Any one going to watch COLONIAL HOUSE tonight?

At the time of the writing of the Constitution, several of the States had a state preferred religion, so the Framer's left that issue to the individual states.

The Amendment you are referring to has both exclusionary, and declarative clauses, but no, there is no seperation of Church and State, not as most people define it today(which was primarily defined in a 1940 Supreme Court case, butthat's another argument).

However, all of this does not amount to a hill of beans when looked at through the prism of time in which the colonists lived. As someone has already stated, the 1600s were definitely not the latter 1700s.

The gay guy had a one-nighter with th egovernor right before he left. The black guy got the heck out of there before they made him a slave. One guy dies og Bubonic Plague. Indians ravaged the village after being insulted by a negetative reaction to their trade offers. You didn't miss much.

After much soul searching, Danny Tisdale left the colony.

The Wyers' daughter in Texas apparently became ill and the Wyers left the colony for good. Don Heinz was made governor and Carolyn Heinz, suffering from delusions of royalty, tries to become the Perle Mesta of the New World. With the Wyers gone, it now becomes more apparent that the rest of the colony despises the Heinz duo. (One of the other men, Dom?, does a stellar impersonation of Don Heinz.) Revealing their true character, one of the first actions taken by the new governor and his first lady is evicting Jonathon from their house to sleep in the old governor's house with the other servants.

A new man arrives, Jack Lecza, as a representative of The Company. He immediately looks around at the waste and sloth and determines that things had better change. He takes a walk through the colony and points out several food sources including a wealth of clams available for the digging. While Jack and one of the other men, Paul?, dig clams, Don Heinz skulks some distance from them watching and talking about how Jack is going to find out that it's hard work to dig those clams. The inference I got was that Don thought it better to starve than dig. (Too bad the producers didn't bury kegs of ale, Don would almost certainly have been out there every day with shovel in hand.)

Michelle Voorhees' failure to go to church becomes an issue once again. Her husband tries to talk to her reasonably about this but she insists that they are being persecuted. John Voorhees then resigns from his position with the council to show his support for his wife, even quoting some of her words as though they were his own. Michelle makes a comment to the effect that she hopes the others will understand the statement that John has made by resigning. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to grasp that her husband made this gesture out of loyalty to her. He didn't have a problem with the other men. Michelle even fell back on trying to squeeze out a few tears, telling her husband she just didn't think the others appreciated John the way they should. (I thought a true feminist would disdain such blatantly sexist tactics as crying to get her way.)

Jonathan tells Don and Carolyn that, now that Jack is staying in the former Wyers house with their servants, perhaps it would be more appropriate if he, Jonathan, moved back in with Don and Carolyn since he is their servant. Don, looking extremely constipated, says he undertands Jonathan's point. Carolyn, who looks like she just ate a road apple, stands there looking at Don, saying nothing. They make no response to Jonathan and he leaves, confused and hurt.

Those are the highlights, there was more. If you watch your PBS schedule, there should be a rerun of this.

At least the company guy has some knowledge of foraging :worship: .Still dont care for the preacher and his wife,shes kinda stuck up,he never does ANYTHING.And Mrs V :waa: should get put in the stocks for a while,then church wouldnt be so bad.Need to keep it more period correct.Hmmmm....I must have missed the part where the Indians killed half the colony(though they probably should just to stop the whining :waa: :waa: .LOL :haha: :haha: :haha:

What's wrong with going to school in TEXAS????

Might mention that even Henry David Thoreau in early 19th century USA had problems with imposed religion. He was arrested for not paying tithes to his church of record. He pointed out that he had never joined such church, nor ever attended it, but apparently his dad or other relative had so he was legally assumed to be a member. He had to publically disavow his connection to said church to be free of future debt to it.

I might also further point out that it was not uncommon in my lifetime for buisinessmen especially to join a church to look good in the community and attract buisiness from fellow members. Less so today in metro areas not so concerned about what church somebody belongs to. Pure politics, had nothing to do about their personal beliefs. Notice the Cape Inspector at Colonial House Colony who is ceo in real life said his wife is expected to attend certain functions that she hasnt the slightest interest in just because of his job.

