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."

Mash-up of topics

Has it really been over a week?

It has all just escaped me. It's been so busy. I didn't even get to sit here once and write about all the things that were on my mind. A lot of things have taken a back seat to the job lately. That's why I am taking most of the day off to catch up on all my domestic duties (translation: the house is a wreck) so I'll just highlight a few topics from last week and mash 'em all up.

Family: We were able to see Belén play basketball at a home game which was great. She scored 3 points. Jon forewent his bowling night with the guys from church to see it. I didn't ask him to.

Blair and I mother/daughter double dated with friends to see Beauty and the Beast 3D. Blair declared it was the best date ever. Pretty much was.

Charley went to an 8 year-old's birthday party. The girl's birthday request was to go to McDonald's and have Charley over. She's a hit.

Reese is back in school. He was out a whole week with a high fever. The neighbor girls are happy. They've been knocking on the door ever since.

Trae-man is still the same. So much fun.

I am editing my brother's book. I think he has a best-seller there.

Personal: I squeezed in time for a facial. It was the first time ever that I've had one and I am SOLD! Have you had one? I know I'm late to the party but it was fabulous. That must be how the other half lives.

My hubby bought me this book. It's totally design inspiring. I take it all over the house with me so when I have a minute to sit and look through it, it's right at my fingertips. It gave me the boost I needed to get working.

I made a quick stop at the Thrift shop. It's been ages (for me anyway) but I scored a really cool side table. All the way home it smelled like fresh paint and gave me a headache (translation: it made me high.)

NFL Football playoffs: The games were really good this year but I was hoping for the Ravens and the 49ers in the Superbowl. Actually I was hoping for the Seahawks and anybody...at least there will be some good commercials.

Local/National Headlines: Joe Paterno, the long-time head football coach for Penn State that was relieved of his duties a few months back - If you don't know about it, you can read the interview that he gave just before he died. I think the bottom line is that although he probably truly regretted not doing more, he washed his hands of it once he told his superiors, plain and simple. If you knew of an incident so vicious, involving someone that worked for you, and then saw him still on the job and working with a charity that helps underprivileged youth, some of the most vulnerable of all, wouldn't you go to your superiors and say, "Hey, what's up with that? Why is he still around? What's happening with the investigation? What did you do with the information?" The program, not the victim(s), was protected.

The latest debate: I hear a lot of sound bites but no explanation on how they are going to implement changes. Just HOW are we going to pay for all these things they are promising? Does anyone else wonder that? Everybody keeps leaving that part out. Speaking of pay, we filed our taxes and the exemption for a dependent child is huge this year. This could be the last year for the current tax rate structure which has been in place since 2003. It might not be worth it to work as much as I do and just go back to one income. We'll see what happens in November.

Pets: I took our sick dog to the Dr. and now she's back to her crazy self. I should have become a Veterinarian; they charge a small fortune. It's worth not having her gnaw her paws off anymore, though.

Professional: I have been helping to put together this Ladies Night. It's proven to be a lot of work but should be fun. Come, won't you?

Behind the lens: I'm still working on the latest photo session from the Train station. I've lined up a real live bunny and some chicks for Children's Easter portraits. That should be interesting. I made it clear that I don't want to keep them, just borrow them for a day. I want to explore doing pet photos this year. First up, Alpacas! Again, that should be interesting. Do they spit? Or is that a Llama?? I forget.

Have a great day!

Letters to our younger selves

On Monday I was able to work at a local Pharmacy to do some health screenings. It's a small town Pharmacy rather than a large chain but it has more of a Hallmark store feel to it.

It's just a little nicer than the average bear.

Because it was a slow morning, I looked around some aisles and picked up a book. It was entitled, "What I Know Now: Letters to my younger self."

I am intrigued by this kind of thing. When I was growing up I tried to make my mantra, "No Regrets" which in itself is a bit of a naive idea. But before I went in to anything, I tried to weigh the options in my head as well as potential outcomes. I hated to make mistakes and wanted to save myself from some. That thought process saved me from some mistakes for sure but I was still allowed to throw caution to the wind hoping I was doing the right thing. Inevitably there were a few regrets and unfortunately I still have some but that's life I guess. At least it makes me able to give my kids advice which I hope they find valuable some day.

I have compiled much for them. I quickly learned after my mother died that I still crave her insight and wish I had something to refer to. So I am doing that for my kids.

