CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier

By Jakob Walter

The life of a soldier in an army at war is rather harsh from the stories I have heard first hand from those that fought in WWII. This diary seems very real from what I have heard and it gives you in my opinion a good idea of what being in war can be like. I’m not sure if it is any better today and in my time the Vietnam War experience was horrible for so many.

If you are curious what war time soldiers go through, I think this book will give you an idea.

Eighteen-year-old German stonemason Jakob Walter served in the Grand Army of Napoleon between 1806 and 1813. His diary intimately records his trials: the long, grueling marches in Prussia and Poland, the disastrous Russian campaign, and the demoralizing defeat in a war few supported or understood. It is at once a compelling chronicle of a young soldier’s loss of innocence and an eloquent and moving portrait of the profound effects of all wars on the men who fight them.

“Vivid and gruesome … but also a story of human fortitude. … It reminds us that the troops Napoleon drove so mercilessly were actually more victims than victors—a side of Napoleon that should not be forgotten.”

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

If you like quirky films, this is a good one. The only thing that could have made this film better would be a cameo appearance by Bill Murray. If you understand what I meant by the Bill Murray comment, you will really like this film. If not, you may not like the film. 

French Exit

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

In 1967, there were 486,000 American troops in Vietnam, I was one of those 486,000.

Fortunate Son

By Creedence Clearwater Revival

ART OF THE WEEK

We all know World Famous Chef Ronaldo is an artist when it comes to cooking up exotic dishes for the wealthy and famous.

However, I had no idea Chef Ronaldo could create something like this.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

The military personnel who have died

in the performance of their military duties while serving in

the United States Armed Forces.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

Will return next week

PHYSICAL TRAITS

For instances, many health issues are caused by excessive weight, many mental problems are caused by addiction. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

Sarcasm Doesn’t Get You Anywhere

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Losing weight and keeping it off is one of the hardest things I know of to accomplish. And yet being over-weight is believed to be related to heart attacks, need for joint replacements and increased likelihood of harm from diseases such as the Coronavirus.

There are so many approaches to losing weight, many of which are so complicated that most of you will tire of the approach and regain the weight you initially lost, if not gain even more weight than when you started.

This approach by Adam Thrall is rather simple and just may work.

Five Tips for Losing Weight

By Adam Thrall

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Autobiography and Other Writings

By Benjamin Franklin

This is the particular copy of the Franklin autobiography that I have; but, I suspect any Franklin autobiography would be well worth reading whether or not it contained other writings.

There is an incredible amount of good advice in this autobiography that will benefit you and society if you will act upon it.

A fascinating and unconventionally educated man, Benjamin Franklin imparts—in his own words—wisdom and remarkable life lessons on the art of living with great personal integrity (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I just finished watching all 43 episodes of this revival of Rod Serling’s classic show. There are some good episodes in the collection, but I thought many were rather pedestrian.  My favorite was “Memphis”, about a law clerk with six months left to live due to an inoperable brain tumor finds himself transported back in time to Memphis, Tennessee on the day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

The show was cancelled after its first season and to be honest I was rather glad when I made it through the very last episode. 

The Twilight Zone

Narrated by Forest Whitaker

The Twilight Zone is the second of three revivals of Rod Serling’s original 1959–64 television series. It aired for one season on the UPN network, with actor Forest Whitaker assuming Serling’s role as narrator and on-screen host. It premiered on September 18, 2002, and aired its final episode on May 21, 2003. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I  Want A New Drug

By Huey Lewis and The News

(Ed Sullivan Show – Oct. 28, 1956)

ART OF THE WEEK

We Are All Works of Art

The only question is how good of an artist do you wish to be.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Chef Ronaldo

There is a lot more to being a world famous chef like Chef Ronaldo than many may think. Most people think it is just about hanging out with celebrities and whipping up a few exotic dishes once in a while. Well, yes that is true.

But there is a lot of other more mundane things to being a world class chef such as interviewing people to staff your world-class restaurants. Here is a photo of Chef Ronaldo conducting an interview.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Gyms

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Presidential Candidates

If you have been around very long, you know that politicians and political parties change over time. As these politicians and political parties change, perhaps your allegiance to them should be reconsidered to see if they continue to serve your best interests.

LEARNING TRAITS

In and Out of Your Control

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Body  Book

By Cameron Diaz

This book came out in 2014, but I think what it says is still very valid and I believe it could inspire you to try to live a healthier, happier and longer life.

