Kelly and I have been watching this final season of Downton Abbey. I have to say, I have warmed to the show a bit, especially since they have developed some of the characters a little more fully. I am particularly pleased that they have made Thomas Barrow out to be more sympathetic and less of a villain.
Continue reading “History, material culture and life at Downton”
Kelly and I don’t stay in hotels very often, but there is one hotel that we try to stay at once a year. It’s the closest we get to a regular vacation. Every May during the big antique show in Brimfield, we try to go for a long weekend and we stay at the Publick House in Sturbridge. We truly love the place. We bring our dogs with us, and they have a good time too.
So obviously we were quite alarmed when our friend Carron told us that she saw on the TV news that there was a fire at the Publick House.
As much as I try to pretend otherwise, it is November. And while this does mean that there is a lot of really good music happening this month, it also means that it’s time for Holiday Craft Show Season to really get underway. My schedule is packed with great shows. If you need gifts for people who are interesting, quirky, hard to shop for, or just want something one of a kind, look no further.
Seriously, click on that link below. It’s right down there.
Continue reading “Shop Local- your holiday shopping calendar”
Good people make mistakes. It happens. No one is perfect. How we acknowledge those mistakes, and how we try to make amends, that is what’s critical to getting along with everyone, especially those who are harmed by our mistakes. It makes a world of difference whether we recognize the harm we sometimes do as individuals, as organizations, and even as nations.
And that is why it truly pains me to see groups that I believe in make bad, even horrible mistakes, and then fail to do the right thing afterward. It is just heartbreaking. And lately it seems like it is one after another.
Normally, cold does not affect me the way it affects many other people. It must be the French-Canadian side of me, because it sure isn’t the Portuguese side that loves cold. But tonight it is going to get really, really, really cold here in Greater Boston.
Some things are just too terrible to process quickly, and I am still processing the horrific events of Friday. So in honor of escapism, and also just because, I bring you the beautiful architecture of King’s Chapel here in Boston, decorated for Christmas just this weekend. I work there as the primary verger* so I am a little biased, but I do think it is one of the most beautiful old churches around.
Sometimes, it’s nice to be reminded that there is still some beauty to find in this world. Please enjoy.
There is a bit of a running joke about the subway vent in the King’s Chapel Burial Ground. Tourists ask about it on a fairly frequent basis. And one response that is sometimes given (but not by me) is that it is a zombie pit. It certainly does look as if someone is trying to keep everyone out, because they are. Or perhaps… keep something in. Heh, heh, heh.
and the second one is coming up this weekend. There are already a bunch of people signed up for it. I am excited. Needless to say I have had the Civil War era on the brain for a while, but especially lately.
Continue reading “The first Civil War walking tour seemed to go well…”
And it has been a very, very busy week for me, between the two jobs and police details.
This week will be the first time in well over a decade that I have worn any of my Civil War gear. So this week I tried a bunch of my stuff on and what do you know, it still fits, although the vest is going to need some adjustments. Still, I am excited about doing it, and to be getting involved with history again. And to get me in the spirit of things I decided to take a little trip to Milton, home of the G.H. Bent Company.
The Books are Taking Over... 