Two thousand years ago today, Caesar Augustus died, and his role as the emperor of Rome was handed on to his adopted son Tiberius, and the peace that Rome had enjoyed for twenty years (known as Pax Romanus) came to a crashing end. Augustus’ reign was an interesting one for a number of reasons: 1) […]
R.I.P, Caesar Augustus Read More »
On this day in 1851, Isaac Merrit Singer was granted a patent for his sewing machine, revolutionizing the manufacture of clothing and changing the way women thought about fashion forever. By the very early twentieth century, it was estimated that 85% of households owned a sewing machine. But sewing declined toward the end of the
Handcrafted Goodness Read More »
The Deathly Hallows, the last book in the Harry Potter series, was released this day, seven years ago (is that all?), in 2007. It broke sales records, selling 15 million copies in the first 24 hours of its release, which makes it the fastest-selling novel ever published. My daughter, Kate, bought one of those 15
Harry Potter Lives Read More »
Robert, ”The Bruce”, who would become Robert I, King of Scotland 32 years later, was born on this day in 1274. He’s more famous for leading Scotland in the wars against Britain for Scottish independence, which was won at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Whenever I hear Robert the Bruce’s name, I always think
Happy Birthday, Bob! Read More »
On this day in 1985, Route 66 was officially removed from the US State Highway System, when it was finally and completely by-passed by the Interstate system. Route 66 is probably one of the most famous routes in the United States and has been featured in fiction and the movies, including the animated movie Cars.
The Mother Road No Longer a Highway Read More »
When you hear the name “Viking” you tend to think of the fierce warriors who conquered most of Europe and even places as remote as North America, invading lands by sea, upon their distinctive long ships. Included in that image are all the families they left behind. Just like the horns on their helmets, “Vikings”
Vikings Weren’t Really Vikings Read More »
Today, May 13, is the day of the Lemuria, an ancient Roman festival that is probably the origins of All Saint’s Day (November 1) and Halloween (which is a contraction of All Hallows’ Eve). Lemuria was the day when the head of Roman households would walk about their household, casting black beans over their shoulders,
As most of my characters are vampires, sweet indulgences are not something they get to enjoy, although Nial, one of the heroes in Blood Knot, attempted it with severe consequences in that book. Which neatly reminded me of Garrett’s downfall in Blood Stone. Garrett, one of the heroes of Blood Stone, for some complicated reasons
A Drop O’ Scotland’s Finest Read More »
King Kong has been named by many film critics as one of the most iconic films to ever emerge from Hollywood. It has certainly produced its share of cliches, as well as a rash of remakes, including one in 1976 and the excellent Peter Jackson version in 2003. In the 1933 original, the plot isn’t
King Kong Debuted 81 Years Ago Today Read More »
It’s the long weekend — well, the tail end of it. Mark and I have spent the weekend being creatively productive. I just finished the first draft of Wait, which Beloved Bloody Time fans should be pleased about, as it is the long history of Tally and Lee before the events of Bannockburn Binding. The
My Life + Working Notes – February 17, 2014 Read More »