Grounded in science and informed by real life, The Body Bookoffers a comprehensive overview of the human body and mind, from the cellular level up. From demystifying and debunking the hype around food groups to explaining the value of vitamins and minerals, readers will discover why it’s so important to embrace the instinct of hunger and to satisfy it with whole, nutrient-dense foods. Cameron also explains the essential role of movement, the importance of muscle and bone strength and why we need to sweat a little every day. (Source: GoodReads)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I just watched this movie again while on the treadmill and I still enjoy watching it every so often. A few years ago, I watched part of it in an auditorium inside the actual Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, where this movie was filmed.

Somewhere In Time

Warning

The following clip is 15 minutes long, so please don’t bother watching unless you are really into this film. Also, there may be two very short commercial interruptions. Since I have mentioned this film several times over the years, rather than simply show you the trailer again, I wanted to do something a bit different. If you like this film, I think you will find this clip rewarding.

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About

Somewhere in Time

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Hey Baby

By Bruce Channel

Dancers: Nils and Bianca

ART OF THE WEEK

Artists 

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

Police Officers

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Safety Tip for Older People

Just to be safe, you may want to have a bar installed in your shower.

CHARACTER TRAITS

 

SOCIAL TRAITS

Government Spending

It seems our political leaders are very generous, giving out money to many in the USA and to world. Where does this money come from? I have heard there were two ultimate sources: taxes (e.g., income, sales, etc.) and simply printing money which results in inflation, which is said to be a tax on the poor and those on a fixed income or living off their savings.

LEARNING TRAITS

Science

At one time, people believed that the heavens revolved around the earth. They believed the world was flat. Bleeding was an acceptable medical procedure. I could go on and on, but I think you will either get the point I am trying to make or you will not.

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Mask Mandates

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Re-Stocking

Here I am in Tennessee, stocking up on books

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Breathless

By Jerry Lee Lewis

ART OF THE WEEK

Cataract Falls, Smoky Mountains National Park 

Nature is an artist

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

SUNDAY’S 2021 AWPC NATIONALS WINNERS

All of the people in the above picture came in first in various AAPF powerlifting categories. You will notice that they are both young and old. The reason there are only a couple of females in the photo is because the females were scheduled to lift on another day. 

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

If you are familiar with Star Trek, I think you will enjoy this.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo’s

Chef Ronaldo knows that many of you who are trying to lose weight, also love pizza. So, Chef Ronaldo came up with this idea of how you can cut the number of pizza slices you eat in half.

CHARACTER TRAITS

There is a lot that can be learned in a gym.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Human Connections

LEARNING TRAITS

Who hasn’t said or did something in anger, that they later regretted.

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

AAPF Nationals

Sorry

It was my intent to set a new AWPC World’s raw deadlift record for my age and weight. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned as you can see below:

I plan to train harder and smarter to make this 385 lbs. lift at my next contest in mid-June.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Swoly Bible

By Dom Mazzetti

This is a humorous book with a sprinkling of good hardcore gym advice throughout. Even if you aren’t into hardcore weight lifting, you may still find this book funny and if you are into hardcore weight lifting I think you will love this book.

For years bros, meatheads, and gym rats around the world have posed pressing questions: What can you bench? Can I skip leg day? What goes in this protein shake? And, importantly, do you even lift, bro? At long last, answers to these questions and more can be found in one handy volume – The Swoly Bible, written by the Internet’s favorite gym expert/literary genius, Dom Mazzetti. (Source: Back cover of the book)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

The video that goes along with this song, brings back a lot of memories for a person my age, who saw much of this via TV as it was happening

Wonderful World

By Sam Cooke

ART OF THE WEEK

Possible Revision to the Sistine Chapel 

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Good People Do Some Bad Things

and

Bad People Do Some Good Things

Al Capone started one of the first soup kitchens. In fact, preceding the passage of the Social Security Act, “soup kitchens” like the one Al Capone founded, provided the only meals that some unemployed Americans had. 

Al Capone was a gangster who made a fortune during the prohibition though bootlegging. He had a bit of the Robin Hood mystique by being charitable from some of the money he made running his criminal enterprise. Being a bootlegger (made/distributed illegal alcohol) during Prohibition during the period in the USA from 1920-1933 when alcohol was illegal) was seen as an acceptable, glamorous, even brave thing to do by the public. But it’s well-known that he had brutal methods murdering enemies, extorting local businesses, bribing public officials, intimidating witnesses.

