Intents and Purposes

See...

This is intended to be a visual essay with illustrations, but the technology of my light box [camera - Edit.] has been flummoxing me of late. There is also the matter of publicizing the rantings here so it's not just the seven of you good fellows reading these scratches every time I get a moment to put something down.

One would think that with 350 years of preparation everything would be ready but that is just not so. I do want to start off by showing you where I have called home for the last half century, so please bear with me and my not-so-humble editor. We are collaborating feverishly to make some time to produce our first few images.

From there, this operation should just take off. After all, New Amsterdam has no shortage of stories that write themselves, really. And since I have the privilege of having seen many of these stories occur in the flesh, I and my editor are merely vessels for forwarding the amazing intricacies of what I have seen in my extraordinarily long lifetime.

With that said, I make you this vow...the next installment will contain images. And each entry from there on will be image-based. It figures that technical difficulties and time constraints would sidetrack this endeavor, three and a half centuries in the making. But there you have it. I will be back soon with a fistful of glorious color plates! [pictures...tad overdramatic there too - Edit.]

Onward!

Technicals

Well Here I Am...

This is a problem. So much to relay, but not sure on where to start. I also want to get start using my editor's lightbox [i.e., camera - Edit.] but it has been raining here in the woods for the last few days.

I will begin with illustrations [pictures - Edit.] of my current lair. I am not certain whether I will let you good people know exactly where said lair is located for fear of you actually considering coming to visit me...I like my privacy. You will understand when you are 350 years old.

Beyond the rain, this really is the best season to start a venture like this. The woods, valley and surrounding hills are just stunning this time of year, alive with creatures of all types. The locales and ruins become hidden, except to me of course, and are that much less melancholy and that much more wonderful. Once the seasons change again and the woods and mountains are less lively, you will notice the difference.

So I hope the weather will break soon and I can give you a properly stunning introduction to my world. Until then, go imbibe on a pipe or enjoy a nice long draught. I know I am going to.

[Note from Editor - if Petrus is a little difficult to understand, note that he is not a native English speaker. I will do my best to clear up his slightly meandering style and translate words that a 21st century reader of any level should not be expected to know. And give him proper lightbox lessons.]   

Readying the Tale, Etc.

Where to Begin?

So after yesterday's triumph, where to begin? 

This is harder than it sounds. 350 years of history and legend do not lend themselves to easy organizing. Also, I have my editor out collecting images ["taking pictures" - Edit.] of what remains of my proud history in the New Amsterdam area...or whatever it is you people call it these days.

There's also the matter of explaining how I have been fortunate enough to last three and a half centuries without turning to dust as is usually the case. How much to tell you all? How much to keep secret? I'm not sure...not sure how much I should give away. After all I barely know you right now.

Might be best and most natural to begin at the beginning. I can organize my thoughts that way and keep confusion, both yours and mine, to a minimum. So if you have opened your mind and are amply prepared to be flabbergasted...let's get ready to get ready!

Hello and Welcome

Greetings

Welcome to my experiment. It's been a long time coming. Since the 20s, actually. The 1620s.

Yes, I have been lingering around in my woods for a long time, watching the comings and goings of everyone else. So long, in fact, that I sometimes feel I have become part of the landscape around me. I breathe with it, sleep with it, and hurt with it.

As you could imagine I have seen quite a bit, and I'm sure you have questions. That's why I've decided to hire an editor [That's me - Ed.] to help me get my stories recorded here. Some involve places you will surely recognize. Others, perhaps not.

One thing that each entry will have in common is that after reading my meanderings, you will never quite look at these places in the same way again. Or at a bare minimum you will learn something new. Maybe just laugh a little bit. I haven't quite figured out why I'm doing this yet. Hopefully it will come to me soon. I wouldn't want to waste your time, especially after you have been kind enough to visit with me.

So that's my basic plan. I will post a couple of photos per week here of my vast Hudson Valley home and tell a good tale with each one. And I can guarantee that each story is true because, after all, I was there. For all of them.

Welcome and please, stay a while.