Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Random 3, hummus, ebooks and tv


ebooks
Originally uploaded by fishbrain.randy@sbcglobal.net

Sometimes I am in awe of the interesting posts you bloggers write.

I have gathered here a couple of my random thoughts since I don't have an idea for a big post.

First thought: Delicious and healthy lunch I had today: hummus, bagel chips and baby carrots.

Second thought: I wanted a Kindle Fire HD for Christmas and received it. Yay. I am enjoying reading books on it, this is my first ereader. It has the word Fire in the name which means I can also use it to surf the internet, read and send email, etc. I have two Jane Austen books on my ereader, one was free and one was $1.99. I like those prices but I do NOT like the average price of $9.99 for many new books.

The publishers must make a huge profit on that price. Their costs are so low, I think they should charge less. But who listens to me? Ebooks means publishers do not have to buy the paper and print the book and move it to a warehouse and retrieve it when ordered. A more fair price might be 3 or 4 dollars as far as I'm concerned. So far I have not paid that large price for a new book; I would rather buy a print copy in a local bookstore, new or used.

I still prefer printed books and everything about them. Still, ebooks have their usefulness too.

Third random thought is that my dh and I enjoy Downton Abbey AND Walking Dead. Does that make us well balanced? Or confused? Ha ha.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Martin Sheen and James Baldwin, Celebrity Encounters


Poster
Originally uploaded by Xacobeo - Camino de Santiago

Have you met a celebrity?

James Baldwin


One person I met was the author James Baldwin, in Istanbul, Turkey.

For my junior year in college I chose to attend a college in Istanbul, and James Baldwin came to my friend's 21st birthday party. I admired Mr. Baldwin's writing a lot, and don't recall a word I said to him, as I was a bit star struck.

Two of his most well known books are The Fire Next Time and Go Tell it on the Mountain.

Martin Sheen

My husband rode his mountain bike up a mountain trail several weeks ago, and there was an older man hiking down the trail, by himself.

My husband thought "that looks just like Martin Sheen" and when they met on the trail, they talked pleasantly for a few minutes and my husband said to himself "That IS Martin Sheen."

My husband refrained from letting him know he was recognized, and they were just two friendly men on the mountain.

We LOVED the recent movie The Way
, starring Martin Sheen and directed and produced by his son, Emilio Estevez. This movie takes place on the centuries old Pilgrim Road in Northern Spain, as Sheen walks the holy way in honor of his fictional son. Beautiful movie and gorgeous scenery in Spain.

And I am a bit jealous my hubby got to chat with Mr. Sheen.

Who have you met? I am guessing Buttercup has met some famous people :)

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Word for 2014


Simplify Your Life
Originally uploaded by Robert Benner Sr.

Like a lot of you, I chose a word to guide me in 2014, the word "simplify". It is connected for me with the word "de-clutter." Yes, I have too much stuff. Where does it come from and how does it multiply?

In previous years I chose "shine" and "listen."

Some words you, my blog friends have chosen this year:

Cherish

Believe

Intention

Strengthen

Life

Choose

Build

Forgiveness

Give

Simplify

Create

Abiding

Smile

Content

Inspire

Transform

Peace

Contentment

Abide

Smile

Confidence

Grow

Renew, refresh, refocus

One friend has two words: purge and organize

These make a nice word quilt or poem when listed together.

Abby at Abbey's Paperie Garden chose Simplify too, and she designed a wonderful lacy paper scroll to hold her word. You can see it at Abby's Paperie Garden

I want to organize my extensive papers and throw out a lot of them. I have boxes and file cabinets of papers so that is my aim, plus give away and throw out unused clothes and other items.

I think Simplify is in line with Scripture, including:

"Keep your lives free of the love of money and be content with what you have." Hebrews 13:5