Easton Press Wish

Found this stunning copy of Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days online at Easton Press and oh how I wish I had oodles of dough to splurge and buy it right this very minute. So many copies of this extraordinary book have a stupid hot air balloon on the front cover. There was no hot air balloon at all in the story. Irks me to no end. But this copy is pure perfection.

Jules Verne’s beloved adventure novel – and the ultimate race against time – in a spectacular recreation of its rare lavishly illustrated First English language edition of 1873. From Victorian England and colonial India to the "mysterious" Southeast Asia, and the "wild" American West, Phileas Fogg and his loyal valet, Passepartout undertake one of literature’s greatest adventures on their quest to circumnavigate the globe.

Bound in genuine leather, this deluxe Collector Edition features all the original vintage illustrations from the first edition that help bring the story vividly to life - just as they did for the book's first readers over a century ago. The volume is accented in 22kt gold and comes is a cloth-bound "clam shell" slipcase. The pages are printed on archival-quality, acid-neutral paper and Smyth-sewn - not just glued - into the binding for long life. The page ends are gilded with a gleaming gold finish and the book features genuine hand marbled endsheets. And you'll never lose your favorite place with the satin ribbon page marker. A strictly limited edition of just 1,000.

My Favorite Things To Hear

The Twin Tudor

I came across this precious lil' house on @littlefreelibrary's Instagram account. That isn't a mailbox - it's a Little Free Library!! Just beyond cute. (Apparently the house is owned by D'Lacey whose account is @thetwintudor.)

Celebrating the Mayans Through Colouring

This month's Sunnie Press was all about the Mayan civilization. For those of you not in the know, Sunnie Press is a coloring map subscription for kids. We created it for kids who like to color, play pretend, build cities and get lost in a little world of their own. 

I was going through a bit of withdrawal, not having seen Ashlee and the gang since January, so today I swung by and the wee gals and I each took a corner of the map and coloured. (We plan on finishing it next time.) I think if you have kids, getting them a subscription to Sunnie Press is a fantastic idea. It's fun, it comes in the mail (what kid doesn't love to get mail??), it's educational and it will keep them busy and off their gadgets for a time. 

A Season in Purgatory

Among the list of books that I needed to read in 2021 was Dominick Dunne's novel based somewhat on the events surrounding the murder of Martha Moxley. It's the first work of fiction I've read by Mr. Dunne and I'm completely absorbed by it. I'm glad that most of his books are not available as an audiobook (there's some audio cassettes out there) as Purgatory has been my go-to book to read on my lunch break while soaking in the tub. Scalding water, Epsom salts, thirty minutes, and murder. It is so well written and it's very easy to loathe the Bradleys and their ease at covering up anything and everything. From stashing one of their daughters in an institution (because mental retardation is such an ugly thing for this family to deal with), to easily brushing aside the fact that their son murdered a fifteen year old child. I find myself crossing my fingers that the man who knows the truth will come forward because I want those bastard Bradley men to pay for the injustices they've committed. I'm on page 187 of 377 and as soon as I finish typing this, do my workout, floss and brush my toofahs, I will be burrowing under my heated blankey in my recliner and getting another chapter or two under my belt. 

(ps - Great series of interviews with Dominick on televisionacademy)

Sluggin' Fighting Ballplayer

Lou Gehrig was always a favourite ballplayer of mine and I got such a charge out of knowing my Grandad admired him just as much.

In my estimation Lou Gehrig is an:

not only a sluggin' fighting ballplayer but he is a scientific player proof of which he is captain of the Yankees. He has played ten or 12 years consecutively without missing a game. He has played with sore backs, colds, broken toes, fingers. He has led the legion in batting for quite a few years and has batted over 300 for ten years or more and has batted in over 150 runs more than any other player in history and has led the batters in home runs quite a few times.

Catchin' Up with Kay

Had so much fun FaceTiming with Kayla tonight! I discovered how to put my Emoji Avatar thingie in place of my face which of course led to silly selfies. We did manage to have grown up conversations about family and I told her all about Credit Karma and how they don't charge for you to file your taxes with them. I might help Kay fill it all out later this month. Look at us actin' like real, live adults!