THE HORSE IN ART by John Baskett may be as close as I ever get to seeing a Munnings painting in person. He's one of my favorite equine artists and is featured in my latest HALF PRICE BOOK offer. This profusely illustrated hardcover coffee table book begins with the horse in ancient civilizations, including masterpieces from Asia, and then discusses the horse in the Middle Ages, in which the animal was bred for warfare and agriculture and is represented in such scenes as the Bayeaux Tapestry. Renaissance artists, whose interest in horses was as great as that for the human form, are then discussed, evidence of which is shown in the skillful drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. The 17th century brought beautiful examples of naturalism from such masters as Peter Paul Rubens, while George Stubbs became the premier horse painter in 18th-century England. Works by Americans George Catlin and Frederic Remington are also explored, along with exquisite miniatures of natural scenes produced by Persian and Mughal painters from varying periods.

A new edition of a long out-of-print gem, The Horse in Art brings artistic representation of the horse to life - for only $20! See this, and the rest of the HALF PRICE BOOKS here

"Hug" clay plaque

Coffee & Dog Hair -
I never leave home without them.

This is one of my favorite products that tells it like it is. As the owner (more like wait staff) of a mostly white, short haired Jack Russell Terrier, I can tell you that the "minimal shedding" description assigned to short haired dog breeds is a major myth. This 13 pound dog produces enough loose hair to totally fill the dryer lint trap every time I launder her bedding. She was a major contributor to the creepy hairball I found under my office chair (full story here)

Never mind trying to keep it off your clothes - it sticks like glue and no manner of removal efforts will prevail. If you're going somewhere, and do manage to get the hair all off your clothes - the residual hair that's IN THE CAR will quickly take it's place. It's a losing battle and folks with a sense of humor just admit it and go on with their lives. Order the mug that proclaims you're one of us here.

My efforts to clear the warehouse (and my house- house) of accumulated oddball products continues to gain momentum. I've written about it before. The point continues to be, sometimes the space becomes more valuable than the items that are occupying it. So this is where most places say... "our loss is your gain!" Well, check out this super-cheap stuff and BUY IT. And your gain will be my gain, too. Because I need that space on the shelf.