What Sold on eBay? Sixth Edition: Interesting Buyer Stories

Next up in my What Sold on eBay series, is a review of five interesting sales that I have had this year, 2024. This time, they are from the perspective of the buyer. They are not high-dollar value sales but rather sales that were particularly interesting for one reason or another for the buyer. If you are curious about what type of items have a personal connection with a buyer or if you are simply curious about what people are buying and selling on eBay, you will enjoy my review of these sales.

PAST ISSUES OF FINE COOKING MAGAZINE

I was lucky to find a collection of  past copies of Fine Cooking magazine. As a cook, I tried a few of the recipes and found that they were often elaborate but always delicious. Of course, I am not the only one who knows that Fine Cooking recipes are really, really good. 

One buyer who recently purchased multiple copies from me said: “Fine cooking is my favorite food magazine and I am happy to be able to purchase the individual issues that I was missing.” I was happy to help her fill out her collection. 

Find your Fine Cooking magazines here on eBay.

ROY KIRHAM PLEASE SHUT THE GATE MUG

Another buyer purchased a somewhat hard-to-find pig-themed fine bone china mug by Roy Kirkham titled “Please Shut the Gate.”  

She said “This mug is great. It makes me smile first thing in the morning and arrived quickly and in perfect condition.” It is one in a series that also includes fun illustrations of sheep and cattle and comes in a variety of styles including the one shown here, a teacup and saucer and even a teapot. Perfect for fans of farms and farm animals. 

Find your Roy Kirkham Please Shut the Gate piece here on eBay.

RENOIR'S LITTLE GIRL WITH THE BLUE RIBBON PRINT

Yet another buyer reached out and purchased a reproduction 20-inch picture printed on sturdy cardboard. It featured a portrait painting from 1880 by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The subject of the print is Irène Cahen d'Anvers and the image is known by both her name and by the title, Little Girl with the Blue Ribbon or Little Irene. 

The buyer said, “When I was a little girl my parents hung this picture on my bedroom wall. Little did I know the artist or anything about it. I grew up and in my teenage years I figured I was way too old and cool for that silly picture (and so she gave it away). I so regret giving that picture away but I am SO thrilled to be getting another just like it. I grew up in Markham, Ontario so it figures that it's coming from Ontario. Who knows but what it could have been the same one of mine from years ago?” 

I love that the buyer can remember the artwork that hung in her room as a child and that she is able to once again own that image as a reminder of her childhood.

Find your print of Renoir's Little Girl with the Blue Ribbon here on eBay.

GUSTAVE BAUMANN NEW MEXICO GREETING CARD

I sold this greeting card that features an image by artist Gustave Baumann. However, this sale came not because someone collects pieces by that particular artist but rather because someone has an ancestral connection to the Talpa Chapel in New Mexico. 

The buyer said, “This chapel was my ancestors private chapel on their ranch in Talpa, New Mexico. It’s called the Duran Chapel or Chapel of our lady of Talpa. The picture by Gustave here is actually transposed. The original view was mirror image.” 

How wonderful that someone has a connection like this with the chapel and how interesting that the picture is transposed. I do wonder how that happened but expect it was an error in printing.

Check out all of the Gustave Baumann pieces here on eBay. If you want greeting cards in particular, you should add the word card to your search.

BARBIE SISTERS' CRUISE SHIP

Finally, I have helped a couple of individuals complete their Barbie cruise ships. In particular, the Barbie Sisters’ Cruise ship, model number X3209, that was released in 2011. Believe it or not, one of those people was working on completing multiple ships! They all have been very pleased to find the replacement pieces and parts they have needed in my shop on eBay. These particular pieces were difficult to find because the ship is no longer made but were a little bit rarer because they were all new pieces.

Find your Barbie Sisters' Cruise ship parts or a ship in its entirety here, on eBay.

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I hope you enjoyed these eBay stories. If you would like to read more about what sells on eBay, just follow the links shown below.

You never know
what I might have
in store for you!
Brenda

QUICK LINKS:

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What Sold on eBay Fourth Edition.

What Sold on eBay the Best of 2022.

What Sold on eBay: The Christmas Edition.

