Anita Mae Draper - Writing/Author Blog

Snowshoes on Horses

2/5/2019

Woodcut from Historia Delle Genti, by Olaus Magnus, 1565 edition. Library of Congress

I'm over at Heroes, Heroines and History talking about horses wearing snowshoes, and if you think the woodcut above is just a novelty, come over and see the rest of the photos I found to show it was more common than you might think.

I also found several newspaper clippings that mention horses wearing snowshoes and although I've only included the links on the HHH blog, here's one for you to read in case you can't get to the links.

Idaho County free press. (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) January 02, 1902

If you enjoy this post, please let me know as it inspires me to search out more historical treasures.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Video

1/16/2019

Still image from 1898 Sleighing Video. Source: LOC Prints & Photographs

I'm over at Inkwell Inspirations today with an 1898 video by the Edison Film Company that shows sleighing in Central Park. It's silent, but lots of horse-drawn sleighs in action. You can check it out at Inkwell Inspirations.

Ice Slides Go Way Back

1/5/2019

Russian Ice Slides 16th Century. Public Domain

I love research and my post, From Ice Slide to Roller Coaster, over at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog, is full of interesting images of what turns out to be the beginnings of roller coasters.

And if thrill rides aren't your thing, drop in and see what luxury awaited the pleasure-seekers of Catherine the Great's court after a day on the slides.

Hope to see you there.

Treasured Christmas Memories

12/19/2018

I'm over at Inkwell Inspirations with a post, All I Want For Christmas is Spending Time With You.

In these times where generations of a family are spread across the miles, it's more important than ever to put a value on the time you spend together instead of the value of a gift you send.

Whether it's a physical across-the-table conversation, a phone call, or a video call like Skype or FaceTime, spend some time with loved ones because those are the memories you'll both treasure most of all.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours. I hope we get to meet some day.

Anita.

Christmas Decorated Bandstands

12/5/2018

Hastings Park Bandstand, Lexington MA. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

I'm ending my series on Historic Bandstands with Christmas lights, greenery and wintery snow over on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog.

I've enjoyed the research that went into this series, although it was frustrating when I found wonderful images but couldn't post them due to copyright. Yes, the bane and protection for every author.

I've especially liked discovering that many historic bandstands are still in use for concerts throughout the summer, and for Christmas festivals at this time of year.

So come over and visit me at HHH for Snow Bandstand Gazebos . Yes, that's actually the title. A bit mouthy, but it covers the images I've chosen for this final Bandstand post.

Fruitcake Time

11/21/2018

Fruitcake made by Anita Mae Draper, Dec 2013

Yes, it's time for fruitcake! At least, it's time to make fruitcake since it needs time of meld all the mouth-watering flavours together. And that's the topic of my post over at Inkwell Inspirations where I discuss why fruitcake lasts so long and the edible factor of a 106-year-old fruitcake found in Antarctica last year.

If you have trouble commenting over at the Inkwell, you can leave a comment here.

By the way, I made the fruitcake shown in the above image back in Dec 2013. It didn't make it to 2014. Yum.

Bandstand, Gazebo, or Pavilion

11/5/2018

On November 5th, I'm finishing up my bandstand series on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog with an odds 'n ends post on structures that could be filled with musicians, but are also called gazebos and pavilions depending on the community and its needs.

This will be followed by the last bandstand post on Dec 5th where I hope to inspire the Christmas season with bandstands decked out with lights and greenery.

I hope you'll drop in for a visit and share any thoughts or memories on these historic structures.

Inspiring Blessings on Video

10/17/2018

Fall blessings in abundance is my topic today over at Inkwell Inspirations where I share some very short videos of snow geese and moose...visual blessings from God because He loves us.
If you only have a couple minutes, skip the story of my adventure, but do watch the videos and perhaps you too will be as inspired and blessed as I was on that day, and every time I see the photos and videos.

Music Theme Bandstands on HHH

10/5/2018

Music Stand at Tower Grove Park, St. Louis, Mo., Public Domain

If you are a fan of the arts, and music in particular, then you might like to know about bandstands that have a visual tribute to musicians. Tower Grove Park in Saint Louis, Missouri, is the site of several statues and pavilions, including what is called the music stand, a large Victorian bandstand erected in the 19th century and representative of what you would find in a Victorian walking park. Officially registered on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), Tower Grove Park Music Stand was built in 1872 and is surrounded by pillars bearing the white marble busts of six famous musical composers.

As you may have guessed, I'm over at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog with images and info about one Canadian and two American music-themed bandstands.

If you drop by and visit my post, Bandstands with a Music Theme, let me know what you think about the currently painted color scheme. Honestly, I think I prefer the original colors above, but then I'm a traditionalist at heart. What about you?

Hear the Rustle at the Inkwell

9/18/2018

I'm blogging at Inkwell Inspirations about one of my favorite words, with lots of accompanying photographs to show you why the word is so versatile and how you can use it if you don't already.

Well, look here . . . is it a rustler?