The Jeep

During World War II the United States military needed a fast, highly-maneuverable, rugged and inexpensive vehicle that could transport not only troops but equipment and weapons as well.

It would need to traverse the varied landscapes of both Europe and the Pacific isles in all types of weather. What was finally selected was the Jeep.

Inspired by both the Allied and Axis powers small vehicles the Jeep was the U.S. military’s answer for the need for speed, and durability in a multi-purpose vehicle.

The Jeep History Of A World War II Legend, is written and researched by David Dalet and Christophe Le Bitoux and published by Schiffer Publishing.

Learn how the little, rugged vehicle came about, its various types and uses, markings, costs, uses and everything imaginable about the Jeep.

Filled with black and white and color archival photographs the thin hardbound book contains historical facts and a price guide.

Discover the secrets about the vehicle which helped win the war.

If you are a WWII history buff or love vintage vehicles this book is a ‘must-have’.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

London From The Air

As a kid I never really understood or grasped what England was. 

 

I read and learned about as it pertained to the American Revolutionary War when I was in school.

Other than that it never really interested me. Until I started listening to The Beatles.

I became fascinated with all things English-mostly about London. Piccadilly Square, The Royal Castle, The Tower of London, The London Bridge-it was all fascinating.

I hope to visit London one day. Until then I content myself with Rizzoli/Universal’s London From The Air book, by writer and photographer Jeffrey Milstein.

Breathtaking is the best way to describe the color photos that fill the book.

The deluxe hardbound book, with dust cover, consists of high gloss, coated paper interior pages that really make the photos pop!

The high resolution photos, take from a helicopter, spotlight famous sites in London (and not so famous sites) taken during the day and night.

London really shines at night.

Is it any wonder it is one the most visited cities in the world?

Even from the air the city seems so alive, bustling with activity, serene with its quiet parks and public areas and impressive buildings, skyscrapers, business areas and residential streets.

I feel as if I’ve actually visited the city-I can’t wait to do so in real life.

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Psalm 34:13

Mac And The Milestone Of Time

Mac-a little field mouse, lives in the Old Wye Mill.

While playing with a friend outside Mac is attacked and snatched by a bird of prey.  The bird was too close to the mill and smacked into the wall causing Max to fall into the millstone's center hole.  

Pop! Suddenly there were swirling lights and Mac found himself in the past.

Panicked and desperate Mac only wants to find his way home. But, in order to do so he must travel the decades, with the assist of his ancestors, reliving the history of the Old Wye Mill.

Along the way, beginning in 1682, he experiences pivotal points in history such as the Revolutionary War, The Civil War and other important events taking place in and around the mill.

What a wonderful adventure. Kids of 2^nd to 6^th grade level are sure to love these historical adventures of Mac. It’s a great way to learn about American history, figures and our country.

Thrill to Mac’s adventures when he encounters a hungry snake and cat, meets some fellow woodland and pond creatures, stumbles upon his ancestors and learns about the impressive history of the Old Wye Mill, the oldest operating gristmill in the United States.

The book also includes black and white illustrations, a diagram of the mill and even how to make Maryland Beaten Biscuits.

Author and artist Timothy Young and Schiffer Kids present: Mac And The Millstone Of Time, a delightful small hardbound book that brings American history alive. Highly recommended!

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." — 1 Corinthians 15:58

Astronaut Brent

After the events of The Planet Of The Apes a second astronaut arrives to find out what happened to the first crew of astronauts in the film Beneath The Planet Of The Apes.

The Astronaut Brent 12-inch fully articulated figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip lid box with information about the movie on the inside of the flap.

The cover of the box is a recreation of the movie’s poster.

Inside the 12-inch figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form-fitted, clear plastic cocoon and plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

What Brent finds when he lands on The Planet Of The Apes is not what he expected, especially when he runs up against what’s left of humanity.

The fully-articulated Astronaut Brent figure comes posed a little different than most Sideshow figures.  Brent has his hands behind his back.

The figure’s face has a beard, a sharp nose, blue eyes with large brown eyebrows and slightly unkempt hair.  Coloration is slightly varied giving the skin tone a more realistic look.  Sculpt work is tight, crisp and well executed.

The figure comes with preset hands that can hold the accessories with no slippage or at odd angles.

Accessories include a silver folding shovel, a red, green and silver breathing pod with a light brown facemask, A silver water bottle with clear strips down it sides for checking the fluid level, a chain with dog tags and a circular base with a wire stand for posing the figure.

The figure comes dressed in a solid white astronaut flight suit with a blue nametag and a circular NASA badge, a United states flag, all on a white cloth jacket with a pull to side waist button and a small vertical pocket slit.

