The "Books Lost...Books Found" Story

My old book press from my teaching years.

It was an ordinary day.  Helping my wife with the house cleaning.  Ran the vacuum on the first floor and grabbed a cloth to do some dusting.  For years I have been dusting the antique book press which sits next to an old desk we found at an antique dealer many years ago.  The book press was used for years in my classroom when we made hand-bound books, but when I retired and the new teacher didn't want it, the principal told me to take it with me.  I claimed the press plus the old floor model guillotine paper-cutter, wooden teacher's desk, a few dozen wooden California job cases and drawer after drawer of old wooden and metal type pieces plus metal engravings that were of no use to anyone.  As I dusted the book press I checked out the three books that have been a part of our home since we moved into our Beach House over 20 years ago.  As I looked at the small bound books I was stumped as to how we acquired them.  Carol and I found that one book came from the Martic Elementary School where she went to school as a child while the other two came from the Pequea Township School District.  All three have the little "Date Due" flyer in the back of them showing how many times the book had been read and in one case, what year it was placed in circulation in the library.  Somehow over the years we acquired the three children's books and placed them in our book press when we moved to our current location.  And, today for the first time in my life I opened them and examined them. The following information describes the really neat children's books what I re-discovered: 

• Far from Marlborough Street by Elizabeth Philbrook.  

  

  
  

  This book was published in 1944 and is listed as a book for juvenile audiences.  The book tells the story of Nancy Wadsworth who could hardly believe her ears when her grandfather suggested she, ten year old girl that she was, go along on a stagecoach journey from Boston to Springfield.  It was in the year of 1793 and the roads were rutty.  But, who else could go?  Someone had to take the mysteriously valuable box to Uncle Jonathan to get him out of trouble.  The adventures she goes through from catching a horse thief to buying a moose are all explored in this book.  This book was actually one in Oprah's Bookclub.
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.  
  
  This is book 1 on the Chronicles of Narnia and tells how Aslan, the noble lion, freed Narnia from the spell of the White Witch.  The novel is set in Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures that one White Witch has ruled for 100 years of deep winter.  Four English children are relocated to a large country house following a wartime evacuation.  They are sent to the countryside to live with professor Digory Kirke.  The youngest visits Narnia three times via the magic of a wardrobe found in a spare room.  All four children are together on her third visit, which proves that the youngest was telling the truth.  You must read the book to find what happens to the children.  The book all began with a picture in the author's mind of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood, but it wasn't until he was about 40 that he made a story about it.  After reading some online notes about the book, I fell compelled to read it myself, being a child at times in my mind.
• A Horse Named Summer by Karen Bendick.  
  
  The book is based on a diary kept by the author when she was 14, therefore the style of the book is very simple.  The sentences are short and declarative and the illustrations, also by the author, are clear and unadorned line drawings.  The devotion the author had for her horse, which her family had rented for her over the summer, is quite evident.  Miss Bendick called her horse Sil Summer Salt and tells details about his care and comfort as well as the pleasure she took in riding him.  As the entries in the diary near the end of the summer, they indicate her transition to a more mature view of her relationship to the animal, which she began to liken to that of a parent and child.  Young girls will love the book it is said.  As I leafed through the book, reading passages, it reminded me of my wife as a young girl who too had a horse that she cared for during her high school years.  

All three books are now back in the book press, but can be removed if anyone would like to read them.  Just type me a comment and we may be able to arrange for you to borrow the books.  All three books have probably entertained quite a few children in the past half-century.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A popular book titled "A Horse Named Summer" which was borrowed close to 60 times.  On the back of it, but not pictured, was printed in all capital letters: I LOVE JOHN. 

Inside the book, "Far from Marlborough Street", can be seen dates as early as 1963.

The "The Magnificent Clydesdales Of Budweiser" Story

The Clydesdale to the left is having his legs combed while
the one to the right is having his tack put in place.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing next to over 2,000 pounds of magnificent animal behind Lancaster's Clipper Magazine Baseball Stadium.  He has just been fitted with his tack which weighs over 130 pounds.  The tack, or harness, is handcrafted with solid brass, patent leather, and stitched with pure linen thread.  It is made especially to fit any Clydesdale; however, collars come in various sizes and must be individually fitted to the Clydesdales like a finely tailored suit.  

