Take a look at the "What I'm Reading" section in my sidebar on the right. Here's a few observations.
1. Freedom for Themselves is a good book, but certainly has drawbacks. There is an amazing amount of information to be found in the book. I am almost 2/3 of the way through it. However, it puts me to sleep in places. I haven't been able to pinpoint the cause, but I think that it could be the repetition. In his analysis the author uses lots of examples to illustrate points. The problem is, I think he uses too many examples, thus belaboring the point. Its difficult to read what seems like the same point over and over again, just with different names and slightly different scenarios. Chock full of information, but damn difficult to read (at least for me).
2. The Purpose of the Past is very much like any collection of previously published essays, meaning the quality varies from one essay to the next. Overall, I'd say this book is a useful historiographical tool and makes for some interesting reading. I've put it down for the past two weeks or so trying to get through the other book. My colleague Chris Graham would have knocked out these two books, plus about ten others in this span of time. But then again he's a grad student and I'm not on a forced timetable to read these things.
I actually can't wait to finish these two books because I have received some others recently that are (I hate to admit) much more interesting. More on them later.
Monday, June 30, 2008
On This Day....
Today we also have an anniversary of some interest from the Mariner's Book of Days.
On June 30, 1956 the US Navy stopped roasting its own coffee beans and turned to commercial suppliers for its coffee.
This is certainly one of those bits of minutiae that one wouldn't normally think about, but an interesting tidbit nonetheless. Who would have thought that the Navy would have been roasting its own coffee beans as recently as this? An interesting piece of history and trivia.
On June 30, 1956 the US Navy stopped roasting its own coffee beans and turned to commercial suppliers for its coffee.
This is certainly one of those bits of minutiae that one wouldn't normally think about, but an interesting tidbit nonetheless. Who would have thought that the Navy would have been roasting its own coffee beans as recently as this? An interesting piece of history and trivia.
Weekly Quote
No posts between Weekly Quotes? I must do a better job of staying current, even in summertime. Here's our weekly offering from the Mariner's Book of Days:
In calm water every ship has a good captain. ~French proverb
In calm water every ship has a good captain. ~French proverb
Monday, June 23, 2008
Weekly Quote
With the busy weekend I had I almost forgot about my weekly quote from the Mariner's Book of Days:
Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe; it is the beach that worries him. ~Charles G. Davis
Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe; it is the beach that worries him. ~Charles G. Davis
Friday, June 20, 2008
General Updates
There are a few general things I thought I'd update everyone on.
1. Change of work schedule - This week was supposed to be my first week of working four 10-hour days. Now that Caitlin is out of school and I no longer have to drop her off I figured I'd cut back one day a week to save on the gas (my round trip to work and back is 92 miles). In actuality, I worked one 10-hour day and three 8-hour days due to other things that came up.
2. Not adding up - If you added up my time worked this week from the above paragraph you will realize that it doesn't equal 40 hours. Fear not! I am working tomorrow at Fort Fisher. The site is having their early summer artillery program tomorrow. If you're in the greater Wilmington area tomorrow and have a chance, come on down to Fort Fisher to see some cannon shootin'!
3. Update on my dad - I haven't updated my dad's situation in quite a while. In fact, I can't remember where I left that storyline. Anyway, he's been in Woodberry Wellness nursing home in Hampstead for the past month or so and has been recovering rather nicely from his two brain surgeries. Unfortunately, I see his Alzheimer's getting a bit worse (one day when I was there he thought he was in Charlie Battery in Vietnam). Anyway, Dad passed a major milestone this week by passing his latest swallow evaluation. This was a major hurdle, and one that should get him past the feeding tube. Doctors are now saying that he can eat anything he wants to because his swallowing reflex has recovered. Another milestone is that his birthday is tomorrow and he is turning 71.
4. Moving - We still haven't found a place to move to. We looked at a house in downtown Swansboro this week, but it was just too small. So we're still looking, but I'm getting a bit worried at this point. We need to find something in the next couple of weeks.
1. Change of work schedule - This week was supposed to be my first week of working four 10-hour days. Now that Caitlin is out of school and I no longer have to drop her off I figured I'd cut back one day a week to save on the gas (my round trip to work and back is 92 miles). In actuality, I worked one 10-hour day and three 8-hour days due to other things that came up.
2. Not adding up - If you added up my time worked this week from the above paragraph you will realize that it doesn't equal 40 hours. Fear not! I am working tomorrow at Fort Fisher. The site is having their early summer artillery program tomorrow. If you're in the greater Wilmington area tomorrow and have a chance, come on down to Fort Fisher to see some cannon shootin'!
3. Update on my dad - I haven't updated my dad's situation in quite a while. In fact, I can't remember where I left that storyline. Anyway, he's been in Woodberry Wellness nursing home in Hampstead for the past month or so and has been recovering rather nicely from his two brain surgeries. Unfortunately, I see his Alzheimer's getting a bit worse (one day when I was there he thought he was in Charlie Battery in Vietnam). Anyway, Dad passed a major milestone this week by passing his latest swallow evaluation. This was a major hurdle, and one that should get him past the feeding tube. Doctors are now saying that he can eat anything he wants to because his swallowing reflex has recovered. Another milestone is that his birthday is tomorrow and he is turning 71.
