Rory O'More - Rebel

Rory O'More

Rory O'More, also known as Rory Oge O'More (Irish: Ruairí Óg Ó Mórdha) (died 1578), was an Irish rebel.

Early life

He was the second son of Ruairí Ó Mórdha, captain of Leix, and Margaret, daughter of Thomas Butler, and granddaughter of Pierce or Piers Butler, eighth earl of Ormonde. Sir Henry Sidney once called him ‘an obscure and base varlet,’ but his family was one of the most important of the minor Irish septs, and also one of the most turbulent.

Family background

Ruairí Ó Mórdha (fl. 1554), the father, was the son of Connell Ó Mórdha (d. 1537), and early acquired the character of a violent and successful chieftain. On the death of Connell a fierce dispute broke out between the three sons — Lysaght, Kedagh, and Ruairí — and their uncle Peter the Tanist. Peter was for the time a friend of the Butlers. Consequently the deputy, Lord Leonard Grey, supported the sons; and, although Peter was acknowledged chief, Grey got hold of him by a ruse, and led him about in chains for some time, Kedagh then seems to have secured the chieftainship, Lysaght having been killed; but he died early in 1542, and Ruairí, the third brother, succeeded.

He, after a period of turmoil, agreed on 13 May 1542 to lead a quieter life, and made a general submission, being probably influenced by the fact that Kedagh had left a son of the same name, who long afterwards, in 1565, petitioned the privy council to be restored to his father's inheritance. Like other Irish chiefs of the time, Ó Mórdha was only a nominal friend to the English. In a grant afterwards made to his eldest son his services to King Edward VI are spoken of; but they must have been of doubtful value, as an order of 15 March 1550-1 forbade any of the name of Ó Mórdha to hold land in Leix.

At some uncertain time between 1550 and 1557 Ruairí Ó Mórdha was killed, and was succeeded by a certain Connell Ó Mórdha, who may be the Connell Oge O'More mentioned in 1556 in the settlement of Leix . He was put to death in 1557

In 1556 Queen Mary approved an Act "..whereby the King and Queen's Majesties, and the Heires and Successors of the Queen, be entituled to the Counties of Leix, Slewmarge, Irry, Glinmaliry, and Offaily, and for making the same Countries Shire Grounds."  This shired the new counties of Queen's County (now County Laois) and King's County (now County Offaly), thereby dispossessing the O'More clan and starting the Plantations of Ireland.

Ruairí Óge and Callagh

Rory left two sons, Callagh and Ruairí Óge. Callagh, who was brought up in England, was called by the English ‘The Calough,’ and, as he describes himself as of Gray's Inn in 1568, he may be assumed to be the John Callow who entered there in 1567 (Foster, Reg. of Gray's Inn, p. 39). In 1571 Ormonde petitioned for the Calough's return, and soon afterwards he came back to Ireland, where in 1582 he was thought a sufficiently strong adherent to the English to receive a grant of land in Leix.

A dangerous rebel

Ruairí Óge Ó Mórdha, the second son, was constantly engaged in rebellion. He received a pardon on 17 February 1565-6, but in 1571 he was noted as dangerous, and in 1572 he was fighting Ormonde and the queen at the same time, being favoured by the weakness of the forces at the command of Francis Cosby, the seneschal of Queen's County, and the temporary absence of Ormonde in England. In this little rebellion the Butlers and the Fitzgeralds were united against him; but when, in November 1572, Desmond escaped from Dublin, it was Ruairí Óge Ó Mórdha who escorted him through Kildare and protected him in Queen's County He was mixed up in Kildare's plots in 1574, and taken prisoner in November. But he was soon free, and Sidney, when on his tour in 1575, wrote of him: ‘Rory Oge O'More hath the possession and settling-place in the Queen's County, whether the tenants will or no, as he occupieth what he listeth and wasteth what he will.’

Submission and war

However, Ó Mórdha was afraid of the deputy, and when Sydney came into his territory, he went to meet him in the cathedral of Kilkenny (December 1575), and ‘submitted himself, repenting (as he said) his former faults, and promising hereafter to live in better sort (for worse than he hath been he cannot be).’ Hence we find a new pardon granted to him on 4 June 1576 (ib. p. 179).