Brent’s white trousers tuck into the high top boots with zippers.  The pants have pockets just below the knees.

Posing of the figure can be done with or without the stand and the clothing moves with the figure with no unsightly or unnatural folds, creases or stress.

Stitching and detailing on the clothing and boots look realistic and to scale.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10

Phantom Nightmare

Beware Yubel’s Revenge!

Nightmares-nothing is worse than waking up in the middle of the night, sweating, shaking and fearful. Nightmares send a shiver down your spine, chill your blood, generate fear and seem so real.

They are the things of the dark, hidden, shadowy-phantoms of horrific creatures and things that go bump in the night.

In Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game’s Phantom Nightmare duelists enter the realm of nightmares and hope they are only ghosts or phantoms and not real.

Here’s what you get:

• New themes.
• Brand-new cards for recent favorites.
• More memorable monsters.
• Yubel returns.
• New Effect Monsters, Spells, and Traps that look familiar, with an all-new
• New Effect Monsters, Spells, and Traps that look familiar, with an all-new Yubel strategy.
• Continuous Trap Card that lets you Fusion Summon a Yubel Fusion Monster.
• Tempestuous Majespecters: Rank 4 Xyz/Pendulum
• Monster and a Link-2 Link Monster.
• New Ritual-focused theme coming that can Summon LIGHT Warrior and/or LIGHT Dragon Ritual Monsters.
• New World Premiere Pyro theme.
  
• Continuous Trap Card that lets you Fusion Summon a Yubel Fusion Monster.
• Tempestuous Majespecters: Rank 4 Xyz/Pendulum Monster and a Link-2 Link Monster.
• New Ritual-focused theme coming that can Summon LIGHT Warrior and/or LIGHT Dragon Ritual Monsters.
• New World Premiere Pyro theme.

The Phantom Nightmare Booster Set contains 100 new Cards:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons

(24 of these cards are also available as Quarter Century Secret Rares and 1 special Card is ONLY available as a Quarter Century Secret Rare!)

• 9 Cards come in each Foil Pack with 24 Packs In a Box.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Diamond Previews, March 2024

 

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Yugi & Kaiba Quarter Century Game Mat, Card Case, Card Sleeves and 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio

What better way to commemorate 25 years of Yu-Gi-Oh! game play than with special YGO accessories?

YGO players are very particular about their Game Cards. Protection, organization and being able to play the game without damaging the Cards is an A-1 priority.

What good does it do to play YGO when you can damage your cards through handling or simply placing the Cards on an abrasive surface?

Never fear! Konami has the perfect solution with its Yugi & Kaiba Quarter Century Game Mat, Card Case, Card Sleeves and 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio!

Start with the Game Mat. What better way to smooth out your gaming play surface than with this 24” X 14” cushioned and rubberized Game Mat that is not only smooth but soft as well?

Featuring Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Yugi & Kaiba full, color art the Game Mat is not only durable but colorful and attractive as well.

The Card Sleeves also feature iridescent art of Yugi & Kaiba packaged in a easy to open clear bag. One Hundred Tournament Level Sleeves come in each bag.

The Card Case holds over 70 sleeved Cards. It’s sturdy, easy to open and the perfect way to protect your sleeved or unsleeved Cards.

Last up is the 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio that holds 180 Cards, front and back.

It’s sturdy, has anti-slip pockets and is the perfect way to display your most valuable cards. Check out the metallic portraits of Yugi & Kaiba!

Protect, collect and play-a perfect trio!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Midnight Snack

Having raised two kids through their teens I understand completely where Zits comic strip creators Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman are coming from in their new softbound book: A Zits Collection Midnight Snack, published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Join Jeremy, his mom and dad, girlfriend and friends in the latest collection of teenage pandemonium.

Black and white daily strips and full-color Sunday strips from 2021 are reprinted chronicling the world of Jeremy.

Be amazed at the volume of food consumed, the libido let loose, the trails and tribulations of a teenager’s parents, the weird and way out gallery of teenage friends and new levels of laziness and entitlement.

Mom is exasperated. dad’s totally out of touch, Jeremy’s girlfriend is confused and his friends go along for the ride no matter how ridiculous or outrageous it may be.

Teenagers-you gotta luv ‘em-you’ll never understand them and hopefully you’ll live long enough for them to grow out it-whatever ‘it’ may be.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10

 

 

 

Amour CBD Cream and Roll-on

One of the disadvantages of growing older is you develop a lot of aches and pains-especially when you’re active.

Both my wife and I (we’re in our 70s) like to keep active. She does tennis while I ride long distances on my bike. We both do light calisthenics.

Flexibility and muscle and joint recovery are important. Like the old saying goes, “Use it, or lose it!”