4. Moving - We still haven't found a place to move to. We looked at a house in downtown Swansboro this week, but it was just too small. So we're still looking, but I'm getting a bit worried at this point. We need to find something in the next couple of weeks.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Weekly Quote
Our weekly offering from the Mariner's Book of Days:
You can't blame the water for finding a hole in the boat. ~Kelly Graham
You can't blame the water for finding a hole in the boat. ~Kelly Graham
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
We're Done
The historic weapons class is finished. Today we went to the shooting range for the live fire exercise and a great time was had by all. Here are the photos.
The firing line (L-R)Chris Woodson, Scott Douglas, Wade Rogers, me, and Jake Jennette.
18th century Expert Marksman winner, Patrick Cook of SC State Parks shooting a French firelock from the early 1700s.
19th century Expert Marksman winner, Jim Steele (L) of Fort Fisher.
Gathering at Lake Logan Episcopal Conference Center for lunch and awards presentation.
The firing line (L-R)Chris Woodson, Scott Douglas, Wade Rogers, me, and Jake Jennette.
18th century Expert Marksman winner, Patrick Cook of SC State Parks shooting a French firelock from the early 1700s.
19th century Expert Marksman winner, Jim Steele (L) of Fort Fisher.
Gathering at Lake Logan Episcopal Conference Center for lunch and awards presentation.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Everyone Passed
Day Two is history and everyone passed the end of course test for the historic weapons class. Today's sessions centered around learning the various drill and firing procedures for each weapon. Without going into a whole lot of detail here are some photos.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Day One is in the Books
The first day of our small arms certification course went very well by all accounts. We managed to stay on schedule (miraculously) and I think everyone was comfortable with the material and that they had learned what they needed to learn. We took some photos today, but the camera was left at the site so I'll have to post pictures later. Day Two will consist of drilling, blank firing, cleaning weapons, and administering the written exam. It will be very hot, but hoepfully with enough shade, water, and breaks everyone will come through it just fine.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Heading to the Mountains
Tomorrow morning I am off to the mountains of NC to conduct a three-day long historic weapons certification course for Historic Sites staff. Our courses are very similar to the National Park Service course that I attended in February except for the fact that we break our courses into small arms one year and artillery the next. It makes for a shorter and more manageable class. This year's class is small arms and is being held at one of my favorite sites, Vance Birthplace. The course will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and a half-day Wednesday, which is when we go to the shooting range to do our live fire exercise.
The class is divided into 18th and 19th century sections. This year we have a rather large class, with 20 participants in the 18th century and 17 participants in the 19th century. I think everyone is eager to attend and is looking forward to a good time. The sites in the western part of the state seem very remote to folks in the east and many of the participants have not been to them so it's a chance for everyone to see something they may not ever go to see. We have also lined up an evening tour on Tuesday at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial for those who are interested. While it will be a long week, it should be a lot of fun and I hope to post some photos and updates as the week goes along.
The class is divided into 18th and 19th century sections. This year we have a rather large class, with 20 participants in the 18th century and 17 participants in the 19th century. I think everyone is eager to attend and is looking forward to a good time. The sites in the western part of the state seem very remote to folks in the east and many of the participants have not been to them so it's a chance for everyone to see something they may not ever go to see. We have also lined up an evening tour on Tuesday at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial for those who are interested. While it will be a long week, it should be a lot of fun and I hope to post some photos and updates as the week goes along.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Slowing Down for the Summer (sort of)
The Carolina Living History Guild is taking a break of sorts this summer. To be honest, it usually is our slowest time of the year anyway, but this year seems unusually so. In June, our Continental Line guys have a small one-day living history program. In July, we have a Maximum Effort Civil War navy event. In August, we have a small one-day living history for the Rev War navy and Continental Line. So you're probably thinking, "well that's one event a month." However, compared to the two or three events per month in February, April, and May it seems like a break.
Of course, my personal schedule gets no easier with artillery shoots at Fort Macon and Fort Fisher in June, following a three-day long historic weapons certification class next week (more on that later). Add to that the fact that we are still trying to find a place to live and get moved, and it all makes for a very busy summer for me! This week the temps hit the mid-90s for the first time, so summer really is here. Stay tuned for blogging on all the summertime activities, starting next week.
Of course, my personal schedule gets no easier with artillery shoots at Fort Macon and Fort Fisher in June, following a three-day long historic weapons certification class next week (more on that later). Add to that the fact that we are still trying to find a place to live and get moved, and it all makes for a very busy summer for me! This week the temps hit the mid-90s for the first time, so summer really is here. Stay tuned for blogging on all the summertime activities, starting next week.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Weekly Quote
Our weekly quote from the Mariner's Book of Days:
A sailboat cruise is a singularly impractical means of getting somewhere. ~Daniel Spurr
A sailboat cruise is a singularly impractical means of getting somewhere. ~Daniel Spurr
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