Petrified Forest Tree House

There was a forest not far from where I lived in Milford, Michigan when I was a kid. It was dark, foreboding and scary.

Imagine that deep in that woods there is a tree house. But, not just any tree house-a tree house frequented by ghosts and other Halloween denizens of the night.

Lemax taps into that fear with its deluxe kit: Petrified Forest Tree House. My daughter (who is a big Halloween fan) saw this set-up and immediately claimed it as her own. Her family loves Halloween and the tree house will make a fine addition on that spooky night.

Before I get into the kit itself I’d like to talk about the packaging. The tree house comes in a long vertical box decorated with color photos on all side. Inside the box is the main body of the tree house protected by two form-fitted cardboard section and held together with Velcro. The other box contains several small boxes holding the various accessorizes separate from the tree house.

They include a full moon on a long black pole (that lights up when the power is turned on), a pumpkin scarecrow, a skeleton in a rocking chair and holding a guitar, a cow skull sits at its feet, a Keep Out sign with pumpkins and a crow, Twin tree trunks both with green lit up eyes and pumpkins perched on stone bases, a grinning pumpkin patch, a large tree with orange foliage and a bare tree with no leaves.

All are highly detailed, colorful and a little bit creepy. Such an awesome and spooky set-up! the entire tree house lights up when the poser is turned on. It’s really creepy in the dark.

The base of the tree house sits on a brown dirt platform with green grass with various snakes, skulls, rocks and critters around the base of the tree.

The tree is huge, so huge that it has a set of stone steps, with rails and ladders all the way up to the tree house perched at its summit.

Large gnarly roots seems to twist and turn almost like its sentient. A single pole light is on the left just above a tire swing.. Skulls are embedded in the tree.

The lower level of the house has an open wooden door with a skeleton peeking out and the boarded up window cracks has green eyes peering out of it. A ghoul in overalls climbs the steps to the next level. His head is just about even with the grass roof of the lower level. The roof is made of green grass with a cow skull on the front.

The upper most level of the house has a large brown wooden slat door with a small balcony where a black clad, grinning skull reaper stands with his sickle. A green and purple light highlights the upper level. A single window is just below the eve of the gray shingle roof. A Keep Out sign with a skull and crossbones warns visitors away.

The patched roof with its brick chimney also has a separate metal chimney with cap and a scraggly pine tree at its peak. Another side light is on the upper left. Behind the tree house is a large deep tree.

The roof has patches with wood boards. The small building enclosure has barricaded windows, moss trimming and just below it a rickety balcony with a red and brown railing. Part of the tree’s foliage integrated itself into the tree house.

On the opposite side of the tree house are steps coming down the second story that abruptly end several feet off the ground. At the top of the stairs is a barricaded door with a skeleton peering between the wooden slats. The roof has several metal chimneys, the top of the tree pops through the roof and the tree’s limbs and tendrils wrap the tree house.

Look for hidden skeletons, a rope swing with a tire decorated with spikes, red railing and plenty of Keep Out! signs.

Once assembled all the interconnecting parts light up. It’s easy to assemble, is beautifully deigned, sculpted and colored and is a real showcase for the artisans at Lemax.

Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The Official U.S. Army Combat Skills Handbook

Being a soldier in the United States Army involves more than dressing in camo, carrying a rifle and fighting-much more.

It takes a special set of skills to survive in combat. It’s no walk in the park.

It takes tenacity, hard work and discipline.

The Official U.S. Army Combat Skills Handbook, revised and updated by Sergeant First Class Matt Larsen and published by Lyons Press, is absolutely packed with information, instructions, visual aids and guides.

In its pages learn about Army values and culture, individual readiness, combat medicine, environments, fighting techniques, security procedures, marksmanship, communications, survival, explosives, and much much more.

If you’re preparing for a military career or just want to hone up on your survival, defense, weapons and medical and covert skills this is the book to own and read.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Event Horizon Dark Descent

The movie Event Horizon is an absolutely terrifying horror film set in space.

In the not too distant future the ship, along with its crew, disappeared. It was discovered floating in space and what it contained was a gateway to Hell.

What happened to the original crew?

