Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in FYI.
The Jewish Princess
My family is one of the oldest Jewish families that exists and can be traced right back to the Tribes of Judea with Cohen's (Kohen) being the patrilineal ancestors of the priests of the Temple of Jerusalem. The Kohanim have continued throughout history in many Synagogues - my father and grandfather are both part of the Kohanim in our Orthodox Jewish Synagogue. The Kohanim are also the last living descendants of the Tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel (then Judea). While many still reside in Israel, slavery and war resulted in the Jewish Diaspora. The Jewish Diaspora is the dispersion of Jews/Israelites across the globe and away from our ancestral homeland. Now, you may see a large number of Jews whose ancestry only takes them back so far which created a number of Jewish ethnic divisions; Ashkenazi (German/Russian/European), Mizrahi (Asian/African), and Sephardi (Hispanic Jews - Spanish/Portuguese heritage). My family, in particular, belongs to the Mizrahim with some family members having Ashkenazim and Sephardic roots.
By Grey Cohen5 years ago in FYI
Do The Stars Really Align?
would like to start off by being blunt. I have never cared much for Zodiac signs. I've always believed that people carry their own thoughts and ambitions, none of which is dictated by the movements of the stars. Much as Vocal as challenged me to write, however, they have now begun to challenge me to learn. In this little article of mine, I will be writing my thoughts as I research my own Zodiac sign.
By The Marvelous Mr. Eden5 years ago in FYI
FYI: Interesting facts about early morning frost
You have no doubt seen the glistening crystals of an early morning frost but perhaps you are unaware of certain pertinent details to this magical icy mist of nature. I have always been amazed at how the sun beams down upon the frozen crystals giving them a look of shimmering diamonds sparkling on the ground. Frost is actually a thin layer of ice on a solid surface. It forms when water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere comes in contact with a solid surface where the temperature is below freezing.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in FYI
A Deeper Dive into Plastic Contamination of the Ocean
With our oceans already filled with over 160 million tons of garbage, our oceans are facing a crisis! It is now estimated that by 2050, plastic debris in the oceans will outnumber fish. Plastic consumption is rapidly increasing, putting marine life in harm's way and destroying natural ecosystems.
By Naomi Lara5 years ago in FYI
America's Most Popular Blues Legend, A Deal With The Devil?
Many people have heard the story but not many people know the history. If you've heard the story of the "Faustian Pact" it refers to a 15th century deal between a clergyman and the demon Mephistopheles. It's debatable what really happened but the Faustian Deal has become an ingredient in many literary, musical, artistic works, and cinematic pieces. In recent years the pact with the devil, or demons, has become a recurring ingredient in the just ended television series, Supernatural. Most of those deals centered around the characters of the crossroads demons, most notably the character of Mark Sheppards' Crowley.
By Jason Ray Morton 5 years ago in FYI
To be or not to be an Aries
When I hear my friends talk about their zodiacs and their connection to the universe I try not to feed into their beliefs. I want to stand out of the crowd and be unique. I don’t want to believe that I’m just like every other Aries out there. And yet as I was challenged to look into the personality characteristics of an Aries I found myself checking boxes like following a recipe. I’m not pleased with that at all. I’m adventurous. I’ve been zip-lining in the Dominican Republic, skydiving in Illinois and parasailing in Mexico. The typical person doesn’t do that. I’m kind and I have a good heart, but most people are only out for themselves. I spent almost an hour trying to convince myself that I was the exception to the Aries stereotypes, then I actually researched my zodiac. Crap.
By Nicole Franklin5 years ago in FYI
Agecroft Hall, Virginia
Richmond businessman Thomas C. Williams was part of Virginia's upper-class society. A set that promoted antiquarianism and Anglophile attitudes.[1] Williams was planning on building an English manor-style house on the James river and so he travelled to England, in search of items and inspiration for his new home.[2] Whilst Williams initially travelled for inspiration, he ended up purchasing an entire fifteenth-century medieval manor house in Pendlebury, Greater Manchester, called Agecroft Hall.[3] The Agecroft Hall that Williams purchased can be dated to around the end of the reign of Henry VII, or the beginning of that of Henry VIII, although parts of the south and west wings appear to have been built about a century later. The home once consisted of twenty rooms including a great hall, parlour, dining parlour, several bed chambers and a private chapel. [4] However, the home went through many changes and renovations throughout its years, including a fire in 1894, which destroyed two wings of the house.[5]
By Armchair Detective5 years ago in FYI
