Monthly Archives: October 2013

Empires of Light, by Jill Jonnes

In Empires of Light, the story of Thomas Alva Edison, George Westinghouse, Nikola Tesla and the “War of the Currents,” Jill Jonnes has written a book that is entertaining as well as highly informative. Jonnes did a prodigious amount of … Continue reading

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Electrifying History

“At the highly visible headquarters for the Edison Electric Illumination Company, Edison quickly rigged up a steam engine generator and by mid-April (1881) had equipped its tall-ceilinged rooms with numerous “electroliers” (electric chandeliers) and other attractive light fixtures. Illuminated every … Continue reading

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Ready for All Hallow’s Read?

I have about 50 books ready to give away next Thursday. I lament the dearth of picture books, but I ended up buying some new Golden Books from Copperfield’s to cover that gap. When I find Golden Books in Goodwill, … Continue reading

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Two Bags Full

I gave myself a project; sort through the double stack of books on the dresser and the haphazard pile around the small bookshelf in the bedroom. That shelf is not double-shelved but it certainly could be. I promised myself I … Continue reading

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Syfy’s GRAVE HALLOWEEN; Not Doing for Japan What it Did for Sharks

Syfy rolls out its original movies on Saturdays at 9:00 pm, and because it’s the month of Halloween, they had to take a break from their wildly successful horror-farces themed around sharks, and do something ghosty and scary. Their offering … Continue reading

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… And The Ghosts Come Out to Play

I’m standing on the porch outside the Benicia Visitor Center, the Depot, my hands shoved up into the sleeves of my coat. It isn’t really that cold, but out here on the strait, the breeze off the water is just … Continue reading

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The Photography Class

About 20 of us got up at the crack of dawn on Sunday, October 13, to attend a digital photography class at a local winery, Hook&Ladder, in western Santa Rosa. (Okay, it wasn’t really the crack of dawn, it was … Continue reading

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8 Things I Love About Art Trails

Two-thirds of my Christmas Shopping Done. That’s that. If I work in a stop at Koslowski Farms, it could be three-quarters done. Beautiful Scenery, Beautiful Time of Year. I not prepared to say I live in the most beautiful place … Continue reading

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Things I Take for Granted # 347

On Thursday afternoon a young woman came into the book store. She stood and looked at the Sale table for a few moments, then wandered into the section that holds Metaphysics, Religion, Self-Help and Psychology. She stood there. I was … Continue reading

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Lee Child: Definitely a Guilty Pleasure

With Never Go Back, Lee Child has officially become a guilty pleasure. This most recent Jack Reacher adventure is more wildly improbable than ever, and that’s saying something. Reacher plots have never been realistic; but they are (somehow) plausible, at … Continue reading

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