Next Blog: August 19th 2017
I've been involved with a critical care/hospice situation - good friend with no family. But there will be a blog on the 19th. Thanks for understanding that is a little late.
MAY/JUNE BLOG 2017
It's Summer! The time most people vacation or laze about on a beach. Here in Phoenix there is usually a large exodus to San Diego, Ca. or up in our mountains near Flagstaff, Az.
As for me I don't mind the heat - this week should heat up to 120 degrees then go back to more normal temperatures. But it is so dry it doesn't bother me. The monsoon season will begin with humidity getting into the picture usually in the 30 to 40 percent range but when the humidity comes in the temperature drops and as far as I'm concerned it is much more uncomfortable.
But high temperatures or not, humidity or not, I have my books! Hope you do too whether at the beach, the woods, or in air-conditioning I love to read and discover more books for this blog. So sit back and relax wherever you are and discover some new books (and classics) and make time for reading as well as needlework.
Don't forget to find the hidden discount code that allows you a 20% discount towards any books in this blog.
SILK RIBBON EMBROIDERY - NOBODY DID IT BETTER
THAN DI VAN NIEKERK-
I speak of her in the past tense but she is still very much alive and enjoying life but sadly she is no longer doing her silk ribbon and embroidery business since her beloved Andre died. As she writes in her blog, "For those of you who that are widowed, you will understand the toll it takes. Losing a spouse involves not only unbearable grief but also, tasks and burdens that were previously shared becomes your and yours alone at the same time losing the companion with whom you shared your thoughts, fears and joys."
But the hope is she might return to a smaller version of it at some time. However, her books are still available but let me introduce you to the Queen of silk ribbon embroidery.
Di closed her shop in May of 2016 after 28 years to come to terms with a life changing event. She reveals she has always been into crafts since childhood from painting, pottery, stained glass to silk painting and among others the fiber arts. But once she started with silk ribbon embroidery it took over as the craft she wanted to focus on. She writes, "Whether it is working on my blog, creating new designs for my books, teaching online, working on new concepts or painting ribbons, there is not a day in the week that I do not do some craft or another."
Most weekends, she says are for spending time with nature where she gets inspired to create new designs and concepts. And what a nature she has for that. She lives in Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, close to the Kirstenbosch Gardens, that is possibly the most beautiful garden in Africa. Her and her husband moved there in 2007 and never looked back.
She has exhibited her work in many countries, written numerous books, taught silk ribbon embroidery online and in person. Anybody who has their own business knows it is a commitment of working from early morning to late in the evening at least six days a week. Di did that for 28 years and in 2016 realized she was exhausted and needed a rest. I think she's earned it. But hopefully she will come back to us one day with more inspiration and a smaller version of her business. (Discount code: Summer17)
Below are a listing of her books still available in the States. Each page of each book is a piece of who Di has been and still is: a passionate needle artisan. Welcome to her world.
A Perfect World in Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork - There are 17 panels in this wonderful sampler and 60 different elements, with a clear stitch gallery to guide you. Flowers and creatures from all over the world are included. Each flower and insect is shown systematically with great photos. There are panels for beginners, intermediate and advanced embroideries; in fact, this book is an ideal learning tool for embroiderers wishing to learn from the beginning. Gorgeous! $25.95
Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork - this is a design consisting of twelve panels that are each explained with step-by-step photos and instructions including a comprehensive guide to all needles, thread, and ribbon required. Di includes several new techniques for experienced embroiderers and a stitch glossary with 40+ stitches done in colorful illustrations. $25.95
Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies in Ribbon Embroidery & Stumpwork - Five fairies been wonderfully done not only in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork but also for needleworkers who love three-dimensional embroidery - whether a beginner or advanced stitcher. These wonderful designs are accompanied by easy-to-follow, close-up photos and step-by-step instructions. Learn how to make delicate stumpwork wings in organza and silky threads, make applique leaves and petals, create charming insects, embroider hair and clothing and find how she creates three-dimensional designs using colour, texture and shapes. This book can be used for needlecraft projects. $29.95
