Mason Jars

 

 

     November 30th is Mason Jar day. A day dedicated to the one item of which, you can never have enough.  Which reminds me, I should really do something about all those jars I have lined up on my dresser.

"In 1858, John Landis Mason, a tinsmith invented the screw-threaded glass jar or bottle which possessed a ribbed neck. It was patented in 1857 and came to be known as Mason jar." -https://www.nationaldaystoday.com/national-mason-jar-day/

Industrialization and the ability to mass-produce items helped to bolster their popularity, the various sizes allowed for the preservation of several types of produce.  WWII brought out a call for people to grow their own food further cemented. a need for the jars.  Although refrigeration and canning have reduced the need for preserving via Mason Jars, they still hold an appeal and can be used in a variety of ways.

 

 

The Mason Jar [text (large print)] by Lingerfelt, James Russell 

Clayton Fincannon is a Tennessee farm boy raised at the feet of his grandfather. He and his grandfather leave letters for each other in a Mason jar on his grandfather's desk; letters of counsel and affirmation. When Clayton attends college in Southern California, he meets and falls in love with a dark débutante named Savannah. However, when an unmentioned past resurrects in her life and she vanishes, Clayton is left with unanswered questions. Clayton goes on to serve as a missionary in Africa, while he and his grandfather continue their tradition of writing letters. When Clayton returns home five years later to bury his grandfather, he searches for answers pertaining to Savannah's disappearance. Little does Clayton know, the answers await him in the missing Mason jar.--From publisher description.

Mason Jar Mayhem by Goyer, Tricia 

Spring has come to Sugarcreek and the community is rallying behind an effort to help victims of domestic violence. At a work day to remodel abandoned cottages for families in need of safe havens, volunteers discover dozens of jars filled with old coins hidden within the walls of a kitchen. When the money is stolen from the safe in Cheryl's office at the Swiss Miss, she feels a responsibility to find the thief and recover the loot. The investigation takes her back to the 1940s and connects people and events from the past to current friends and neighbors.

 Christmas Jars by Wright, Jason F. 

A journalist happens upon a human interest story that winds up teaching her lessons about love and forgiveness and renewing her own faith in human kindness. On Christmas Eve, twenty-something Hope Jensen is quietly grieving the recent loss of her adoptive mother when her apartment is robbed. The one bright spot in the midst of Hope's despair is a small jar full of money someone has anonymously left on her doorstep. Eager to learn the source of this unexpected generosity, Hope uses her newswoman instincts to find other recipients of "Christmas jars," digging until her search leads her to the family who first began the tradition of saving a year's worth of spare change to give to someone in need at the holiday.

 

The Prayer Jars Series by Wanda Brunstetter

                                                  One Jar of Magic by Haydu, Corey Ann
 

Joining her family in her community's annual New Year's Day magic-capturing ceremony, a 12-year-old girl who has always been lucky captures just one tiny jar of magic, revealing the true nature and beliefs of her loved ones. 

 

Memory jars by Brosgol, Vera

Freda is devastated when she can't eat all the delicious blueberries she's picked. She has to wait a whole year before they're back, and she doesn't want to lose them! But her Gran reminds her that they can save blueberries in a jar, as jam.So Freda begins to save all her favorite things, like the yummy scent of a just-baked chocolate chip cookie, brand-new crayons with pristine, pointy tips, and a cloud shaped exactly like a unicorn.But it turns out that saving everything also means she can't enjoy anything, and Freda realizes that some things are best saved as memories.Vera Brosgol has created another unique, funny, and heartfelt story, perfect for anyone who treasures family and love. 

150 Best Desserts in a Jar by Jourdan, Andrea

 

DIY Mason jars : Thirty-five Creative Crafts and Projects for the Classic Container by Averinos, Melissa

 
Here is everything you need to make one-of-a-kind creations with everyone's favorite jar, from darling label designs and centerpieces to reed defusers and pendant lighting. These Mason jar crafts will leave a lasting impression in any space!

