On the Homestead

When Ma & Pa first arrived on the homestead Pa installed a bell on the front porch and told Ma if trouble comes while I’m out in the field a plowin’ then you just ring that bell and I’ll come a running. The next day Pa hears the bell and takes off for home. When … Read more

The Maple Tree’s Role in Abolishing Slavery

After the Revolution, Americans looked at the maple tree in a new light. To the eminent Philadelphia patriot and physician Benjamin Rush, maple sugar seemed perfectly tailored to the new republic. Here was a commodity that could compete in a global market, bolstering the independence of yeoman farmers, and demonstrating the superiority of free labor. … Read more

On the Best Way to Study

Testing yourself repeatedly before an exam teaches the brain to retrieve and apply knowledge from memory. The method is more effective than re-reading a textbook, says Jeffrey Karpicke, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University. If you are facing a test on the digestive system, he says, practice explaining how it works from … Read more

Declining Memories

An elderly couple were experiencing declining memories, so they decided to take a power memory class, where they teach you to remember things by association. Later, the man was talking to a neighbor about how much the class helped him. “Who was the instructor?” asked the neighbor. “Oh, let’s see,” pondered the man. “Umm…what’s that … Read more

Really Short Books

1) A Guide to Arab Democracies 2) A Journey through the Mind of Dennis Rodman 3) Amelia Earhart’s Guide to the Pacific Ocean 4) Career Opportunities for History Majors 5) Contraception by Pope John Paul II 6) Detroit – A Travel Guide (with a forward by H. Mainhardt) 7) Different Ways to Spell “BOB” 8) … Read more

Ask the Park Ranger

Questions that people actually asked of Park Rangers around the USA.   Grand Canyon National Park ————————————- Was this man-made? Do you light it up at night? I bought tickets for the elevator to the bottom-where is it? Is the mule train air conditioned? So where are the faces of the presidents?   Everglades National … Read more

Continuous Improvement

Grandpa and grand daughter were sitting talking when she asked, “Did God make you, Grandpa?” “Yes, God made me,” the grandfather answered. A few minutes later, the little girl asked him, “Did God make me too?” “Yes, He did,” the older man answered. For a few minutes, the little girl seemed to be studying her … Read more

Big Chief Forget-me Not

An Australian travel writer touring Canada was checking out of the Spokane Hilton, and as he paid his bill said to the manager, asked, “By the way, what’s with the Indian chief sitting in the lobby? He’s been there ever since I arrived.” “Oh that’s ‘Big Chief Forget-me Not’,” said the manager. “The hotel is … Read more

The Beginner

A retiree was given a set of golf clubs by his co-workers. Thinking he’d try the game, he asked the local pro for lessons, explaining that he knew nothing whatever of the game. The pro showed him the stance and swing, then said, “Just hit the ball toward the flag on the first green.” The … Read more