tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post7598079014646452119..comments2023-10-21T16:38:35.007-05:00Comments on Thoughts from Frank and Fern: Books Are Amazing ToolsFrank and Fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-80949749193935148972015-11-04T18:02:33.852-06:002015-11-04T18:02:33.852-06:00Frank and Fern,
I hope this finds you doing well. ...Frank and Fern,<br />I hope this finds you doing well. In reference to your book selection, I would like to add one that would be very usefull. It is Boston's Gun Bible by Boston Tea Party. It is in its 13th printing of 2008. 7 years later, it is still revelant for someone needing references on firearms. It gives you standards to use today and even in the future to measure by. It is fairly expensive at $29.95 as a paperback, available thru Amazon but well worth it as firearms reference book.<br /><br />Thanks again for you all sharing your knowledge and advice.<br /><br />Harold Sadler (Alfred E. Neuman -"What me worry?" From Mad Magazine)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-87991083814162094582015-11-03T21:15:51.587-06:002015-11-03T21:15:51.587-06:00First of all, I would really like to think you bot...First of all, I would really like to think you both for the time and work you put into this blog. I have several and I know how time consuming it can be. I found your site by chance of another blog. The name of your blog intrigued me to check it out. To say the least, it will take me quite a while to read ALL your posts.<br /><br />Your mentioning of the decline of use of libraries,sadly, is a fact in quite a few cities. However, with more "withit" libraries, inovations have really spurred the use of libraries. I live in the central Arkansas area. Our library system is called CALS for the Central Arkansas Library System with 8 branches.<br />A couple of years ago, I worked at one of the smaller units. You wouldn't believe how many books, videos, cassette books and fishing rods we checked out monthly. We consistently checked out over 19,000 books a month in a small town with a population of 29,000. If you worked there, there was no rest for the weary. haha....Just saying,, there is hope for libraries. People still like to read and HOLD the material. Yes, we had wi-fi and computers/laptops for use. Our customer were from youngsters to oldsters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-90509366042185019512015-09-12T15:39:02.515-05:002015-09-12T15:39:02.515-05:00Hi Chris. Congratulations on the move. I love YouT...Hi Chris. Congratulations on the move. I love YouTube instructional videos. I have found new ways to break and destroy things that I never could before. I've even watched a video on how to plow and disc. <br /><br />Fern and I don't miss TV at all. I can't imagine spending 30 minutes of my day. Imagine 30 minutes a day, 3.5 hours per week, 14 hours a month, 168 hours a year. I can use 168 hours, not to mention if I sat on my hiney and watched TV three hours a day. People don't realize how useless and worthless TV really is. It is the unseen drug of the masses. That's all they talk about outside of church, it's what they saw on TV. <br /><br />Enjoy your new place.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-69189134936043860632015-09-12T15:32:58.007-05:002015-09-12T15:32:58.007-05:00Grammy, they're listening and they're lear...Grammy, they're listening and they're learning. You may not see the fruits of your labor today, but they hear you. Sometimes you expect the least, will absorb the most. We like that Little House series. Check out Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawles. He also has another book called Summer of the Monkey, most kids love it. Older kids also like the Jack London books, make sure they're older kids, though. Thanks for taking the time to read.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-66293781744767852542015-09-12T15:28:26.932-05:002015-09-12T15:28:26.932-05:00SFG, if people can store water under their beds, h...SFG, if people can store water under their beds, how about a one layer book shelf? Actually, build your bed up four or five feet off the floor and have bookshelves under the whole bed. On the inside, put in some canned food and storage bottles of water. The imagination is limitless, and there are times our imaginations can take us to extremes. This may be one of those times.