Henry Ford was known for his innovations in the automotive industry, but did you know that he also had a hand in the development and marketing of charcoal briquettes? In the early 1920s, Ford was looking for a way to use the wood waste from his sawmill operations in Michigan. Ford’s charcoal briquettes were made…
Cancer: One Year Later
Today is August 23, 2023. It was one year ago today that the first suspicious spots under my tongue were noticed (read more about that here.) which turned out to be cancer. Over the past few weeks, I have given a lot of thought to what I’ve been feeling as **this** day approached. It seems…
Thrills, Whimsy, and Nostalgia of Amusement Parks
One of the [very few] joys of downsizing is finding things we may have forgotten. Recently, I unearthed the treasure of old home movies. Most were recorded in the 1950s, some before I was born, some after. In the middle of random clips, I found a few moments from Kiddieland, a much loved childhood destination….
“It Is Well With My Soul”
The oft-told story of Horatio Spafford and his writing of the text “It Is Well With My Soul” is as heartbreaking as it as inspirational. It is also somewhat incomplete. In this video, we share the story of the hymn, plus explore more of the Spafford’s story than is usually told. In the later years…
How Josephine Cochran Changed Dishwashing
In the late 19th century, while most women were confined to traditional household chores, Josephine Cochran emerged as a pioneer and revolutionized the way we approach one of the most mundane tasks – dishwashing. Her invention, the dishwasher, not only made kitchen cleanup more efficient but also set the stage for modern household appliances. Join…
“The Speed Kings” (a 1913 Silent Film)
While doing the research for the 1912 Indianapolis 500 race, I read quite a bit about the many drivers who participated in the event. One of them, Teddy Tetzlaff, had quite a career beyond his adventures at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1913, he was featured in the film “The Speed Kings” produced and directed…
The Great Push to the Finish Line of the 1912 Indy 500
Step back in time to the early days of motorsports with this surprising story highlighting the legendary 1912 Indianapolis 500 race. Featuring vintage photographs and rare glimpses into the past, this video takes you on a thrilling journey to the very unexpected conclusion of one of the most iconic events in racing history. In this…
Portable Keyboards: What You Need and What You Don’t
There’s no sales talk, just real, practical information. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking at keyboards that are new or used, expensive or budget-friendly, you will still need certain critical features for beginning piano studies. Just as it is important to know what is necessary, we will also talk about what is not! Let…
Video Update (cancer) April 1, 2023
It really is wonderful to have good news to share. Rejoice with me!
The Earliest Photographs of American Presidents
Let’s take a step back in time to explore the earliest presidential photographs in United States history. We’ll take a look at presidential photography from the 6th President (John Quincy Adams) through the 16th (Abraham Lincoln). Join us as we explore the photos and some interesting facts about the presidents, then discover how these photographs…
Scott Joplin, a Short Biography
This video tells some of the highlights from the life of Scott Joplin. Colorful storyboards are used to tell the story, and the narration is included. The images are taken from the book, “The Strenuous Life of Scott Joplin” that I wrote a couple years ago. [Related: “The Strenuous Life of Scott Joplin” on Amazon]…
Video Update (Cancer) February 1, 2023
This goes along with what I posted a few days ago, but since I have had several friends inquire about how I am speaking these days, I thought this might be the easiest way to let everyone know. 🙂