Why not share your opinions with all of us by commenting.
My thanks toChristy &Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box. Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.
Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Cynthia,Dave,Deb, Denise, Jen, Julietta, Lily, Llene, Maureen,Nandini, Ron, Sarah, Shawn, Shirley, Susan & Wendyfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
Looking for a Christmas Gift
Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
I know it is the Christmas and New Years holidays, but try to go easy on the deserts.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
Many of us are rushing around looking for Christmas gifts to give people. Please remember the greatest gift you can give someone is a little of your time.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
If you believe or if you don’t believe, either way, you are going to be right.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
It’s a Wonderful Life (Updated)
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
No one, not even Santa could come down Santa Claus Lane like Elvis could.
Here Comes Santa Claus
Elvis Presley
LAST WEEK’S POLL– Which do you say?
74% – Say Merry Christmas
17% – Say Seasons Greetings
9% – Say Ba Humbug
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Were you nice or naughty in 2016
ART OF THE WEEK
Snow Man or Snow Woman
by Everyone
It is art that almost all of us that live in a snow area, have created at one or another.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Santa Claus
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG & FACEBOOK
My thanks to Azra, BookUp, Lily & Resa,who started following my blog (Currently 123 followers) and Darlene,Greg, Ismo, Jackie, Jennifer, Kernita & Marisa,who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 208likes).
MY BOOK
Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
I think arguments are a waste of time, since those convinced against their will; remain unconvinced still.
But if you must argue online, here is a way to win any online arguments and not just political arguments.
PLEASE CONSIDER
Why not share your opinions with all of us by commenting. I think many of us could learn from different perspectives.
My thanks toCarol,Chris & Christy,for commenting on last week’s post. To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box. Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.
Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Carol,Darlene,Elizabeth, Julietta,Lestra, Maria, Nandini,Nicole, Lou,Shirley& Susanfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
Looking for a Christmas Gift
Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Many people benefit from massages, please consider trying. As you can see below, it looks very relaxing.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
I know there is a philosophy out there that thinks everything should be easy. I wouldn’t recommend adopting that philosophy; most things of value take hard work and things that come to easily are usually assigned little value.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Learn to say “no” if you have doubts about doing something–you will make things easier on yourself and the requester. Not replying is not a “no”, it is simply disrespectful.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Going on a media diet may bring you more peace without the non-stop stream of media divisiveness.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
Love is a choice, sometimes a very difficult choice; please put some thought into you choice.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
The Wind Is My Mother
by Bear Heart
There is a lot to learn from Bear Heart, a Muskogee Creek Indian medicine man.
For instance his observation: By nature bears are very playful, even when they are hunting or fishing. When they fish, they’re not fishing to make a living, they fish in order to live and, in so doing, make a game out of it for enjoyment. This is something humans can learn from.
I hope you are having some fun at work and enjoying the people you come into contact with; life is short, enjoy it as much as you can.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Love Actually
The screenplay delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a variety of people, many of whom are shown to be interlinked as their stories progress.
The story begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place one month later. (Source: Wikipedia)
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
This is unusual Christmas song, but I believe the Ramones had their heart in the right place when they made this song. There is way too much disharmony in the world and in the USA.
Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Ramones
LAST WEEK’S POLL– Unfriending
Unfriending
81% – Have not unfriended someone on Facebook because of their political posts
19% – Have unfriended someone on Facebook because of their political posts
Being Unfriended
88% – Do not believe they have been unfriended because of their political posts
6% – Believe they have been unfriended because of their political posts
6% – Don’t know if they have or have not been unfriended because of their political posts
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which do you say
ART OF THE WEEK
American Gothic
by Grant Wood
American Gothic is a painting by Grant Wood in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Wood’s inspiration came from what is now known as the American Gothic House, and his decision to paint the house along with “the kind of people [he] fancied should live in that house.”
Painted in 1930, it depicts a farmer standing beside a woman who has been interpreted to be either his wife or his daughter.
It is one of the most familiar images in 20th-century American art, and has been widely parodied in American popular culture. [Source: Wikipedia]
Did someone say, “Widely parodied”
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Mother-in-Laws
I think mother-in-laws get a bad rap; most of them are absolutely wonderful people. I liked my mother-in-law so much that I gave her a trophy that said “World’s Best Mother-in-Law”
I’m so glad I did, because the following December she died. We already had a gravesite for her and Carol bought the marker for her mother’s grave and this year we decorated the grave.
