Tag: #Inspirational

Posted in #History

Wrigley Field: The Long Life and Contentious Times of the Friendly Confines

Posted on by BookReviews

“One of the best books ever written about the Cubs, their home and the fans who flock there to watch them, win or lose.”—Rolling Stone

In spring 1914, a new ballpark opened in Chicago. Hastily constructed after epic political maneuvering around the city’s and organized baseball’s hierarchies, the new Weeghman Park (named after its builder, fast-food magnate Charley Weeghman) was home to the Federal Leagues Chicago Whales. The park would soon be known as Wrigley Field, one of the most emblematic and controversial baseball stadiums in America.

In this book, Stuart Shea provides a detailed and colorful chronicle of this living historic landmark and shows how the stadium has evolved to meet the shifting priorities of its owners and changing demands of its fans. While Wrigley Field today seems irreplaceable, we learn that from game one it has been the subject of endless debates over its future, its design, and its place in the neighborhood it calls home. To some, it is a hallowed piece of baseball history; to others, an icon of mismanagement and ineptitude. Shea deftly navigates the highs and lows, breaking through myths and rumors, in a book packed with facts, stories, and surprises that will captivate even the most fair-weather fan. From big money (the Ricketts family paid $900 million for the team and stadium in 2009), to exploding hot dog carts, to the curse-inducing goat, Shea uncovers the heart of the stadium’s history.

“More than any other American institution, baseball most wholeheartedly welcomes half-baked history and curdled lore. It’s fun, after all; what grinch wishes to poke at the tale of Babe Ruth’s called shot? But more often than not the real stories are even more delicious, and no one has gathered more of them than author Stuart Shea. His book is an unceasing delight.”—John Thorn, official historian, Major League Baseball and author of Baseball in the Garden of Eden


Editorial Reviews

Review

“Most ballpark books are like junk food―hundreds of empty calories of glossy photos and told-a-million-times anecdotes. They sate your appetite briefly without feeding your brain. But Stuart Shea’s Wrigley Field is a Thanksgiving feast for baseball fans. The book is saturated with culture and passion, flavor and spice, all lovingly created by a master chef. This is history to be savored: a winning combination of intimate knowledge, amazing detail, relevant context, and expert storytelling.” ― Gary Gillette, editor of The Baseball Encyclopedia

“Amid Wrigley Field’s birthday revels much will be reported about its vines, its scoreboard, its goat, its very origin—much of it not quite so. More than any other American institution, baseball most wholeheartedly welcomes half-baked history and curdled lore. It’s fun, after all; what grinch wishes to poke at the tale of Babe Ruth’s called shot? But more often than not the real stories are even more delicious, and no one has gathered more of them than author Stuart Shea. His book is an unceasing delight.” ― John Thorn, official historian, Major League Baseball and author of Baseball in the Garden of Eden

“Unlike any other venue, Wrigley Field has been a second home for generations of fans, a paragon of modern convenience turned baseball’s ultimate wayback machine, a status symbol for social climbers and corporate muscle alike. Shea’s book is the perfect history of the place that reflects Chicago’s past and future, its failures and its aspirations.” ― Christina Kahrl, cofounder of Baseball Prospectus

“One of the best books ever written about the Cubs, their home and the fans who flock there to watch them, win or lose.” ― Rolling Stone

“The 448-page book is packed with colorful anecdotes that are sure to keep any Chicago history buff or baseball fan—yes, even those who root for the South Side White Sox (or ‘Pale Hose,’ as Shea notes they are nicknamed)—glued to their bleacher seat.” ― Wrigleyville Nation

“You should read this book because of the history of wonderful stories and anecdotes about the team’s and the ballpark’s history, some of which is ‘contentious,’ as Shea’s title states, some of which is just colorful and fun, just as is the history of the neighborhood and city in which it resides.” ― Bleed Cubbie Blue

