By Fannie Flagg
Playaway Audio Book - 12 Hours
I probably wouldn't have read this book had it not been an audio-book. It just didn't seem like my kind of story. Thankfully, there were limited choices that day so I picked this one up along with another since I was planning a long driving trip. This turned out to be a wonderful and entertaining story with a great concept behind it, life after death plus talking. It is a story about a small town and the people that lived and died there. It is superbly written and the choice of a narrator is ideal.
After finishing this book on my long drive from the Carolina Coast and then into West Virginia I found myself enthralled by day to day goings on in the town of Elmwood Springs in Missouri and the cemetery known as Still Meadows.
I am now a Fanny Flagg Fan for life.
Narrated by Kimberly Farr - great voice
Five Stars
*****
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Review: Walking the Himilayas
Playaway Audio book
By Levison Wood
This is a compelling travel story that is well written. The writer is an adventurer who cannot stay away from the challenge of a new travel challenge. Since most of us will never make these treks it is the next best thing to read about it. This is especially true of an Audiobook.
9 Hours of Playing Time
By Levison Wood
This is a compelling travel story that is well written. The writer is an adventurer who cannot stay away from the challenge of a new travel challenge. Since most of us will never make these treks it is the next best thing to read about it. This is especially true of an Audiobook.
9 Hours of Playing Time
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
In Memoriam: Barbara Hale Passes Away at 94 - a Class Act
http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/barbara-hale-dead-perry-mason-secretary-della-street-1201971817/
Some things in this world matter to each of us. Over the past few years I began to watch Perry Mason reruns and remember why I appreciated Barbara Hale as a smart, competent, sometimes daring, and always beautiful legal secretary. Paul Drake would back me up on that. I checked online back then to see if Barbara was still alive and yes, she was and somehow that provided some continuity to a time when life in the USA as observably kinder, friendlier, and more civilized despite the weekly murders that appeared on the Perry Mason Show.
I found a youtube video of her at a celebrity signing show and she was still happy and and still held a twinkle in her eyes.
So, I've been waiting for the sad news that I knew must come and it did and sadly I never met her but can still see Della Street five days a week in reruns on METV. She was a class act.
Some things in this world matter to each of us. Over the past few years I began to watch Perry Mason reruns and remember why I appreciated Barbara Hale as a smart, competent, sometimes daring, and always beautiful legal secretary. Paul Drake would back me up on that. I checked online back then to see if Barbara was still alive and yes, she was and somehow that provided some continuity to a time when life in the USA as observably kinder, friendlier, and more civilized despite the weekly murders that appeared on the Perry Mason Show.
I found a youtube video of her at a celebrity signing show and she was still happy and and still held a twinkle in her eyes.
So, I've been waiting for the sad news that I knew must come and it did and sadly I never met her but can still see Della Street five days a week in reruns on METV. She was a class act.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Review: Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
This is a classic for those who study Zen and also want to understand the connection between Archery or any other discipline as it related to enlightenment. It's a short read but pleasant, concise, and tremendously informative.
zen in the art of archery
zen in the art of archery
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Choose Your Words Carefully: Guerrilla got a man fired
ESPN tennis commentator fired for incorrect word usage.
The benefit of writing rather than speaking is that you can hit delete before you print. It also lets you spell the word, and especially if the word sounds very similar to another one that is deemed offensive depending on the context of use. That may not have mattered in this instance since it seems to be possible to read the mind of speaker.
As the world changes and things we never considered are now enough to get you fired, well consider them or pay the price. This is a simple reality that continues to hurt those that step out of the box. As a teacher consider this or you may find yourself explaining your words and actions. As a writer there is simply no taking it back since you are supposed to have the foresight to know what is in the mind of the reader.
Update - He's suing.
The benefit of writing rather than speaking is that you can hit delete before you print. It also lets you spell the word, and especially if the word sounds very similar to another one that is deemed offensive depending on the context of use. That may not have mattered in this instance since it seems to be possible to read the mind of speaker.
As the world changes and things we never considered are now enough to get you fired, well consider them or pay the price. This is a simple reality that continues to hurt those that step out of the box. As a teacher consider this or you may find yourself explaining your words and actions. As a writer there is simply no taking it back since you are supposed to have the foresight to know what is in the mind of the reader.
Update - He's suing.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Review: Grit by Angela Duckworth
I found this book on a Playaway digital device at the library. 9 Hours of Audio
The title is quite accurate though I had visions of John Wayne riding across the fields guns blazing when I thought of grit. Instead, the author gives a superb account of how this particular trait is common among successful people. The important thing is that it is a learnable trait and can be increased with effort that over time reinforces itself once victories are scored.
If you want a book on success and how to achieve it this would be a great start. I recognize immediately the common methods that all masters of their specific skill use to become masters. This conforms to some extent to the ten thousand hour rule of mastery but adds the need for thoughtful training, something that is hard and requires discipline.
This is an excellent self-help book and offers great insight on perseverance and passion. Her research in to the effect of these two common traits to success is what makes this book special. Another thing is that the author narrated it herself. If you can find the playaway version it's a nice audio book to have while traveling. If not, here is print version below.
It is long and requires some focus to stay with it and this of course is another sign of grit on your part in that you want to achieve the gains that this book can give you toward your life goals.
***** 5 Stars - Excellent
The title is quite accurate though I had visions of John Wayne riding across the fields guns blazing when I thought of grit. Instead, the author gives a superb account of how this particular trait is common among successful people. The important thing is that it is a learnable trait and can be increased with effort that over time reinforces itself once victories are scored.
If you want a book on success and how to achieve it this would be a great start. I recognize immediately the common methods that all masters of their specific skill use to become masters. This conforms to some extent to the ten thousand hour rule of mastery but adds the need for thoughtful training, something that is hard and requires discipline.
This is an excellent self-help book and offers great insight on perseverance and passion. Her research in to the effect of these two common traits to success is what makes this book special. Another thing is that the author narrated it herself. If you can find the playaway version it's a nice audio book to have while traveling. If not, here is print version below.
It is long and requires some focus to stay with it and this of course is another sign of grit on your part in that you want to achieve the gains that this book can give you toward your life goals.
***** 5 Stars - Excellent
Monday, January 30, 2017
In Memoriam: Barbara Hale dies at 94
She was beautiful
I just heard about Barbara Hale passing away. I watch her every week night on Perry Mason reruns. I always thought she was beautiful even when seeing her on TV as a kid. She always was nice on TV and in interviews.
Condolences to her family. We'll miss you Barbara.
Thankfully she lives on in regular reruns. I watched a youtube video of her at a convention in her later years and she was still very friendly and happy. It was nice to see her still that way.
I just heard about Barbara Hale passing away. I watch her every week night on Perry Mason reruns. I always thought she was beautiful even when seeing her on TV as a kid. She always was nice on TV and in interviews.
Condolences to her family. We'll miss you Barbara.
Thankfully she lives on in regular reruns. I watched a youtube video of her at a convention in her later years and she was still very friendly and happy. It was nice to see her still that way.
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