A Diverse Trip – Part Two
Second Stop: Tehachapi, California
“Uhh, hey look we’re not in Palm Springs anymore…”
Yes, we were greeted by a herd of elk, this guy, obviously in charge. We watched as Bubba here and his harem of at least seven females passed through.
Where is Tehachapi? Well, the nearest big city is Bakersfield, California. It’s up in the hills and home to many fascinating things ~ at least for one of us.
The largest wind farm facility in California, which we toured on the first day…
Strangely beautiful, these windmills are everywhere on the hills and those are black tailed deer in the last photo.
Day Two: we waited for a train — then another train — and then another train. Why? Well, who knew? But Tehachapi is the home of the world famous Tehachapi Railroad Loop.
Let me try and explain…
without nodding off…
Apparently an engineering marvel, and built back in the 1800’s this loop allows freight trains to travel a circuitous route, in which the track passes over itself, a design which lessens the angle of the grade. (OK I stole that from Wikipedia – did you think I could even try to remember such interesting facts?)
We climb up a hill to watch for a train to go through this loop, but once up there Husband finally reveals that the trains come every 15 minutes (more or less). So I pulled out my trusty book, found some warm sun and a picnic table and we waited for the train (but no that was trains) — to loop through a series of tunnels and hard turns so you see the train wind back on itself. Husband took a massive amount of photos, these are the best.
But wait, there’s more, he exclaimed as he returned (I had retreated back to the warm car after the third train passing) — there’s a railroad museum in town. I tried to hide my excitement as we drove down the hill. Luckily there was a quilt shop just across the street, so someone missed the fascinating museum.
Day Three: we had a lovely hike up into the hills where we saw more deer and lots of blue sky. Then relaxed in our cabin with books and adult beverages.
Day Four: Husband Bucket List check off
Because of the winds (remember the wind farm? -how could you forget?) there’s an airport offering glider plane rides and lessons. Husband was very excited, he has always wanted to do this. So, with my subdued agreement, he booked himself a beginners lesson.
A glider is a flimsy lightweight plane which has no engine and is pulled up into the stratosphere by a pilot plane (with engine) and then released to careen wildly soar gently back to earth.
I took photos from terra firma while chewing off my chapstick.
Yes the glider is so light they can easily push it onto the runway. (Here’s me applying more chapstick.)
Husband drifted back to earth eventually, the winds were so good they stayed up longer than usual, enjoying the gliding. I was offered a trip up there, but declined.
Now, lest you think I was cheated on these two weeks – that these were Husband focused adventures – well my time is coming up next year with a trip to Europe. And it involves concerts, royal palaces, and even horses…so stay tuned.
Plus how could I not melt at this happy Husband – priceless
Page Habit
I’ve been hearing about special interest book subscription services ~~ where you sign up, pay a monthly subscription fee, and receive a surprise book box each month. Much like a book of the month club, except you don’t choose the book, the service does.
Hmmm, I thought — Just the perfect monthly fix for this book addict lover.
Surprise, Surprise… I signed up for such a service, namely PageHabit and have received two deliveries. Such delight, to get a box in the mail without knowing what’s inside (except that’s it sure be a book of some sort).
I can’t contain my excitement when the box arrives on my doorstep…
(even better when Husband is out and I can sneak it in the house without the ritual – hey here’s a package for you, what did you get – say whaaa more books – really?).*
My first sign up was for Mystery and once opened, there’s all sorts of nifty book nerd lover surprises. (Click to make larger)
In the first photo you see a few tchotchkes — a fox coaster, a patch relating to time travel (the book’s subject) and a pin. There’s a letter from the author of the book — but best of all (third photo) the book itself is annotated with lots and lots of post-its with the author’s reflections and insights as you read along.
Now really, how cool is that?
PageHabit lets you switch genres at the click of a button, so for October, I switched to Literary Fiction, and that box revealed two (!) books and the following fun stuff.
The second photo shows the swag this month — a library card pillow case (I know who knew?) a Halloween key chain, a cool bookmark, and (another?) fox coaster.
Again, there’s a letter from the author and here’s a close-up of one of the author annotations in the book.
Also, each month, there is also a little booklet, containing a short story commissioned by PageHabit just for that mailing. I’m keeping them in my bag for when I’m stuck in some long line or waiting in the car outside Home Depot (it happens fairly regularly for some reason).
But the best rationalization bit is, that with every mailing, PageHabit partners with a different organization around the world and supports their efforts in spreading literacy throughout their community. These donations help support building schools, public libraries, and community centers to ensure that every child has access to books.
You can match your PageHabit subscription to your favorite genre, there’s also Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Science Fiction, and many more.
So far, PageHabit has done itself proud – no duplicates to my book warehouse library.
I’ve got my eye on Historical Fiction for January… and the beat goes on…
The subscription is sort of expensive, so I may move to a quarterly subscription but for the near future, I’ll raid my piggy bank.