Been thinking about it. Since many of the indentured servants were there as punishment, the 6 hour mandatory church services may have been in part a heavy handed authoritarian attempt to make them see the light. Think some misunderstood the 3hr service mentioned. There were two three hour services or at least suppose to be to be true to the time. I mean everybody would be snoring and preacher hoarse if it were straight six hours nonstop.

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

It was a shameless pot-shot at GW and the sorry state of his state. Young AaronGamer would have in the educational system at about the right time.

New Guy, Jack Lecza "thumbs Up" at least he seems to have some ideas.

Indian Trade "thumbs down" :no: that was the worst trade I've seen. First off the Indians need to quit "whining" about 21st century issues in 1628 forum. From what I read not only did PBS pay for the trees cut but gave the trees back to them to be processed. And for the MORE people issue the Colony lost the Governor and his family That's 4 gone and 1 "newbie" in. Besides if we have been trading for 30 years at this point in time THEN wouldn't we already know what trade items to ship over to get best deal??? AND where is our trade specialist that speaks the native language Surely after 30 years of Trade we have that. What about POTASH as a viable product to be sent to pay off the colony's bill. Have not seen any gold panning or prospecting either.

Just thinking out loud But wouldn't the Colony have a Wall around it to keep the colonist safe at night from indian attacks?

Tonights previews did seem more like reality TV than any thing else.

I hate to jump on the bandwagon because I kind of like it and I think it's something decent to watch over all the other CRAP on TV ... for the most part but...
I heard several whining about the hard work. They said they had to work 10, 11 and even 12 hours a day and 6 days a week Yeah. A lot of us do that now then come home and take care of the animals, the yard etc.etc. This isn't supposed to be a camping trip. OK ... I'm done.

Is it going to be on again tonight?

Glad to see the new Gov. has a work ethic!

I see those boys wrestling and dueling in the field and wonder why they arent digging clams or chopping wood or hunting or fishing ( there abilities SUCK!!!). My 3yo is more productive than alot of them!

Mr. Heinz does nothing but run his (boring) mouth. And his wife.....drives me crazy.

They need an herbalist to give Mrs. Vorhees PMS relievers....apparently drinking and smoking arent helping.

Blueberries are incredibly thick here in Maine and one could pick 5 gallons in 3-4hrs by hand....without a rake. They should not be hungry!

Also the Indians could have taught them about stealing eggs from bird nests etc if they would barter more...

You have confirmed what I already thought because I have been extremely puzzled by their lack of food. From the beginning it looked as though there was food surrounding them if they would just go find it. Since I haven't been to Maine I thought maybe I was mistaken. I don't think it's because they're 'city folk'. They just don't seem to have the initiative.

Yes, tonight will be the conclusion of the series. BTW, I read an interview yesterday that indicates the next PBS 'House' project will be in the Southwest.

The six hours was true of the Puritan sect, three hours in the morning, three in the afternoon. Apparently the Anglican colonies did only three hours in the morning.

Yep, their hunting abilities stank, but then so did the hunting abilities of the original colonists too which is one reason why so many of them starved to death. Remember they are supposed to be from seventeenth century Europe where virtually all the land was in the hands of the aristocracy who tightly controlled the hunting privileges. A very different model than what we have here in the modern day United States. A good many seventeenth century Europeans and twenty first century Americans might have very little knowledge beyond the theoretical of how to hunt.

They do need more people, that's for sure. But in the short run more people would only exacerbate their infrastructure and food problems. Very foolish to be spending so much time and effort the first year in trying to send back trade goods, but then it seems that's the way some of the colonies were run. More than one failed or were abandoned outright because of foolish policies.

.....Alan.

Then one has to wonder about the "company" who would send a group of people into wilderness without any of them having hunting skills. I'm sure those aristocrats with all the land and hunting privileges didnt do it all themselves. They probably had expert hunters on staff. Shouldnt the companies do the same? Or at least an expert fisherman? As a company looking for profit, I would want to do what I could to insure my investment succeeded. By way many peasants knew how to set an anonymous rabbit snare and did indeed poach off aristocrat lands.

Shoot, even an inexperienced hunter can bait for game. Put little grain out in area where deer or whatever you are after travel and there you go. Or just sit quietly in a tree until animals get close. Trying to run an animal down is got to be the hardest way to hunt and losey meat due to all the adrenelin.