“Wrigley Field: The Long Life & Contentious Times of the Friendly Confines is a great reminder of what makes the ballpark so special, and why the Cubs remain so popular.” ― The Writer’s Journey

“Stuart Shea’s Wrigley Field: The Long Life and Contentious Times of the Friendly Confines deserves the location of honor on the nightstand of each and every Cubs fan, to be read a chapter or two at a time between Opening Day and the World Series.” ― Chicago Tribune

“Home of the Cubs, world’s greatest ballpark, Chicago’s largest beer garden, bucket list-worthy tourist attraction, field of (broken) dreams, enduring monument to enduring failure―Wrigley Field is all of these things, and of course so much more. Stuart Shea’s witty, informative, and deeply entertaining book gives the Friendly Confines the tribute it deserves.” — Dan Epstein, author of Big Hair and Plastic Grass: A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging ’70s

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Posted in #History

Autumn Glory: Baseball’s First World Series

Posted on by BookReviews

A suspenseful account of the glorious days more than a century ago when our national madness began, the first Major League Baseball World Series.
A post-season series of games to establish supremacy in the major leagues was not inevitable in the baseball world. But in 1903 the owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates (in the well-established National League) challenged the Boston Americans (in the upstart American League) to a play-off, which he was sure his team would win. They didn’t—and that wasn’t the only surprise during what became the first World Series. In Autumn Glory, Louis P. Masur tells the riveting story of two agonizing weeks in which the stars blew it, unknown players stole the show, hysterical fans got into the act, and umpires had to hold on for dear life.

Before and even during the 1903 season, it had seemed that baseball might succumb to the forces that had been splintering the sport for decades: owners’ greed, players’ rowdyism, fans’ unrest. Yet baseball prevailed, and Masur tells the equally dramatic story of how it did so, in a country preoccupied with labor strife and big-business ruthlessness, and anxious about the welfare of those crowding into cities such as Pittsburgh and Boston (which in themselves offered competing versions of the American dream) .
His colorful history of how the first World Series consolidated baseball’s hold on the American imagination makes us see what one sportswriter meant when he wrote at the time, “Baseball is the melting pot at a boil, the most democratic sport in the world.” All in all, Masur believes, it still is.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a book that every baseball fan will enjoy. History-minded Americans will love it, too. It’s a marvelous look at the Americans of 1903. What a great way to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the World Series!”
–Thomas Fleming, author of The New Dealers’ War: F.D.R. and the War Within World War II

“Autumn Glory is a book to be savored in all seasons. Louis Masur vividly recreates a bygone year not only of immortals such as Cy Young, but also of forgotten diamond heroes with monikers such as Ginger Beaumont, Kitty Bransfield, and Noodles Hahn; a time when players rode to the stadium through cheering throngs in open barouches, and when, inning after inning, derby-hatted, cigar-smoking fans waved red parasols and belted out music-hall ballads until their throats were raw.”
–William E. Leuchtenburg, William Rand Kenan, Jr. Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina

“Louis Masur’s Autumn Glory is the best researched and most eloquent account of the first World Series yet written. He provides ample evidence why the first modern fall classic became a beloved American tradition.”
–Glenn Stout, co-author of Red Sox Century

“Autumn Glory brings one back to those halcyon days when players and owners alike eschewed money for honor, and when Boston actually used to win the World Series. An invaluable resource for all fans of the game.”
–Kevin Baker, author of Paradise Alley

“As the World Series turns a hundred years old this year, I can think of no better way to celebrate than reading Autumn Glory. Louis Masur drops us back a full century to relive the first World Series, and in his hands the games lose none of their excitement and flavor. The era comes vibrantly alive in this wonderful baseball book.”
–Jules Tygiel, author of Past Time: Baseball as History

“In a perfect world, there would be a book this good about every World Series.”
s20–Rob Neyer, author of Feeding the Green Monster

