The Continuous Changes of Conlin McClaflin

The Battle of Culloden  Today, 277 years ago, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart, known as the Bonnie Prince Charlie, was defeated at Culloden Moor by the Duke of Cumberland, the son of the King of England. At this battle, the final Jacobite Rebellion was crushed, along with any hope of Scottish autonomy from the English. This post is a commemoration of that battle, and a 'well done' to those brave men who fought on that moor all those centuries ago. Among the dead was my clan's chief, Lachlan MacLachlan, 17th of that Ilk, who was carried from his horse by and English cannonball. He was leading the charge towards the English lines. Many of his clansmen did not make it there, being cut down by the muskets and cannons of the English. Today, you can visit Culloden Moor. Gravestones are set up commemorating the supposed places the clansmen and their chiefs fell. Many people, inspired by the well-known TV show Outlander, place flowers and memorial items at the Fraser cla...

 National Tartan Day It just so happens that Maundy Thursday falls on the same day as another holiday, though not one that is widely remembered, or, for that matter, observed. I myself only learned about it recently, but it warrants a post on this blog, being mostly Scottish in nature. I'm talking about National Tartan Day. It celebrates not only Scottish heritage in general, but the Declaration of Arbroath signing in 1320. The holiday started in Canada in the 1980s, and spread in the 1990s. In Australia, a similar day is observed on July 1st, called International Tartan Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the repeal of the Tartan Ban, which was enacted in September 1746, and fully repealed over a hundred years later (there were several partial repeals and renewals during that hundred years).  Tartan Day celebrations generally include bagpipe bands, Scottish parades, Highland dancing, and other Scottish events. Do you have a favorite tartan? A clan to support/represent...

 MAUNDY THURSDAY If there's anybody out there who celebrates Easter, you'll probably know that today is Maundy Thursday. This is the day that, 2,000 years ago, Jesus instituted Communion, washed the disciple's feet, and took them out into the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.. Four days before, he had come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, the people crying 'Hosanna!' Barely twelve hours from now, those same people, having found that he would not be a political king to save them from the Romans, screamed again, but different words: 'Crucify Him, crucify Him!' What are some favorite Maundy Thursday traditions? Comment them.

 Background: My brother was told he had to read a poem for an event at our co-op last year. He didn't want to, so together, we wrote the following poem, but didn't finish,m because my mom called it "discouraging." This year, before the poetry reading again, we refined and finished it, but again, it was vetoed. Enjoy, and put your thoughts in the comment section. Parody of The Raven, AKA (*comment alternate title ideas below*) Once upon a midday dreary, While I stand here weak and weary Reading a poem never dared to be spoken before While I'm up here, book before me In my room I would like to be I want to stop reading this boring piece of lore I'm only up here, cause my parents With desire incoherent Made me say this, what an awful, boring chore Reading poems is such a bore. So now I stand here weak and weary Reading this poem, so long and dreary This is a boring piece of English lore My tongue is getting really sore Now my soul within me burning My stomach roi...