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

If I had to sit thru six hours of Heinz I'd either do myself or him in. On the other hand if they'd had the Baptist preacher up there it might just have been worthwhile. The Baptist preacher's I've heard preach-teach from the Bible not all the PC garbage Heinz is concerned with. The guy is obviously in love with the sound of his own voice. I wonder if when the Heinz's watch the program they'll realize what self-important jerks they are or preen themselves on such a good presentation of their superior intelligence??? Also, don't your just love it when someone whines about lack of leadership while doing all possible to undermine said leadership as Mr. H. did. I've been impressed with Mr. V's integrity in dealing with both his stubborn wife and the community. His resignation shows real character.

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This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

So in last night's episode, did Carolyn Heinz remind anyone else, besides me, of Hillary Clinton?

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This is the government the Founding Fathers warned us about.....

A few more things about Maine....

Mid May will give you fiddleheads
End of June wild strawberries
Mid July raspberries (plentiful along roads and cutover woods)
August will give blueberries for 4-6 weeks (through Labor day)
Apples late August - Sept. Apple trees are good hunting spots too!
Cranberries can be found in boggy spots as well as Moose
Canadian geese and various ducks would be teaching babies to swim mid to late May and so could be netted and farm raised (babies) earlier nests could be raided for eggs. I think wild turkeys were plentiful back then (but not yet rebounded that far north in Maine today)
If they found a stream May through July would be good trout fishing. Tidal pools could give some shellfish.

Climbing a tree and being quiet is a better way to hunt. Squirrels are plentiful and so are acorns!

These people are pathetic.

I'm not sure, but werent apple trees brought from Europe as seed? If so then early on there arent going to be any apple trees.

Are oak trees numerous in Maine? Know when I lived in northern Michigan, there were a few red oak but very few. There were lot of chokecherries, which I assume if you desperate, you could dry them for use in winter.

Remember 1628 was at end of an ice age so climate colder and wild things available now, might not have been available then.

One other curiosity, the Cape Mechant was pointing out cedar tree and talking about making tea for vitamin c. I thought it was fir needles that you made the tea with. Anyone care to clarify.

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"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

"The Nations of the Adirondacks (meaning "tree eaters") ate the inner bark of White Pines (Pinus strobus) as one of their primary winter foods. During the first winter in the "New World", many colonists died of scurvey, caused by a severe lack of vitamin C. Native American's offered the recipe of pine needle tea. (Weed) Pine needles are now known to manufacture large concentrations of vitamins A and C. "It has been estimated that a cupful of strong pine needle tea has more vitamin C than the average lemon." (Vitale) Boiled mashed inner bark, and pine tar salve was used to heal injuries. Dried needles were placed in open jars to sweeten home environments. (Weed, Vitale)"

Who knew? I would have tried the inner white pine bark back when lived in upper Michigan. Had lot of white pine. By way apparently spruce, fir, and pine needle tea is drinkable and high vitamin. Another site I found said new tip growth is best and they recommended spruce for mildness.

Edit: Ok, cedar tea has been used for vitamin C. Here is link to story of indians curing french with cedar tea so must be northern white cedar: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/expl...h3-1117-e.html

The internet is great isnt it.

Didnt mention vitamin c, but here is red cedar tea excerpt so guess you can use both:

"Medicinal Properties: Fresh tinctures are most effective in transferring Red Cedar's strong antifungal and antibacterial qualities. Though it may take a week, it will cure various tineas—tinea versicolor, athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, and nail fungi—if applied consistently two to three time per day. An infusion for douche can be taken every other day, along with a tea (also taken on alternating days), for chronic vaginitis with long, slow menses.
Red Cedar tea and tincture stimulates many smooth muscle, and can thus be taken to aid respiratory, urinary tract, and reproductive problems. The best remedy for chronic, mucousy bronchial afflictions is to put a teaspoon of the tincture into some simmering water and inhale the steam. Thujas are so useful for chronic bladder and urethral irritability because they stimulate the vascular capillary beds to grow and tighten, heat and cool, and should be taken twice daily as a cold infusion to help such conditions.
As an immunostimulant, it can be taken in small, daily doses (as long as kidney disorders or pregnancy is not an issue) to boost resistance to chronic respiratory and intestinal infections."

__________________
"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman