Jim Nolan's Blog

Homemade Postcard, March 27, 1969

My grandfather Bengt Paul (Benekiki) was an amazing photographer, and used to send some of his shots as postcards. This one, of my mom and brother Chris, says: "Dear Christa and Jim—today 42 years since mother and I were married and yesterday it was 9 years since you got engaged. So my thoughts quite naturally go to you with all their hearts and pockets full of love. Hope you are all well and enjoy life. Next time I hope to send a new enlarging. P&K (Puss och kram: kiss and hug) yours Benekiki." It was nice that he wrote it in English so my dad could follow. Bengt picked up the name Benekiki in Hawaii, when he visited my parents there after his wife Hildegard's death in 1957. I've included the story below. 

 

A History of the World in One Object

The BBC Radio series "A History of the World in 100 Objects" overlooked an item fraught with meaning: my Blue Oyster Cult belt buckle. 

Welcome, Canadian Overlords

Canada: low national debt, stable banks, universal health care, and terrific beer. It's time for them to take us over, for our own good. This is how cartoonist (and my wife) Isabella Bannerman imagines the new flag. For my video commentary on this subject, click here.

Scrapbooking, 1929

My grandmother, Isabel Curry Nolan, lost her father to lightning, her brother to a sniper, and kept the rest of her life safely tucked away in scrapbooks.

"Night of the Grizzly," Read Live at Talking Leaves Books in Buffalo

 

From a reading at one of the best bookstores in the world. You can spend hours there discovering great books you never heard of. The story is in Smokey the Talking Dog, which you can order by clicking on the cover to the left. You can hear other stories from it, including "Your Wind Song Stays On (What's Left Of) My Mind," here. 

Veterans Day, Part I

 
My great uncle John's grave marker, in the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France. He died in the first major American engagement in WWI, the Battle of Cantigny.

Thanks to all our veterans on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11.

  

The Rise and Fall of the New York Water Taxi

Buffalo Forge Grill Creates Mini-Blast Furnace

 

Watch how quickly a Buffalo Forge Grill gets coals glowing. For more information about the history of the grill, listen to my interview with expert Matt Georger here. Filmed by George Nolan.

Scrapbooking Cartoon by Isabella Bannerman

 I'm not sure this is the technique my grandmother used for her scrapbook. Check out and "Like" Isy's new Facebook Page, "Isabella Bannerman Cartoons."

Here's a video essay about the scrapbook. Thanks to Richard Reiss for the directorial assistance.

 

Video of Jim Reading at Talking Leaves Books

From the Smokey the Talking Dog reading in Buffalo on July 15, 2011. Emilio Pucci Ban deodorant commercial recalled with scary accuracy by my friend Jon Gardner off camera. 99 cent eBooks available here in multiple formats. Free audio podcasts available at iTunes or Podiobooks.com.