But in the next year he hoped for help from Spain, and, pushed on by his freind, John Burke, he made a desperate attack on the Pale. He allied himself with some of the O'Connors, and gathered an army. On 18 March 1576-7 the seneschal of Queen's County was commanded to attack Ruairí Óge and the O'Connors with fire and sword. There was good reason for active hostilities, as on the 3rd the insurgents had burned Naas with every kind of horror. Sidney wrote to the council the same month: ‘Rory Oge O'More and Cormock M'Cormock O'Conor have burnt the Naas. They ranne thorough the towne lyke hagges and furies of hell, with flakes of fier fastned on poles ends’

Later in the year Ó Mórdha captured Harrington and Cosby. They were rescued by a ruse. Ó Mórdha's wife and all but Ó Mórdha himself and one of those who were with him were killed. Infuriated at being caught, Ó Mórdha fell upon Harrington, ‘hacked and hewed’ him so that Sidney saw his brains moving when his wounds were being dressed, then rushing through a soldier's legs, he escaped practically naked.

Death

He soon afterwards burned Carlow; but in an attempt to entrap Barnaby Fitzpatrick, baron of Upper Ossory, into his hands, he was killed by the Fitzpatricks in June 1578, and his head set up on Dublin Castle.

From Wikipedia.
Song: Rory O'More

Young Rory O'More courted Kathleen Bawn
He was bold as a hawk and she soft as the dawn
He wished in his heart pretty Kathleen to please
And he thought the best way to do that was to tease.

"Now Rory be easy," sweet Kathleen would cry
Reproof on her lip but a smile in her eye
"With your tricks I don't know in troth what I'm about
Faith you've teased till I've put on my cloak inside out.

"O jewel," says Rory, " that same is the way
You've thrated my heart for this many a day
And tis plaz'd that I am and why not to be sure
For tis all for good luck." says bold Rory O'More.

"Indeed then," says Kathleen," don't think of the like
For I half gave a promise to soothering Mike
The ground that I walk on he loves I'll be bound."
"Faith," says Rory," I'd rather love you than the ground."

"Now Rory I'II cry if you don't let me go
Sure I drcam every night that I'm hating you so"
"Oh," says Rory," that same I'm delighted to hear
For dhrames always go by contrairies my dear."

"O jewel keep dhraming that same till you die
And bright morning will give dirty night the black lie
And tis plaz'd that I am and why not to be sure
Since tis all for good luck," says bold Rory O'More.

"Arrah Kathleen my darling you've teased me enough
Sure I've thrashed for your sake Dinny Grimes and Jim Duff
And I've made myself drinking your health quite a baste
So I think after that I may talk to the priest."

Then Rory the rogue stole his arm round her neck
So soft and so white without freckle or speck
And he looked in her eyes that were beaming with light
And he kissed her sweet lips don't you think he was right.

"Now Rory leave off sir you'll hug me no more
That's eight times today and you've kissed me before"
"Then here goes another," says he, " to make sure
For there's luck in odd numbers." says Rory O'More.

From the Grieg-Duncan Folk Song Collection

Those Wacky Search Phrases

I am not  nearly as clever with my ripostes as Susan Higginbotham when it comes to this topic.. I guess my forte is snarky headllines on my medieval calendar blog... but it is still fun to look to see how people find my blogs.

I am not quite sure how to feel about this first one.  I suppose every teacher in every school all over the English speaking world assigned reports on the Black Death, because there were literally dozens of instances of "ring around the rosy" and one ominous "we all fall down".  Disturbing, no?

Then there was the person who looked for "hawthorne sex scenes".  I hope they meant the other author by that name.

Perhaps it was the same person who wanted sites about "medieval tickle".

It is always gratifying when someone looks for "nan hawthorne".  Unless, of course, it was me.

Several people wanted "medieval jokes".  I trust my novels were not what they expected to find.

I apologize profusely to the person who found a page on my blog when searching for "five stage model buying process" for having utterly neglected to write even the tiniest thing about it.

