Donovan Creek
For sleep, riches and health to be truly enjoyed, they must be interrupted.
-Jean Paul Richter, writer (1763-1825)
March 10, 2012
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
March 5, 2012
9-11: a book, a video, and an audio file
Amy Waldman’s novel Submission was lauded when it first came out as her fiction debut. It is a brilliantly told story of the committee tasked to choose what the memorial would be for 9-11 in New York City. It is a highly charged read about race relations in our country and what emotions different characters on and off the committee experience as they near a decision about the appropriate memorial for this national tragedy. Here is a small excerpt of her book. It is one of the best novels I read all last year.
After you’ve read this you might want to watch this YouTube piece called “Boatlift” that details how all watercraft was employed to evacuate NYC on September 11th 2001. This is an incredible piece revealing another lesser known part of heroism demonstrated that day.
It was just before the tenth anniversary last fall that the 9/11 tapes audio recordings from the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.), North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) and American Airlines from the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 were released. It is an incredible piece of history to listen to and listening to the operator and flight attendant who were incredible while under intense pressure.
February 28, 2012
As Americans Contemplate $5 a Gallon Gas…
As people begin to freak out about $5 a gallon gas we must remember there are other options and that much of the rest of the world has been paying more for many years. Ask a friend in Europe how they’d feel about a five u.s. dollar gallon of gas and they’d likely jump with joy. Here’s a reminder about our country’s use of oil:
February 21, 2012
Wisdom of Moliere
It is not what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.
-Moliere, actor and playwright (1622-1673)
February 16, 2012
February 10, 2012
Black History Month: February
If you read just one thing this year make it “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson.
You may be distracted as I was about what it takes to create such a masterpiece of history and make it such a compelling read at 500+ pages, but it is so well paced you will likely be upset when you have completed the read.
Over six million blacks left the South between 1917-1975 and it was truly a great migration in our country that few stop to marvel about. Wilkerson gives us the story of three such people two men and one woman and presents their journey along with what was happening in the country in the period of time they were adjusting to the new homes. I enjoyed the book so much that I ended up buying multiple copies and sending them to my several friends I knew wouldn’t jump out the window at the prospect of a book this thick. Here is the New York Times book review, it was later listed as one of the best books of 2011.
It is the perfect book to give to a friend and to ask them to pass it along to another friend.
This is the perfect read for February to celebrate Black History Month and to remember the dream.
January 18, 2012
Stop On-line Privacy Act: Please Take Action Today!
If you are ready to take action on this important internet matter please click here: http://www.craigslist.org/about/SOPA
Tell Congress you OPPOSE Senate 968 “Protect IP Act” (PIPA) and H.R. 3261 “Stop Online Piracy Act” (SOPA)
Let congress know that you are against this and want to keep the internet accessible. Use this link above to take action, it’s easy and is very important….
January 16, 2012
January 10, 2012
Women’s Words to Ponder
snowy summer porch
Normal is not something to aspire to it’s something to get away from. –Jodie Foster
Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening.
-Barbara Tober
January 5, 2012
Clean Clothes!
Children enjoy ride on steam powered train
Last summer the 20-something daughter of a friend came home complaining about her dry cleaning bill and it was all I could do not to jump down her throat about the waste of money and all the chemicals she was being exposed to. I calmly asked her why she didn’t hand wash and she said she didn’t know how! I was astonished to learn this and later asked her younger sister about her hand washing skills and she didn’t know either, but her philosophy was if it didn’t go in the washer and dryer she didn’t wear it. Naturally I sent them both this little on-line tutorial about hand washing and encouraged her to save money by not tithing her pay to the local dry cleaner.
I have never taken for granted access to a washing machine. Hardly a week goes by when I use the washing machine that I don’t think about how many women have no access to such machines, who must carry water from far far away to hand wash the family’s clothes.
Here’s a clever article about saving money on washing and another on-line calculator that will help you to realize how much you are spending each time you run these great inventions that so many of us are fortunate to have access to in our homes, down the hall, or in our neighborhoods.
