CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

If some of you are wondering what happened to your Christmas tree, perhaps this security camera photo will help you (smile).

These security cameras have led to a number of arrests this Christmas Season

Bronner’s in Frankenmuth, Michigan

As part of our Christmas tradition, we spent a couple of days in Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA; where we visited the famous Bronner’s  Christmas store.  It is hard to explain what this huge Christmas store in like inside, but here is a photo I took.

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is a retail store in Frankenmuth, Michigan that promotes itself as the “World’s Largest Christmas Store”.

Designed with an Alpine architecture and operating year-round, the building is 7.35 acres in size with landscaped grounds covering 27 acres . Inside, there are approximately 800 animated figurines at various locations throughout the store. 

Bronner’s parking lot can accommodate up to 1,080 cars and 50 buses. Some 100,000 lights illuminate Bronner’s half-mile long Christmas Lane in the evening. Bronner’s employs over 500 people during the holiday season. (Source: Wikipedia)

Father Billino

We had an unexpected surprise this Christmas, Father Billino from the Vatican, was in town.  Here is standing in front of a church with Carol.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

If you live in Michigan, this is probably what your garage gym will end up looking like this winter.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Anger almost never helps resolve a situation – note that I said “almost”

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Want to know what a person values, watch how they use their time.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

I think you will find it worthwhile to know something of the various

Eastern philosophies  

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I think this book has something to say, but I expected more insights into the code of the samurai.

Code of the Samurai

by Inazo Nitobe

This handbook, written after five hundred years of military rule in Japan, was composed to provide practical and moral instruction for warriors, correcting wayward tendencies and outlining the personal, social, and professional standards of conduct characteristic of Bushido, the Japanese chivalric tradition. (Source: Publisher)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

If you like violence, a little more violence and perhaps a bit more violence; this is the film for you.

Charlize Theron plays Lorraine Broughton, a top-level spy for MI6.  She is definitely the Atomic Blonde.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Was there ever a more beautiful piece of music written.  Take a moment to listen to this and you will be transported to heaven.

Canon in D Major

By Johann Pachelbel

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?

  

THIS WEEK’S POLL – How are you done?

  

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Book binding as an art.

Traditional Chinese Bookbinding

The book below was produced using a method that was developed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and remained in use until the adoption of Western binding techniques in the early 1900s.

In traditional Chinese binding, single sheets of paper are printed on one side only, and each sheet is folded in half, with the printed pages on the outside.  The book block is then sandwiched between two boards and sewn together through punched holes close to the cut edges of the folded sheets. (Source: Publisher)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

A recent movie described Charles Dickens as the man who invited Christmas.

Charles Dickens

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the 20th century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Chris, Floating Gold & Melissa, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Annette, Carmen, Carol, Cindi, Cynthia, Donna, Gwendolyn, Jennifer, Sheryll, Shirley, Susan & Tammy, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to A, Christena,  Elia, Hollie, Jeff, Moonlight and Macaroons & Michelle, started following my blog and to Carol, Karen, Mathew, Mirian & Paula, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Looking for that perfect gift for someone important to you,

I suggest you give them your time.

But, for those of you that didn’t receive the traditional 24 hours a day

On a lighter note, Carol and I visited the Meadow Brook Hall Christmas Walk.

Meadow Brook Hall is a 100 room mansion on the campus of Oakland University

  

Above photos taken by a gentleman who appeared out of nowhere and offered to take our photos.  When I asked him his name, he simply replied, “Santa Claus”.

  

    

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Friends are priceless

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

This is especially true during the Christmas shopping season

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

I’ve always liked this song

Gambler

By Kenny Rogers

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Kirkus Review of this book said, “A touch on the dry side but a feast for classical scholars.”

Well, I am obviously not a classical scholar, but I did find this book a feast.

Rome’s Revolution

by Richard Alston

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

If you like detective stories, these are well worth watching.  I’ve mentioned the brilliant Belgian detective before and now I decided to watch the series from the beginning.  Plus, if you like art deco, you will see a lot of it since the series takes place in Europe during the 1930s.

Agatha Christie Poirot Series

Gone Girl (2014)

“Gone Girl” certainly isn’t a Christmas movie, but what a movie.  I saw it when it first came out and just watched it the other day and I still think it is an absolutely amazing film.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

A lot of people have sung this Christmas favorite and sang it very well, but none of the various versions of this song appeal to me as much as the Elvis version.