There was one for "Celebrochestet"...   I suppose that would be the town founded by the Baldwins.

I will give $50 to the person who searched for "Christenlande kingdom".  I dessperately want to know why they looked for it.

And my friend Barbara is going to want to know why someone was searching for: "Barbara Weitbrecht" facebook "black rose" or "blackrose" .

I guess it's good to know these folks got somewhere, even if nowhere near what they were looking for.

These were all from Nan Hawthorne's Booking History..  Random Bios is no fun.. people are always actually searching for what it's about.  Bios..

Find blogs at http://www.nanhawthorne.com/ .

What Y'all Buy

I don't know about you but I find this fascinating.  The following are the things people have bought via my Amazon Associates account in the last quarter.

Books

• Blitz - An Illustrated History (General Military)
• Fabulous Knights 
• Hornblower and the "Hotspur" (Hornblower Series)
• Lieutenant Hornblower 
• Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (Hornblower Saga) 
• Tahoma 
• The Changeling of Finnistuath: A Novel
• Wolfsbane

DVD

• Zorro, The Gay Blade

Kindle eBooks

• A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One
• An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England Amazon.com YAY!!!!
• Blitz Diary: Life Under Fire in World War II 0
• Do Tampons Take Your Virginity? A Catholic Girl's Memoir
• Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks)
• The Conqueror
• The Midnight Hunt (Midnight Hunters) 
• The Queen's Daughter

Glad to see my favvorite author iss represented...

I didn't put links on these.. don't wanna get accused of double dipping!

The weird part  is that books and movies ain't all they bought.  They also bought electronics, like an iPod, and all this stuff ... not likely to be on medieval-noels.com or Bosom Friends!

Kitchen & Housewares

• Bormioli Rocco Loto Wine Decanter
• J.A. Henckels International Eversharp Pro 5-Inch Stainless-Steel Utility Knife

Office Products

• Pentel EnerGel Liquid Gel Pen, 0.5mm, Needle Tip, Black Ink, 2 Pack (BLN15BP2A-K6) 
• Pentel EnerGel Liquid Gel Pen, 0.5mm, Needle Tip, Violet Ink, 2 Pack (BLN15BP2V) 

Violet ink, eh?  Cool!

I of course have no idea who bought any of this, other than the hornblower books which I bought as an anniversary gift for my dearly beloved.  I don't make much, and most of it goes for books and for music for my radio station, but it is indeed fascinating to see, and wonder why, people bought things biaone of my sites...

Where i link

medieval-novels.com
Bosom Friends
Today in Mdieval History

Isabel MacDuff - Kingmaker

By Laura Vosika, Author of The Bluebells of Scotland


Isabel MacDuff did not much care for her lodgings at Berwick Castle.

Isabel MacDuff

Isabel MacDuff is a woman who deserves more attention than she has gotten, at least on this side of the Atlantic. Although a minor player in history, her courage, strength, and patriotism put her on a level withthe greats. Her story officially begins withher birthin 1286, within months of the fateful death of Alexander III, which threw Scotland into such turmoil. Thus, she would have grown up in the days of upheaval, of Edward Longshanks, Hammer of the Scots' invasions of Scotland, through the days of the Guardianship-- her father, Duncan MacDuff, was one of the Guardians-- and John Baliol's failed kingship, through the events of William Wallace's uprisings against England.

In an explanation of the events to follow, it is important to know that the MacDuff clan held a hereditary right to crown the Kings of Scotland. In a more direct explanation of Isabel's Scottish patriotism, her mother, widowed when Isabel was about three, re-married one Sir Gervase Avenel, who gave his fealty to Robert the Bruce early on.

What complicated matters for Isabel, and tested her determination and courage, was the fact that her brother was growing up as a ward fo the English court, perhaps even as a companion of the young Edward II. Moreover, in 1306, aged 19 or 20, Isabel married John Comyn, Earl of Buchan. John Comyn was a supporter of John Baliol and enemy of Robert Bruce. It was John's cousin, also John Comyn, but Earl of Badenoch, whom Robert Bruce stabbed to death before the altar of Greyfriars Church in Dumfries on February 10, 1306, cementing the Comyn family's hatred of Bruce.