 

Gifts in a Jar. Recipes to Make your Own Gifts. Cookies

Mason Jar Science : 40 Slimy, Squishy, Super-cool Experiments by Adolph, Jonathan

"Heatproof, transparent, and durable, the mason jar is a science lab just waiting to be discovered. Unlock its potential with 40 dynamic experiments for budding scientists ages 8 and up. Using just a jar and a few ordinary household items, children learn to create miniature clouds, tiny tornadoes, small stalactites, and, of course, great goo and super slime! With a little ingenuity, the jar can be converted into a lava lamp, a water prism, a balloon barometer, and a compass. Each fun-packed project offers small-scale ways to illustrate the big-picture principles of chemistry, botany, biology, physics, and more."-- Provided by publisher.

Unexpected Friends

Sometimes friendship can be found in someone that you wouldn't expect.  We may think that the differences in personality, for example, may hinder friendship but, other similarities can be buried beneath the surface; a shared sense of humor, demographics, shared experiences, and beliefs can bring people together.

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Hyde, Catherine Ryan

Brooke is a divorced single mom, financially strapped, living with her mother and holding tight to the one thing that matters most – her two-year-old daughter, Etta. Then, in a matter of seconds, Brooke’s life is shattered when she’s carjacked. Helpless and terrified, all Brooke can do is watch as Etta, still strapped in her seat, disappears into the Los Angeles night. Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen who is all too used to darkness. Thrown away by her parents and with a future as stable as the wooden crate she calls home, Molly survives day to day by her wits. As unpredictable as her life is, she’s stunned to find Etta, abandoned and alone. Shielding the little girl from more than the elements, Molly must put herself in harm’s way to protect a child as lost as she is. Out of one terrible moment, Brooke’s and Molly’s desperate paths converge and an unlikely friendship across generations and circumstances is formed. With it, Brooke and Molly will come to discover that what’s lost – and what’s found – can change in a heartbeat.

Sorry for Your Loss by Foley, Jessie Ann

"As the youngest of eight, painfully average Pup Flanagan is used to flying under the radar. He's barely passing his classes. He lets his longtime crush walk all over him. And he's in no hurry to decide on a college path. The only person who ever made him think he could be more was his older brother Patrick. But that was before Patrick died suddenly, leaving Pup with a family who won't talk about it and acquaintances who just keep saying, "sorry for your loss." When Pup excels at a photography assignment he thought he'd bomb, things start to come into focus. His dream girl shows her true colors. An unexpected friend exposes Pup to a whole new world, right under his nose. And the photograph that was supposed to show Pup a way out of his grief ultimately reveals someone else who is still stuck in their own. Someone with a secret regret Pup never could have imagined." -- Provided by publisher.

Women in Sunlight: a novel by Mayes, Frances

Four American women become unexpected friends during a magical year in Tuscany marked by a writer's complicated relationship with the subject of her biography, long-postponed dreams, and shifting senses of adventure and bravery.

Kit Raine, an American writer living in Tuscany, is working on a biography of a friend. Her work is interrupted by the arrival of Julia, Camille, and Susan, all of whom have launched a recent and spontaneous friendship. Susan, the most adventurous of the three, has enticed them to subvert expectations of staid retirement by taking a lease on a big, beautiful house in Tuscany. Though novices in a foreign culture, their renewed sense of adventure imbues each of them with a gusto for life, and a fierce determination to thrive-- which will have drastic and unforeseeable results. -- adapted from jacket.

Light of Day by Saul, Jamie M.

Respected professor Jack Owens brought his son, Danny, to Gilbert, Indiana, to escape a betrayal too painful to endure anywhere but in this quiet midwestern college town. After ten years, Jack believed they were safe. But on a seemingly ordinary day, the world Jack thought he knew and the future he anticipated abruptly come apart at the seams, leaving him haunted by the questions: Why? and What next? Redemption, however, could come with the arrival of an unexpected friend whose prescient understanding slowly helps Jack cope with the unacceptable. But with healing comes clarity--and secrets best left unrevealed by the stark, glaring light of day.