Trade-marked SVD Premium Products knows all about aches and pains-regardless of your age or gender.

That’s why they have created an effective organic approach to pain relief with their Amour CBD products.

Their Amour CBD Roll-on and Cream products absorb into the body quickly and swiftly giving fast pain relief. I know, I’ve tried both and was amazed at how quickly they soothed my aching joints and muscles. I felt a slightly warm sensation.

I applied it just before I went to bed and the next morning I woke up pain free!

Both deliver the highest quality Broad Spectrum CBD with 0.0% THC.

Both the Cream and Roll-on contain:

• Organic Aloe Leaf Juice
• 1000mg (Roll-on), 200 mg (Cream) Broad Spectrum 
  Hemp Extract
• Meadowfoam seed oil
• Menthol crystals
• Capsicum fruit oleoresin
• White camphor bark oil
• Sweet basil leaf oil
• Black pepper oil
• Roman chamomile flower oil
• Cinnamon leaf oil
• Citronella oil
• Eucalyptus leaf oil
• Helichrysum flower oil
• Ginger root oil
• Pink grapefruit peel oil
• Juniper berry oil
• Lemongrass oil
• Peppermint oil
• Pine needle oil,
• Cajeput oil
• Rosemary leaf oil
• Spearmint oil
• Wild oregano oil
• Glycerin
• Witch hazel water
• Organic alcohol
• Phenoxyethanel
• Carbomer
• Triethanalamine
• Tetrasodium
• Glutamate
• Diacetate

Made in the USA, both products have a 30-day unopened return policy.

Adults and children (12 years of age and older) apply the Cream or Roll-on to affected area of unbroken, unpunctured and wound-free skin every 6-8 hours without exceeding 3 applications in 24 hours.

Do not make contact with your eyes.

Consult your doctor for use on children 12 years or younger.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." — Psalm 150:6

 

Repeating And Multi-Fire Weapons

Like any Baby Boomer young boy I loved playing with toys guns.

After all TV Westerns, War movies, Detective shows and Crime comic books were extremely popular. Little boys ate them up and I was no exception.

I still like guns. I have several. but to as to how they work, their history and so forth I am totally in the dark. Until now.

Author Gerald Prenderghast and McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers new book: Repeating And Multi-Fire Weapons A History From The Zhuge Crossbow Through The AK-47 contains all the information I need to understand, appreciate and use various firearms.

Beginning with an extremely helpful glossary the book chronicles the history of repeating and multi-fire weapons beginning with the crossbow then continues through pre-black power, black powder, steam guns, oddities, smokeless powder, self-loading, machine guns and so forth.

Included with the weapon descriptions and histories is other information such as the caliber of bullets, stats, prices and more.

The book provides a very comprehensive examination of the weapons. There’s a lot to learn and I can’t wait until I go through each and every weapon description.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." — Isaiah 43:2

Things Are Looking Up

Welcome to The Twenty-Eighth Sherman’s Lagoon Collection: Things Are Looking Up from 2022, courtesy of Jim Toomey and Andrews McMeel Publishing.

In this delightful oversize softbound book Sherman the shark and his buddies (among them a lovelorn turtle, shyster crab and a genius fish) life under the sea is a lot more strange than you can imagine.

Have you ever wondered what lurks under the ocean’s wave? How about a bumbling and not so smart killer shark that somehow manages (along with his friends and family) to dirty up the waters, mess up the murkiness and flip the ocean environment on its soaked side.

Here are just a few examples:

• Sherman playing golf and getting abducted by an UFO.
• Sherman suddenly realizing he’s submersed in water and panics.
• An internet and IT savvy fish.
• Hawthorne the crab entering a father-son golf tournament with a pro-golfer lobster.
• Poseidon shows Sherman who is the boss.

Need I say more? It's an outrageous outing under the sea with aquatic crazies as every bit as weird and unpredictable as their land-locked, surface dwellers.

It’s time to get your feet wet and step into the undersea silliness of Things Are Looking Up.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." — Hebrews 11:1

Paolo, The Sheep Dog

Bitmax (the robot) and Co. welcome Paolo, The Sheep Dog into the their wooded community. Thinks go well at first, that is, until Paolo starts to to take charge and ruffles a few feathers, fur and scales.

What can the forest bunch do? Schiffer Kids and the creative team Copons & Fortuny present a very unusual and offbeat tale of a canine that is too bossy for his own good.

Leave it up to Bitmax and the forest folks to come up with a very creative solution to their ‘bossy’ canine friend.

The interplay between all the characters (robot, human and animal) is hilarious, full of action and superb character hi-jinxs and contains some valuable lessons kids of all ages need to learn.