In the aisle I perused the book, going right to the letters that powerful and successful women wrote to their younger selves. I only read a handful but they contained some interesting advice and got me thinking on what advice I would have given my 20 year-old self. It also got me thinking on what I did right as a 20 year-old and writing a letter congratulating myself on choices then that I might not have the courage to make now. You know, I always see the more optimistic angle.

Have you ever thought about what you would say to your younger self?

Either advice for the future or congratulating the past.

**********************

I found this write-up on Amazon:

"Today show correspondent Ann Curry writes to herself as a rookie reporter in her first job, telling herself not to change so much to fit in, urging her young self, “It is time to be bold about who you really are.”

Country music superstar Lee Ann Womack reflects on the stressed-out year spent recording her first album and encourages her younger self to enjoy the moment, not just the end result.

“Your hair matters far, far less than you think,” is the wry advice that begins the letter bestselling mystery writer Lisa Scottoline pens to her twenty-year old self.

And Maya Angelou, leaving home at seventeen with a newborn baby in her arms, assures herself she will succeed on her own, even if she does return home every now and then.

These remarkable women are joined by Madeleine Albright, Queen Noor of Jordan, Cokie Roberts, Naomi Wolf, Eileen Fisher, Jane Kaczmarek, Olympia Dukakis, Macy Gray, and many others.

Their letters contain rare glimpses into the personal lives of extraordinary women and powerful wisdom that readers will treasure.

Wisdom from What I Know Now:

“Don’t let anybody raise you. You’ve been raised.” –Maya Angelou

“Try more things. Cross more lines.” –Breena Clarke

“Learn how to celebrate.” –Olympia Dukakis

“You don’t have to be afraid of living alone.” –Eileen Fisher

“Please yourself first…everything else follows.” –Macy Gray

“Don’t be so quick to dismiss another human being.” –Barbara Boxer

“Work should not be work.” –Mary Matalin

“You can leave the work world—and come back on your own terms.” –Cokie Roberts

“Laundry will wait very patiently.” –Nora Roberts

“Your hair matters far, far less than you think” –Lisa Scottoline

“Speak the truth but ride a fast horse.” –Kitty Kelley

Beware of the book

It's Banned Books Week here in the United States.

In a nutshell, It's an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Either way, I think it's ok to protest something you don't like whether it's a book or not being able to read that book. But as for me, if we don't want our child reading something then we would make that rule in our home and not make others conform to our way of thinking. We haven't had to do that yet and don't see that we will in the future.

These are some of the most banned and/or challenged classics, some of them being my favorite books.

1. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
3. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck
4. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
5. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
6. Ulysses, by James Joyce
7. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
8. The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
9. 1984, by George Orwell

11. Lolita, by Vladmir Nabokov
12. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

15. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
16. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
17. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
18. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
19. As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner
20. A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway

Also on the list of banned or challenged books are Twilight (Series), Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Anne Frank: The Diary of a young girl, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America and many others.

Have you read any of those mentioned? You rebels, you!

What is your take on it all?

Garage Thrifting

Today I was able to go through a few bins of items that have been handed down to me. Some of the items I will eventually sell and the rest I'll pass along to my kids.
I pulled out a few items to share with you...

I love the postage stamp on this envelope

and the mailing label.

Notice there is no zip code and the

address is Corner of Franklin and Jonathan streets?

I actually lived in Hagerstown at one time.

Clues like dates and places of origin always peak my interest. I love the return address as well.

Schenley bought the rights to many name brands of alcohol that went out of business during and after prohibition. My guess is that this was a promotional give-a-way because inside

the envelope are six (69 years-old) 9x12 floral prints all in perfect condition.

They came with a paper from the company that tells what each flower means.

I am thinking of having them copied rather than selling the originals.

They would add some pops of color to a space. I might use the Chrysanthemum somewhere myself!

I love the use of books in decorating. I am always drawn to ones that have decorative and colorful covers.

No matter what your personal style, they always look good stacked up anywhere.

This art deco piece is one of my faves although I'm not sure what I'll do with it. Maybe I need to go buy some chunky necklaces to dangle from it?

It is a vintage handkerchief display with its original handkerchiefs. It came out of the store, Farrell & Eddy, in my little hometown, that opened in the early 1900's and closed in the early 1990's. My mom bought it at their auction when the building was sold about 6 or 7 years ago.

This was in the back store room on the shelf but it had been on the front counter all those years.

Cool.

A few silver items.

The pedestal dish in the background will go on my dresser to hold spare change or jewelry.

I may use the others for the little flowers that the kids pull for me when Spring and Summer show its faces. I don't have a lot of this out since I lean more contemporary but it's good to mix it up a bit. And who doesn't love reflective surfaces?

