Walt Disney flies again

So over at Albertson's there was this new batch of balloons, which included some quite Disney-ish looking items, such as that castle and, on closer examination, Snow White herself. Being of a suspicious nature, I figured that there was a reason -- a commercial one -- for Snow White to be popping up in public around Christmas time. I promptly hied myself over to Amazon to check on the DVDs and discovered, to no surprise, that the Disney folk have just released a new edition of their pioneering feature-length cartoon. (The last time it was released was in 20-aught-2. That's a pretty good life span.)

I suppose that it's a good thing to keep DVDs of films such as Snow White and the Wizard of Oz and Shirley Temple's Little Princess in print. That way, today's kids, inundated with modern children's books and cartoons coming out the kazoo, will be familiar with a handful of the classics. It's too bad that so much new (and so much of it so bad) muscles out the old stories that provided a bridge between generations. I recall what fun I had putting together a wonderful library of children's classics for my dotter, assembled from visits to resale shops and rummage sales and 2nd hand bookstores. The only old books that I never found in these venues were the Oz books, but then I had my own collection to pass along. Of course, none of these old books would pass muster under that recent law passed by our thoughtful folk in Congress -- there might just possibly be something toxic in the ink that would poison a toddler who consumed, say, the entirety of that library I collected. Sigh.

Resale Row

It's been a long time since I've been to the Fair Street Fry's, I guess.

Because the last time I looked at this big guy, he was advertising real estate. In fact, he had advertised real estate for as long as I can remember -- 20 years or so. Suddenly, it's used books, words far more likely to get my attention. Of course, times have changed. Used books are no doubt a lot easier to sell than houses in the current market. According to the young lady in the shop, it has been operating as a bookstore for some five months! And I thought that my antennae were in good shape.

Outside, throw-away titles 10 for one buck. Inside, shelves of books occupied four rooms of the little cottage, including one room devoted to religion (primarily LDS -- I believe that there had been an LDS bookstore in this building previously.) Did you notice the neat ship models in the corner? Here they are close-up (below). 50 cents at a yard sale, I was told.

At this point, I decided that the groceries could wait. What is evolving on the south side of Fair Street and environs is a thrift shopping mecca; the St. Vincent de Paul store is right next to the bookstore...

...complete to a lovely shrub covered with showy lavender blossoms at the entrance...

...and a clutter of donations to the back of the parking lot.

However, the interior has been completely de-cluttered and reorganized. Looks a lot more appealing, but my impression is that upscaling always brings higher prices. Thrifts are no exception. What is it about resale shops and baskets, by the way -- this store and NOAH both feature an extensive collection.

The final element in this thrift/used goods center -- the Once Again consignment shop. Unfortunately, I was running out of time and did not pay a visit.

And speaking of used, how about this well used fence bear and his companion. I spotted them as I was walking along Fair to get a better shot of the consignment shop. I'd guess the fellow below has been resting for a long, long time. I hope he has enjoyed great dreams.

Muffler Men: That appears to be what the giant figures such as our Fair Street guy were in the beginning. They are spotted all over the country, apparently, and there is, of course, a site where sightings are listed. The history of the Prescott statue is told here; apparently he is one of many that were originally featured at Phillips 66 gas stations; he (and his fellows) each held a rifle in the outstretched arms.

On the Occasion of the Last Harry Potter Book

There's this big hoo-rah about the last Harry Potter book. So I decided it was time to post my antique wizard pix from Cortez Street -- my small contribution to the hoo-rah. Small because I didn't really cotton on to the books. Maybe I'm simply too old...

Or perhaps it's that my memory of magical children's books remains attached to the books of my childhood and those I read to my daughter. Oz. Pooh. Alice. King Arthur. (I'll still read a new version of the Arthur legends, if well done.)

Anyhow ... I never felt that Harry Potter measured up. Upon reading the first book, I felt that there was something wanting. No idea what. On the other hand, the popularity of the books is a phenomenon that surely reflects on the current state of children's lit. What's your take?

Note: speaking of matters magical, have a look at these kinetic sculpts.

Shopping with GrannyJ

Some shopping excursions are hell; others are hoo-rah! Today was one of the good days. Because of the rainy weather, walking was out; why not take a cab all the way to the K-Mart mall. For starters, my driver, she of the very blonde hair, turned out to be a cop retired from the Philly police force. Interesting lady.
What should greet me at K-Mart but extreme temptation. Worried about carrying all that bulk around, I resisted. But, oh....

First stop, the Amazing 99 Cent Store. It's unlike the newer dollar stores, which are just one more dull, niche market for the big food/houshold products companies. For a number of years, my Sson has stocked up on exotics here, especially sauces and similar items.

Here are the marinades I bought -- 3 bottles for 99 cents total! The store has long specialized in fancy food close-outs in addition to the usual tacky geegaws and everyday items.

Oops. What have we here? Protesters, perhaps? Big signs and the right kind of costuming -- ironic patriotism and goth.

But no. Tax service promotion. There'll always be an adman! Next stop, the real reason I came -- a new recycled printer cartridge store. A franchise out of Oz yet. And I did indeed save money over the name brand ink. About half price or less.

Another addition to the K-Mart center line-up: Jay's Bird Barn. Believe it or not, there are two shops in town for the bird watcher. Of course, Jay writes a weekly column for the Courier which I always make a point of reading.

And guess what -- I discovered at least one source of those fancy decorated mailboxes. Apparently the covers are attached magnetically. Jays is also a good source for birding field manuals (below) and, yes, topical Tshirts.