Little Flowers in Silk and Organza - this step-by-step project book is all about making little flowers in silk and organza ribbon using a combination of thread, ribbon embroidery, stumpwork and other techniques. Learn to produce a gorgeous poppies, sweet strawberry blossoms, delightful daffodils and a ring of daisies. Or enjoy creating magnificent wild roses, chamomiles and meadow grass in 3D, lisianthus and lavender, with butterflies and ladybirds and much more. Di has packed this book with information and many techniques for the beginner and advanced. All completed projects are smaller than A-4 size and templates of all the original designs are included, with easy-to-follow instructions on how to layer the embroidery and stumpwork to achieve the exquisite 3D effect. She includes a range of step-by-step photos as well as a complete gallery of stitches. $24.95
Roses in Silk and Organza Ribbon- There is a flower for every occasion. Techniques include 16 different roses, blooming amongst a latticework of rosebuds, leaves and stems. Learn how to make rose petals and rose hips, sepals, stems and leaves, spent roses and stamens, and gorgeous little birds, a bird's nest, beautiful butterflies, bows and wisteria. 60 new techniques, some easy, some more complex. $24.95
A Few Other Great Silk Ribbon Books
Montano, Judith Baker - The Art of Silk Ribbon Embroidery -
Included are how-to's for more than 40 stitches, photos of works by 12 contemporary needle artists who specialize in silk ribbon embroidery, and 12 projects designed by the author to show you how to do this fascinating three-dimensional art form $22.95
HISTORICAL FICTION - AN OXYMORON?
"Oxymoron - Figure of speech that uses seeming contradictions; realm or domain of the impossible." from Webster's Dictionary
As I sit at my desk going over a very long "to-do" list my mind snags on the words, historical fiction. My mind snags easily, too easily sometimes, when I discover something I want to know more about. Right now, its the expression historical fiction, that at first thought seems an oxymoron to me. How can history be fiction? Or fiction a history? I chew on this for a bit. I do know that straight history can sometimes go down dry and tasteless. Just the fact, ma'am, just the fact. That great for research but many readers like their history in a story form and that's where the fiction comes in.
A good historical novelist will not twist the history out of shape, nor the setting, nor the real historical character true nature. Instead they take all of that and then with using the insight of good research and their talent for telling a story and breathe life into the time and people they are writing about. That's what keeps us up at night, unable to put the book aside. And history told this way seems to stick in our heads. We remember a story better than lists of dates and places. So perhaps historical fiction is not a contradictory figure of speech. In fact, I've written a historical novel myself. In weaving through history I sense an order to all things both bad and good and even indifferent. I like to imagine I see my own life clearer, the world I live in clearer, and what I want to accomplish in my own life clearer through those who came before me.
I love historical fiction and have written an historical novel, The Secret Codices, coming out on July 10th, thanks to my wonderful editor, Andrea Foster.
 |
| Nag Hammadi Library |
The story is told by a physician's scribe, Ankhesenna, a brilliant scholar tutored by her blind grandfather, Epimachos, once a famous tutor in Alexandria who asks her to take on the dangerous task of translating these books. She agrees. This decision leads her into a dangerous adventure spanning the length of Egypt. She also witnesses the burning of the Alexandria Library by rogue Christians in fear some of the books were "pagan". This is an act of terrorism that cost us, future generations ancient histories, mathematically writings and other important literature.
I thoroughly researched this time period, including traveling to Egypt alone four times and living there for a period of eighteen months. I traveled the length of Egypt, went to monasteries, sailed on a felucca to a Nubian village, rode a camel across the Southern Desert with Sudanese camel drivers, visited museums including the Greco-museum in Alexandria and the Coptic Museum in Old Cairo that have the collection of books I've written about. I've a collection of about 100 books about Egypt, wrote to Marvin Meyer, who was at the site of the books were found. He was kind enough to send me his dig reports. I've also read his books. My editor wants me to write two more books featuring these characters so I have begun this project for a three book series called, The Children of the Light.
I am taking pre-orders now for the first book. It retails at $15.00 with a 20% discount for readers of this blog. Just find the discount code in this blog and call or write me by e-mail or postal mail. All that information is at the bottom of this blog.
HAPPY ACCIDENTS
Accident: "An event that takes place without one's foresight or expectations." Webster's Dictionary
I was taking a friend of mine , who no longer drives, (she's 96) to a medical appointment. This was her first appointment with this dermatologist so neither of us knew anything about Dr. Deborah Mendelson.
