0661 – Ōku (大来皇女 or 大伯皇女), Japanese princess and poet who was the daughter of Emperor Tenmu and older sister of Prince Ōtsu; her best known poem mourns the death of her brother the prince, after their stepmother had him executed so that her own son would become the next emperor. 1567 – Thomas Campion,Continue reading “February 12 Writer Birthdays”
Author Archives: petrini1
Throwback Thursday: JFK and Papa
I was recently reminded of a photo I came across a couple years ago. I was doing some research on a 1960 John F. Kennedy campaign tour, and found a newspaper photo of him speaking at an armory in Scranton, Pennsylvania. And I recognized my own grandfather sitting onstage with him! “Papa,” as we calledContinue reading “Throwback Thursday: JFK and Papa”
February 11 Writer Birthdays
1783 – Jarena Lee – first female African-American autobiographer and first female African-American ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 1802 – Lydia Maria Child, political-rights activist for the cause of women, slaves, and American Indians; also a novelist and poet; she is best known for the poem used as the lyrics to the song,Continue reading “February 11 Writer Birthdays”
Old House Drama
Have you ever been surprised by the contentiousness of online discussions among groups that seem like they should be friendly and innocuous? I’m on a online discussion for people who live in and love old houses. The site is usually filled with posts from members sharing photos of their lovely old homes or asking forContinue reading “Old House Drama”
February 10 Writer Birthdays
1775 – Charles Lamb, English essayist, poet, and historian, best known for Tales from Shakespeare, co-authored with his sister Mary Lamb. 1868 – William Allen White, American author, biographer, newspaper editor, and politician who was a leader of the Progressive movement. 1890 – Boris Pasternak, Russian novelist, poet, and translator who is best known forContinue reading “February 10 Writer Birthdays”
Month of Letters 2021
Every February for years, I’ve taken part in the Month of Letters challenge. During the month of February, I’m supposed write and mail one letter or postcard each day. And when I receive mail (not junk mail) I write back to the sender. Mail can go to old friends, family members, my regular pen pals,Continue reading “Month of Letters 2021”
February 9 Writer Birthdays
1737 – Thomas Paine, English-born American writer, essayist, opinion journalist, politician, philosopher, and political activist known for Enlightenment Era ideals; his pamphlet Common Sense and other writings helped inspire the American Revolution. 1783 – Vasily Zhukovsky, Russian poet, translator, linguist, and literary critic. 1863 – Anthony Hope, English author and playwright best known for hisContinue reading “February 9 Writer Birthdays”
February 8 Writer Birthdays
1819 – John Ruskin, English art critic of the Victorian Era, best remembered for his five-volume work, Modern Painters. 1819 – Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, Russian writer, essayist, journalist, biographer, and composer who is best known for her 40-year relationship with composer and pianist Franz Liszt and may have written some publications credited to Liszt, especiallyContinue reading “February 8 Writer Birthdays”
A Bump on the Head
I was going to blog today about Laura Ingalls Wilder, who was born on this day in 1867 and is one of my favorite writers ever. But an hour ago, I had an accident. My husband and I were putting some boxes away in the attic. OK, I admit that we were finally putting awayContinue reading “A Bump on the Head”
February 7 Writer Birthdays
1478 – Thomas More, English Renaissance writer and humanist who coined the term “utopia.” 1559 – Catherine de Bourbon, French Navarrese poet, writer, and princess who was the daughter of Queen Joan III and King Anthony of Navarre and who ruled the principality of Béarn in the name of her brother, King Henry III ofContinue reading “February 7 Writer Birthdays”
