Wild Release #595

There is a ghost on the Five Star Trail in Greensburg. I saw it myself at the Trolley Line Avenue trail access (near Youngwood, but still technically in Greensburg) around 2:15 p.m. If you're quick, you may see "The Ghost," by Robert Harris, there, too, pinned to the bulletin board just waiting for a kindred soul to pass by...

Wild Release #594

This copy of "The Lost World," by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has already done some travelling. It came to my by way of Scotland and England as part of The Lost World Read 2009, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin with a mass-read of the classic adventure story "The Lost World." I had hoped to release it in Alabama, but didn't have the opportunity, so it travelled with me from Pennsylvania to Michigan to Alabama and back. Today it began the latest leg of its journey. I released it at Martin's Flowers & Shrubs in Belle Vernon, Pa., in one of the greenhouses with the jungle-like ferns. Happy travels!

Wild Releases #592 & #593

Sister No. 6, Mom, and I flew to Birmingham, Ala., this morning for Niece No. 6's First Communion tomorrow. I made sure to pack two perfectly themed books to release at the Vulcan Park and Museum, which I have been wanting to visit for years. Vulcan is a colossal statue of the god of fire and forge that has overlooked the urban landscape of Alabama's largest city since the 1930s. The world's largest cast iron statue, it is considered one of the most memorable works of civic art in the United States and was designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron in 1904. My perfectly themed releases? "Gods in Alabama," by Joshilyn Jackson, was left in the elevator on the way up to Vulcan's observation platform, and "Dr. Spock On Parenting," by Dr. Benjamin Spock, is resting on a bench in the park.

Wild Release #591

Niece No. 2 performed brilliantly in Hempfield Area High School's Spring Musical--"The Mystery of Edwin Droooooood," based on an unfinished book by Charles Dickens. Since I just finished reading another Dickens classic, "A Tale of Two Cities," I thought the school would make a perfect release spot for it. I left it on some steps outside the school before the performance.

Wild Release #590

Run at full tilt to the McDonald's on Route 119 in South Greensburg and you will have the chance to find "Full Tilt," by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes, which was left on the windowsill inside the entrance nearest the drive-thru windows.

Catch #74!

It took a few months, but "Termination Dust" has checked in! New member lanab40 writes: "Just starting readind it. So far it's great." Welcome to BookCrossing, lanab40!

Wild Release #589

I hope there is a very good chance that my most recent release will write home soon. I left "Swan's Chance," by Celeste De Blasis, on the bench outside the First Commonwealth Bank, Greengate Office.

Wild Release #588

How's this for an illuminating release? I left Sidney Sheldon's "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" on a couch in the entrance to the lounge/dining room/banquet room of The Lamplighter restaurant in Delmont, Pa. Clever or stretching it? You be the judge.

Wild Release #587

If you happen to be in the market for a new bed covering, go to Kohl's in North Huntingdon and have a look at their lovely selection of quilts. You may find a bonus there, as well. I left Whitney Otto's "How to Make an American Quilt" on one of the displays.

Wild Release #586

The lampposts outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse looked bare as I walked by this afternoon, so I added a bit of decoration. "5 Ideas That Change The World," by Barbara Ward, is now gracing the right lamppost base flanking the old entrance.

Wild Release #585

Mom and I stopped at the McDonald's Big Mac Museum Restaurant in North Huntingdon for dinner and I left a little something behind: "Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul," by Jack Canfield, et al., is leaning against a set of golden arches inside the restaurant.

Wild Release #584

If you happen to be walking past Hose Co. No. 2 on North Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg, look for "Suspect in the Smoke," by Carolyn Keene, leaning on a flagpole in the parking lot.

Wild Release #583

Sometimes I get the urge to just get in my car and drive. Today that urge took me as far as Mount Pleasant, Pa., where, because of my urge, I needed to fill up my gas tank before returning home. I left "Black Notice," by Patricia Cornwell, on top of the gas pump at the GetGo in Mount Pleasant.

Wild Release #582

Since I am not planning a trip to Alaska any time soon, I thought the next-best place to release "The Eskimo's Secret," by Carolyn Keene, would be someplace cold. Or someplace that sold cold, delicious frozen custard. You can find the book on the window ledge outside the main door of The Meadows Original Frozen Custard on Mount Pleasant Road in Greensburg.

Wild Release #581

Mount Odin Park in Greensburg has a Town Village Playscape made up of miniature versions of the buildings found in Downtown Greensburg--a fire company, a bank, a church, and City Hall, just to name a few. Since Greensburg was founded on the heels of the American Revolution in 1799, I left Mary Pope Osborne's "Revolutionary War on Wednesday" on a ledge inside City Hall.

Wild Release #580

I did a walk-through of Roomful Express in Greensburg this evening and once I eluded the over-anxious sales staff, I was able to stealthily leave Judith Michael's "Sleeping Beauty" on one of the beds that were on display.

Wild Release #579

I admit I have no idea what this book is about, but from the title alone, I knew I had the perfect place to leave it. You can find "Beneath the Skin," by Nicci French, at the Vega Star Tattoo Gallery on North Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg.

Wild Release #578

Sister No. 6 needed some crafty supplies for our annual Easter Egg Extravaganza, so we headed to Michaels at Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg. While she scoped out the bunnies, chicks, and ribbon, I headed for the candle aisle where I released Kathleen Woodiwiss's "The Flame and the Flower" between a bag of floral potpourri and a giant pillar candle.

Wild Release #577

It has been eight months since I released a book at King's Jewelry in Greengate Centre, so I left "Elements of Chance," by Barbara Wilkins, in the catalog rack on the sidewalk sign as I walked next door to Panera Bread for dinner. Write home soon!

Wild Release #576

I have had a slow start with BookCrossing this month, as far as releases go, so I decided to remedy that today. Unfortunately, it is another rainy, windy day in Southwestern Pennsylvania, so that limited me to an inside release. Fortunately, Arby's in Greensburg has the perfect window ledge *inside* the vestibule, enabling me to safely leave Carolyn Keene's "The Riddle of the Ruby Gazelle."