Seems there has long been a question of what to do with older women. Even what is considered ‘old’ changes on a regular basis. No Stopping Us Now: the Adventures of Older Women in American History, by Gail Collins is a wild and crazy romp through history, from Colonial America to present day. Full of mini-biographies of dozens, if not hundreds, of strong, active women of a certain age who changed history, or tried to do so. The research that went into this book is amazing, be sure to skim the notes section.

Although I am one of those pacific northwesterners that doesn’t even own an umbrella, I am still quite fascinated by them. The Umbrella Unfurled: Its Remarkable Life and Times, by Nigel Rodgers is delightful history on how it has influenced politics, fashion, religion and more. See how it has been used in fact, fiction, and film. Learn why, for a while at least, it was known as a ‘crusoe’. Fun tidbit here … I started reading this book as I was watching one of the MGM ‘That’s Entertainment’ shows and my favorite scene from a musical … ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ !! :-)

Dog is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You, by Clive D.L. Wynne (PhD) came as a suggestion from Seattle Reader. (‘Suggestion’ because it had not yet been read by Seattle Reader). It proved to be most interesting. How do you study and test for something like love? The author, a “pioneering canine behaviorist” pondered this question and came up with some experiments. He drew on experience from others, too as they studied this phenomena. I found it somewhat dry in parts, fascinating in others, and while I know my dog loves me, it was fun to discover there is now scientific proof! (Much like learning that there is a reason for why veggies taste so bad)! ;-)

Reading Hermit With Dog