Poignant and Inspiring

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

An Amazon Review

By Heather - January 9, 2014
Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a beautiful collection of letters that represents the kind of story most people dream of having themselves. The introductory material explains how the couple came together and also paints a vivid picture of the early 1900s in America and Jamaica. It gives you great context to understand the letters and how extraordinary their lives were.

You first hear from their youngest daughter, Ruth, who explains the origin of their family and describes her father so well it’s impossible not to feel you know him and love him already. It’s clear from the beginning that he was an exceptional man that worked extremely hard for his family to prosper in a new country. While it’s obvious someone had to be tough to make it in those days (or any days, really), Ruth makes sure you know how gentle and loving this man was. He left such a strong, positive impression on everyone in his life; it’s amazing.

Then you meet Judith Lovell, the granddaughter. She took on the massive task of researching family history and compiling the letters into this book. Through the process she learned a great deal about the community David Hurd was born in and the community he moved to as a young man. Lovell does an excellent job at putting you in his shoes and seeing what life was like. She includes several pictures so you can see the people you’re reading about (something I really appreciate). And she recounts her own visit to her family’s homeland to give an updated picture of what Jamaica is like today.

David and Avril were “introduced” by family and the pen pal relationship grew quickly into an engagement. Because of the distance, it was an incredible feat to find love and develop such a strong family. Long distance now is considered nearly impossible and that’s with all the modern advantages that we have. In 1914, all they could do was mail a letter and wait, wait, wait. In fact, the waiting is a common complaint on both their sides. It’s hard for us to imagine waiting over a week for a letter from a beloved and I can’t imagine it was much easier then.

They are both very religious people and I believe that went a long way to helping them deal with the distance and waiting and all around giant leap of faith. But if you’re not particularly religious or not Christian, I beg you not to decide against this book because of it. I ask that you instead find their faith in each other and a higher power admirable. It’s certainly not a book that is trying to preach. It’s simply trying to show the dedication and love this man had for his future wife. But their faith is certainly praiseworthy and, in my opinion, explains how they made this work as well as they did. They were both strong people who weren’t afraid to take a risk for something they believed in.

You ease into the letters a bit at first while Ruth and Judith set the scene for you. It’s apparent from the beginning that David Hurd is well spoken and intelligent. Then it becomes even more apparent how hopelessly head over heels he is for Avril. Once you get into back-to-back letters it’s difficult to stay distant. You will remember that these were real people, not just characters, and be stunned at the openness between them. Love stories these days are so often about the flowery. It’s perfection or bust. But that’s just not real love and we all know it. These letters, while all lovely and touching, show the struggles of a newly minted couple. The difficult subjects aren’t edited out. Neither are the views that may seem outdated to some (such as her concerns about having to get a job and his reassuring her that he was a real man who would keep her from that). While that may make some women cringe, it’s crucial in any nonfiction work to keep in mind the times the people lived. This was an amazing and likely crucial promise he made to her, especially considering how he was just starting to get his feet under him at the time.

I found these letters remarkable and I applaud this family for maintaining their history and heritage the way they have. It’s clear there was a lot of love in this family from the early letters through the front matter written by David’s descendants. If you’re looking for a real and inspiring love story, this is it. While some aspects are hard to relate to now (namely pen pals and snail mail), it’s extremely easy to be swept away by their story. Every family should have such a strong leader at the helm.

April Douglas

J. Paul Getty

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The grandson of J. Paul Getty was found dead today  "under suspicious circumstances," his ex-girlfriend is currently detained as a possible witness/suspect. 

Andrew Getty's father, Gordon Getty, is one of the richest men in the U.S. Forbes put Gordon's wealth at $2.1 billion ... the family was listed as the 54th richest ... worth an estimated $5 billion. Read on ...

J. Paul Getty: The industrial patriarch who founded the Getty dynasty. He made his first million dollars by the age of 24 and his fortune thrived during the Great Depression.

Getty was known for being a miser - he once instaled a pay phone at his British stately home.

Despite his business success, he had five failed marriages - three in the 1920s alone.

He had five son with four of the wives - George Franklin Getty II (1924–1973); Jean Ronald Getty (born 1929); Eugene Paul Getty, later John Paul Getty Jr (1932–2003) and Gordon Peter Getty (born 1934) and Timothy Ware Getty (1946–1958).

+12

John Paul Getty III had his ear cut off by Italian mobsters after being held to ransom for a portion of his wealthy family's fortune - which his grandfather initially refused to pay

John Paul Getty III: The oil heir was kidnapped in Rome at the age of 16 by Italian mobsters who demanded $17million for his safe return.

