1920 Milking Machine

If you've spent any time perusing this website, you've probably figured out I love the ads from long ago.  Today, I pulled up the digitized files of The Fowlerville Review (which can be accessed at the Fowlerville Library) and randomly scrolled through the 1920s.  The following ad for a milking machine caught my eye:

Eugene D. Defendorf ran a hardware/farm implement supply store and was very active in the community.  He sat on the school board as well as being involved with local organizations.

2015 Johnson Auction

Along about the first first or so of doing this blog, I started taking "squint shots" -- close-ups of architecture in particular.  One of my pictures was of some woodwork at the roof peak of the house at 310 South Grand Avenue.  Never knew until years later it was uninhabited, but used only as a storage facility for Johnny Johnson's immense photography and filming collection.  

I used to see Mr. Johnson walking more often than not when I would come into town.  I started missing him lately and found out he had passed away this summer.  Well now there's going to be an auction Saturday, October 10, at that same house I took a squint shot years ago.  Sometimes, things like this make me a bit sad, even if I never met him.

(Article found in current issue of Fowlerville News and Views)

1999 Braun Receipt

So, the other day, I got ambitious enough to clean out my closet.  That feeling hits about once a year, fortunately, so I'm always finding something interesting.

This time around, I rehung some of my old (and full of memory) good dresses.  One was wrapped in plastic and at the top by the hanger was a stapled receipt.

How many of you also miss Braun's Dry Cleaners?

P.S. More posts to come in the near future.

2015 Juniper and Anise Giveaway

Virginia Wright--author, illustrator, and foodie--has published an interview with me for my historical novel, Juniper and Anise.

If you've landed here because of that interview, head to my publishing site, by clicking here, and browse.  Choose which blank book you would be interested in receiving, then come back here and comment.  You can also comment on Virginia's article by heading here.

On June 8th, two winners will be chosen from those comments on both sites so be sure to check back here and on her site.  The winners will receive an autographed copy of Juniper and Anise as well as the blank book of their choice.

Good luck to all and a huge thank you to Virginia for the interview.

2015 Five-Star Reviews on Amazon

Juniper and Anise is getting great reviews on Amazon -- check it out here.

2015 Juniper and Anise Author Talk

Mark the date --

I will be at the Fowlerville Library next Thursday, March 5th, at 7:00 p.m.  I would love to see you there.  Copies of my historical novel, Juniper and Anise, will be available for purchase and I will also be talking about how I got to this point of being published by Whiskey Creek Press.

Please come!

2015 Clayton Klein

From WHMI website:

WHMI 93.5 - Livingston County's Own

We are Howell and Brighton Michigan's Hometown Radio Station

Fowlerville's "Walking Man" Passes Away At 95

2/25/15 - Clayton Klein, who had gained attention for his annual walks across Michigan, has passed away. The lifelong Fowlerville resident was 95 when he died on Sunday, two days before his 96th birthday. His daughter, Deb Klein, said he died peacefully under hospice care. A memorial service is planned for 11am on Thursday at the Fowlerville United Methodist Church. A 1936 graduate of Fowlerville High School, Klein was the author of several books, his most recent in 2012 titled “My First 90 Years.” In it, he shared stories and highlights during his life as a farmer, business owner and outdoor adventurer to exploring Canada’s river systems and adventures in Mexico and Central America in the 1960’s. But Klein was probably best known in recent years for his annual walks from 2005 to 2009, when he walked 425 miles from Paradise in the Upper Peninsula to Hell in Putnam Township, on behalf of Hospice of Michigan. He is survived by a son and daughter and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years; Marjorie, who died in 2003. Memorial contributions may be made to Livingston Community Hospice. (JK)