What is it about the world of old books that are so interesting?
Is it the multi-sensory experience of holding it in your hands, flipping through their pages or that worn smell of the print? Or maybe in this digital age, an old book makes you feel a little more grounded because of all that's going on around you?

I have yet to read an e-book. I'm sure I will at some point. I have yet to squeeze in much reading time at all over the past couple of years but I can't help picking up an old book or two when they present themselves. I use them to create height on tables, stack them as a way to display or just read them. We are on the hunt for bookshelves to line a wall in one of our rooms because this ever-growing collection needs to be enjoyed.

Last fall I was at the Public Library and came across their basement book sale. All books were 10 cents a pound. I picked up a couple of children's books and then went to the vintage ones. Some of the criteria I look for are intact spines, colorful covers, dates prior to WWII, nice or interesting typography and topics of interest.

While there, I found this book, The Cocker Spaniel, by Ella B. Moffit. The green color caught my eye so I thumbed through it.

On the front page was written:
 

 

Bessie D. Apgar
Westminster Dog Show

Madison Square Garden

Feb. 10,11,12. 1937

After I lugged home 20 pounds of books (I was on foot) I forgot about them so they stayed in a bag for a week. When I was finally able to look at them, I opened up the dog book first and out fell two calling cards of Bessie's. Besides the fading color, they were in perfect condition. I studied them and turned them over to see if there was any writing on back.

 
 I wondered if she had gone to the dog show with this book and put her cards in there to give away or if she bought the book there since she was obviously interested in Cocker Spaniels. I wondered if one of her dogs was in the show and the book was a gift from the handler. Suddenly I had all these questions about Bessie so I did a little research.

I found that she was Dr. Apgar, the Assistant Professor of Biology at Elizabethtown College in the 1950's. Her husband, the other Dr. Apgar, was the Professor of Biology. A 1950 yearbook was dedicated to them and the college now bestows a distinguished alumni award in their honor every year.

I know I'll eventually enter the world of e-books but this book adventure tells me I can happily live in both.


Have a good day!
xo
Laura

 

source

"To Dr. Charles Apgar and to Dr. Bessie Apgar, who have led us through the mysteries of the cell to an appreciation of God's pattern for all living things, we gratefully offer in dedication this 1950 Etonian."

It's good to be a Senior

I've been working on the editing process for a few high school seniors. Even though little is required, my eyes are starting to bug out so I'm off to Manhattan for the day with one of my dearest friends. I'll give my eyes a rest from the computer and soak in the sights of NYC.

See you soon.

Until then, enjoy these smiling faces.

Flood story

On Wednesday the rain started. It was really starting to fall hard as I took Reese to a Doctor's appt. in Hershey.
I drove by a well traveled intersection and took note that the water was starting to accumulate.

Just as the appt. was ending I received a call saying that school was closing at 12:15 so I headed right over. I was only about 10 miles away and luckily I made it before many roads started to close. Traffic was building at each mile but fortunately our school was the first in the area to let out early so I made it rather quickly.

I was in the school waiting line for a few minutes when Belen and Charley made a mad dash to the car, along with some of their friends. The rain was so heavy that my windshield wipers could barely keep up and I had them on high; the setting that seems like they are spastically swishing back and forth.

There were more kids than my car could hold at once, so we made a few trips. With each trip a new road was closed and I wasn't about to take chances crossing a road that seemed to have too much water rushing over it. Although those situations can be a little scary, I felt that all would be well and the most serious road situations had already been identified. We all laughed in the car at how soaked everyone was and that one of the teen-agers had to sit atop Trae's carseat.

We looked in amazement at the level of water accumulated in our park. The tall swingset and slide that Blair and Trae play on were not visible anymore. We saw kids swimming in the amphitheater where we watch the free movies in the park.

By the time I returned home, there was about 4-5 inches of water in the basement bathroom and family room. You could hear the "squish squish" as we walked across the floor. After attempting to drain it only to see it fill up again, I called it quits. Jon called and said to just come over to the hotel before the roads got any worse. So we packed a few bags, and threw things in other rooms to keep dry.

