2022 will be the eighty-fifth anniversary of Amelia Earhart's mysterious disappearance at the tail end of her around-the-world hop. Nowadays, this part of her life garners most, if not all the attention because we want to know what happened, and it's totally understandable. Eighty-five years is a long time to be in suspense (I have … Continue reading Reading Rarities: The Fun Of It
Reading Rarities: Mount Vernon: The Story of A Shrine
Ever been to Mount Vernon? I have, twice, and it's a fascinating place. Like more than a few other historically significant sites, though, George Washington's home came very close to fading into oblivion, only to be saved by conscientious souls. In this case the benefactors were, and are, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, who have … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Mount Vernon: The Story of A Shrine
Reading Rarities: I Take My Religion Seriously
There was way more to Charles M. Schulz than Charlie Brown and Snoopy, and from the mid-1950s until early 1965 Schulz drew monthly or bi-weekly single-panel comics for Youth and Reach Magazines. It's been said that these characters are the Peanuts kids as teenagers, but Schulz tried to keep the two strips as separate as he could. He … Continue reading Reading Rarities: I Take My Religion Seriously
Reading Rarities: What We Saw
Those who remember 9-11 will no doubt recall the huge demand for merch that immediately followed. The Longs Drugs I worked at during that time couldn't keep American flags, or anything flag-related, in the store. What we did get would sell out by the end of the day. Naturally, 9-11 books, magazines, and T-shirts were … Continue reading Reading Rarities: What We Saw
Reading Rarities: 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music
At one time, contemporary Christian music was the fastest growing subgenre in the industry, and the years between 1969 and the year 2000 seem to be its golden period. Artists covered all genres and appealed to all age groups, making the secular side of the music business sit up and take notice. 2006's 100 Greatest … Continue reading Reading Rarities: 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music
Reading Rarities: Silent Echoes
Southern California and LA in particular are notoriously cavalier about architectural history. Everything's got to be new and fresh. With all the movies that have been made there over the past hundred-plus years, not to mention the periodic earthquakes, it's amazing anything stands longer than a few decades. Still, remnants of old Hollywood manage to … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Silent Echoes
Reading Rarities: The American Frugal Housewife
We all know that for as long as there have been houses and households, there have been housekeeping gurus. Today's guru, Mrs. Child, wrote several such books, but today we're talking about her 1826 volume, The American Frugal Housewife. Eloise and Martha have nothing on Mrs. Child, who isn't well-known today, but Housewife ought to be. … Continue reading Reading Rarities: The American Frugal Housewife
Reading Rarities: Irish Americans
Most of my family came from Ireland, although we're still unearthing the details of what parts they hailed from. So far we know my paternal grandpa's ancestors were Irish Catholics from Wexford (yes, just like the Kennedys), but that's about it. The story that I've always gotten about my mom's side of the family is … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Irish Americans
Reading Rarities: The American Home Front, 1941-1942
When most people think of Alistair Cooke, at least people of my generation and before, we think of the dapper English gentleman on Masterpiece Theatre or Upstairs Downstairs, sitting in the posh wing chair bidding all of us a good evening before introducing that night's program. Mr. Cooke was an institution, and Masterpiece Theatre hasn't … Continue reading Reading Rarities: The American Home Front, 1941-1942
Reading Rarities: So You Think You’re A Bookworm?
I love reading. Put me in a library or a bookstore and I will happily stay until I get hungry or it's closing time, whichever comes first. Who else can relate? Yep, a lot of people consider themselves bookworms, but according to Joan Hoare there's more to being a bookworm than meets the eye. Way … Continue reading Reading Rarities: So You Think You’re A Bookworm?
Reading Rarities: Bobbi Brown Beauty
I can't speak as to how it is now, but when I was a student at Sac State the Hornet Bookstore was a treasure trove of unique books, and one of my finds was the 1997 volume, Bobbi Brown Beauty. Before there were beauty gurus, YouTube, or social media as we know them, there was Bobbi … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Bobbi Brown Beauty
Reading Rarities: A Baggage Car With Lace Curtains
Like local history? I love it. Some years ago I found an intriguing little book at the Rocklin Library: A Baggage Car With Lace Curtains by Kay Fisher, a native of the Sacramento area. Kay's husband, Bill, worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad starting in the nineteen-forties, and their story gives a whole new meaning to … Continue reading Reading Rarities: A Baggage Car With Lace Curtains
Reading Rarities: The AWVS Cook Book
Uniforms were everywhere during the World War Two period, of course, and one type was worn by the American Women's Voluntary Service, or AWVS. This group was founded in 1940 when it became clear that America would someday enter the war. The early thinking was that we would eventually be bombed like Britain and occupied … Continue reading Reading Rarities: The AWVS Cook Book
Reading Rarities: A Beginner’s Guide To Goat Yoga
Admit it, you totally thought this was clickbait, and if you did I can't blame you. However, truth is stranger than fiction and goat yoga really is a thing. No, there aren't goats doing tree poses and chatarangas, although I wouldn't put it past them, but people do practice yoga outside with goats wandering around … Continue reading Reading Rarities: A Beginner’s Guide To Goat Yoga
Reading Rarities: Life of the Party
Tupperware. The plastic. The convenience. The legend. And of course, the parties. Remember those? They're still very much a thing. I've never been to one, but they look fun. Tupperware pioneered plastic housewares right around the time when plastic was coming into its own, and pretty much every American household has Tupperware somewhere. Well, almost. … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Life of the Party
Reading Rarities: ABC of Aviation
I've grown up hearing and talking about airplanes. My dad was a single-engine pilot for many years. Well, technically he still is, but he hasn't got a current medical certification, so there's that. My knowledge of planes is purely academic while Dad's is practical, but it's our thing. One year I bought him a pack … Continue reading Reading Rarities: ABC of Aviation
Reading Rarities: A Field Guide To the North American Family
Ah, that elusive, nubelous entity, the American Family. The whole world finds the American Family intriguing. They can't really help it, seeing as American Families are ubiquitous. Everyone from the Jeffersons to the Cleavers to the Bundys are known in every country. The fictional American family, at least the ones found in sitcoms of a … Continue reading Reading Rarities: A Field Guide To the North American Family
Taking Up Room 