ACO), participants need two flat, angled boards with one hole close to the back edge of the board, four bags of one color, and four of another color. All the bags should be filled with 16 ounces of corn. The boards should be placed approximately 27 feet apart in the field of play, and teams of two players will stand on each side of the board in line with the back edge of it. One player from each team will stand at one side of each board. To play, players on one side try and toss their bags onto the other board. After the first player throws their bag, the next player on that side will throw one. This continues until all players on that side have thrown all four of their team’s bags, and then, the score is tallied. A bag on the board is worth one point, and a bag in the hole is worth three points. However, bags from the opposing team can offset the score. For example, if all of player A’s bags landed on the board, and player B only made one bag in the hole, then player A scores one point for their team.

Boards from Kevin Weaver Bags from Shady Lane Selections

After one side tosses, the next side tosses their bags. The player on the team that scored recently will toss first. This continues until one team scores 21 or more points. That team is then declared the winner! Regardless of how you play, cornhole is a simple, fun game for the whole family, and it requires minimal materials. The Zimmerman family purchased their quality set of cornhole boards from a young craftsman at their church, Kevin Weaver. You can purchase your set of boards from Kevin for $165! Email [email protected] to order your set today.

Learn more about cornhole from the ACO at AmericanCornhole.com.

2 • THE SWISS CRAFTSMAN

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

When it comes to pollen, people with allergies come down with a case of coughing, sneezing, swollen eyes, and downright misery. Yet, as we reach for antihistamines to combat these symptoms, it’s hard not to notice that these allergies seem to be getting worse and worse with each passing year, and many might not realize that there is a tangible reason why this is happening. It all started in the 1960s. A shipment of logs arrived fromBritain, carrying with it a fungal illness, a strain of Dutch elmdisease, which then infected and attackedmillions of American trees. This lasted for decades and was so severe that by the late 1980s, an estimated 75% of North America’s elms were dead, according to a 1989 newspaper clipping from The New York Times.

little shade or greenery. City planners and landscapers began planting a variety of trees, including ash, mulberry, aspen, pepper, polar, andmaple to bring trees back into the cities. To prevent seeds or overripe fruit from littering the streets, those in charge decided to only plant male trees. After this, the popularity of plantingmale plants and trees became so common that nurseries began sellingmale clones, which were faster and easier to sell than waiting for natural reproduction. However, this had one major side effect. As male trees were planted across the country and grew, they began to send out their pollen in larger and larger quantities. In fact, this occurrence reached the point where a thick yellow fog hovers over many of the cities to this day, earning its own name: pollenpocalypse. Today, many landscapers and city planners are attempting to solve this problem by replacing dying or dead trees

with low-allergy varieties. It is a slow process that still leaves many people having to cope with their allergies in any way they can. As a solution is sought after, people suffering from allergies today lament the choice of plantingmale trees over females nearly 40 years ago. Had only female trees been planted, there would not only be no seeds or overripe fruit, but also no pollen.

The death of so many of the oldest trees in our cities left the streets and parks open, providing

INGREDIENTS • 1 lb ground beef • 1 small onion, chopped • 1 tsp salt • 1 pt pizza sauce • 16 oz cottage cheese

• •

3 eggs

2-3 medium zucchini, cut in 1/4-inch slices

•

Grated cheese (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium skillet, brown meat with onion and salt; stir in sauce.

2. Beat eggs into cottage cheese with a fork. Layer in a 9x13-inch pan, starting with 1/3 meat mixture, then half of cheese mixture, then sliced zucchini.

3. Repeat layers and end with meat.

4. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Remove from oven and top with grated cheese.

Photo Credit: Heather Brooke Zimmerman

302-653-2411 • 3

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

Brought to you by KCS Builders of American Heirlooms and Penns Creek Furniture The Swiss Craftsman

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

P.O. Box 280 • Kenton, DE 19955 • Phone: (302) 653-2411

Inside this Issue

What Forgiveness Means To Me Page 1

The Worst Poet Ever Known

Cornhole: An Easy Family-Friendly Game That Will Keep Everyone Entertained Page 2

Why Does Pollenpocalypse Exist?

Zucchini Lasagna Page 3

The Strangest Holidays in August Page 4

ARE THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR?

February has Valentine’s Day; September has Labor Day; December, of course, has Christmas; and August has, um, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. August may not host any major holidays, but it doesn’t lack for some of the goofiest on the calendar.

Aug. 6: National Wiggle Your Toes Day

While the origin of this holiday is uncertain, it’s held every year on Aug. 6. To celebrate, people are encouraged to wear sandals, flip- flops, or other toe-exposing footwear. You can also frolic barefoot in the grass or simply stretch those digits throughout the day. Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards devoted to National Wiggle Your Toes Day anytime soon.

Aug. 17: National Thrift Shop Day

Thrift shops are a staple of American commerce, so it makes sense that there is a day devoted to them. Take the day to hunt for lost treasures and screaming deals. Many thrift shops also benefit nonprofit organizations, giving you even more reason to frequent them.

Aug. 13: Left-Handers Day

Aug. 27: National ‘Just Because’ Day

About 10% of the population is left-handed. Lefties may be stuck in a right-hand-dominant world, but on Aug. 13, they rule the roost. Originally founded in England, Left-Handers Day has taken off in the U.S. Righties are encouraged to try out a left-handed approach for the day. Lefties, for their part, are free to be themselves.

This celebration is really scratching the bottom of the holiday barrel. Joseph J. Goodwin created National “Just Because” Day in the 1950s. It’s a day to do something “just because.” Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There’s no one way to celebrate, which is fitting, given that the existence of the holiday seems to defy logic altogether.

4 • THE SWISS CRAFTSMAN

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com