If you had a wonderful mother-in-law like I did, I would urge you to do something for her this Christmas.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG & FACEBOOK
My thanks to Bird, Christy & Renuka, who started following my blog (Currently 122followers) and Arva, Cathleen, CJ, Elaina, Elena, Jackie, Leslie, Linda, Michael, Naomi, Ray, Shala & Tammy,who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 198likes).
MY BOOK
Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
¿Of course, you know I was referring to euchre, right?
PLEASE CONSIDER
If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting. My thanks toChris, Carolyn, Renxkyoko & Samantha,for commenting on last week’s post. To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box. Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.
Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Aggie,Annette, Barbara, Bill,Carol, Carole, Christie, Cindy, Cynthia, Donna, Gwen, Julie, Kristie, Leslie, Nandini, Nicole, Norma, Patty,Shirley, Steve & Susanfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
In case you want to start your diet before the Christmas Holidays or recover from your Thanksgiving feast, this will get you off to a start.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
Don’t wish, take some meaningful action every day to make your dreams come true.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
If you want peace in your life:
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
It is so important to see and hear what is actually there and not what you want to be there.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
Ever wonder what is the key to happiness, well here it is.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Great Again
by Donald J. Trump
Whether or not you like the next President of the USA, I think you should read his plan, if you wish to be informed.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Scrooged
Staring Bill Murray
This 1988 film is a modern update on The Christmas Carol classic and well worth watching.
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
I love today’s world, but I am so grateful I was around in 1962 for music like this.
Loco – Motion
Little Eva
LAST WEEK’S POLL– Goal Setting
28% – I set specific goals that are objectively measurable
21% – I have wishes like stay in closer touch with my friends, but nothing specific
19% – I don’t bother with setting goals for myself
17% – I periodically monitor via action plans, my progress on accomplishing my goals
15% – I set specific goals and develop action plans to accomplish those goals
And here are the results of last year’s poll:
25% of you have wishes, but nothing specific
22% of you set goals that are specifically measurable
19% of you monitor via action plans your goal accomplishment progress
17% of you don’t bother with goals and another 17% set specific goals and develop action plans.
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Unfriending
ART OF THE WEEK
Stonehenge
Stonehenge’s ring of standing stones are set within earthworks in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.
Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the first bluestones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, although they may have been at the site as early as 3000 BC.
One of the most famous landmarks in the UK, Stonehenge is regarded as a British cultural icon. It has been a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1882 when legislation to protect historic monuments was first successfully introduced in Britain. The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage; the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.
Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. Deposits containing human bone date from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug, and continued for at least another five hundred years. (Source: Wikipedia)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Ed Turowski
There are extraordinary people all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.
I met Ed in the very early 1980 and did busy with him off and on until he passed away in 1997. He was a fantastic guy, a good honest business man who took pride in his work. He was the type of person that made America great.
Ed’s father died when he was just four years old. In WWII he was a SEA BEE in the U.S. Navy. The SEA BEEs were a combat construction unit, responsible for tasks such as underwater piping to fuel naval vessels and airplanes.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
Which fluffy white pet do you think said, “There is only room for one fluffy white pet”?
BLOG & FACEBOOK
My thanks to Ek Rxasta, Kittens, Humans &Tommy, Mess Up Dress Up, and Quill, Parchment & Tanya, who started following my blog (Currently 119followers) and Sheen & Trish,who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 181 likes).
MY BOOK
Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting. My thanks toChris, Christy, Quirky Girl &Samantha,for commenting on last week’s post.
Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Antoinette, Carol, Cynthia, Donna, Edmund, Kim, Joyce, Juliette, Lois, Nicole, Patty, Ron, Shirley & Susan,for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday (Christmas & New Years) season with lots of eating and some drinking for many of us; but as much as reasonable I hope you can stick somewhat to your diet.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
If you wish to be extraordinary, you need to pay attention to any advice, regardless of where it is coming from.
And pay particular attention to comments about you from your enemies, often they are the only ones who will tell you the truth about yourself.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Showing up on time demonstrates their respect for others.
