A Flyover Blog

Wow

  

I accidentally stretched my brain over the holiday weekend.  Kinda hurt, but I think it was good for me.  It all started when I heard a radio promo for a new band, Chickenfoot. which features Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith, so I made a note to run on over to YouTube and check it out. On the way, I glanced at the remote section of AOL News - you know, the hidden place where they put real news as opposed to Hollywood gossip and IQ-lowering polls.  I like to read the real news, especially science and space exploration stuff.

So, I saw a headline about a breakthrough discovery which had a link to a YouTube video, so I clicked on it and found a nine-minute interview  with NSCL Senior Physicist Daniel Bazin about the discovery of a new Doubly Magic Tin Isotope. Yeah, I'm talkin' nuclear physics.  Two things imediately struck me about this video: 1) it had been on YouTube 6 months yet I was only the 217th soul to watch it, and 2) there were no comments. I realized I was hopelessly lost 10 seconds in, but Daniel Bazin was so enthusiastic about the topic that I watched the whole thing. Thank God, there were pictures. I really wanted to post a comment, but couldn't come up with anything weightier to say than "Cool" so I left it blank - and that's when I realized why the people who viewed it before me didn't comment either. We weren't being rude; we're just clueless.

So, I dare you to watch Daniel Bazin's interview. Why? Because his work is important. If your eyes glaze over halfway through, sit your kids down in front of the computer and make them stop texting long enough to watch it, too. Maybe they'll get it... Could happen.

You know, this may be the first time in internet history that Sammy Hagar and nuclear physics were written about in the same post. Cool.

Red Friday: Special Edition Book Review

 

Welcome to this very special Red Friday post. As most of my regular readers know, I am a writer who has trouble keeping up with my own projects, so I rarely take on something else - like a book review. I happily made an exception in this case, because the subject is near and dear and this little book is so deserving of all the attention it can get. 

Friday, May 8th is Military Spouse Day, the day set aside to honor the unsung heroes that keep it all together back home while their significant other is off serving our country. Sourcebooks has published a wonderful book by author Carolyn Quick Tillery.  The Military Wives' Cookbook  is much more than a collection of recipes; it is a glimpse at the past 200 years as seen through the eyes of American military wives. Ms. Tillery went above and beyond with this project; this book was a labor of love. She presents photographs, letters, and personal accounts throughout the book and introduces us to some fascinating and resilient women. Recipes are presented menu style and include homestyle cooking and dishes from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Morocco and Spain.

I spent an entire evening reading this book, wishing I could have attended the Memorial Day Catfish Fry, the Mah Jongg Luncheon at Evie Foster's, or help Sarah Borginis prepare her Simmering Soup Pot Dinner at Fort Texas while it was being shelled. This book is an absolute gem and will be treasured by cooks and U.S. military history buffs alike. Oh, and if you're stuck for a Mothers Day gift, this would be a dandy. Thank you, Carolyn Quick Tillery and Sourcebooks!

Stand By Me

Our friend, Joey, sent this video to Mitch. It's the first song produced by PlayingForChange, an organization out to change the world thru one shared language - music. Their first CD went on sale last month at Starbucks. They made this video by taping one street musician and then playing his recording for different artists around the globe, recording them and mixing the results. Pretty cool. I think you're gonna like this.

 

Something for You Trekkies

The new Star Trek Movie prequel opens May 8th. As most of you know, I am married to a big ST fan; he has been since he was a little kid and the series first aired. Naturally, we'll be at the theater May 8th to see the latest incarnation of the Enterprise Crew. One of the official sponsors, Cheez-it, has this nifty little webpage called Trek Yourself. Simply choose your identity, download a pic of yourself and it transforms you into your favorite alien or crew member.  Live long and prosper. 

Danger, Will Robinson!

  

I'm taking a break in today's wall-to-wall Inauguration coverage to bring you a totally unrelated story. I loved Lost in Space when I was a kid (and Time Tunnel, too) and I saw that Bob May passed away yesterday. He was 69. Bob played one of my favorite characters, The Robot, who  kept the Robinson family safe.