Brown packages, surprise books, fun swag, and author notes – –
Priceless.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* I’m being mean, Husband is actually very tolerant of my book habit collecting and never grumbles ~~ too much.
Buried in Books
This is the week of the Friends of the SFPL Big Book Sale and I’ve been busy. Lots of fun, lots of work.
Here are some photos of the wonderful bookish madness. Click on these photos to appreciate the full enormity of this sale. A massive amount of work is required by volunteers, corporate sponsored volunteers, and staff to pull off this – the largest used book sale on the West Coast.
Each year, the Friends ask for table sponsors in order to raise money for the sale, so this year Book Barmy took part. Here’s the sign and the table — Graphic Novels and Comics — a most popular table indeed.
I must admit after awhile, working at the Big Sale gets pretty overwhelming, so many books ~~ etc. For a break, I sign up for extra shifts at my regular haunt, the permanent Readers Bookstore in a separate building at Fort Mason.
While back at the store, I got to meet the delightful Scott from Furrowed Middlebrow blog, photographic evidence here…my bad hair day notwithstanding.
Go to Scott’s blog, it’s fascinating, as he specializes in British Women writers from the mid-20th century. Even more impressive, he started his own imprint, Furrowed Middlebrow Books, published by Dean Street Press. This series of books had been long forgotten and unpublished until Scott got them reissued. ~~~ Those covers, sigh, I want every title…
The Big Book Sale goes on through Sunday, so if you’re in the area, stop by – info HERE.Or any time of the year come by the permanent Readers Bookstores – info HERE
Thus endeth my shameless promotion of the Friends of the SFPL, the Big Book Sale, and the Readers Bookstores.
My enthusiasm knows no shame.
In other news, we’re off to Lake Tahoe for a week. I’ve plucked a few popular thrillers from my toppling pile of publisher’s ARCs taunting me and causing great guilt.
Back next week.
Some housekeeping
Technical Update
Thank you to all the BookBarmy Newsletter Subscribers out there. You should know we are having problems with the newsletter delivery system. Bigger brains than mine are working on the issue (or issues) and I am assured that all will be well soon. Until the problem is fixed, rest assured BookBarmy has not gone anywhere. Still here, still posting – you’ll just have to check back here yourselves every few days or so.
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The Great British Baking Show Update
There’s been a major shake up at one of my favorite series –The Great British Baking Show —The Great British Bake Off as it’s called in the U.K. (it had to be changed here because Pillsbury owns the rights to the term “bake off”) will be going to Channel 4, the British commercial network, after the Bake Off production company accepted a higher offer to leave the BBC. Mary Barry and the two comic announcers Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc — left in protest. Only Paul Hollywood will stay with the show as it moves British networks.
Being the geek that I am, I’ve done my research and PBS has bought season five which they will air here next summer. So all is not lost.
In the meantime, try and catch at least the final episode of Season four which aired on PBS recently. In the final challenge of the final episode they prepare an extravagant picnic basket fit for the Queen. It’s tension filled as the contestants have to complete a mind boggling range of items — a chocolate cake, quiches, sausage rolls, little cakes – it goes on and on, quite amazing really. … and in the end there were three …
Reading Update
Yes, my prettys, I am absorbed into Glass Houses, Louise Penny’s newest novel, which comes out next week.
At the risk of being repetitive, I urge you call in sick that day, cancel your appointments, get thee to your local bookstore and find a place to read undisturbed. All I will say is, your money and time will be well spent.
In the meantime, here is a silly interview from this morning’s talk shows. Poor Ms. Penny barely gets a chance to speak and the brash “American-ness” of the interview itself made me squirm. And what’s with the oh-so-not-clever “Penny Wise” caption throughout? But here you go. Video HERE
There — that’s all my housekeeping done – at least here on BookBarmy – around my home — not so much, because you see I am “with book”.
a political escape…
I’ve found an escape, a Camelot of political integrity…a place where the White House is doing the right things (mostly), making decisions with future generations in mind, and maintaining the governance of our Constitution as best they can.
If you’re also in need of respite — come with me to the magical world of West Wing (on Netflix). Watch a few episodes of this extraordinary and beautifully written television series.
Yes, it’s a White House of imagination and sometimes over the top… but I highly recommend just an episode of West Wing ~~ here and there.
Choose any episode at random, see how it could be done.
At least for me, it keeps some perspective when I see the activities in the actual West Wing and today’s White House.
Now, now ~~ before you lecture and accuse me of hiding my head in the sand — I’m active in local politics and am supporting my political party towards both the midterms and 2020. I’m not copping out, I’m not giving up on our government or our country — but egads — every so often, a gal needs a break.
On Vacation ~~ sort of
Here at Book Barmy, we’re away right now. House, dog, pool, and BBQ sitting for friends in the East Bay. It’s tough work, but Husband and I are managing.
Perfect timing — weather is in the low 80’s and sunny while back in the city it’s a damp and foggy 56…
It’s well known here in the Bay Area that 30 miles = 30 degrees
The pool sitting is especially tiresome.
back next week
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