The Marines have a saying, “If you aren’t 15 minutes early, you are late.”
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
It is important to develop strategies so that you are prepared to respond appropriately to various situations.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
¿When people are gone, will you feel guilty that you did not give them a bit more of your time?
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue
Edited by George L. Rogers
Benjamin Franklin was certainly an extraordinary person and you can be too, if you follow his advice in this book.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
A Christmas Carol
Staring George C. Scott
Watch this Christmas classic with your family and friends to keep you in the Christmas mood and maybe even make you a better person.
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
How can anyone not love The Contours.
Do You Love Me
The Contours
LAST WEEK’S POLL– Thanksgiving Polls
Where will you have Thanksgiving Dinner
50% – Home
42% – Friend or relative’s house
8% – Local restaurant
Here the results of last years poll on where you plan to have your Thanksgiving Dinner. Home 44%
Local friend or relative’s house 35%
Out of town 13%
Local restaurant 4%
Out of country 4%
Favorite Thanksgiving film
40% – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
20% – Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
10% – Scent of a Woman
10% – Home for the Holidays
10% – Alice’s Restaurant
10% – Other
And here are the results of last year’s poll on your favorite Thanksgiving film:
53% – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
27% – Scent of a Woman
17% – Home for the Holidays
3% – Other
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Goal Setting
ART OF THE WEEK
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.
Constructed from 1887–89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, [ ] it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015.
The tower is about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. (Source: Wikipedia)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
As I mentioned last week, there are extraordinary people all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.
Tony (aka Freddy) Mangino
I’ve known Freddy, since I was a little kid. He was the “Fonz” of our neighborhood and as years went by he became my best friend.
He died in 1996 and it was a great loss to me. Carol and I have never missed a year putting flowers on his grave site and I bought the marker with the “weights” on it and another one of his friends donated the grave site.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
Blog & Facebook
My thanks to Farzanna, Gus, Lana, Maureen, Penny & Ula,who started following my blog (Currently 113 followers) and Benjamin, Deb, Entesar, Kate, Kerry,Penny,Sandy & Tyger, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 175likes).
MY BOOK
Last week I donated two copies of my book to Angel Kisses to a raffle they are holding on February 11. The mission of Angel Kisses is to fun Michigan-based programs that improve perinatal bereavement care.
Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
Well the ruckus on Facebook seems to be cooling off a bit, but it is there and so the following may help you deal with some of the things you may come across.
PLEASE CONSIDER
If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting. My thanks toSamantha,for commenting on last week’s post.
Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks toAnnette, Carol, Colleen,Donna,Linda, Nicole, Patty & Shirleyfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Normally, I’m skeptical about the value of many of the vaccinations one is encouraged to take; however, this may be one shot to consider.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
The surest way to wealth usually is to control how much you spend on things.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
If you wish to be extraordinary, you have to learn to say “No”, so that you can say “Yes” to high priorities. And remembering not answering is not saying “No”, it is being disrespectful to the person asking. Respect both yourself and the other party by saying “No” if you don’t or can’t do something, rather than not replying.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
I think this is one of the most important things to learn, if you wish for a happy life.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
There is a lot of talk about this world leader and the powerful country he leads. This book came out in 2000, so it isn’t current; but it will give you some insights into the character of Vladimir Putin and how he became the leader of Russia.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Look Who’s Back
“What would happen if Adolf Hitler woke up in modern-day Berlin? In a bestselling satirical novel, he’d end up a TV comedy star . . . [Look Who’s Back] has unsurprisingly sparked debate in a country that has grappled for decades with Hitler’s unconscionable legacy.” Time
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Wake Me Up
Avicil Song
POLL – Breaking News
44% – Believe the USA news media is bias
44% – Believe the USA news media divides people and encouraging them to be angry at one another
12% – Believe the USA news media is objective
Here are the results of a news media poll I conducted a year or so ago:
When it comes to paying attention to the news:
62% – Pays some attention, but not a lot
24% – Pays a lot of attention
14% – Pays almost no attention
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving Polls
ART OF THE WEEK
Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620.
There are no contemporaneous references to the Pilgrims’ landing on a rock at Plymouth, and it is not referred to in Edward Winslow’s Mourt’s Relation (1620–21) or in Bradford’s journal Of Plymouth Plantation (1620–47).