• 
  
  
The Story of Arthur Truluv: a novel by Berg, Elizabeth

"Truluv is a moving novel about three people who have lost the person they love most and must find their way back to happiness. Arthur, a widower, meets Maddy, an angry and friendless teenage girl while visiting his late wife at the cemetery, where he goes every day for lunch. Against all odds, the two strike up a friendship that pulls them out of a serious rut. They band together with Arthur's nosy neighbor Lucille, to create lives that are truly worth living. Proving that life's most precious moments are sweeter when shared, they go from strangers to friends, to an untraditional but loving family. Betrayal, loneliness, romance, and family are at the heart of this honey of a book, a must-read for fans of Elizabeth Berg's early work. This is a story about life being affirmed at all ages, old and young, and about finding happiness when hope seems lost. Readers will laugh, cry, and love Truluv"-- Provided by publisher.

One Last Shot by Anderson, John David

• For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each other, with Malcolm caught in between. And especially not for his dad, whose competitive drive and love for sports Malcolm has never shared. That is, until Malcolm discovers miniature golf, the one sport he actually enjoys. Maybe it's the way in which every hole is a puzzle to be solved. Or the whimsy of the windmills and waterfalls that decorate the course. Or maybe it's the slushies at the snack bar. But whatever the reason, something about mini golf just clicks for Malcolm. And best of all, it's a sport his dad can't possibly obsess over. Or so Malcolm thinks. Soon he is signed up for lessons and entered in tournaments. And yet, even as he becomes a better golfer and finds unexpected friends at the local course, be wonders if he might not always be a disappointment. But as the final match of the year draws closer, the tension between Malcolm's parents reaches a breaking point, and it's up to him to put the puzzle of his family back together again.
  
  

The Air You Breathe by Peebles, Frances de Pontes

An orphan, Dores is working in the kitchen of a sugar plantation in 1930s Brazil when she meets Graça, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy sugar baron. Born to wildly different worlds, the girls quickly bond over shared mischief, and then, on a deeper level, over music. One has a voice like a songbird; the other feels melodies in her soul and composes lyrics to match. Music will become the only way out of the life to which each was born... but only one is destined to be a star. -- adapted from jacket.

The Big Finish by Fossey, Brooke

"An unlikely friendship between a curmudgeonly old man and a desperate young woman delivers a funny and uplifting message about the power of human connection and how it's never too late to be the person you wanted to be. Eighty-eight-year-old Duffy Sinclair wants the last leg of his bachelor life to be strictly predictable, so Centennial Assisted Living is perfect: low-sodium meals, off-key sing-alongs, and the company of his best pal and roommate, Carl. It may not sound like much, but compared to the piss-smelling, roach-infested nursing home down the road, Centennial is paradise. There's only one problem: Carl's estranged granddaughter, Josie, has just clambered through their bedroom window. Though she claims it's a well-intentioned visit, her bare feet and black eye say otherwise. Carl begs Duffy to let her stay--she's all that's left of his family. But hiding her means risking eviction, and Duffy would rather die than move, just like he would rather die than fall off the wagon again. That's why when he sniffs out Josie's alcoholic tendencies, he has no choice but to go against Carl's wishes and chase her off. But before Duffy knows it, Josie's heartfelt plight has won him over, and he finds himself risking everything he has left to save his newfound family and discover what it really means to live"-- Provided by publisher.

The Lido by Page, Libby

"A tender, joyous debut novel about a cub reporter and her eighty-six-year-old subject-and the unlikely and life-changing friendship that develops between them. Kate is a twenty-six-year-old riddled with anxiety and panic attacks who works for a local paper in Brixton, London, covering forgettably small stories. When she's assigned to write about the closing of the local lido (an outdoor pool and recreation center), she meets Rosemary, an eighty-six-year-old widow who has swum at the lido daily since it opened its doors when she was a child. It was here Rosemary fell in love with her husband, George; here that she's found communion during her marriage and since George's death. The lido has been a cornerstone in nearly every part of Rosemary's life. But when a local developer attempts to buy the lido for a posh new apartment complex, Rosemary's fond memories and sense of community are under threat. As Kate dives deeper into the lido's history--with the help of a charming photographer--she pieces together a portrait of the pool, and a portrait of a singular woman, Rosemary. What begins as a simple local interest story for Kate soon blossoms into a beautiful friendship that provides sustenance to both women as they galvanize the community to fight the lido's closure. Meanwhile, Rosemary slowly, finally, begins to open up to Kate, transforming them both in ways they never knew possible. In the tradition of Frederick Backman, The Lido is a charming, feel-good novel that captures the heart and spirit of a community across generations--an irresistible tale of love, loss, aging, and friendship"-- Provided by the publisher.

