Everyone living in the 21st century is familiar with this scenario: you run into a problem with the internet, a database or other software program on your computer, or have an online issue, so you call Technical Support. Then you wait. After I have explained my problem and there is… read more >
The phrase “Lest We Forget” came to mind recently. In America, and I dare say, much of the world, this phrase has come to be directly associated with the horrors of World War II, and especially to the Holocaust. Perhaps it is all the anniversaries, the dwindling number of… read more >
It is interesting how some things that you learned as a child stick with you, even when the years and decades pile up. I was thinking the other day about how my parents approached certain subjects and had to smile at how sly they were. For example, we were a… read more >
I don’t know where you live, but have you ever noticed that there is a world of difference between Spring Fever and actual Spring? Essentially, it’s the difference between a promise and a delivery. You may have noticed that most of middle America this year is mired in a deep… read more >
My library has a really cool feature. If you have read more than one Trail Talk, you may be surprised to learn that I spend very little time at the physical library, my visits being largely limited to dropping off books at the drive-through or a dash inside to pick… read more >
It is embarrassing to open a sentence with, “I was taught”. I like to think of myself as a free-thinker even in my developmental years, but a headline in today’s news triggered the phrase, and I just can’t shake it. With the commemorations last fall of the 100th Anniversary of… read more >
Have you ever wondered just how the man most widely perceived as our best US President, managed to triumph in a field of four candidates? Such odds would be considered suicidal today. Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election because the Lincoln-Douglas debates were closely followed by reporters, who transcribed them… read more >
Most of us can relate to Tom Hanks’ adolescent wish to be Big in the delightful movie comedy of that name (1988). One of my first memories was of yearning to be tall enough to see over store counters. There were times when I felt that I would never… read more >
Just on principle, I pretty much like ALL living history experiences. When done well, 21st century participants can feel part of history – usually meeting and interacting with ordinary people going about their everyday lives. These are often real craftsmen demonstrating skills that are no longer required, and have taken… read more >
Here I am, writing about beavers again. That’s what happens when some of your best tours explore trails used by practioners of the North American fur trade and the impact it had on American history. I have a tour director who has been crazed to buy her own pelt for… read more >
