Month: April 2022

Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry by Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry by Elizabeth Taylor

“I don’t want to be a sex symbol. I would rather be a symbol of a woman, a woman who makes mistakes, perhaps, but a woman who loves.” pg 53

The incomparable Elizabeth Taylor shares anecdotes of her life between gorgeous photos of her personal jewelry collection.

My favorite parts are her memories about the tempestuous years between Richard Burton and herself. They’re just so drama-filled.

“Richard went to Van Cleef & Arpels and came back with this extraordinary heart and choker. The necklace tends to ‘roll,’ so you don’t see me wearing it much in photographs, but it’s one of my favorite pieces of jewelry because it was given with such love. That man knew how to make up!” pg 118

Meanwhile, there’s the jewelry… amazing stuff.

For example, there’s a pearl that is pictured with a series of European monarchs that her puppy tried to eat once upon a time. Can you imagine?

And Elizabeth received gifts for any and all reasons imaginable. Had a fight? Make up jewelry. Become a grandma? Not-at-all grandma jewelry. Just a regular Tuesday? Here’s some regular Tuesday jewelry.

It’s so over-the-top and I love it so much. Highly recommended for readers seeking coffee table books. You can’t get much more lovely than this.

Thanks for reading!

Cahokia: Mirror of the Cosmos by Sally A. Kitt Chappell

Cahokia: Mirror of the Cosmos by Sally A. Kitt Chappell

“The components of the future earth and of Monks Mound were once bits of matter, created in the cauldrons of exploding stars, moving with great, swirling gravitational forces, like the stars still forming near the Cone Nebula today.” pg xiv

Cahokia: Mirror of the Cosmos is a reference book about the historic site, Cahokia Mounds. Author Sally Chappell takes the reader from the Big Bang all way through to the present – an estimated 13 billion years.

To say it is an ambitious book is an understatement.

Photo by Alex Andrews on Pexels.com

“A major change in midwestern climate about 1250 may have caused considerable stress in Cahokia. The overall temperature of the region cooled during this infamous Pacific Climate Episode.” pg 72

That being said, once Chappell gets into the history of the site itself, it is an excellent look at a little-remembered place of forgotten significance.

Monks Mound is the largest earthen mound in North America, but so few people know about it.

Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com

The visitor’s center is currently closed for a much-needed update. I’ve been in there half a dozen times and it doesn’t do the site justice.

What Cahokia Mounds could really use is a team of historians, archaeologists, and a couple years worth of grants to properly study it.

And more books like Cahokia: Mirror of the Cosmos.

“By 1900 the Cahokia landscape was so changed by farming, canals, ditches, clear-cutting, railroad construction, housing, erosion, highways, streets, telephone lines, and rogue vegetation that only shadows of its past remained.” pg 151

Recommended for scholars who are interested in Cahokia Mounds. Chappell gives you a broad but ultimately helpful place to start your research.

Thanks for reading!

Ozark Folk Magic: Plants, Prayers & Healing by Brandon Weston

Ozark Folk Magic: Plants, Prayers & Healing by Brandon Weston

“There are many more folk beliefs unique to the Ozarks, some of which will be discussed in this work, but we also have to remember that much of what makes up this tradition can be traced to influencing factors from outside the region.” pg 16

Author and healer Brandon Weston takes readers through the varying histories and roles of Ozark folk magic. He discusses the different kinds of historical practices as well as following the evolution of Ozark traditions in the modern day.

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“What worked was saved, treasured, and passed down through the generations. This process continues even today, and as a practitioner in the modern world, I’m constantly making these changes not only within my own work, but also for the culture as a whole.” pg 33

It is an illuminating look into a culture that remains fairly closed and secretive even today.

Brandon discusses the historical reasons for this secret keeping and doesn’t dismiss the darker portions of Ozark history such as racial tensions.

Also, he makes sure to talk about the dangers of overdosing on certain herbs or not seeking the help of western medicine when it is warranted. This book is fully of cautionary tales as well as educational ones.

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“There are many rituals that might be very interesting to look at but that aren’t worth using in a modern setting. Take, for instance, those rituals that involve the harming or killing of an animal, like the infamous black cat rite. I can’t stress enough that many traditions of the past need to be left in the past.” pg 247

My favorite part of this book was the chapter dealing with how different practitioners have reported receiving “the gift”. There were so many different ways and methods! It was fascinating to read Brandon’s take on all of it.

“Another unique road to power often found in the modern Ozarks comes in the form of receiving the gift through communion with nature. It might seem overly simplistic, but one of the beautiful aspects of Ozark healing is its simplicity.” pg 92

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history and practices of Ozark folk magic.

Thanks for reading!

Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World by Kelly Coyne, Erik Knutzen

Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World by Kelly Coyne, Erik Knutzen

“Making It” is a collection of recipes and how-tos to create items from toothpaste to garden beds and everything in-between.

The dedication says it all: “To anyone who is in their kitchen, garden, or garage right now, making it.”

I picked this book up because I was curious about the processes listed in it. How does one forage? Or create drip irrigation for vegetables? Or create a variety salves? The topics go on and on in this book.

The recipes and instructions are divided by time – how long it will take you to complete the various projects.

I could see it being incredibly useful for homesteaders both experienced and not.

As for me, I’m not in a place right now where I can do much of this. But, I’m hopeful I will be in that place some day in the future.

Highly recommended.

Tarot Games: 45 Playful Ways to Explore Tarot Cards Together; A New Vision for the Circle of Community by Cait Johnson

Tarot Games: 45 Playful Ways to Explore Tarot Cards Together; A New Vision for the Circle of Community by Cait Johnson

Tarot Games is a cute book about different tarot card layouts and how you can share these games with your loved ones in order to promote communication and the sharing of emotions.

“The wonderful thing about using these simple games and ‘reading layouts’ is that they catalyze the deeper processes taking place between people. This in itself is healing.” pg xii

Photo by Alina Vilchenko on Pexels.com

Throughout the text, the author has sprinkled spiritual images and spirals. It makes for a relaxing read.

“Playing this game together gave both friends a sense of being supported, understood, and protected.” pg 27

I think people take tarot cards too seriously sometimes. This book is a good reminder to allow ourselves to play and share. It doesn’t have to be as dire as all that.

Highly recommended for beginners to advanced practitioners of tarot card reading.

Thanks for reading!