Category Archives: Uncategorized

Taliesin’s Tale

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Nathan

I don’t think I’ve said that much about the legendary bard Taliesin, although I’ve come across him when researching other British mythology. I tend to subconsciously associate him with Tam Lin and Thomas the Rhymer, I guess because they’re also … Continue reading →

Posted in Arthurian Legend, British, Celtic, Etymology, Finnish, Greek Mythology, History, Magic, Music, Mythology, Names, Poetry, Uncategorized, Welsh | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Magic

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Nathan

The word “magic,” with or without the K at the end that Aleister Crowley preferred, derives from “magus,” a term for a Zoroastrian priest. I’ve seen indications that it might have referred to a specific tribe or caste. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Decades Collide

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Nathan

The Brady Bunch Movie – From 1995, this was essentially an affectionate parody and a culture clash. It’s along the same lines as the two Addams Family movies from the era, as it places a sitcom family from an earlier … Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Humor, Monkees, Music, Relationships, Television, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bradys and Gentlemen

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Nathan

Beth has now shown me all five seasons of The Brady Bunch. She says she started watching it to goof on it, then found that she genuinely liked it. It can be pretty corny, but I think there’s a sweetness … Continue reading →

Posted in Gender, Humor, Monkees, Muppets, Music, Prejudice, Relationships, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Television, Uncategorized, Weird Al Yankovic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Dragon vs. Dragon

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Nathan

Since I enjoyed my playthrough of Breath of Fire 2, I decided to go back (figuratively, that is), and give the first one a try. I finished it yesterday, and it wasn’t really that difficult. I did use a walkthrough … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Breath of Fire, Dreams, Economics, Magic, Maps, Mega Man, Monsters, Names, Street Fighter, Technology, Uncategorized, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Whale of an Island

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Nathan

There are many tales of gigantic sea monsters, perhaps because what’s under the sea is pretty mysterious, and some of what people see really IS pretty monstrous. Northern Europe has many such legends, and this is where people really did encounter … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Art, Inuit, Monsters, Mythology, Native American, Norse, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seafaring and Serpents

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Nathan

Sam Steele’s Adventures on Land and Sea, by L. Frank Baum – The six issues of Oz-story Magazine, published by Hungry Tiger Press from 1995 through 2000, all ended with a full-length novel by Baum. I’d read two of them, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fairy Tales, Humor, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Monsters, Oz, Oz Authors, Prejudice, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Magical Law Enforcement

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Nathan

As per The Patchwork Girl of Oz, Ozma has banned the practice of magic for everyone in the Land of Oz aside from Glinda and her student, the Wizard of Oz. It’s interesting that this doesn’t include the Good Witch … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Edward Einhorn, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Melody Grandy, Oz, Oz Authors, Phyllis Ann Karr, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Snow Business

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Nathan

I was aware from pretty early on that Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the Oz series after L. Frank Baum, and that illustrator John R. Neill would eventually write his own as well. I don’t think I’d heard of the fourth … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Dick Martin, Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Jack Snow, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Maps, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Insect Aside

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Nathan

L. Frank Baum is never entirely clear on whether ALL animals in Oz can talk, or whether animals eat each other there. For instance, are insects there sentient? Well, the Wogglebug is, but that’s after he’s been Highly Magnified and … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Chris Dulabone, Eloise Jarvis McGraw, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Melody Grandy, Oz, Oz Authors, Rachel Cosgrove Payes, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments