I am a wandering, bitter shade,
Never of me was a hero made;
Poets have never sung my praise,
Nobody crowned my brow with bays;
And if you ask me the fatal cause,
I answer only, “My name was Dawes”
‘Tis all very well for the children to hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere;
But why should my name be quite forgot,
Who rode as boldly and well, God wot?
Why should I ask? The reason is clear —
My name was Dawes and his Revere.
When the lights from the old North Church flashed out,
Paul Revere was waiting about,
But I was already on my way.
The shadows of night fell cold and gray
As I rode, with never a break or a pause;
But what was the use, when my name was Dawes!
History rings with his silvery name;
Closed to me are the portals of fame.
Had he been Dawes and I Revere,
No one had heard of him, I fear.
No one has heard of me because
He was Revere and I was Dawes.
Helen F. Moore,
published in Century Magazine, 1896
Thursday Apr 19 10:05amA good article that sums up my thoughts on bike helmets. Yes, everyone should wear them but not because of a law. It’s more important to focus on improved facilities and getting more people riding bikes.
Friday Feb 24 10:47am
True story: I want to the United First Parish Church several years ago to volunteer for the Prison Book Program. The volunteer coordinator said “Let me show you around.” Then she opened a gate that lead into a vault and casually said “This is where John Adams & John Quincy Adams are buried with their wives.” I was overcome with history geek awe.
fyeahhistorymajorheraldicbeast:
Saturday Jan 14 10:27pmOnce I discovered John’s grave was 45 minutes from my mom’s new house in Rhode Island, I purposely spent my winter break with her instead of going home to Los Angeles, just so I could make a pilgrimage to Quincy. And yes, I actually prayed to John once I got there. I’m a dipstick, I know.
Tuesday Oct 11 10:05amthey waited for the media to leave.
they went in at 1:30am.
they arrested over 100 people.
they shoved, beat and dragged veterans and other protesters.
then when everyone was gone, they threw the remains of the camp into dumpsters.
don’t forget this. spread it. signal boost.
Old Sturbridge Village, 4 September 2011.
The dome of the Massachusetts State House among the treetops of Boston Common.
Tuesday May 17 10:31am
Tacky tourist tchotchkes are not a new thing.
Friday Apr 29 10:17amsouvenir stand for the literary minded
I remember the first time I crossed the border into New Hampshire and saw the EXIT SIGNS for the NH State Liquor Stores. I knew I’d entered into a different world.
Wednesday Apr 13 11:51amOH MY GOD. They even got Route 28 referenced? Amazing. The sign isn’t right (that actually looks like a Connecticut sign) but I can let that slide.
Devorah Sperber, Before Warhol, 2010
Made of spools of thread and on display at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
Sunday Mar 6 10:50pm