I’ve just finished another book in the Time Life series on the Old West. I found them at an estate sale and bought three of them as I remembered them from the ’80s. I wish I would have bought the entire set because these books are fantastic. I am fascinated when I think of the…… Continue reading Time Life Books – The Great Chiefs
Category: History
History
The Spanish West – Time Life Books
The more I travel and learn the more I realize people of every nation do not know their own history. It is not necessarily their own fault but that of the elementary and secondary schools which teach a ‘happy’ and patriotic version while diminishing or completely ignoring anything which could paint the country in a…… Continue reading The Spanish West – Time Life Books
Letter to My Descendants on the State of the USA
Dear Descendants, I thought it might be interesting for you to hear my thoughts on these very dark times in the history of the USA. You’ll be reading about these times in the history books and so I wanted to give you my perspective. To start, let me say that I do not like either…… Continue reading Letter to My Descendants on the State of the USA
Monuments, Masks and Flags
The country is going through an awakening. The time for facing societal prejudices and discrimination is long overdue. The status quo has been that it will be run according to white, Christian principles and oh yea, there are black people here too. Over the past couple decades this has been challenged with an increase in…… Continue reading Monuments, Masks and Flags
Black Lives Matter
It has been a long time since I’ve written a post on this blog. Long gone are the days of being single without children when I had the energy to get involved in many things big and small. Well, we’re certainly going through a movement now and a long overdue one. Today is Junteenth celebrating…… Continue reading Black Lives Matter
A View of Life Through Central Asia
I had not been to the circus in probably 30 or so years. So when my wife mentioned that perhaps we should take the kids to go see The Garden Bros. showing at The Cow Palace I thought it might be fun for the kids. What I learned is how different my views have become…… Continue reading A View of Life Through Central Asia
The Fourth of July 2019
It is the 4th of July, a holiday where the citizens of the USA show how proud they are to live in the free and home of the brave with cookouts, over the top flag outfits and fireworks. But for me, this was the worst 4th of July I’ve ever had. I spent the evening…… Continue reading The Fourth of July 2019
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
Santa Claus, Ded Moroz, Christianity and the Solstice
It is 2:48 AM on December 24th – the morning of Christmas Eve. To mark the cultural and religious highlight of the entire year across the Western world I thought I should post something about the holiday. My focus is the mythical figure known as Santa Claus in the West, Ded Moroz in the East,…… Continue reading Santa Claus, Ded Moroz, Christianity and the Solstice
Standing Rock
It has been another very long spell without a post on this site. One would think I’d be writing about the victory of Donald Trump at the least but no, I haven’t been motivated to do that. This morning however the incidents at Standing Rock have motivated me. Donald Trump will be just another footnote…… Continue reading Standing Rock