Did you ever think about how certain big stores got their start? Ever heard of the old Sears & Roebuck company? If not, you may enjoy this fun history tale from Andi’s point of view. Note: The original startup history is true, but Mrs. M took literary license and allowed Andi to see the catalog, whichContinue reading “Where Can I Buy a Watch?”
Category Archives: A Blast from the Past
1880s Money
This was first posted in 2011 by request from Hannah, who wanted to know what money looked like and what it was worth, like when Andi and Rosa bought ribbon for a dime (Long Ride Home). Find more Andi’s Journal (and A Blast from the Past) posts in Andi’s Attic >> January 1881 Coin GalleryContinue reading “1880s Money”
President Garfield Assassinated!
Read more journal entries and blasts from the past in Explore Everything >> Andi’s Journal July 11, 1881. Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Oh, dear, it’s true! Our new president (who has only been in office about six months or so) was assassinated this last summer. It happened on July 2, 1881. Mitch, Cory,Continue reading “President Garfield Assassinated!”
Independence Day
Read more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> If you missed the two-part Fourth of July Andi’s Journal posts, you can start here >> So, how’s your history? Andi’s history knowledge is very good. In her classroom, the founding fathers are pounded into students’ heads so that they will never forget how aContinue reading “Independence Day”
What Did Folks Earn in 1880?
This post first appeared in 2011, after Price of Truth released. See more Andi’s Journal posts (and A Blast from the Past posts) in Andi’s Attic >> Jobs and Wages I was trying to scrounge up enough money to buy my mother a music box for her birthday (Price of Truth). It cost $11.95. MaybeContinue reading “What Did Folks Earn in 1880?”
Squishy Shoes
Read more Andi’s Journal and Blasts from the Past posts in Andi’s Attic >> Fall 1882 Mother brought out the mail-order catalog the other day and said that if I didn’t like anything at Billings Shoe store in town that maybe I would find something here. I looked hard, but I could not find oneContinue reading “Squishy Shoes”
Behind the Scenes in Chinatown
Andi’s, Jenny’s, and Lin Mei’s adventures in Chinatown, San Francisco, in 1881 match some of the true history behind the “smugglers” and slave traders in the book San Francisco Smugglers. I did a ton of research to get everything right about that. While an author uses about 10% of their research in the actual novel,Continue reading “Behind the Scenes in Chinatown”
Pistols Galore!
Read more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> Note: Today and tomorrow are the last days to vote on the story you like best from the Mystery Horse writing contest >> Ends at 6pm Wednesday, May 11. Winners announced tomorrow. June 1885 These are my brothers’ favorite pages in the mail-order catalog. AndContinue reading “Pistols Galore!”
A Bear and Bull Fight
Read more journal entries in Andi’s Attic >> Andi’s Journal April 1888 I was never so shocked as I was last week, when Riley asked if I wanted to go along to Visalia. He wanted to go to the livestock auction down south since he’d heard they often sell at higher bidding than the auctionContinue reading “A Bear and Bull Fight”
Remembering the Yokuts
July 1886 When Shasta and I were out riding around in the foothills the other day, I came across an old, abandoned Indian dwelling. Right away it reminded me of the afternoon I spent with the Yokut Indians when I was about six years old. What a scary time! I was scared to death ofContinue reading “Remembering the Yokuts”
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