Even when things are bad you'll find humor ... it's a coping mechanism, a way to survive, a way to cope. Charles Osgood proves that with Kilroy Was Here: the Best American Humor From World War II. He admits that some of the humor came from "being there", but the entries were interesting even if I didn't laugh. (Many times I did, however.) ;-) He explains where the once familiar face of Kilroy came from, too.

Now a tourist stop, as well as a PBS series, Bletchley Park, once known only as Station X was where code-breakers cracked the Nazi Enigma code. Bletchley Park: the Code-Breakers of Station X, by Michael Smith is a nicely written, brief history of the park and those who worked there. (The 'X' was not so much secrecy as it was the 10th of a number of MI6 locations). Wonderful pictures!

Here is a wonderful look back at the wheels that carried us across the country. Western Wagon Wheels: a Pictorial Memorial of the Wheels That Won the West, by Lambert Florin is full of pictures of all sorts of wagons, trolleys, delivery vehicles, etc. I loved how a picture would be 'shared with love by the family of' or 'the children were eager to roll this wagon out of the barn for me', it added a nice touch. Be sure to check out Gladstone, the horse who would pull the (horse drawn) car to the top of the hill, but then would catch a ride back down!

Wow. Just ... wow. What a read! In 2003 an article about how quickly the veterans of WWII were dying sparked an interest in WWI veterans ... were there any still alive? There were, and Richard Rubin tracked them down and interviewed them for The Last of the Doughboys: the Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War. The youngest was 103 (he'd lied about his age to enlist)! In between the interviews there are chapters on the battles they were in, how an error in wording allowed 11,000 women to enlist in the Navy (who mostly served in WA. DC, in ugly uniforms, at low pay), and the deplorable treatment of the blacks (who could be drafted, and then given the worst jobs). Some were with the cavalry, one was the last living soldier who was stationed in Siberia, one was trained and shipped out, only to arrive overseas on November 11th, so was sent home again. There was even one couple featured ... they had been married for 83 years! Wow. Just ...wow!

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More on the recommendations trail today. :-)

When Seattle Reader saw The Way We Never Were on the May 3, 2016 post, she told me about Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage, also by Stephanie Coontz. What might be considered the "traditional" marriage is actually not all that old. For centuries marriages were for reasons that had nothing to do with love. Watching how the role of women changed was both depressing and illuminating. Spanning the globe and covering centuries, this is an interesting social history read. A good companion for this book would be A History of the Wife (July 26, 2014 post).

If you or someone you know is caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's then this is a must read! Creating Moments of Joy, by Jolene Brackey is filled with suggestions for interacting with those who are no longer able to think the way they once did. These are wonderful, positive methods that allow them to be involved, keep their dignity, and have control over their lives. There are also explanations of how they are viewing the world (a care giver in a white lab coat, standing in front of a white wall, looks like a floating head and hands). If Aunt Martha wants to wear the same yellow outfit every day, is that really a problem? (I loved the three questions the author suggests you ask yourself). The best part, Ms. Brackey offers, is that if you make mistakes one day, it's no problem, the person you are caring for won't remember! Crafty Reader was right, this is an incredible book!

I lost my notes on just who recommend this book, but when I find out I will say Thank you. Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi covers eight generations of two families from a common mother 'way back when' in Africa. One side of the family is from tribes who raid and capture rival tribes and sell them to the slave trade, the other family comes from those who were slaves. Vivid details of conditions in dungeons (where slaves were held until stuffed into ships) or what it was like to have dark skin in a white town were chilling. Each chapter follows a different family member in his or her time frame while they make decisions (good and bad), marry, work, setting the stage for the next generation.

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Hello! This is my usual Saturday post coming to you early this week as I will finally be upgrading to Windows 10. Since my dsl line is so very slow my cpu is going to a home with a faster connection. (Sort of a computer sleep over, isn't it)! ;-)

Like to read about words? Interested in how they change over time? Or what words are popular (and why and when)? Allan Metcalf not only explains that, but also how various generations are named. From Skedaddle to Selfie: Words of the Generations was a fascinating, hard to put down read.

