A Blast from the Past – Page 3

Make a Miner’s Stove

Here’s a fun activity that really works. But first, let’s find out what a gold-rush miner was and why he needed a “miner’s stove.” Hang on for a scary ride into the dark! The Midas mine in Goldtown (Goldtown Adventures) is a “hard-rock mine.” In this type of gold mine, the gold is embedded (stuck)Continue reading “Make a Miner’s Stove”

Finishing Schools – Part 2

Read more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> Read part 1 >> Bonus: scroll to the end of this post to download a free PDF file of a true-to-life Diary of a Little Girl in Old New York set in 1849-1850 to see what a school was really like. Winter 1881 All righty!Continue reading “Finishing Schools – Part 2”

Finishing Schools – Part 1

Find more “Blast from the Past” posts in Andi’s Attic >> Winter 1881 There are two kinds of “city” schools during my time. The schools for the regular, public-school children, are pretty much like those of any public school in the 1880s. Some are divided into grades. Some are small and one-room, like the schoolContinue reading “Finishing Schools – Part 1”

Outlaw “Roundup”

Find more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> This is a guest post from Abigail. If any of you have an interesting tale to tell about the Old West, contact Mrs. M and see about becoming a guest blogger. From Andi: Sometimes, living in the West can be downright scary. And one ofContinue reading “Outlaw “Roundup””

Earthquake!

Read more journal entries in Andi’s Attic >> Andi’s Journal March 1891 Somebody asked me if–living in California and all–I’ve ever experienced an earthquake. Let’s think about that a minute. California. Earthquake. Hmm . . . That would be a “yes,” I have. *scary* The picture at the top shows what Aunt Rebecca’s house lookedContinue reading “Earthquake!”

The Fresno Flood

Read more journal entries in Andi’s Attic >> Andi’s Journal February 1887 Just when I feel like complaining about the rain, rain, rain, I bite my tongue. After all, Riley and I are pretty safe from flooding up here on Memory Creek ranch. It’s the folks in town, at the receiving end of the downpourContinue reading “The Fresno Flood”

Camels in the Old West

Find more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> Yes, this is true. It really is! I thought Bryce was pulling my leg yet again when he told this story about the camels in Heartbreak Trail. (After all, he’d already described the serpent in that lake up in Idaho, and I hardly believed him then. ReadContinue reading “Camels in the Old West”

Is There a Serpent in Bear Lake?

Find more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> A few years ago, Live4Him asked if there really was such a thing as the ninety-foot serpent Bryce described around the campfire in Heartbreak Trail. Below is his story, excerpted from the book. Below the excerpt are the facts Mrs. M learned when researching the story.Continue reading “Is There a Serpent in Bear Lake?”

Dime Novels

A few determined fans have dug into the ancient archives and found this post from 2009 on the old Andi blog. However, Mrs. M has updated it and added links and excerpts so you can read a dime novel for yourself. Have fun! Read more journal entries in Andi’s Attic >> From Thick as Thieves:Continue reading “Dime Novels”

Calling Cards

Find more Blasts from the Past in Andi’s Attic >> It finally happened. Melinda kept telling me a young lady needs her own calling cards when and if she goes visiting (they are also called “visiting cards”). I didn’t figure I needed anything so fine and proper, but even Mother said I might want themContinue reading “Calling Cards”