I’m not a big fan of New Years’ Eve. Kissing My Own True Love at midnight is lovely. * But the rest of it? Pffft!

New Years’ Day is another kettle of black-eyed peas altogether.** I like to spend the day writing thank-you notes, clearing out the Christmas clutter, organizing my desk, looking back, and looking ahead. As a working history buff, that means thinking about what historical topics I plan to explore in the coming year. (These plans never quite work out the way I intend. For instance, while I expected to spend some time on the American Civil War in 2015, I had no idea I would write a book on Civil War nurses. Not that I’m complaining.)

Here are some of the topics I’m going to be thinking about in 2015:

• Tough broads, whether armed with swords or only with their wits
• Nationalism (or possibly ethnic chauvinism) in the former Yugoslavia
• World War II aviation (unavoidable if you spend any time with My Own True Love) and the related topic of plane-spotting
• Civil War nurses–a topic I expect to write and speak about over the coming months.***

What historical topics are on your list for 2016?

*Assuming he’s still awake.
**I make mine with mushrooms and Indian spices.  Yum!
*** And speaking of speaking,  I’m currently setting up speaking gigs related to Civil War nurses (general and specific), the way Civil War nurses used their skills to change the world after the war, and Civil War medicine in general (the ick factor makes  it a natural for talking to kids).  If you’re interested in knowing when and where I’ll be speaking, I’ll be adding an events page to my web site soon.  (www.pameladtoler.com)  If you belong to a group that needs speakers (Civil War group?  historical society?  nursing association?  service league?), give me a shout at pdtoler@pameladtoler.com)****
****Sorry for the brief commercial, but if I don’t tell you I’m interested how would you know?