I had a fun coincidence with Dead Presidents: an American Adventure Into the Strange Deaths and Surprising Afterlives of Our Nation's Leaders, by Brady Carlson. I had paused in my reading and was channel surfing when I happened upon one of those shows on a news channel about books ... and there was Brady Carlson talking about his book! He was charming and engaging and it made this book even better! The author has always been interested in the presidents, but at some point what sparked his focus (and eventually this book) was how they died and what happened after. Where were they buried (and why), what sort of headstone, is there a monument? What else? Just about anything, it seems, from cities, schools, and streets, to people with their names (think Woodrow Wilson Guthrie, for one). Then there are the mugs, calendars, bobble head dolls, and a set of Pez dispensers! A most interesting read.

If you enjoy a good (old fashioned) musical and wanted to learn how they are crafted (there is a method to the madness, so to speak) then read The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built, by Jack Viertel. The good ones share certain characteristics and the author breaks them down into distinct parts and explains how and why they make a good show (or don't, sometimes). I thought it read a bit like a text book, but overall, it was good.

There's more than one 'Let's Bring Back' title, so be sure you get the one with the subtitle of An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Time Gone By, by Lesley M.M. Blume. The author is clear on this, she's not thinking of exchanging the old for the new, that's not going to happen, but, she does make the reader think a bit ... isn't a handwritten thank you note nice? Why not use some of the old words? (I actually do still use kerfuffle!) Isn't a corset (used reasonably, not tightened to the point of gasping for breath) more romantic than Spanx? This was a most enjoyable read!

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What happens when you ask a librarian for the books she enjoys? And she read to her kid(s)? You get a three page list. Alphabatized. With who read what in different colors!

Jan Brett was a favorite author with several books on the list: Mossy, Town Mouse Country Mouse, On Noah's Ark, Wild Christmas Reindeer, and Hedgie Loves to Read. The author does the illustrations, too, and they are wonderful! My favorite Brett is Fritz and the Beautiful Horses ... the one where the short, chubby horse is ... well, I promised no spoilers here so you'll have to read the book to find out!

Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild proved to be a 'cross over' book! It was written by Mem Fox but illustrated by another entry on this list: Marla Frazee! Favorites from this artist include All the World (written by Liz Garton Scanlon) and Everywhere Babies (written by Susan Meyers).

Bernard Most uses familiar things, such as a school bus or a basketball court in How Big Were the Dinosaurs? to give an idea of their size. A review of the book also told me there are fold out pages. :-)

I know this family loves the outdoors so it somes as no surprise that A Tree is Nice by Janice Undry and illustrated by Marc Simont made the list. There are many things that can be done on, under, or around a tree!

I am not familiar with the Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker, but a (very) quick search on them made me think of the Pippi Longstocking books by Astird Lindgrin.

Are you a parent that had that nightly struggle at bedtime? Did you hear 'just five more minutes' and/or 'I want a drink of water' over and over? Seems the tables are turned in Bedtime for Mommy, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal as a little girl tries to get her mom to go to bed.

And, finally, a book we all loved! Peter Spier's Rain (it's in the October 25, 2014 post). I love Spier's books, the illustrations are always so detailed and spot on! I love the cloudy skies and changing clouds in this book, and the different types of rain.

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More along the nostalgia trail today. :-)

I remember my mom fixing Spam for dinner. It was quick and easy, and it was something I would eat (I was picky) (still am, sometimes). It has an interesting and entertaining history, as I learned in Spam: a Biography, by Carolyn Wyman. There is almost a cult following to the 'miracle meat' with a clothing line, parades, sculpture competitions and so forth. And, news to me, what the soldiers ate (and hated) was a cheaper government similar food product, not the real thing (so to speak)!

