Presidents In A Row

     I once set myself the goal of reading a book about each United States president in a row. Began, of course, with George Washington: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, (a remarkable individual who at age 14 was carrying out diplomatic missions for the fledgling U.S.).

    Next in line was a book about Andrew Jackson, which was more a book about John Ross, who tried to negotiate on behalf of his fellow Cherokees. Jackson left the presidency a wealthy man, which cannot be said for several other former presidents. That left me at Martin Van Buren. I gave up when I couldn't find a book about Van Buren.

    Seems I'm back at it again, but not necessarily in order. Just finished Growing Up Biden, Joe, the only president whose political campaigns were run by a sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Biden's approval ratings are plummeting, but he continues to do what he has always done -- advocate for women.

    On my way this afternoon to the library to pick up Worst. President. Ever., by Robert Strauss. And on my waiting list is A Secret Life: The Sex, Lies, and Scandals of President ???????  Should be enlightening.A Secret Life, Book

Everyone's Doing It

     Seems that everyone is writing a book. It's so easy these days.

    Even if they have to hire a ghost.

    It's not true that everyone's got a book in them: give writing back to the writers, writes Stephanie Merritt in the Guardian.

    Well, I guess I can stay in the game -- I'm a recognized as a journalist. At least I hold a membership in SPJ -- The Society of Professional Journalists. But Stephanie has given me a good idea. With the next book I publish, I will also try to get an article in the Guardian. Wish me success.

You Never Get to the End of a Learning Curve

 Getting back to blogposting is like starting all over again. Maybe part of it is I have a poor memory.

(Circuit overload is what it would be called by someone who is no longer in my life.)

I could never convince the SenCom group to have a class on blogs, nor have I ever found a book that was much help. Alas, maybe I will be driven to the internet for help.

I'm going to publish this -- the preview option never worked for me.

Creative Writing

 We Americans are, above all, innovators. With the Pandemic we have created new, innovative responses to an evil virus. It has not been, however, the most innovative period in our history. That came immediately after 1776, when we declared ourselves free and independent from George III and the British empire. In THE WORDS THAT MADE US, by Akhil Reed Amar, the 800+ page book in which I have gotten to less than 200 pages and will be forced to return to the library this week, the former colonists of 13 separate states were suddenly tasked with bringing forth a state constitution. Collectively, they made several attempts. Proposed constitutions were widely published in the newspapers, and to a large extent, the writers copied from each other. It was a HUGE, unprecedented exercise in self-government. They were asking themselves and each other, what are the rules we are going to live by? How innovative can that be -- we get to establish the rules that are going to govern our lives. Talk about creative writing.

Jobs for the Homeless

 I'm so pleased, my letter to the KCStar editor was published this morning, September 24, on the lower right corner of page 9A. Some homeless people DO want to work, but they need a place to clean up and get some decent clothes before they apply for a job. I keep wondering if there aren't some thrift shops that could help with this need.

Ensorparkandmuseum.org

 The City of Olathe has allowed Ensorparkandmuseum.org

to be opened on a limited Saturday and Sunday schedule in September and October. Yesterday a visitor was a neighbor who knew Loretta Ensor, and who is an amateur radio license holder himself. It's my understanding that a video interview was filmed, and in time may be available on YouTube. The property was operated as a farm, but Marshall and Loretta also left an amazing legacy as early amateur pioneer hams, talking to people all over the world from their tiny little remote farm in rural Johnson County.

Everything in the home and the adjoining buildings is authentic.

Marshall's sweater and an apron still hang on hooks just inside the kitchen door.

A Boost from QST Magazine

 Soon after Sidewalk Sale Across America came out, an editor at QST, the member magazine for ARRL (American Radio Relay League) sent me an email that they might mention the book in a 'stray' news item.

Of course, I've been waiting (im)patiently ever since. It happened with the October issue, which came out in early September. The item is down in the lower right column of page 95. (I have that memorized.) Last Saturday I drew red lines around the item, with red arrows covering the rest of the page. I passed it around the radio club meeting Saturday.

And one of them asked me, {Did you have to pay extra for the red arrows?"

Sidewalk Sale Across America is available from Amazon, as a Kindle or a soft cover. It's getting great FIVE-Star reviews.