Quote of the day-----Goodreads

Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.


W.E.B. Du Bois



American civil rights activist and writer W. E. B. Du Bois (born February 23, 1868) impressed his teachers as a child. They encouraged him to pursue his studies, and through them, Du Bois realized he could use knowledge to empower his fellow African Americans. When he couldn't afford to continue his education, the congregation of his childhood church raised the money to send him to college. 

Bridge of Spies - Steven Spielberg film

Bridge of Spies, - a Steven Spielberg film, starring Tom Hanks.

This film was of interest to me, as a child I lived on Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya, and the U-2 flew in and out of the base. Gary Powers was shot down over Russia while we lived there, his story was widely discussed on base.  There was a particular hangar that was used for only "one" plane, and that was probably the U-2.  

We watched this film - it was very thoughtfully done, good editing and as far as I can tell very faithful to the story of Abel and Powers, I do not recall Pryor, however, I am sure that as a 12 year that might have slipped my mind.

Well worth watching, and really should be a winner, however, we all know what "violent" film will win this year.

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

Our finger prints don't fade from the lives we touch.


Judy Blume


Happy birthday, Judy Blume! The beloved author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing must have an enormous trophy shelf at home. She has won more than 90 literary awards including—not one, not two—three lifetime achievement awards. 

Hard to believe that Judy is 78!  Happy Birthday

David Whitley, columnist Orlando Sentinel

In light of Cam Newton's boorish, pouty, spoiled brat behavior after losing in Super Bowl 50, I found David Whitley's column in our local paper quite interesting.

Headline states

            Columnist apologizes to Newton

When I saw this in our local paper, I thought, "wait a minute", however, in reading it, David is actually retracting his original defense of Cam Newton.

I am going to use some of what he wrote for his editorial.

"I'd like to apologize to Cam Newton. I was one of the millions who pounced on him for his post-Super Bowl performance.

I wrote the controversy over his press conference pout might be a good learning experience for Newton. I thought that after a cooling-off period, he would realize what a clown he had made of himself.

Jeepers, was I wrong.

(Quoting Newton here) "Who likes to lose?" Newton said. "You show me a good loser and I'm going to show you a loser (sounds a lot like Donald Trump, that's me talking now). It's not a popularity contest. I'm here to win football games."
And he's the first?

I suppose Wilson (Seattle Seahawks quarterback) wasn't there to win last year's Super Bowl, Peyton Manning wasn't there to win the one before that. Yet they managed to get through post-game press conferences after crushing defeats without needing a pacifier. According to that definition, here are other members of Cam's Loser Club:
    Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Tony Dungy, Roger Federer, Arthur Ashe, John Wooden, Phil Mickelson, Mike Krzyzewski, Jimmie Johnson, Annika Sorenstam, Pat Summitt, David Robinson, Wayne Gretzky, John McCain and Meryl Streep.

Everybody feels soreness when they lose, but there is such a thing as being gracious in defeat. Newton's excuse is that he wears his emotions on his sleeve, he's a competitor and he's just misunderstood.

After Tuesday, we actually understand Newton better than ever. He's a spotlight-loving football warrior when things are going his way.

When they don't, he's a self-absorbed peeve who refuses to truly grow up.

I apologize for thinking he was better than that."

Thank you David for writing a very thoughtful piece.

And if you haven't read the entire article, look it up and read it from the beginning to the end, I only quoted particularly insightful (to me) highlights.

Scott and Bailey, a BBC tv series

Scott and Bailey, a BBC tv series.

Sort of "edgy" crime series - interesting and well done.

We have been enjoying these - each segment runs about 45 minutes.

Russell Wilson's Tribute to Peyton Manning

Russell Wilson

Quarterback / Seattle Seahawks

From all the wins, to the few tough losses. From the 71,000 yards, to all the touchdowns, to the few interceptions.
From all the meetings, to all the hard practices, to all the film, to all the blood, sweat and tears.
From all the Pro Bowls, to the handful of MVPs, to the two Lombardi trophies. From all the teammates, to all the opponents, to all the fans.
From the blue and white, to the blue and orange …
Sheriff,
If this is it, there’s one moment I won’t forget.
10th grade. Louisiana. At your quarterback camp.

You inspired the kid in the green shirt.
You inspired me to work hard. To be disciplined. To be respectful. To take notes.
You inspired me to love the process. To love the sweat. To love the tears.
But most of all …
You inspired me to love the game.
Thanks, Peyton.
If this is it,
Thanks.

Russell Wilson / Senior Editor

Cam Newton could sure use a few lessons from Russell Wilson about grace and good sportsmanship.

Quote of the Day----Goodreads

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.


Alice Walker


Happy birthday, Alice Walker! The Color Purple novelist has her mother, Minnie Lou Tallulah Grant, to thank for her education. Living under Jim Crow laws, Minnie had to stand up to landlords who believed children of black sharecroppers should work in the fields instead of enroll in school. She later worked 11 hours a day for $17 per week to help pay for Alice's college tuition. 

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

Don't compromise yourself - you're all you have.


John Grisham


Happy birthday, John Grisham! The lawyer-turned-novelist took three years to write his first book, A Time to Kill. It was rejected by 28 publishers before a small press agreed to print 5,000 copies. His second book, The Firm, was the bestselling novel of 1991.

My review of "Blueprints" by Barbara Delinsky from Goodreads

Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky

Well, I have never read anything by Barbara previously, and the ONLY reason I chose this one was due to the title, as my husband is the co-owner of "The Blueprint Company" in Mt. Vernon, WA, and his business partner's husband was recently added to the Top 15 Seattle area architects - he is a highly internationally recognized architect due to his award winning "Tsunami House" on Camano Island, WA.

Although Barbara acknowledges architects and construction people at the end of her book, I felt that using the title "Blueprints" was REALLY a stretch. As I hear all types of conversations about blueprints, architectural design, and personally know many building contractors (2 in my immediate family), and am currently watching the construction of my best friends' house down the street, I felt disappointed that there was NOT more regarding how designs are really brought forth, nor the complicated process of doing the actual blueprints (although they are no longer "blue") - one cannot believe how many pages there are in even the "smallest" of plans, nor the fact that there have to be so many "sets" for the various contractors associated with the construction.

The story, building of characters and their inter-relationships was very interesting.


I probably will not read any further books by Barbara, although I would not rule out suggesting her books to others.