So that rounds out today's picks.

I'll be digging around some more later but until then,

Have you found anything you are incorporating/re-purposing into your home?

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Restoration Hardware Art - my way

For those of you that hate to see books destroyed, turn away.

I have a hard time parting with books, let alone rip them apart.

As I was looking through Restoration Hardware's catalogue, I came across this "objets d'art."
They cost $29.00 for each bundle of books. I wondered who in the world would buy this when you can just do it yourself? It couldn't be that hard.

So I decided to try it and the books would have to take one for the team.

I wasn't crazy for the look but I felt challenged to recreate this with thrift store books at a fraction of the price.

This picture courtesy of Restoration Hardware

I gathered up a few books - $1.00 each. Trae enjoyed stacking them on his little wagon. Note to self: old books = cheap toys.

As the RH catalogue says, the books are "liberated from their covers" which must be akin to burning bras or something. I first made sure the books were not going for thousands of dollars on Ebay. The most expensive one was $13.00. No big whoop I thought. So off with the covers!

Next, I took jute twine and tied it around the books. I wanted the lighter shade but I didn't have that and wanted to use what I had so this color would do. It was around $2.00 for the roll.

Five minutes later I had my own "objets d'art." I held them all together with one of Jon's boot laces. See what happens when your husband is golfing and fishing with his high school buddies out in WA state? (our home state) You take his shoelaces...

And then I put it on the shelf and suddenly I kinda liked it. I think it would look better en masse so there will be more on the way. And I'm going to buy leather cords to hold them together.

As a side note, the capiz flower candle holder was only .49 cents at the thrift shop and the name card inside of it was from my 1st grade field trip to the Portland Zoo and OMSI. There was a slide into the petting zoo area and we enjoyed going down it and watching the animals dodge us.

A goat came up to me so I petted him and he started to eat my name tag, that name tag. He was slowly getting closer to my neck when my mom realized I was yelling. She was in a tug of war with the goat but managed to get it out of his mouth.

She saved it for me and now a priceless memory has a place on the shelf.

linking up to

My Romantic Home

Santa's gift shoppe and ideas

Metamorphosis Monday

All thingz Related

A Soft place to land

Coastal Charm

Sugar Bee

The girl creative

One 2 Try

Remodelaholics

Funky Junk Interiors

Under the Table and Dreaming

Making the world cuter

Blue Cricket Design

Room to Inspire

Just A Girl

Santa Exchanges and A book preview

I was able to participate with two lovely ladies in a Santa Exchange.

First I headed over to my creative friend, Jenny's house and we opened up presents like a 4 year old. I received my favorite animal, that cute little Elephant which I named Ella of course. I have loved those ever since she began making them. I also found some fabric to add to my collection and growing list of sewing projects. I am a little addicted to fabric so I loved this gift. I also received a red handmade book bag with a drawing of the Eiffel tower, a Jenny first! Andes mints rounded out the gift but I ate them before I could take a picture. Jenny is one creative person and there just about isn't anything she can't make.


I also received a gift package from my dear friend, May.

In it were books that I am dying to read and candles that are waiting to be lit. She got me dead on with those books. One is "Say You're one of them" by Uwem Akpan. Oprah says it's a must read and she usually gets those right. My husband wants to read that one also since we've heard so many good things about it.

The other is "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women worldwide" written by Pulitzer prize winning journalists. In the book they say that women and girls are one of the world’s great untapped resources, and education is the first step toward realizing it. I believe that to be true and I also believe that education is the way out of poverty for all people.

One woman they profile: "Tererai Trent, is one of the organization's great success stories, and is singled out by Kristof and WuDunn, the authors. Tererai credits the Heifer co. for her rise from poor cattle herder in Zimbabwe to Ph.D. She first encountered Heifer International when the organization’s president and CEO, Jo Luck, met with a women's group in Zimbabwe in 1992. While sitting in a circle in the dirt, Jo Luck encouraged Tererai that her dreams of getting an education were achievable. Even though she had been married off at age 11 and had no resources of her own, Tererai believed Jo Luck's inspiration, set her intention in secret, and is now in the U.S. completing her Ph.D. and working with Heifer." (quote taken from Heifer Intl. website)

I love these types of stories and their inspirational messages. May also sent a journal for me to hone my creative writing skills. She's a cheerleader of mine and my first follower on this blog. Her encouragement of my writing means more to me than she'll ever know.

Thanks girls, I loved my gifts but I love you guys even more!