"Four Marys and a Jessie: The Story of the Lincoln Women" by C.J. King

 I picked up a signed copy of the very nicely researched book, "Four Marys and a Jessie:  The Story of the Lincoln Women" by CJ King when we visited Hildene in Manchester Vermont.  Hildene was build by Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert later in his life as a summer home.  It became the Lincoln Family home, and was occupied by a family member up until the mid 1970s.

You know I am up on my Abraham Lincoln history, but I really didn't know much about what happened to the family lineage after Robert Todd Lincoln's passing.  Well, this book lets you know what became of ALL of the Lincoln offspring.

In fact, I thought the title of the book kind of sold itself short.  CJ King really gives you the complete history of the next few generations of Lincolns... men and women.

Hildene and Manchester Vermont factor in to the story a lot too.....  and it was fascinating reading about the later Lincolns.  

I have to say that, as a fan of Honest Abe, Mary Todd, and Robert, it makes me a bit sad to know that the last of the lineage passed away in 1985.  The author of the book discusses the whole family, who they married, and how they related to each other.  Of course there is conflict and disagreements....  One of the family ends up having more than one unsuccessful marriage, and another flies airplanes!

I was very happy to pick this book up at the family house...  and I was able to read a lot of it while staying at the 1811 House in town, where Mary Lincoln Isham (Abe's Granddaughter) lived for almost 2 decades.

Concert Memories: Meatloaf, Cleveland Ohio. 12/18/1999

I'm sure that you have heard about the passing of legendary singer Meat Loaf.  I hated to hear it too, but it got me thinking about the larger than life vocalist.  I actually got to meet him once, and I saw him play a show in Cleveland, back in 1999.

So, thinking about that show, I got out some of my favorite Meat Loaf albums, which may have included a bootleg or two, and I thought about the man and his music.

Meat did a book and CD signing in town a few months before the show.  I went and got to meet him.  He was very friendly and chatty with everyone who came through the line.  He did photos and all. 

Oh, his book was a good read too.  There is an interesting story relating to the JFK assassination.  Another story involved him meeting Charles Manson. 

On December 18th, 1999 he did a show at the Cleveland Music Hall that my wife and I attended.  It was a great show, and it seemed to be pretty long too.... You got your money's worth.  I recall him doing Zevon's "Lawyer's Guns and Money" which is just a great song anytime.  He told a story about hearing that song and wanting to put it on his album.  He was unaware that the song was really well known at the time.  His band let him know he did not pluck that one out of obscurity.  It was a great story for a great recording of the song.

On this tour, he was doing a "storytellers" type of show.  You could ask him a question or comment about his music.

Oddly, it seemed to me that most people wanted to tell him stories about what his music meant to them.  I do recall a lady telling Meat that one of her children was conceived listening to his music.  

Meat Loaf was a vocal personality in his songs, and in his interactions with the audience.  He could have done stand up comedy.  I do recall him getting a lot of applause when he told a heckler to "shut the f--- up."

This was just a fun show, and I am glad that I have my memories of it.

Woodstock Vermont September 2021

 

Simon Pearce Restaurant and Mill in Quechee Vermont September 2021

 

We had an unforgettable meal at the Simon Pearce Restaurant in Queechee Vermont!

Soldiers and Citizens Free Civil War Museum Alburgh Vermont September 2021

 

AND, just a few steps away from the previously mentioned "Room of Curiosities" at the New England Via Vermont gift shop, is the very well done "Soldiers and Citizens Free Civil War Museum" in Alburgh!

Room of Curiosities -Alburgh, Vermont September 2021

 

Check out the "Room of Curiosities" at the great little gift shop, New England Via Vermont in Alburgh Vermont!

Swanton Vermont September 2021

 AND we also drove through the cute little town of Swanton Vermont in 2021!

"The St. Albans Raid: Confederates Attack on Vermont" by Michelle Arnosky Sherburne

I had another great find at the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock Vermont, to go along with our visits to St. Albans!

"The St. Albans Raid:  Confederates Attack on Vermont" by Michelle Arnosky Sherburne gives all of the facts about the St. Albans Raid.

If you aren't familiar with it, some Confederates congregated in Canada and dropped down to St. Albans Vermont, robbing a few banks and justifying it as an act for the Confederacy.

They are chased back in to Canada by the people of St. Albans, but neutral Canadian authorities take over from there.

Some interesting legal wrangling goes on at that point.

There are some famous names mentioned in connection to the event, including Seward, Morgan, Davis, and others. 

 Interestingly, the author draws a link to John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators too.

