Research, research and more research

First: The Novel has not yet returned to my hands.  I hope it gets back to me relatively soon--that would be a great Christmas present.

In Skywatch news, after a break wherein I poked at my short stories and ransacked several public libraries, I've spent the last few days learning about the histories of Egypt, India, China, France, England and the Netherlands during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. 

( Research-y Stuff (mostly history) )