Perhaps more than any other holiday, Christmas is a time of tradition. The lights, trees, gifts and food – not to mention a portly gentleman in a red suit – make it a special time of the year. But, have you ever wondered why we decorate trees and kiss under the mistletoe? Why do we hang stockings over the fireplace? Who is this Santa guy anyway? I thought that I would look into the origins of some festive traditions and discover why evergreen trees and… Read more »
Posts Categorized: historical
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot…
Now that Halloween is behind us, I thought that it would be fun to introduce you, gentle reader, to a very British autumnal celebration – Bonfire Night (aka Guy Fawkes Night). Every year on November 5th, bonfires are lit – from small backyards to large community affairs – and fireworks set off, to commemorate an unlucky would-be terrorist and his part in The Gunpowder Plot of 1605. “Whaat?” I hear my non-British friends cry, “Explain please!” Oh, all right then! Sit back,… Read more »
Grave Discoveries
It may seem odd to some, but I have always found cemeteries to be calming and relaxing places. No matter how noisy the traffic on the outside, as soon as you step over the threshold all sound becomes muted, as if in reverence. When I was growing up, my home was not always the most peaceful or relaxing place, and many a weekend afternoon, I would walk the 10 minutes or so to the nearby graveyard to wander, or just sit and… Read more »
The World of Edward Gorey
If you have ever tuned into to watch the “Mystery!” series on PBS, you are likely familiar with the art work of Edward Gorey. The distinctive pen and ink drawings in the introduction set the tone for the mystery to come. As well as being a prolific, award-winning artist, Gorey also published numerous illustrated (often wordless) books, generally with Victorian or Edwardian settings. He also won an award for best costume design at the 1977 Tony’s for his work on the Broadway production of… Read more »
Nevermore!
“The boundaries which divide life and death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?” Edgar Allan Poe. I don’t know about you, but I do enjoy a spooky story. There is always that moment – breath held, heart pounding – before The Big Reveal; is it a ghost? Is it real? Are they already dead? Or was it just a dream..? (lame!) There are many excellent contemporary horror writers such… Read more »
