Bad Blogger

Yes I know I really don't keep this blog up as I should. It's no secret. I am involved in too many things, such as leading a War of 1812 tour of Baltimore last weekend. Here I am at the beginning of the tour outside the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore, photograph courtesy of Californian Daniel Slosberg during the tour at A Banner Weekend. Thanks, Daniel.

Daniel is in the process of writing captions for the photos. I have though added a number of comments to go along with some of the photographs. Daniel is working up a presentation on Francis Scott Key and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." He is a re-enactor and musician who performs "A Musical Journey Along the Lewis and Clark Trail" (see http://www.cruzatte.com/). He wanted to know what connection California might have to the War of 1812 and I was able to tell him that Commodore Robert Field Stockton, for whom Stockton, California, is named, was an aide to Commodore John Rodgers during the Battle of Baltimore.

Last Sunday was a brilliant sunny day for the tour, just perfect, and the timing of the day just turned out just right. I plan to do a lot more of these tours as I ease from doing "real work" and wish to spend my retirement giving tours and lecturing.