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Introducing Joe Pickett, Season 1

Joe Pickett is the new, unassuming game warden in a remote area of Wyoming. He is a quiet man and not your typical hero. Joe is publically introduced to his neighbors in Saddle String as a push-over after a poacher holds him at gunpoint - with Joe's gun. The "bad guys" consider him to be easy-to-manage and believe he'll fall in line with the how-it's-done-here mentality of the town and surrounding public lands. But Joe is a game warden who follows the rules, and expects everyone else to follow the rules too, even if he has to give his life to protect the wildlife. In this review, I will tell you a bit more about Joe and the characters of Saddle String.

Photo Credit: By Bob Wick of the Bureau of Land Management
(public domain) 

Joe Pickett, Season 1

As a young boy, Joe decides he wants to become a game warden. The outdoors is his sanctuary and he has a caring spirit.  

Joe Pickett season 1, episode 1 opens almost immediately with a life or death situation during Joe's normal game warden business. Ote Keeley is a local outfitter and hunting guide. He needs his hunting license to make a living and support his family be he's also a poacher and Joe catches him in the act. During the confrontation, Ote taunts Joe for having arrested the Governor for fishing without a license. 

"I didn't know he was the Governor".  Joe responded. But it wouldn't have made a difference if he had known. Rules are rules. And unlike Joe's predecessor, Vern, Joe doesn't cut deals or do favors. He doesn't follow Vern's suggestion to focus on ticketing the tourists and looking the other way for the residents. 

During the confrontation, Ote takes Joe's sidearm and holds him at gun point. Even at gunpoint, Joe doesn't back down from his plan to write him up for poaching. Fortunately, they come to a sort of truce and no one dies. Not on that day.

Later, Ote's body is found, shot dead with an arrow, in Joe's yard. Joe is trying to figure out why Ote would have come to his home on horseback, with an arrow in him. While law enforcement immediately arrests a suspect - surprisingly, they don't arrest Joe for the murder - Joe begins researching the crime from the game warden perspective. Ote was killed with an illegal arrow tip. 

As the murder count increases, people seem to be falsely accused, evidence disappears, and Joe knows he's missing a piece of the puzzle. But will he, his wife, and children live through the investigation or should he give up his job and turn a blind eye to it all?

This story is a modern western murder mystery in a gorgeous mountainous setting. There were so many characters who were unlikeable in this one small town that I couldn't guess who was exactly at fault. 

Characters:

Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) and his wife, Marybeth (Julianna Guill) are trying to raise their children in a peaceful and safe setting. Marybeth was a lawyer until she made the conscious decision to stay home and raise her children - rather than be the stressed, absent parent that busy lawyers often are.  Her mother Missy (Sharon Lawrence) frequently berates Marybeth for this choice, for being a game warden's wife, and for choosing a simple life.  Interesting that Missy feels like she's in the position to judge anyone about their life choices.

Ote Keeley (Benjamin Hollingsworth) is the "degenerate" married to April Keeley (Vivienne Guynn) and they have children. Even though Ote died at the very beginning of the series, we think about him alot. And April incites both disgust and empathy.

Nate Romanowski (Mustafa Speaks) is the prepper/recluse who is immediately arrested for the murder of Ote based solely on one incident they had in the past (Ote killed one of Nate's birds of prey) and because Nate owns a bow. Nate comes across as frightening and perhaps manipulative. He asks Joe to find the truth and Marybeth ends up being his lawyer for the murder trial.

There is a huge cast. And far too many to list. There are the rich folks, poor folks, law-abiding folks, schemers, very strange-but-harmless folks, and the killers.  Most all of law enforcement and politicians are questionable and either lazy/inept or trying to redirect. 

I enjoyed Joe Pickett, Season 1 so much that I binge-watched it one weekend. I immediately began recommending it to others. I love thriller/mysteries that are set in amazing settings. The elk, bison, and mountains are all peaceful eye-candy. The clash between the good guys, bad guys, and flawed guys is the cherry on top. 

The Joe Pickett series written by C.J. Box

This tv series is based on the books written by C.J. Box. I have book 1 in my kindle and haven't read it yet only because I've been so engrossed in several of W. Michael Gear's historical fiction series. After discovering the Joe Pickett tv series by accident, you can know that I will begin reading the C.J. Box books next.  Especially since there are many books in the written series and only 1 and 2 and the television series. 

