Panoramic View of Niagara Falls Old Postcard

 This wonderful postcard of Niagara Falls is unused and undated.  I am guessing that it is, or is close to, a century old.

Random Thoughts on Friday

 We took a little road trip recently, as we often do...  And I realized at several moments, someone gave me something just to be nice.  It really made me feel special, and made me appreciate people, and the world a bit more again.

On our trip, we stopped by a museum.  It was a nice visit, and I talked to a nice lady there a bit about the museum and our travels.  I bought a couple of books, and I noticed she put a really nice museum pin in my bag too!  I love that sort of thing!

We stopped at a great BBQ restaurant and ordered a couple of meals.  A nice young lady working there was pleasant, and told us all about the meats, sides etc.  I asked about a couple of sides I wasn't familiar with and she answered our questions.  When we got our food, I realized that she included several sides I had asked about for free.  Maybe they made a lot, and she knew they wouldn't sell all of it, but I sure thought the gesture of the free sides was very kind.

Then, when we got home, I received a package from legendary Vermont author Joseph Citro.  I have mentioned Joe on this blog before, but if you enjoy ghost stories and folklore, especially relating to New England, Joe is the guy.  A couple of his books are absolute classics.  Anyway, I have ordered books directly from him before, and I ordered one from him again before leaving on our trip.  When I got home, I had a package from him with the book I ordered, AND a bonus book, just because Joe is a nice guy.

It was just a nice feeling experiencing such generosity.

Gothic and Strange True Tales of the Civil War by Keven McQueen

 I have read a LOT of books on the Civil War.  I do enjoy picking up a book or two about a particular battle before visiting a battlefield.  I've read a lot of biographies too, and other books.

Honestly, it does get hard at times, finding something that is interesting and original.  Seriously, what more can be written about it?

Well, Keven McQueen has put out a great book- "Gothic and Strange True Tales of the Civil War."

McQueen puts books out a LOT.  His releases are more frequent than some magazines (I have thought about asking him if I can subscribe to his books).  

His books are mostly collections of short stories relating to a topic; true crime being a specialty.

This one is an impressive collection of strange, dark, and just fascinating stories from the Civil War.

He does cover a few handfuls of stories we all know, but, for the most part, the collection is very obscure.  You will find a nice selection of stories relating to death, burial, amputation and all of the other dark subjects.  

I was most impressed with his exceptionally big (and well sourced) section on Confederate soldiers who were black.  The topic is controversial, but he digs up some interesting, and often ignored accounts.

This is easily one of my favorite Civil War books to have come out in some time.

Matchbook Covers from Niagara Falls, 1970s.

 I found a nice set of Niagara Falls Matchbook Covers from the 1970s!  One of my favorite places around!

1970s Matchbook from the Skyon Tower, Niagara Falls Ontario

Here is a nice, simple matchbook cover showing Canada's Skylon Tower from the 1970s, located at Niagara Falls!  We've been there!

Random Thoughts on Friday: Rereading a book from my youth

I briefly brought this up the other day.  Back during my elementary school years, I remember my teacher, Mr. Tanner giving everyone in the class a book.  I remember thinking that was such a kind gesture.  He didn't have to do that.  A book was perfect though.

That was years (oh heck, multiple decades) ago.  I remembered reading the book, and a couple of small details, but I could never really remember the book.

I had tried to google the book before, with the detail or two I sort of remembered, but I could never get it.

I am not a fan of AI, BUT, AI WAS very helpful figuring this one out, and for that I am grateful.

Anyway, I tracked down a (signed!) copy of William Sleator's "Into the Dream" which I had not read in a very long time.  I did this some years ago with another book I read as a kid, "The Indian in the Cupboard" AND I found and read all of the sequels to that one too.

Characters and scenes I had forgotten came back into my mind.  It is still a good book that holds up!

Reading it again was a nice link back to my old (now gone) school and my childhood.