11-11-2025 11:05am

The American Revolution and Beyond

Christine Larkin Editor

This photo was taken by me on the grounds of Sagtikos Manor at one of their historical events.

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND BEYOND

Tuesday, November 11, is Veteran's Day. This is the day we honor all American veterans from the American Revolution and beyond. Thank you for your service.

I've been watching the series, Poldark, now streaming on Netflix. It's robbing my sleep as I've been bingeing its five seasons. The series takes you from the American Revolutionary War to Cornwall in England. Poldark is a British historical drama created and written by Debbie Horsfield and based on the novel series of the same name by Winston Graham. Set between 1781 and 1801, it stars Irish Actor, Aidan Turner, as Ross Poldark, a British Army veteran of the American Revolutionary War, who returns to his home in Cornwall to find that his father has died, leaving his estate in ruins. The series follows his efforts to rebuild his fortune with the aid of his maid-turned-wife Demelza, as well as his relationships with his cousins Elizabeth Poldark and Francis Poldark, and his rival George Warleggan. Cousins married in those days. Apparently, some still do.

I've always loved stories about the American Revolution. Maybe it's because growing up on Long Island, I lived near Sagtikos Manor and played on its grounds. George Washington stayed here on his tour of Long Island during the war. We played for endless hours on those grounds. There was also a vast abandoned farm nearby. We imagined Indians still lived there. This was colonial property. This is when I fell in love with American history.

The manor was originally built in 1697 and has been a significant part of Long Island's history. It has been a residence for various families, including the Thompson and Gardiner families and has witnessed many historical events including being used as a local headquarters for British forces during the American Revolution. It is now operated by The Sagtikos Manor Historical Society and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The American Revolution, which spans over the years 1765-1783, was a pivotal conflict in which the Thirteen Colonies in North America fought for independence from British rule. It began with rising tensions over taxation and governance, leading to the outbreak of actual war in 1775 that lasted until 1783. Key events included the Battles of Lexington and Concord, The Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the eventual victory at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. The revolution concluded with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, establishing the United States of America as a sovereign nation. God Bless America.

When you think about the wars that Americans have fought since the American Revolution, keep in mind the sacrifices brave men and women have made so we can live a better life with freedom, liberty, and justice for all. It may be an ideal, but it is something to continue to strive for. That's what it means to be American.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, we may be a veteran ourselves or at least know a few. Let's honor them every day.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - THE NO REQUEST BAND

My pick of the week is The No Request Band performing at The Boulton Center in Bay Shore this Saturday night, November 15. This is a local band that plays blues, rock, and music you can move to. For tickets and information, visit www.boultoncenter.org

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SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK - VETERAN'S DAY

The highlight of the week was honoring our American Veteran's. We would not have the freedoms we do without your sacrifice. Thank you.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK - TRUE HERO

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK - PROTECT OUR VETS

Dear God,

Please protect all veterans of war today and every day with your love and grace. Amen.

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SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: Thank you for your sacrifice.

Italian: Grazie per il tuo sacrificio.

SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DESIGN TIP OF THE WEEK - "More is more and less is a bore." - Iris Apfel

The phrase "less is a bore" was coined by architect Robert Venturi as a critique of minimalist design, which is often summarized by the phrase "less is more." Venturi argued for a more complex and interesting approach to architecture, advocating for designs that embrace complexity and contradiction rather than simplicity.

According to The Business of Home, maximalism is more popular since the COVID lockdown because people were forced to spend more time indoors. Our homes became our sanctuaries as we started to surround ourselves more with the things we love.

I have to agree. I love maximalism. Don't be afraid to crowd a room with the things YOU love.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK - HONORING OUR VETERANS

What do you do to honor our veterans?

Please put your answer in the Comment section of this post. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - STAR SPANGLED BANNER (NATIONAL ANTHEM) by WHITNEY HOUSTON

LYRICS

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam
In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE

My brand, Skylark Live, began when I turned 60 and noticed a profound shift. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature aging through knowledge and self-awareness. Andiamo! Let's go!

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day. Saluti!