Related Links

Joe Pickett, season 1 on Amazon Prime Video or DVD

Author C.J. Box on Amazon:   Open Season (A Joe Pickett Novel Book 1)

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The Holdovers - Movie Review: A Thoughtful Journey of Sacrifice and Redemption

The Holdovers is a movie that resonated deeply with me, not just because of its engaging plot but also because of the powerful themes it explores. 

Released in 2023, the film weaves together a story of sacrifice, personal growth, and the challenging journey of overcoming long-held emotional baggage. 

The Plot of The Holdovers

At its core, The Holdovers is about a group of people who, due to various circumstances, find themselves stuck together over the Christmas holidays at a New England boarding school. 

The remarkable Paul Giamatti plays the central character, Paul Hunham, a curmudgeonly teacher who seems perpetually discontented with life. He is assigned to stay behind at the school to supervise a small group of students who, for different reasons, can't go home for the holidays. 

The movie dives into the lives of these "holdovers"—both the students and Paul himself—as they navigate the complexities of their circumstances. 

Paul is a character burdened by his past decisions and struggles to find meaning in his current life. 

The students, each with unique stories and reasons for staying back bring their own challenges and perspectives. One of the most compelling storylines involves a student named Angus, who is grappling with personal loss and isolation. 

Throughout the film, a sense of melancholy intertwines moments of levity and hope. 

The narrative slowly peels back the layers of each character, revealing their vulnerabilities and the heavy emotional baggage they carry. It becomes clear that each of them has something to learn and something to give, even if they don't realize it at first.

What struck me most about The Holdovers was its exploration of sacrifice and the process of letting go of personal baggage. 

The movie masterfully portrays how the characters, especially Paul, come to terms with their pasts and find ways to move forward. 

It's not a story filled with grand gestures or dramatic epiphanies but one of small, significant moments of realization and change. 

The film left me with mixed emotions—sadness for what the characters had endured and hope for their futures.

The Talented Cast Featuring Paul Giamatti

The cast of  The Holdovers is one of its greatest strengths. 

Paul Giamatti leads the ensemble and delivers an outstanding performance as Paul Hunham. Giamatti's portrayal of the gruff yet deeply wounded teacher is both nuanced and compelling, capturing the essence of a man who is both relatable and flawed. 

Alongside Giamatti, we have Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who plays Mary Lamb, a dedicated school cook who also finds herself staying back during the holidays. Her character adds a layer of warmth and empathy to the story, countering Paul's gruff demeanor. 

Dominic Sessa plays Angus, a troubled student whose storyline is central to the film's exploration of grief and redemption. His portrayal of a young man struggling with the weight of his circumstances is touching and powerful. 

Other notable cast members include Carrie Preston, who plays Paul's estranged wife, and Brady Hepner, who plays another student dealing with the complexities of teenage life.

Why I Loved The Holdovers

The casting of Paul Giamatti, who has long been one of my favorite actors, initially drew me to The Holdovers. 

His ability to bring depth to every role he plays is always a treat to watch, and this film is no exception. After reading a summary of the storyline, I decided to watch the movie, and I'm so glad I did.

I sincerely appreciate character-driven movies that offer insights into the human condition, and The Holdovers perfectly fits that bill. 

The film is more than just a story about a group stuck together over the holidays; it's a nuanced exploration of life's complexities, choices, and burdens. 

Despite the film's often somber tone, it never feels overwhelmingly bleak. There's a delicate balance between the sadness of the characters' situations and the quiet moments of connection and understanding that offer a glimmer of hope. 

Ultimately, The Holdovers is a film that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. It reminds me of the importance of compassion, understanding, and the willingness to confront our pasts to move forward. 

I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thoughtful, well-crafted story with rich character development and a meaningful message.

Preview the Trailer:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You Can Watch The Holdovers Via Prime, Where Available

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Book Reviews of the ‘Tea by the Sea’ Cozy Mystery Series

Vicki Delany, a Canadian crime writer, has written a series of Cozy Mysteries. A Tea by the Sea Mystery series is one of them. It is a delightful series featuring Lily Roberts, owner of a Cape Cod Tearoom.