This incident, perhaps, changed Isabel's life.

Bruce, knowing he would be excommunicated for killing a man on holy ground, and knowing an excommunicated man could not be crowned king, did the only sensible thing in a time without e-mail: he dashed for Scone, the traditional crowning place of the Scottish kings, in a race against the messengers flying to the Pope with news of the Greyfriarsmurder and the messengers speeding back equally hastily with news of his excommunication.

Isabel, however she heard the news of Bruce's flight to Scone for coronation, determined that, as her young brother was in England, unable to claim the MacDuff family's right, she would do so herself, against the obvious wishes of her new husband. One story says she stole her husband's horses. Other sources say that, as Lord John was in England at the time, there was no need for deception, and she merely rode off. The first story is more interesting, though perhaps less accurate.

Isabel Crowns Bruce

Despite her best efforts, Isabel actually arrived in Scone the day after Bruce's coronation. However, her efforts meant a great deal to him. He'd already been deprived, by Edward I, of the traditional coronation stone, the Stone of Scone (which contrary to appearances does not rhyme: it's pronounced scoon). Without the traditional elements of coronation, the Stone and a MacDuff to crown him, he worried that his kingship would be viewed as less than completely legitimate. Therefore, the coronation ceremony was re-enacted on the 25th of March, 1306, when Isabel MacDuff, Countess of Buchan, set the crown on the head of Robert the Bruce, making him (for the second time in two days) King of Scotland.

(Just to be as accurate as possible, other sources put the re-crowning on March 27, 1306.)

Having no future withher husband after this act, Isabel stayed on with the Bruce's. However, Scotland was a country under attack. Bruce was a man very badly wanted by Edward, and not well liked by the vast reaches of Clan Comyn and their allies, either. In July 1306, he sent his wife, sisters, daughter, and Isabel to Kildrummy Castle for safety, under the protection of his brother Nigel (or Neil as he was also known).

Unfortunately, Bruce had many enemies. Kildrummy was attacked in September of 1306. Though the women escaped the castle, they were captured by William, Earl of Ross, while fleeing north, and taken to Edward Longshanksin England. Bruce's wife, Elizabeth, was treated perhaps the most kindly, the fortunate result of her also being the daughter of Edward's ally, the Earl of Ulster. But Bruce's ten year old daughter, Marjory, was from his first marriage, and therefore no concern to Edward; she was incarcerated at Watton Priory. His sister, Christina, was locked in a nunnery for years. Nigel met the most unpleasant face, being publicly tortured and executed in most barbaric fashion by Edward I.

Remains of Berwick CastleBruce's other sister, Mary, received more of Edward's wrath. She and Isabel were both ordered by Edward I to live in cages hung on castle walls. Mary spent several years suspended on the outer walls of Roxburgh, and Isabel, for the crime of placing the crown on Bruce's head and defying her husband, was likewise suspended on the walls of Berwick castle.

This site on Edward II gives the clearest description I have yet found on the conditions Isabel suffered. It describes the cage as made of lattice wood and iron hinges. It was open for all to see, allowing her only the privacy of a privy. She was exposed to the elements and the ridicule of the English people, though allowed two women to bring her food and drink. This page gives the date of her release as June 1310-- nearly four years in a cage.

Having been quite cold while I was in Scotland in late May and early June, I can hardly imagine what it must have been like to live exposed to the elements, even through winter, for four years. She was reputedly held in continued captivity even after her release from the cage. Sources differ as to whether she died in captivity or survived it.

I am pleased to have found that there is a novel written about Isabel MacDuff. Barbara Erskine's Kingdom of Shadows focuses on the life of this fascinating woman. I had recently been told about Barbara Erskine's novels set in medieval Scotland, and planned to find some and start reading, anyway. Now, I have double reason to do so.


Blue Bells of Scotland  by Laura Vosika

Shawn Kleiner has it all: money, fame, a skyrocketing career as an international musical phenomenon, his beautiful girlfriend Amy, and all the women he wants-- until the night Amy has enough and leaves him  stranded in a Scottish castle tower.

