A trip in the way-back machine now ... remember drive in theaters? The last time I was at one I saw Star Wars (the first in that series). During the final battle scene there was a thunderstorm .... oh, wait here ... check out my April 14, 2015 post! That was a book on local drive in theaters, this one, The American Drive-In Movie Theatre, by Don and Susan Sanders is more national in scope. There was a time when you could only get pizza here! To make the drive-in a family destination there were often playgrounds and pony rides, or even a swimming pool. (These would be removed over insurance concerns.) Later, when television came along and it was easier to keep the family at home, the drive-in became a place for couples to get a little privacy ... and that's when the 'teen movies' started up, too. Some owners actually lived on site, often in an apartment behind the giant screen. For the premiere of Blazing Saddles the 'drive in' became a 'ride in' and you could only come on horseback! As land became more valuable, many sold out so there are just a few left anymore. Great pictures here!

Seems there have been pets in the royal family for centuries. Brian Hoey did a wonderful job on his research for Pets by Royal Appointment: the Royal Family and Their Animals. There are the expected horses and dogs, but there were also a few birds and cats ... and Elizabeth (now Queen) and her sister had a chameleon when they were young (they loved to watch it change color). Any one who had an animal had to learn to clean up after it, too (imagine the Queen mucking out stalls!!). Many also went on to learn a bit about health and medical care, too. The Queen is computer savvy ... that way she can keep up with her race horses when she's away from home!

Some people seem endlessly fascinating and that includes presidents. Louis L.

Picone’s first book was on were they were born. I haven't read it but it seems not as many of those places have been preserved because, of course, who knew they'd become president? This book, The President is Dead! The Extraordinary Stories of the Presidential Deaths, Final Days, Burials, and Beyond is about just that ... their last days, what killed them, sometimes their final words,and their funeral. Andrew Jackson had a parrot who had to be removed from the memorial service because Jackson had taught it to swear. John Tyler's death was not acknowledged by President Lincoln. Three former presidents died during Nixon's term, leaving him with no one who'd actually served as the president to talk to. Each entry ends with location, hours, and admission cost (if there is one) to visit the grave. (See also my post for June 24, 2016 for another book on this subject).

Here's the third in the Magical Bakery series by Bailey Cates: Charms and Chocolate Chips. It involves a swamp that is scheduled to become a golf course, a magical tree, and origami bats. See how they all tie together! I love meeting all the 'familiars' of the coven as this series develops. Great fun!

Reading Hermit With Dog