His grandfather, J Paul Getty, initially refused to pay the ransom, thinking that his wild grandson had staged his own kidnapping to extract money from him.

In November 1973, a lock of hair and an ear were posted to a newspaper with a threat to send the rest of the teenager's multilated bodies in bits.

The Gettys finally agreed to pay $3million and the teen was found alive at an Italian gas station.

John Paul Getty III was scarred both physically and mentally by the traumatic experience.

He became a drug addict and in 1981, he suffered a strok from excessive alcohol and drug use. He was left without speech, nearly blind and partially paralyzed. He died at the age of 54.

Timothy Ware Getty: Born to J. Paul Getty's fifth wife, Timmy developed a brain tumor at the age of six and was left blind. After years of seeing specialists, he died at the age of 12. 

According to a memoir published by his fifth wife, Louise Dudley 'Teddy' Lynch, in 2013, her husband admonished her for the cost of the medical bills. Getty, who was living in England, did not attend his son's funeral in the U.S. and the couple divorced that year. 

Gordon Getty: Andrew Getty's father, Gordon Getty, was embroiled in a scandal in 1999 when it was revealed the San Francisco social maven had been keeping a secret family in LA.

The revelation was made when Getty's three daughters with secret girlfriend Cynthia Beck filed papers in court to change their last name and secure a fraction of their father's fortune.

Gordon's wife Ann and their sons had allegedly known about the Becks for some time, and she decided to stay with her husband, despite his infidelity. 

Two lives: Andrew Getty's father Gordon Getty pictured in 1986, a decade before his secret family was revealed

The move was allegedly pushed by Gordon's daughters, who were eight, ten and 14 years old at the time, according to their lawyer Stephen Burgin.

'They know and love their dad and wanted to bear his name. It's fairly straightforward. Their mother is aware of it, but this is not her issue, it's their issue,' Burgin said.

Gordon put up no fight.

'Nicolette, Kendalle and Alexandra are my children,' he said in a statement through his lawyer in 1999.

'Their mother, Cynthia Beck, and I love them very much. The most important concern is that the children's needs be addressed … this will be our first priority. The Getty family has been fully supportive throughout this situation, and for that I am very grateful.'

While he acted as his father's sucessor in the family business, Gordon Getty's real passion was music. He studied music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has composed two operas and other classical works.

He and his wife also run the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, a charitable trust which they invested $3 million into in 2002. Though he is a registered Republican. Gordon Getty has held numerous fundraisers for Democratic candidates like Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry.

• J. Paul Getty Jean Paul Getty (December 15, 1892 – June 6, 1976) was an American industrialist.[2] He founded the

Ireland’s last witch trial

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Today in Irish History: 31 March 1711 – Ireland’s last witch trial.

Seven women from Island Magee, Co Antrim are imprisoned and pilloried for ‘bewitching’ a woman named Mary Dunbar, who experienced strange fits and visions.

The last trial for witchcraft in Ireland–there were never very many–thus given in MacSkimin’s History of Carrickfergus: “1711, March 31st, Janet Mean, of Braid-island; Janet Latimer, Irish-quarter, Carrickfergus; Janet Millar, Scotch-quarter, Carrickfergus; Margaret Mitchel, Kilroot; Catharine M’Calmond, Janet Liston, alias Seller, Elizabeth Seller, and Janet Carson, the four last from Island Magee, were tried here, in the County of Antrim Court, for witchcraft.”

Their alleged crime was tormenting a young woman, called Mary Dunbar, about eighteen years of age, at the house of James Hattridge, Island Magee, and at other places to which she was removed. The circumstances sworn on the trial were as follows:

“The afflicted person being, in the month of February, 1711, in the house of James Hattridge, Island Magee (which had been for some time believed to be haunted by evil spirits), found an apron on the parlour floor, that had been missing some time, tied with five strange knots, which she loosened.

“On the following day she was suddenly seized with a violent pain in her thigh, and afterwards fell into fits and ravings; and, on recovering, said she was tormented by several women, whose dress and personal appearance she minutely described. Shortly after, she was again seized with the like fits, and on recovering she accused five other women of tormenting her, describing them also. The accused persons being brought from different parts of the country, she appeared to suffer extreme fear and additional torture as they approached the hous”It was also deposed that strange noises, as of whistling, scratching, etc., were heard in the house, and that a sulphureous smell was observed in the rooms; that stones, turf, and the like were thrown about the house, and the coverlets, etc., frequently taken off the beds and made up in the shape of a corpse; and that a bolster once walked out of a room into the kitchen with a nightgown about it! It likewise appeared in evidence that in some of her fits three strong men were scarcely able to hold her in the bed; that at times she vomited feathers, cotton yam, pins, and buttons; and that on one occasion she slid off the bed and was laid on the floor, as if supported and drawn by an invincible power. The afflicted person was unable to give any evidence on the trial, being during that time dumb, but had no violent fit during its continuance.”

