Follow the Bees

New Trifling Monograph, “Follow the Bees” by M. Vernet. Holmes had a special interest in the renewal of nature that manifested itself from time to time.

Reminiscences of Maiwand

 

The Battle of Maiwand in the Second Afghan War was where it all began.  A young army doctor, John H. Watson, was seriously injured and barely rescued.  As a semi-invalid, he made it back to England, where he met Sherlock Holmes.  A detailed and educational article by M. Vernet has been added to our Trifling Monographs which tells about it all.  The short account in Watson’s own words, is the introduction to the novel, A Study in Scarlet in the sidebar on the right, listed under Doyle’s Works. 

February 4, 2014

It is the fourth of February in the year 2014. It has been a severe winter, and the snow lies deep upon the hillsides, in the valleys, and upon the frozen lakes and streams. The county snow-ploughs have, however, kept the roads open, and life goes on pretty much as usual, but with fewer down-state tourists.

Here, among the lumber-camps of Michigan, we like to pause on this day and drink a toast to one of our own, a man who traveled down to Chicago looking for better opportunities, and from there went on to achieve fame as someone who almost fooled Sherlock Holmes, but not quite. Sadly, he didn’t fool Moriarty either.

To Bertram Edwards !

Maiwand

Coming in the next few days, an article from M. Vernet on the subject of the Battle of Maiwand in the Second Afghan War.  You may recall that Dr. Watson was injured in that fateful battle and was rescued by Murray, his orderly.  Recover from the injury and subsequent infectious disease resulted in Watson being returned to England as an invalid, where he met Sherlock Holmes.  

The Blue Carbuncle

 

 

From M. Vernet, just in time for the Christmas Holidays. An enlightening discussion of the Blue Cabuncle – both the story and the gem itself. Learn more about chrystalized carbon then you ever really needed to to know.

 

Breakfast at Baker Street

 

On the Way from M. Vernet:    Breakfast at Baker Street.    Examples of food in the Canon, with some recipes and information on how to adapt commonly available American groceries to make some turn-of-the-(previous) century British dishes.  Eat like Holmes & Watson!

Sherlock Slept Here

 

A new Trifling Monograph as been added, Sherlock Slept Here, by M. Vernet. Some new research of local records has enabled the author to identify previously unknown connections among Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes (as Altamont), Birdie Edwards, and the city of Jackson, Michigan, USA.

Play Review, The Final Adventuire

Added a play review in Cultural Items, Sherlock Holmes -The Final Adventure.  Performed by The Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro Minnesota.  If you are attending the meetings in Minneapolis, it is an easy drive down and a worthwhile excursion or addendum to your trip.

Murderous Decor

 

A new challenge for readers. Check out the article and then see how many other instances you can identify.  Listed in “Activities”

At The Sawmill

 

Front page illustration was updated to show the Spring activity of floating the log booms down to the sawmill. This is “payoff time” when the firm’s investment in wages and facilities (and feeding a hungry crew for several months) finally pays off.