Randy | January 31, 2011
Every word in the following article is the personal opinion of its author, but every statement made within it can be supported with authenticating documentation. The author regards public safety and security as matters not to be trifled with in these troubled times, and sincerely hopes that the brutal honesty of this article will encourage […]
Randy | January 24, 2011
Of the known Icelandic sagas, both Grænlendinga Saga (The Saga of the Greenlanders) and Eiríks Saga Rauða (The Saga of Eirik the Red) speak of the discovery of Vinland – what we call North America – by the Vikings. They also make mention of Freydís Eiríksdóttir. Freydís was the daughter of Eirik the Red and, […]
Randy | January 19, 2011
I’ve always been a fan of Robert W. Service, he known best by the world for such great works of frontier poetry as The Shooting of Dan McGrew and The Cremation of Sam McGee. Service said, “The only society I like is that which is rough and tough – and the tougher the better. That’s […]
Randy | January 18, 2011
I am both saddened and honoured to bear the news to the world that yesterday, in his own bed and in the company of those who loved him with all their hearts, Alf vom Garreler Esch, also known as Alf, went to sleep for the last time. Originally brought to Canada from Germany, and coming […]
Randy | January 17, 2011
In the course of my research for the Skrælingibók, I have turned up a number of excellently rendered documentaries, one of which I’m presenting here for your viewing pleasure. Made in 2004, the 40 minute documentary Vikings: Journey to New Worlds was directed by Mark Fafard, co-written by Mark Fafard and Jonathan Hock. My thanks […]
Randy | January 8, 2011
A thousand years ago, Viking expeditions out of Greenland made incursions into North America. Much of what we know of this time comes down to us from a pair of Icelandic Sagas that were written two hundred years after the events they describe, supplemented by archaeological examination of the failed Vinland settlement at L’Anse aux […]
Randy | January 5, 2011
Among the most famous folk stories ever written down are those that involve the people who live in the remote Polish town of Helm (sometimes spelled “Chelm”). Famous or not, there will still be some of you who have never heard of the place, let alone its impressive inhabitants, so I’m about to fix that. […]
Randy | January 4, 2011
In another one of those moments of serendipity I’m famous for, a few days ago I discovered Aston, an Australian group that does incredible covers of pop songs using traditional classical instruments. This is NO circus trick! Not only are they unbelievably talented, they’re hot by every definition of the term, and make it obvious […]
Randy | January 3, 2011
Mrs. LFM and I first heard of the movie called 2012 in a conversation with actor Stephen McHattie at his cottage. I asked him what he was working on lately and he said his latest project was that one. Knowing the range of roles he takes on, and the quality of portrayal he’s capable of, […]