The $64 Tomato

The $64 Tomato by William Alexander



I don't remember where or when I first heard about this book. All I know is I am glad I did!
This book is about the trials of William Alexander, his wife Anne, A physician and their triumphs and failures at gardening or rather homesteading their ancient victorian home on 3 acres. It made me chuckle (a good sign with a book for me) as he describes in great detail how they designed and built their garden, started a small orchard and the crazy folks I who came in their circle. Very well written, not a "green garden book" per say, but very funny and a very fast read. Anyone who has ever wanted to do a homestead on their own should read this book. And it is a must read for all of us would be farmers who struggle to grow the perfect vegetable or fruit.I give it three green thumbs up

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

For some folks it's the Night Before Christmas,

others A Christmas Carol by Dickens,

But as for me...

It is just not Christmas until

I read Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree By Robert Barry

I first read this book in I suppose 1964 or 1965- Of course i didn't realize it then, as it is one of the first books I read- at the time I suppose I thought it was a book on the importance of sharing. But today it is a book not only on sharing what you have, but a book about community, recycling, reusing and yes making do as well.

Oh No! The Tree is too tall!!!

You see Mr Willowby orders a tree, by special delivery, and it turns out it is too tall. So, he gets the butler to chop off the top, who in turn gives it the top to Miss Adelaide, the upstairs Maid, who in turn has to lop off the top, and discards it. Then the Gardener finds it, dumpster dives and takes the remaining top home. And you got it- it's too tall! The cut off the top and the bears find it and then the foxes and so on and so on.

The Barnaby Bear Family Celebrates with their piece of tree

This is a perfect book on teaching kids about recycling and re-using. Everyone gets a piece of Mr. Willowby's tree, down to the lowly mice.

The illustrations are good, and the book is it's self attractive. A good read for kids and adults alike. The amazing thing is it was written in 1963. I still read it every year. I want to thank my mom for giving me this book and encouraging me to read!

Independent Book Sellers

You know, part of the downside to the technology revolution is the demise of independent book sellers. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting with Allie Larkin and her husband Jeremy at one of those amazing places, Third Place Books in Lake City, just north of Seattle. A really good book seller, I was amazed at the space and size, and really amazed someone would house a bookstore in the same building as a branch of the King County Library.
We have the advantage here in the Northwest of still having an array of independent book sellers. In Seattle, although they had to move to new digs on Capital Hill we have Elliot Bay Books, which is only dwarfed by one other in size, Powells in Portland. But this was my first visit to Third Place. I was impressed by the layout and the restaurants - it had like 5 different eateries all connected together - sort of a food court. You could get espresso, sushi, pizza or mexican. All served on a plate. All good.
As for Burien, My fair city, we have two booksellers, Burien Books, which was owned by the same lady for over fifty years, and was rumored to be the model of the bookstore in the movie "You've got mail", Sadly the owner recently passed away, but happily new owners have been found. We also are home to Page 2 books, a local 2nd hand book seller that has been around for a couple of years. Used book stores are a weakness of mine.
Anyway, I am tired of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders. I say it is time we support our own independent book sellers, where ever you may live.

REVIEW: NO IMPACT MAN

I have been holding off doing this review, as I am afraid of what some people would think- oh great another review about No Impact Man.
First, I am not a fan of Colin Beavan AKA No Impact Man. In fact, I always thought the No Impact project kind of presumptuous- you know- in a "I am better than you" kind of way.


Then I read this book, and found out he actually felt the same way, but that wasn't the point of the project. To be honest I would never sign on to this type of lifestyle. But that all being said, I am glad Colin did do the project and I am gladder he wrote about it. The book shows a sense of self deprecating humor that I previously did not associate with No Impact Man, the blog.


Me not being a fan of non fiction doesn't help, but Beavan does manage to engage the reader when discussing shopping at Farmer's Market, his wife's hatred of bicycles, and her inability to kick caffeine (Right on Sista), he manages to keep one riveted to his little experiment.


All in all I would say "No Impact Man" makes a big impact with those who read it.

I give it 3 green thumbs up!

TRUE CONFESSIONS: I made a purchase on Black Friday

Okay- I didn't mean to do it. I cannot resist small independent book stores. Especially ones with little old lady proprietors. With British Accents. But I digress. I was happily avoiding Black Friday and all it's consumeristic faults and had determined not to join in the bloodbath. But as I was walking with Romeo down (or rather up) 152nd AKA Main Street in Burien, I spotted a cookbook in the window of Burien Books that someone would want for Christmas. The owner of the bookstore is this charming, older British lady and while there was no Bookstore cat (that I could see). I was checking out and the proprietress looked out the window at my four pawed friend and said, "You know, dear, we are dog friendly in this store and he could have come inside". Well that sold me right then and there- I thought this is a display of anti-consumerism in the truest form- saying NO to the big box, corporate book stores and purchasing from an independent local seller. So while I sinned, a small bit, I also supported a local independent book seller. I don't feel so bad. And I didn't have to get up at 3:00 am either!