Our trek through the tanglewood of the spooky season continues... Think I’m gonna sign up for this workshop: Folksongs of Fall, Death, and Mystery Workshop with Saro Lynch-Thomason by Folk Music Society of NY, Inc. In many traditions, late October marks the time of the last harvest, a period of abundance that mingles with an awareness of death … [Read more...] about Folksongs Of Fall, Death, And Mystery
The Wendigo Cometh
Man, we are on a roll with the Frontier Partisan spooky season. Yes, I purchased Slewfoot. Yes, it’s a hoot. The Headless Horseman still rides, and I’m sure that the ancient and evil guardian of the Transylvanian frontier can’t be far behind. Reader Aaron scouted up the long-delayed release of Antlers, which means that the Wendigo cometh. To … [Read more...] about The Wendigo Cometh
The Conspiracy Of Slewfoot
There is a dark conspiracy afoot. Strange and powerful forces are attempting to pull me from my studies, plotting to lure me into a dark tanglewood and relieve me of my money. There I was at Paulina Springs, innocently looking at some imported German writing journals, cuz I need a new one for my notes on Pontiac’s War. (Marilyn would tell you … [Read more...] about The Conspiracy Of Slewfoot
Working The Trapline — Private Wars
Partisans have been fighting wars on their own hook as long as there have been wars. The great Frontier Partisan ranger Simon Kenton is an example: While he was affiliated with the militia when it suited, he operated — alone or as the leader of the loosely organized Kenton’s Boys — on his own initiative in protecting the Kentucky … [Read more...] about Working The Trapline — Private Wars
Hills Of Scotland
I coulda sworn I had done a post on Allen Christie and his magnificent ballad Hills of Scotland. The archive says I haven’t. I guess I must have been remembering multiple comments from HP of Hillbilly Highways plugging the song. Well, I’m slow, sometimes, but I get there eventually. Get folked up with Allen Christie and Acoustic Mayhem. These … [Read more...] about Hills Of Scotland
Working The Trapline — Harvest Season
It’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day here in Oregon. The State of Oregon decided to go official on the rebranding of Columbus Day earlier this year. I’m all for recognizing and celebrating indigenous cultures. I hope we actually do. Of course, if I had my way, every school kid in America would get years of immersion in “borderlands history.” … [Read more...] about Working The Trapline — Harvest Season
Frederick Courteney Selous Podcast — Part II
Part II of The Frontier Partisans Podcast on Frederick Courteney Selous is up. You can access it here or on your other podcast platforms. This episode focuses on Selous’ service in the Second Matabele War and in the First World War, where he was killed in combat at the age of 65. FCS was not warlike by nature, but he heeded the call of duty when … [Read more...] about Frederick Courteney Selous Podcast — Part II
Haunted Frontiers
Clan Cornelius spent some time yesterday evening lining out just which tales of terror we will indulge ourselves in over the next few weeks leading up to All Hallows Eve. The traditional fare will be represented of course: Sleepy Hollow and Bram Stoker’s Dracula are annual mandatory viewing in our keep. But other tales are in the offing, and we … [Read more...] about Haunted Frontiers
On The Trail Of The Beast
We had a lovely, chilly autumn evening in Sisters, Oregon, last night. A perfect night for my annual rewatch of Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf). Longtime readers know that this weird and wild cinematic take on the legend of the Beast of Gevaudan is one of my favorite tales — a real incident that bears the claw marks of the … [Read more...] about On The Trail Of The Beast
The Taking Of Jemima Boone
The “redemption” of innocents from captivity by the “savages” of the woodlands forms a key thread in the mythology of the settlement of North America. Captivity narratives formed some of the earliest American literature. The rescue of white women from the clutches of the Indians became a trope. There’s certainly a basis for it, though the reality … [Read more...] about The Taking Of Jemima Boone