This is the story how the crew of the Event Horizon made a horrifying discovery: the dead live, the denizens of Hell exist and reality can be twisted and altered.

What is a nightmare and what is a dream? Are they the same? Can they be trusted? Does hope exist? Crew member after crew member discovers there is no escape and that Hell awaits them with open arms.

Wow! What a scary tale. The writing grabs you, the art (especially the predominance of red) is unsettling and the quality of the paper, printing and design of the trade paperback is topnotch.

Add to it all with cover reproductions from the mini-series and you have a terrifying, repulsive yet compelling tale that is best read in the daytime.

High marks to creative team of Christian Ward, Tristan Jones and publisher IDW on Event Horizon Dark Descent.

Don’t turn off the light because nightmare populate the Event Horizon.

Psalms 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him

Amazon To Zodiac

I love mysteries, I have a curious nature-especially when it comes to strange, unexplained and odd things or events. Throw in time and space and you immediately have my attention.

Author Barry Evans book: Amazon To Zodiac 101 Curiosities Across Time And Space, published by Prometheus Books, drew me in like a magnet.

Science and history-often we take both for granted and accept statistics and long-held assumptions as fact.

But, are scientific discoveries and historical ‘facts’ actually as true or do as we assume that they are because we were told or taught so?

For example, was Columbus really the one who discovered America first? Were there others that who predated Darwin and his Theory of Evolution?

What does a certain type of tree have to do with evolution? Are some literary works that are assumed to be fiction actually based on real characters? Where do myths originate? Who was Dracula-really?

So many questions-so many assumptions.

If you have a curious mind and question traditional thinking about science, history and the like then this book is the perfect fodder to feed your skeptical hunger.

Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

A Very Mechanoid Summer

In IDW Publishing's and Nickelodeon’s trade paperback Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles A Very Mechanoid Summer Donatello makes a fighting robot called Metalhead.

Donnie is proud of his creation and its incredible martial artist skills.

Evidently someone else is impressed too because Donnie and Metalhead are invited to to a very exclusive robotics camp for young geniuses.

Things sail along smoothly at first and then things start to heat up, especially when Metalhead meets his competition.

That gets Donnie to thinking, “Is this some sort of trap? Exactly what is going on?”

It’s fast-paced, in-your-face, action and adventure tale that spotlights Metalhead’s fighting prowess.

When I first picked up the graphic novel and looked at it I was a little taken back. The art style threw me at first. It’s not like most TMNT art styles.

The figures are leaner, there’s a lot of motion and action lines, panel race along at a fast pace and the coloring and use of sporadic flashes and visual effects are abundant.

But, after looking it over I really like the style-it’s different-but in a good way. It all comes together to create a really fun TMNT story that almost takes your breath away.

Romans 5:2-5By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

A History Of The Sky

As a young boy growing up in the 1960s I was excited about the Space Race. I dreamed of being an astronaut and traveling to the stars.

Surprisingly I never really looked at the heavens themselves in any great degree. Sure I saw the stars at night, but as far as visualizing other worlds, regions of space and astrological phenomenon never really interested me.

Until--one late night when I was a young teenager and my friends and I decided to take in a drive-in movie. The drive-in theater was located several miles outside of my hometown in the middle of nowhere.

We went, saw the movie and then began our drive home. Along the way we decided to pull over and chat under the stars.

It was then and there that the heavens really opened up for me.

It was early November in Michigan on a country road that I looked, really looked up, and saw the heavens in all their glory. The Milky Way took up most of the night sky and coincidentally on that particular night something amazing happened that occurred every year about that same time.

A massive meteor shower lit up the night sky. There were dozens of fiery meteor tails streaking across the sky. I was mesmerized.

Ever since then almost every night I look up and wonder-what’s out there?

In authors Pierre Lena’s and Christian Grataloup’s new book, published by Thames & Hudson: A History Of the Night Sky, 300 infographics trace the global history of the sky and how societies through the ages, viewed them, studied and speculated about them and meshed them into their particular societies.

Ancient societies, pivotal moments, important individuals, discoveries, speculations and more are all examined in this small hardbound book packed with information.

