Mending with Love: Creative Repairs for Your Favorite Things by Noriko Misumi

Mending with Love: Creative Repairs for Your Favorite Things by Noriko Misumi, 88 pages

I'll be honest: I originally picked up Mending With Love to distract me from buying a darning mushroom.  I enjoy watching repair videos because I find them soothing.  This book had a similar calming effect. 

Part DIY, part memoir, Mending With Love began with a picture of a treasured item (an antique blouse, a hand towel passed down from a grandmother, a favored dress turned nightshirt). The history of the item guided how to restore it.  Misumi's anecdotes reveal more than a talent for mending, but a deep, meditative thoughtfulness that speaks beyond physical things.  What is worth saving and why? To lavish all the time and attention and care such tasks require, it might be a worthwhile venture.  Repaired items can be charming and beautiful and unique. 

... I bought the mushroom.

 

Hunting with the Bow and Arrow

Hunting with the Bow and Arrow by Saxton Pope 

an ebook of 171 pages read on my Nook. Originally written in 1923.

This book is considered a classic in archery circles. In the early 20^th century archery was pretty much obsolete. If one had a firearm, why waste time with a bow?

Saxton Pope was a medical doctor at the University of California. Ishi was the last member of the Yahi indian tribe who worked as a janitor at the museum near the University. Ishi taught Pope to make his own archery equipment, how to hunt various animals, as well to make calls that would draw animals into range. Pope went on to shoot animals from as small as squirrels and as large a grizzly bear with the equipment he had made with his own hands.

Wow.

Dandelion Hunter: Foraging the Urban Wilderness, by Rebecca Lerner

Dandelion Hunter: Foraging the Urban Wilderness, by Rebecca Lerner, 224 pages

This non-fiction book began as a blog (http://firstways.com/) and an experiment in urban foraging- the practice of eating wild fruits, nuts, berries and weeds, or harvesting them for medicine. Becky Lerner thinks she could survive an epic disaster by eating wild plants and berries, but when she challenges herself to eat only that for a week, she finds out that it is tougher to do than she realized.  But with some research and some knowledgeable friends, she finds that it can be done and can be more satisfying than she expected.  I thought this was fascinating- the writing style wasn't my favorite, and I guess I really wanted some photos, but that is why being able to refer to the blog was a nice bonus.  It's the subject matter that is so interesting.

The Vegetable Gardener's Book of Building Projects, by Cindy A Littlefield

The Vegetable Gardener's Book of Building Projects, by Cindy A Littlefield, 151 pages

I've been doing a bit of wood-working lately, and I'm anxiously looking forward to planting my veggie garden, so this was the perfect book to read on a slow weekend.  All of the projects in this book are pretty straightforward, easy enough to do with basic tools (the most complex tool required is a jigsaw), and all are pretty practical projects.  Very easy for a non-handy-type to read (after all, I read it).  There are some neat compost containers, raised beds and cold frames that I am contemplating.