Continuing Characters in the Series

This series takes place on the Outer Cape of Cape Cod facing Cape Cod Bay where Lily Roberts recently opened an authentic English Tearoom in a refurbished old stone building located on the property of her grandmother Rose’s grand old Victorian B & B.  

Lily, a professional pastry chef, left the restaurant business in New York City to realize her dream of owning and operating her own tearoom she named “Tea by the Sea”. She also helps her 85-year-old grandmother run her B & B “Victoria-on-Sea” by cooking the breakfast part of the bed & breakfast early each morning before her tearoom opens at 11:00 A.M.  

Lily lives in the guest cottage on the B & B property, along with her labradoodle Eclair, so named because of the cream stripe that runs through her curly brown fur. Grandmother Rose has a spoiled cat with the Scottish name Robert the Bruce (Robbie, for short).

Other continuing characters include Lily’s best friend Bernie (Bernadette), a forensic accountant who leaves her NYC job to move to Cape Cod for the summer to write a book. Then there is Simon, the young (and good looking) Englishman who takes over his uncle’s job as gardener for the extensive gardens that surround the B & B and tearoom. Lily’s helpers in the tearoom include Cheryl & Marybeth, mother & daughter, who help run the tearoom while Lily bakes. 

Each of these characters, including the animals, appear throughout the entire series and lend importance to each storyline. 

Because each book seems to include a murder that somehow always involves Lily and her family & friends, we also get to know the crotchety old town police detective Chuck Williams - nearing retirement age and rather lazy - and his new assistant, Detective Amy Redmond, young and experienced (coming to Cape Cod from the Boston PD), but under the command of Detective Williams, who tends to narrow his focus to not investigate as well as he should. 

Synopses of this 5 Book Series

Tea & Treachery

A Cape Cod tea shop owner (Lily Roberts) must solve the murder of a local real estate developer to help her feisty grandmother,  Rose, out of a jam after Rose is accused of the murder.

Murder in a Teacup

Cape Cod tearoom owner/pastry chef, Lily Roberts, gets herself in trouble when she unknowingly serves one of her grandmother's B&B guests a deadly cup of tea. Lily has to assume her part-time sleuth role to find the real killer and save herself. 

Murder Spills the Tea

When a popular TV baking show comes to Cape Cod to film at Lily’s charming tearoom, a celebrity chef and judge is murdered at the tearoom. Having lost his temper on-camera with a member of Lily's staff, Cheryl Wainwright ends up a suspect in his murder. Now Lily must investigate to clear her friend’s name. 

Steeped in Malice

Fine English teas are always served in china teacups (never mugs), as presentation is important. Finding herself low on teacups for her tearoom, Lily attends an antique show to replace her fragile stock. There she finds a delightful Peter Rabbit-themed tea set in a wicker basket, perfect for children’s events. 

Days later, a rude woman (Kimberly) arrives at the tearoom to demand the tea set back. She wants an envelope hidden in the basket’s lining. 

Turns out, the envelope was the last will and testament of Kimberly’s mother, and changes what an earlier will decreed (leaving Kimberly out of the inheritance entirely). Meanwhile, Kimberly’s half-sister Rachel  is also looking for the new will. As is Kimberly’s new husband (who just happens to have been Lily’s former NYC chef boyfriend). 

When one of the sisters is found dead on the grounds of the B & B, naturally Lily, Rose and their friends become involved. A simple case of greed and too many suspects make for another fun cozy mystery.

Tea & Treachery (Tea by the Sea Mysteries)Check PriceMurder in a Teacup (Tea by the Sea Mysteries)Check PriceMurder Spills the Tea: Tea by the Sea Mysteries, Book 3Check PriceSteeped in Malice (Tea by the Sea Mysteries)Check Price

 

SUMMARY

Each book in the series is charming. We learn all about the various teas served in the tearoom, from the simple Cream Tea - Tea & Scones - all the way to the Royal Tea, which is very fancy indeed, including a three-tiered tray filled with fancy scones, delectable sandwiches and tiny tasty desserts. Each book also has recipes at the end for the various scones, tarts, cupcakes and sandwiches served for these teas.