The first known written reference to the rock’s existence is in 1715, when it is described in the town boundary records as “a great rock.”[3] The first written reference to Pilgrims landing on a rock is found 121 years after they landed, in 1741. A rock traditionally identified as Plymouth Rock, weighing an estimated 20,000 pounds (9,100 kg) in its original form, has long been memorialized on the shore of Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Source: Wikipedia)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Extraordinary people are all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.
For instance, Bill, in the white shirt, is 73 and on his third and final lift at the recent WPC World Powerlifting Championship attempted a 502 lbs. deadlift. How many of us could even attempt to pick up 500 lbs. regardless of our age, let alone at the age of 73
Sid, in the hat, was in the First Calvary and did five years as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam. A soldier’s soldier if ever there was one and we owe our liberty to people like Sid.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
Blog & Facebook
My thanks to Betcha Didn’t Know,Melisandre, RNIKS & Jolly,who started following my blog (Currently 110 followers) and Aurora, Carol, Danielle, Dawn, Hannah, Lisa, Patty, Piper & Tara, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 164 likes).
MY BOOK
Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
I was at the World Powerlifting Congress world competition last week in Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Lifters from nations all over the world competed against one another but I heard just as much applause for all winners, whether they were from Muslim countries, France, Russia, USA, etc.
I can’t help believing that it is the media and government establishments that makes enemies of people and then when people do come together one on one, they know they are more alike than different.
Last year I was runner-up world champion in my age/weight/type of lift to a Russian
And other than my USA teammates, the Russians were very supportive of my efforts.
Although I feel I should have done more to prepare for this years contest, I still put forth a tremendous effort over the course of the last 12 months. This year I was able to come in first in a lower weight class.
But I don’t believe anyone accomplishes anything without some help and to me coming in first in the world for my age/weight/type of lift, plus setting a new world record in that category was a big deal. And yet it would never have happened without the support and encouragement of my friend Art. By the way, Art not only took first place in his category, but also received a best lifter award.
PLEASE CONSIDER
If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting. My thanks toQuirky Girl, Roxie & Samantha,for commenting on last week’s post.
Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Anita, Carol, Craig, Cynthia, Helene, Kimberly, Kristie, Kristen, Nicole, Patty, Shirley & Wendyfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Your clothing choices are a form of communicating who and what you are, so choose with a bit of care.
I always thought it was so sad when someone dressed differently from normal for an interview. You should dress every day as if you are interviewing, you just may not realize it.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
If it is important to you, don’t give up.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
It is important to learn to think for yourself and to question things you are told.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Some of you may have a hard time deciding if you need another book, so below is a graph that will help you decide.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
I selected this film because I think it says something about the majority of the media in the USA
Wag the Dog
The film follows a Washington, D.C. spin doctor (De Niro) who, mere days before a presidential election, distracts the electorate from a sex scandal by hiring a Hollywood film producer (Hoffman) to construct a fake war with Albania.
Wag the Dog was released one month before the outbreak of the Lewinsky scandal and the subsequent bombing of the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan by the Clinton administration, which prompted the media to draw comparisons between the film and reality. (Source: Wikipedia)
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Revolution
by The Beatles
LAST WEEK’S POLL – World Champions
46% – I am friends with a world champion
16% – I have met a world champion
16% – I have never had any kind of contact with a world champion
7% – I am a world champion
7% – I have corresponded with a world champion
7% – I have seen a world champion in person
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Objectivity of USA News Media
ART OF THE WEEK
Statute of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States.
The copper statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, was built by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886.
It was a gift to the United States from the people of France. The statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet. (Source: Wikipedia)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
George Washington
Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1797
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) He was born into the provincial gentry of Colonial Virginia to a family of wealthy planters who owned tobacco plantations and slaves, which he inherited.
In his youth, he became a senior officer in the colonial militia during the first stages of the French and Indian War. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress commissioned Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution.
Washington, was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he presided over the convention that drafted the United States Constitution and came to be known as the “father of his country” during his lifetime and to this day.
Washington was widely admired for his strong leadership qualities and was unanimously elected president by the Electoral College in the first two national elections. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the French Revolutionary Wars, suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, and won acceptance among Americans of all types.
