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Categories
Category Archives: History
Becoming a dual citizen
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
Inspiration in a letter from the past
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
Bicycle travels: Nashua River Rail Trail
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
Going historical, going pirate, adding a blog
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
Freedom of the blog
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
Posted in History
Tagged Blogging, freedom of the press, History, news, Peter Zenger, philosophy, Press, Zenger
2 Comments
The trial, Chapter 25 of Prophecies and Penalties, and Queen Caroline’s trial
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
It is good to be the king
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
Posted in History
Tagged constitutional monarchy, Duke of Monmouth, Emperor Norton, Great Britain, History, monarchy, satire, Sweden, United Kingdom
6 Comments
For love of maps
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
Posted in History
Tagged Baltic states, Cuttyhunk, History, Literary Digest, map, maps, memoir, National Geographic, Reminiscence, Travel
12 Comments
Chapter 21 of Prophecies and Penalties, whippings and prisons
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 detective story, Fiction, judicial punishment, murder mystery, Writing
8 Comments
Chapter 20 of Prophecies and Penalties
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