From the Inside Flap

“Autumn Glory is a book to be savored in all seasons. Louis Masur vividly recreates a bygone year not only of immortals such as Cy Young, but also of forgotten diamond heroes with monikers such as Ginger Beaumont, Kitty Bransfield, and Noodles Hahn; a time when players rode to the stadium through cheering throngs in open barouches, and when, inning after inning, derby-hatted, cigar-smoking fans waved red parasols and belted out music-hall ballads until their throats were raw.”
William E. Leuchtenburg, William Rand Kenan, Jr. Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina

“In a perfect world, there would be a book this good about every World Series.”
Rob Neyer, author of Feeding the Green Monster

“Autumn Glory brings one back to those halcyon days when players and owners alike eschewed money for honor, and when Boston actually used to win the World Series. An invaluable resource for all fans of the game.”
Kevin Baker, author of Paradise Alley

“As the World Series turns a hundred years old this year, I can think of no better way to celebrate than reading Autumn Glory. Louis Masur drops us back a full century to relive the first World Series, and in his hands the games lose none of their excitement and flavor. The era comes vibrantly alive in this wonderful baseball book.”
Jules Tygiel, author of Past Time: Baseball as History

“Louis Masur s Autumn Glory is the best researched and most eloquent account of the first World Series yet written. He provides ample evidence why the first modern fall classic became a beloved American tradition.”
Glenn Stout, co-author of Red Sox Century

“This is a book that every baseball fan will enjoy. History-minded Americans will love it, too. It s a marvelous look at the Americans of 1903. What a great way to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the World Series!”
Thomas Fleming, author of The New Dealers War: F.D.R. and the War Within World War II

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Posted in Daily Thought

Verse of the Day October 3, 2026

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Posted in #History

Shotguns and Stagecoaches: The Brave Men Who Rode for Wells Fargo in the Wild West

Posted on by BookReviews

“A rip-roaring history of moving the mail in the wildest of the Wild West days” from the New York Times–bestselling author of Texas Ranger (Kirkus Reviews).


Here are the true stories of the Wild West heroes who guarded the iconic Wells Fargo stagecoaches and trains, battling colorful thieves, vicious highwaymen, and robbers armed with explosives.
The phrase “riding shotgun” was no teenage game to the men who guarded stagecoaches and trains on the Western frontier. Armed with sawed-off, double-barreled shotguns and an occasional revolver, these express messengers guarded valuable cargo through lawless terrain. They were tough, fighting men who risked their lives every time they climbed into the front boot of a Concord coach.
Boessenecker introduces soon-to-be iconic personalities like “Chips” Hodgkins, an express rider known for his white mule and his ability to outrace his competitors, and Henry Johnson, the first Wells Fargo detective. Their lives weren’t just one shootout after another—their encounters with desperadoes were won just as often with quick wits and memorized-by-heart knowledge of the land.
The highway robbers also get their due. It wouldn’t be a book about the Wild West without Black Bart, the most infamous stagecoach robber of all time, and Butch Cassidy’s gang, America’s most legendary train robbers.
Through the Gold Rush and the early days of delivery with horses and saddlebags, to the heyday of stagecoaches and huge shipments of gold, and finally the rise of the railroad and the robbers who concocted unheard-of schemes to loot trains, Wells Fargo always had courageous men to protect its treasure. Their unforgettable bravery and ingenuity make this book a thrilling read.

About the Author

JOHN BOESSENECKER, a San Francisco trial lawyer and former police officer, is considered one of the leading authorities on crime and law enforcement in the Old West. He is the award-winning author of several books, including the New York Times bestselling Texas Ranger. In 2011 and 2013, True West magazine named Boessenecker Best Nonfiction Writer. He has appeared frequently as a historical commentator on PBS, The History Channel, A&E, and other networks.

