South Dakota Book Festival

I returned from the South Dakota Book Festival a week ago. I took a day off of work of Friday. (It was Homecoming activities in the high school and I am sure they didn't miss me much) and traveled three hours to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to the Holiday Inn for the Annual Book Festival put on by the South Dakota Humanities. The festival alternates locations with Deadwood each year. I ended up getting two books. One is "Buffalo Bill's America...William Cody and the Wild West Show". by Louis S. Warren. Since I was lived in LeClaire, Iowa I have had an interest in William Cody who was born near there. The other book I got was by "Bombay times: a Novel" by Thrity Umrigar. I heard her speak about her books and India. In fact, I road down the elevator with her. Such interesting people. I also attended a workshop on geneology and on demand printing. I had a great time with friends, eating, and enjoying the sites of Grand Rapids.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

My review

View all my reviews.

Planters of 2008

Here is what everyone has been waiting for. Mary's Planter

Beth's Planter

My Planter and Mom's Planter


I think we all did splendid this year and will be ready for another challenge next year for the 2009 season.

Tribute to Stone City

I spent the Labor Day weekend in the Wapsipinicon State Park near Anamosa, Iowa. This is just a few miles away from Stone City, where Grant Wood painted his rolling hills and stone buildings. This is where Grant Wood had his artist colony in 1933.

http://www.mtmercy.edu/stone/resource.htm

The first photo is the spectacular Anamosa State Penitentiary established in 1872. The second photo is a church in Stone City. The final picture is a mock up of the famous American Gothic home without the farmer and his daughter.