Monthly Archives: March 2014

Misadventures while nearsighted

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Brian Bixby

I’m nearsighted. Been that way for a long time. Don’t always have my eyes checked until I notice the prescription is off. So I tend to be cautious around things I haven’t really looked at. The cartoonist James Thurber (1894 … Continue reading →

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Chapter 7 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Last chapter concluded with Milltown’s treasurer, Sonia Hoopes, dropping a bombshell in Emily’s lap. This time, it’s Tanya, Emily’s new servant, who does the unexpected. See why Emily needs three hands in “Love and Authority,” chapter 7 of Prophecies and Penalties. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Alchemists of alchemy: Principe and Jonson

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Everything you know about alchemy is wrong. Well, not everything. Yes, some alchemists tried to discover the Philosophers’ Stone, which could turn base metal into gold and guarantee long life and health. Sort of like going to Vegas. In his … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Reading fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Chapter 6 of Prophecies and Penalties, and Spring

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Brian Bixby

In chapter six of Prophecies and Penalties, “Going among the Children,” Emily Fisher returns to the religious communities that she left with her family twenty years ago. Emily’s not exactly looking forward to this, since she’s on a murder investigation, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Dreams

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Brian Bixby

I don’t remember most of my dreams, and I remember few in detail. I don’t think I’m missing out on too much. When I wake up from a dream and try to recall it, I usually find it is logically … Continue reading →

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Chapter 5 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Brian Bixby

So it’s time for Police Chief Bonnie Knowles and newly hired private investigator Emily Fisher to get down to the business of finding the person who murdered High Council member Stephen Nash. Emily’s trying to figure out what’s going on. … Continue reading →

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The Improved Order of the Guano Bats

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Brian Bixby

If you are reading this, you are almost certainly not a member of THE IMPROVED ORDER OF THE GUANO BATS. But you can be a follower. Followers (a.k.a wannabe Guano Bats) are called “owls,” most definitely spelled in lower case, … Continue reading →

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Traveling in imagination to Viking Iceland

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Brian Bixby

I’ve recently been reading books on medieval Iceland. It’s a fascinating period in a curious land. The island was settled by Vikings fleeing from the rule of the first major Norwegian king, Harald Finehair (c. 850 – c. 932), or … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Chapter 4 of Prophecies and Penalties, and charismatic Instruments

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Ethan Knowles may be married to Emily’s former babysitter, but he’s got a history, a history that makes Emily not sure she can trust him. Still, for the moment, he’s the best source she has for what’s going on with … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Review: Leigh Eric Schmidt, Heaven’s Bride

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Seeing that today, March 3, is the anniversary of the passing of the Comstock Act in 1873, I thought it appropriate to review a book about one of the victims of the Comstock Act, Ida C. Craddock (1857-1902). First, a … Continue reading →

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