information junkie

Thursday, August 15, 2013







another bouquet, this morning's early morning light avec cat - the best cat ever - Oliver

There are only two ways to live your life. 
One is as though nothing is a miracle. 
The other is as though everything is a miracle. 
Albert Einstein

I am a self-confessed information junkie here are a few reviews of recent 29 Black Street goodness


fiction - Gail Godwin - I'm reading Flora & I love her style of writing + oh boy she's written many, many books

non-fiction - Erik Larson's - The Devil in the White City - completely fascinating I can hardly wait til' bedtime

cookbook - Gwyneth Paltrow's - It's All Good - I was a sceptic but it is a gorgeous book with loads of great recipes 

movie - Lincoln - I had to make Doug pause* the movie twice to explain to me the in's & out's of both American politics and the history of the Civil War to that point - if I had been watching by myself I would've turned the movie off after 5-10 mins because I would've been completely lost, I'll confess to knowing next to nothing about US history, government and/or politics other than I know I would never be a Republican ;-). Once I had a better understanding of the monumental context of this period in history, I thought the movie  was amazing & especially Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln. In Doug's opinion (a former US citizen and history professor) Lincoln was by far the best American president, back in the day when perhaps desiring to be President was a more honourable ambition ? Funny thing, between Erik Larson's book (circa 1893) and the movie Lincoln (1865) I find myself quite suddenly being very interested in history for the first time ever, it's an age thing I suspect, but it's still a great thing about life - that we are constantly growing & changing our tastes and interests.

hilarious - more David Sedaris warning do not drink liquids while watching this video - you will snort ! so funny !

motivatingI heart youtube - David Allen's TED talk - The Art of Stress Free Productivity

inspiring - more youtube goodness Glennon Doyle Menton - Lessons from the Mental Hospital

more inspiration - Brene Brown - The Power of Vulnerability

& even more inspiration + spirituality - Gabrielle Bernstein - May Cause Miracles love this book !

music - heard this beautiful song on another excellent CBC radio 1 show Definitely Not the Opera 

12 comments:

  1. This die hard democrat snorted her coffee when she read this quote! "I know I would never be a Republican ;-)." Kindred spirits!

    Is Doug the cowboy?

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  2. Hey Galestorm ! Glad I could give you a morning snort now go watch David Sedaris reading live for way more snorts. Yes Doug is the cowboy, the Prince (of All Good Things), born in Seattle, moved to Canada years & years ago, taught Canadian History for 32 years at the University of Manitoba, moved to Nova Scotia 10 years ago and met me one very fateful day in the park near my home, walking our dogs-the rest is history ;-)

    http://29blackstreet.blogspot.ca/2009/09/cowboy.html

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  3. Wonderful images dear Susan, your flowers and cats are always beautiful.
    I enjoyed your 'reviews' on the books you are reading and the videos. It is great to curl up in bed with a good book. I am finding that my thirst for knowledge is becoming greater as I grow older, I still have so much to learn and it is always a good feeling to learn something new.
    I think that it is great that you and Doug met.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  4. I waited 17 years for my Prince Charming Dianne ... & well worth the wait ♡ What seems now like an unspeakably long time but in a tiny, well hidden part of my heart I never really ever gave up imagining what "he" would be like ... nearly 4 years later we both are constantly amazed that we did meet, another everyday miracle I suspect. xoxo Susan + Gang

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  5. I waste far too much time watching "the idiot box". I need to break my TV addiction and start reading books ...

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  6. Hey Sybil ! I do watch the idiot box also but mostly I have it on my computer as I glue bit's & pieces of paper together all day long. Some of my favourites (& many of them trashy) are ...

    America's Next Top Model
    MasterChef
    Say Yes to the Dress - (a weird one - I am strangely fascinated with bridal gowns)
    the Bold & the Beautiful (a 30 min. soap opera)
    Fashion Star
    What Not to Wear
    Celebrity Apprentice (& the Donald)

    I hardly ever watch regular TV (PBS, HBO & the Movie Network exceptions) because I cannot bear the endless commercials.

    reading books at bedtime calms my ever-busy kooky mind ... like medicine. xoxo Susan + Gang

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  7. That is so lovely to hear dear Susan and gives me some hope.

    Lots of love, Dianne.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  8. I would say the stars, moon, and sun were all in alignment that day! How fortunate that your paths crossed that day. I hope to one day find a "cowboy" that I can spend the rest of my life with in perfect harmony! I remember some of the posts about him. Can hardly believe it's been 4 years. How time flies!

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  9. Hi Galestorm - I honestly believe with all my heart that it is important to imagine what qualities you want in that person, what's important to them and how you want to feel in a relationship. Doug surpasses my "ideal partner" list and my list was pretty particular with many fairly rare qualities - a big one for me was finding someone who is as crazy about animals & nature as me.

    Keep dreaming & imaging-that is the secret. Never let yourself lose hope and always believe that it can & will happen. My whole life over the time I've been writing this blog has been proof of - if you can dream it ... you can achieve it.

    happy weekend ! xo Susan & Gnag

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  10. This post of yours is so full of wisdom and beauty, Susan. There is so much in it that's going to keep me busy and engaged for a while, checking out all the links you have provided. I can not stand all the endless commercials either, and I could never be a Republican. I grew up around Republicans, but they weren't then what they have become now.
    I was never interested in history when I was in school, but it fascinates me now.

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  11. Thank you Judy that means so much coming from you. Much love from all of us xoxo Susan

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  12. a ps - D tells me Lincoln was a Republican - back when Republican meant something different than it does today I'm thinking - perhaps they've realized as a political party they need to head back in that direction once again.

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