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-21741181629950863642015-09-12T15:24:44.112-05:002015-09-12T15:24:44.112-05:00Ilene, books are one of those essential items. I r...Ilene, books are one of those essential items. I remember pictures from pre-WWII Germany when the citizens were encouraged to bring their books for public burning. Wonder if we're going to be heading into these times again? It appears we have a sinister government, and I would guesstimate someday that they will outlaw knowledge. Then in two or three generations, knowledge will be gone. <br /><br />Just like we've done with morality in public schools. Two or three generations and it's all gone, and you never have to fire a shot. We've lost this one. Might as well lick our wounds and get ready for the next battle, because we're going to lose it, too. <br /><br />Be prepared. Is that the Boy Scout motto, the Girl Scout motto, or the transgender motto? This is just an example of what I'm talking about. Just imagine 50 years ago a person demanding transgender bathroom rights. We've lost, and we're going to keep losing. That's the way it is.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-72000930312434833652015-09-12T15:16:33.494-05:002015-09-12T15:16:33.494-05:00Thank you for the comment. We have multiple public...Thank you for the comment. We have multiple public libraries in the area, but they are seldom used by anyone except older folks and kids. Fern and I used to travel every summer between Alaska and Oklahoma and the public library was a place we used often. We'd check our emails and find out what was on the internet. Libraries are a lot more today than they used to be. It's just a shame that more people don't use them. <br /><br />Years ago we worked in an extremely remote bush school in northwest Alaska. According to the staff there, the school library was a bustling place every night. When the village got satellite cable TV, there was never another person that came to the library. It's not because of the internet, because Al Gore had not invented the internet yet. Most folks don't know you can bring your own laptop to a public library and use their wireless internet, or at least that's the case in our area. Some places you can even sit outside the building.<br /><br />I'm going to miss all these things in life. Take care.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-81012101950907178732015-09-12T01:27:37.178-05:002015-09-12T01:27:37.178-05:00Great post! We recently moved to our rural home o...Great post! We recently moved to our rural home on 30 acres and have found ourselves heavily reliant on internet articles on gardening, running fences, construction, canning, chickens, etc. I like your policy of no TV in your household. We have two in the house but havent used them since moving here several months ago. One will now be sold off to make way for bookshelves! We cannot always rely on the availability of electronic media to provide critical "how-to" information. Really enjoy your blog - thanks for sharing as you learn! - Chris in WA stateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-1294716854992438422015-09-11T18:53:56.077-05:002015-09-11T18:53:56.077-05:00I teach kindergarten through fourth grade students...I teach kindergarten through fourth grade students with disabilities, and we love the Little House books. We're on our third one, and do activities with each. I'm trying to teach the kids how to survive and thrive if they are ever in a off-grid situation. I hope they're listening and learning. Prepared Grammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520764687351107967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-53948163368006103312015-09-11T15:22:37.457-05:002015-09-11T15:22:37.457-05:00I had a complete set of the Foxfire books back in ...I had a complete set of the Foxfire books back in the 70's, but in my silly youth, I gave them away. I have managed to collect some of them at thrift stores but not the entire set; I keep a sharp lookout for them, because they are hard to find and expensive. Boy Scout manuals from earlier days have been reprinted and are easy to find at pretty low prices. Ralph Moody books and Little House books have fascinating information about the "how to's" of yesteryear, and you can get your kids to read them! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-51471089463672212862015-09-11T14:54:36.658-05:002015-09-11T14:54:36.658-05:00We have that book as well, Claudia, it is there on...We have that book as well, Claudia, it is there on the shelf, it just didn't make the detailed list. We could have mentioned many more, but I figured the article was long enough already. Thank you for sharing.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-53037048726673465422015-09-11T14:52:06.378-05:002015-09-11T14:52:06.378-05:00Thank you for the link.