He wakes up to find himself mistaken for Niall Campbell, medieval Highland warrior.  Soon after, he is sent shimmying down a wind-torn castle wall into a dangerous cross country trek with Niall's tempting, but knife-wielding fiancee.  They are pursued by English soldiers and a Scottish traitor who want Niall dead.
Thrown forward in time, Niall learns history’s horrifying account of his own death, and of the Scots’ slaughter at Bannockburn.  Undaunted, he navigates the roiled waters of Shawn’s life-- pregnant girlfriend, amorous fans, enemies, and gambling debts--- seeking a way to leap back across time to save his people, especially his beloved Allene.  His growing fondness for Shawn’s life brings him face to face with his own weakness and teaches him the true meaning of faith.

Blue Bells of Scotland is both a historical adventure and a tale of redemption that will be remembered long after the last page has been turned.

Historical Fiction Roundup for July 2011

Sure as shootin', it's that time again to tell the world about your historical novel!

Whether just out, just about to come out, or long in print, let us know what you have to offer.

Give us titles, your name, a description of the book and where a body might mosey over to buy a copy.

Hey, I can talk like this.. i was born in Nevada, OK?

Just use the Comments form below.  Yes I know these forms can be persnickety.. just do your best.  There's nothing I can do to fix it if you can't get it to work.

If you do get it to work, you will be glad to know this blog gets at least 350 vvisitors a week.

Radio De Danann: More on Sweepstakes

Radio De Danann: More on Sweepstakes: "Remember, we are taking entries to our 'When Will We Reach 1000 Presets?' - just leave a comment on any post until we reach the limit. In ..."

John "Jack" Donohoe - Bushranger

Jack Donohoe

John "Jack" Donohoe (sometimes called Donohue) was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1804.  He became involved with the Irish rebel movement early and in 1823 was arrested and sentenced to transportation to Australia, arriving in Sydney Cove.

Donohoe was assigned to a series of masters from whom he escaped one by one.  In 1827 he finally formed a hang of bushrangers, similar to bandits or highwaymen, called the Stripper Gang, so called because they waylaid well off landowners and the like and stripped them of everything they carried, including the clothes they wore.

In 1830 Donohoe was hunted down with hiss fellow gang members, Kilroy (Kilray or Gilroy) and Smith. buy the army.  In the ensuing battle Donohoe was shot in the head and died.

Like m any another outlaw Donohoe became a hero to his countrymen.  There are at least twosongs said to be about him, Bold Jack Donohoe and The Wild Colonial Boy.

Bold Jack Donohue

Come all you gallant bushrangers who gallop o'er the plains
Refuse to live in slavery, or wear the convict chains.
Attention pay to what I say, and value if I do
For I will relate the matchless tale of bold Jack Donohue.

Come all you sons of liberty and everyone besides
I'll sing to you a story that will fill you with surprise
Concerning of a bold bushranger, Jack Donohue was his name
And he scorned to humble to the crown, bound down with iron chain.

Now Donohue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon thw gallow tree so high
But when they to him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donohue.

Now when Donohue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and by day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger they called Jack Donohue.

Now one day as he was riding the mountainside alone
Not thinking that the pains of death would overtake him soon.
When all he spied the horse police well on they came up into view
And in double quick time they did advance to take Jack Donohue.

"Oh Donohue, Donohue, throw down your carbine.
Or do you intend to fight us all and will you not resign?"
"Surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing that I never would do,
For this day I'll fight with all my might", cried Bold Jack Donohue

Now the sergeant and the corporal, their men they did divide
Some fired at him from behind and some from every side.
The sergeant and the corporal, they both fired at him, too.
And a rifle bullet pierced the heart of Bold Jack Donohue.

Now nine rounds he fired and nine men down before that fated ball
Which pierced his heart and made him smart and caused him for to fall
And as he closed his mournful eyes, he bid the world adieu,
Saying "Convicts all, pray for the soul of Bold Jack Donohue."