One of three trucks carrying the world famous Budweiser
Clydesdales and the easily recognizable beer wagon.

The tack for each horse can cost as much as $10,000 to $12,000; perhaps much more than a finely tailored suit.  I read in the newspaper a few days ago that the famous Budweiser Clydesdales were going to appear at The Clip over the weekend.  Knew immediately that Carol and I would be in attendance since she owned a horse while growing up and just loved viewing the steeds of Budweiser.  We arrived just as the famous red tractor trailers began to open on the south side of the ballpark.  

A 2,000 pound Clydesdale is led from his stall in
the trailer to prepare for the eight-horse team.

Place was already crowded in the front awaiting the team of horses.  We parked and I told Carol we may be able to watch the horses being hitched to the beer wagon if we walk around to the south side of the ballpark.  Sure enough, we rounded the stadium and there was a big crowd lining one side of the driveway, waiting for the horsed to exit the trailers.  Clydesdales originated in the early 19th century when farmers who lived along the banks of the River Clyde in Lanarkshire, Scotland imported a few Great Flemish horses and mated them with local mares.  Thus, the Clydesdales were born.  

The Budweiser beer wagon.

In order to be a Budweiser Clydesdale a horse must stand at least 18 hands high (6 feet tall),  be a gelding (a neutered male) at least 4 years old, have a bay coat, four white stockings, a blaze of white on the face, a black mane, a black tail and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds.  Now, I know these facts since the fellow standing in front of me with the microphone, dressed in the neat red uniform, is telling all of us who gathered in front of the trailers to get a look at the horses.  He also told us that each horse consumes 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals, vitamins, 50-60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water each day.  

This guy is all ready to be placed in
his spot to transport the wagon.

The trailers we see in front of us are one of three traveling hitches which are based in St. Louis, MO; Fort Collins, CO; and Merrimack, NH.  Each traveling hitch consists of ten horses, the red, white and gold beer wagon and other essential pieces of equipment which are housed in three 50-foot tractor-trailors which have air cushioned suspension and thick rubber flooring.  This hitch has been traveling in the local area with nightly stops at a local stable so the horses can rest.  As we watched each horse exit their trailer we were told their names and how much they weighed.  After having their entire body brushed and the long white hair on their legs combed, the tack was placed on them and they were led to the wagon.  Their position on the wagon was based on their age, weight and training.  Wasn't long before "Barley", the wagon's Dalmatian was led from the trailer to a grassy area and then to a spot where his harness bearing the Budweiser symbol was place on him and he was lifted onto the wagon where he took his spot next to the two drivers.  

The first of eight spots has been filled with the first horse.

The fellow with the mic told us that driving the hitch required quite a bit of physical strength since the leather lines weigh 40 pounds and the tension of the 12 tons of wagon and horses creates over 75 pounds.  Rigorous training is required to be able to sit on the wagon seat and assume the prestigious role of "Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch Driver."  Well, the hitch has begun to move and I have my camera ready.  So exciting to watch these eight magnificent Clydesdales pull the shining cart with driver's and "Barley" sitting proudly on the seat.  I hope my photographs can show half the excitement I feel at the time.  Gotta go ... here they come.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Decoration on the harness can be seen in this photo.

The Budweiser logo is on everything including the horse's blinder.  

A Farrier is only a phone call away if one is needed.  The horseshoes measure 20 inches end to end and weigh about five pounds each.

This guy is ready to be part of the team.  Notice the roses that follow his mane.

The first two horses in the team of eight are now in place.

One of the trainers prepared yet another horse.

This horse is having the very heavy collar put in place.

"Barley" is preparing to ride on the wagon.

View of one of the trailers with an image of a Clydesdale on the cab. 

And ... here they come!

What a wonderful view of the hitch.

Passing by me are the first two of eight horses.

Final few horses ready to pass by.  

The proud drivers and just as proud "Barley".

What a great time we had.