Did you know that the Douglas Fir is not a real fir? Whether you do or not, Douglas Fir: the Story of the West's Most Remarkable Tree, by Stephen F. Arno and Carl E. Fiedler is a fun and informative read. There are inland and coastal varieties, there are dwarf firs and firs that grow taller than the redwoods in California. The salmon plays an important role in the life of the coastal fir. Fire, too, is important and the chapters on that are an eye opener. (Preventing forest fires, as we've learned, was not the best idea ....) The descriptions of what it was like, and how dangerous, to work in the timber industry were mind boggling.

The 99% Invisible City: a Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design, by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt is a fascinating look at things we pass every day but rarely (if at all) notice. From planned failures (breakaway posts), to fake facades to hide ugly power stations, etc., to those historical markers and so much more this was a great read. It is well written and with some nice touches of humor, but I would have loved photographs!

Reading Hermit With Dog