Washington’s incumbency established many precedents still in use today, such as the cabinet system, the inaugural address, and the title Mr. President. His retirement from office after two terms established a tradition. The 22nd Amendment (1951) now limits the president to two elected terms.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
Blog & Facebook
My thanks to Chris, Kira, Patsy, Simona,Tenacity, Yeah Yummy,who started following my blog (Currently 105followers) and Alicia, Chris, Kelly, Seema y Viswarupa, liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 154 likes).
MY BOOK
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
Sure, everyone reminds you to set your clocks back an hour, but how many reminded you to set your scales back 10 pounds to get ready for the Thanks Giving and the Christmas Holidays, not to mention those leftover Halloween treats.
We had 55 kids come to our door, I was prepared, having bought 150 bags of chips to give out.
Vote
Don’t forget to vote.
PLEASE CONSIDER
I always find comments so encouraging. If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting. My thanks toCarol,Chris, Daal, Linda & Pam,for commenting on last week’s post.
And also if you enjoy this blog, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Carol, Cynthia, Joanne, Joyce, Kate, Louise, Nicole, Nancy, Patty & Shirley, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
When it comes to purchasing food or other substances, this is always good advice.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
It is so important that you believe in yourself. No one holds us back more than ourselves.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
The extraordinary person tries to have empathy for others around them.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Every so often I like to provide you scientific information that will help keep you safe. Here is something you may want to do, if you haven’t done it already.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual
By Michael Pollan
This book is one of the easiest to read books I have come across and it is packed with good information. I urge all of you to read this book if you care anything about what you are putting into your body.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Somewhere in Time
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
If I Could Turn Back Time
by Cher
LAST WEEK’S POLL– Exercise
44% – Do cardio, weight-bearing and flexibility exercises
26% – Don’t exercise
17% – Do cardio exercises
10% – Do flexibility exercises
3% – Do weight-bearing exercises
THIS WEEK’S POLL – World Champions
Please pick the one answer that best describes your contact with a world champion from being one yourself descending to never having had any contact with a world champion.
ART OF THE WEEK
Venus de Milo
Aphrodite of Milos, better known as the Venus de Milo, is an ancient Greek statue and one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture.
Created sometime between 130 and 100 BCE, it is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus to the Romans).
It is a marble sculpture, slightly larger than life [ ]. Part of an arm and the original plinth were lost following its discovery.
From an inscription that was on its plinth, it is thought to be the work of Alexandros of Antioch; earlier, it was mistakenly attributed to the master sculptor Praxiteles.
It is currently on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The statue is named after the Greek island of Milos, where it was discovered. (Source: Wikipedia)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Robert Smalls
If you don’t believe the above, please check him out on SNOPES.com
What an absolutely extraordinary person. He demonstrated courage by taking over a confederate ship and eventually became a major-general.
He bought the house he was a slave in and showed extreme kindness and forgiveness by letting the wife of his former “owner” live in the house when she developed dementia.
He learned to read and write and he served 5 terms in congress.
What a role model for everyone by his courage, compassion, love of learning and public service.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
My thanks to Alana, Ananya, Aurora Jean,Fox Island, Gabriela, Ifatimafaye, Joanna, Pam, Roberta, Rose & Think Smart,who started following my blog (Currently 101followers) and Betty, Cathy, Charlene, Laura, Nancy & Posie who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 138likes).
MY BOOK
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
Best wishes for a fun and safe Halloween to all of you.
PLEASE CONSIDER COMMENTING
I always find comments so encouraging. If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting. My thanks to Carol,Carolyn, Dan,for commenting on last week’s post.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Folks, crash diets never work in the long-term, where small lifestyle changes will eventually pay off. You are more likely to keep the pounds off if you just lose a couple of pounds each week.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
Sometimes, when things are going bad we have to reexamine the decisions we have made and stop repeating those bad decisions.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
I don’t know about you folks, but my mouth has got me into so much trouble over the years. I could learn something from a cat.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
I suspect each day we are missing opportunities to use our creative abilities. Perhaps, if we just slowed down a bit, we would see opportunity in even the most unlikely acts and situations.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
A Graphic Novel
Illustrated By Matt Pagett
I know I have mentioned this extremely easy and fun to read graphic novel before, but since it is Halloween today, I thought why not mention it again.