Up to the second floor of the medical building we go - the building the usual cold glass and marble and open the door to the doctor's office waiting room expecting , you know, the usual chairs in a row, table with magazines, some paintings on the walls, perhaps a water cooler. Instead, we were greeted by a waiting room, halls, and examining rooms hung with quilts - large, colorful ones, beautifully designed and sewn giving this medical office a feeling of being home, at peace, secure. Even my friend, not at all fond of the medical profession felt at ease.
I went up to the receptionist and asked, "Where did all these quilts come from?"
"The doctor", I was told. "She's made every quilt in this office."
I wandered through this unexpected "exhibit" even peeking into empty examining rooms and immediately felt all the love and patience that went into these gorgeous quilts. When my friend was called, I went into the examining room with her - not the usual cubby hole of a room but a nicely presented room of some size with quilts on two of the walls. We hadn't met the doctor yet, but I already knew one thing about her, she has a wonderful eye for color.
We had only settled in for a few minutes when the doctor appeared, her demeanor, like her quilts, very welcoming, comforting, with her assistant close behind, wheeling in a computer: a computer the doctor never touches or looked at. I was impressed as I have a horror of the doctors who are constantly dealing with a computer instead of looking at the patient. I had (in my past life) over thirteen years in the medical field and knowing what it takes for an accurate diagnosis, will never go to one who does that. In fact, I have two friends who sought a new primary care physician, walked out on such a doctor when he never acknowledged them and went directly to his computer and started to fiddle with it. How can a doctor form a relationship with a patient and SEE what the person is showing him or her while he is looking at a screen?
After introductions, with this friendly, smiling doctor, I complimented her on her quilts, expressing she had a great eye for color.She thanked me warmly. "There last four years or so I've really learned much about color." She was pleased I noticed.
I discovered she took up quilting sixteen years ago and got hooked with this wonderful, creative way to relax. She said I could do this article and take photos. I was ecstatic.
When I checked out her office hours I noted she starts seeing patients at 6am so a working person, who is trying to "squeeze" in an appointment in their own hectic schedule can go before work. 
6 am? She's a morning dove, I realized. And she still has time for quilting. Me, I'm not even stirring at 6 am! I'm a night owl not a morning dove but I made up my minds right then and there while sitting in that lovely examining room thinking about her seeing patients that early I should never complain that I don't have enough time for my own creative projects. Dr. Mendelson, without knowing it, inspired me to get moving earlier in the day, cut out the trivia, and focus on the creative. What a happy "accident" this visit had been. Here's to all the happy "accidents" in life. I hope you enjoyed mine. Now enjoy yours.Since Dr. Mendelson has such an eye for color, I've included books on color below including books on the psychology of color since we use colors to express our feelings. I'm feeling blue. She's red with rage. He's green with envy. I'm in the pink. Enjoy getting into colors. Also I discovered fire trucks are now starting to be painted yellow because that's the color most visible to our eyes. Have fun learning more about this fascinating subject.
Birren, Faber - Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A Factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life - This is the full reprint of the 1950 Edition. This author devoted is life to color and it's effects on human life. After writing around 25 texts on the topic, it would be safe to say his work is considered with high respect among color experts and psychologists around the world. His work has a strong focus on linking how humans perceive colors to how it makes them react. He even touches on how it affects the mentally ill. $24.95
Birren, Faber - Principles of Color: A Review of Past Traditions and Modern Theories of Color Harmony - This is an elementary work on color, dealing with traditional principles of harmony as well as advanced principles derived from modern studies of the psychology of human color perception. The author tells a well-organized story of how to achieve harmony with color, beginning with a chapter on color circles and proceeding to a straightforward discussion of traditional principles of color harmony and how they were accepted in the past. $17.95
Wells, Jean - Intuitive Color and Design: Adventures in Art Quilting - In this updated edition of best-selling Intuitive Color & Design. Jean's workshop assignments get your creative juices flowing, giving you the challenges to expand your quilting horizons. Start by learning to see line and color; study the nuts and bolts of design; develop your color work and composition; and when you get stuck, there's expert advice on problem solving. Design and piece spectacular, free-form quilts you'd never have guessed you could create. $29.95