Wet and Wired: a Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Pacific Northwest, by Randy Hodgins and Steve McLellan is full of the events, people and things that got their start here in the pnw. (Many more than I thought!) From beverages to teams (some now long gone) to radio and tv personalities, favorite destinations, outdoor wear and so much more this was a great read.

It's the longest day of the year, enjoy the lingering twilight!

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Where were all these wonderful ABC books when I was young?

S is for Spirit Bear: a British Columbia Alphabet, written by G. Gregory Roberts and illustrated by Robert Doucet is another in my favorite ABC series from the Sleeping Bear Press. As always, wonderful pictures, a delightful poem, and a brief history for each entry.

Here's one that is an ABC book and so much more: A is for Abigail: an Almanac of Amazing American Women, by Lynne Chenny and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Full of information (sometimes it's even in the borders) about hundreds of women in U.S. history, it's sort of like a 'Where's Waldo' with words (and pictures, of course). :-)

I would have loved this book as a kid: Stargazer's Alphabet: Night Sky Wonders from A to Z, by John Farrell. Of course, when I was young there weren't all that many photographs of the night sky ... anyway ... here you'll find familiar constellations and where and how to find them, the difference in spotting a star vs a planet (important when making that first wish) (!) all with amazing pictures of sky at night.

T is for Titanic: a Titanic Alphabet, by Debbie & Michael Shoulders and illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen is another wonderful ABC book from Sleeping Bear Press. It's not a subject that lends itself to the ABC format, but the author did a great job on choosing facts and stories for each letter.

Letters of the West: an ABC Book of the Many Plants, Animals, and Other Curious Features of the West, written by Michelle E. Walch & John Maddin, and illustrated by John Maddin is a beautiful book. It's full of information (including Latin names) about things that are familiar to those of us here in the pnw, with pictures that look almost like woodcuts. Simply wonderful!

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I am having so much fun asking folks what they read when they were young! No big surprise here, County Reader read a lot as a child (still does)! Under the Lilacs, by Louisa May Alcott was a gift from her Brownie troop when she broke her arm at age 6. (She also enjoyed Little Women). Then, a quick search and I found the twin books she liked: known as The Twins Books, by Lucy Fitch Perkins, they were officially called the Parker Twins Series. There were 26 books, each set in a different country, or time in America's past. Different twins each time, but only one red-headed set ... in Cave Twins, County Reader's favorite.

While reading about Tales From a Finnish Tupa, by James Cloyd Bowman and Margery Bianco, I learned that a tupa is a cottage. :-) Silver Pennies was a collection of poems by Blanche Jennings Thompson. I'll have to ask if she read any out loud. (I did, with my favorites) (still do, sometimes, actually).

Google can be such fun! All I had from County Reader was that she liked a series of biographies in orange covers, so I tried 'biographies for children in orange covers' and found them! Turns out they are a fictionalized series know as the Childhood of Famous Americans, created by the Bobbs-Merrill Company. Clara Barton (especially due to her care of animals) was the favorite.

A story was about a woman who turned into a woodpecker was all I had to go on and I found that with a google search, too! It's in the collection For the Children's Hour, by Carolyn S. Bailey. The stories are about nature, holidays, and family life. The one about the creation of the Big Dipper is remembered fondly, too.

And finally, on her list, one I remember, and read (many times): Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne.

Her kids read, too, they liked the Curious George books by H.A. Rey, the Richard Scarry books (I'm learning these were enjoyed by scores of boys), the Moomin series by Tove Jansson and Tintin by Georges Remi, better known as Herge. (These looked interesting to me, but the copies my mother had were in French ....)

I am thinking back here and remember The Princess and Curdie. It's by George MacDonald, and was published in 1883! Also, Kazan, the Wolfdog, by James Oliver Curwood, and Bristle Face, by Zachery Ball. These were the books my dad read out loud to me. Later I would read the dog books on my own, too. Memories!

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Since Flag Day came on a regular post day this year, it was hard for me to ignore!

