Montaillou – Life in a Medieval Village

I just finished Montaillou by Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie.  This took me over half a year to finish not because it wasn’t great, but because I have two young boys and thus free time is non-existent. I learned of this book in a Reddit post and quickly bought it as it is right up my…… Continue reading Montaillou – Life in a Medieval Village

Visiting Spanish Missions in California

It has been a long while since my last post.  This is directly due to to my second child and I’ve quickly learned that with only one child there is still free time, but with two all personal time no longer exists.  There is no time to read much about history, study more language, ponder…… Continue reading Visiting Spanish Missions in California

The ISIS takes a page from Spanish Conquistadors!

While reading my Lapham’s Quarterly I came across the “Requerimiento” (Requirement).  This was a written declaration of sovereignty and war, read by Spanish military forces to assert their sovereignty over the Americas.    “It was used to justify the assertion that God, through historical Saint Peter and appointed Papal successors, held authority as ruler over the entire Earth; and that the Inter…… Continue reading The ISIS takes a page from Spanish Conquistadors!

BBC News – UK non-Christian claims ‘absurd’, senior Tories say

BBC News – UK non-Christian claims ‘absurd’, senior Tories say. I came across this article today and had to comment. What I find hard to comprehend is that we have more education, more knowledge and more science readily available to our populations today than at any other time in history.  Yet, our societies cannot shake…… Continue reading BBC News – UK non-Christian claims ‘absurd’, senior Tories say

Two Cows

Two Cows A viral e-mail from before the internet was popular.  I always loved this one. Socialism You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. Communism You have two cows. The government takes both of them and gives you part of the milk. Fascism You have two cows. The…… Continue reading Two Cows