 

St Albans Vermont September 2021

 We were able to drive through the beautiful and historic city of St Albans Vermont on our recent New England road trip!  If you are interested in the Civil War, this town is VERY significant!  

Norwich Inn Vermont September 2021

 

We were able to spend some time at the very historic Norwich Inn in Vermont in 2021!

Grand Isle Vermont September 2021

 

Here is a video about Grand Isle!  JUST when you thought Vermont could not be any more perfect!

Killington Mountain Lodge Vermont September 2021

 

While in Killington, we stayed at the Killington Mountain Lodge, which was going through some renovations.

Liquid Art Killington Vermont September 2021

 

While in the beautiful town of Killington Vermont, we had a delicious lunch at Liquid Art, a perfect little place for food and coffee!

Killington Vermont September 2021

 

We also explored another great town in Vermont, Killington!

Manchester Vermont September 2021

 

AND, going along with my previous posts on inns and Lincoln Family sites in Vermont, we enjoyed the perfect little town of Manchester.  THIS is what I think of when I think of New England!

Hildene Vermont September 2021

 

Here is a video I posted to youtube on "Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home" in Vermont.  We spent an amazing day here.

The Spot Coffee Shop Owensboro Kentucky December 2021

 

I've mentioned them on this blog before, but I thought I would put up a short video on my one of my favorite coffee shops ever, the Spot in Owensboro Kentucky!

Joseph Beth Books Lexington Kentucky December 2021

 

Hey, I wanted to make a quick mention of one of my all time favorite bookstores, Jepseh Beth here in Lexington Kentucky!

Equinox Hotel Manchester Vermont September 2021

 

The previously mentioned 1811 House is a part of the Equinox Property in Manchester Vermont.  This is a wonderful property in a wonderful town, with a very strong link to the Lincoln Family!

1811 House Manchester Vermont September 2021

 

I was THRILLED to have the opportunity to stay in the 1811 House in Manchester Vermont...  The former home of Abraham Lincoln's granddaughter!  Here is a short video about our stay.

Vermont State House September 2021

   

In 2016, we had a guided tour of the State House in Vermont.

We stopped by again for a visit this year, but, with covid and all, they were just doing self guided tours.  I still made a short video of our visit.

Montpelier Vermont September 2021

 

So, we were driving through Vermont in September, 2021, and we spent some quality time in Montpelier, the capital city!

Like the rest of the state, Montpelier has a very nice, casual feel; just because it is the capital, it is still very slow paced, and relaxed.

Check out the short video I posted to youtube about it!

Bragg Farm Montpelier Vermont September 2021

  I mentioned Bragg Farm Sugarhouse and Gift Shop in Montpelier Vermont back in 2016, after we stopped there the first time.  We love this place!

We stopped there again....  well, a couple of times on our latest trip in 2021.  Its a nice drive out to Bragg Farm, and they have a lot of stuff we like.

I posted this sport video to youtube.....

The shop is small, but it is so perfect.  You WILL be able to get all of your gift needs for your pals back home here.

I have mentioned it before, but you can have them ship your purchases to you too!  You know you are going to need to take a LOT of Bragg Family Maple Syrup back home to your pals.  They can ship it to your address!  No worries about dealing with it at the airport!

"Vermont Wild: Adventures of Fish & Game Wardens, Volume 6" by Megan Price

I saw some of the "Vermont Wild" books by Megan Price while we were in Vermont.....  I was curious.

I ended up picking up a copy of Volume 6 in the series at Phoenix Books in Burlington (a GREAT bookstore, by the way).

I love the "North Woods Law" and "Lone Star Law" TV shows.  I also love books by rangers (I've mentioned others here, here, and here.  I also really loved the "Bear in the Back Seat" I and II books.....  that have raised the bar high for ranger books.

The book has 15 stories by Megan with other rangers, and they are sharing their best stories.  All are interesting reads, and most have a bit of an interesting twist at the end.

My favorites involved deception.  A crafty ranger tells (lies) a young law breaker that one of his friends has died to get information.  Another ranger literally cuts himself to get a confession!

Another story I liked involved a poacher being caught because of a complaint....  from his father.

This is just a fun book to read, and its written in a way that just about any reader can enjoy it.

 

Polar Caves Park- New Hampshire September 2021

 We stopped by the LEGENDARY cave attraction "Polar Caves" in New Hampshire!  This was GREAT!  Don't be fooled though, this isn't for cowards!  You crawl, climb, get stuck, etc, etc in their 9 caves that are, at times, a bit of a tight squeeze!  If you have done the slow one hour walk through a show cave....  well, this is very different.  Its much more of a wild cave experience.