CURRENT EVENTS

What do you think?

Most people would agree that thoughtful behavior and common decency are in short supply, or simply forgotten in hurried lives of emails, cellphones, and multi-tasking. In Choosing Civility, P. M. Forni identifies the twenty-five rules that are most essential in connecting effectively and happily with others. In clear, witty, and, well…civilized language, Forni covers topics that include: (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Here is a group from the Netherlands performing in home isolation. I thought it was so appropriate given the home isolation people everywhere are experiencing.

Kinda Wanna

By OG3NE

ART OF THE WEEK

Art From Common Tools

I thought this was very clever,

a mother bird feeding its young.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Seven of Nine

Seven of Nine is a former Borg drone who joins the crew of the Federation starship Voyager. Her real name was known to her crewmates, but after joining the Voyager crew she chose to continue to be called Seven of Nine, though she allowed “Seven” to be used informally.

Seven of Nine [is] a foil to Captain Kathryn Janeway, similarly to how Spock [is] to Captain Kirk.

Earlier life [she was] Annika Hansen before she was assimilated by the Borg.  (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

During this time of the Coronavirus, I thought this might help.

The list was developed by Sarah Best of England and I thought it was very comprehensive.

THINGS THAT SUPPORT A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM
✨ Natural whole foods
✨ Organic fruits and vegetables
✨ Vitamin A
✨ Vitamin C
✨ Vitamin D
✨ Zinc
✨ Astralagus
✨ Exercise
✨ Sunlight
✨ Fresh air
✨ Being in nature
✨ Joy
✨ Love
✨ Gratitude
✨ Hugs
✨ Orgasms
✨ Deep breathing
✨ Certain essential oils, including frankincense + oregano
✨ Showing up as your authentic self in every situation!

CHARACTER TRAITS

This little video was passed over to me by a friend. I hope you find it helpful and entertaining.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

With just a little bit of technical ability, there is a world of information at your finger tips. For instance, I Googled marine animals.

MISCELLANEOUS

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Movie Marquee

Written for the many people whose schedule or skepticism has kept them from trying meditation, Just Sit is an approachable and visually engaging beginner’s guide. Answering questions, and providing real-world information to demystify the process, Sukey and Elizabeth Novogratz provide a hands-on look at what meditation really is, what is does, and how to do it. The authors make clear that meditation doesn’t have to be complicated or follow a specific protocol. The most important part, to “just sit,” can lead to a lifelong practice, tailored to anyone’s lifestyle. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Belgravia is a historical drama television series based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Julian Fellowes—both named after Belgravia, an affluent district of London. 

The series premiered first in the UK on ITV on 15 March 2020 and premiered in the U.S. on 12 April 2020 on Epix. Belgravia begins at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball (night of 15/16 June 1815), which was held in Brussels for the Duke of Wellington on the eve of the Battle of Quatre Bras, two days before the Battle of Waterloo.

Among the guests are James and Anne Trenchard, who are living on the profits of newfound trading success. Their young daughter Sophia has caught the eye of Edmund Bellasis, the son and heir of one of the richest and most prominent families in England. Twenty-five years later, when the two families are settled into the newly developed area of Belgravia, the events of the ball, and the secrets, still resonate. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Given the Coronavirus stay home orders, the streets remind me of the 1950s when there were less cars on the roads. For those of you far younger than I am, I hope you don’t think the 50s were dull. There was Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis and Jerry Lee, but there was also Wanda Jackson.

Hard Headed Woman (Performed 1958)

By Wanda Jackson

Rolling Stone magazine referred to her as the undisputed Queen of Rockabilly Music

Let’s Have A Party (Performed 1958)

By Wanda Jackson

ART OF THE WEEK

Cake Art

I’ve heard it said, that there is a time and place for everything,

perhaps this is the time for a cake like this.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

You might have to be from Detroit to understand just how important Al Kaline was to all of us. I saw him play baseball many times at Briggs Stadium. 

Al Kaline

Albert William Kaline (December 19, 1934 – April 6, 2020), nicknamed “Mr. Tiger“, was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers.

For most of his career, Kaline played in the outfield, mainly as a right fielder where he won ten Gold Glove Awards. He was selected to 18 All-Star Games, including selections each year between 1955 and 1967. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

Now that most of us are spending more time at home, 

we should pay particular attention to one another’s privacy.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

If you noticed young people or healthy people tending to avoid you;

perhaps, you should reflect on your conversation.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Ever wonder if spiritual people ever argue, and if they do; how do they argue. Perhaps, the following will enlighten you.

How Spiritual People Argue

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Social distancing is being encouraged.

However, please avoid this type of social distancing.

LEARNING TRAITS

Because of the Coronavirus, many of us are now living less busy lives.

MISCELLANEOUS

Here in Michigan, many stores are prohibited from selling seeds, soils, plants and other gardening supplies. If you are a little creative, you can start a very practical garden with things you find around your home.