FernThank you for the link.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-21836434410683177772015-09-11T14:50:20.929-05:002015-09-11T14:50:20.929-05:00After your reaction, did your friend decide to rea...After your reaction, did your friend decide to read Rawles' book as well? I hope it gave them food for thought.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-56027330711317287522015-09-11T14:49:21.329-05:002015-09-11T14:49:21.329-05:00It is interesting to find out other folks have man...It is interesting to find out other folks have many of the same books, isn't it Callidore? Happy Spring! I hope your growing season brings you a bountiful harvest. It's good to hear from you.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-20678123236376819762015-09-11T11:26:53.960-05:002015-09-11T11:26:53.960-05:00Thanks for showing us your book collection. I'...Thanks for showing us your book collection. I've been trying to get more books also. I have many, but need more space. Your book wall gave me an idea. hehehehesmall farm girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485314092236803411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-42550475006661794722015-09-11T06:06:56.768-05:002015-09-11T06:06:56.768-05:00I have a lot of those same books. Just recently o...I have a lot of those same books. Just recently ordered "Essential Oils Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing". I agree that it's better to have books than things stored on the computer. So much can happen, you might not have electricity to power up, or your computer might crash and you'd lose everything. Many things saved on a computer would be as expensive to print, or more so, than just buying the book, due to the exorbitant prices of printer ink (don't get me started on that topic - heh.) RockWhispererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204125716550161500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-18236055520195627832015-09-10T23:09:22.135-05:002015-09-10T23:09:22.135-05:00+1 to Deb above....i love that book!+1 to Deb above....i love that book!kymberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02607117635648274823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-79321577788262293762015-09-10T21:32:28.727-05:002015-09-10T21:32:28.727-05:00When I was in high school in the 60's, I'd...When I was in high school in the 60's, I'd save my extra money to buy used books. Although we practically lived at our local library, I loved owning some of the classics. As a very poor newly wed, I collected paperback versions of all the Agatha Christie's including some English versions along with various authors.<br /><br />Our 3rd bedroom is now a combination home library & genealogy archive. We have 9 tall, narrow book shelves stacked 2 deep on most. We also have book shelves in the other 2 bedrooms and 2 in the living room, about 1/2 fiction & history, the other 1/2 reference books. <br /><br />I love that I can do hours of research on the internet very quickly with just a google search. And I can easily search a particular subject or phrase quite easily. But reading about something in a book is just better. That's why there are always multiple books on my Christmas/wish lists. They're some of my favorite presents. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-4642103436884097652015-09-10T21:14:12.309-05:002015-09-10T21:14:12.309-05:00May I suggest Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallo...May I suggest Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon? She explains how animal fats and cholesterol are necessary for brain function and protection from disease.DRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10846365421422679117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-81183159941553755422015-09-10T16:39:38.151-05:002015-09-10T16:39:38.151-05:00You have some mighty fine books there! I am also ...You have some mighty fine books there! I am also a lover of books and have quite a collection. Since we just began beekeeping, my husband and I are reading "Top Bar Beekeeping" by Crowder and Harrell. We are also reading "The Holistic Orchard" by Michael Phillips; another great reference book. In our new home (can't wait until we build it) we will have a second story loft that looks down into our great room. All along the back wall will be my bookshelves, and in front of that will be a couple of comfortable reading chairs. This will be my heaven on earth! You have a couple of books that I am going to look into. I usually don't buy books new, but sometimes Amazon has used ones that look brand new at a very reasonable price! Thanks, again, for all this information!Vickie @ makingoursustainablelife.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01210045536198927269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-41962595003208905352015-09-10T15:32:35.870-05:002015-09-10T15:32:35.870-05:00I, too, love my books. My absolute prized is a dai...I, too, love my books. My absolute prized is a daily devotional my grandmother created as a wedding gift for her daughter in 1941. It is in her writing and is a mixture of her writing and newspaper or church bulletin clippings.<br />My regret from my early adulthood is losing a 1970s World Book encyclopedia set. Still on the hunt for that one at garage sales.