Tag Archives: History

Visiting Yellowstone Part 4.

We leave the park today and head to Virginia and Nevada City in Montana. These two towns are what remains of the gold rush in Montana. The view of the mountains and valleys while driving along US 287 to the towns, the snow-covered mountains in June, and the sunlight hitting the valley. Virginia City hasContinue reading “Visiting Yellowstone Part 4.”

Why is Leonardo Divenci buried in France?

Visiting France Part 3 I saw a lot of Chateau the first few days, and Chateau Royal d’Amboise was unexpected because Leonardo (the artist, not the TMNT) Divenci was buried there. The Chapel of Saint-Hubert on the Chateau grounds, it’s just a large stone slab in the private/small Chapel. It’s odd to find the famousContinue reading “Why is Leonardo Divenci buried in France?”

Visting France

Part Two Chateau de Chenonceau, or as our guide called it, the Lady’s Chateau, because all the renowned owners were women. The Chateau became part of the crown’s (the king’s) holders, and he gifted it to The Girl in the Fireplace from Dr. Who, AKA Diane de Poitiers, the King’s Mistress. She outlived the KingContinue reading “Visting France”

Purple Haze

Arctic lupine or Lupinus arcticus, growing along the road in Canada. These beautiful flowers grow up north where the air is crisp and clear; they tend to be light lilac to dark purple. The first time I saw Arctic Lupine was in Iceland, where the plants were imported to help with erosion and feed theContinue reading “Purple Haze”

Only in America, American Colloquialism

The non-American guide to some of our Colloquiaslism and the reason behind them. I need your John Hancock. This means I need you to sign your name or signature on a bill or invoice. Why do we use a name for that? There is a myth that John Hancock signed his name on the DeclarationContinue reading “Only in America, American Colloquialism”

It doesn’t have a Red Belly.

Photo of a Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes Carolinus) that doesn’t have a red-bellied (who names birds?) on the lookout for some bugs to eat. To be fair, there was a bird already named Red-Headed Woodpecker, and it has a tiny orange patch near its feet. Some of you might be wondering if it’s an orange featheredContinue reading “It doesn’t have a Red Belly.”

The Great Dismal Swamp

It’s not that bad. I took a trip to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia, USA. In winter, it’s a lovely weekend trip, but I wouldn’t risk it in summer; the mosquitos must be horrendous. Along the gravel car trail, there is a small trail to the 800-year-old tree, and as IContinue reading “The Great Dismal Swamp”

Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary

I have purchased an abridged version of Samuel Johnson’s dictionary, and below are some of my favorite entries enjoy. To be clear this is not the first English Dictionary, but it was the first to use quotes and was widely used, and some of it is catty, odd, and hilarious which is why it’s stillContinue reading “Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary”