September 15 2018:
Julio’s Magic
Absolutely wonderful book about the loving kindness of a young wood-carving boy. Surprise ending that absolutely warms the heart!! We loved it!
Book Musings: Julio’s Magic
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Category Archives: Book Shelf
Book Musings: Writing as a Path to Awakening
September 8 2018:
Writing as a Path to Awakening
I deeply enjoyed this book. I’ll check it out again at some point to re-visit and inspire.
“To tap into your deepest talent, you need to seek out a calm, restful state of mind where your head isn’t defending your delicate ego and your heart can bloom open a little.” -Mary Karr
“Allow failure to be your handmaiden. Love is showing up fully with presence – open-hearted, raw, and vulnerable to the world; it’s the only thing that matters. All writing and creativity originate here and now.” – Albert Flynn DeSilver
Book Musings: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
September 1 2018:
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The story of William Kamkwamba. The people in the village called him crazy, but he knew he could succeed at bringing electricity and running water to his desperately poor village in Malawi Africa. Incredible story of determination and following one’s heart!
Book Musings: Beyond Magenta
August 25 2018:
Beyond Magenta
About 3 months ago I discovered that I was deeply ignorant concerning a segment of the human population, the ones with whom I walk this Earth. This is but one of the many books I have been reading.
Somewhere along the way as a child I learned to fear and judge that which I did not understand or that which is different than I or those close to me.
As a middle aged adult I have finally unlearned that lesson and now seek to understand and learn about that which I do not understand. Understand and learn from the Heart and not the brain.
Not to say that knowledge of the brain is not useful. This knowledge has served me well so that I may serve others. Yet, there is also “knowledge” gained by way of lessons and observations in childhood that have served to my True Self’s detriment.
I am not always able to take the time to “educate” myself about people or situations that I do not understand or that I fear. Yet, there are times that the urge is so incredibly compelling that I must “educate” myself from the Heart. This was one of those times.
Book Musings: Crossing Niagara
August 18 2018:
Crossing Niagara – The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin
Exciting story of Jean Francois Gravelet, the one known as the Great Blondin. Mostly about his claim to fame of crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope.
He not only crossed on a tightrope, he crossed on a tightrope blindfolded, reading the paper, with a wheelbarrow, on stilts, with his feet and hands chained, with his feet in buckets, and with a man on his back. Great person to learn about.
Book Musings: talkin’ guitar – A Story of Young Doc Watson
August 11 2018:
talkin’ guitar – A Story of Young Doc Watson
All sounds were music to a blind young man by the name of Arthel Watson. He made music out of whatever he could get his hands on and became one of the most celebrated and beloved figures of folk, bluegrass, and old-time music – Doc Watson.
Another winner!!
Book Musings: Marvelous Mattie
August 4 2018:
Marvelous Mattie
As a young girl Margaret E. Knight carried with her a notebook labeled My Inventions. She made creations for her mother and brothers and when she was twelve she designed a metal guard to prevent shuttles from shooting off looms and hurting workers.
Later she invented a machine that would cut and glue together a square-bottomed paper bag. Many of the paper bags we use today are still processed using Mattie’s invention.
An inspiring story of a girl and woman who knew in her heart she was an inventor and never backed down from that belief. Even in a time when it was believed women couldn’t understand the complexities of mechanical equipment.
Book Musings: Rumi – Whirling Dervish
July 28 2018:
Rumi – Whirling Dervish
Another incredible DEMI book! A brief book about the life of Rumi and what led to the Whirling Dervishes. Touches on how he wrote about the love that resides in the soul of everyone regardless of religion or background. Beautiful and inspiring book!
Book Musings: Elephant Moon
July 21 2018:
Elephant Moon
A wonderful book which highlights the African elephants and their intricate social structure. It’s from 1993 so also points out issues with the ivory trade. We all enjoyed this and I especially loved the simple illustrations.
Book Musings: The Noisy Paint Box
July 14 2018:
The Noisy Paint Box
“I let myself go. I had little thought for houses and trees, drawing colored lines and blobs on the canvas with my palette knife, making them sing just as powerfully as I knew how.” …. And …. “I could hear the hiss of the colors as they mingled.” ~Vasily Kandinsky
An historical fiction of the life of Vasya Kandinsky who was one of the very first painters of abstract art. So interesting to learn that he could hear the colors. They literally made sounds that he could hear.
It is believed that he had synesthesia; a condition where one sense triggers another sense. He knew in his heart how he wanted to paint and kept straying from it to please others. He finally let loose!!
Lillian was glued to this as she loves creating and learning about abstract art. Thomas and I loved it too!
