“Getting To Know You…”

Happy 14th of February to everyone on this Valentine’s Day. I went to a thrift store this morning and found a book that my mother, my daughter, and I all represent: “The Left-Hander’s Book of Days” by Leigh W. Rutedge, published in 1999. This book has an entry for each day of the year: givingContinue reading ““Getting To Know You…””

Let’s exhibit my love for museums

“In this noble and Ancient place, once palace to our count-kings, I offer you all I have brought together in a life ruled by the passion of Art” – Frederic Marés Museums. I love to visit museums. There is such excitement in seeing history, and what some other person has viewed as interesting. My parentsContinue reading “Let’s exhibit my love for museums”

“Down the rabbit hole…”

Sitting in my library, I sometimes get involved with one idea and then seem to shift or change course. I can spend hours tracking down something else, and something else again, moving further from where I began. Today, January 1st, is no exception. There is a good Southern tradition to eat black-eyed peas on NewContinue reading ““Down the rabbit hole…””

“…and you wise men don’t know how it feels…To be as thick as a brick.” – Ian Anderson

It is said that Emperor Augustus found Rome “As a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.” Steve Jobs said “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.” Zig Zigler said “Big things are built one brick at a time.” I have a few books and aContinue reading ““…and you wise men don’t know how it feels…To be as thick as a brick.” – Ian Anderson”

” Bodéwadmi” to “Mechanics Grove” to “Holcomb” to “Rockefeller” to “AREA” to “Mundelein”

The Potawatomi Indians lived throughout the Great Lakes area for several centuries. They called themselves Neshnabek, meaning “Original People.” They called their land Bodéwadmi. Others later began calling the Neshnabek by that name (now Potawatomi), which stood for “Keeper of the Flame”. One area they lived in was around the Fox and Des Plaines RiversContinue reading “” Bodéwadmi” to “Mechanics Grove” to “Holcomb” to “Rockefeller” to “AREA” to “Mundelein””

Smoke(ing) across the water

Recently, I went camping with my son and his family. We all drove to Clinton Lake (about an hour away). My son towed his camper, his wife towed their boat, and I towed my 5th wheel. We had a caravan of sorts. During our trip, we spent a lot of time on the lake withContinue reading “Smoke(ing) across the water”

Talismans and Gris-Gris

A few years ago, some friends and I visited New Orleans. A highlight was visiting St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, along with a Voodoo museum. With the help of a couple of books and pictures, I would like to tell a little of Marie Laveau-the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. My first book is “NewContinue reading “Talismans and Gris-Gris”

“Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot.”*

I was just given an interesting book: “Profile By Gaslight” edited by Edgar W. Smith, published in 1944. The sub-title is “An Irregular Reader about the Private Life of Sherlock Holmes”. It was a gift from a dear friend of mine. She was looking through her books, and since she had a copy of theContinue reading ““Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot.”*”

Mow-tivational Books

Today I cut the grass on my lawn. It is one of the duties of home ownership. One might think that mowing one’s yard has nothing to the library. Ahhh, but it may. Let me continue. A few weeks past, my mower was causing some problems-stopping right after I had started it. I pulled outContinue reading “Mow-tivational Books”