A Ben Franklin's Almanac of Wit, Wisdom

This compendium of wisdom, humor and useful household tips has Ben Franklin as its touchstone and takes off from there, with contributions from a range of almanac writers. Each day on this perpetual calendar gets a full page, with important historical events that occurred on the date; a wise saying and/or weather tip (""January fog means a wet spring"");""A Word to the Wise"" from old Ben; and anecdotes from his life (""The Inspired Mind""). The authors also throw in gardening advice, recipes and household advice both practical (e.g., how to remove spray starch from the bottom of an iron) and indulgent (""Make your bedroom a personal retreat. Splurge on luxurious sheets... and surround yourself with books or whatever else you most enjoy""). With line drawings and various fonts lending an old-fashioned air, this is a charming, useful volume.