We also get to know each character individually, including their interesting personalities, and how they interact with each other. 

I was first drawn to this cozy mystery series because of the name of the town on Cape Cod used in the stories. Author Delany calls the town ‘North Augusta’, which immediately caught my attention because I once lived in North Augusta, South Carolina. North Augusta on Cape Cod is not a real place, but it is mentioned as being close to North Truro (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) and turns out to be the perfect location for a mystery series. 

Cozy Mysteries frequently feature an ordinary person who somehow becomes involved as an amateur sleuth in a crime. They are often a known community person, such as a librarian, a book store owner, or, as in this series, the pastry chef of a tearoom, each taking place in a small community.

The Tea by the Sea Mystery Series is absolutely delightful and filled with characters you will come to love. I highly recommend this Cozy Mystery series by Vicki Delany.

*A Tea by the Sea series of cozy mysteries review is written by Wednesday Elf 

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The Convenient Groom - Hallmark Movie Review

Calling all Romantic Hallmark Movie Lovers!  This is a delightfully sweet and fun movie to watch.  

To be honest, I didn't expect much based on the description of this movie so I was very surprised to find a movie I really liked a lot.  I chose it solely because David Sutcliffe was one of the main actors.  I was not previously familiar with his co-star, Vanessa Marcil, but turns out, I really like her too.  She has a very easy smile, a lovely face and is a believable actress.  They make a very cute couple!

This movie was a very nice break for me.  I had stepped away from the romance movie genre this summer and started watching more of the mystery series movies.  I still had the final mystery episode in my mystery series to watch, but I was not in the mood for another murder today.  Thus, I sought out a pleasant romance.  

 

The Convenient Groom Synopsis

 The Convenient Groom [DVD]Check PriceKate Lawrence, Ph.D is a popular dating advice video blogger with a book deal just around the corner.  The movie starts with her offering tips on how to spot the red flags in a relationship on her show, "Just ... No".  I laughed out loud when I heard her describe a "high maintenance" man.  

Any movie that can make me laugh in the first two minutes is almost guaranteed to be a winner!

Following her own advice, Kate has found her own perfect fiance, soon to be husband.  For those of us watching, we can easily spot the "red flags" in her relationship, but she naively chooses to ignore them because she wants a relationship without conflict.  No surprise when her fiance breaks up with her, leaving her to explain to her audience what just happened to her big announcement.  She is about to "air all" when an old friend steps in to save her day, and her job, by claiming to be her fiance.  She, and her entire crew, are surprised, but play along with him during the filming to keep from having a totally disastrous show.

Lucas Wright feels really bad for Kate when he overhears her fiance breaking off their engagement, admitting that he is seeing someone else.  When she slips away to gather her thoughts before continuing the filming, Lucas takes that moment to talk to her.  Because he really wants to help, he ends up stepping out during the filming and announcing that he is Kate's fiance.  Of course, the crowd goes wild!

Kate and Lucas are engaged, at least as far as everyone else is concerned.  The announcement day has been saved, but now what?  Her book deal is still up in the air and vendors are lining up to be chosen for their wedding day in a few months. Sort of, jumping from the frying pan into the fire scenario.

Okay, so you probably have it all figured out, but it is still a delightfully fun mess to watch! 

Check Out More Movie Reviews at
ReviewThisMovies.com

The Convenient Groom - Hallmark Movie Review by:

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Book Review - Spark of Revolution

 

In his series, From Peasant to Patriot, DeWayne Landwehr combines the knowledge and research he has found about his ancestors and his in-depth research into the history of the places they lived during the past several centuries and combines them into a very interesting series of historical novels. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each of these novels and look forward to continuing to follow these families on their journey to a life in the "New World".

Book Summary

The books follow two 17th century Scottish families as they move to Ireland to escape both religious and political persecution.  After only one generation in Ireland, they find that the same persecution from the English Monarchy has followed them, and they are searching for a place they can live and raise their families in peace and at least some degree of prosperity.