While on the subject of books, I poked my nose into Anchor. In addition to shelf upon shelf of pop paperbacks, there was one book I almost bought. A big picture album of photographs by Elliot Porter.

Final stop: our lifestyle Safeway. The supermarket chain's answer to WalMart's invasion of their food turf. In reality, it's up-market because the lights are a lot dimmer (saves on the electric bill, too) ... spotlights shine on a few gondolas of food imports ... more wines are stocked ... and there's a Starbucks. I happen to like the place because its deli is far better than average, though that happened long before the life-styling kick.

But what caught my eye on this supermarket visit was the dispenser above and the accompanying fact that frozen CO2 has been, Lord help us, Branded. I suppose we have a legion of young folk out there who are ignorant of all the fun you can have with dry ice or of its many uses. Live and learn.

My final score: two splendid horsie picture books @ $2 each for the granddaughter, plus a remaindered Larry Niven Ringworld book that I hope I haven't read. Oh, yes. More good news: zante currants have resurfaced in the dried fruit department. They beat regular raisins all hollow.

Local Links of the Day

I have an affection for those old WPA guides to various states written in the 30s as make-work projects during the Depression. They are great! Specifically, on my shelves you will find both the Califoria and the Arizona volumes; they describe the world of my childhood. Both were reprinted in the aught-80s and I figured that I might just buy a couple of copies, used, from Amazon as gifts. The result was enlightening -- and scary. Let's start with California. The Amazon list for California +WPA popped up 93 titles, of which 16 were the original or reprinted WPA work. Prices started at $2.70 and ranged up to $12.00. Next, the Arizona +WPA list which Amazon put at 16 (it wasn't), with prices ranging from $7.50 up to $45.88. Oops! Is this a sign that it's time to move to Nebraska or West Virginia?

Back to SW Basics: Native Seeds Search

Today's occasion was a book signing and lecture -- not the usual way I spend an afternoon. However, it was over at Prescott College's Crossroads Center, a not-too-strenuous walk from my house. The author in question is Kevin Dahl, executive director of Native Seeds Search in Tucson. Good reasons for the PC venue: Dahl is an alumnus and the subject is one near and dear to hearts at the college. Namely, rescuing Southwestern and Mexican native food plants from oblivion and possibly making a dent in the high incidence of diabetes in the process. Can't say that my sometimes cynical heart disagrees with that objective.

Before the serious business, there were the product displays to check out. The packaging was bright, cheerful and enticing. Native Seeds Search has fostered lines of mixes for everything from pancakes made with amaranth or blue corn flour to spicy hot chocolate, all using products of its seed farm. To name a few. Unfortunately, I hadn't worn my backpack to carry stuff home -- I'll have to make any purchases from their web site.

The chiltepin peppers above are basically the wild progenitor of all chilis.

While that habenero hot chocolate mix is a perfect gift for one of my friends who is in the big leagues when it comes to hot sauce macho.

Before the lecture, Dahl answers questions from students.

Then is faced with the latest in modern technology at the podium. His lecture covered the "three sisters" -- corn, beans and squash in their hundreds of varieties -- plus other native food/fiber plants, including amaranth, cotton, devil's claw and several cacti.

And he had a storehouse of fascinating facts for the trivia fan, like me. For instance, while the devil's claw pod is edible when young, tender and green, it is the source of the toughest of fibers when it is mature. Another: humans are the only mammal to eat capsaicin bearing chilis; apparently, birds do not have capsaicin receptors and so devour the little red berry-like chilis and spread the seeds. Yet another: watermelons were introduced to Mexico by the Conquistidores; they proved so popular that seeds spread via trade routes throughout America and watermelons were already cultivated in the Midwest by the time the English and French explorers arrived.

Of course, corn was the staple for Native Americans. Above, one of the oldest lines of corn, next to teosinte, the wild grass from which corn was derived. Today, noted Dahl, corn is totally domesticated -- none, including the native varieties, survives without man to cultivate it. Fascinating side notes about corn: there was, long ago, a period of over a thousand years when corn was grown by natives, not for food, but for the beer made from sugar-rich stalks! And there's good reason Hopi corn is planted on those sandy fields: about a foot down, there's a layer of clay that holds the necessary moisture.

Fascinating stuff. Too bad I'm too old and set in my ways to start farming traditional corn, beans and squash. I'll stick to a couple of pots of tomatoes (another of those wonderful native crop derivatives) and my very native wildflowers.

Sorry, All Booked Up

Yesterday, the Memphis niece and I went on a photography expedition around town. When we returned home, we were greeted by this orphan, left on the door step.


A box of science fiction by great authors. Poul Anderson. Henry Kuttner. A.E. Van Vogt and others.

In Dutch.

Honest. Look at those titles. (For that matter, look at that cover art!)

Next door neighbor, who owned up to the deed, said that the books didn't sell at the Friends of the Prescott Library store even when the entire box was marked down to $5. Guess there's just one reader of Dutch in our community.


Of course, I don't read Dutch. But even if I wanted to keep the dang books, where would I put them? This is the entrance hallway of my house.


The route to my office.

And, yes, a bathroom cabinet.

Niece, who has a similar problem at her house, suggested that I show these pictures to help readers assuage guilt about the immovable stacks that accumulate despite the best of intentions. Let them know that they are Not Alone.

Alright, I've done it. Now -- who wants some Dutch SF?