And if you never read a graphic novel, give it a chance.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Dracula (1931)
They don’t make scary movies very often that are as good as the old ones. Take a look at the preview from the 1931 version of Dracula and let me know what you think.
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Monster Mash
by Bobby Picket & The Crypt-Kickers
LAST WEEK’S POLL – How do you watch movies
44% – Stream
22% – Cable
22% – DVD
11% – Movie Theater
0% – VHS Tape
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Exercise
ART OF THE WEEK
Mona Lisa Posing
Mona Lisa Relaxing
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr (born 9 November 1914 – 19 January 2000) was an Austrian and American film actress and inventor.
After an early and brief film career in Germany, which included a controversial film Ecstasy (1933), she fled from her husband, a wealthy Austrian ammunition manufacturer and secretly moved to Paris. There, she met MGM head Louis B. Mayer, who offered her a movie contract in Hollywood, where she became a film star from the late 1930s to the 1950s.
At the beginning of World War II, Lamarr and composer George Antheil developed a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes, which used spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology to defeat the threat of jamming by the Axis powers. Though the US Navy did not adopt the technology until the 1960s, the principles of their work are now incorporated into modern Wi-Fi, CDMA and Bluetooth technology, and this work led to their being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
My thanks to Mirror and Soul & WanderLustSuperstars,who started following my blog (Currently 92 followers) and Maria, IleneSophia & Stephanie,who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 123likes).
If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks toCarol,Debra,Joanne, Kelly, Kristie, Patricia, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
I wish the last presidential debate had been like this.
Thank you to Carol, Dan, Dean, Harmony, JoAnn, Lindsey, Ruth, Sue & Tania; who stopped by yesterday at Leon & Lulu’s Books & Authors Event, to say hello to me. I very much appreciate the support.
PLEASE CONSIDER COMMENTING
My thanks to 200 Saturdays Until Paris, Chris, Renxkyoko, Samantha & Spiritual Journey,for commenting on last week’s post. Surely, more of you can find something to add to the material presented.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
We have two ears and one mouth, it is important to listen
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Here is Bob Probert of the Red Wings showing us how he got along with the hockey players from opposing teams. It was always exciting, when he was on the ice and I was fortunate to see him a number of times.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Every so often I like to post important scientific discoveries that I think we should all be aware of and below is one of those discoveries.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
The 80/20 Principle
By Richard Koch
If you want more time in your life to accomplish more, I suggest this book or any other book on the 80/20 principle, which says that 80 of the value we receive comes from 20% of our efforts.
Think about your clothes, don’t you more or less tend to wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time. I think you will find that this principle applies to many other aspects of your life.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Rome
Here is an excellent two seasons series on Rome, which I thought was rather good.
Every city has its secrets. HBO presents Season One of this epic series about generals and soldiers, masters and slaves and husbands and wives, all entwined in the furious historical events that saw the birth of the Roman Empire.
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Allentown
by Billy Joel
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Is about satisfaction.
Do you think Mick Jagger has found satisfaction by now?
50% – Didn’t care if he did or if he didn’t
43% – Thought he has found satisfaction
7% – Didn’t think he has found satisfaction
Rumor had it that those 7% personally heard Mick recently sing on stage that he can’t get no satisfaction
As to whether you have found satisfaction:
50% – said they were satisfied
50% – said some days yes and some days no
THIS WEEK’S POLL – How do you watch movies
ART OF THE WEEK
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa [ ] is known worldwide for its unintended tilt.
The tower’s tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure’s weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed, and gradually increased until the structure was stabilized (and the tilt partially corrected) by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. (Source: Wikipedia)
We are all familiar with the above picture of the tower, but did you ever wonder what the other side looks like. Well, I took this photo some years back.
And if not for those weights in the above photo, the tower may look like this:
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Colonel Sanders
Colonel Harland David Sanders (September 9, 1890 – December 16, 1980) was an American businessman, best known for founding fast food chicken restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (now known as KFC) and later acting as the company’s brand ambassador and symbol. His name and image are still symbols of the company.