Al Capone’s intentions were an effort to clean up his image. “120 000 meals are served by Capone Free Soup Kitchen” the Chicago Tribune headlined on December 1931. Al Capone’s soup kitchen became one of the strangest sight Chicagoans had ever seen. An army of ragged, starving men assembled three times a day beside a storefront at 935 South State Street, feasting on the largesse of Al Capone. Toasting his health. Telling the newspapers that Capone was doing more for the poor than the entire U.S. government. He was even offering some of them jobs. Capone milked his good works for all the favorable publicity they were worth. He came down and walked among the men, the wretched of the earth, offering a handshake, a hearty smile, and words of encouragement from the great Al Capone. (Source: RareHistoricalPhotos.com)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo’s

Quick Recipe for Banana Bread

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo

Many  people don’t know it, but Chef Ronaldo is also very much into health. This week, Chef Ronaldo shows you how to burn 1,000 calories in just 45 minutes.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Re-reading Books

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

IL Postino (1994)

(The Postman)

If you don’t understand poetry, this entertaining movie should give you some insights. My copy of the movie is in Italian with English subtitles. If  you cannot watch a film with subtitles, you probably will not like this movie even if it were in English.

I understand the lead actor put off a heart operation to make this movie and died just before the movie was completed. Personally, I thought the actor made a wise decision, since through this movie he will live much longer.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I’m In A Hurry

By Alabama

ART OF THE WEEK

Mosaics

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Cpl. Pat Tillman, Jr.

I think it is helpful to learn about people like Cpl. Pat Tillman, Jr. He did not let money nor fear keep him from what he felt he needed to do.

Patrick Daniel Tillman Jr. (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) who left his sports career and enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and subsequent death, were the subject of national attention .(Source: Wikipedia)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Manipulated

LEARNING TRAITS

Cats Are Great Communicators

MISCELLANEOUS

Backyard Visitor

This deer has been visiting our backyard every week or two since December.

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo

We are entering grilling season and World Famous Chef Ronaldo wants everyone to participate in grilling season, including those of you that don’t have a grill.

Here is Chef Ronaldo’s solution to grilling for those of you who don’t have a grill.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This is a nice little book that might inspire you to live up to your true nature.

The Hero Code (2021)

By Admiral William H. McRaven

THE HERO CODE is Admiral McRaven’s ringing tribute to the real, everyday heroes he’s met over the years, from battlefields to hospitals to college campuses, who are doing their part to save the world. (Source: Book itself)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I’m doing my best on this blog to try to be non-political, since I have no desire to offend half my audience, unlike a number of major US corporations that feel they can do nicely with half their customers. Let’s see how that works out for those corporations. 

I was unsuccessful watching a movie or show that I could recommend to you folks, so I would suggest that any show or podcast you can find with one or especially both these individuals will be well worth watching. They are funny and yet make a good deal of sense.

Tyrus & Kat

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Some good advice in this song, such as “It’s not having what you want, it’s having what you got.”

Soak Up The Sun

By Sheryl Crow

ART OF THE WEEK

Shadow Art

Shadow art is a unique form of sculptural art where the 2D shadows cast by a 3D sculpture are essential for the artistic effect.

And you can add images to the shadow

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Detroit Police Chief Craig

and 

The Citizens of Detroit

Detroit has gone through some difficult times over the years and knows something about violence. I spent the entire 1967 riots a few blocks from Woodward and Grand Blvd at Pallister St.

Over the years it has been hard to believe one day Detroit would be the example of reason and responsibility, but I believe it is. The credit goes to Detroit Police Chief Craig and The Citizens of Detroit.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig is responding to comments from US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) made in the wake of the Daunte Wright death at the hands of a white police officer in Brooklyn Center Minnesota.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I didn’t think I was that well prepared for my last contest on March 14, so I added an extra day to my training (four days a week now) and spending two to three hours each training session.

AAPF NATIONALS

I’ll know May 2, if my hard work will get me to where I want to be for this contest. Regardless, it is going to be a great experience.

I strongly recommend strength training, regardless of your age–I’m 74.

Strength training not only adds life to your years, but years to your life.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Economic Systems

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo

Last week for Easter, Chef Ronaldo taught us how to make holy water. This week Chef Ronaldo is going to share with us his recipe for making tea.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This book is a bit dated in a few parts, but overall it presents some good ideas for achieving a life of peace and well-being by making your life more simple.

