Sunday, November 29, 2015

Quote of the Day------Goodreads





A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.


Madeleine L'Engle



On her 40th birthday, Madeleine L'Engle (born November 29, 1918) tried to give up writing. She was drowning in rejection letters and unable to help support her family. The writing break didn't last long, though—L'Engle couldn't stop jotting down her ideas. Five years later, she finally found success with her beloved science fiction classic, A Wrinkle in Time. 

Martin Niemoller





"Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler, and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
He is, perhaps, best known for the following quotation - which Americans should very carefully consider, regarding some of the current political folks wanting to become our next President.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me."

We must remember our past, those that stood up against tyranny in all forms, and remain faithful to the words written on the Statue of Liberty "Give me your tired, your poor......."  With the exception of Native Americans, we are all immigrants.


Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Death in Paradise - BBC series




Death in Paradise   BBC tv series.   According to what I read on a google search, this is the top tv series in the UK, beating out Downton Abbey and Midwife.

Quirky British detective inspector Richard Poole has been transferred to the small island of Saint Marie, a culture and climate totally out of Richard's understanding.  In addition to those unfamiliar situations, he is also faced with a 3 person police force with their own methods of solving crimes - rarely murder.  Richard is a "hoot", never adapting the traditional Island clothing, to keep comfortable, always in his suit, tie and leather shoes,  and carrying his briefcase.   His methods are unique, his local force are always amazed at how he solves the crime, but solve them he does.

Oh, by the way, the cottage by the sea comes with its own live-in lizard, which Richard, at first, tries to scare off, however, the lizard quickly becomes Richard's pet.

British humor abounds, even if this is a "crime" series. Great Caribbean music throughout the series!

Check it out, and hope you enjoy.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Judge John Deed, British TV series



Judge John Deed, a British TV series.

We just finished watching this series.  Enjoyed it very much.


This series deals with the judicial view of "crime", and all the "in's and out's" that occur in British society.  The Judge (Martin Shaw, who also portrays George Gently) is a high court judge -  of and until himself - afraid of no scandal, those wishing to take him down can throw his way, and there are quite of few in "high places" who would just love to see him thrown out of the high court.  We see how corruption can take over government officials. Interesting look, even if it is "made up".


This is one time that a REAL Government did BAN, not just ONE segment of a series, but TWO segments. That was eye-opening!


Hope you will consider watching this one - one side view is  - The Judge is pretty much one who cannot seem to get enough "sex", it can be a put down for those who don't like that, however, it is never shown on screen, just implied.


Cast  includes


    Martin Shaw

      Jenny Seagrove
        Caroline Langrishe
          Louisa Clein
            Donald Sinden
              Barbara Thorn
                  Simon Chandler

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Quote of the Day------Goodreads




There is greatness in doing something you hate for the sake of someone you love.


Shmuley Boteach



Happy birthday, Shmuley Boteach! The American Orthodox rabbi and author has a reputation for speaking his mind, no matter the consequences. This outspokenness has earned him lots of criticism—but it's also landed him on Newsweek magazine's list of the Top 50 influential rabbis in the United States three years in a row. 

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads





Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.


Zig Ziglar


American motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar (born November 6, 1926) met his future wife, Jean, when he was seventeen and she was sixteen. They spent 66 happy "over-married" years together until his death in 2012. 

Monday, November 2, 2015

Quote of the Day----Goodreads




The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock—shock is a worn-out word—but astonish.



Terry Southern




November 2, 1962: On this day, Stanley Kubrick wrote American author Terry Southern a telegram, requesting help injecting absurdity into his atom-bomb thriller. The resulting collaboration was the cult classic Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. 

quote of the day-------goodreads




And how shall I think of you?' He considered a moment and then laughed. 'Think of me with my nose in a book!


Susanna Clarke



Happy birthday, Susanna Clarke! After re-reading The Lord of the Rings as an adult, she had "a kind of waking dream" about a man who dabbled in magic. Not long after, she began work on her fantastical alternative history epic, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.