 

Looking back, I am reminded that the 60's were no rose garden. In many ways they were more complicated and dangerous than the world is today. What they were was less cluttered; there were fewer media outlets vying for our attention and it was easier to turn off "the signal."  As we begin a new year and a new presidency, remember to shut off the signal for a little while every day and take some time to find your center.

Photo Credit: TV Guide.

Look Out World

Big day today for my bloggy friend, Michelle Lamar, over at White Trash Mom.  Her new book hits the shelves in bookstores across the country today! Love the title - The White Trash Mom Handbook: Embrace Your Inner Trailerpark, Forget Perfectionism, Resist Assimilation into the PTA, Stay Sane, and Keep Your Sense of Humor.

I'm running out to buy my copy this afternoon, right after I vote in the primary. Know why?  Michelle included a listing of her favorite blogs in this book... and A Flyover Blog is in there! I have NO idea what she has to say about it, so I've got to check it out! LOL

Congratulations, Michelle!  You go, girl!!

Book Review: Fairy Foals

You know, I don't do book reviews very often. I'm inundated with requests but honestly, if I read everything publishers offer to send, I'd never get a thing done. Every now and then I make an exception. Last week, Kerry Hutton with Sourcebooks contacted me about a new Children's Literature title.

Originally published in Australia, Fairy Foals just made its debut in U.S. bookstores. This is the story of a 40 year old woman who inherits a run down house and discovers something magical living in the garden. Kids will love the beautiful illustrations but, make no mistake, adults are going to love this book, too. Suzanah has written and illustrated a mesmerizing tale that will appeal to artists, gardeners, horse lovers and fairy fans, too. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to her enchanted garden and I look forward to her future discoveries. Hopefully, this will become a series.

Visit the official Fairy Foals site to see some of the gorgeous illustrations in this book and learn more about the author. Fairy Foals is a treat. Don't miss it.

Originality

"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."
-C.S. Lewis

Christmas Started Early

A box arrived the other day; we get lots of boxes at our house so I didn't think anything of it. Mitch took it to his office, opened it, then quickly appeared again with a big grin. Many of you will remember he collects and makes custom 12" action figures. Well, he found a custom piece for me. It was going to be a Christmas gift, but he was so excited about it he couldn't wait. I am a big sci-fi fan and one of my favorite series is Dr. Who. My all-time favorite doctor is #9 played by Christopher Eccleston. I do like the current doctor, David Tennant, but he's a bit over-the-top for me. In case you're not familiar with the series, this is Eccleston (pictured above) with his time-traveling companion, Rose, played by Billy Piper.

Here's a close shot of the figure - the head sculpt is custom, as are all the clothes. It came with a phone booth which is very cool, but Mitch is looking for an exact replica from the series to scale. I've gotta tell you this is the finest head sculpt I've ever seen; the artist did a fantastic job. So now, if you come to my house, I can show you my very own action figure collection... I have exactly 2 figures now. Thank you, Mitch!

I Love You More

Okay, moms and grandmas, gather round. I just read the sweetest book for kids I've seen in a long, long time. I Love You More, by Laura Duksta is an absolutely delightful picturebook about love expressed between a mother and child. Cool feature: the text flips to be read both ways. This is one of those "read it to me again" books that kids will cherish. It is a "must have" for bedtime and a great comfort in a turbulent world.

I Love You More was written by Laura Duksta (who has an amazing story of her own) and is beautifully illustrated by her good friend, Karen Keesler. The author isn't peddling some masked agenda here; there is no hidden meaning, no PC message. This book expresses only one thought - You are loved - and in today's world, that's the most important message of all.

Publishers often send me books for review; most never make it to this blog because, frankly, I'm not that fond of them. But this little book is a gem. It has found a home on my bookshelf. You can purchase I Love You More in major book retailers nationwide, or on Amazon. You're gonna love it.