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Minnesota 150
The People, Places, and Things that Shape Our State
By Kate Roberts
For your own enjoyment or as a gift, this nicely crafted book entertains and enlightens with its quick but informed reviews of that which helped shape our state. Currently the basis for a well-attended exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, this book is full of tidbits, curiosities and surprising, little-known stories. Did you know that the Greyhound Bus Company started in Hibbing with the purchase of a Hupmobile that was supposed to turn a quick profit but didn’t sell? From skyways to Spam and wheat to Wellstone, these stories generally paint a picture of ingenuity, pride and dedication that can’t help but make any Minnesotan glow a bit. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 224 pages, softcover, $19.95.
Getting Old Without Getting Anxious
A Book for Seniors, Loved Ones and Caregivers
By Peter V. Rabins, M.D. with Lynn Lauber
Contrary to the popularly held notion, getting old does not necessarily translate into fearfulness and anxiety. Underlying causes such as psychological disorders, stressful events and depression are generally the undiagnosed culprits. This informative, but approachable book is a must read for anyone struggling with an aging loved one who is losing quality of life due to anxiety. It describes the special challenges of diagnosing late-life anxiety, explores some of the potential causes and gives a broad range of options for treatment, as well as addressing specifically the role of the adult child. Avery, 266 pages, softcover, $14.95.
Last Rights
Rescuing the End of Life from the Medical System
By Stephen P. Kiernan
Dying isn’t what it used to be. What used to be brutal, swift and nearly always irreversible has become gradual, prolonged and often agonizing for both patient and family. Medical intervention has changed not only our lives, but also our deaths. In this thoughtful book, author Kiernan uses personal examples and stories from the dying and their families, along with an intriguing analysis of changes in our medical systems to describe how the desires we may have for a certain experience at death may not become the reality. Fortunately, he also offers concrete suggestions to alter that equation, along with sage life lessons learned along the way that can inform our thoughts about death and dying. St. Martin’s Press, 304 pages, softcover, $14.95.
A Plate Full of Memories
They say smell has the most power of all the senses to conjure up memories. You can imagine it is true. Think of the yeasty sweet smell of your mother’s freshly baked bread or the savory aroma of Grandma’s pot roast. The tastes, smells and yes, emotions that accompany the foods we enjoy have the power to call up many memories of those we love and the times shared together. Preserving those stories, along with the recipes that spurred them, is a wonderful legacy to pass to future generations. Local writer, personal historian and cook, Hella Buchheim has created a unique DVD, A Plate Full of Memories, which offers an easy-to-use, step by step guide to creating a family cookbook/memoir. Complete with ideas, timeline and customizable templates, her guide can take you from “we really should” to “ we did!” in a few easy steps. $24.95 at www.platefullofmemories.com.
Gifts for Loved Ones Who Don’t Want Any More “Stuff”
No Glasses Required
Audiobooks are great, but usually require downloading time and know-how or a cumbersome player. Playaway is a pre-loaded audiobook player, the size of a deck of cards, that allows listeners to simply press play and go. Their collection includes over 200 new and classic titles and earbuds are included. $30, http://store.playawaydigital.com. Select titles also available at Borders and Barnes & Noble.
Crosswords Subscription
Do you have a puzzler on your list? Members of The Crosswords Club receive six unique puzzles every month, created by well-known puzzle crafters. Complete with solutions and commentary, the puzzles combine wordplay with trivia. A one-year (12-issue) membership is $39.95. Large print versions are also available. Orders can be placed at www.puzzlesofthemonthclubs.com or by phone at 1-800-220-7443.
Tasty Morsels
If you are going to indulge for the holidays, it might as well be the best. A little something from the award-winning Truffles & Tortes in Plymouth is sure to be a welcome gift. Holiday specialties include Christmas chocolate mice, individual Yule logs adorned with meringue mushrooms and a marzipan holiday greeting, holiday cookies, cakes and tins, truffles, of course, and their ever-popular creamy ginger snap crusted pumpkin cheesecake. Find them at 72 Nathan Lane, Plymouth, 763-512-0944 or visit www.trufflesandtortes.com.
The Perfect Book
Books make wonderful gifts, if they are well chosen. The Hennepin County Library can help. Their website offers a treasure trove of book suggestions for all ages from infant through senior and those hard to buy for teens. The site includes a description and graphic of the cover art - www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/. Those not online are invited to call their local library.
From Someone Who Has Been There
When U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Juan Salas returned from Iraq he began searching for a way to support his fellow soldiers still overseas. In 2004 he joined forces with Mahattanville College to create a simple program that connects soldiers on active duty and stateside citizens via mail. Now the Manhattanville My Soldier program has a new program called My Hero: Heroes to Heroes designed to connect deployed soldiers and veterans who have something to say to, and maybe even sage advice to share with them. The initiative came in response to the many letters and emails received from veterans who wished to “adopt” soldiers in the same branch of service that they were in during their years of service. Likewise many of the deployed soldiers were requesting a veteran as their pen pal. If you are a veteran and would like to participate, it is free and easy to sign up. Call the My Soldier office at 914-323-5172, or send an email request to mysoldier@mville.edu with the title “My Hero” in the subject heading. More information available at: www.mysoldier.com.
Last Chance to Go Green
Traditional burial caskets use metal hinges and fastenings and are varnished, lacquered and edged in fancy fabric. Those extra touches over the years seep into groundwater once the wood decomposes. Cremation on the other hand requires very high temperature, which some say is not energy efficient and the material of dental fillings can end up in the atmosphere. As a response, Janet McCausland of the Natural Burial Association suggests simply wrapping a body, non-embalmed, in a biodegradable shroud or pine box and putting it into the ground in a park. Several ‘natural burial sites’ already exist – five in the US and 100 in the UK. Caley Ferguson of Northern Casket proposes a second option – a casket using wooden hinges and braces, undyed and unbleached cotton liner and beeswax or natural walnut oil finish. The extra touches are guaranteed to degrade in 30-60 years. Ferguson says such an environmentally friendly casket is “one last way to thank Mother Nature.”
www.getours.com/traveltools.html
As with many endeavors, when preparing for a trip, the details can make a difference. The Travel Tools section on Grand European Tours’ website offers travelers location specific packing tips, a heads-up on local customs, climate conditions, currency conversions, safety tips transportation information and time difference for 28 European countries and 11 other international destinations.
www.newcurioshop.com
The New Curiosity Shop is an online enrichment school providing high-quality, interesting courses in a wide range of subjects. Learning for the pleasure of learning is encouraged with short courses designed to stimulate thinking, provoke questions and provide opportunities for the exploration of ideas. Courses, taught by experienced teachers, who are experts in their particular area of study, start monthly, are typically several weeks long and designed to be affordable.
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