All Purls. No Swine.
February 18, 2023 is the 545th anniversary of the death of George Plantaganet, Duke of Clarence. He was the middle child in a trio of brothers, the older and younger of which actually both made it to the throne, as Edward IV and Richard III respectively. Shortly after his older brother Edward was crowned in… Continue reading From a Butt of Malmsey to a Bowl of Wonderdog: Where is the Bard When We Need Him?
219 years ago, on the night of February 16, 1804, a young Lieutenant in the United States Navy led the first of his two expeditions that year into Tripoli Harbor, this one to set fire to, and destroy, the frigate USS Philadelphia, which--some months earlier--had run aground and been captured by the Tripolitan army of… Continue reading Quote of the Day: “The Shores of Tripoli”
Today (February 13, 2023), I'm reviving a post from just six months ago. For a couple of reasons: First, because today is the anniversary of the birthday of the incomparable Eleanor Farjeon, who was born 142 years ago today, on February 13, 1881. She's mentioned, although peripherally, in the post below. And second, because of… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Eleanor Farjeon!, And RIP, Richard III
Crimenutely. It's been almost half-a-century. On this day, February 11, 1975, Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher was elected, at the age of 48, the leader of the British Conservative Party. Four years later, she became Europe's first woman Prime Minister. And the mark she left endures to this day. Some of Maggie's gems: “I always cheer… Continue reading Commemorating the Iron Lady: 2023
An update to what's becoming a RightWingKnitJob Valentine's Day tradition: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Ahhh, “Meerkat Love.” Remember that hoary old song from the mid-1970s by that odd duo, Captain and Tennille? Yeah, I’m sorry to say that I remember it too. (A note to the unwary: I know that’s not the actual title of the song, but close… Continue reading “Cry Me a Cockroach,” 2023
On this day fifty-four years ago, February 9 1969, the first airplane to be designated a "jumbo jet," the Boeing 747, made its maiden flight. It was certified for commercial service in December of that year, and flew its first flight with PanAm, in January 1970. While I spent a considerable portion of my early… Continue reading The “Queen of the Skies”
I see that today, February 8, 2023, is the 102nd anniversary of the death of George Formby, Sr. That implies the existence of a "George Formby, Jr, and indeed I see that the younger Mr. Formby is the one I'm familiar with via my family's interest in comedy and music hall songs of the 1920s… Continue reading George Formby, Senior and Junior
Via a Ricochet post from one of my favorites, she who's known as CowGirl, who lost her husband not all that many months ago. It's now on the Ricochet main feed, which means that it is publicly available to all. I've had the experience she describes many times in my life--that of looking up into… Continue reading My Sweetheart’s The Man in the Moon
I rarely contemplate the works of Charles Dickens for very long before thinking about a college professor of mine (we're talking mid-1970s here). This individual was a native of South Korea, and he taught at my alma mater, Duquesne University, from 1973-1990. I understand that--in his chosen field, as the 'writer-in-residence,' and as a professor… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens! On Hearts, Tempers, and the Magic of Touch
Seventy-one years ago today, upon the death of her father, King George VI, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary ascended to the throne of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and all her other Realms and Territories. She spent the next seventy years of her life cheerfully (to outward appearance) doing her duty and serving the people she… Continue reading Queen for a Day Three-Quarters of a Century