Rural farmhouse beside a fenced vegetable garden and wooded fields
Posted in Guest Authors

How Retirees Can Find and Buy the Perfect Homestead-Friendly Home

Posted on by Jason Kenner

For retirees buying bigger homes, the pull is easy to understand: room for a homesteading lifestyle, space for homesteading hobbies, and a place that makes welcoming family visits feel natural instead of cramped. The tension is that the same extra square footage and land that promise freedom can also raise hard questions about retirement housing needs like money, maintenance, and mobility. Many retirees want a home that supports growing food, keeping a few animals, or just having a workshop, without turning every day into a to-do list. With the right approach, that bigger-home dream can stay practical.

Turn Your Homestead Dream Into a Smart Home Offer

This process helps you go from “We want land and space” to a short list of homes you can truly afford, maintain, and enjoy. It matters because in retirement, the wrong square footage or acreage can quietly turn into a monthly budget strain or a daily workload.

  1. Set a retirement-safe budget (with wiggle room)
    Start with your monthly comfort number, not the lender’s maximum, and include taxes, insurance, utilities, and a maintenance cushion. If you will still be traveling, helping family, or living on a fixed income, bake those realities into the budget now. This keeps the “bigger home” idea from pushing you into a tighter lifestyle than you want.
  2. Define your non-negotiables for land and layout
    Write down what you will actually do on the property in the next 12 months: garden beds, a small flock, a workshop, or just privacy and storage. Then translate that into practical requirements like a single-level primary suite, manageable driveway, and enough flat ground for the projects you will really maintain. This turns endless browsing into targeted searching.
  3. Screen listings for rules and future surprises
    Before you fall in love with photos, check whether the area supports the lifestyle you want, such as animals, outbuildings, or home-based activity. Your county often publishes zoning maps that help you spot nearby uses that could affect noise, traffic, or long-term privacy. This step saves time and prevents costly pivots after you are emotionally invested.
  4. Walk the property like an owner, not a visitor
    During showings, test the day-to-day realities: stairs, door widths, heating and cooling feel, and where you would carry groceries, tools, or feed. Outside, look for drainage issues, sun exposure for growing, and how far water and power would need to run for a shed or greenhouse. Ask early about legal details such as mineral rights so you understand what you are truly buying.
  5. Compare true costs, then offer with clear guardrails
    Create a simple side-by-side sheet for your top two or three homes that includes estimated utilities, insurance, property taxes, commute or travel access, and the first-year “make it usable” list. Then make an offer that protects you with the timelines and contingencies you need, while staying inside your comfort budget. The goal is a home you can settle into, not a project that immediately takes over.

When a Homesteading Hobby Becomes a Small Business: What Changes

Once you’ve made a smart offer on a home that fits your homesteading goals, it’s worth thinking about what happens if that “just for fun” project starts bringing in real money. When a homesteading hobby becomes a business, the big shift is treating it like a real venture: you do a bit of simple planning, get clearer on day-to-day operations (making, packaging, tracking orders), and think about basic marketing so people can actually find what you sell. If you want to strengthen those muscles, earning a business management degree can build your skills in leadership, operations, and project management, here’s a neat breakdown of what that can cover. And because online degree programs exist, it can be easier to keep your business moving while you stay on top of your coursework.

Use This Home Feature Checklist for Land, Layout, and Family Space

When I look at homes through a homesteading lens, I’m not hunting for “perfect.” I’m trying to avoid the kind of perfection that makes daily life harder, especially when grandkids pile in or a hobby starts acting like a small business.

