Category: Random Musings
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My Favorite History: Adrienne de Lafayette
I am a great admirer of the Marquis de Lafayette as is clear by my five posts on him during the American Revolution. That is not to say he didn’t have his flaws and the one I focus most on is his philandering. This is because I am not a fan of philandering in the…
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My Favorite History: The Marquis de Lafayette in America (Part 5)
When Lafayette returned from France in 1780, he walked right into the final major phase of the American Revolution and his adoptive father, George Washington, was going to ensure he played a major role. Washington sent Lafayette south to Virginia without telling him the big secret of his mission: Washington wanted to win the war…
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Timely History: Dexiosis
With COVID-19 running rampant and people being even more cognizant of spreading germs, many normal conventions have gone out the window. Some people have even questioned the fate of one of the oldest traditions in humanity: dexiosis. You know it as the handshake. Did you know you spread more germs to someone through a handshake…
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Timely History: Gruinard Island
Quarantine is important. It allows us to safely flatten the curve and not spread disease at an exponential rate. Quarantining is not a new idea and even mentioned in the Bible to stop the spread of disease. Oh, it’s also been used because the British government contaminated an entire island in Scotland to see how…
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Musing: Staying Sane in Quarantine
Quarantine can be challenging. Locked into our homes with little ability to go out and enjoy the company of others can drive anyone batty. There are numerous templates from history for how to fight off insanity, but I’d like to look at two of the most successful under extreme circumstances. Say hello to the Greely…
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Timely History: Typhoid Mary
Mary Mallon was born in September of 1869 in Cookstown in what is now Northern Ireland. She immigrated to the United States in 1883 or so. In 1900, she found her calling as a cook for wealthy families in the New York City. Why should you care about this woman? Because as COVID-19 runs rampant…
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Musing: On Pandemics
What’s this musing about: Well the coronavirus is really screwing up everyone’s lives, isn’t it? My sister-in-law (Hi, Terri!) asked me about some of the other pandemics that occurred through history a couple days ago. And by “asked me,” I mean I took it upon myself to tell her about them. As of March 21,…
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Musing: I Hate Thomas Jefferson
What’s this musing about: Thomas Jefferson was a moody and terrible hypocrite. I hate Thomas Jefferson. Oh, you want to know why? I’d be happy to let you know. And now, I will employ one of my favorite things: a numbered list. His supporters talk about how madly he loved his wife. There is evidence…
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My Favorite History: The White Hurricane
From November 7th through November 10th, 1913, the Great Lakes were hammered by what was called the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, or much more ominously, the “White Hurricane.” I love history when I have absolutely no insight before I start digging in. I am huge lover of shipwreck stories and came across White Hurricane…