R. Mark Melville
@rmarkmel.bsky.social
Assistant editor of Utah Historical Quarterly. Holiday enthusiast, casual trail runner, cat dad. Views are my own. 🏳️🌈
I love using @kindexarchives.bsky.social to transcribe my grandpa's journal, but sometimes the auto transcript is hilariously off. Grandpa wrote that he went "to pick up a watch for Darlene's birthday," but the transcription said he went "to pick up a translated (Japanese) dictation."
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 AM
I love using @kindexarchives.bsky.social to transcribe my grandpa's journal, but sometimes the auto transcript is hilariously off. Grandpa wrote that he went "to pick up a watch for Darlene's birthday," but the transcription said he went "to pick up a translated (Japanese) dictation."
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
Happy birthday Mark Twain, born #onthisday in 1835. The best known of his books is Huckleberry Finn, not so well known is Jap Herron which, according to a woman named Emily Grant Hutchings, he dictated from beyond the grave via a ouija board... publicdomainreview.org/collection/j... #OTD
November 30, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Happy birthday Mark Twain, born #onthisday in 1835. The best known of his books is Huckleberry Finn, not so well known is Jap Herron which, according to a woman named Emily Grant Hutchings, he dictated from beyond the grave via a ouija board... publicdomainreview.org/collection/j... #OTD
It was a mad dash to finish proofreading the next issue of Wayfare magazine before Thanksgiving, but we got it done. It's always fun to see Wayfare go out in the world. It will arrive in mailboxes soon!
www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/announcing...
www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/announcing...
Announcing Issue 6: The Spirit of Prophecy
Subscribe today to receive our next issue sent to your home
www.wayfaremagazine.org
November 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
It was a mad dash to finish proofreading the next issue of Wayfare magazine before Thanksgiving, but we got it done. It's always fun to see Wayfare go out in the world. It will arrive in mailboxes soon!
www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/announcing...
www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/announcing...
"O Christmas Tree" is a song that everyone knows, yet no one knows the words. 🎄🎶
November 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
"O Christmas Tree" is a song that everyone knows, yet no one knows the words. 🎄🎶
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
This is a textbook example of a garden-path sentence. It sounds like the sentence is saying "If you see this post," but then it falls apart. It makes more sense with a comma: "If you see this, post your getaway vehicle.
Oh, and here's mine.
Oh, and here's mine.
November 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
This is a textbook example of a garden-path sentence. It sounds like the sentence is saying "If you see this post," but then it falls apart. It makes more sense with a comma: "If you see this, post your getaway vehicle.
Oh, and here's mine.
Oh, and here's mine.
The first thing I ever edited that got published was when I convinced my mom to enter this Thanksgiving writing contest for the Deseret News, and she won! I made some poor editorial choices—I was in elementary school, after all—but she could have rejected them. www.deseret.com/1999/11/25/1...
Thanksgiving I remember least<BR>
Ping pong table makes do after real one breaks under meal
The Thanksgiving that I remember most was in 1979. My grandparents had flown in from New York, and all the married siblings had gathered at my parents home for a great day. We had spent days preparing...
www.deseret.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The first thing I ever edited that got published was when I convinced my mom to enter this Thanksgiving writing contest for the Deseret News, and she won! I made some poor editorial choices—I was in elementary school, after all—but she could have rejected them. www.deseret.com/1999/11/25/1...
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
Thanks to @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social we have discovered today is #WorldWalrusDay!
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Thanks to @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social we have discovered today is #WorldWalrusDay!
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
Our illustration from Millais' 'The Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland' 1904 might not be as expressive but we think it's just as majestic
📖BL.95/M
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
I did this commission for a trans friend, Laura Beth, who loves the bible and claims it is just as much her book as anybody else's.
I agree.
I agree.
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I did this commission for a trans friend, Laura Beth, who loves the bible and claims it is just as much her book as anybody else's.
I agree.
I agree.
Today I randomly remembered how twenty years ago, the Deseret News referred to Democrats as "Demos," not "Dems."
November 20, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Today I randomly remembered how twenty years ago, the Deseret News referred to Democrats as "Demos," not "Dems."
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
When the Utah Trail Network is complete, 95% of all Utahns will live within 1 mile of the trails. This statewide paved trail system will eventually connect 208 Utah towns and cities, 33 universities and community colleges, six national parks and 25 state parks.
https://ow.ly/8FRv50XsOxU
https://ow.ly/8FRv50XsOxU
'We're moving people': How the Utah Trail Network will help improve transportation
Christina Gulla wants to live for 20 more years. Thanks to the newly proposed Utah Trail Network master plan, there will be more paved trails statewide to help accomplish that goal.
ow.ly
November 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
When the Utah Trail Network is complete, 95% of all Utahns will live within 1 mile of the trails. This statewide paved trail system will eventually connect 208 Utah towns and cities, 33 universities and community colleges, six national parks and 25 state parks.
https://ow.ly/8FRv50XsOxU
https://ow.ly/8FRv50XsOxU
I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the history of Thanksgiving in Utah for Utah Stories.
utahstories.com/2025/11/the-...
utahstories.com/2025/11/the-...