I love books that illustrate songs and this one is no exception. You're a Grand Old Flag with the song by George M. Cohan and illustrations by Warren Kimble. Mr. Kimble likes to paint on old wood, so all the paintings used here have a 'folksy' texture (which fits with his style, too). Look for some wonderful, subtle humor between some of the pictures and words.

There are some fun facts in The Flag, the Poet & the Song: the Story of the Star-Spangled Banner, by Irvin Molotsky, such as why the song, sung at the start of every game, is especially popular with the Baltimore Orioles, and the Atlanta Braves, or that the huge flag that flew over Fort McHenry was made from cotton from the U.S., but wool from England! There is a chapter on who has sung it (good or bad) and, of course, a discussion on why this is the best choice for our national anthem. See if you agree. A bit dry in some places (you know, the ones about politics), but overall, pretty darn good. :-)

Below the national flag on the flag pole you'll often find a state flag. For the history and design behind these, try Flags of the Fifty States: Their Colorful Histories and Significance (2nd edition), by Randy Howe. Some have been changed several times, others have had just one design. Don't skip the mottos, some are a hoot!

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It's June 1 as I comment on this book. Summer will soon be here and thoughts will turn to vacations ... where to go, where to stay, and so forth. This small B&B sounds perfect for readers! Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast, by Bill Richardson is charming novel set (I'm thinking) some where on Vancouver Island .. it's a place that you will find if you need it (remember Callahan's Crosstime Saloon (June 14, 2014 post)? The brothers provide breakfast (and the fixings for other meals) and books. There is a journal where guests may write comments about their stay, their life, books they've read, etc. Charming and reflective, I'll be reading book two soon.

Looking for ideas a road trip? How about traveling on the smaller roads? Road Trip USA: Cross Country Adventures on American's Two Lane Highways, by Jamie Jensen offers routes for just such excursions. Full of suggestions of what to see and where to eat, this was an interesting read even for an armchair tourist.

Now, to actually travel across the country, you have to have a road, yes? It's an interesting history! The American Highway: the History and Culture of Roads in the United States, by William Kaszynski covers everything from the development of roads and routes, to eateries, gas stations, and places to stay. There was a learning curve (sorry) as builders learn to bank for corners, deal with greater speeds and so on. Newer roads are now built taking the environment into account as well.

It took a while for me to get around to this one, but I've been told it's a great beach read (even though I read it in my recliner): The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion. Professor Dan Tillman has decided to get married, and has created a 'sure fire' questionnaire to help find that perfect woman. Of course, things to not go as planned and he end up in all sorts of unforeseen situations. Good characters and a plot that is not overly romantic (thank goodness, at least for this reader)!

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Recommendations! I get recommendations!

From Seattle Reader came Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are, by Daniel Nettle. Are you a Wanderer? Worrier? Poet? Or something else? Most of us, of course, are a combination of many things and this book will help you discover what. I think I'd put this with The Introvert Advantage (June 10, 2014 post).

From Crafty Reader came Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran. A cozy mystery, one of those set in the deep south, and including a recipe (in this case for buttermilk pie). An elderly resident owns property a developer wants. There might be sunken treasure. There's a missing cat and a mysterious picture in a locket. All the elements needed for a nice read. For me, I'd call this a 'filler' book ... sometimes I need something light and fun to read and this fits the bill.

Here's one with the theme of the trail in the title: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, by Katarina Bivald (translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies). Sara has decided to take her internet friend Amy up on her offer to visit Iowa, but when she arrives she learns that Amy has died. Since she's already here, she stays ... and that's all I'm saying. This is a delightful book of friendship, small towns, the ups and downs of life, and, of course, books. Thanks go to Canadian Reader for this one. :-)

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Crafty Reader and family are readers! The (ahem) older folks liked The Black Stallion books by Walter Farley, and anything by Jack London. When younger they did the 'gender thing' with one of them reading all the Hardy Boy Books, the other Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. Big Red, Irish Red, and Outlaw Red, by Jim Kjelgaard were favorites as was Lad, a Dog, by Albert Payson Terhune. One offspring was reluctant reader until a smart teacher had HIM pick book for a book report and he discovered books and magazines on car and truck repair. The other offspring liked the Piers Anthony Xanth Series. (Start with A Spell for Chameleon). All of them still read today, and the kids/grands are getting a good start on being readers, too. :-)

