Hard to believe that only a century ago, mail-order brides were a “thing.” Yes, really; you could answer an advertisement; strike up a correspondence; and if the stars seemed aligned, choose a wife or husband – all by mail. It was a seemingly practical solution for singles stuck in remote locations – the Victorian version … read more
Victoriana
Magazine Lore from 1889
I love, love, love old magazines, and thanks to a sharp-eyed friend, an 1889 copy of Lippincott’s magazine came home with me. I couldn’t wait to share some of the “finds” inside with you! Life was different back in 1889, of course – yet also so much the same. Outdoor recreation was big, for one … read more
The Courting Buggy Tradition
There’s a short, humorous scene in my soon-to-be-released Time Travel novella that mentions a “courting buggy.” Check it out: Pleased wasn’t the word for how Hiram’s visits struck me. Annoyed was more like it. Hiram had gotten in the habit of “stopping by for a chat” two or three times a week. Sometimes on … read more