Books About Michigan and the Great Lakes

Weird Owl Vintage and Books has a nice selection of vintage books for Michiganders and fans of the Great Lakes.

We have several cookbooks from Michigan, including the scarce Official MSU Cookbook published in 1993.

Great Lakes Cookery - Bea Smith Cookbook

If you are into Michigan history, we have regional history books as well as a number of books by well-known Michigan historian Larry Massie, and a hard-to-find book about Michigan's prehistory.

 Michigan Memories by Larry B. Massie

Potawatomi Tears and Petticoat Pioneers,  Michigan History

For the genealogists, we have Michigan Place Names, and Passing of the Gael by Rev. John Whalen McGee. Father McGee chronicles Irish history and the exodus that brought many Irish to Kent County, Michigan and surrounding communities. You might find your ancestors in this book.

If you are looking for a book by a Michigan author, we have you covered with several novels by Jeffrey Eugenides, including his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Middlesex. Or you might like to read a couple of books about war written by Michiganians who served and fought.

 Personal Account of Draftee 36887149 - Clarence Blakeslee, Rockford, MI
SOLD!

Transition to Duty - Leo Flory, Decatur, MI

Did you attend U of M and want to read a history of the University of Michigan?

Or did you go to Calvin College? Promises to Keep covers Calvin College history from 1876 to 1975.

Last but not least, you'll want to check out our books about the Great Lakes which surround the Mitten State.

 Dangerous Coast Pictured Rocks Shipwrecks

 Great Lakes Car Ferries History

Great Lakes Stories, Ashore After 50 Years

Vintage Fiber Art Wall Hangings on Etsy

Weird Owl Vintage has just listed 2 unique vintage fiber art woven wall hangings.

The first wall hanging is made of jute giving it a look of burlap. Home decorating with burlap is one of the hot current trends.

Vintage Jute Wall Hanging - Burlap, Rustic Decor

The varying shades of golden brown with a hint of green in the leaves of the flowers make this piece one that would go well with almost any decor or color scheme. The woven 3 dimensional design gives it character.

It measures 16" wide, 19" tall with an additional 2 1/4" for the fiber hanger, and is in Very Good vintage condition.

The 2nd piece is stand-out wall art. It would be perfect for a home with Cottage Chic, traditional, rustic, or contemporary modern decor. 

Natural Fibers Vintage Woven Wall Hanging

Made of jute and other natural fibers, this 1980s piece was made in India. The tag on the back has an interesting story:

This wallhanging is a unique piece of art. It has traveled from small villages within India via ox cart. Then on to ship or plane, halfway around the world, to reach your hands.

If you love organic and natural fibers, either one of these unusual wall hangings would  be a wonderful piece of art for your walls.

Book Quote on Becoming Poor - George Orwell

From George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London, words on finding one's self newly-poor:

You discover, for instance, the secrecy attaching to poverty. At a sudden stroke you have been reduced to an income of six francs a day. But of course you dare not admit it - you have got to pretend you are living quite as usual. From the start it tangles you in a net of lies, and even with the lies you can hardly manage it.

Homeless in Paris: Photo Courtesy of Alex Proimos

Just as it was in the 1920s when Orwell experienced some of the things he wrote about in his partly-autobiographical novel, circumstances today can and do create instant poor people. Many who thought it could never happen to them, find themselves with little means, possibly no job, maybe even homeless. And, of course, the first instinct is to hide these issues from family, friends, acquaintances, and the world. No one wants to be pitied or looked down upon. So we lie.

Homeless in London WWII: Public Domain Photo

Many of Orwell's experiences which formed a basis for this book, occurred after he was robbed and found himself near-penniless. If you would like to read the rest of Down and Out in Paris and London, a good used copy is for sale along with Orwell's The Road to Wigan Pier at Weird Owl Vintage.

Book Quote on Old Age, Poverty and Bad Luck

From the book The Wishing Bone Cycle Narrative Poems from the Swampy Cree Indians, a short poem about being poor, having bad luck, and being old:

I am the poorest one.

I cook bark.

I have bad luck in hunting.

A duck caught my arrow

and used it

for her nest. 

I am the poorest one.

I sit in mud and weep.

I have bad luck in hunting.

A goose caught my arrow

and broke it 

in two. 

I am old, old.

Don't bring me pity, 

but food

yes.

 Photo Courtesy of Nir Nussbaum

Photo by Chalmers Butterfield - Creative Commons

The poem is attributed to John Rains but, according to the book and Cree tradition, it now belongs to the world community. Once a poem has been spoken, it becomes community property. Thus it may continue on with many variations.

Butterscotch Pie Recipe, Pioneer Lady's Country Kitchen

The Pioneer Lady's Country Kitchen Cookbook by Jane Watson Hopping is full of recipes for all seasons. The recipes are for dishes that Mom and Grandma made, time-honored and family-tested.

Below is a November recipe.

Butterscotch Pie
1 egg, separated
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pre-baked pie crust
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a medium saucepan, combine the egg yolk with the brown sugar, flour, milk, water, butter, vanilla, and salt. Cook over high heat until mixture thickens and reaches a boil, stirring constantly. Pour the hot filling into the baked pie crust.

Whip the egg white until stiff, then beat in the powdered sugar. Swirl over the top of the filling, making sure it touches the crust all the way around the edge. Bake until top is lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

Makes one 9-inch pie or 4 to 6 servings.