As for me, I read the Black Stallion books, all the Nancy Drew mysteries, and the 'Red' books by Kjelgaard. I read several Terhune books, including Lad. I laughed my way through the Xanth series, but will confess, I've never read a book about car and truck repair. ;-)

It seemed like a good idea to include this book here: Crafty Reader enjoys cozy mysteries and often passes her favorite titles on to me. :-) Most recently it was Pane and Suffering, by Cheryl Hollon. It's the first in a new series set in a glass shop in Florida. Good characters, nice story line, worthy bad guys .... it's a great start for this author. Give it a try!

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A few hot days and I'm already missing the rain! This book, Rain Fish, by Lois Ehlert, left me with mixed feelings. While I enjoyed the idea of finding and creating fish from litter and debris found on the street, I was saddened by the fact that there was litter and debris on the street! See what you think. :-)

The title first caught my eye, and, it was a mystery, which helped! London Rain, by Nicola Upson is part of a series featuring Josephine Tey, and is the first one I've read. It started slowly and I was putting it down to play solitaire games and do codeword puzzles ... and then ... I wasn't putting it down! Set during the coronation of King George VI, that soon takes a back seat to the murder(s) that occur. Full of several twists and unexpected plot turns it was a worthy find ... and all because it had 'rain' in the title (and was a mystery). :-)

Here's an idea for a rainy day ... make music! Rainy-day Music, by Judith Jensen Hyde and illustrated by Jason Abbott shows how -- using water! (Ben Franklin took this idea to the extreme with his Glass Armonica).

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Today is National Trails Day, so get out and enjoy any of our wonderful local trails!

Many trails have been built on old railroad beds. What a wonderful and amazing project this is! The book here came out in 2001 so you might want to look for a newer edition with more trails. Washington's Rail-Trails: Walking, Running, Bicycling, In-line Skating, Horseback Riding, by Fred Wert tells about the history of the program, who can use the trails, trail etiquette and so on. There are locations for the trails and directions on how to get to the trail head. Just a wonderful guide book. :-)

For a global walking experience read Walking the World's Most Exceptional Trails, by Eloise Napier. I loved the introduction for this book where the author explains that you don't have to be a hard core walker to enjoy these walks, 'softies' are most welcome! She then goes on to share pictures, descriptions, and advice on walking what are some incredibly beautiful trails around the world.

Go outside and play!

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This trail for my blog started with a visit from Canadian Reader. Since she comes in her car she is able to bring more 'stuff' than if she had to carry everything herself. I asked her to bring some favorite childhood reads, if she still had them and to think of others she especially enjoyed. Her selections included: The Water Babies, all the Tarzan books, and A Girl of the Limberlost.

Then, she told me, by the time she was ten, she started on the classics (Jane Eyre and the Odyssey were the first two) (unabridged). ! At that age I was still reading every horse book I could find! (If I still had that blushing emoticon, I'd put it here)!

One of her favorites was still on her shelf, and she brought it for me to read: The Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton-Porter. I'd not read it before and discovered that it holds up well even after more than 100 years! Strong female characters, hard work brings success, and moths! Moths that are so important money can be made by collecting them!

What was the most special, though, was the book itself. It was published in 1909. There is an inscription in the front to Canadian Reader's mother who received the book from the principal of her high school (for extra high marks) in 1935. Somewhere in the early 60's Canadian Reader would have read it, and then I did so in 2016. Gives me goose bumps, it does!

I then asked others what they liked to read as kids, what they read to their children, and so on. In the coming weeks I will do posts on their response, it's been wonderful!

While Canadian Reader was reading The Odyssey, I was probably reading, oh, something like Sand Dune Pony, by Troy Nesbitt! :-)

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