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Easter Decorations

I hope that everyone had the best Easter possible, given the circumstances.

Rather than describe the above book, I thought it would be more helpful to provide you with some information on the Surrealist Movement.

Surrealism is a cultural movement that started in 1917, best known for its visual art work sand writings and the juxtaposition of uncommon imagery. Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes, sometimes with photographic precision, creating strange creatures from everyday objects, and developing painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself. Its aim was, according to Breton, to “resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality”, or surreality. (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

This movie isn’t for everyone, but I certainly enjoyed it.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1973 American musical drama film based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera of the same name. The film, featuring a cast of Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, [and] Yvonne Elliman, centers on the conflict between Judas and Jesus during the week before the crucifixion of Jesus.

Neeley, Anderson and Elliman were nominated for Golden Globe Awards in 1974 for their portrayals of Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene, respectively. Although it attracted criticism from some religious groups, reviews for the film were positive. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This music video is longer than I like to post, but the visuals are interesting.

Jokerman (Released 06/01/84)

By Bob Dylan

ART OF THE WEEK

Even Practical Items Can Be Art

Here is a bench made during the time of the Coronavirus

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I especially like it when I can name someone as extraordinary person of the week, who was born in the same city as I was–Detroit.

Ben Carson

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. (born September 18, 1951) is an American politician, public servant, author and retired neurosurgeon serving as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since 2017. Prior to his cabinet position under the Trump Administration, Carson was a candidate for President of the United States in the Republican primaries in 2016, at times leading nationwide polls of Republicans.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, and a graduate of Yale University and the University of Michigan Medical School, Carson has authored numerous books on his medical career and political stances. He was portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. in a 2009 biographical television drama film.

Carson was the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1984 until his retirement in 2013. [He is a] pioneer in neurosurgery, [wiht many] achievements. He became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the country at age 33. Carson has received more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees, numerous national merit citations, and written over 100 neurosurgical publications.

In 2001, he was named by CNN and TIME magazine as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists, and was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends” on its 200th anniversary. In 2008, Carson was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2010, he was elected into the National Academy of Medicine. He was Professor of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Plastic Surgery and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

It is a good idea to know about the foods you are eating,

much can be learned from simply reading the labels. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

The Beatles Before The Coronavirus

The Beatles After Coronavirus

LEARNING TRAITS

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To everyone regardless of their beliefs

First published in 1880, “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” by Lew Wallace is considered one of the most important and influential Christian novels of the nineteenth-century.

The novel follows much of the life of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince from Jerusalem living in the time of Christ. Wallace intertwines the lives of Judah and Jesus of Nazareth, beginning the novel with the events of the Nativity and later following the downfall and ensuing hardships of Judah’s life as a Roman slave, charioteer, and later, a convert to Christianity.

The events depicted in the Gospels of the New Testament concerning Jesus are carefully threaded throughout Judah’s story, ultimately finding both Jesus and Judah at the Crucifixion, though in different capacities. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I recently watched this series on PBS and learned something about Christianity. You might find it interesting, whether or not, you consider yourself a Christian.

A History of Christianity is a six-part British television series. The aim of the BBC was to produce “a new ‘landmark’ series which will examine the origins of Christianity and the relevance of the faith in the modern world”. Presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch, Professor of History of the Church at St Cross College Oxford, the series considers the evolution of the Christian faith and its four main forms: Orthodoxy, Oriental Christianity, Western Catholicism and Protestantism. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Jesus Christ Superstar

By Superstar – Carl Anderson – 1973

ART OF THE WEEK

Fabergé Eggs

The Moscow Kremlin egg, 1906.

A Fabergé egg is a jeweled egg created by the House of Fabergé. Virtually all were manufactured under the supervision of Peter Carl Fabergé between 1885 and 1917.

The most famous are those made for the Russian Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II as Easter gifts for their wives and mothers. The House of Fabergé made 50 such “Imperial” Easter eggs, of which 43 are still existing. Two planned for Easter 1917 were not delivered due to the Russian Revolution in which the Romanov Dynasty was overthrown and all the members of the imperial family executed. (Source: Wikipedia)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Who says the most extraordinary person of the week has to be human.

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs.

Originating among German Lutherans, the “Easter Hare” originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behaviour at the start of the season of Eastertide.

In legend, the creature carries colored eggs in his basket, candy, and sometimes also toys to the homes of children, and as such shows similarities to Santa Claus or the Christkind, as they both bring gifts to children on the night before their respective holidays. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I know the gyms and other exercise facilities are closed due to Coronavirus,  but you can still find ways to exercise. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

For those of you who are into Astrology, I believe you can use this one for April.

LEARNING TRAITS

Because of the Coronavirus, there is a lot more home schooling happening.

School has always been a challenge for some of us.

MISCELLANEOUS

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