Normal People : [a novel] by Rooney, Sally

Connell and Marianne grew up in the same small town, but the similarities end there. At school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation--awkward but electrifying--something life-changing begins.

A year later, they're both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years at university, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. And as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other.

Normal People is the story of mutual fascination, friendship, and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find that they can't.

Games and Puzzles Week

 

With Thanksgiving Break upon us, you may be inclined to try and steer the family away from their electronic devices in an attempt to have some quality time.  If so then you may want to take part in National Games and Puzzles Week.   Although be warned, some personalities make playing Monopoly more cutthroat than you would think it could be.

 https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-game-and-puzzle-week-week-of-thanksgiving/

 

It's All A Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan by Donovan, Tristan 

"Board games have been with us longer than even the written word. But what is it about this pastime that continues to captivate us well into the age of smartphones and instant gratification? In It's All a Game, British journalist and renowned games expert Tristan Donovan opens the box on the incredible and often surprising history and psychology of board games. He traces the evolution of the game across cultures, time periods, and continents, from the paranoid Chicago toy genius behind classics like Operation and Mouse Trap, to the role of Monopoly in helping prisoners of war escape the Nazis, and even the scientific use of board games today to teach artificial intelligence how to reason and how to win. With these compelling stories and characters, Donovan ultimately reveals why board games have captured hearts and minds all over the world for generations"-- Provided by publisher.

Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented by Stone, Tanya Lee 

"A nonfiction picture book history of Monopoly, one of the world's most famous games" -- Provided by publisher.

Chess by Eade, James

Introduces readers of all levels to different perspectives on chess, from strategy and etiquette to winning defensive and offensive secrets. Contains chapters on computer chess games, playing chess online, new tournament rules, and much more.

Backgammon for Dummies by Bray, Chris

A Complete Guide to Playing the World's Best 250 card Games: Including Bridge, Poker, Family Games and Solitaires by Harwood, Jeremy

This expertly presented book gives all the information needed to begin playing cards, with advice on the rules and strategies of each game. The first section, Card Games, covers fun and classic games for families and friends. The second section, Poker, guides you through all the basic information needed to begin playing poker. For every game, there is an explanation of the type of pack required, ideal age, playing and scoring, and plenty of diagrams of sample games. This beautifully presented guide is a great resource for all card game enthusiasts. Suitable for beginners and advanced players alike, this practical book will teach you everything you need to play a variety of exciting games.

The Crossword puzzler's handbook: over 1,500 words you need to know

Crossword Puzzler's Handbook, Revised Edition has all the answers to help you become an expert crossword puzzler. With 1,500 words and their definitions to help you name that obscure actress from the 30s or a three-letter word for "vase," solving crossword puzzles has never looked so easy. This pocket-sized handbook is the perfect gift for the crossword puzzle lovers in your life.

399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specially Designed to Keep Your Brain Young by Linde, Nancy

Who was Milton Bradley? by Anderson, Kirsten

"Meet the man behind the board games: Milton Bradley. Born in Maine in 1836, Milton Bradley moved with his family to the working-class city of Lowell, Massachusetts, at age 11. His early life consisted of several highs and lows, from graduating high school and attending Harvard to getting laid off and losing his first wife. These experiences gave Bradley the idea for his first board game: The Checkered Game of Life. He produced and sold Life across the country and it quickly became a national sensation. Working with his company, the Milton Bradley Company, he continued to produce board games, crayons, and kid-friendly school supplies for the rest of his life. He is often credited as the father of board games, and the Milton Bradley Company has created Battleship, Jenga, Yahtzee, Trouble, and many more classic games"-- Provided by publisher.

Labyrinth: find your way through 14 magical mazes by Guignard, Théo
"Welcome to Labyrinth: the ultimate maze book. With 14 worlds to explore, the mazes at the beginning of this book are created for the youngest detectives. As you work your way through every page, you'll encounter worlds that are more and more challenging...and in some cases, only safe for the hardiest explorer. Choose your own adventure today!"--Front of book.