Learn about the moon, the sun, the solar system, the universe, space exploration, astrophysics, distant galaxies, light, telescopes, types of suns and so much more. There’s a whole universe to explore and this book is great starting point.

Revelation 21:21-25And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

13 Demons Dead

Imagine being 14 year old teenage girl. You’re a newbie in high school and are trying desperately to fit in and adjust. It doesn’t help that certain uppity students give you a hard time.

One day her favorite teacher is attacked by some invisible force. Turns out it’s a demon and the teenage girl: Everly “Ev” Espada accidentally kills it, saving her teacher’s life

As if being a teenage girl new to high school and killing an invisible demon isn’t bad enough she soon discovers she is the latest in a long line of holy demon hunter dating back 2,000 years.

From that point on her life changes-drastically. It stands to reason that the word about her demon killing has spread to other demons and they are none to happy about it.

There are 12 demons left of 13. They know that if she succeeds in destroying the crystals in their bodies they will die.

Killing the demons take them out of action for one year and then they are resurrected, but, if EV can defeat and kill all 13 demons at the same time their resurrection cycle is ended.

You can see why the demons will do anything and use anyone in order to stop her-permanently.

13 Demons Dead, by writer Adam Tierney with art by Saspy and IDW Publishing, is a high-octane, seat-of-your-pants, action-packed gore-fest that accelerates as the story progresses.

I am always amazed at the sheer talent of comic book/Manga writers and artist. How a writer and artist can work at as a team a produce stories takes a tremendous amount of talent.

When looking a the art of 13 Dead Demons I am struck at how complex it is-so many perspective shots, amazing character designs, emotion, action and the mastery of the human figure is impressive. It’s a fun read and yet another reason why there is more to comic books than superheroes.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Baking Kitchen

Back when I was a young teenager the mother of my brother’s wife came to live with us. She and my mother were good friends and being two old ladies with limited funds between them they thought it wise to share expenses.

At the time my mother and I were on government aid and each month we would receive government surplus food.

Mrs. Nolan, my brother’s wife’s mom, was an excellent cook and baker.

Many a day I would come home from school or work and Mrs. Nolan would have performed her magic in the kitchen using the surplus food.

Her dinner rolls were to die for and her pies, cakes and other baked goodies made every meal a treat. I am a sucker for good baked goods.

Rolife’s Baking Kitchen kit reminds me of the kitchen Mrs. Nolan used to cook her meals at. 

The kit consists of 359 pieces and is best suited for those 14 years old an older to build. It should take about three hours to build. There are a lot of small pieces so take your time and be sure to follow the Instructions to the letter.

First things first. Take a moment to look over the slip-sheet on the flip lid kit box. You’ll discover some interesting specs like materials used in the kit: plywood, paper and plastic.

Like all of Rolife’s kits be sure to have tweezers (included in this kit), a pointed tool, a strong light, a magnifying device, liquid glue and a brush, both a Phillips Head screwdriver (included also) and a Flathead screwdriver for poking out pieces (especially the wooden furniture slats) and a lot of patience when assembling the Baking Kitchen.

I like to familiarize myself with any kit by first looking at the photos on the kit’s box. It gives me a good feel as to what to expect and what the final kit should look like.

Once I opened the kit I checked to make sure all the parts were there, familiarized myself with lighting (it can be a little tricky) and made sure I had all the tools I needed.

A good trick to remember is when building a kit if you get interrupted and are away from you kit build be sure to put all the pieces you currently have on your well-lit working surface into the part bags. It’s easy to loose parts if you are not careful.

You can imagine how many times I get called away.  Writing a blog is time-consuming, especially when trying to review as many products as I do. So you can see being organized and careful can really pay off.

I like to work on a white or light surface table or tray pushed up against a wall in order to make losing parts minimal. Those that do fall usually fall in my lap.

Speaking of parts-did you know you can take Rolife’s kits apart fairly easily-except for the stickers of course. Should you want to give a kit to someone to build they can start from scratch or you can rebuild the kit yourself. It’s great for dexterity, concentration, tool manipulation and eye-to-hand coordination.

I started the kit out by first tackling the smaller furniture-specifically the table and chair. Some parts were small so I used tweezers. They snapped together easily.

