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.

What do you think A1 Stands For?

 You think AI stands for Artificial Intelligence? No way. AI stands for Accumulated Information. If one person told you the moon is not made of green cheese, you would not be inclined to believe that person.

But if ten people told you the moon was not made of green cheese, you would get right in line.

Remember that -- Accumulated Information.

And NOW -- something different -- A COOKING LESSON

 Want to know how to improve your sandwich-making skills?

The first -- and most important -- step:

Spread what will be the inner side of two slices of bread with room-temperature butter. Go clear to the outer edges. Scrape the knife over the surface to remove any excess butter,

Proceed with the other ingredients of the sandwich, maybe mayonnaise or mustard. The tiny bits of butter just on the surface of the slice of bread will protect the bread from becoming soggy until lunchtime comes and you are ready to eat it. 

Radio Garage Sale

 The Radio Garage Sale in Lawremce was cancelled, to my great dismay. I was looking forward to meeting some Douglas County hams. It may be re-scheduled to September.

The Pandemic, Covid-19 variants, seems to be coming back with a vengance. All the more reason to contniue encouraging sidewalk sales. I can see a sequel in the making. The most recent reviewer, someone identified as 'Drome' (sic), wrote "An enjoyable and fun book to read. At the end I wanted more."