Musings from a Candlelit Chamber

The official blog of writer R. Wolf Baldassarro

History & Lore

Mar172021

Sláinte

Racheal always makes the best corned beef! Accompanied by my Irish Breakfast Whiskey, I raise my glass to Ireland and say, “Sláinte!”

Feb202021

Echoes of the Past

This project took a lot longer than I expected but I had a family heirloom professionally restored. This Westlake Fainting Couch was built by my great great grandfather, Johann (John) Zimmermann.He was born in Canada 1 October 1852 and married Emma Rush 21 December 1875 in Canada. He died...

May302017

The Crystal Ballroom

Last weekend we were honored to attend the wedding of our friends. The reception was held at the Lafayette Grande, an historical building in Pontiac, Michigan. Built in 1923 as Masonic Lodge, it has been restored to its original grandeur. Even standing on the old stone steps of the...

Sep122016

Various images from my time on Belle Isle!

A Detroit gem and Michigan’s 102nd state park, this 987-acre island has something for everyone. I have not been to the island since I was a boy and when the opportunity came to do some photography I was that little boy once more. With a tripod, zoom lens, and...

Jul032016

Mr. Jefferson pays a visit for the nation’s birthday

I was walking in the woods. I ran into Thomas Jefferson. He was carrying a box, wrapped in a bow. “Which state is this?” he asked. Michigan, I said. “Hmm, I don’t know that one.” What’s in the box, Thomas? “A present for the country. By my calculations, you...

Jul032016

Elie Wiesel, Author and Activist, Passes Away at 87

“Wiesel is a messenger to mankind,” wrote the Nobel committee. “His message is one of peace, atonement and human dignity. His belief that the forces fighting evil in the world can be victorious is a hard-won belief.” http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/3372108/jewish/Elie-Wiesel-Author-Activist-and-Nobel-Peace-Prize-Winner-Passes-Away-at-87.htm

May022016

Banned Books Awareness: America’s First Banned Book

Some believe that censorship is a tool of the conservative, trying hard to shelter eyes and minds from the truths of history and life; but there is a disturbing trend of using it as a tool by liberals to protect themselves from thoughts and ideas that offend them and...

Mar172016

When writers argue

Today’s quote provides a look into literary history. As one epigram of the time put it: “In merry old England it once was a rule, The King had his Poet, and also his Fool: But now we’re so frugal, I’d have you to know it, That Cibber can serve...

Mar112016