One could say I like it so much because my uncle, who was responsible for the shows at the Memphis Fair Grounds, knew Elvis; but, I say because Elvis is The King.

Here Comes Santa Claus

By Elvis

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Which do you prefer?

  

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?

  

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Film making is definitely an art and here is a little JibJab film that my friends Sue, Kristi and Kelly made for me when I retired in December 2009.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Ebenezer Scrooge

Thomas D. Hahard, Meadow Brook Theater

Although Scrooge’s name came to represent a miser or person who is reluctant to spend, sometimes to the point of forgoing even basic comforts and some necessities, in order to hoard money, he demonstrated in later years, perhaps through divine intervention, that people can change.

In later years, it was said that no person kept Christmas, better than Ebenezer Scrooge, who used his wealth to benefit others.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Carol, Darlene, Fair Chick, Judy, Nanette & Vera for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Chester, Christine, Cj, Cynthia, Dan, Darlene, Dave, Donna, Frank, Kris, Pamela, Peggy, Robert, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Empty Nest, Hiral, Karen, Just Me, Lexi, Lijo, Rosemary, Trudy & Vera, started following my blog and to Blake, Liliana, Michelle & Ron, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

For those that have followed this blog, you know I wanted to set new APF and AAPF National age/weight raw deadlift records.  

I did with my third final lift of 340 lbs

     

It would never have been possible without the help of one of the best powerlifting coach/trainers in the country – Art

Below is a photo of some of the members of Art’s Powerlifting Team that participated in the contest.

I received a number of well wishes, which I appreciate very much. And I want to add a special thank you Sue, Dan, Mary, Ken, Lisa, Tania and Harmony, as well as my wife Carol, who came out to the contest to support my efforts.

    

And to everyone at the Royal Oak Gym, who are so supportive of older lifters

Thank you, thank you very much

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

One really needs to appreciate one’s enemies, 

since they are only too happy to tell you of your flaws.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

I think a lot of young women need to pay attention to The Shirelles

I Met Him on A Sunday

By The Shirelles 

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Don’t you wish finding the meaning of life was this easy.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could respect the opinions of those who have opinions different from our own, without thinking and saying they are stupid, evil, mean-spirited and worse.

And if you can’t do that, perhaps you should reflect on the saying that when we describe others, we often are actually describing ourselves.

After all, we are all in the same boat.

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I have never got the hang of visualization, although I believe it does help.  I’ve read almost half of this book and I am really impressed.  If you are struggling with visualization, you may want to check out this book.

Creative Visualization

by Shakti Gawain

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

I’ve watched all of Seasons 4, 5 and 6 of this excellent mystery series.  If you like mysteries, these are good and well done.

Miss Marple is a British television series based on the Miss Marple murder mystery novels by Agatha Christie. It aired from 26 December 1984 to 27 December 1992. All 12 original Miss Marple Christie novels were dramatized.

Agatha Christie Miss Marple TV Series

Jane Marple, usually referred to as Miss Marple, is a fictional character appearing in 12 of Agatha Christie’s crime novels and in 20 short stories. Miss Marple is an elderly spinster who lives in the village of St. Mary Mead and acts as an amateur consulting detective. Alongside Hercule Poirot, she is one of the most loved and famous of Christie’s characters and has been portrayed numerous times on-screen.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

No one announces the arrival of Santa Claus better than Elvis.

Here Comes Santa Claus

By Elvis

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Which type of person are you?

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which do you prefer?

  

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Snow Art

It is surprising the things you can make out of snow.

Especially, if you are creative.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Gaius Marius

Gaius Marius (157 BC – January 13, 86 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. He held the office of consul an unprecedented seven times during his career.

He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies, authorizing recruitment of landless citizens, and reorganizing the structure of the legions into separate cohorts (Cohort being roughly 500 men and 10 cohorts made up a Roman legion of 5,000 men or the equivalent of a modern military battalion).

