Category Archives: USA

What’s the Word

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Merriam-Webster  dictionary reports that its word of the year is the manipulative, misdirecting term that causes the target to question the surety of their own sanity, is taken from the title of the George Cukor 1944 classic film Gaslight. Although in … Continue reading →

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Some You May Like, Some You May Need

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

What better way to start the week than unexpected photographs of animals being amusing from the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Who wouldn’t love to spend an afternoon riding a tourist train in Japan’s verdant countryside powered by leftover ramen broth. … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Photography, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged | 1 Comment

The First Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Warrington Wickham Colescott Jr. (March 7, 1921 – September 10, 2018) was an American artist, he is best known for his satirical etchings. He was a master printmaker and operated Mantegna Press in Hollandale, Wisconsin, with his wife and fellow … Continue reading →

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Everybody Loves a Travel Guidebook Parody

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Here in North America the travel guidebook author and travel show host Rick Steves is almost universally loved, but is also the target of good natured satire as well. While I’ve met Rick, and even spent an afternoon hanging with … Continue reading →

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Brooklyn Public Library’s Most Borrowed Book

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

When I was a young child I spent quite a lot of time in Brooklyn. I did the usual things that Brooklyn kids did; I played stick ball in the street and stuffed my face at the corner candy store. … Continue reading →

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All the painted ladies

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

It’s been a minute since I visited San Francisco, but like ever other tourist I made a pilgrimage to see the famous row of “painted ladies” at Alamo Square Park. Architectural Digest produced the fascinating video (below) about these gems. … Continue reading →

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Parking the Book Bus

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Back in 2019 I shared a heartwarming story about Ohio teacher Melanie Moore’s Book Bus mobile children’s book store that raised funds for literacy projects. On November 12th, a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration took place for the Book Bus … Continue reading →

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Vonnegut Centennial

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

This week marked the 100th anniversary of Kurt Vonnegut’s birth. To celebrate the occasion graphic designer Alicia Raitt has re-imagined 14 of Vonnegut’s book covers. Inspired by 1960s bookcover design, Raitt utilizes the Marber grid, leaving the illustrations to set … Continue reading →

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Reading Evangelists

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Retired Montana schoolteacher Rita has been spreading her love of reading across the U.S. for the last eight years by traveling coast-to-coast in her van-turned-mobile bookstore! Rita shares what inspired her to make a mobile bookstore, and explains how she … Continue reading →

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When the knock comes, it will be long ago.

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

THE FALL OF VARIA D. Nurkse The tanks from the Past rolled in this morning. Our neighbors crowded the curbs to cheer though only yesterday, they were snitching: A has prior tendencies, B has backward dreams… Already the old flag … Continue reading →

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