<br />I, too, am a fan of Mother Earth news and have saved all of my magazines since the 70s. I've thought about getting their archives on CD but just can't figure out which version would be the best to get. Maybe for Christmas this year.<br />Have you heard of the FoxFire books? They are a compilation of interviews made to preserve the traditions from the Appalachian Mountains. I've found a few at used book stores and have purchased the rest of the series on Amazon.<br />I also have a collection of 1950s Boy Scout and Girl Scout manuals. You never know what will come in handy. Most of my friends in my non-internet life do not get it - they have all gone to eReaders. I just love having a book in hand. Ditto for printed versions of soduko and other games.Cheers, SJ in Vancouver BC Canada.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-15706739483841790292015-09-10T15:19:40.947-05:002015-09-10T15:19:40.947-05:00Hi, Frank and Fern,
Interesting that so many comm...Hi, Frank and Fern,<br /><br />Interesting that so many commented on having the same books! We also own most of the books you highlighted! We have books in every room of our home with a huge built-in bookshelf in our living room with how to books and history books.<br /><br />You are right about never having enough Bibles, as well. Our large master bedroom bookshelf contains nothing but Christian books, commentaries, and Bibles I continue to pick up every time I see one at the thrift stores. We believe there will come a day when Christians will need to go underground, and we want to have enough Bibles to share with a home congregation. <br /><br />We weeded out our fiction books mostly to series we enjoy - The Cat Who books, Dorothy Gilman books, Alexander McCall Smith books, and all our old favorite Agatha Christie novels. We might really need them if we have shortages of electricity and can't sit down to watch our old movies. <br /><br />Have you all watched Wartime Farm on You tube? It is a VERY interesting series done by the BBC having historians go back and live just as people lived during a previous era. Wartime Farm shows the extreme sacrifices the Brits had to make in WWII. The same historians did "Edwardian Farm", and both of these teach "tactics" of how to survive in an utterly deprived environment.<br /><br />"Knowledge is power!" at least as far as one's knowledge will carry him. The survival instinct in humans is strong, but without a reservoir of know how, it is pretty tough to survive on human will alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-75683769452133939182015-09-10T14:48:34.941-05:002015-09-10T14:48:34.941-05:00Suzanne Ashworth's Seed to Seed is among the b...Suzanne Ashworth's Seed to Seed is among the best seed saving guides. It tells you what plants you need to worry about cross pollination, what plants you don't, and what to do about it. And her lists are comprehensive.<br />I also love Carol Deppe's The Resilient Gardener. She lives in a completely different climate than I do, but her way of thinking about gardening I found highly valuable.<br /><br />W. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-76763027410284426672015-09-10T12:57:53.282-05:002015-09-10T12:57:53.282-05:00Fern - back when we were living in the city and pl...Fern - back when we were living in the city and planning to move to our BOL, i had to get rid of 200+books. but they were all fiction and so it was easy to do so. i kept all of my encyclopaedias (i collected encyclopaedias all of my life and have 14 full sets) and all of my reference books (gardening, herbs, homesteading, children's, medicine, etc.). in total, when we moved here, i brought 76 banker's boxes of books!!! our friends came and helped us unpack when the u-haul van arrived. we had unloaded all of the furniture and there were only the boxes left. my friend jimmy picked up the first box and said "what the heck do you have in this box? it feels like a box of books!!!". he was right. and there were 76 more boxes of them - bahahahah!<br /><br />but, like you, my fear if the poop hits the fan is that we will go back into the dark ages. without books, we will have nothing to reference and nothing to be able to teach children with. so my books are worth more than their weight in gold to me. <br /><br />thank you for sharing your books with us. we have very similar tastes in books. if you are interested, here is a post about one of my favourite books - it's a "cyclopaedia"!<br /><br />http://framboisemanor.blogspot.ca/2012/03/some-of-my-favourite-books-part-1.html<br /><br />your friend,<br />kymberkymberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02607117635648274823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-43789309774913564852015-09-10T11:49:31.949-05:002015-09-10T11:49:31.949-05:00I love your special shelf! I once lived in a smal...I love your special shelf! I once lived in a small cabin and had so many books I had to have another room added on so I'd have a place for them. Your shelf reminds me of one of my walls that was all bookshelf. Heaven!<br /><br />I see we have a lot of books in common. I loved going through your list, and will probably get a few of your suggestions. You've given me a lot of good ideas with this post. Thanks! Pamnoreply@blogger.com