The possibility of snow this weekend went from possible snow earlier in the week to winter storm watch to blizzard watch today as the weather forecast for Thursday through Saturday was refined by meteorologists. And all this on the 35th Anniversary of one of the biggest snow events of my generation – the Blizzard of 1978.
Tag: history
Good research and archaeology pay off
One of the great things about history and archaeology is when things that are known in the historic record can be verified by actual physical evidence. But often the evidence simply cannot be found for historic events, even as historians and archaeologists have searched for years.
But sometimes, careful research (with a bit of luck) pays off.
Researchers in Britain have found the long-lost grave of King Richard III, the Plantagenet monarch long slandered by his Tudor successors (and by none other than William Shakespeare as well).
Modern marine archaeology
The continual adaptation of modern technology to the discovery of shipwrecks, especially historically significant shipwrecks, is something that fascinates me. So when I saw this story in Salon about the use of a 3-D sonar to reveal hidden features of a Civil War shipwreck off the coast of Texas, I just had to read it. And if that sort of thing interests you, go check it out, because I am going to babble about history geek stuff for a little while and you might as well understand what I am talking about.
Remembering the Blizzard of ’78
Tonight I was hanging out with my friend Patricio, and we went over to Micro Center to do some shopping and browsing. Man, I love that store. Anyway, the course of the conversation led to me talking about my grandparents’ farm in Somerset, and also led to me talking about the big blizzard of 1978. That event is one that everyone around here remembers quite well. My family here in Massachusetts certainly experienced it, especially my grandparents and other family members who lived in Somerset, which was in the area where it hit the hardest, down near the Rhode Island border. I think my grandparents got about 30 inches of snow in less than 36 hours.
Somebody read my mind
I’m sure it’s not unusual to dream of having a house with secret passages in it. I know that I had that dream all the time when I was a little girl. Apparently there are other people who did as well.
Now some of them actually live in them.
Now THAT is cold
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.
I need a distraction
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.
Work and modern pop culture
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.
I like numbers like these
The election is over, the results are in (glares pointedly at Florida) and the numbers are good. If you know me you know I generally don’t like numbers. Or math, anyway. For your edification, I share this.
I voted, and so should you
Today is election day here in America. If you have not yet voted the polls are open until 8:00pm local time. I was heartened to see that my polls were not only busy, they were busy with people of every age, every color, and that the poll attendants had already run out of the “I Voted” stickers. (I love those stickers.)
If you are voting in a swing state or a place where funny things sometimes happen at the polls (Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania come to mind) here is what you need to know about finding your polling place, necessary ID, reporting voting fraud, etc.
It is your duty as a citizen of this country to get out there and vote. It is also, for some of us, a hard fought right. Women got the right to vote in 1920, the year my grandmother was born. For those of you paying attention, we’ll celebrate the centenary anniversary of that achievement 8 years from now.
Don’t sit this one out, get out there and make the most of that right. VOTE.
The following was provided by Ultraviolet.org
What You Need to Know for Election Day, November 6, 2012
How to find your polling place:
- Google Polling Place Locator
- Revolution Messaging’s text message polling place locator
- Election Protection’s smart phone app: Download from iTunes or from the Google Play Store
Questions or problem at the polls?
- Election Protection is a nonpartisan coalition of 150 organizations dedicated to making sure everyone can exercise their right to vote. If you have a problem at the polls on Election Day, or if you just need to find your polling place or have a question, you can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE, or download their smart phone app at the links above.
What to bring to the polls:
Some states require specific forms a voter ID; some don’t. Here are a few resources to find out what you need to bring:
- UltraViolet Voter Registration Center: Just click on your state, then “What Do I Need?”
- Rock the Vote’s Election Center
- Election Protection
What’s on my ballot?
- Check out November6th.org to find out what’s on your ballot. Just enter your address, and you will be able to see what’s on your ballot, from ballot measures and local races to the national level.
The resources above should answer most questions for most people. If you can’t find an answer online or with the apps provided, your best bet is to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or your state election official.
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If you’re going to vote near closing time, bring a book and a bottle of water. If you’re on the premises before they shut the doors then they have to let you vote. Similarly, your employer has to allow you unpaid time to vote today. Make time to do this. It really is important, the future of our country is at stake.
Thank you in advance.
~Kelly
The Books are Taking Over... 