The Real Story of Thanksgiving in Utah
Explore the real history of Thanksgiving in Utah, from pioneer celebrations and the miracle of the gulls to the origins of Dixie Salad.
utahstories.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the history of Thanksgiving in Utah for Utah Stories.
utahstories.com/2025/11/the-...
utahstories.com/2025/11/the-...
It's the time of year to geek out over my collection of Thanksgiving history books! 🤓🦃🍂 A thread.
November 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It's the time of year to geek out over my collection of Thanksgiving history books! 🤓🦃🍂 A thread.
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
I will leave it to others to explain why this vote to bring an end to the shutdown of the federal government is right or wrong. For now, I am relieved that many of my friends will soon receive a pay check to pay for basic necessities.
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I will leave it to others to explain why this vote to bring an end to the shutdown of the federal government is right or wrong. For now, I am relieved that many of my friends will soon receive a pay check to pay for basic necessities.
This comic strip from 1933 got shockingly dark.
November 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This comic strip from 1933 got shockingly dark.
I like to fill my Thanksgiving cornucopia with my produce-themed Beanie Baby knockoffs from 1998.
November 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I like to fill my Thanksgiving cornucopia with my produce-themed Beanie Baby knockoffs from 1998.
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
Some good news: genuinely honored for AMERICAN ZION to be named Utah Historical Society’s Finalist for Best Book in Utah History.
(The best book went to Paul Reeve, Chris Rich, and Lajean Carruth’s wonderful THIS ABOMINABLE SLAVERY.)
(The best book went to Paul Reeve, Chris Rich, and Lajean Carruth’s wonderful THIS ABOMINABLE SLAVERY.)
November 3, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Some good news: genuinely honored for AMERICAN ZION to be named Utah Historical Society’s Finalist for Best Book in Utah History.
(The best book went to Paul Reeve, Chris Rich, and Lajean Carruth’s wonderful THIS ABOMINABLE SLAVERY.)
(The best book went to Paul Reeve, Chris Rich, and Lajean Carruth’s wonderful THIS ABOMINABLE SLAVERY.)
Oh, Ethelinda. December 5, 1909.
November 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Oh, Ethelinda. December 5, 1909.
I was amused and delighted to discover a Halloween-themed typo on Halloween. I was looking forward to learning what a "witch engine" was, but it was supposed to be "switch engine."🧙♀️🎃📰
(BTW, I just want to say what an amazing, fantastic resource Utah Digital Newspapers is.)
(BTW, I just want to say what an amazing, fantastic resource Utah Digital Newspapers is.)
October 31, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I was amused and delighted to discover a Halloween-themed typo on Halloween. I was looking forward to learning what a "witch engine" was, but it was supposed to be "switch engine."🧙♀️🎃📰
(BTW, I just want to say what an amazing, fantastic resource Utah Digital Newspapers is.)
(BTW, I just want to say what an amazing, fantastic resource Utah Digital Newspapers is.)
Reposted by R. Mark Melville
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long emphasized the importance of having children. Now the church says it's worried about the declining birth rate. n.pr/4qAyN7D
Latter-day Saints are having fewer children. Church officials are taking note
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long emphasized the importance of having children. Now the church says it's worried about the declining birth rate.
n.pr
October 31, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long emphasized the importance of having children. Now the church says it's worried about the declining birth rate. n.pr/4qAyN7D
As a connoisseur of holiday novelty songs, I present the best Halloween song ever made. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnr...
Happy Halloween
YouTube video by John Zacherle - Topic
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM
As a connoisseur of holiday novelty songs, I present the best Halloween song ever made. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnr...
Replace "parties" with "holidays," and this is literally me.
October 29, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Replace "parties" with "holidays," and this is literally me.
Two weeks ago, I went to the Western History Association conference, and many people's point of reference for Utah was "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" and "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." 🙄 So I am *thrilled* this season's winner of "Halloween Baking Championship" is a Utahn!
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Two weeks ago, I went to the Western History Association conference, and many people's point of reference for Utah was "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" and "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." 🙄 So I am *thrilled* this season's winner of "Halloween Baking Championship" is a Utahn!
Nehw I saw ni driht edarg, I thguat flesym ot kaeps sdrawkcab. I saw yrev tneulf ta ti! Tub won m'I tuo fo ecitcarp, dna I evah a reggib yralubacov.
Nancy By Ernie Bushmiller
October 27,1945
October 27,1945
October 27, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Nehw I saw ni driht edarg, I thguat flesym ot kaeps sdrawkcab. I saw yrev tneulf ta ti! Tub won m'I tuo fo ecitcarp, dna I evah a reggib yralubacov.
I'm glad most of these tributes are downplaying June Lockhart's role on Petticoat Junction. That was not a good TV show.
The actor, whose career spanned films, TV dramas and soap operas, was beloved for her roles in "Lassie" and "Lost In Space." She died on Thursday of natural causes, a family friend said.
June Lockhart, beloved mother figure from 'Lassie' and 'Lost In Space,' dies at 100
The actor, whose career spanned films, TV dramas and soap operas, was beloved for her roles in "Lassie" and "Lost In Space." She died on Thursday of natural causes, a family friend said.
n.pr
October 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I'm glad most of these tributes are downplaying June Lockhart's role on Petticoat Junction. That was not a good TV show.