Elliott, Andrew, et al. - Handbook of Color Psychology (Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology) - Color science has progressed to the point where a great deal is known about the mechanics, evolution, and development of color vision, but less is known about the relation between color vision and psychology. Top scholars in the field provide rigorous overviews of work on color categorization, color symbolism and association, color preference, reciprocal relations between color perception and psychological functioning, and variation and deficiencies in color perception. This is an essential resource for anyone interested in color psychology in both theoretical and applied areas of study. $250.00POTPORRI OF NEW BOOKS
Brown, Christine - fast2mark Embroidery Stencils, Essential Collection - From popular author and crazy-quilting and embroidery expert Christine Brown comes this collection of four easy-to-use stitch templates (90+ designs), just position the stencil where desired and mark your designs with a quilter's pencil to get your embroidery off to an accurate start. The expert instructions and tips in the complete how-to booklet will give you confidence in where and how to make your stitches, while the decorative and inventive designs add an unexpected creative element. Laser-cut durable, translucent, medium-weight plastic, the stencils are easy to handle and create perfect marking every time. Create an endless number of unique designs to embroider: hearts, flowers, baskets, butterflies, spiderwebs, vines, feather stitches and more. $23.95
Dye, Gilian - Introducing Bone Lace: A Beginner's Guide to Working Early Bobbin Lace - As the author writes in her preface: " A decade of working 16th and 17th century bobbin lace has lead to a realization that the techniques are simple compared to many in later laces, with a freedom of working that provides plenty of room for experiment." This book is suitable for complete beginners and would be of interest to textile researchers and those involved in re-enactment or costumed interpretation for the 16th and 17th centuries. Includes winding bobbins, working diagrams, color pictures of lace and more. Great compact book for a great place to start. $27.00
Eldelheit, Marlene - Barberini Tapestries: Woven Monuments of Baroque Rome - This book is the result of an intense conservation effort, which restored these magnificent works of art to their former glory after a fire burnt two of the tapestries and damaged four more in 2001 - accompanied by two important exhibitions on American's East and West coasts this year. These tapestries are fragments of history: they were once displayed at St. Petyer's Basilica and in the Sistine Chapel. Covering over 2800 hundred square feet, this series is one of the grandest monuments of 17th century Rome. The final chapter is dedicated to technical aspects of the panels, recounting their recent conservation. $60.00
Rowan, Emilie - 500 Bead Weaving Patterns for Bracelets - Weaving beaded bracelets on a small bead loom is easy, and with the 500 patterns in this book you can make all kinds of creative designs. From bold graphic prints to animals and flowers to retro or southwestern designs, there are plenty of patterns to suit your style. Each pattern shows how many and what color beads are needed and the placement of every bead so it's easy to complete any bracelet you choose. You can switch up the bead colors - so many options will keep you coming back for more. $24.95
Jamar, Tracy - Coils, Folds, Twists, and Turns: Contemporary Techniques in Fiber - Learn to use traditional fabric techniques in modern ways. Fiber artists are experimenting with and combining techniques like never before, and this book gives detailed instructions on the rediscovered techniques of folding, shirring, gathering, bundling, quilling, and more. These techniques can be used to create rugs, wall hangings, clothing, bags, and even jewelry. The techniques are explained and illustrated, and patterns and instructions are given for seven projects. $21.95
Smith, Rebekah - Seasons of Wool Applique Folk Art: Celebrate Americans with 12 Projects to Stitch - The author of the best-selling Wool Applique Folk Art presents a treasure trove of 12 seasonal wool applique projects, with 3 for each season. Presented in a lovely antique color palette, these simple and elegant projects include a journal cover, pillow cover, wallhangings, storage boxes, table rug, and more. Includes an updated chapter on the collection, and storage, and use of wool. $29.95
Tirico, Deborah Gale - A New Dimension in Wool Applique - Baltimore Album Style - Learn this author's distinctive applique style while you honor the legacy and history of Baltimore Album blocks. With luscious felted wool and textures as rich as the history they depict will-known motifs for 9 applique projects from table rugs and pillows to pincushions. Perfect techniques such as trapunto, layering, stuffing, needle-slanting, and beading with this complete visual guide, which includes full-size templates and tips. No turned edges! $29.95WELCOME BACK!
I was really happy to see these three titles back in print.
