FROM HER HEAD

Instead of shoving a bunch of links in your face, I'm going to give you 10 things that strike my fancy (I'll switch these up from time to time, so check back!). YOU get to google them and share what you find on my Facebook page! I'd love to chat with you about them!

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01

ORAL TRADITIONS

I don't think this is going to go where you think it's gonna go. You've heard of dentists identifying dead bodies using their dental records, right? Well I found out there's a new type of fingerprint. Have you ever heard of a tongue print? It's a thing. Google it.

 

02

THE MARGIN PROJECT

I was stalking around... I mean looking around Jen Malone's website when I came across something I hadn't heard of before. Don't judge. I don't get out much. There's this thing called "The Margin Project" (Google it!) and it is WAY cool!! You should look it up and then share about it on Facebook, Twitter, whatever! We have quite a few "Free Little Libraries" in our town and I think I'm going to be dropping off some books with margin project bookplates in them to see what happens.

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03

FREE LITTLE LIBRARIES

If you've never heard of these, then either they are called something else where you are from or you just haven't noticed them. There are these little boxes posted in some towns where people can take a book or leave a book, and it costs nothing and is a great way to share reading material. My town has four of them I think... perhaps more. But each one I've seen is always full of books, and never seems to be the same ones! I love this! If your town doesn't have one, maybe see if the city will make one? Google whether your city has a free little library now!

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04

EDGAR ALLEN POE

What can I say, I'm a fan! I wish I knew more about the history of the man, but I've always had a special place for "The Raven" if you couldn't tell. There's just so much to say about him, but I think you'll find it way more entertaining if you Google "edgar allen poe nerdy and quirky". Sabrina Cruz is absolutely amazing to watch. She makes history seem fun to even the most academic-phobic person.

 

05

ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE SLAYER

Being a huge fan of the President himself, I have to say that this book was especially fun for me to read. I loved how the history of his life was rewritten as if there was this great paranormal conspiracy theory behind it. I don't think the movie did the book justice, but I would still watch it again anyway. (Take a minute to browse through the results when you Google for images of 'lincoln vampire meme'.) Amazingly, a dear friend of mine (Joe Diestel, may he forever watch over us and laugh at our comical earthly lives) must have somehow sensed my love for Abraham, as he bought me the Doris Kearns Goodwin book about Abraham Lincoln and his team. I'm a bit ashamed to say I haven't finished reading it yet (it's HUGE!), but I love learning more about how his cabinet came together to make up one of the most historic political groups in history.

 

06

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS

I was never one of those people who was able to see the 'schooner' in those posters in the mall. (Google "mallrats schooner" if you don't know what I'm talking about, and remember the Easter Bunny is just a guy in a suit.) But once I found out I was going to need to wear glasses because I spent all day with my eyes focused on my computer screen. So I bought a book that actually teaches you to see these "stereograms" and VOILA!!! I figured out how to relax my eyes! I still need glasses though. Hazard of the job. But hey, if you're into optical illusions, you should check out this guy's research too. He's doing some interesting research with optical illusions and AI. https://twitter.com/AkiyoshiKitaoka

 

07

THE TOMMY CHRONICLES

To explain why I wanted to be a writer, I would first have to explain my love of stories. And I couldn't explain my love of stories without giving credit to the great storyteller of my life, my father, Tom Sommers. I've been blessed enough to publish some of the stories that he told when I was growing up into a book called The Tommy Chronicles. I hope you take a chance to Google "the tommy chronicles by tom sommers". 

 

08

TERRY CREWS

I can't even... he just... Terry Crews fascinates me. Go out there and Google "Terry Crews drums". :-)

 

09

JEWEL

"The things you fear are undefeatable not by their nature but by your approach." This quote has been an inspiration to my life for a long time now. I bought Jewel's book of poems during an airport layover YEARS ago. That poem spoke to me that day. It has reminded me that I don't need to be stopped by fear, but instead use it as a way to practice more creative problem solving. I find her gift for phrasing words inspiring. If you get a chance, Google her website and learn a little more about her. She's kinda awesome. Also, she and I have Grandmothers with the same first name.

 

10

OMPHALOSKEPSIS

One of my favorite words. Just thought it would be fun to make you Google the definition.