Larger furniture took a little more effort because there was a lot of pop-out wooden parts from slats. Following the numbering on the Instructions made it easy.

I then went on to build a few appliances like the refrigerator and mixer and sorted through the various 3D printed small objects like plates, food items, etc.

It’s important to build the kit in the exact order the Instructions illustrate. By following the bag and part numbers the kit goes together fairly easily. I have a slight vision problem so I used a magnifying glass when necessary and since my hand nimbleness is not what it used to be I used tweezers and an X-Acto knife (especially for stickers). It made peeling them and the adhesive strips off their sheets much easier.

I didn’t need any glue but it doesn’t hurt to have some on hand. Accidents do happen.

The kit contained several bags filled with parts, a sealed package of slats and larger furniture parts, sticker sheets, folded paper product sheets, Instructions, a Material List, Product Safety Instructions and an Icon Illustration Sheet.

Check out the interior of Rolife’s Baking Kitchen. Can’t you just smell and almost taste the baked goodies?

I love the way the kitchen is laid out-especially the slanted multi-pane window on its right wall.

The deep brown wooden lower cabinet that wraps around in a ‘L’ shape accompanied by the three cabinets above it really gives the kitchen a cozy, down-home feel.

The cabinet have several items behind its glass windows, dishes sit vertical in the wooden slots while teacups sit on the shelf above and the two door upper cabinets contains all sorts of kitchen goodies.. I especially like the checkered sign on its doors and look at all the brass fittings!

The counter top is packed with foodstuffs, a bread box, a tray, a mixer and on its back-splash tiled wall hangs breadboards, towels and even a heart-shaped little sign.

Lower cabinets are filled with more cooking and baking items and the multi-drawer cream colored island table with its thick wooden top holds cheeses, fruit, mixing bowls and a scale. Take a peek in the drawers and shelves-more goodies!

The checkerboard floor complements the cabinetry and a well placed cocoa flavor shopping bag sets off the whole assemble.

Take a good look at the overhead fancy light-shade and curtained window, homespun framed signs and yellow wooden chair next to the old-timey refrigerator.

There is so much to take in-so much detail! Every part of the kit is perfectly in scale, looks exactly like its larger counterpart and shows off the amount of detail work, craftsmanship and talent it took to design and package such a kit.

Check out the photos and a video of the Baking Kitchen. Rolife has a wide range of kits and look over Robotime’s other kits.  Click on the highlighted text and look at each.

The build was fun, a challenge to my dexterity and patience and a pleasant journey down Memory Lane.

Mark 11:24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Favorites and Unappreciated Classics

I’m 73 years old. I’ve been reading comic books since I was five years old. I’ve collected, sold collections and collected more comic books than I can count.

I’ve whittled my collection down to those titles I enjoy the most. But, there are a few comic books in my collection I consider unappreciated classics.

Any comic book collector worth their salt knows all about ‘key’ comic books. Most are priced far out of range for average collectors.

More and more people are getting into the hobby-mostly for the wrong reason-cash, dinero, mullah-it all comes down to greed.

But what about reading comic books? Over the years I’ve had my favorites-most of which are not on the ‘hot’ list.

They are great comics. The art and stories mesh perfectly and leave lasting impressions-at least to me they do.

I’d like to share those comic books. I intend to do so by using cover art and a short explanation as to why I think that those particular comic books are vastly unappreciated and underestimated.

I plan to do this in stages-a few issues at a time over however long it takes.

I’d like to start out with 10 independent smaller comic book publishers’ titles.

First up is Doc Frankenstein that takes a different approach to the Frankenstein monster. In this case he’s a good guy that fights evil backed by fellow warriors. Great story and art by Steve Skroce and The Wachowski Brothers from Burlyman Entertainment

Shaolin Cowboy featured Geof Darrow’s martial arts cowboy that engages in some of the most detailed, gory, incredible and visually stunning fights imaginable-published by Burlyman Entertainment.  The fight sequence where he takes down a huge assembly of 'bounty hunters' out for his blood is amazing

Doomsday #1 from Charlton Comics was a post apocalyptic series that John Byrne both wrote and drew before he made the jump to Marvel Comics.  Published in the mid-1970s the art by Byrne already reflected his unique style.