A normally 15 minute drive took 2 hours but we arrived at the hotel. That intersection from earlier in the day was now completely underwater. The banquet seating from Pizza Hut was floating by and a car got caught up in the rush of water. Fortunately, the driver of the car made it out safely.

So we're still at the hotel waiting another day for the floor to dry. We ripped out the carpet in the rooms affected and we're looking forward to doing something new with them. A few months ago we began to purchase new materials to give the bathroom a make-over so this actually gave us the push we needed to do it.

So really, our perspective is that there are others with greater loss. Some houses were submerged and some people lost their lives. Our little problem is no where near that so I cannot complain in the least. I would feel so ungrateful.

We're good, we're happy and we have great friends whose offers of help are genuine. Lucky desu.

Week of the fair and senior portraits

Our weekend was filled with work and hardly any play except for a few photo sessions. One of them was for Senior year photos for this beauty. We had a great time at a few favorite locations. Our next session is in fall when the leaves are changing. That should be even more fun and will offer a whole new look.

I'm off to work at the Etown Fair this whole week, everyday from 10-10. I love hometown fairs and all of the blue ribbon festivities. I'm hoping to break away to snap a few pictures and watch the kids on some rides and play with the animals at the little petting zoo area. It's going to be a great week!

Amidst that I may have a little time to show you a Friday find and another light fixture make-over. Until then, you can find me at the fair, if you're in my area!

Enjoy a sampling of Maddi's pictures and have a blast today!

Restaurant Review - The Black Gryphon

On Valentine's Day, Jon took me to our favorite restaurant,
The Black Gryphon.


It turned out to be a cold, blustery, winter's evening but as soon as we stepped into the restaurant, the warmth of our greeting melted away the chill which we just escaped.

A nice, soft Beatles tune was being played by the band, The Reese Project. They were on set specifically for this night and the restaurant was full.

One of the reasons we love this restaurant so much is its atmosphere. It has been modeled to look like a Welsh pub with rich colors and dark woods. The lighting is soft and instantly you feel comfortable. The owners and wait staff are always friendly and quick to acknowledge you. It is relaxed and casual.

Once seated, delicious, fresh, baked bread is brought to you on a platter, waiting to be buttered.

They pride themselves on offering local, fresh meats and produce. They use these ingredients in traditional recipes extracted from the Welsh countryside. But to satisfy all palettes, they also serve American and Italian fare. They have a wonderful Tuscan Lasagna made with prime rib. The side vegetable is "melt-in-your-mouth" good.

The salads are crisp and Lindsay knows that Jon likes the Bleu Cheese and I like the 5 herb Vinaigrette - homemade by the way. I once bought a little tub of it to take home.

They do have a children's menu and our kids are always asking to go there. We have taken them and they love it. The staff is really good with kids and they are very welcomed. However, Jon and I tend to think of it as "our place" so that is where we like to go for uninterrupted time without having to corral 5 kids. But when we do take them, they swear by the homemade Mac N' Cheese, French fries, and real, plump, chicken tenders.

There is also a nice bar with a variety of wines, beers and spirits.

In our opinion, it is the best restaurant in Elizabethtown.

Besides the food being fresh and delicious, the people are genuinely friendly. It truly feels like a neighborhood gathering spot where everyone is welcome. I have seen the owners walk around and talk with people about the high school sports games and the artwork on the walls or the menu items. They really want you to have a good dining experience and it's important to them that you enjoy their place. No reservations are required and it is also a non-smoking restaurant.

A general rule in customer service is that those who provide it well are confident in the product they sell.

The Black Gryphon staff is confident and their product is excellent so go check them out!

For a full menu, price list and hours, go to http://www.blackgryphon84.com/ today.

Bon Appetit!

or as they say in Wales, "Mwynhewch eich bwyd"