Keep on Feasting! For Lovers of “Game of Thrones”

Fans of the popular TV series “Game of Thrones” must be feeling bereft. And why shouldn’t they? The curtain finally fell on the last episode of that long-running megahit. Unless they love reruns, that’s it for those fans. I, on the other hand, have barely made it through the first episode so far, “Winter is … More Keep on Feasting! For Lovers of “Game of Thrones”

Transcription of Medieval Documents, or, What an Online Resource!

As I mentioned, albeit briefly, in “A Hastiness of Cooks”: A Practical Handbook for Use in Deciphering the Mysteries of Historic Recipes and Cookbooks, For Living-History Reenactors, Historians, Writers, Chefs, Archaeologists, and, of Course, Cooks, transcription is one of those things that makes all the difference when you’re trying to recreate historic recipes or analyzing … More Transcription of Medieval Documents, or, What an Online Resource!

12 Months of the Year, or, Medieval Liturgical Calendars

“A picture is worth a thousand words!” Yes. And no. In one image, art, like photography, can present something that could take a thousand words to describe. Or more, depending upon what’s being shown. I think of the raw files that come out of my Nikon D7100 as being more like rough drafts than the … More 12 Months of the Year, or, Medieval Liturgical Calendars

Pignagoscé sur chapons (Pignagoscé on Capons), Plus Some Words on Paleography

In my latest book, “A Hastiness of Cooks”, I deliberately skimmed over France and her culinary heritage. Not because I thought her culinary heritage not worth acknowledging, but because I wanted to savor that heritage in a different medium or venue. With that sentiment in mind, I pulled Terence Scully’s treatise – The Vivendier – … More PignagoscĂ© sur chapons (PignagoscĂ© on Capons), Plus Some Words on Paleography

The French in Indochina: Caricatures and Satire

In 1912, AndrĂ© Joyeux published a most interesting book, La Vie Large des Colonies, filled with satirical caricatures of the the colons, or French colonialists in Vietnam. Some were amusing, others truly horrific. Note: The caption reads – Ce que ça va les faire gueuler Ă  Paris! – Ben, qu’ils viennent bouffer les soupes qu’on … More The French in Indochina: Caricatures and Satire