Anita Mae Draper - Writing/Author Blog

Wooden Bandstands

5/5/2018

One of the busy spots in progressive Olds, c1916. Source: Prairie Postcards, Peel Library, University of Alberta

I'm over at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog showing the first post in a series on historic bandstands. I'm starting with the wooden bandstand as it was the most economical for early settlers to build. Future posts will consider construction materials, size, and the stories behind the bandstand..

Wooden Bandstands of By Gone Years

The Mall and the Music Pavilion, Central Park, New York City, New York. ca. 1865. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Poll!

4/18/2018

My publisher, WhiteFire Publishing, has some exciting news about the launch of a new line of books for young readers. It's been in the works for awhile and it's now time to NAME the new line.

And WhiteFire is asking you, the readers, for your opinion.

Here are some things to consider about the readers and books for this new line:

for picture books to young adult
the image the name brings to mind
easy to say and remember

To reach the poll and submit your opinion, click this link http://bit.ly/WFPkids

Thank you for supporting publishers like WhiteFire who provide clean reading material for all ages.

Historic Porch Swing Photos

4/5/2018

Porch swing up for the winter, Mayetta, Kansas, Nov 1940. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC

I'm over at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog showing historic images of people on their porch swings, a place where they show the joy and agony of life. Memorable folks captured at this leisure activity, which was also a place of refuge.

These days, many people don't have a porch or veranda to hold a swing, but it seems that the trend may return by the look of the new styles of houses being built today. Good news as I feel it's an integral part of a friendly and caring neighborhood.

Porch Swing Time at http://www.hhhistory.com/2018/04/porch-swing-time.html

Cheesy Bird Videos

3/21/2018

Cheesy Bird Videos is my post over at the Inkwell today. Just a few brief videos to show our feathered friends doing the same kinds of things that people do...like popping out and scaring others...or being a bully...nothing highly emotional that will take the edge off your day, just a few minutes to clear your mind as you go.

All of the videos are shown at normal speed, and then slow motion so you can see what really happened. Not award worthy. Simply entertaining.

You can see them at
http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/2018/03/cheesy-bird-videos.html

Snow Caboose

3/5/2018

"One like this tipped over with mom inside", 1930-1939. Courtesy of the Western Development Museum Curatorial Centre, Saskatoon, SK

I'm blogging over at Heroes, Heroines and History today about the winter snow conveyance called a caboose. At least that's what it was called on the Canadian prairies in the first half of the 20th century.

Why can't I find any photos of such a conveyance south of the border? Come see my photos at Winter Travel by Caboose and then share about your memories or thoughts. If you've seen such a vehicle in old photos and such, share that too, will you?

Remembering Little Green Apples

2/21/2018

Are you familiar with the song, Little Green Apples? That's what I'm talking about over at www.inkwellinspirations today where I've included a YouTube video of the song sung by Glen Campbell and accompanied by his daughter, Debby Campbell.

The main thought of the post is that the only part I usually remember of the song doesn't make sense because I've taken it out of context and have to go back and read the whole thing to understand what it's about. And then I smile. :)

Early Images of Tobogganing

2/5/2018

Toboggan Party, glass negative, ca 1910-1915. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

The social aspects of tobogganing a century ago are explored in my Heroes, Heroines and History post, Romance on a Toboggan. Back then in areas that received adequate snowfall, toboggan runs were prepared and iced slides that started high and ran long. An added bonus was that you got to hold your main squeeze all the way to the end if you wished.

You even got a nice view while you were at the top, like this one from Ottawa, Canada in 1922...

Rideau Canal Toboggan run, Ottawa Winter Carnival, 1922. Credit: Canadian National Railways/Library and Archives Canada

As always, comments and thoughts are appreciated and just to get you started, here's my question for this post...

Tobogganing on an iced slide of this magnitude would be exhilarating, don't you think?

At the Inkwell: January's Treasure

1/17/2018

Today at the Inkwell I'm posting about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how changes in my life seem to have resolved its affect on me.

If you have a few minutes, come check my post and pics at January's Treasure.

Typical light therapy unit used for Seasonal Affective disorder. Source: wikipedia

Vintage Children's Sleigh Images

1/4/2018

Midwinter Carnival, Children's Parade, Doll Sleds, Upper Saranac Lake, N.Y. c1909. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

My last Heroes, Heroines and History blog post, Sleighs, Cutters & Carioles featured winter travel by sleigh for those who lived in areas that received some amount of snow. This time I'm posting about sleighs and sleds made for children and dolls.

So come on over and share your memories or read of others who've experienced this mode of travel and fun on my January 5th HHH blog post, Early photos of Children's Sleighs.

Two-Moose Open Sleigh

12/5/2017

Sorry, couldn't resist the One-horse Open Sleigh spoof...We're talking about sleighs, cutters and carioles over on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog today. Do you know the difference? Which is your favorite? Join us for a trip back in time as we explore fancy sleighs, swift cutters, bobsleighs, and the ground-hugging carioles.