Steed & Mrs. Peel adapted the classic, clever, ground-breaking and quirky British TV spy series The Avengers to the printed comic book page from Boom! Studios.

Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip was adapted to a comic book series from Kaboom! Studios containing several short tales by various writers and artists. The best adaptation of Peanuts to comics ever achieved.  The subtle wit, heart warming and often poignant observations from the Peanuts gang are all there.  What a delight.

Elementals, both written and drawn by Bill Willingham, featured a superhero group that derive their powers from the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. They face-off against The Destroyers. Published by Comico. The series pre-dated Willingham's DC work.

Another Comico title: The Gumby’s Summer Special one-shot, brought everyone’s clay animation figure and his sidekick Pokey to comics courtesy of Art Adams. This one-shot has everything from pirates, to spacemen to monsters and more!  Adam's work shines.

Yet another Comico title, Space Ghost, by Steve Rude, brings back the specter of space to comic books. It’s like watching the Saturday morning animated TV show in print. All of Space Ghost’s deadliest enemies appear.  Rude really captured the look and tempo of the animated series.

Art Adams adapts The Creature From The Black Lagoon movie to comics. Published by Dark Horse Comics, the one-shot faithfully translated the film to print made even more amazing by Art Adams’ art.  Some of his best work.

Comic book artist Art Adams presents his love letter to Godzilla, the king of all monsters courtesy of Dark Horse Comics. The one-shot pits Godzilla against the resurrected god Gekido-Jin. Wow!  Adams was/is a huge Godzilla fan.

While I’m talking about comic books I’d like to approach the subject of comic book storage and protection.

I’ve been a comic book collector for a loooong time. I’ve heard all the stories about changing out your comic book bags and boards every five years or so, submitting books for grading and comic book boxes.

Here’s the lowdown. I have comic books stored in the same bags and boards for 40+ years. None of them stick to the plastic, nor do the bags stick to each other.

I’ve stored comic books with no bags or boards stacked on top of each other with alternating spines. No problem.

I keep my comic books in beat up old comic book boxes (they new ones cost too much for cardboard-get serious!) I store my comic book boxes in a cool dry place away from sunlight. The comic books are like they were purchased yesterday-no problem.

Sure most of the boxes are acid free but I also store my comics in plastic totes, regular boxes and in steel filing cabinets. No problems whatsoever.

It’s all a sham to get you to spend all your money on supplies. Use common sense.

As for grading. Forget modern issues. Sure if you have a comic book worth thousands of dollars you may want to have it graded. But here’s the kicker. For example, if you have comic book that is worth $5,000 raw and get it graded let's say as a 9.2 according to the ‘experts’ that book is now worth in excess of $25,000.

Here’s the problem. If you remove it from its plastic protective case it plummets back down to $5,000. So, is the book worth $25,000 slabbed or is the plastic slab worth the additional $20,000?

Who decides? What makes the graders experts?. Let me tell you of a grading incident I encountered a few years ago.

A good friend had a book graded. It came back as a 9.8. I took a look at it and I immediately spotted that the cover was printed crooked and part of the cover image was cut off. What?!

Who is really making money on old comic books? The graders, that’s who. The more ‘expensive’ a comic book is the more it costs to grade it. What a racket.

What about signatures? Grading companies decide if a signature is legit if they witness the signing? What if you have a book that was signed before the grading companies started verifying signatures? Does that mean the signature is illegitimate? Again, who decides?

Here’s another point. Let’s say you have an Avengers #1. You get it graded and slabbed. Whose to say that the slabbed book you receive back is nothing more than a Avengers #1 cover wrapped around and Archie Comic book?

Now comic books have all sorts of grade and condition types? Who comes up with this stuff?

Here’s another point. Again let’s pretend you have a slabbed comic book that is priced at $600. You go to sell it at a comic book shop. If you’re lucky the shop may offer you 25% of its value. You go to sell it online and after you pay the fees, settle for a lower price and ship it you may come away with $200. Are you kidding me?!

