LANDS OF LOST BORDERS: OUT OF BOUNDS ON THE SILK ROAD

By Kate Harris. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2018.

Gripping and interesting from start to finish.

The author tells of her most interesting life in the first three chapters, then recounts the year she spent biking along the Silk Road with her friend. You don't need me to tell you this book is chalk full of memorable encounters and thought-provoking observations about Harris's travels and about life. You don't know whether to read this book all in one sitting or read a tiny bit every day.

Purchase it here.https://www.amazon.ca/Lands-Lost-Borders-Bounds-Silk/dp/0345816773

AMI GOES TO CAMP

Hosts from Canada's Accessible Media, Inc., travel to the CNIB's Lake Joseph Centre, a summer camp for the blind, visually impaired and their families.

I attended the spring sessions at Lake Joe from 1995-1997. This documentary brought back a lot of good memories, from tubing to fishing to sitting in the Muskoka chairs.

The documentary is also informative. I didn't know about the family camp or the WILD program.

It was also great to see how Lake Joe builds confidence and makes blind people more independent, an effect I remember it having on me, as well.

Things have also changed, though. The tuck shop was cash only when I went there; no Apple Pay to even be dreamed of. I also didn't remember the sailboats, and I don't remember any gymnastics routines or dancing at the talent show, though that's pretty cool.

Watch "AMI Goes to Camp" here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1sJgNfSpYI

THERESA'S FAMILY RESTAURANT

95 Matthew Street, Marmora, Ontario.

I ate there last week and it was a really good experience. The service was the best I've received in a long time and the place had a wonderful, small-town atmosphere, enhanced by quirky signs displayed throughout the place. I had the all-day breakfast, which was delicious and quite reasonably priced.

THANKSGIVING AROUND THE WORLD

You may think Thanksgiving is only a thing in Canada and the States, but throughout October and November, various nations will be celebrating the holiday. Here's a look at seven of them.

I, of course, knew Canada celebrated Thanksgiving, though I don't think I've ever heard of anyone taking their vacations at that time or witnessed a Thanksgiving parade.

IRON ROOSTER ROTISSERIE AND GRILL

104221 Hwy 7, Marmora, Ontario.

Went to this restaurant a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. The Iron Rooster has a wide variation in the items on their menu, such as offering a dozen different kinds of burgers. The waitress was friendly, courteous and efficient. I had the quarter chicken dinner which was really good. The atmosphere was also quite nice and laid-back.

Also be sure to check out the antique motorcycle museum.

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI

By David Grann. New York: Vintage Books, 2017.

Sometimes a book can be satisfying and predictable at the same time.

Grann tells the story of the murders of several members of the oil-rich Osage Indian tribe in the twenties and how the newly renamed Federal Bureau of Investigation solved several of them.

This book was a thoroughly good read. As well as telling an interesting, true story in the main, the book delves into many other fascinating details of history that took place before the main events of the book.

Though the reader can see the ending from a few chapters in, predictability does not take away from the informative enjoyment the reader will receive.

Purchase it here.https://www.amazon.ca/Killers-Flower-Moon-Osage-Murders-ebook/dp/B01CWZFBZ4

SPRINGBROOK DINER

4876 Stirling-Marmora Road, Springbrook, Ontario.

I ate at this restaurant a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I had the spaghetti special which came with cheese and garlic bread. The food was delicious and the service was excellent.