Cards Against Humanity: family edition.

"Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition is a fill-in-the-blank party game for kids and adults to play together. This is a brand new game written in consultation with child development experts and playtested with thousands of families. Kids get to engage in absurd wordplay with adults, and adults get to laugh at cards like, 'Filling my butt with spaghetti.' The game is simple. One player asks a question from a black card, and everyone answers with their funniest white card." -- From container.

Outfoxed: a cooperative whodunit game.

"Mrs. Plumpert's prized pot pie has gone missing and it's now a chicken chase to crack the case! Move around the board to gather clues and then use the special evidence scanner to rule out suspects. You'll have to work together quickly because the guilty fox is high-tailing it towards the exit! Will you halt the hungry hooligan before it flies the coop ... or will you be Outfoxed?"--Container.

Presents a board game where children learn cooperation and deductive reasoning.

Cat Crimes: who's to blame logic game

"When you agreed to pet sit your neighbor's six Cats, you expected a relaxing weekend filled with cuddles and gentle purrs. Instead, you repeatedly find spilled coffee, broken flower pots, and a missing bird! Which of the six furry fiends was responsible for each Cat Crime? These Cats may be stealthy, but they've got nothing on your logical deduction skills. With a little problem solving you'll be able to use Cat traits, paw prints, toy placement, and the location of other items to figure out exactly where each Cat was sitting at the time of the crime. In short order, you'll be able to name the culpable Cat!"--Page 2 of the instruction manual.

World Philosophy Day

 

I managed to take Philosophy 101 for all of one day. This was my first semester of college and when I signed up for classes at Joliet Junior College, I was full of ambition. This ambition was very quick to fizzle out when I realized that a philosophy course at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning was way more than I was prepared for. I had yet to develop my coffee habit at this point and had very little tolerance for Descartes running me in circles.

World Philosophy Day in 2021 is on Thursday, 18th November. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization began the observation of World Philosophy Day in 2002, in hopes of bringing the influence and importance of philosophy to a broader audience. The theme for this year revolves around the role of philosophy in times of crisis namely, health, economic, and social: "When the world is plunged into uncertainty and disorder, we turn to philosophy." -Celebration of World Philosophy Day 2021

Nothing like a time of crisis to cause one to start questioning the meaning and purpose of everything. I've somehow managed to stave off the existential dread (Existential crisis, also known as existential dread, are moments when individuals question whether their lives have meaning, purpose, or value, and are negatively impacted by the contemplation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_crisis) that always seems to be lurking around the corner, especially in the past year and a half, but the chaos my kids bring into the house tend to leave me little time to ponder the who's, what's, why's, and how's of it all. Although there is a chance that I just counter the dread with nihilistic optimism, (Optimistic nihilism views the belief that there is no underlying meaning to life from a perspective of hope. ... The optimistic nihilist looks at a world lacking meaning and purpose and sees the opportunity to create their own. https://www.louislaves-webb.com/optimistic-nihilism/)

Now, when you go to google and type "How many branches of philosophy are there" you will get 7, 3, 10, 4..." It's safe to say that philosophy is varied; numerous topics and each comes with numerous perspectives.

https://nationaldayreview.com/world-philosophy-day/

When You Kant Figure it Out, Ask a Philosopher: Timeless Wisdom for Modern Dilemmas by Robert, Marie

"A guide that explains how pearls of wisdom from the greatest Western philosophers can help readers face and make light of some of the daily challenges of modern life."--Provided by publisher.

Introducing Philosophy for Everyday Life: A Practical Guide by Curnow, Trevor

How can we apply philosophy to our everyday lives? Can philosophy affect the way we live? This book will show how philosophy can help to improve your thinking about everyday life. And how, by improving the quality of your thinking, you can improve the quality of your life. It will make you more aware of what you think and why, and how knowing this can help you can change the way you think about your life. Full of practical examples and straightforward advice, and written by an expert in the field, this guide can help you become calmer and happier, and make better decisions.

