Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 13
August 6, 2023
Matt Haig: Does Extra Time Bring Happiness?
Do you ever wish you could slow your body clock? What if you would age just a year for every two years? Would it be even better if you would age just a year for every 15 years? Extra time also comes with a bonus: You would be immune from human illnesses. Ready to sign … Continue reading Matt Haig: Does Extra Time Bring Happiness? →
August 4, 2023
John Muir Trail: ‘We Can’t Do That?’
“We can’t do that!” Those were my words when Sue said we should walk across Spain on a famed pilgrimage. The Camino de Santiago and distance trails in seven countries have taught me to question my first reaction to a backpacking challenge. Two years ago, Sue and I tackled the John Muir Trail in California’s … Continue reading John Muir Trail: ‘We Can’t Do That?’ →
August 3, 2023
Matt Haig Pens a Comical, Moving Story About an Alien on Earth
Is there intelligent life out there? Are we being watched? Do aliens live amongst us? In The Humans, Matt Haig answers “yes” to these questions in an intriguing story that explores the best and worst parts of human nature. The story begins when an alien is sent to Earth to kill Cambridge University mathematics professor … Continue reading Matt Haig Pens a Comical, Moving Story About an Alien on Earth →
July 26, 2023
Pico Iyer Leads Journey to Places Beyond and Within
Pico Iyer is a travel writer unlike any other. In The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise, Iyer takes readers to cultures, even during times of unrest, in fascinating ways that will make you sometimes squirm with discomfort for his lifestyle on the road. The author of more than a dozen books and a … Continue reading Pico Iyer Leads Journey to Places Beyond and Within →
July 22, 2023
He did it! He Climbed Half Dome at 93
Yosemite’s Half Dome can intimidate even the hardiest hiker. Five thousand feet of elevation gain to 8,800 feet at the top; 12 hours (for the average hiker); 16 miles roundtrip. The final climb is so steep and slick that hikers pull themselves up using cables attached to the granite. Some quit and turn around at … Continue reading He did it! He Climbed Half Dome at 93 →
July 11, 2023
Water and Vows Celebrated in California
Plumas County in northeastern California hosts treasures for outdoor adventurers. One of the most spectacular, and easily accessible, is Frazier Falls. When you visit, check out nearby Plumas State Park for camping and for its indoor/outdoor gold-mining museum. Sue and I discovered the area when we celebrated the wedding of our son, Brad, and our … Continue reading Water and Vows Celebrated in California →
June 23, 2023
A 50-State Journey to Rediscover American Democracy
Ryan Bernsten’s 50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy is not the book I expected. It is advertised as a followup to Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville’s nine-month tour of America in 1831 that examined why democracy worked here. That trip resulted in the classic two-volume Democracy in America, required reading in political … Continue reading A 50-State Journey to Rediscover American Democracy →
May 29, 2023
Walking With Sam: A Moving Father-Son Story
Shattered by 100-degree weather, a tired body, and the frustration of trying to break through to a 19-year-old, Andrew McCarthy yells at this son to stop walking in the middle of the road, then wishes he could be more patient. In Walking With Sam, the actor and best-selling author writes that he is annoyed with … Continue reading Walking With Sam: A Moving Father-Son Story →
May 24, 2023
Trails Abound in Ashland’s Lithia Park
Ashland Creek roars through Lithia Park, where I walk almost daily on my way to many choices of hillside trails in Ashland, Oregon. The creek is fed by snowmelt from our local ski resort, Mount Ashland. I am fortunate the park is just a few minutes away from my front door as I try to … Continue reading Trails Abound in Ashland’s Lithia Park →
May 21, 2023
Homer Hickam: What Happened to the Rocket Boy?
Homer Hickam and five high school buddies created the Big Creek Missile Agency in the late 1950s as the world’s space race was heating up. They designed, built, and launched increasingly sophisticated and high-flying missiles, capturing the hearts of the residents of their hometown, Coalwood, West Virginia. They gained a wider spotlight in 1960 when … Continue reading Homer Hickam: What Happened to the Rocket Boy? →
