The Rock of Cashel was begun in the 11th century, and became the seat of the kings of Munster. It was there that St. Patrick converted them to Christianity in the fifth century, and eventually a great cathedral was built, before the whole thing got sacked, burned and plundered by Oliver Cromwell. According to folklore, […]
The Daily Ramble: The River Chew at Pensford, Somerset
The village of Pensford is in Somerset, Great Britain. We stumbled upon it in search of the Stanton Drew stone circles, and were mesmerized by this view. A great flood of the River Chew in 1968 damaged the railroad viaduct in the background so extensively it never reopened. Also damaged was the St Thomas […]
On Death
WE MEET DEATH IN MANY WAYS, in many guises. Sometimes it strikes quickly, openly, savage in its intensity. Mostly it takes its time, a small temptation that seems innocent – a love of sweets, a cool draught of liquor on the tongue, the rush of nicotine from a cigarette, simple pleasures that become addictions and […]
A Time Traveler’s Primer
It’s midnight, I’ve been walking. I’m staring up at my bedroom window, one dim light shining through. The same window I looked out on as child. I’ve been to many places, many streets, lived in many towns, stared up at many windows. I didn’t expect to be this age, staring up at that window again. […]
Dear Mr. Musk: Before starting your own Utopia, perhaps you should take a look at history?
New Harmony, Indiana was the site of two utopian experiments. The beauty of the town is intact, thanks to a sweet old lady with oil money to spend. But the experiments were distinct failures. From the History Trekker: If colonizing Mars can save humanity, why can’t you apply those same principles at home and save […]
Eating Poe: Part Three, Poe’s life New York City, where he found fame, tragedy and madness, and I search Il Buco for The Cask of Amontillado
It’s a tantalizing legend, that the building that now houses Il Buco in New York City was the macabre inspiration in Poe’s life for the setting of The Cask of Amontillado. The places Poe touched in Manhattan and the Bronx can still be found, though in most cases the surroundings are unrecognizable from his day. So […]