OK, one more rant. How is that Silver and Bronze Age comic books (especially keys) have skyrocketed in value? Do yourself a favor and before you purchase a comic book that’s expensive go online and see how many copies of that book is on sale on E-bay or some other selling site. Look at the sold prices.

Give me a break! There is no way realistically that a Silver Age comic book that sold for $300 a mere five years ago would all of a sudden jump to $30,000!

It’s all about greed-nothing more, nothing less. I'm on a budget. I'm retired.  There is no way I could afford to buy what some comic books are selling for.  In my opinion the price hikes are driving collectors out of the market.  Investors are taking over the hobby.

My advice is to buy what you like, read it, use sensible storage practices and quit blowing your money on outrageous costly supplies, expensive grading and unrealistic prices.

Most of the people who are online touting certain books want you to buy from them. It’s called business and they are trying to sell you something. Many times a ‘retailer’ has an overstock of a particular book and by parading it as a ‘key’ issue they hope to rack in some more money.

Variant covers-forget it-the interior art is the same as a regular issue. I’ve seen boxes and boxes of variant comic books for sale in shops for cover price after the 'got-to-have-it' heat wears off.

I’ve visited some comic book shops that have books on their walls that are $5 comic books at best and they’re asking upward of $50. Get educated. Do your homework, avoid the hype and enjoy the hobby. Don’t get caught up in the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) mentality. Rant over.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Home Time XII Days

When I taught high school graphic design and drawing over ten years ago each year I would encounter a student (sometimes more) that suddenly would blossom and absolutely astound me with their unique talent and vision.

It was amazing. That’s the exact same feeling I felt after reading and looking at creator Campbell Whyte’s Home Time XII Days from IDW Publishing.

A tight group of friends gather at their last day of school before moving on the high school.

Each share their dreams and ambitions. They are both excited and frightened about the future.

It’s their last summer to get together before going back to school.

It was to be a time of hanging out, sleepovers, playing games and enjoying their short period of freedom.

If only it were that simple.

Suddenly they find themselves thrust into a strange land of fantasy and magic when they fall into a stream.

Throughout this impressive and massive piece of literary work each member in the group of friends embarks on strange adventures-so subtle and not so subtly mirroring their individual plans for the future.

Home Time XII Days is an incredible and impressive piece of work. The writing is poignant, the art style changes to match each phase and changeover and the sheer volume of imaginative illustrations and preponderance of amazing concepts is astounding.

I predict that Home Time XII Days is destined to become a classic. Beautifully designed, illustrated and printed and bound the oversize square-bound graphic novel is an amazing body of work.

Be sure to check out the early concept art.

Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Foraging For Wild Edible Foods

Try to imagine yourself out in the middle of nowhere or in unfamiliar territory. No supplies, no shelter, no water and no food. What do you do?

With a little education, tenacity and knowledge you could survive. Shelter can be built, water found, a fire started and food foraged.

When it comes to foraging food in the wild you need a guide and Waterford Press’s Foraging For Wild Edible Foods Second Edition is the perfect solution.

The A Pocket Naturalist Guide is a colorful, fold-out, laminated guide that is the perfect folding guide to sustainable practices & harvesting techniques.

The portable pamphlet contains sections on Safety, Berries & Fruits, Nuts, Leaves, Shoots & Aboveground Parts, Roots, Tubers & Underground Parts and Mushrooms.

The color illustrations make it easy to spot each edible plant, contains nutrition fact and tells where to find each plant.

It’s easy-to-use, small enough to carry on your person, in a purse, a glove compartment or in a backpack. I plan on putting mine in a book on survival I carry in our car.

Psalms 34:4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Archie #1

When I was a teenager many, many, many years ago (we’re talking the 1960s) I always enjoyed reading Archie Comics.

It was no mystery as to why. I was a teenager, Archie and his friends were teenagers, I had teenage problems and situations, they did too, I had girl problems, so did Archie, Jughead and Reggie-in other worlds Archie and his gang spoke the same language and had the same teenage angst as I did.

By the 1960s Archie Comics had moved away from the goodie-two-shoes and pablum formula that the books featured in the 1940s and 1950s.

