Remembrance Day 2010

 Today, dh and I attended the Remembrance Day parade here in Gettysburg.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the rows and rows of Civil War reenactors in this parade.  It is amazing how many people dedicate their lives to remembering those who fought and died here over 100 years ago.

By far the most unusual thing for me was the Civil War era hearse, drawn by 2 horses and driven by a man in a stove-pipe hat.

I wanted to make sure to get a picture of a Civil War band (one with brass instruments) and decided to make this shot sepia toned to add to the semi-authenticity of the moment.

Remembrance Day 2010

 Today, dh and I attended the Remembrance Day parade here in Gettysburg.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the rows and rows of Civil War reenactors in this parade.  It is amazing how many people dedicate their lives to remembering those who fought and died here over 100 years ago.

By far the most unusual thing for me was the Civil War era hearse, drawn by 2 horses and driven by a man in a stove-pipe hat.

I wanted to make sure to get a picture of a Civil War band (one with brass instruments) and decided to make this shot sepia toned to add to the semi-authenticity of the moment.

Steampunk

I have become enamored of steampunk. According to Wikipedia, Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s which explains why I'm just hearing about this now.

Steampunk is a fantasy genre (books and computer games) where steam engine era design is mixed with modern technology. The result is something like this picture--a pc that might have been invented during the Victorian age. This would fit in perfectly with the local Gettysburg culture. I could see a reenactor using one of these in the outdoor cafe on Steinwehr. (Hey, it would look more authentic than the cell phones I've seen them use!)

Anyway, I'm intrigued by the design of these things. In The Steampunk Home, Sara searches for stempunk inspired items for use around her home that combine the scientific romanticism of the Victorians with our real present and imagined future.

I could definitely see steampunk appealing to someone like my husband who is very "how things work" oriented. I can't help but wonder if a more Victorian designed technology would take away some of the reticence some of us have in approaching something with a completely new functionality. It would allow us to appreciate the historicity and antiquity of things in our environment without sacrificing the technology we have become so dependent on. It is also a great way to refashion antiques into modern, usable things.

Drop by The Steam Punk Home for a world you never knew existed!

Steampunk

I have become enamored of steampunk. According to Wikipedia, Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s which explains why I'm just hearing about this now.

Steampunk is a fantasy genre (books and computer games) where steam engine era design is mixed with modern technology. The result is something like this picture--a pc that might have been invented during the Victorian age. This would fit in perfectly with the local Gettysburg culture. I could see a reenactor using one of these in the outdoor cafe on Steinwehr. (Hey, it would look more authentic than the cell phones I've seen them use!)

Anyway, I'm intrigued by the design of these things. In The Steampunk Home, Sara searches for stempunk inspired items for use around her home that combine the scientific romanticism of the Victorians with our real present and imagined future.

I could definitely see steampunk appealing to someone like my husband who is very "how things work" oriented. I can't help but wonder if a more Victorian designed technology would take away some of the reticence some of us have in approaching something with a completely new functionality. It would allow us to appreciate the historicity and antiquity of things in our environment without sacrificing the technology we have become so dependent on. It is also a great way to refashion antiques into modern, usable things.

Drop by The Steam Punk Home for a world you never knew existed!

New Favorite Monument

I have a new favorite monument here in Gettysburg. This monument is for the 11th Pennsylvania infantry. My husband and I searched for and found this monument tonight during our evening VW bug ride. I first heard of its existence during a meeting of our local poetry society and knew I had to see it for myself.

The monument memorializes Sallie, a brindle bull terrier, who joined the 11th Pennsylvania regiment as a puppy and was its mascot. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Sallie became separated from the men and was later discovered to have stayed behind with the soldiers who had died on the first day of the battle.

The men nursed her back to health and she served with them for two more years, before being killed at Hatcher's Run, PA. She was buried amidst "murderous fire" and memorialized when the 11th Pennsylvania erected a monument in Gettysburg.

Today Sallie is still remembered by those who visit her monument and leave dog biscuits at the foot of her statue.

New Favorite Monument

I have a new favorite monument here in Gettysburg. This monument is for the 11th Pennsylvania infantry. My husband and I searched for and found this monument tonight during our evening VW bug ride. I first heard of its existence during a meeting of our local poetry society and knew I had to see it for myself.

The monument memorializes Sallie, a brindle bull terrier, who joined the 11th Pennsylvania regiment as a puppy and was its mascot. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Sallie became separated from the men and was later discovered to have stayed behind with the soldiers who had died on the first day of the battle.

The men nursed her back to health and she served with them for two more years, before being killed at Hatcher's Run, PA. She was buried amidst "murderous fire" and memorialized when the 11th Pennsylvania erected a monument in Gettysburg.

Today Sallie is still remembered by those who visit her monument and leave dog biscuits at the foot of her statue.

Battle of Gettysburg

In honor of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point in the American Civil War, I am posting this moving video of the 75th anniversary of the battle, celebrated when some of the original soldiers were still alive.

My late mother in law used to tell us of the parades in her hometown of Braintree, MA, when Civil War Veterans would march.

May God rest their souls.

Battle of Gettysburg

In honor of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point in the American Civil War, I am posting this moving video of the 75th anniversary of the battle, celebrated when some of the original soldiers were still alive.

My late mother in law used to tell us of the parades in her hometown of Braintree, MA, when Civil War Veterans would march.

May God rest their souls.

Comfort food

Today we went to a local diner, The Avenue. I had an unusual dish called Cincinnati Chili which consisted of spaghetti topped with chili topped with cheddar cheese topped with bacon. Mmmmmm!

Next time I'll try the deep fried dill pickles!

Comfort food

Today we went to a local diner, The Avenue. I had an unusual dish called Cincinnati Chili which consisted of spaghetti topped with chili topped with cheddar cheese topped with bacon. Mmmmmm!

Next time I'll try the deep fried dill pickles!