Anyone who knows me knows that---in stereotypical American fashion---I identify strongly with my European heritage, especially during the holiday season when lots of old traditions are dredged up each year. I'm German American. I am aware that many native-born Germans turn up their nose at Americans claiming German ancestry, but I'd like to think I… Continue reading Holiday Heritage: Springerle
Category: culture
A Brief History of Fraktur
π»ππ ππππ: ππππ ππ πππ ππππ ππ ππππ ππππ? At first glance, many folks in the English-speaking world would probably call it "Old English," but that name isn't really accurateβthe Old English language predates this style by a few centuries, and the calligraphic hands used to write Old English were entirely different. Its real name… Continue reading A Brief History of Fraktur
Inside RΓΊtshellir
Iceland has become a popular destination in recent years, for photographers and tourists alike. With the closure of WOW airlines in 2019, ticket prices have skyrocketed, but the draw of the island country remains irresistible for many. Iceland offers photogenic, otherworldly landscapes and an interesting Nordic history that keeps people coming back for more. The… Continue reading Inside RΓΊtshellir
The Enduring Story of Siegfried
A quick walk-through of the character's history and significance in medieval Germanic literature