I just got back from the bodega around the corner, where I picked up the bulldog edition of the Sunday Times. As I wrote a few Decembers past, the annual “Lives They Lived” segment in the magazine is one of life’s small treats. FYI, I will not be posting over the coming week. Every year I take some time off to put things aside and recharge the batteries. I am looking forward to a good 2014. In late January I will be going to the Library of Congress to research my Joseph Roswell Hawley biography, which is finally underway after a few fits and starts.

Besides the book, some of my goals for 2014 are to publish in some of the Civil War and other history related magazines. For the blog I intend to have more and better multimedia, especially video and audio. This is one of the reasons I bought an iPhone this past fall. Make sure to check out the Strawfoot Facebook page from time to time, as I intend to use it more in the coming months. Check out the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace page as well. I have been writing some content there, and the rangers post pretty much daily.

We had a great and fun day today at the Birthplace. The National Park Service sites here in New York City are always extremely busy the week between Christmas and New Year with so many tourists in town. A couple of guys who had been to Gettysburg last week took one of my tours today. Folks on a history road trip are always a kick.

We will see you next week. Until then, Happy New Year.

(image/1920s era postcard)