The Wild Colonial Boy

Come, all my hearties,
we'll roam the mountains high,
Together we will plunder,
together we will ride.
We'll scar over valleys,
and gallop for the plains,
And scorn to live in
slavery, bound down by iron chains.
It's of a wild Colonial Boy,
Jack Doolan was his name,
Of poor but honest parents,
he was born in Castlemaine.
He was his father's only son,
his mother's pride and joy,
And so dearly did his parents love
the wild Colonial Boy.
When scarcely sixteen years of age
he left his father's home,
And through Australia's sunny shores
a bushranger did roam.
He'd rob the largest squatters,
their stock he would destroy,
a terror to Australia was
the wild Colonial Boy.
In sixty-one this daring youth
commenced his wild career,
With a heart that knew no danger,
no stranger would did he fear.
He bailed up the Beechworth roll mail-coach,
and robbed Judge MacEvoy,
Who trembled and gave up his gold to
the wild Colonial Boy.
He bade the judge "Good morning",
and told him to beware,
That he'd never rob a poor man
who wafted on the square,
Three mounted troopers came in sight
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy,
who thought that they would capture him,
the wild Colonial Boy.
"Surrender now, Jack Doolan,
you see were three to one".
Surrender in the queens name
you daring highwayman,"
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
and waved them proud and free
"I'll fight, but not surrender,"
cried the wild Colonial Boy.
He fired at Trooper Kelly
and brought him to the ground,
And in return from Davis
received a mortal wound.
All shattered through the jaws he lay
still firing at Fitzroy,
And that's the way they captured him-
the wild Colonial Boy.

Things Overheard In Passing

Blogger -- and the Internet in general -- is like the Sears Christmas toy catalog to me... only I can have whatever I want.  So I get ideas for blogs or for ways to use blogs and I go for it.  If I lose interest I can just ditch the thing, after all.

So my latest brainstorm is called "Things Overheard In Passing" which you can find. oddly enough, at http://thingsoverheardinpassing.blogspot.com/ .

Right now you will find four lines:

• One of a group of women at a Starbuck's: "Her rectum fell out..."
• Young woman in public restroom: "Everything is cold, like the deodorant. I hide everything in the back of the barn..."
• Boy to his friends on the BC Ferry: "You'll never catch me in a kilt..."
• Woman to her husband as they left a restaurant: "I think they were serious about squirrel soup..."

Of course, right now those were all I could remember.. but i am sure I will run into more in no time.  And you should feel free to send any odd things you catch out of context to me for inclusion.. hawthorne@nanhawthorne.com .

Have fun!

History of Composting

Medieval farming

"So what's da king doin' here, eh?"

About three and a half milennia ago I wrote an article about farming practices in the Middle Ages for a publication of the Kingdom of the West.  I have no idea if it still exists anywhere.  In it I learned one thing that really stuck with me.  For most farms there simply was not enough manure or compostable materials to make fertilizer in any quantity.  There were two reasons, that the animals on the farm were so ill fed themselves that their manure was insubstantial and because it simply would have cost too much to cart food scraps from cities.  So while I was looking into how to compost today at our community garden, I ran across this article.

History of Composting

From Composting for the Homeowner  by the University of Illinois Extension

Occasionally, curious individuals want to know the origins of composting. It is difficult to attribute the birth of composting to a specific individual or even one society. The ancient Akkadian Empire in the Mesopotamian Valley referred to the use of manure in agriculture on clay tablets 1,000 years before Moses was born. There is evidence that Romans, Greeks and the Tribes of Israel knew about compost. The Bible and Talmud both contain numerous references to the use of rotted manure straw, and organic references to compost are contained in tenth and twelfth century Arab writings, in medieval Church texts, and in Renaissance literature. Notable writers such as William Shakespeare, Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh all mentioned the use of compost.

On the North American continent, the benefits of compost were enjoyed by both native Americans and early European settlers of America. Many New England farmers made compost as a recipe of 10 parts muck to 1 part fish, periodically turning their compost heaps until the fish disintegrated (except the bones). One Connecticut farm, Stephen Hoyt and Sons, used 220,000 fish in one season of compost production. Other famous individuals that produced and promoted the use of compost include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington Carver.

