First United Methodist Church of Winter Park 1885 – 1995 by James D. Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is an updated and rewritten version of the 1970 history book of the Winter Park Methodist Church. This one is not as well written, but the focus more on the church and less of the back story, making book books a good combination to read. The author does a good job of placing even more focus of the history of the church since the 1970 version to the 1995 publication date.

There is an explanation of the stained glass windows and other sanctuary symbolism that is far better laid out than the 1970 version.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.

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History of Winter Park United Methodist Church by W Breathitt Gray, Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a thorough job author Gray did assembling this book. I’ve read many histories that are longer by, so-called, professors and doctors that are not as well done as this book. The book is also well written.

The book lays out the development of the church by explaining how pioneers came to the area and the development that started of Winter Park and the churches by so many Methodists. It continues with very good listing of those who were responsible and what they did. Each chapter is broken up into time period and dates are used frequently to keep the reader buoyed in the sea of history presented.

Another great addition is at the end that explains what the well-known stain glass panels mean. Rarely is that kind of significant detail presented.

One item that would have been very helpful is a map with street names to help the reader be further oriented.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 9 out of 10 points.

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#MondayMotivation: Steve Orth over on Facebook requested:
‘Place: St Augustine, Florida, USA – Animal: Giant lizard – Activity: Attacking the Castillo de San Marcos’

So i cartoon the lizard and a National Park Service Ranger. I’m adding the Castillo de San Marcos after the illustration.
The results shown in video.
Look for the still image in my blog or Facebook.

You Can’t Get There from Here by Ogden Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ogden Nash was so much fun with his verse! This collection is an excellent collection of a joy in verse mostly lost today. These are later works by Nash with wonderful illustrations by Maurice Sendak.

Favorites in this collection are: ‘The Pizza’, ‘A Tale of the Thirteenth Floor’, ‘And how Keen was the vision of Sir Launfal?’ and ‘How to Marry a Husband’.

Bottom line: i recommend this book: 10 out of 10 points.

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Hashimoto by Jack Douglas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For the first time, I’m reading the Douglas collection in order. From this effort, I’m learning how weak Douglas’ first efforts were. With this book Douglas hist the stride he’ll maintain to his last book.

This book is basically a travel narrative. Not with the flow of Perelman’s ‘Westward, Ha!’, but more a collection of anecdotes as the Douglas family travels from California to Japan and stops along the way. The anecdotes are very good and funny. Moreover, unlike the often odd entries in the Douglas previous books, this is well written and planned out. With a HUGE exception.

The book moves from one spot to another as Douglas experiences life in the Pacific islands and their son, Bobby. Suddenly the book ends with them wrapping up with the family still in Japan. I’m sure there is a good reason for this on the publication side. but for the reader, it’s like us also being abandoned in Japan.

By the way, the cover art is by the great Roy Doty, who was also a friend of mine.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.

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Happy Birthday, Taylor!

For my new #MondayMotivation drawing challenge, I illustrate a kitty drawing and the studio area the cat is working. I’m inking using no pencils or guides. Making it up as I go along.