Photographers Abound

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.
What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers
little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
Aaron Siskind

I love to look at photos
Whether mine or someone else’s
My favorite way to look at them
Is using my iPad Flick Stackr

I love to look at photos
So many different styles
Photos of animals, flowers
Photos of sunsets and sunrises

I love to look at photos
From all over the world
Different places, different faces
Talented photographers abound

By: J R

Shine On

Harmony

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans have been living for hundreds of thousands
of years in their forest, living fantastic lives, never overpopulating, never
destroying the forest. I would say that they have been in a way
more successful than us as far as being in
harmony with the environment.”
Jane Goodall

Harmonious Hamsters

I like a good argument every once in a while, but it can be extremely draining when a simple discussion becomes World War Three.

Nothing beats a harmonious relationship. It’s a great feeling when you are with someone and you both are on the same wavelength.

No two humans are alike, so it’s refreshing when you meet someone who sees things the same as you on so many levels. Take for example one of my friends. In our discussions from politics, health and fitness to ethics, we seem to agree on every subject we discuss. Maybe that’s why after speaking with my friend, I feel relaxed and balanced.

For me, life is to short to waste time and energy over arguing about subjects you can’t do anything about. I’d rather spend time alone than with someone that drains my energy with their opinions and negative attitude. Give me a positive person any day of the week to spend time with and keep my life in harmony.

Shine On

The Catcher in the Rye

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection,
and on his own terms, not anyone else’s.”
J. D. Salinger

J. D. Salinger author of the classic novel, The Catcher in the Rye

Recently I read the classic novel, The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger.

It was a great book, and I was surprised to learn that Mr. Salinger, like his character in the book, Holden Caulfield, was an extremely private person. He too like Caulfield was not a fan of movies or Hollywood. In fact, during success of the novel, Salinger received (and rejected) numerous offers to adapt The Catcher in the Rye for the screen, including one personally from Samuel Goldwyn.

Salinger was so adamant about this, he left specific instructions in his will. He authorized a timetable, to start between 2015 and 2020, for the release of several unpublished works including instructions for movie rights to, The Catcher in the Rye.

With the recent news announcement about, Harper Lee’s book release, I wonder how long it will take for Lucas, Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino or Weinstein to jump at the chance to produce this great novel.

Whoever does succeed in acquiring the rights to this classic book, I sure hope they do right by J. D. Salinger and this captivating story The Cather in the Rye.

Shine On

Impossible to Put These Books Down

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“Books can be dangerous.
The best ones should be labeled,
‘This could change your life’.”
Helen Exley

Joshua Son of None a novel by Nancy Freedman

If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve accepted the 2015 “Good Reads” challenge. I pledged to read two books per week this year. That’s double the amount of books I read last year. I love reading, so this will be an enjoyable challenge.

Over the years, there have been a handful of books that I read that I saw as a movie as I read the book. The first book was a novel by Nancy Freedman, “Joshua Son of None”. This book had such an impact on me. I couldn’t get it out of my head. So much so, that a few years after reading this book in the 1970s, I contacted Ms Freedman. I contacted her because I was interested in optioning this book to make it into a film. I was fortunate to sit down with her for several hours and discuss the possibility of an option. She was very warm and interested in my proposition. Unfortunately she passed away a few years back. A deal was never made and a movie was never made. I still hope to see this political thriller in theaters some day.

Another book I read back in the 1970s was the book by Peter Benchley named, “Jaws”. I’m an extremely visual person, so this novel had me on the edge of my seat with the movie that I could see unfolding from this book. Several friends as well as family mocked me for reading a book about a shark. Later, when the movie came out, they remembered I had read the novel and wanted to borrow my “Jaws” book.

The other book I read that people mocked me about was written by one of my favorite authors, Michael Crichton. The book was “Jurassic Park”. This book really scared the dickens out of me with his detail writing, which Crichton was famous. My friends and family stopped mocking me after this summer hit broke all box office records.

These three books stand out in my mind the most when I think of all the books I’ve read in my life. These books also are responsible for my interest in writing. Each of these authors wrote with such compelling dialogue and visually mesmerizing action, that it was impossible to put these books down.

Shine On

Wise as an Owl

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“A wise old owl sat on an oak;
The more he saw, the less he spoke;
The less he spoke, the more he heard;
Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?”
Author Unknown

My half century old collection of feathers.

Collecting bird feathers is a hobby that has been with me since my pre-teens. These feathers are placed gingerly in my antique hand-woven American Indian basket, and are treasured keepsakes. Gathered throughout my years of horseback riding and hiking, each feather is treasured for not only its beauty but for how it once adorned each and every bird.

The variety of feathers ranges from birds such as my pet Cockatiel Max, to majestic peacock feathers. Among the dozens of feathers in my basket, the most cherished feather is from a Great Horned Owl. This large flight feather is rich brown in color with tan highlights. The soft, comb-like feather enables the Great Horned Owl to fly silently while hunting its prey. Though this feather may appear dull in comparison to my peacock feathers, it’s the fact it’s from an owl and the owl character I cherish.

The Great Horned Owl

We’ve all heard the saying, “wise as an owl”. The saying as well as his reputation goes back as far as Native American and Greek mythology. Maybe the owl got his well-known reputation because of his most famous feature. Those large golden eyes framed in black, as though he is wearing eyeglasses, and his stern stare gives one the idea of a wise old bird. There’s much more to this bird than meets the eye.

This cryptically colored stealth bomber of the night has proven his smarts and wisdom through his hunting technique of first listening, looking, and only then reacting to what he has learned. Unlike his only predator, man, he listens, looks and learns. This technique has allowed the owl to survive for centuries and proves how smart he really is compared to man.

Listening – Looking – Learning. A concept most humans cannot afford to ignore. The owl is wiser than we ever believed possible. Maybe, just maybe, if man would follow this wise old birds listening, looking, and learning technique, man could be as wise as an owl.

Shine On