In the latest book "Spark of Revolution: The Reluctant Forging of a New Nation "the families make the decision to relocate to the "New World" in North America.  We follow them as they endure hardships both in their travels and their quests to carve a life in the uncharted wilderness that has with it many hardships of its own.  They are surrounded with hostile people from this land, and they find that disease, starvation and war has followed them to the New World.  They also arrive at a time when this "New World" is faced with the decisions of staying part of the British rule or carving out a new nation.  

I find it very interesting to read about the families as they are confronting many of the events that we have all learned in American History classes.  The author has done a great job of making this "Forging of a New Nation" come to life through the characters in this book.

Here is the Amazon link to the book: Spark of Revolution: The Reluctant Forging of a New Nation

Author Interview

I thought it would be interesting to get a little background on the author and hear his views on writing these novels.

DeWayne Landwehr graciously agreed to do an author's interview with me.  I sent him a group of questions and he emailed me his responses.  Here are the questions and answers.

Q. DeWayne-First of all could you tell us a little bit about your background?

A. I grew up and went to school in St. Clair, Missouri. Although I spent a lot of time helping with my father’s hatchery and feed store, I also got a job as soon as I could, working first at the St. Clair

Chronicle, and then as a pump jockey at a gas station on Route 66. Those experiences formed the basis of my first book, “Will That be Regular or Ethyl?”

After high school, I was accepted to attend General Motors Institute and graduated with an engineering degree in 1968. I followed that up in 1971 with a MBA by going to night classes.

During my sophomore year, I married my high school sweetheart, Gail Schroeder, and through the years, we had two sons.

I worked for various units of General Motors my entire career, but it was during a stint at the GM Technical Center that I discovered an interest and knack for writing. I am now retired, and have

several hobbies, including forestry, woodworking, and of course my writing.

Q.  I know this book is the third in a series.  What made you want to write these books?  Will there be others in the series?

A. I had developed an interest in genealogy along the way and had traced my family’s roots to the1500s. Those two interests came together to produce the idea for a historical fiction series that

features my family’s journey through time, starting in the 16th century.

Three books have been published in this series, called “From Peasant to Patriot”. A fourth book is in the works now, and there will probably be a fifth book as well.

Q. I love historical fiction and always wonder how much of the books are true history and what is fiction.  In your case, I know you wrote based on your own ancestors.  In particular scenes are the characters based on actual things your ancestors did or are

they fiction and based on the times and places you found in your research of your ancestors.  I was particularly interested in their involvement in the events leading up to the revolutionary war in America.

A. My books are written mainly from the perspective of the common man—particularly my ancestors. I have done considerable research to discover where they were and what was happening around them. I outline those facts, along with real historical characters and events

that I have also discovered in my research and imagine how my ancestors may have reacted and what they may have said and done. As I introduce new ancestral characters in my books, I

chart them for the reader at the head of the chapter. Occasionally, I need to invent peripheral characters to advance the narrative, and of course, I have no knowledge of individual conversations, but other than that, everything in my books is historically accurate. Many of the details included in them has been discovered in places like the Journal of the American Revolution, applications to the Daughters of the American Revolution, courthouse and church records, the National Archives, Ancestry archives and other family trees, genealogical research facilities located in some libraries, and Wikipedia. So, I like to think that, except for individual conversations, my books are as historically accurate as any history  book.

Q. Tell us a little about how you went about your research for this book.

A. The first thing I did was to assemble as much as I could of my family tree. I have done that on both my paternal and maternal sides back to roughly 1500. Then, using those resources mentioned above, namely, Journal of the American Revolution, applications to the Daughters of the American Revolution, courthouse and church records, the National Archives, Ancestry archives and other family trees, genealogical research facilities located in some libraries, and Wikipedia, I collected articles and information regarding historical

events that were occurring around them.

I assembled facts from those two steps into an outline to cover the time period for which I was writing, and then began to construct the narrative, including conversations.

As events unfolded in the story, I occasionally had to invent peripheral characters to advance the narrative. At many points in the story, I would wonder things like, “…who was it that…”, so I would query one of my resources (usually Wikipedia). There would almost always be an answer, but in the few cases when there was no clear fact to be uncovered, I invented it. In those very few cases, I tell the reader in Author Notes.

