Why, why, why...

[ksmith]

I may be able to get away with handwaving for the proposal, but in order to do this dark fantasy properly, I'm going to have to research the history of Illinois from Marquette & Joliet's explorations to, I don't know, mid-1800s?

On December 20, 1836, there supposedly occurred "The Winter of the Sudden Freeze", when a fast-moving cold front moved through and froze puddles within minutes.

I will be writing about why that happened.

Comments

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

...okay, that sounds cool.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Doesn't it? Dammit. I was poking around online looking for another book to buy--I already have a few Euro-history books on the list for the *other* proposal--when I dropped by Wikipedia and their capsule Illinois history and Yeah, I know, Wikipedia, so I need to double-check, but damn it fits in so nicely with the story I have so far...

You know, that *clicky* sound in the back of your head when story elements start fitting together?

And I actually live in Illinois, which makes some things so much easier.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

I know that sound.

It is the best sound.

[torrilin.livejournal.com]

Maybe they were really shallow puddles?

Still, sounds like *something* with a story behind it... And it ought to be a cool one.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Some people who didn't reach shelter in time died. I know that if you're wet and wearing the wrong clothes, a drop into the 40s or 50s can kill you, so an unexpected drop into the 30s would definitely take out a few folk.

[moon-happy.livejournal.com]

Was that the cold front that was known as "The Children's Storm?" The children were dismissed early from school because of the severe change, but the adults didn't understand how bad it was going to get. Many children didn't reach home.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I haven't had a chance to dig into it, so I don't know--this all sort of tumbled on me during my online wrap-up. If they are one and the same, it would help place the timing of some of the stuff in my first chapter, which has already inserted itself into my head. I have ordered books. Here's hoping they contain at least some of what I need.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

No--different storm:

http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/reviews/kidsblizz.htm

Jolliet & Marquette

[dgrit.livejournal.com]

I may interest you to know that in 1973, a group of men reenacted the whole J & M expedition. My father, Ralph Frese built the canoes for the trip. His website is: http://www.chicagolandcanoebase.com

He would be a wealth of information.

DG

Re: Jolliet & Marquette

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Jolliet & Marquette

[dgrit.livejournal.com]

It may interest you to know that in 1973, a group of men reenacted the whole J & M expedition. My father, Ralph Frese built the canoes for the trip. His website is: http://www.chicagolandcanoebase.com

He would be a wealth of information.

DG

[juliabk.livejournal.com]

Ah! Found it! This sounds *very* cool, if you'll pardon the pun. :-)