A note on respect, curiosity, and creative tools Over the past months, some readers may have noticed a new interest thread appearing on An Itinerant Scribe. I have been exploring Chinese history, culture, and daily life. This exploration is through the voice of a historical persona. I want to pause for a moment—not to justify…
You know how sometimes you do something just for giggles? That was me this week. I was researching something unrelated. Suddenly, a mischievous thought popped into my head: What would Murphy’s Law look like… for ChatGPT? I couldn’t resist. I typed in the prompt and hit enter. And, ChatGPT did not disappoint. Here’s what it…
As we usher in a new year, I thought it’d be fun to take a step back to 15th-century Bruges. We can see how Jehanne Bening might have celebrated. Spoiler alert: no champagne or midnight countdowns! But there was plenty of food, faith, and fellowship to go around in her bustling city. Let’s look at…
Scholars, translators, transcribers and writers have always needed to have multiple books and other resources within easy reach. Illustrated manuscripts give us a good look at how medieval scribes stored and arranged their often large and hefty books. In the image above, Saint Jerome, identified by the halo, red galero and the lion with a…
“Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.” -Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) AI is moving fast, and there’s no denying that it’s becoming a part of our everyday lives in interesting ways. Whether you’re exploring it for fun, to help with research, or to make tasks easier, ChatGPT can be a helpful tool….
The history, etymology and, of course, a recipe of Appulmoy, a creamy rice and apple pottage from Richard II’s cookery book, is offered to you all in this my Christmas blog post. Merry Christmas! Appulmoy, apple rice pottage
Hey there! Ever found yourself admiring someone’s dedication and skill in the SCA and wondered if you can recommend them for peerage? You’re not alone! Many folks wonder about this, and it’s a common topic of conversation. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can do this properly and effectively. Can You Recommend Someone…
Hey there, fellow SCA enthusiast! To continue our series on peerage, we will dive into what it really means to be a Laurel. A Laurel holds a significant role in our beloved Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Think of a Laurel as a living library of knowledge about the SCA’s ways, history, and traditions. This…
Hey there, fellow artisans and creatives in the SCA community! So, imagine you’ve been tasked with crafting an award scroll for someone in our midst. Now, if you know the person like the back of your hand, well, congratulations! You’re already halfway there. The Medieval vibe practically falls into place effortlessly. But, let’s say you’re…
Hey there, fellow SCAdians and craft lovers! Guess what? I’m absolutely buzzing with excitement! Remember those 6 Traditional Crafts basketry kits I mentioned recently? Well, I decided to take my basket-making adventure a step further and ordered some kits from V.I. Reed & Cane. And you won’t believe it – they arrived yesterday! Let me…
Hey there, fellow SCA enthusiasts! As we bid farewell to 2023 and gear up to welcome another year, I wanted to take a moment to share a thought or two with you all. You know, I’ve never been one for long recaps or making grand New Year’s resolutions. To me, it’s all about taking each…
Hey all! Today, I planned to take a basket weaving class that’s given by a local “mundane” crafter. I was really looking forward to it, too. Sadly, I came down with a cough on Wednesday and had to cancel, even if I was over it by today. Which I’m not. To make it up to…
My week… Listening: barbershop on YouTube because it makes me smile. Watching: Hamilton for about the 30th time Following: @meidastouch independent news and politics network. Reading: “11/22/63: A Novel” by whom else but Steven King Crafting: finished updating the Baronial Role of Arms Doing: preparing for the coming Kingdom of Calontir Coronation event hosted by…
Hey there, fellow SCA enthusiasts and all things creative. Let’s consider for a moment the world of award creation and giving. A place where hours of dedication and hundreds of bursts of creativity by fellow scribes and wordsmiths converge to create something extraordinary. You know, whether you’re newer in the SCA or a seasoned veteran,…
Hey all. This is a brief note, sort of a public service announcement. I just posted a new page showcasing my apprentice THL Astrid Esbjornsdottir‘s creative creations. Enjoy!
Hey there, fellow SCA scribes and all who follow this blog! Recently I discovered, to my delight, that the issue I had with my hands — peripheral neuropathy — has subsided enough I can return to painting award scrolls again. After 5 years without using a paint brush I’m rusty. So I’ll be learning some…
Another perspective on being a Peer in the Society for Creative Anachronism.