Since Dave was having minor surgery, we took our Christmas tree down on the 3rd of this year, which is early for us. Dave’s birthday is on the 5th, so his family left the decorations up through his birthday. When we got married, I adopted this tradition. And when our son came along on January […]
Maryland Leads the Way Read More »
Today is the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, which, along with the summer solstice and the two equinoxes, mark the quarter points of the Earth’s journey around the sun. Ancient people recognized these and celebrated them. Many of their traditions can be found in the Christian celebration of Yule. This is a
What is your first thought when you hear the Boston Tea Party? Well, yes, it took place in Boston. But many believe this started the American Revolution. And while it did trigger the uprising, trouble had been brewing long before the tea was dumped into the harbor. And Saturday, December 16th, is the 250th anniversary
Trouble is Brewing Read More »
Learning about their culture and customs is one of the best parts of living in another country. As an American, I grew up with Santa Claus, referred to as Jolly Old Saint Nick. He is always portrayed as jovial and kind, bringing gifts to children who behave throughout the year. In Germany, they celebrate Saint
The Good, and the Bad and Ugly Read More »
Dave and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in the North Carolina mountains. First, we rode a steam train along the Tuckasegee River. On Saturday, we hiked up to Mingo Falls and then took a leisurely three-mile stroll along the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee. It seemed appropriate to wind up Native American Heritage Month in a native
On the path of the Cherokee Read More »
November is Native American Heritage Month. And since I am still unpacking boxes containing my research, it seems a good time to revisit some of it. When I began writing Death on the Line, I knew I needed to learn more about the native tribes in the area. I knew from Mason’s journal that the
Native American Heritage Month Read More »
Everyone’s heard the phrase, “Put your John Hancock on it.” Did you ever wonder where the phrase came from? John Hancock was one of the fifty-six delegates to the Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence. In fact, Hancock was the first man to sign it, and he did so with a large, bold
Put Your John Hancock on it. Read More »
For the past week, the weather here in Maryland has been in the 80s. Having recently moved here, I’ve been told this is unusual for late October. And overnight, it plummeted. The high today was 50°, with it dropping further by sunset. It’s Halloween, All Hallow’s Eve, Samhain, and I’m glad to feel a brisk
Since the prehistoric man met water, he has tried to conquer it. Circumstantial evidence of man using some form of watercraft to cross between land masses dates back at least 900,000 years. These ancient crafts were most likely dugouts made from carved or burned tree trunks. Having lived on the island of Crete, I was
I’d Rather be On the Water Read More »
I’ve always heard terms like ‘different as two sides of a coin’ or ‘two sides to every story.’ And as an amateur historian, I am constantly reminded that history is written by the victors. I found many examples of this researching the MacKay Mysteries. And I am finding even more as I study the ancient
Who Can You Believe? Read More »