Marius defeated the invading Germanic tribes (the Teutones, Ambrones, and the Cimbri), for which he was called “the third founder of Rome.” His life and career were significant in Rome’s transformation from Republic to Empire.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Bonnie, Kathie, Lashini & Darlene, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Annette, Carol, Danielle, Darlene, Diane, Donna, Jill, Julietta, Sheryll, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Achayo, Aixa, Be Blogger, Bojana, Bonnie, Every Day Life Girl, Kitty, Lashini, Lass X, Lucy, Lulu, Medi, Mito-Rodriquez, Moira, Mollie, Rosa, Sands of Time, SW08 & Uncertainty, started following my blog and to Danielle, Haven & Janet, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Many cities have impressive Christmas light displays. The City of Rochester, a suburb of Detroit, has one of the most impressive Christmas light displays I have ever seen.  

Visiting the Christmas light displays of cities near you is another  way to get into the Christmas Spirit.

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

Saturday, December 9 Powerlifting Contest

in Royal Oak, MI, USA

If you live in the Michigan tri-county area, here is an opportunity to see male and female bench and deadlifters of all ages.  

1600 N. Stephenson Hwy. (Just south of 12 Mile Rd.)

Royal Oak, MI 48067

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

I’m just saying.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Often, this is so true.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway
If you are kind, people may accuse you of being selfish, with ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway
If you are successful, you may win false friends and trust enemies.
Succeed anyway
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank, anyway
If you spend years building, they may destroy it overnight.
Build anyway
If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway
If you do them good today, they may forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway
You see in the final analysis it’s between you and Divinity.
It never was between you and them…anyway.

Mother Theresa

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I found this to be an interesting and very easy to read book.  And although much unfairness is described in the book, nobility can also be found here and there, as when Chief He Dog describes four rules to being a chief:

• Be brave and out-spoken
• Ambitious
• Honest at all times
• Kind to all creatures

If if you aren’t planning on being a chief, those are still some pretty good rules to live by.

The Killing of Chief Crazy Horse

In the year after the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Crazy Horse and his half-starved followers finally surrendered to the U.S. Army near Camp Robinson, Nebraska.

In this book the killing of Crazy Horse is viewed from three widely different perspectives—that of Chief He Dog, the victim’s friend and lifelong companion; that of William Garnett, who was guide and interpreter for Lieutenant William P. Clark, on special assignment to General Crook; and that of Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, the medical officer who attended Crazy Horse in his last hours.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

If you like mysteries and don’t mind going back a few years, you will probably enjoy this film.

Death on the Nile (1978)

Peter Ustinov plays the intrepid Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot in this star-studded  adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery tale.

On a trip down the Nile, a hateful and arrogant heiress is murdered and any one of a boatload of celebrity suspects, all with motive and something to hide, may have committed the deed.

Amongst the suspects are Angela Lansbury as a ditzy romance novelist; Bette Davis as a snobbish socialite with Maggie Smith in tow as her embittered friend; Jack Warden as a comic Swiss doctor with a music hall accent; and Jon Finch as a rabid Marxist. Also on hand to help out is David Niven as Poirot’s pal, Colonel Race. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

This 1967 songs brings back memories for me.  I was 20/21 and had just returned from U.S. Army tours in Iran and Vietnam.  I had left some unfamiliar worlds to return to the USA, which was now also unfamiliar to me.

59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy) 1967

By Harpers Bizarre

But perhaps you would prefer something a bit more current.  You really should see the next video all the way to its end, there is a surprise waiting for you.

Don’t Take The Money (2017)

by the Bleachers

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How accurate is this photo of the Corporate world?

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which type of person are you?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

René Magritte is my favorite painter and I have actually seen most of his works.  If you are ever in Chicago, stop in and see Time Transfixed.

Time Transfixed

By René Magritte

Time Transfixed (La Durée poignardée) is an oil on canvas painting by the Belgian surrealist René Magritte. It is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and is usually on display in the museum’s new Modern Wing (Source: Wikipedia)

I understand his The False Mirror was the basis for the CBS logo

And next time you put on a pair of boots, think about his The Red Model

And here is one for weight lifters like myself, but I’m not sure his Perpetual Motion is very flattering to us.

And his Heart Strings is one of my favorites

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

I think this guy is extraordinary

Defecting North Korean Soldier

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Barbara, Bernice & Nanette, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Carmen, Carol, CJ, Darlene, Dani, Dave, Donna, Ellen, Fabiana, Jenny, Lori, Posie, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Kally, Kriti, Rupple & Shardae, started following my blog and to Melissa & Michelle, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692