2017 Reading List September

   Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French)  The Reader Crowned with Flowers, or Virgil's Muse, 1845


Wonder by R. J. Palacio (library) reminded me of Mask, that movie with Cher. I enjoyed that the story was told from the points of view of many of the different characters.
The Stars In Our Eyes by Julie Klam (library) Why are we so obsessed with celebrities? This book tries to answer that question. I really enjoyed it.
Sundown Towns by James W. Loewen (library) A form of racism that I had no idea existed...and I grew up in the south!! Fascinating.
The Double Jinx Mystery by Carolyn Keene Reading for book club
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier (library) Creepy, is it a murder mystery?
Confessions of a Cineplex Heckler by Joe Queenan Loved this one, for fans of movies
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley (library) The book that the movie Lion was based on. Very good!! So amazing this story.
Badlands by C.J. Box Murder mystery continuation of the characters encountered in The Highway by the same author.
The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan (library) I had seen the Clint Eastwood movie years and years ago and they have a remake coming out soon, so I decided to finally read the book. I enjoyed it very much. Warning, it is a bit dark, if you are  not already familiar with the story.
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick (audiobook) listening to this one in the car this month.
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (library)
The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory (library)
The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton by Dean Jensen (library) The story of conjoined twins the early 1900's. I had read of Eng and Chang, so this was a bit different.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas





To Be Read:
Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed
Cairns by David B. Williams
Second Life by S. J. Watson
Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni

Flying Circus

So last week, my sister and I had the opportunity to fly out to an airshow in some Boeing Stearman Biplanes. Yeah, I am all about that!!

 Rick and Dave Conn are American Airlines Pilots who own and fly these awesome airplanes. And they do aerobatics in their biplanes too!! IN FORMATION!!  It does not get any better than this....

Suited up with parachute and everything for aerobatics

 Alisa and I flew with Rick and Dave to the Flying Circus Aerodrome in Bealeton, VA. The Flying Circus Aerodrome is located 14 miles SE of Warrenton, VA and 22 miles NW of Fredericksburg, VA. Just off Route 17, at 5114 Ritchie Road (Route 644) in Bealeton, VA.

flying in formation, the other plane is right there beside you

 The Flying Circus operates every Sunday, May through October. So there is still time this year to get out there....I plan to be back next summer for sure.

at the Flying Circus, there is lots of fun for the kids!

Wing Walking! Just like in Barnstorming Days

The Boeing Stearman is a biplane that was used as a military trainer aircraft. Over 10,000 were built in the United States during the 30's and 40's.  Stearman Aircraft was bought by Boeing in 1934. It served as a primary trainer for the United States Army Air Forces, the United States Navy, and with the Royal Canadian Air Force throughout World War II.  After the war, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civilian market. In the immediate postwar years they became popular as crop dusters, sports planes, and for aerobatic and wing walking use in air shows.

Lots of gorgeous Boeing Stearman aircraft

 United Airlines IAD (Dulles) was having a reunion on this weekend and they brought out some displays of memorabilia. I am inspired on how to display my Piedmont memorabilia.

This display is made from uniform pieces and commemorates 9/11

you have the opportunity to visit with the pilots

The Flying Circus was started in 1970 and the core group of pilots has grown through the years flying WACO and Stearman aircraft and celebrating the barnstorming era of flight. Aerial demonstrations, thrilling acts and rides were central to barnstorming and what the Flying Circus is all about. The aircraft are all privately owned and barring the occasional work or family commitment, the pilots bring them to the field to share them with the audience every Sunday from May to October.

Also they have a Hot Air Balloon festival in the summer!! I think I need to plan my next visit for that.

   https://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/balloon.html

In Out of Africa, it is a Gypsy Moth, not the same plane, but you get the idea....

https://youtu.be/Pzo3m3tOkdM

And if you want more Bi-Plane fun in the movies, check out High Road to China starring Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong. Their planes are Stampe SV-4 but again,you get the idea....

https://youtu.be/s7A7OUE6rFQ

And then there is always The Great Waldo Pepper with Robert Redford for the ultimate Barnstorming Movie experience

https://youtu.be/H5Y9UCGYpl0

2017 Monday's Postcard: Somerset Churches

The Parish Church of St. Mary, East Chinnock, Yeovil, Somerset

Holy Trinity Church Long Sutton, Somerset

2017 Monday's Postcard: Animals of Florida

I  think I said before....the Arkebauer, DeVries and Flaherty families would often spend some time every year in Florida!! So there are lots and lots of Florida postcards in this box. Thank You Again Holly for sending me this awesome box of postcards!

2017 Monday's Postcard: Oregon Coast

These Postcards are from the Oregon Coast during the early 1980's

                             A special Happy Birthday to my friend Karen who lives in Oregon!!
                      I just spent more time in Oregon in August. I especially love the coastal areas.

2017 Monday's Postcard: Colorado

Colorado

                                                           Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

The interior of the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, CO