Lee, Margaret - The Art of Chinese Embroidery - Within these gorgeous pages are the answers to unlocking many of the secrets of this unique stitching style. Equipment and materials are described in detail and the 25 core stitch techniques are fully explained, providing the embroiderer with a strong solid foundation. Seven beautiful projects are included, designed to allow a steady progression and a thorough understanding of the concepts and practices of this style of embroidery. A pull-out of embroidery designs in the back of this book. $34.95
Chamberlin, Ruth - Beginner's Guide to Goldwork - First published in 2006 and is now back by popular demand by Search Press. Our author aims to teach us how to create beautiful goldwork motifs, which together form an impressive sampler to show off all our work. Covering a range of designs, stitches and techniques with templates throughout and examples of the author's inspiring work, this book provides a firm basis on which you can build future projects. $19.95
Pearce, Carolyn - Home Sweet Home: An Embroidered Workbox - Another favorite of mine and an international phenomenon that has captured stitchers all over the world. This charming English cottage, beautifully decorated with a garden of stitches, opens to reveal a liftout tray and 9 gorgeous accessories and includes storage for all your notions. The color photos are delectable and detailed instructions make this an irresistible book you'll treasure for a lifetime. $34.95MYSTERY CORNER
MURDER, MURDER, READ ALL ABOUT IT!
"Murder though it have no tongue, will speak with the most miraculous organ." Shakespeare - (Hamlet)What is that most "miraculous organ"? Having read Hamlet decades ago, I will guess the heart or the brain. It takes both to solve this most horrendous of crimes. When a life is stolen it can never be replaced. The ripple effect of murder spreads out over the family and the community and all of us when we read about it in the paper or see it on television. Who would do such a terrible thing? Why did they do it? If it is a random act then we all feel at risk. I think the retelling of real murders are so popular on television is that we want to know the answers to those questions.
Perhaps we want to see the murderers so we can learn to pick out good people from bad people. The problem with that is that many times the murderer is the one you'd least suspect. It is shocking to discover that seemingly "normal people", nice people can be guilty of murder. Since a murderer does not usually look any different than anyone else, we usually miss an important clue in solving the case. But thank goodness some great sleuth does not. They see what we do not and we are forever grateful to the detective for taking a murderer off the streets. There is usually some trace of the murderer at the scene of the crime such as a fingerprint or DNA.
If not, then the crime becomes harder to solve but not impossible. The heart and brain of a seasoned detective will draw conclusions about the character of a murderer and from a list of possible suspects will end up pointing a finger at the guilt party. Crime solvers must also look at the victim. Why was that person picked to die? What did the victim have the murderer wanted, or was blocking the murderer from?
I've included some new sleuth who rely on their gut feelings or hearts and their brains to uncover some nasty murderers. See if you can find the "red herrings" and other clues to beat the murderers at their own game.
Alexander, Ellie - A Crime of Passion Fruit - Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionary café to royal pastry palace. Meanwhile, Jule's estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come abroad his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carols but Jules can't resist an all-expense-paid trip. Now, instead of enjoying tropical drinks on deck between whipping up batches of sea-salted chocolates and flambéing fresh pineapple slices in the kitchen, Jules is plunged into dangerous waters when a dead body finds its way onto the itinerary. Why can't anyone on board identify the young woman? And how can she help Carolos keep passengers at ease with a killer in their midst? Can she solve this case without getting in too deep? $7.99
Cochran, Peg - Sowed to Death - The country fair is the highlight of the year for the small town of Lovett, Michigan especially for food and lifestyle blogger Shelby McDonald, who writes as the Farmer's Daughter. She's submitting jams and jellies she's created from the produce she grows at Love Blossom Farm in hopes of harvesting a blue ribbon. But the townspeople get more than just the excitement of hayrides, tractor pulls, and cotton candy when Shelby's neighbor and volunteer fireman, Jake Taylor, extricates the body of Zeke Barnstable instead of a dummy during a demonstration of the Jaws of life. The fact that Jake and Zeke were known to be at odds plants suspicion in the minds of the police. As evidence against Jake grows, Shelby knows she has to plow through the clues to weed out the true killer and save her friend. $7.99
