Salt, by Mark Kurlansky

This is one interesting book, based on the history of salt.  It is amazing how salt ruled the world, created taxes, and taxes created smuggling.  In an attempt to keep the cost of English salt high, the Indian saltworks had to be taxed by the British, and so on.

If you read the reviews , this is a great story, that weaves between China, France, Spain, to the Dead Sea, over to the new world, and on.  I was surprised at how salt became chemicals and ended up in gun powder for example.  Many of us who do not think chemistry on a daily basis, do not give a thought to the fact that salt deposits are often close to oil deposits.  We do not think about the fact that Salsomaggiore, Italy , where my father was born was on top of a major salt deposit, and that is the reason for the name...major salt.  On top of the salt mine there was a wheel that was worked by the humans who were chained by the neck , to the wheel. Men  walked on the wheel to make it move.  I wondered did my ancestors walk that wheel?  Did your ancestors work in the salt mines in the many countries discussed in this book as we travel the commerce of the world through this commodity.  What an interesting approach to trade, and how government intervention interferes with the free market.

 Salt fortunes were made and swallowed up by war, by governments, by uprisings, and as the discoveries of the different kinds of salt progressed, chemical reactions, and industry grew with new products, new means of preserving food etc.  It is a fun book to read, always keeping you interested in what is coming next.

Coaching in the Berkshires

Howard on the box, Chey to his left on the box seat

Judge Moore's famous coach that traveled to the continent, in it's hey day

Deborah and Jonathan Chase dressed in period

Madlyn enjoying the sun before lunch

As usual, the Waller family had a wonderful event planned for the Coaching Weekend.  We were rained out on Friday, but more than made up for it on Saturday and Sunday.  The coaches clopped along the main streets of Stockbridge and off to the grand estates of old.  We were hosted at the Lenox Club, for a black tie dinner on Saturday night, amongst other fabulous spots.  After Friday the weather was terrific for coaching, and fun for spectators and participants.

Message in a Bottle, Secrets of the Heart

When I read "Evening" by Susan Minot, I thought that my book, Secrets of the Heart,  was like that, but, my book, is more than one scene in a life.  Then as I read the 3rd Nicholas Sparks, I thought that my book was like that, but again, it is more than one scene in a life.

Secrets of the Heart ,  where more than one voice tells the story and encapsulates the growth of love in the most powerful generation that ever lived.  This generation became the first of the teenagers, the first of the media controllers, they amassed hugh fortunes in great numbers, and learned to use propaganda, better than any other generation in the world.


"Secrets of the Heart", touches on the same core of emotion that you find in Nicholas Sparks, but, it goes beyond that into the background of what is happening at this pivotal time (40's and 50's) of growing up and finding love.  The sounds of the time are expressed in music, which in turn represents what is happening in a culture. 

"Secrets of the Heart", is a small book, loaded with emotion, the feel of the culture, the joy and pain of living and learning love.  Deeply emotional, the story will bring tears to your eyes.  It is available at various prices from different sellers, even an e-book.  Give it a chance.  I think if you enjoy Nicholas Sparks, you will like this book too.

9781587369957: The Soul Genome: Science and Reincarnation (Used, New, Out-of-Print) - Alibris

9781587369957: The Soul Genome: Science and Reincarnation (Used, New, Out-of-Print) - Alibris Paul's studies have led me to think more about family resemblances. My cousin Tracy looks so much like my young mother, and even me. Her sister Ann, looks like our Aunt Ann and Aunt Ann's mother. This is how the family resemblance branches out...

Pietro and Theresa had 13 children.......... among them Peter , Rose , Ann ( looks like her mother Theresa)
Peter married Rose Marie 12 children of these 2 daughters ........
Tracy.................................................................looks like Peter's sister Rose and Rose's daughter, Madlyn
Ann ...................................................................looks like Theresa ( her grandmother ) and Ann, her aunt

Is it that we have more than one life, at the same time in the same moment in time, and in other moments in time?