Q. I love the way you make your characters come to life in your writing.  What is your secret?

A. I have read scores of books in my favorite genres: historical fiction, medieval history, medieval fiction and family saga, and tried to pick out my favorite attributes and styles from the various

authors. I found that I like stories in which the author mixes some conversations with straight; not all one or the other. Also, I found that some authors will spend pages describing

the appearance of some character, and I found that to be tedious. I try to give the reader just enough description of a character to ignite their imagination, then let that imagination run in their own mind while the narrative unfolds.

Q. What is the main thing you would like your reader to remember from your book?

A. In every book I write, I would like for the reader to be able to imagine themselves or one of their ancestors as one or more of the characters in the book. In Spark of Revolution, I hope the reader comes away with a realization that the idea of a' United States’ didn’t arise fully formed on the 4th of July 1776. It was a result of years of

struggle and compromise, led by men and women who often disagreed, but were willing to listen to others’ views and to compromise and work with each other.

Q. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions.  Is there anything else you would like the readers of Review This to know about your books.

A. The basic idea behind the creation of this series, “From Peasant to Patriot”, was to set it in the perspective of the common man of the times, and to follow a few related families as they dealt

with life and death, beginning in the 16th century, and following through to the 20th century. In creating the settings, real historical events were outlined, and real people from my family tree

were inserted in the narrative where I think they might have been as a result of my research. Consequently, excepting the individual conversations, these books are almost entirely factual

and historically accurate.

Mary, thank you for allowing me to do this.   

De

Other Books by DeWayne Landwehr

The first book in the series From Peasant to Patriot can be found on Amazon at Smoke on the Whiteadder  You can find more about this book at my review on Review This Smoke on the Whiteadder .

The second book in the series is Inside Odenwald: Courage of Survival and can also be purchased on Amazon at Inside Oldenwald

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The Best Affordable LED Light for Selfies, Social Media, Zoom Calls

The Newmowa 60 LED High Power Rechargeable Clip Fill Video Conference Light is a versatile and portable lighting solution designed to enhance video quality for video conferencing, selfies, vlogging, TikTok, and more.

With its compact size, front and back clip options, adjustable brightness, and three light modes, this LED light works with a variety of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and more. This makes it ideal for anyone looking to improve their lighting for virtual meetings (professional or family get-togethers) or social media content.

Whether I'm on a Zoom call with my family members on the other side of the country or just snapping a quick photo or selfie, getting a decent picture requires good lighting. That nearly always means a supplementary light source vs. just ambient lighting. Recently, frustrated with the need to lug my large, folding, rechargeable LED lamp around to light my shots or video calls, I decided to order a clip-on LED light recommended by a friend who is a beauty influencer on social media.

I couldn't be more pleased with the Newmova Mobile Phone LED Light (model SL-60AI), for which I paid a little more than $30 on Amazon.

Here are some examples of photos I took using only ambient room light and then with the Newmova clip-on LED light on different color temperature settings so you can see the difference it makes.

Photo of bowl of potpourri - ambient room light only

Photo of bowl of potpourri - with Newmova LED light cool setting

Photo of bowl of potpourri - with Newmova LED light warm setting

Photo of bowl of potpourri - with Newmova LED light daylight (mixed cool/warm) setting

The difference in the detail, color, and picture quality of these simple photos taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max phone is striking, isn't it?

Design and Features

• Compact and Portable: This clip-on LED light features a sleek design that is small enough to fit easily into a drawer, pocket or bag, ensuring that your lighting solution is always accessible and making it ideal for on-the-go use.
• Front and Back Clip Options: The included front and back clips allow for easy attachment to smartphones, tablets, and laptops, ensuring a secure and adjustable fit. This dual clip system enhances its versatility by allowing it to be mounted on different devices or even standalone setups. Both jaws of the clothespin-style clip are lined with rubber for a secure attachment and to avoid marring your devices. The jaws also open wide enough to accommodate even very thick phone cases as well as mounting on a laptop screen.
• Rechargeable Battery: This clip-on LED light is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for external power sources and providing freedom and convenience. A full charge offers several hours of usage, depending on the brightness level you choose.
• Adjustable Lighting Modes: The light offers three lighting modes with three different color temperatures: warm light (3200K), cool light (5600K), and daylight mode (mixed), allowing users to adapt the lighting to different environments, preferences, and skin tones. So, it’s easy to get more flattering selfies or look better in Zoom calls.
• 10 Brightness Levels: Within each lighting mode, you can easily adjust the brightness to achieve the desired level of illumination and light intensity, ensuring that details are highlighted without overexposure in photo and video applications.
• Durable Construction: The light is built to withstand everyday use, with a sturdy construction that ensures long-lasting performance.