After being recommissioned as a Kentucky colonel in 1950 by Governor Lawrence Wetherby, Sanders began to dress the part, growing a goatee and wearing a black frock coat (later switching to a white suit), a string tie, and referring to himself as “Colonel.” His associates went along with the title change, “jokingly at first and then in earnest,” according to biographer Josh Ozersky.
He never wore anything else in public during the last 20 years of his life, using a heavy wool suit in the winter and a light cotton suit in the summer. He bleached his mustache and goatee to match his white hair.(Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
My thanks to Allison, Cute Baby Pets & Nurse Kelly,who started following my blog (Currently 90 followers) and Archana, Kristie &Paula & Zeinab, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 116likes).
If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks toCarol,Darlene, Delores,Joanne,Nicole,Shelley & Shirley,for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
If you live in the Detroit area, I will hope you stop by Leon & Lulu’s this Sunday, October 23 to meet and talk with local authors. For more info, including the authors that will be there, click on the link below.
I would love to have the opportunity to talk to readers of this blog, plus I usually tell a few jokes throughout the day at scheduled times.
Our last Presidential Debate is this Wednesday–thank heavens. If you have not made up your mind or you are having doubts about your initial choice, you may want to watch this debate. Otherwise, you may be making your decision on who to vote for based upon what the media tells you.
And for those of you who can’t stand our political situation, you may watch simply for the entertainment value. Who knows, maybe there will be a limbo bar on the debate stage to see how low the candidates can go.
PLEASE CONSIDER COMMENTING
My thanks to Dave & Renxkyoko,for commenting on last week’s post. Surely, more of you can find something to add to the material presented.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
For those of you who think you are too old to deal with technology, please study the instructions below on “Fixing the router”.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
The Romans
By R.H. Barrow
I do not recommend this book, unless you enjoy sitting in a college lecture hall listening to a professor talk about Roman civilization.
However, you should take it upon yourself to learn something of Roman history and civilization, since it is the basis for the western civilization. Many famous European cities were originally founded by the Romans and English Common Law has its basis in Roman Law.
There are more readable books than this one available, as well as recordings and there are some films that are both entertaining and informative.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
I, Claudius
I, Claudius follows the history of the early Roman Empire, narrated by the elderly Emperor Claudius.
The series opens with Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, attempting to find an heir, and his wife, Livia, plotting to elevate her own son Tiberius to this position, through the covert assassination and betrayal of any rivals.
The plotting and double-crossing continue for many decades, through the reign of Tiberius, the political conspiracy of his Praetorian Prefect Sejanus and the rule of the lunatic emperor Caligula, culminating in the accidental rise to power of his uncle Claudius.
Claudius’ enlightened reign is marred by the betrayals of his adulterous wife Messalina and his boyhood friend Herod Agrippa. Eventually, Claudius comes to accept the inevitability of his own assassination and consents to marrying his scheming niece, Agrippina the Younger, clearing the way for the ascension of his mad stepson, Nero. (Source: Wikipedia)
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
by Rolling Stones
LAST WEEK’S POLL– What was or do you think will be the best decade of your life?
The results:
23% – 60 through 69
21% – 40 through 49
16% – 30 through 39
13% – 20 through 29
11% – 50 through 59
8% – 70 through 79
5% – 80 through 89
3% – 90 through 99
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Is about satisfaction.
ART OF THE WEEK
Somedays
by Kurt Halsey
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip “Mick” Jagger, (born 26 July 1943) is an English singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the lead singer and a co-founder of the Rolling Stones.
Jagger’s career has spanned over 50 years, and he has been described as “one of the most popular and influential frontmen in the history of Rock & Roll”.
Jagger’s distinctive voice and performance, along with Keith Richards’ guitar style, have been the trademark of the Rolling Stones throughout the career of the band.
In 1989 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2004 into the UK Music Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones. In 2003, he was knighted for his services to popular music. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
My thanks to Clark & Louisewho started following my blog (Currently 88 followers) and Jacqueline, Louise, Marian& Ruthwho liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 113 likes).
If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks toAnnette, Barbara, Carol, Carrie, Cynthia, Kim, Linda, Lisa, Marian, Paula, Ruth, Shirley, Tude Vox & Victoria,for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
Harmony Books & Films, LLC 