If this book is a bit too dated for you, no doubt you can find other more current books on this topic.

Living The Simple Life (1996)

By Elaine St. James

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Watching this entertaining series among other things is a good way to learn about Prince Phillip.

The Crown

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

For your viewing pleasure, I have obtained some rare footage of Beethoven’s Second Fifth.

Beethoven’s Second Fifth

ART OF THE WEEK

Coffee Cups

I thought these coffee cups were interesting

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark; 10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021) was a member of the British royal family as the husband of Elizabeth II.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Overeating

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Photo IDs

Georgia’s new voting law requires a drivers’ license or state ID number be listed to submit an absentee ballot to vote, among other new reforms. The state already required ID to vote in person. It had previously relied on signature matching to verify ballots.

Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey issued a statement Wednesday night saying the company is “disappointed in the outcome of the Georgia voting legislation.”

And yet Coca-Cola required a valid photo ID for admission to their shareholder meeting.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Happy Easter

OTHER CURRENT NEWS

Freighter Stuck In The Suez Canal

Folks, maybe you heard about the freighter that was stuck in the Suez Canal and the harm it was causing. Here is a photo of the freighter being freed. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

There are a number of versions of this book available. My copy came out in 1989, but I think the next time I read this book, I will acquire a more recent version.

The Jefferson Bible

The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth

By Thomas Jefferson

In the early nineteenth century Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, conceived the idea of extracting a gospel purified of what he saw as extraneous philosophical, mythological, and theological elements.

To do so, he took verses from the four canonical gospels and arranged them into a single narrative, focusing on the actual words of Jesus. This work was never published during Jefferson’s lifetime, but was inherited by his grandson and printed for the first time in the early twentieth century.

The original bound manuscript, often referred to as “the Jefferson Bible,” is held by the United States National Museum in Washington.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This film isn’t for everyone, actually I think it is for very few people. I’ve seen it a few times and I still find it extremely interesting and worth trying to figure out what it is saying.

Surviving Desire (1992)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Jokerman (1984)

By Bob Dylan

ART OF THE WEEK

Here is some art with a powerful message.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Since it is Easter, why not.

Bugs Bunny

So far the “Cancel Culture” hasn’t come after Bugs Bunny, at least to the best of my knowledge.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Holy Water

In the past, the World Famous Chef Ronaldo taught us all how to make Holy Water. Given that it is Easter, I thought it might be helpful to bring this back.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

I did some fact checking and found this to be true. I fact check everything on this blog. As for the things I really like but can’t find any factual support, I normally add, “If this isn’t true, it should be.” That phrase wasn’t necessary this time.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Archaeological Discovery Near Stone Henge

I continue to try to keep you up to data on recent discoveries. Here is a recent important archaeological discovery that I believe you should be aware of:

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This book was adapted by James Harris to be extremely easy to read. There is some good advice sprinkled throughout the book.

The Enchiridion: Epictetus

Adapted By James Harris

The Enchiridion or Manual of Epictetus (Enchiridion is Greek for “that which is held in the hand”) is a short manual of Stoic ethical advice compiled by the Greek philosopher Epictetus.

This manual has been carefully adapted into modern English to allow for easy reading. (Source: Goodreads)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This film isn’t for everyone; nevertheless, I have watched it a few times over the years and each time I have found it interesting. 

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Mulholland Dr. is a 2001 surrealist neo-noir mystery film written and directed by David Lynch. Mulholland Drive is often regarded as one of Lynch’s finest works and was ranked 28th in the 2012 Sight & Sound critics’ poll of the best films ever made, and topped a 2016 poll by BBC Culture of the best films since 2000. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Opening Day is coming up.

Centerfield (1985)

By John Fogerty

ART OF THE WEEK

I thought this bridge spanning the falls is a work of art.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

William Shatner/Capt. James T. Kirk

William Shatner turned 90 years old last week (March 22, 1931). He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of Captain James Tiberius Kirk in the TV series Star Trek.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

Here is a tip for the ladies

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Exercise, The World’s Best Medicine

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Here is something to think about

Now, think about it some more

LEARNING TRAITS

English Grammar Is Important

MISCELLANEOUS

I don’t disagree with the following, I just find it rather scary. However, I suspect some must find it hopeful.

Polls