I honestly don't remember which year of high school we read Julius Ceasar, I just recall sitting on the floor as part of the audience while one of my classmates read Antony's speech from Act 3 Scene 2. If I recall correctly, I think everyone kind of wanted the chance to overdramatize the "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him" line. Translate
Monday, March 14, 2022
Ides of March/Ancient Rome
I honestly don't remember which year of high school we read Julius Ceasar, I just recall sitting on the floor as part of the audience while one of my classmates read Antony's speech from Act 3 Scene 2. If I recall correctly, I think everyone kind of wanted the chance to overdramatize the "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him" line. Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Alfred Hitchcock Day
March 12 is the day for Hitchcock, Alfred Hitchcock that is. Why, well, we don't know and National ToDay says the origins of the day are a mystery, since he was born on August13, 1899, and died April 29th of 1980.
I forget the year that my dad introduced me to the legend of Alfred Hitchcock, but he did it with The Birds, and I was in love. A favorite game of mine was been "Spot Alfred", basically a version of "Where's Waldo" except that I'm in search of Alfred's cameos, (he appears in 39 of his 54 films). In junior high and into high school, a few of us would have a weekly gathering at the lunch table, to discuss the previous night's rerun of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
As brilliant as his films are, they can be problematic, because Alfred was problematic, (to say the least), misogyny, and obsessiveness are a horrible combination. Tippi Hedren wrote in Tippi: a memoir that her mantra while filming The Birds, the bedroom scene, in particular, was "I won't let him break me; I won't let him break me."
A portrait of the filmmaker traces his career and numerous works, noting his role in the establishment of industry standards and the characteristics most associated with his persona while offering insight into his private, professional, and family life.Jamaican Inn: An Irish orphan girl goes to live with an uncle who is discovered to be involved in a group of smuggling highwaymen ravaging the area.
Sabotage: An undercover Scotland yard detective infiltrates the home of a theatre operator who is suspected of sabotage.
The 39 steps: Character Richard Hanney stumbles into a conspiracy that involves him in a hectic chase across the Scottish moors.
Easy virtue: A woman goes through a divorce and attempts to overcome the tarnished reputation that accompanies it.
A man devises a plan to murder his wife, not only because he wants her money, but because she is in love with another man.
Horror melodrama in which a woman disappears after spending the night in an isolated motel that adjoins an eerie Victorian mansion, inhabited by a disturbed young man and his mother.
Roger Thornhill is a New York advertising executive who is kidnapped by a gang of spies led by Philip Vandamm, who believes Thornhill is CIA agent George Kaplan. Thornhill escapes but must find Kaplan in order to clear himself of a murder that Kaplan is accused of committing. Following Kaplan to Chicago as a fugitive from justice, Thornhill is helped by beautiful Eve Kendall. In Chicago, she delivers a message to Kaplan that almost costs Thornhill his life when he is chased across a cornfield by a crop-dusting plane.
Two strangers who accidentally meet and plan to trade murders. The screenplay of Patricia Highsmith's novel was adapted by Raymond Chandler.
Profiles the life and accomplishments of the British filmmaker known for his distinctive style of directing and his films that featured suspenseful and surprising plots.
Monday, March 7, 2022
Women's History Month
unhappy with Ancient Greece's laws against women learning or practicing medicine and ran off to Egypt to learn. When she came home to Greece, Agnodice, undeterred by the laws, disguised herself as a man, and quickly gained the reputation as the "go-to OB-GYN".
