Romantic novelist Jane Austen (1775 – 1817) achieved success in her lifetime with the publication of “Sense and Sensibility” in 1811, followed by four additional novels. Her continued popularity after two-hundred years is nothing short of phenomenal, with adaptations of …[Continue]
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804) was a Founding Father of the United States, the first Secretary of the Treasury (under President George Washington), author of the Federalist papers, Father of the United States Coast …[Continue]
Easy Christmas Cookies
I do not bake cookies. When my kids were younger they had a hard time accepting this, but eventually they figured out that they could make cookies themselves! For all the bakers at your house (whatever their ages), here are …[Continue]
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) is one of the greatest composers in history. His work marked a turning point for composers, who had previously written primarily for religious services, to teach, or to entertain at social functions. But Beethoven’s …[Continue]
Civil War
More than 620,000 Americans died in the Civil War (1861-1865), more than any other war in American history. The North prevailed over the South, but the grief and bitterness caused by the war casualties and injuries healed very slowly. Learn …[Continue]
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (born Isabella Baumfree) was one of the best-known abolitionists of the nineteenth century. Born a slave in New York in approximately 1797, she was freed in 1828. She took the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 when she began …[Continue]
Pilgrims of Plymouth
The Pilgrims were a English Separatist congregation that emigrated to Holland in 1608 to escape religious persecution. Twelve years later, discouraged by economic conditions, the congregation voted to move again, this time to America. A small ship, the Speedwell, carried …[Continue]
Vikings
Ten centuries ago, Vikings lived in northern Europe, in an area that now includes Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Vikings were infamous pirates and warriors, terrorizing Europe for hundreds of years. But warfare was not their only pursuit. They excelled on …[Continue]
Halloween Writing Prompts
Raise your hand if you love writing prompts! Halloween is a perennial favorite, and can be a great source of writing inspiration. These hand-picked sites offer dozens of ghoulishly fun writing prompts….[Continue]
Pablo Picasso
Born October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, Pablo Picasso became the defining artist of the twentieth century. As I learned about his life, I was struck by the observation that Picasso was blessed with parents who recognized his gift at …[Continue]
