Something that might have been more common before Ancestry.com was that folks liked to brag that they were related to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or one of the other more illustrious presidents. Alas, my family is related to Warren G. Harding. He's on the list of 'worst' presidents. However, I learned something new when I went to look for a book about him, there have some historians who have worked at exonerating him from that list! The one I read was The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Harding, by Ryan S. Walters. Turns out, Harding wasn't all that bad, there were some issues, yes, but he also created the Veteran’s Bureau, revived the economy, reduced taxes and government spending, and urged for equal rights for Blacks. Unemployment went from 15% to 3%. All in less than three years (he died in office). Now, about those scandals, yes, they did happen, but he was unaware of them and benefited in no way, however, he did take responsibility because he put those men in those positions. And the affairs, there were some (as with FDR, JFK, LBJ and Clinton), but none in the White House, and the women mentioned never existed. (The stories of these affairs came out four years after his death). So, while he is not a candidate for Mt. Rushmore, he does not deserve to be on the 'worst' list, either.

Here is a book of tales from a small animal vet, one who made house calls. Tales of a Pet Vet: Stories From the Clinic and House Calls, by Dr. Dawn Filos. House calls for vet visits is a good idea in many ways ... the animal and owner are more comfortable, and the vet can check on things ... like the "cup" measurement one owner was using to feed her (very) overweight dog was from a Big Gulp! :-) In addition to her anecdotes about being a vet the author also included some thoughtful chapters on end of life decisions, setting up a trust for the pet(s) should the owner die first, and alternative medicines and treatments. Nicely done.

Reading Hermit With Dog