Author Archive

January 7, 2020

I love the scent of leather. There is nothing else similar to it in the world. No substance which has quite the same mix of earthy masculine and faint hints of sweet feminine combined. It’s natural, not perfumed, and quite mild if treated right. Any time I walk into one of the many leatherworking booths […]

January 3, 2020

Another year has gone and a new year is stretched out to the horizon, just waiting to be explored. So often it feels as if the world around goes by too fast, opportunities moving past us like logs rushing downstream as we swim against the currents. With that kind of a metaphor, you might be […]

December 31, 2019

Should old acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind Should all acquaintance be forgot And auld lang syne. Robert Burns Auld Lang Syne (1788) When we look back at the old year, we are filled with memories from all we’ve experienced and how far we’ve come. A new year means new opportunities, new challenges, […]

December 27, 2019

There have been a lot of good shows to come out of streaming services in the last year. Sci-fi and fantasy seem to be at the top of everyone’s lists in 2019 and it’s no wonder. Both offer worlds of adventure where evil is defeated and good triumphs, even if only for a moment. Many […]

December 24, 2019

One morning, when the air is crisp, I want you to walk outside. Take a deep breath and feel the tingling of the snow, the bone-deep ache that comes if you stand out in it long enough. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the reality of winter, bleak and bright, calm and cold. Stay […]

December 20, 2019

What comes to mind when you think of a ‘renaissance’? You probably heard the term in school, or about works of art. We talk about someone being a ‘renaissance man’, meaning that they have a wide range of talents and knowledge. And of course every year we get hyped for the Ohio Renaissance Festival, bringing […]

December 17, 2019

History is an endlessly fascinating subject. I’ve often thought it much maligned, especially given how much there is to be explored. Pick a time period, any time period, and imagine you could interview a hundred thousand people across the world rich or poor, young or old and ask them what it was like. You would […]

December 13, 2019

When taking a look back at the Tudor Rose, it’s important to realize the significance attached to the imagery. Heraldic symbolism is about ever so much more than just pretty pictures on a shield. Encompassing rank, lineage, politics, and accolades a family’s Heraldic design tells a story, allowing those who witness it to discern immediately […]

December 10, 2019

Elizabeth I stands out from the crowd of monarchs, being both a departure from the rest of the Tudor dynasty as well as exemplifying her family’s best (and sometimes worst) qualities. She is a complex figure, full of romanticism and intrigue as well as a staunch political figure and determined ruler. Appearing countless times in […]

December 6, 2019

The holiday season is a time of splendor. People turn out their best in hopes of bringing light into the darkness. Whether it’s a faith that the sun will one day break through the clouds or that a divine miracle can be visited on humanity, we all hold this time of year to a higher […]