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

Groundhog Day

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“You want a prediction about the weather,
you’re asking the wrong Phil.
I’ll give you a winter prediction:
It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be grey,
and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life.”
Phil from the movie, “Groundhog Day”

The poster from the 1993 “Groundhog Day”.

It’s Groundhog Day everyone ! Actually, before 1993, when the movie, “Groundhog Day” came out and became such a big hit, I never paid much attention to this day.

I’m pretty sure everyone will watch this movie at least once today, if not several times.

This twenty-two year old movie, is so chock-full of funny lines, you gotta watch it more than once. It’s classic Harold Ramis humor.

Whether you live in Southern California or Punxsutawney Pennsylvania, everyone around the world will be watching the 129th prognostication by Phil. How often is Phil correct? Well they say he’s 100% accurate, most of the time. Whatever that means.

Punxsutawney Phil at the 2015 Groundhog Day Celebration.

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

In my opinion what we really need is an East and West Coast Phil. If we did have two Phil’s, my bet is for us West Coast residents, Phil won’t see his shadow. But for those living on the East Coast, Phil will definitely be seeing his shadow on Groundhog Day.

Shine On.

Listen to the Warm

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“For every star that falls to earth a new one glows.
For every dream that fades away a new one grows.
When things are not what they would seem
you must keep following your dream.”
Rod McKuen

Rod MKuen April 29, 1933 to January 29, 2015

We lost a great artist the other day. Rod McKuen was not as well-known to this generation as to the generation of the 1960s and 1970s. He was a poet, a singer, a lyricist, and a musician. His work mirrored the 1960s and he was once given the label as the unofficial poet laureate of America.

They say that snobs hated him and were constantly tearing down his talents. Which makes sense, since his writings were not for snobs but for everyday people.

His songs were recorded and performed by artists such as Barbara Streisand to Frank Sinatra.

My first introduction to Rod McKuen was through my older sister who gave me one of his book, as a graduation gift. The book was “Listen to the Warm”. His poetry spoke to me and influenced me a great deal. I will always cherish this book and still have this book today. In fact, leafing through this book is like looking at a scrapbook of my life:

“I’ve been going a long time now
along the way I’ve learned some things.

You have to make the good times yourself
take the little times and make them into big times
and save the times that are all right
for the ones that aren’t so good.”

By: Rod McKuen from Listen to the Warm

Shine On

Happy Birthday Mozart

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame.
I simply follow my own feelings.”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born January 27, 1756 and died on December 5, 1791

He was the most prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He began composing and performing before European royalty at the age of five. Composing over 600 works of music, he is among the most enduring and popular of the classical composers.

Happy Birthday Mozart.

Shine On