Adults and kids will love this tale of friends banding together to solve a mutual problem.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." — Galatians 6:9

The Avengers

I remember the very first issue of The Avengers by Marvel Comics that I read. 

It was issue #4 when The Avengers discovered the frozen body of Captain America in the ice.

I was so enthralled by the issue that I went back and bought the first three issues of The Avengers to catch up on the super group’s adventures.

This was back in the days when comic books tended to stay on the newsstands for long periods of time. It was easier to find earlier issues.

Just imagine how excited I was to purchase a comic book that had ALL of the major Marvel Comics heroes in one title. A whole new world of adventure opened up for me.

It was like magic.

Author Rich Johnson and Rizzoli/Universe has captured some of that magic in their new book: The Avengers: Heroes, Icons, Assembled.

This gorgeous, oversize, hardbound book has a beautiful color cover painting featuring Thor, Captain America and Ironman, Avengers' member indicia on the inside front and back inside covers and a full color group shot on the back cover.

A two-page color painting spread by Alex Ross starts things off then writer Mark Waid provides the foreword.

Inside full color, interior and cover art, accompanied by text, examines secret origins, the various Avengers teams, villains, missions, crossovers, epic sagas and every conceivable incident starring or co-starring the various Avengers members.

What a feast for the eyes! The colors really pop on the high-gloss interior paper-stock pages.

Longtime Avengers and Marvel Comics fans and newcomers will love the jam-packed pages of illustrations and art along with the informative text.

I thought I knew a lot about The Avengers but after looking at and reading this book I’ve come to realize I have a lot to learn.

“Avengers Assemble!”

"For I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." — Jonah 4:2

Visible V-8 Engine

I can’t believe Revell Model Kits sent it to me to review! It’s like a dream come true.

As a kid one of my best friends had Revell’s Visible V-8 Engine model kit. I thought it was so cool!

Imagine assembling a model kit that is clear so you can see its inner workings. You can see the engine operate!

A stand comes with the engine along with a hand crank that lets you operate the engine manually. A simple turn of the crank and the crankshaft, pistons and values move!

I always wanted one from the first time I saw it and now I have one. Who says wishes don’t come true?

There are 11 part trees in gray, white, black and clear. The color designations allow modelers to easily assemble the entire engine using the instructions and coinciding numbers listed on the parts.

A screwdriver, hex nuts, short and long round head screws, a fan belt, vinyl tubing and a coiled spring are also included.

The HUGE model kit comes in a heavy duty cardboard box with a full color photo of the engine on its lid. Side panels show photos of various parts of the engine along with specs.

Other features include a rubber fan belt that operates the generator, pulleys and fan. The fuel pump has a operating activator and a clear fuel bowl, the distributor and coil wires assemble in actual firing order and a starter and solenoid mount on a flywheel housing. 

It moves and operates like an actual V-8 engine and you can see it all courtesy of the clear engine parts!

Model makers ages 13 years old and older with Level 5 experience are graded to assemble the model. Glue is required as well as the ability to assemble parts with screws. Paint is optional.

At 1:4 Scale the engine measures 12 inches long. I can’t wait to see it work!

I never was much of a mechanic, unlike my older brothers. I wish I knew more about engines. The Visible V-8 Engine model kit will help me understand the complexity of an internal combustion, gas powered engine.

I may have my grandson help me put it together. What a great way to learn things together!

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:14-15

The Book Bus

As long as I can remember I’ve always loved books and reading.

When I was a child I often used my lunch money to buy books at the Scholastic Books stand outside the cafeteria.

I’d come home starving after school and my mom would fuss at me. But, I think that she was secretly proud of me for wanting to read so much.

Later on when I was a little older I’d spend each day at the library, hitchhike to the next town to visit the bookstore and frequent used book shops.

In The Book Bus, published by Schiffer Kids, Melanie Moore provides the story, Brian Wray writes the book and artist Mike Helm contributes the colorful art for kids to look at.

The oversize hardbound children’s book comes with a dust cover, 

Tilly the farm bus/truck went about her chores.

At night the small girl of Tilly’s human family would come into the barn where Tilly was parked and using a flashlight, would read books.

Tilly loved listening to stories and would often dream of the various adventures told in each book.

After a while the pile of books in Lilly’s crates grew bigger and bigger.

Before too long the girl grew up and Tilly’s gathered dust and wondered what was her use.

She wondered if other kids would enjoy her books and so she set off to share her books. She did and soon children and grownups not only read her books but donated others to her collection.

The simple prose and stylized drawings/paintings make the book easy to follow and enjoy for kids.

I wonder if Tilly visited my hometown? Every week a truck/bus would drive down the streets providing kids books to read and cherish.

What a wonderful tale encouraging kids to enjoy and cherish reading.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." — Proverbs 27:1