Category Archives: History

Becoming a dual citizen

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Brian Bixby

I recently turned myself into a dual citizen. I’m now a citizen both of the United States, where I was born, and of Ireland, where I have ancestors. So I have two perfectly legal passports. This was not something I’d … Continue reading →

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Inspiration in a letter from the past

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Brian Bixby

Just today I stumbled across a letter I had long forgotten, a letter I wrote my parents on their 39th wedding anniversary. That was over 23 years ago. They saved it.♥ There was one passage that explains a lot about … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Bicycle travels: Nashua River Rail Trail

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Brian Bixby

This story begins almost two centuries ago, when the mills came to New England. They built great cities; Waltham and Lowell were but the first. And these cities sat on rivers, for the mills needed water power to run their … Continue reading →

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Going historical, going pirate, adding a blog

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Brian Bixby

As some of you know, I have a string of degrees, some even in related subjects, to follow my name when I bother to use them. (I rarely bother, though when I’m feeling snooty, I sometimes insist on being called … Continue reading →

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Freedom of the blog

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Brian Bixby

It was on this date in 1735 that a jury, in contravention to established law, acquitted Peter Zenger of libel against the colonial governor of New York, on the grounds that the so-called libels were actually true. It’s a celebrated … Continue reading →

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The trial, Chapter 25 of Prophecies and Penalties, and Queen Caroline’s trial

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Brian Bixby

The trial is on! Defendant: Emily Fisher. Charges: Demonolatry, corrupting the young. Court: the High Council of the Children of the New Revelation. Prosecutor: Harold Lewis, of the High Council. Defender: Sonia Hoopes, Treasurer, Milltown council. In the eyes of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

It is good to be the king

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Today’s the 37th birthday of the heir to the throne of Sweden (Happy birthday, Vicky!) and tomorrow’s the 329th anniversary of execution of the would-be heir to the British throne, the Duke of Monmouth. Americans are rather ignorant of monarchies, … Continue reading →

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For love of maps

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Brian Bixby

I grew up a map fiend. No, this is not a statement of my spiritual status, but instead a proclamation of an abiding interest in maps. When I was a kid, we got many maps through National Geographic Magazine, which tended … Continue reading →

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Chapter 21 of Prophecies and Penalties, whippings and prisons

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Brian Bixby

A whipping? Emily Fisher has never attended one, and never meant to. But a man is being whipped because he spat on her, and the community expects Emily to witness justice. But it is not just the whipped man who … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Chapter 20 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Brian Bixby

For Emily Fisher, bumping into people has ceased to be a figure of speech. She’d tell you it’s not her fault; she’s not normally clumsy, but between being shot at and taking paths that defy geography, her life has become … Continue reading →

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