 Philosophy: A Visual Encyclopedia by Fletcher, Robert

Thousands of years ago, ancient philosophers asked some important questions: "What is real?", "What is the point of my existence?", "Why is there evil in the world?", and "What can I know?" These questions have gone on to spark passionate debates about our existence and how we understand the world around us. In this engaging and accessible introduction to philosophy, readers aged 11+ will be introduced to a variety of philosophical ideas through the teachings of Plato, Confucius, Simone de Beauvoir, and many more. Vibrant, reader-friendly illustrations bring the history of ideas and thinking to life, and provide topics for reflection and debate. With biographies of the most influential philosophers from around the world, young readers will explore the questions that have been fundamental to the development of scientific study, logical thinking, religious beliefs, freedom in society, and much more. Thought experiments peppered throughout will help to connect readers with the theories presented so they can apply them to their own lives.

Lives of the Stoics : Lessons on the Art of Living from Marcus Aurelius to Zeno by Holiday, Ryan

"From the bestselling authors of The Daily Stoic comes an inspiring guide to the lives of the Stoics, and what the ancients can teach us about happiness, success, resilience and virtue. Nearly 2,300 years after a ruined merchant named Zeno first established a school on the Stoa Poikile of Athens, Stoicism has found a new audience among those who seek greatness, from athletes to politicians and everyone in between. It's no wonder; the philosophy and its embrace of self-mastery, virtue, and indifference to that which we cannot control is as urgent today as it was in the chaos of the Roman Empire. In Lives of the Stoics, Holiday and Hanselman present the fascinating lives of the men and women who strove to live by the timeless Stoic virtues of Courage. Justice. Temperance. Wisdom. Organized in digestible, mini-biographies of all the well-known--and not so well-known--Stoics, this book vividly brings home what Stoicism was like for the people who loved it and lived it, dusting off powerful lessons to be learned from their struggles and successes. More than a mere history book, every example in these pages, from Epictetus to Marcus Aurelius--slaves to emperors--is designed to help the reader apply philosophy in their own lives. Holiday and Hanselman unveil the core values and ideas that unite figures from Seneca to Cato to Cicero across the centuries. Among them are the idea that self-rule is the greatest empire, that character is fate; how Stoics benefit from preparing not only for success, but failure; and learn to love, not merely accept, the hand they are dealt in life. A treasure of valuable insights and stories, this book can be visited again and again by any reader in search of inspiration from the past"-- Provided by publisher.

 Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation by Lewis, John

 

The final reflections, words, and wisdom of esteemed civil rights champion and late Congressman John Lewis, who continued to offer inspiration and hope to millions even while he battled the cancer that ultimately ended his life.

 

Way More than Luck: Commencement Speeches on Living with Bravery, Empathy, and Other Existential Skills.

"The commencement speech is the most popular public address of our time, shared every spring and remembered for years. Here, in an anthology of some of the finest of the genre, brilliant creative minds in every sector offer their wisdom: David Foster Wallace on living a compassionate life, Debbie Millman on the importance of taking risks, Michael Lewis on the responsibility that good fortune merits--and so many other greats. Some of this advice is grand (belief in the impossible), and some of it is granular enough to check off a life list (donate five percent of your money or your time). All of it is universally uplifting. Handsomely packaged with a cloth spine and energetic typography throughout, this book is a smart, special gift for graduates and anyone embarking on a new adventure"-- Provided by publisher.

 

The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer 

 

Here we can find out about irony and the meaning of life, the politics of the nuclear family, Marxism in Springfield, the elusiveness of happiness, popular parody as a form of tribute, and why we need animated TV shows. As if all that weren't enough, this book actually contains the worst philosophy essay ever.

Heads up philosophy by Weeks, Marcus

Demystifies complex philosophical ideas and debates in a comprehensive format that introduces the major theories of such great philosophers as Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Friedrich Nietzsche, Epicurus, and Thomas Aquinas.

What would Buddha say? : 1,501 right-speech teachings for communicating mindfully by Kipfer, Barbara Ann

Poor communication lies at the heart of most relationship problems. Everyone wants to be heard, to be understood, and to be treated with respect. But in our digital age of texting and social media, it's easy to distance ourselves from the words we put out into the world, and many times, we may not be aware of the negative impact our words can have on people, whether they are our friends, family, or coworkers. This is where the concept of Right Speech comes in. An important part of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path, Right Speech is the philosophy that what you say can positively or negatively impact your life, as well as the lives of those around you. Speech to avoid includes divisive speech, abusive speech, lies, and idle gossip. In addition, most of what we say fails to convey what we really mean in our hearts.