Archie and his buddies wore cloths teenagers wore, they belonged in a Rock and Roll band (remember The Archies and their hit Sugar, Sugar?) and they even dabbled in the superhero genre, befriended a witch and were similar to The Scooby Gang in the Scooby Doo animated TV show.

Archie drove a dilapidated car-so did I, Betty and Veronica had a crush on him (I never had THAT problem) and he also had a sneaky nemesis (Reggie) just like every awkward teenage boy had someone-usual a jock or bully that harassed him.

Over the decades Archie had fallen somewhat out of favor. Not too long ago a new interest was shown in the series when Riverdale became a TV show. Archie Comics took on a darker aspect and the art was updated.

That was then. It’s cooled off since then.

But, Archie Comics fans rejoice! Oni Press and Archie Comics have joined forces to create a whole new take on Archie and his pals starting off with Archie #1, then Sabrina #1 and Archie In Hell #1.

In Archie #1 the creative team of Ben H. Winters, Fabio Moon and Jason Wordie bring back everyone’s favorite red-head teenage boy in an exciting new series.

In issue #1 Archie thinks he has his act together only to discover he’s dreaming,

Later Archie finds himself the reluctant star in several student movies. Jughead hangs out to eat the catering food.

Jughead starts having food withdrawals when Pop’s Shop closes so Pop can attend his daughter’s wedding.

I love it! The art is amazing, the colors pop, the characters have been updated but still retain their individual quirky personalities and Archie still manages to find himself in the middle of---everything.

It’s like reading the classic Archie series but updated, made more relevant and even more fun!  Even better the new titles have a wide selection of covers-pick the ones you like.

James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

Visions Of A Very Vintage Christmas

Growing up in Michigan in a small town during the 1950s and 1960s I had my share of amazing Christmases.

I remember going to my brother’s in-laws house where they had a huge Christmas tree decked out in bubbling icicle lights, tinsel and a huge variety of Christmas ornaments all covered by white angel hair fake snow.

At our house we always decorated a blue spruce tree with its tiny acorns where my mom would hide small gifts in its branches for the grandkids to find.

The entire town was decorated with plastic Santa Clauses, reindeer and nativity scenes, lights of all colors that twinkled and other over-the-top Christmas decorations. It was a good time to be a kid.

Visions Of A Vintage Christmas, by Bob Richter and publisher Globe Pequot, brings back Christmas memories from years gone past in a delightful hardbound book spotlighting nostalgic decorating all throughout the house.

The author presents a heartfelt tribute to his own Christmas past and provides a trip down Christmas Memory Lane both with text and photos.

Everything imaginable associated with past Christmas decor is included such as decorations, trees, family photographs, table decorations, candles, garland, Santas, tinsel, crafts and any and everything that decorated each room in the house.

What a wonderful holiday tribute!

Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Puzzle Hero Greek Myths

I have always been fascinated by the ancient Greek culture. Delving into the past of the ancient civilization I discovered that our own democracy/republic in the United States owes a great deal to the Greeks. 

Greek art, specifically sculpture, architecture, painting, pottery were thousands of years ahead of anything Europe was doing at the time. in fact when the Romans ruled they copied much of the Greek’s art.

In Puzzle Hero Greek Myths, by Catherine Ard and Maria Surducan and publisher Thames & Hudson, readers will solve mazes, crack codes and untangle riddles in this oversize hardbound book filled with color illustrations.

Do you have what it takes to solve the puzzles set before you created from the mythology of ancient Greece?

Find out as you gather clues, solve cryptic riddles and learn all about the Greek gods and mystical beings.

Isaiah 26:3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Vol. Two

Never fear! If you were unable to purchase issues 51 through 100 of IDW’s/Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series I have the perfect solution.

IDW Publishing presents it HUGE (almost two inches thick), softbound Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Vol. Two containing all of the aforementioned issues-all in one spot!

Such a deal! All the action, drama, danger, humor, fantastic art, exciting stories and spectacular art, coloring and high-quality publication specs.

I gotta say when I lifted this Compendium I felt as if I was doing my strength exercising.

It is massive and containing 50 issues in one volume it is much, much less expensive than buying each individual issue.

Several writers and artist provided their skills in this colorful volume that contains not only interior art pages but cover reproductions as well.

Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.