So, I’m one of those kids who loved the encyclopedia. It was
the Google of my generation. My mother thought she was punishing me when I was
sent to the spare room for however long my isolation was to last, yet really
she was sending me to paradise. (I know you’re gonna read this Mom, so just
think of this as one of the many wonderful resources you were always giving
me!) In the closet of our spare bedroom (the timeout zone) were Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
and Encyclopedias. She probably thought that a child would never be interested
in them, but I sure was. The Reader’s Digests were quick enough that I could
get a good start before my time was up. You see by then, the clock had begun
ticking in a different way. I didn’t want to be released. And I could peruse any subject I wanted with
the Encyclopedias. Sometimes I would
just close my eyes, open the book, plant my finger and read where it landed. As
I grew older my tastes have narrowed and obviously, I’m really into history. Now I
like to get on Wikipedia and just browse different historical figures or
events. And today…Today I found Shelved Dolls. Blogger, Jennifer Wright writes
about many subjects from baking to theater, but my favorite is her Shelved
Dolls. Each blog describes a woman in history. From Ovid’s mistress, Corinna to
designer, Coco Chanel, she finds tidbits or pieces of their life that is
interesting and unusual. I love her little bits of history told with wit and
absurdity. For example, I didn’t know
who Edie Beale was , but when I saw the quote “Dude, she literally set her head
on fire,” I was intrigued. Her blogs fill that random trivia need that I’ve
always had. If you too like to learn about weird and wondrous history, check
her out at:
