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The Story Of Sapulpa & Route 66 by Kirby Lee Davis

May31

The Story Continues

The Story Of  Sapulpa & Route 66  by Kirby Lee Davis is the second book in The Great Beckoning series and published by Sapulpa Historical Society. This continues where book one left off as we follow the development of Sapulpa and the emergence of Route 66, well into the twentieth century.

Route 66 had investments from 1909 and was finally completed in 1928. It stretches from east to west, passing through Sapulpa.

We see the development of roads, going from mud to concrete, tarmac and hard core. The harder your road surface, the more affluent the area.

During the early twentieth century, we witnessed World War I. Following its’ end, over eight million people travelled westwards in search of new opportunities.

As Sapulpa developed, more businesses, diners and festivals sprang up – including a car and a Christmas festival.

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The Story Of Sapulpa & The Ozark Trail by Kirby Lee Davis

May31

A Comprehensive Account

The Story Of  Sapulpa & The Great Ozark Trail by Kirby Lee Davis is the first book in The Great Beckoning series and published by Sapulpa Historical Society. It is a comprehensive account of Sapulpa, a town in America, and the Ozark trail that emerged.

As I live in England, I know very little of American history except for what I studied as part of my degree. I found this book absolutely fascinating.

The story of Sapulpa begins in the early 1800’s but the main focus is on the late nineteenth century until 1928. We hear of the growth of the railroad, followed by that of the motor car. Oklahoma had just 1,100 registered cars and trucks in 1911 rising to 184,212 in 1925. Both vehicles and the railways brought businesses to the area.

During the nineteenth century we saw how the native Americans were pushed out by white settlers. “Oklahoma’s Indian tribes… were the victims of the whites’ insatiable hunger for land.” It was horrifying to hear that the Ku Klux Klan held a rally in Sapulpa in the mid 1920’s.

As well as hearing about the growth of the town and surrounding area, there is also a section about notable businesses. It is interesting to read about the various churches and businesses that set up. I was particularly interested to read about the Harvey House as I had seen the Judy Garland film called The Harvey Girls.

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Dear Life by Rachel Clarke

May18

Of Love & Care & Compassion

Dear Life by Rachel Clarke is a powerful and heartbreaking true account of the author’s life as a palliative care doctor.

The book speaks straight to the heart as we witness the love and care given to those facing their final days. They are given dignity and they are given choices, treated as individuals who still have a life to live, albeit a short one. “Living and dying are not binary opposites. The dying… are still very much alive.” The dying are aware of just how precious and just how fragile life is.

In a world where we hurry about, worrying about this and that; we need to pause and ask “would this matter on your deathbed?” What matters at the end is love and family. Have we lived a life of love? “In the end, when death bears down, there is always this, the love of others.”

In our modern world we are shielded from death. “In Britain, less than a century ago, death in the home was so frequent, so commonplace, that family members regarded the witnessed loss of their loved ones as entirely expected – entirely normal.” Today, we shy away from death. It is the last taboo.

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Carlos Sainz: A Legacy Of Champions by Carrera Publishing

Mar18

Getting To Know The Man Under The Helmet

Carlos Sainz: A Legacy Of Champions by Carrera Publishing is a great little book that looks at the life, both personal and professional, of the F1star. We glimpse the man under the helmet.

His father, Carlos Sainz senior, is a famous Spanish rally champion, meaning that Carlos Sainz junior grew up surrounded by cars and competitions. He began his own competitive journey in karts aged seven. “In karting, Carlos learned how to win without arrogance, and how to lose without drama.”

Progression into F1 came in 2015 with Torro Rosso.

Along the way, Carlos Sainz has had his father with him, analysing and supporting him, giving wise advice and lessons. “It doesn’t matter what’s happening around you. What matters is what you do with it.”

Moving to Maclaren, Carlos Sainz immediately bonded with the young Lando Norris. “CarLando. Their relationship, built on trust and mutual respect.” The pair knew how to support each other when driving, and also how to have fun.

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