  1. Start with a realistic land target (and walk it): Decide what you actually want to do, garden beds, a few fruit trees, small livestock, beekeeping, then match land to that list. A common rule of thumb is five to ten acres for a homestead, but plenty of retirees do great on less if the soil is good and the layout is efficient. When you tour, walk the whole property: notice slope, soggy spots, sun exposure, and where you’d put a garden without carrying tools a quarter mile.
  2. Choose a “work triangle” between house, storage, and water/power: Homesteading gets old fast when every chore involves five trips back to the garage. Look for a setup where a shed/workshop, outdoor spigot, and an exterior door are close together, ideally with a hard path you can roll a cart on. If you think you might sell eggs, jam, seedlings, or crafts someday, this also supports smoother “operations” without turning your kitchen into a shipping department.
  3. Claim a real workshop zone (not just a corner of the garage): Even a modest hobby needs a safe, organized space, workbench, good lighting, enough outlets, and the ability to make noise or dust without upsetting the whole house. I like properties with a detached shop, a garage bay you can close off, or a basement area with proper ventilation. If you’re thinking small-business someday, picture where inventory lives and where packing happens so it doesn’t take over the dining table.
  4. Prioritize storage that’s boring but life-changing: Look for a mudroom, pantry, and a place for “messy gear” near an entry: boots, buckets, canning jars, pet food, feed bins. Ask yourself, “Where would I store 6–12 months of supplies?” and “Where do bulk items go?” A home with deep closets and reachable shelving will beat a bigger house with nowhere practical to put things.
  5. Plan flexible family space: playroom now, guest-ready later: Extra rooms earn their keep when they can change roles, playroom when the kids visit, hobby room when they don’t, occasional bedroom when someone stays over. Look for a room near a bathroom, with a door you can close and durable flooring you won’t worry about. If you host often, an open kitchen-to-living flow matters more than a formal dining room you’ll use twice a year.
  6. Make accessibility a quiet requirement, not an afterthought: Favor single-level living, wider hallways, minimal steps at entrances, and a bathroom you could add grab bars to without remodeling the whole wall. Check lighting, handrails, and how slippery the outdoor paths feel when wet. You’re buying a place for hobbies, yes, but also for the version of you that wants fewer ladders and less risk.

Homestead-Ready Retirement Home FAQs

Q: How can I tell if a homestead-friendly home is actually affordable long-term?
A: I look past the mortgage and price out the “quiet costs” like heating, driveway care, well or septic service, and insurance. Ask for 12 months of utility bills and a list of recent repairs, then build a simple monthly buffer for surprises. If cash flow is tight, consider whether downsizing the land or outbuildings gives you the lifestyle without the stress.

Q: What upkeep tends to surprise retirees on bigger properties?
A: Mowing, tree work, drainage issues, and long private roads can become regular line items. Before you buy, get quotes for the tasks you will not do yourself and confirm local contractors will service the address. A smaller, well-laid-out parcel can feel “bigger” than acreage you can’t comfortably manage.

Q: How do I avoid zoning headaches for animals, gardens, or a small home business?
A: Call the county or town planning office and ask what the property is zoned for, plus any limits on livestock, accessory buildings, and on-site sales. Request the rules in writing and verify what permits are required for sheds, fencing, or a farm stand. When in doubt, write your “must have” uses down and confirm each one before you offer.

Q: Can a reverse mortgage help me buy in retirement?
A: Sometimes, but it is specific to age and eligibility, and it is not a fit for every budget. A reverse mortgage loan is available to qualifying buyers who are 62 or older. Talk with a trusted lender and a HUD-approved counselor so you understand fees, responsibilities, and what happens long-term.

Q: How should I plan to use extra rooms so they don’t just collect clutter?
A: Give each room a “job” and a backup job, like guest space that converts to crafting or a grandkid playroom that becomes an office. Choose durable flooring, add closed storage, and keep one wall flexible for shelving or a fold-down table. If a room can’t earn its keep in two roles, you may not need it.

Choose a Homestead-Friendly Home That Fits Your Retirement Life

Retirement can feel like a tug-of-war between wanting more space and worrying about cost, upkeep, and whether the land will actually work. The steadier path is treating the search as a values-first match: pick a place that supports the life wanted, projects, comfort, and connection, without pretending every day will be effortless. Done well, the benefits of homesteading homes show up in family-centered living, homesteading home satisfaction, and a quieter kind of retirement lifestyle optimism that grows with time. Buy the home that supports your days, not the one that only looks good on paper.