Eaton, J.C. - Booked 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery #1) - Sophie "Phee" Kimball is not a cop. She's a divorced, middle-aged mom who works as an account clerk for the police department in a small city in Minnesota. But her retired mother, Harriet Plunket is convinced Phee is the only one who can solve the mystery of a cursed book. According to Harriet, four members of her book club have already succumbed to the deadly curse. Harriet insists Phee catch the next plane to her retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona, to investigate. $7.99
Ferris, Monica - Knit Your Own Murder - She's back with another needlework mystery. The Monday Bunch and other local knitters are participating in a fund-raising auction to save a community center, creating a growling pile of stuffed animals and toys right in front of the auctioneers as the audience bids. Among those contributing the most knitted goods is temperamental businesswoman Maddy Hanover -keels over halfway through the event. After she is pronounced DOA, an autopsy reveals that Maddy had been poisoned. But how? And by whom? One of the prime suspects is her ruthless business rival, Joe Mickels, who lost a bitterly contested property bid to Maddy. When Mickels pleads his innocence to Betsy, she reluctantly believes him. But if Betsy is going to uncover the real murderer's identify, she must first untangle the knots Maddy made in her relationships throughout her life. Free knitting pattern included. $7.99
Hollis, Lee - Death of a Lobster Lover - Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell is off on a girls' getaway with her two best friends. But soon they'll have to get away from a killer. The quaint fishing village of Salmon Cove, Maine, seems like the ideal location for a girls' weekend with her friends Liddy and Mona. Liddy's on the rebound from a breakup but when she meets a handsome tourist, it looks like a little romance might liven things up. Unfortunately Liddy's new sweetheart is found dead on the beach the next morning at the town's Lobster Bake, next to an overturned cooking pot. The liberated lobsters may be scrambling back to the sea, but Hayley's not about to let a murderer escape so easily. To crack the case, she'll need to blow the lid off some serious undercover activity or risk becoming ensnared in a killer's traps. Includes seven detectable recipes from Hayley's kitchen! $7.99
Hyzy, June - Grace to the Finish - Now that Grace Wheaton has officially been named heir to Bennett Marshfield's fortune, her usually busy schedule has become a juggling act. In addition to duties at Marshfield Manor, she's bankrolling her roommates refurbished wine shop, Amethyst Cellars. Grace is excited to check out the rustic space with Bruce and Scott. But that excitement turns to dismay when they stumble upon the body of the banker involved with the sale. Grace wants to solve this mystery quickly so that her friends new venture won't be overshadowed by an unsolved murder, but she's got even more to balance when her troubled sister, Liza, is released from prison early. Liza's first stop is Marshfield Manor and her first priority is grabbing a bite of Bennett's for herself. Grace has to keep her greedy sister at bay and catch a killer before her new life comes crashing down around her. $7.99
Swanson, Denise - Lions and Tigers and Murder, Oh My - Opening up a dime store in her hometown of Shadow Bend, Missouri, Dev thought she'd left the wilds of city life behind her. But she's about to discover that even rural life can be beastly. Handsome private investigator Jake Del Vecchio has rented the office space on the second floor and Dev now finds herself embroiled in his first case, which involves Gabriella Winston, the missing wife of wealthy philanthropist Elliot Winston. Elliot is determined to open a wildlife park on the edge of town but is facing all sorts of angry opposition including Gabriella. After the Winstons have a bitter fight, Gabriella disappears, and their house is ransacked. The authorities are quick to claim Elliot killed his wife, but Dev's not so sure. $7.99WELCOME TO RUTH KERN BOOKS
I hoped you enjoyed your visit. If you haven't heard of us before I'd like to introduce you to our business. We've been in business over 25 years and besides this blog have set up book shops at both the ANG and EGA Nationals and regional seminars and worked with other needlework organizations.
Can't find a certain book? Give us a call whether the title is in or out-of-print. We have a website as well as this blog: ruthkernbooks.com.
Questions? Give us a call Monday through Saturday at 602-943-0738 between 8am and 6pm. Yes, we in Arizona are the people who never change our clocks forward or backwards. If the phone goes to message I'm probably in the middle of helping Mark, my bedridden husband or taking books to the post office. PLEASE don't be shy about leaving a message. I will return your call ASAP. If you prefer you can e-mail me at: rkern3@mindspring.com. To reach us by mail: Ruth Kern Books 7235 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
IMPORTANT!! Don't forget to find the discount code in this blog that gives you a 20% discount on any new book you order.
I look forward to having you return to this site. New Blog: August 19th.
