Rite of Fancy

A short summary of the book The Other Einstein: The story of Mitza Marie and her "relative" marriage to Albert Einstein. My favorite Marie Benedict quote from the book: "Friends did matter." Questions to ponder while reading The Other Einstein: Does academic failure signify a lack of intelligence? Have you ever fallen for the wrong person? My review of the book: Interesting ideas into the inner workings of Einstein's first marriage. It is sad and very wrong when a woman gives up her ambitions. I'm glad the world now knows about Liserl. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBack...

Dear Henry, I *love* lemon desserts, especially during the summer and I read about a pie called the "Shaker Lemon Pie" and I had to give it a try. It's an easy pie to make, although it did have a 24-hour resting period.  It starts with slicing three lemons, skin and all very thin and then coating the lemon slices in two cups of sugar.  Let the sugar and lemons sit overnight and then add four eggs to the mixture and a teaspoon of corn starch and stir well.  Put it in a pie crust, add a top crust and bake at 425 for 20 minutes and then turn the oven down to 375 and bake for about 25 minutes more. The pie looked so pretty and I really wanted to like it, but, I discovered that I am not at all a fan of cooked lemon peel and neither, it seems, was anyone else in my house. xoxo a.d.

A short summary of the book The Lords of Discipline: Surviving the secret society at the Citadel. My favorite Pat Conroy quote from the book: "The objects you value define you." Questions to ponder while reading the book: What is honor? What is discipline? My review of The Lords of Discipline: Read it straight through without stopping. The hazing at military institutes is incredibly harsh. I wonder about many of our "traditions". **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my  webshop , or by buy...

A short summary of the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: The missal of a young man, as he grows up in Missouri. My favorite quote from the book: "The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it." Questions to ponder while reading Tom Sawyer: How well do you barter? Have you ever run away from home? My review of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: A childhood classic. Funny and irreverent. This is the ultimate "boys will be boys" story and is challenged all of the time. Be a rebel and read it. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my...

Dear Henry, I just read the coolest thing about the Hagia Sophia. For some background, the Hagia Sophia (Greek for Holy Wisdom) was built in 537 AD in Istanbul (Constantinople) during the reign of Justinian. It was an engineering marvel, with a central dome measuring more than 55 meters high and approximately 30 meters across and although the dome and the church have suffered several major and minor collapses over its history, the building is still very much within its original design and is considered one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture. The building was a Christian (primarily Orthodox) cathedral from its opening on December 27, 537, until the fall of Constantinople to Ottoman forces on May 29, 1453.  The building was immediately looted and then dedicated to Islam and turned into a mosque, which it remained until 1935 when the building was converted into a museum.  Currently, there is a movement by Turkish Muslims, which has the support of Turkish Presi...

A short summary of the book The Long Way Down: A Faustian gamble with demons, Vegas-style. My favorite Craig Schaefer quote from the book: "Everyone is the hero of his own story." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Can a wrong ever make a right? Have you ever gotten involved with the wrong person? My review of The Long Way Down: Thrilling supernatural fun. Something to shake the cobwebs out. Occasionally, you just have to read something out there. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors, my...