Ode to the Eckley coal breaker
December 13, 2025
Thanksgiving during the Civil War and Lincoln’s resonating message
November 21, 2025
In the fall of 1861, 22-year-old John Williamson was spending his first Thanksgiving away from home, hundreds of miles from his new wife and unborn baby. He’d joined the Union Army and had left his home in Eckley, a coal mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania to be part of the Defenses of Washington. He wrote … More Thanksgiving during the Civil War and Lincoln’s resonating message
Winter soldiering during the Civil War: extracts from a soldier’s letter home in January 1862
January 22, 2025
…and a couple of examples about how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or change. While we’re dealing with our arctic blast, I’ve been wondering what the weather was like in the winter of 1861-1862, the first winter of the Civil War. Why? Because of the letters of a 23-year-old soldier … More Winter soldiering during the Civil War: extracts from a soldier’s letter home in January 1862
Birthday prep for the Court House Deer
June 14, 2024
I have a crush. I’ve had it for about two years now. My husband knows about it and oddly is fine with it. That’s because the object of my crush is the popular Court House Deer statue that stands in front of the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A couple of years ago, I … More Birthday prep for the Court House Deer
A misty day of remembrance
May 21, 2024
I woke up thinking about John. John Williamson is the Civil War soldier whose letters home to his wife form the core of my book ‘You Dream Every Night That I am Home.” Since I wrote the book, I think about John every Memorial Day. He was 23 years old when he was killed, was … More A misty day of remembrance
Can’t wait for Patchtown Days at Eckley
May 13, 2024
Every year, an event called Patchtown Days is held at Eckley Miners’ Village in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2024 it will be held on June 15th & 16th. Eckley is a preserved 19th century coal town, or patch, and the event celebrates the heritage of the coal region. I love Eckley and am a proud descendant … More Can’t wait for Patchtown Days at Eckley
Hiding in plain sight–Eckley, Pennsylvania’s “Love Rock”
February 11, 2024
As we approach Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of an unusual bit of history related to romance–the Love Rock at Eckley Miners’ Village. Eckley, Pennsylvania is an open-air museum–a coal town from the 1800s that’s basically been frozen in time. Located near Hazleton, it is a destination for history buffs, school groups and those with family … More Hiding in plain sight–Eckley, Pennsylvania’s “Love Rock”
Self-published means self-promotion
December 5, 2023
I’ve been asked again and again how I promote my books, which are published on Amazon. One way is “Meet the Author” book talks. I’ve done two of them now. How did I get the opportunities to do them? By making people aware of my books, which are about the history of northeastern Pennsylvania. After … More Self-published means self-promotion
The Old Stone Warehouse of Fredericksburg, witness to over 200 years of history
November 9, 2023
As I’ve admitted in previous posts, I’ve become fascinated with the idea of witness trees. And witness buildings, witness bridges, witness rail lines—anything and everything that’s borne witness to events, major and minor, in history. The city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, established in 1728, is famous for its history. George Washington was 6 years old in … More The Old Stone Warehouse of Fredericksburg, witness to over 200 years of history
Meet “Three-O-Nina”, the Big Cow of Wilkes-Barre
September 19, 2023
I go to Wilkes-Barre frequently nowadays–it’s well known that I’ve become a huge fan of its Court House Deer. But I recently learned that there’s another famous animal statue in Wilkes-Barre. She’s from Wisconsin, which makes sense since she’s a dairy cow (and they’re known for their cheese). She’s huge, way, WAY bigger than the … More Meet “Three-O-Nina”, the Big Cow of Wilkes-Barre
ChessieWriter 