Taoism for beginners : a guide to balanced living by Simpkins, C. Alexander

"Taoism for Beginners is a practical guide to applying the key notions, concepts and beliefs underlying Taoism's various branches and schools. Authors C. Alexander and Annellen Simpkins tap into their years of training and study in meditation, martial arts and Eastern philosophy to provide readers with a comprehensive introduction to the spiritual tenets and attainments that mark the holistic pathway to a life more in balance. This book offers readers: A clear explanation of what Taoism is and how to apply its most salient tenets and teachings to your daily life Simple exercises to enable you to lead a calmer and more mindful, connected life-taking in a range of practices that include meditation, breathing, chi kung and tai chi chuan An exploration of the origins and background of Taoism, including the various sects and schools of thought An informative discussion of key Taoist concepts, including wu-wei (nonaction), yin and yang, and the powerful way of De (the cradle of power, virtue and life) Taoist principles and concepts have guided people on the path to harmony, wholeness, balance and greater well-being for millennia. This beginning resource makes an ancient religion, its practices and history accessible for a twenty-first century reader"--. Provided by publisher.

  https://leverageedu.com/blog/branches-of-philosophy/

Ghostbusters!!!

 

I spent quite a bit of time in the children's hospital, in the '80s.   I recall spending a lot of that time in the playroom, alone, with their t.v. on a cart attached to what could have very well been a beta, and watching Ghostbusters, over and over and over, until a nurse would finally claim the t.v. cart was needed elsewhere.  Bill Murray, (my first and everlasting crush), Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, the entire cast, I idolized.  They were my heroes because they kept me company when I was alone, they made me laugh, when I was scared, they gave me an escape when I desperately needed one.

By the time Ghostbusters II was released, I was an avid watcher of the Ghostbusters Saturday morning cartoon.  I begged for the toys and somehow only ended up with Slimer but I had a playhouse.  My rickety playhouse with three steps leading to a door, a triangular roof, two windows, and a built-in wooden seat.  In 1989, my playhouse got a facelift.  It was painted neon slime green, with the ghostbusters II logo painted above to door thanks to my mom.  It was gaudy.  I loved it.

I love Ghostbusters.  As someone who can never pick a favorite, I can say that Ghostbusters is tops.  I even adore the much-maligned 2016 Ghostbusters, (it's really not hard as long as you keep in mind that it is an alternate universe and should not in any way be taken seriously).  When the teasers for Ghostbusters Afterlife started, I was ready for it.  Every time a new trailer is released I'm ecstatic.  I am so ready for this.

Ghostbusters: The Inside Story: Stories from the Cast and Crew of the Beloved Films by McAllister, Matt

Exploring everything from the pioneering special effects to set design and the unforgettable soundtrack, this authorized book tells the exhaustive behind-the-scenes story of how Dan Akroyd's original concept evolved into a cinematic sensation. Packed with fascinating production photos, concept art, and behind-the-scenes images, this book details how Slimer, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and the many ghosts and ghouls in the films came to the screen. Featuring new interviews with Dan Akroyd, Ivan Reitman, Ernie Hudson, Richard Edlund, and many others, the book reveals how the cast and crew overcame momentous challenges to create one of the best-loved movie franchises of the 1980s. --from back cover.





Ghostbusters



Ghostbusters II





Ghostbusters. Answer the call









Ghostbusters. Ghost busted by Johnson, Nathan


When a possessed fashion designer offers a spring line aimed to displease, Ray learns that catching ghosts isn't always exciting, Egon has a touching moment with a spectral spook, and Winston shines.





Ghostbusters by Sazaklis, John


Thirty years after the original film took the world by storm, Ghostbusters is back and fully rebooted for a new generation. Director Paul Feig combines all the paranormal-fighting elements that made the original franchise so beloved with a cast of new characters, played by the funniest actors working today. The Ghostbusters are back and ready to save the world! Boys and girls ages 3 to 7 will love having both the new and classic Ghostbusters Little Golden Books in one big hardcover edition!