Nobody Listens

'A baby's smile...The truth of that smile was in the eye and heart of the parent and in the unfolding love that only had meaning through time.-Ian McEwan"Enduring Love"After writing about 'The Incredible Mr. Limpet' movie yesterday I also remembered a book I read as child called 'Nobody Listens To Andrew'. It had such an impact on me when I was a boy. It's a great one to read even today. And so I am recommending it for my blog today. http://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Listens-Andrew-Curriculum-Beginning/dp/0813659590/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241123094&sr=8-1Twenty-five...

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Incredible

"We know what we are,but know not what we may be."-William ShakespeareImagine this incredible story based on a novel by Theodore Pratt. A bespectacled, bookkeeper named Henry loves his pet fish so much that he longs to be one. When Henry's wish comes true and he's turned into a talking fish, the simple ocean life he'd envisioned proves more exciting than mundane.The story was made into a film in 1964. I thought of it the other day and wanted to give...

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Bodywork

"You take good care of yourself, and I take good care of myself."-Thich Nhat Hanh"Being Peace"The legendary Bob Hope attributed his longevity (he lived to be over 100) to his daily massage. If it was good enough for Bob Hope, it's good enough for you.If you're like most folks who work in an office, you probably don't make the time or groom your budget to get a professional massage every day. I certainly do not get a massage daily but I try to fit...

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Growing A Garden

'I finally understand how my father felt about me.He is a piece of me, just as I was a piece of my own dad.'Jason F Wright"The Wednesday Letters"More people are getting their hands dirty to grow their own vegetable gardens. Why would one want to grow a garden? The obvious answers are to a) improve your health, b) simple home economics, c) learn new skills and d) for the sheer joy it brings in an outdoor setting. My dear cousin, Linda Louise Korenke,...

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Solitude Isn't For Me

"Why the devil didn't you at least drop me a line?Or had you forgotten my existence?"-Nial Kent"The Divided Path"Anthony Hopkins, the British actor, bought a huge Spanish-style mansion in Ojai, California. "I walked around thinking this is beautiful," he said. "But it was lonely. I'd sit on a kitchen stool watching TV every night. Solitude isn't for me, so I sold it for a lesser price and moved back to L.A."-as recently readin PAGE SIXof The New...

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We Are Hard-Wired To Seek Affection

"Of all the rotten apples I've come across in my life...you are on the top!"-James Stormas Gerard StilesDark Shadows, episode 1123During my JetBlue flight into New York on April 15, 2009 I was watching the National Geographic channel. There was a program about feral children. A feral child (or wild child) is a human child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, and has no (or little) experience of human care, loving or social...

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Mystery Walks In New York City

"Old photographs...that was where Michael got his passion for clinging to people who were gone and events that were past."-Nial Kent"The Divided Path"That is part of the 'wonder' of New York City. Yesterday, after the stock market closed at 4PM a walk was decidedly taken into SOHO. Alan and I found ourselves at a small gallery at 28 Wooster Street in SOHO. An artist from Kentucky (Theo Edmonds) was having an exhibit from 6pm to 10pm tonight. We were...

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Music Is My Life's Breath

"You are so transparent...to me at least."-Angelique Collins (Lara Parker) to Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) DARK SHADOWS, episode 1133May 26th. THAT is my birth date. Yesterday, I learned of all of these musicians that are born on the same date:Peggy Lee (FEVER)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxoAJ3BoycAl Jolson (MAMMY)http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2031424457Stevie Nicks(SARA)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmQ_1sXZJxILenny...

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My Matador Cousins

"I had a handful of girlfriends. Dating was exciting, and I played my part."-Marcelo F PintoDallas, Texasin the book"Telling Tales Out of School"I was intrigued by an episode on "60 Minutes" last week about Francisco and Cayetano Ordonez. They are the bullfighting brothers in Spain. They are the grandsons of the great Spanish bullfighter, Antonio Ordonez. To be a "matador" is to be a principal bullfighter who is appointed to make the final passes...

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A Gift To France

“I did it MY WAY.” –Frank SinatraL’Osteria in PARIS is a most magnificent ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant with the finest Italian cuisine. I must talk about this fantastic place today. It is located at 10, Rue de Sevigne in the 4th Arrondissement. The decor is simple but it has a series of varied 8 x 10 framed art images on the wall that I admired.I have visited L’Osteria twice on my last two visits to PARIS. I highly recommend it as a regular...

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End Of The Road

To study the way is to study the self,To study the self is to forget the self,To forget the self is to be awakened with ALL things.-A Mental HideawayThere is a song by a group called HOTHOUSE FLOWERS called 'End Of The Road' that inspired me yesterday (while watching a film called 'The Borstal Boy').http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKxqm4_DEAI&feature=related I have to share the tune. I couldn't find a music video but you can hear a sample of it...

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What Is A Lush Life?

"It's possible to express new ideas using old forms."-Ludwig Van Beethovenas heard in the Broadway play"33 Variations"I recently returned to New York City and the signs of recession seem absent in the area of Tribeca. There were many people coming, going and shopping on a Thursday Spring Time afternoon. Alan Freiman and I stopped for soup at the local Bouley Bakery Cafe. I was amused by a solitary woman in one corner of the cafe. She was reading...

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The Susan Boyle Sensation

"I won't be lonely anymore."-Susan Boyle,comment on her sudden fame.By now many of you have heard the singing sensation who became famous globally within a matter of twenty-four hours after appearing on the British reality talent TV show called "Britain's Got Talent". Her singing debut took place on April 11, 2009. She is already loved by so many all over the world. The expectations were nil as far as a great performance based on her appearance....

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An Allergy Answer

"I believe a person can go back and change what has already happened."-David Selby in characteras 'Quentin Collins'Dark Shadows-episode 1133On Tuesday I was subjected to heavy winds and the many Spring Time pollens blowing in the air. It didn't agree with me. Allergies kicked in and I had a flight to New York. It was a miserable flight of sniffling, nose blowing and restroom visiting. My right inner ear was clogged with mucus from the allergies....

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Stress Management Technique

"I knew I liked boys more than I should. I had already had a torrid, if one-sided, affair with Montgomery Clift and several other actors I saw on late-night movies on TV." -John DiCarlo"Telling Tales Out of School"The other day I received an email from Barbara Reynolds about the latest 'stress management technique' that is being recommended in psychological journals. It supposedly really works. Personally, I think it might work best if a gentle voice...

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