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-- and the World by Swaby, Rachel "Covering Nobel Prize winners and major innovators, as well as lesser-known but hugely significant scientists who influence our every day, Rachel Swaby's ... profiles span centuries of courageous thinkers and illustrate how each one's ideas developed, from their first moment of scientific engagement through the research and discovery for which they're best known"--Page 4 of cover.The Lady's Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness : A Memoir by Ramey, Sarah
"The funny, defiant memoir of Sarah Ramey's years-long battle with a mysterious illness that doctors thought was all in her head--but wasn't. A revelation and an inspiration for millions of women whose legitimate health complaints are ignored. In her darkly funny and courageous memoir, Sarah Ramey recounts the decade-long saga of how a seemingly minor illness in her senior year of college turned into a prolonged and elusive condition that destroyed her health but that doctors couldn't diagnose or treat. Worse, as they failed to cure her, they hinted that her problems were all in her head. The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness is a memoir with a mission: to help the millions of (mostly) women who suffer from unnamed or misunderstood conditions: autoimmune illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic Lyme disease, chronic pain, and many more. Sarah's pursuit of a diagnosis and cure for her own mysterious illness becomes a page-turning medical mystery that reveals a newly emerging understanding of modern illnesses as ecological in nature. Her book will open eyes, change lives, and ultimately change medicine"-- Provided by publisher.

Letter to a Young Female Physician: Notes from a Medical Life by Koven, Suzanne
"A poignant, funny, personal exploration of authenticity in work and life by a woman doctor. In 2017, Dr. Suzanne Koven published an essay describing the challenges faced by women doctors, including her own personal struggle with "imposter syndrome"-a long-held, secret belief that she was not smart enough or good enough to be a "real" doctor. Accessed nearly 300,000 times by readers around the world, Koven's "Letter to a Young Female Physician" has evolved into a work that reflects on her career in medicine, in which women still encounter sexism, pay inequity, and harassment. Koven tells engaging stories about her pregnancy during a grueling residency in the AIDS era; the illnesses of her son and parents during which her roles as a doctor, mother, and daughter converged; and the twilight of her career during the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter to a Young Female Physician offers an indelible eyewitness account from a doctor, mother, wife, daughter, teacher, and writer that will encourage readers to embrace their own imperfect selves"--. Provided by publisher.
"A fresh, fierce, and timely meditation on data, pain, time, and the limited capacity of literature to comprehend life and death in a sensate and vulnerable body." -- Provided by publisher.
"As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered--brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!"--Inside book jacket.
"Maria grew up in Italy at a time when girls didn't receive an equal education to boys. But Maria's mother was supportive of her dreams, and Maria went on to study medicine. She later became an early years expert - founding schools with her revolutionary educational theories and changing the lives of many children. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the educator's life" -- Publisher.
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
ReUse RePurpose: Book Art
Now, onto the crafts. If you are more comfortable with using drills than I am, there are quite a few projects in The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life by Occhipinti that look interesting. I'm am highly tempted to make a music box, I may just involve my 16 year old as he seems more comfortable with power tools. The Kindle Keeper and the Tool Bin seem to be more my speed.Altered Books Workshop: 18 Creative Techniques for Self-Expression by Brazelton, Bev
Presents eighteen step-by-step projects, along with variation ideas, to create an array of altered books.Bound: Over 20 Artful Handmade Books by Ekrem, Erica
"Bind a book beautifully, with these whimsical and stylish projects from bookbinder extraordinaire Erica Ekrem! With her novel approach to traditional techniques, and the use of repurposed materials, Ekrem has devised creative fun for book artists of all levels. Choose from three categories: Vintage, Nature, and Leather. Make books from mason jars and seashells, a classic leather-bound photo album, and other works of art"-- Provided by publisher.
The Altered Book Scrapbook by Ure, Susan
I only got as far as to when the petals were being cut and I opted to instead just to stick a brad in the middle.
And then my daughter declared it to be hers and ran off with it. So, I made another one, and this time I folded up the petals.
Corner Book Mark
CORNER BOOKMARK out of paper (easy)
I love corner bookmarks. Origami, however, is a challenge for me so I was thrilled that I actually made this correctly.
Book Page Butterfly
The Butterfly Made From Book Pages was fun, however, as it was more cutting than folding.
I ended up making a few of these because my kids kept stealing them.
Links:
https://mixedmedia.club/a-crash-course-on-altered-books/
https://mywellnessme.com/reuse-old-books/
https://www.simplyfrugal.ca/10-uses-for-old-magazines/#_a5y_p=1006234
https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Uses-Old-Books-23418154?stream_view=1
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