The Newmowa SL-60AI clip-on mobile LED light comes with two mounting attachments, a USB cord for charging the rechargeable battery, and an instruction leaflet.

Performance and Usage

• Bright and Even Illumination: The 60 high-power LEDs provide ample brightness, effectively illuminating subjects and reducing shadows. The light distribution is generally even, ensuring consistent lighting across the scene to ensure clear visibility during video calls or content creation. I have been extremely impressed with the brightness of this small, compact, clip-on LED light!
• Battery Life: The rechargeable battery offers a decent battery life, allowing for extended use on a single charge. However, the exact battery life may vary depending on usage patterns and environmental factors.
• Ease of Use: The light is simple to use, with intuitive controls that allow for quick adjustments to the lighting settings. As you can see in the photo, there is a power button that not only powers the light on and off, but can be pressed repeatedly while the light is powered on to rotate among the three color temperature settings. There are also two smaller buttons to turn the brightness up or down. The clip mechanism is also easy to operate and provides a secure hold on devices.

The Newmowa Mobile Phone LED Light control buttons are simple and intuitive

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compact and portable design
• Versatile clip for easy attachment
• Rechargeable battery for convenience
• Adjustable lighting modes and brightness levels
• Durable construction

Cons:

• Color rendering may vary slightly
• Battery life may be limited for heavy users

A Great Gift for Anyone

Since most people spend a considerable amount of time on their mobile phones, tablets, and laptops and sharing photos and videos (of themselves, others, products they love, etc.) on social media or by email, the Newmowa clip-on mobile phone LED light would make a welcome gift at an affordable price.

Conclusion

The Newmowa 60 LED High Power Rechargeable Clip Fill Video Conference Light is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve the quality of their photos or videos, especially on the go. The compact size, light weight, versatile clip/mounting options, adjustable lighting modes and brightness levels, and rechargeable battery make this clip-on LED light a very convenient and effective choice for a wide range of applications. The overall performance and ease of use make it a solid pick for someone who wants to enhance their photo and video content quickly, easily and affordably.

The Best Affordable LED Light for Selfies, Social Media, Zoom Calls by Margaret Schindel

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Cleaning my Grill with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner - Reviewed

 

Keeping my grill in top condition ensures my grilling is always a hit. I have a Char-Griller Smokin Champ, a combination smoker, and a charcoal grill.

Over time, grease, charred bits, and food residue can build up, affecting the food's taste and the grill's performance.

I have discovered that Easy-Off oven cleaner is not only for cleaning your oven but also very effective in cleaning my grill.

Easy-Off is known for its ability to break down stubborn grease and grime. It's specifically designed for tough kitchen jobs, making it perfect for cleaning grills.

Safety First: Here is What You'll Need

Make sure you follow all the safety instructions on the can.

• Easy-Off oven cleaner (I use the Heavy Duty version)
• Rubber gloves to protect your hands
• A sponge or grill brush ( I use a Scrub Daddy)
• A bucket of warm water for rinsing
• Paper towels of cloth

After spraying the Easy-Off Heavy Duty I let it set for about an hour. Then, I use the scrub daddy and warm water to wipe out the grease. After I have all of the grease cleaned out I use the paper towels to wipe it dry. There is no doubt about it, this is a messy job but, the results are satisfying and it works well.

This was my cooking chamber in my grill before I cleaned it with Easy-Off oven cleaner.

Here is my cooking chamber after I cleaned it. 

After cleaning, I wiped the cooking chamber and grill grates with cooking oil and added a chimney full of hot charcoal. I closed the lid to let the temperature rise to 500 degrees. 

Then, let the grill cool naturally. This process is to reseason the grill, and the grates to prevent rust. I do this because the grates are cast iron and the cooking chamber is all metal.

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