Hello, friends. I'm at a critical point in Monsoon Season - about 70% through a first draft - and things are starting to come together fast. I'm at that amazing, terrifying, highly adrenalized point at which I start to think about the novel ALL THE TIME. Even when I shouldn't be. And I still don't know how it's going to end. One of things I've been turning over in my head is, Am I willing to … [Read more...]
Amelia Bloomer
Hello, friends. Recently, I visited Phillips Free Library in Homer, NY to talk about history and writing. It was delightful. Did you know that Homer, NY is the birthplace of Amelia Bloomer? Her childhood home is on North Main Street, just a couple of minutes' walk from the Town Hall. It looks like it's been converted into four apartments (see the four Victorian-era mailboxes, two on … [Read more...]
Conwy
Hello, friends. My whistle-stop internet tour of major tourist destinations in North Wales continues. Today, we're in Conwy! Here's a view from the quay that includes the medieval town walls. The harbour again, this time with Conwy Castle (Castell Conwy, in Welsh) at the right. We began our day at the Smallest House in Britain. Here it is, with me standing by the door for scale. … [Read more...]
The Victorian tattoo
Hello, friends. Today is April Fool's Day and I feel a certain amount of not-so-subtle cultural pressure to write a gag post. I believe I ought to document a Shocking Truth about the Victorians, or similar, which I later reveal as - surprise! - a prank. Joke's on you, sssssuckers. However, I've always felt a strange resentment of April Fool's jokes and, for that matter, practical jokes in … [Read more...]
Inventing tradition
Merry Christmas, to those who celebrate it! Right now, I am frantically wrapping presents and mumbling nasty things about my to-do list, so here's a re-post from December 2009, about Victorian Christmas inventions. Hope you enjoy it, and have a wonderful holiday! Quick: name three Christmas symbols. If you’re like me, the first things you picture are Christmas trees, a red-suited Santa Claus … [Read more...]
The Cat Came Back
Hello, friends. On Father's Day, our family drove out to the United Church hall in the village of Battersea, Ontario, for a concert by children's musician Gary Rasberry. It was a lovely afternoon with thoughtful and inventive music for children, astoundingly gifted musicians (including Sheesham Crow, from Sheesham & Lotus), and church-lady pie. True story: Me: May I have two coffees, … [Read more...]