The early 20th century saw the development of a new “scientific” method of farming. Work done in 1840 by a well-known German scientist, Justus von Liebig, proved that plants obtained nourishment from certain chemicals in solution. Liebig dismissed the significance of humus, because it was insoluble in water. After that discovery, agricultural practices became increasingly chemical in nature. Combinations of manure and dead fish did not look very effective beside a bag of fertilizer. For farmers in many areas of the world, chemical fertilizers replaced compost.

Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist, went to India in 1905 and spent almost 30 years experimenting with organic gardening and farming. He found that the best compost consisted of three times as much plant matter as manure, with materials initially layered in sandwich fashion, and then turned during decomposition (known as the Indore method). In 1943, Sir Howard published a book, An Agriculture Testament, based on his work. The book renewed interest in organic methods of agriculture and earned him recognition as the modern day father of organic farming and gardening.

J.I. Rodale carried Sir Howard’s work further and introduced American gardeners to the value of composting for improving soil quality. He established a farming research center in Pennsylvania and the monthly Organic Gardening magazine. Now, organic methods in gardening and farming are becoming increasingly popular. A growing number of farmers and gardeners who rely on chemical fertilizers are realizing the value of compost for plant growth and restoring depleted soil.

Roman farming

Guest Post: One Hundred Reasons I hate Spellcheck

Laake, self portrait

By Laake, Crazy Vampire Lust and Dogs

You may notice by the title that this isn't going to be about MY NOVEL or Rufus Magee. At least, not all together.

I really did mean too; honestly. And I'll tell you all about Rufus someday. The novel will come up today because that's what started my feud with Spellcheck.

It isn't much of a feud seeing as how it's completely one sided. They don't know I exist! And do you know what else? They don't know that you exist either! AND THEY DON'T CARE!!!

Okay, that's note entirely true. If what you want to do is write a report on ability of mice to type the collected works of Robert Burns given enough time; or perhaps you need to tell the shipping department that the leprous nuns of Our Lady of Perpetual Angst have canceled their order for 20,000 boxes of heart shaped paper clips and they shouldn't be shipped. In either of these instances Spellcheck will perform to your highest expectation.

Now I'll tell you right up front that I don't care a fig about typing mice or leprous nuns. Well; maybe a little about leprous nuns.

What I do want to do is write about sensible women falling in love with vampires. (No, really, she is sensible.)

REASONS TO HATE SPELLCHECK

#1 It doesn't believe in contractions!

In 106,00 plus words, 100,000 of them must have been contractions. At every single one of them I got a little green squiggly line. When I clicked on the little green line a note popped up informing me that I was an idiot and no sane person would ever write can't when can not is obviously far superior.

#2 It torments me over passive voices.

I'll admit that I needed help with this one. Apparently in the first draft I all but rolled over and played dead i was so passive. So, okay, I fixed the sentence. It told me no, I was still wrong. I tried again, still passive. After 10 or 15 tries I usually gave up and removed the sentence there by changing the whole story and turning my hero into a villain. I mean; all it had to do was rewrite the sentence for me and I would not have been contemplating suicide every time I started writing.

#3 It cannot abide casual speech. (or at least writing.)

I never before realized how how much trouble and & but cause. The first few times I was told that I should not (not a contraction) I tried every way I could to rewrite the sentence it coming out sounding like someone who had ALMOST learned English as a second language.

#4 Spellcheck has gone politically correct.

Whats wrong with that you say. Nothing if you don't plan on using words like lady, gentleman, blond, woman, man, girl, boy, or bridesmaid. I was informed that I should refer to her as the brides house cleaner. For the others person seems to be the accepted choice. Have you ever tried to make "The tall person took the blond person into his arms and kissed it." sound romantic?

Yeah, I know. That's only 4, but I'm sure that there are at least 96 more. If you have tried to write a letter to a friend, you can probably come up with a couple yourself. I wonder if that should be yourperson?

I have to go now. Just thinking about this makes me want my medication.

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