Wednesday Medley Lighting the Way...

Everything below is from the National Day Calendar website.

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY – August 7

  

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY

Observed annually on August 7, National Lighthouse Day honors the beacon of light that for hundreds of years symbolized safety and security for ships and boats at sea.  At one time, the beacon of light could be found across almost all of America’s shorelines.

A lighthouse is described as a tower, building or any other type of structure that is designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways. 

Lighthouse Facts

• Mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbors
• Assist in aerial navigation
• The number of lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance. Modern electric navigational systems are replacing them. 
• Their light source is called a lamp (either electric or oil-fueled).
• Originally lit by an open fire and then candles.
• Differ depending on the location and purpose but have standard components
• The lantern room is a glassed-in housing at the top of a lighthouse tower
• Beneath the lantern room is the Watch Room or Service Room 
• Next to the Watch room is an open gallery.
• Development accelerated in the 17th century with Britain’s Trinity House constructing its first in 1609.
• In North America, St. Augustine, Florida built the first lighthouse. Printed on a 1791 map, it had been built by Menendez after his landing in 1586.
• Boston Light built on little Brewster Island next in 1716.
• The oldest existing lighthouse in the United States is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey.  Built in the year 1764, this lighthouse is still in operation.
• At the end of the 19th century, the United States had the most lighthouses of any nation.
• The 9th Act of the first Congress created the US Bureau of Lighthouses in 1789, which placed lighthouses under federal control.
• The United States Coast Guard took over on July 7, 1939.
• Hobbyists enjoy visiting and photographing lighthouses. They also collect ceramic 

Everything above is from the National Day Calendar website.

1.  Let's start with a number! How many lighthouses have you visited?  Gosh, maybe three or four.  It is not really my thing.

2.  Have you been inside a lighthouse and did you walk to the top?  No, I've not been inside one and I couldn't walk to the top if I wanted to (maybe this time next year!!).  We did visit the lighthouse in St. Augustine with grandson Tristan back in August 2010.  He did climb to the top.  

3.  Do you seek them out when you are traveling the coastlines or are you not that big a fan?  They are always interesting and some are pretty but we don't seek them out.

4.  Do you have a favorite scripture or another reference to share with us concerning a guiding light in your life?  Psalm 27:1  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

5.  If you don't collect lighthouses when you travel, is there something tangible that you tend to collect as a souvenir when you are on vacation or a road trip?  I mentioned this in a previous blog.  I used to collect Cat's Meows but I don't have any more room for them so quit buying them years ago.  Here is a link for Cat's Meow, if you are interested.

6.  Please share something with us about your week.  I have nothing exciting going on this week to report about.  Joe got the oil changed in the car yesterday.  He has an echocardiogram today, to check on his heart valve.  Tomorrow I have blood work for my endocrinologist.  See... nothing exciting.  Hoping for good news with Joe's heart.  I am still working on my closet project, a little at a time. Ho-hum.

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