In defence of the accused, it appeared that they were mostly sober, industrious people, who attended public worship, could repeat the Lord’s Prayer, and had been known to pray both in public and private; and that some of them had lately received communion.

Judge Upton charged the jury, and observed on the regular attendance of accused at public worship; remarking that he thought it improbable that real witches could so far retain the form of religion as to frequent the religious worship of God, both publicly and privately, which had been proved in favour of the accused. He concluded by giving his opinion “that the jury could not bring them in guilty upon the sole testimony of the afflicted person’s visionary images”. He was followed by Judge Macarthy, who differed from him in opinion” and thought the jury might, from the evidence, bring them in guilty”, which they accordingly did.

This trial lasted from six o’clock in the morning till two in the afternoon; and the prisoners were sentenced to be imprisoned twelve months, and to stand four times in the pillory of Carrickfergus.

Tradition says that the people were much exasperated against these unfortunate persons, who were severely pelted in the pillory with boiled cabbage stalks and the like, by which one of them had an eye beaten out.

Source: CelticTwilight

ITV confirms sixth series of Downton Abbey will be its last

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

 'There comes a time when all shows should end': ITV confirms the sixth series of Downton Abbey will be its last after flagging ratings

ITV has confirmed series six of Downton Abbey will be the last for the popular period drama. The announcement was made on Thursday

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3012923/Ray-J-girlfriend-Princess-Love-enjoy-date-night-quits-VH1-reality-effort-save-relationship.html#ixzz3VW7lnyof

Irish love of the macabre and humor

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The Irish have long been known for their love of the macabre and humor, even in death.

IRISHCENTRAL.COM

abolition of the transatlantic trade

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

208 years ago, the formal abolition of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans ended with the passage of the Slave Trade Abolition Bill in the British House of Lords on the 25th of March 1807 ...

April Douglas

timeless New Orleans

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Tour the timeless style of this New Orleans cottage: http://bit.ly/1laQsMv

April Douglas

2,000-year-old tunnel in Teotihuacan

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Washington Post: 2,000-year-old tunnel in Teotihuacan holds ancient mysteries

Remember eleven years ago when a secret tunnel was discovered in Teotihuacan, Mexico? If not, read this. Now, researchers have uncovered...

THEGRIDCODE.NET

Benedict Cumberbatch is related to Richard III

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Benedict Cumberbatch is related to Richard III, scientists say

Actor, who is to play Plantagenet king in BBC’s new Hollow Crown series and take part in his reburial on Thursday, is a second cousin 16 times removed, say experts

THEGUARDIAN.COM

GHANDI

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

GHANDI AND HIS HATRED TOWARD BLACKS AFRICAN PEOPLE.

Our mission is to unite every black family world wide ,We seek to foster a more unified and stronger black community in which our community is included and...

T.CO

the woolly mammoth

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

For the first time, woolly mammoth DNA has been successfully spliced into living elephant cells.

http://archaeology.org/news/3117-150325-woolly-mammoth-genes

(Wikimedia Commons)

April Douglas

Busra Sham, a town in southern Syria classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Syrian rebels capture historic town and key government stronghold near Jordanian border >> http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.648826

April Douglas

El Tajín

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Mesoamerica 

El Tajín flourished from 600 to 1200 AD, and during that time numerous temples, palaces, ballcourts, and pyramids were built. 

Once the city fell in 1230 until nearly the end of the 18th century, no European appears to have known of its existence, until 1785.

new DNA survey

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

A new DNA survey of Europe, Africa, and the Americas has revealed the genetic fingerprints of the slave trade, as well as uncovered a previously unknown Basque contribution to modern-day Mayan genetics.

http://www.archaeology.org/ne…/3115-150325-slave-trade-genes

(University of Oxford)

April Douglas

Chronicles of an Affair

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Chronicles of an Affair with his Secretary, Found in an Abandoned Suitcase

The briefcase was found three decades after the affair took place, abandoned in a German apartment and later sold at auction. The contents of the suitcase,

MESSYNESSYCHIC.COM

memorial honouring victims of transatlantic slave trade

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

UN News - UN to unveil permanent memorial in New York honouring victims of transatlantic slave trade

A permanent memorial to honour the victims of one of the most horrific tragedies of modern history will be revealed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on...

UN.ORG