The Chemist and the Technician (Paperback)

Initially, the would-be chemist cites a nostalgic account of his early years, even including peanut butter fudge recipes. When the historical account of ancestors is given, it is noted that the Underground Railroad was a part of the story. Considerable space was given to the life in the 1920-1930's on a farm where mixed farming was practiced.His work after college took him first to New York, NY and then to Oak Ridge, TN, which was later known as "The Atomic City." He met and married a technician who became a lifetime mate. The historical account of her ancestors include participants in the Clarke Illinois campaign, the King's Mountain, SC battle of the Revolutionary War and Col. William Leander Graham and his cavalry episodes during the Civil War.
The children of the authors included a son, John, and a daughter, Lisa. The memoir features a brief mention of mental health as it relates to John's care. A religious analog to the oval and the circle is given which was an outgrowth of a trip to Tulane University in New Orleans, LA when Lisa received her MBA as well as Master in Public Health. The chemist's work experience covered the UF6 gaseous diffusion plant, the chlorofluoro compounds used as refrigerants and propellants, the oxidation of cumene to its hydroperoxide in the manufacture of phenol, the manufacture of benzaldehyde and also the indexing and editing for the chemical publications of the Institute of Scientific Information.
A primer for the growing of flowers for drying is presented. Preservation methods are covered in detail. The presentation of the dried flowers is covered in detail by describing the making of a Williamsburg arrangement, the making of artemisia andgrapevine wreaths, pot pourri and tussie mussies.