By reading:
This is a book I picked up in the local authors section of the Ames Free library in Easton. It's a collection of letters sent to "our boys and girls in the service" during World War Two, the recipients being members of what was the Swedish Lebanon Lutheran Church in N Easton. The book was of great interest as I had been a former member of this church and several members of my family were involved in writing the letters. The book presents a "slice of life" format mentioning that this member was on leave and finally had the chance to meet his newborn son or another member came home and married a local girl while on furlough. People who had touched my life in their later or golden years were presented as young, "regular" people just starting out in life, marriage and parenthood. Of particular interest was Carl Sundell, a friend of the family who introduced me to the short wave/broadcast hobby, here I could read of his entering the service and his return home to meet his infant son; I also had the chance to read the news of an uncle and his bride welcoming their brand new daughter (in 1944) and could almost imagine myself in the town of North Easton through the descriptive letters as one winter with it's record breaking snow fall and one summer with it's drought and prayers for rain.
I've been a fan of Joan Rivers since her "What becomes a Semi-legend" album but have since seen her early Carson and other appearances. Some people I've talked to feel that Melissa Rivers had made a career or at least got her start by hanging on Joan's coat tails. While I know very little about Melissa's career I do feel she has done a great job of keeping Joan's name alive and has unearthed files and history we might never have seen. This is a great book and laid out well with pictures, file cards of jokes, stills from television and movies and great anecdotes and quotes from both mother and daughter; nothing is sacred including Joan's husband Edgar's suicide and her feud with Johnny Carson. This is not a quick read and will keep the reader interested from first page to last.
One of my favorite graphic novels and one any comic lover should read. By Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons this book is everything critics claim. Evenly paced, interesting and adult this is a book I consider one of the early mile stones of what comics for adults could be.
I have had this book forever, bought around 2001 and is so dog eared the plastic laminate is separating from the cover. Took this to the hospital because of its familiarity and it's such a fun read. The authors are two brothers who grew up during the 1960s/1970s Saturday morning junk that I enjoyed (Lancelot Link, Sigmund, Pufnstuf, etc) and alternates between sarcasm and seriousness with the right touch of humor that the average baby boomer who sat in front of the tv early Saturday morning eating Super Sugar Crisp would enjoy. Archies, Josie, Laand of the Lost, even McDonaldland are all in there.By watching tv:
I do not have cable but I have a vast assortment of channels none-the-less. Still there is an abundance of programs that do not interest me in the least. I find that there is too much reality tv and could do with less Maury, Jerry, Steve (Wilkos) and their ilk. Especially Maury. If you like these kinds of programs, fine but I figure if you need to have a DNA test to figure out who the baby daddy is you are in a whole mess of trouble. I can watch People's Court but cannot stand Judge Judy (why? I don't know) My wife and I watch Parking Wars on Justice-TV but at times their fighting grates on me. Somehow I got addicted to two shows in particular: Spin City and Grounded for Life. I am also a fan of ME-tv and its early morning line-up (except Diff'rnt Strokes). I have always enjoyed The Facts of Life, watched My Three Sons since they began with the rarely seen William Frawley episodes and who knew I would actually enjoy the Clampetts? (Yikes) As I sometimes wake up at 3am I have been watching Cannon and enjoy the occasional Night Gallery episode (Cesar Romero as Dracula visiting a blood bank for a withdrawal - funny!)By walking:
The single biggest reason I am out is to get better. While my world seems fun and relaxing it took Bakelady a great deal of time to make me learn how. In the four weeks I've been home I swore I would push myself, much to her annoyance. Getting out of bed with the so-called Superman "S" on my chest I strove to do it all and finally had to admit I can't. Too much can also push back physical therapy, especially because overdoing can lead to down time. I have regrouped and do little things: dishes when I feel up to it, even if it's just putting them away, making my own meals, organizing my office and walking. Walking is the single best thing (besides relaxing) I can do to strengthen myself.
But the best thing about this time is the love and encouragement I have been given by my family and friends. Both physical and social friends have been there for me and I could not have been more happy with the kindness I've been shown and I will always remember and appreciate it.Thank you all.
