Music Monday - "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" - Stevie Wonder (1973)

 

Because some days you just need to hear a song that feeds your soul.

Downton Abbey - Season 5, Episode 3

What Happened (A Very Short Summary)

Lots happened!  Mary and Tony chatted at the hotel as she prepared to leave for Downton.  He said he wanted to observe all her routines since they would govern his life.  After Tony left, she had a forlorn expression.  Mary was found out by the Dowager Countess, who was not at all pleased.  A London bobby investigated the death of Mr. Green, and Bates came under suspicion.  Drew's wife decided not to share Marigold with Edith.  Cora's admirer, Simon Bricker, caused conflict in her marriage.  The Dowager Countess met with an old admirer - a Russian prince.

Line of the Night

"You have to take control of your feelings before they take control of you." (the Dowager Countess to Lady Mary)

Character Of the Week

The Dowager Countess has a past!   This was particularly interesting after her umbrage at Mary's behavior.

Most Striking Visual

The moment where Violet saw Prince Kuragin was perfect, classic Downton.

"Oh My" Moment

A tie between Mary being found out by the Dowager, and the Dowager reuniting with her Russian admirer. 

What I Hope Will Happen Next (All Speculation - No Spoilers!)

I hope that Mary painlessly breaks things off with Tony.  I hope Tom drops the awful Sarah Bunting.  I hope that Edith is reunited with her baby.  I also hope that Isobel finds happiness, since there was a hint of a big scene with Lord Merton in the trailer for next week.

What did you think of tonight's show?  What would you like to see happen next?  I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Friday Faves - Podcasts: Beyond Serial

My Friday Fave this week is podcasts.  I love them!   I work at home and often have projects like photography or packing where I want something to listen to as I work.  I listen to SiriusXM radio, audiobooks, and podcasts.   Although I have listened to podcasts on my phone and computer, I usually tune in through the Podcasts app on iPad.  It just works so well.  For that reason, I am always looking for fun podcasts that are available on iTunes.

Serial was the big podcast that made news this past year.  I missed the big buzz about Serial.  I heard about it soon after it started, but didn't tune in because I'm not a fan of crime related books, movies, tv.  Several of my friends were avid listeners and big fans.

Here are the podcasts that are on my iPad -- and I recommend them all:

Completely Uninformed with Janette and Pete - A chatty NYC based show by an unlikely pair of friends - a 60 year old cat person and tv producer and a 32 year old father of three young children.  I first heard Janette and Pete on Rosie O'Donnell's old SiriusXM radio show, and they are funny and often thought provoking as well.

eBay Radio - Everything eBay related, with lots of guests and information.  The hosts are Griff (Jim Griffith) and Lee Mirabel.  If you sell on eBay, this show is a must listen!

Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast - Gilbert Gottfried (yes, that Gilbert Gottfried) interviews retro pop culture figures like Henry Winkler, Adam West, Bill Persky, Frankie Avalon, Micky Dolenz, and more.  These shows run around an hour each and they are great fun.

NPR:  Fresh Air - My favorite NPR show.  I love the arts related segments.

Scavenger Life - A couple living in rural America, scavenging for unique vintage finds (free to very cheap) and selling them online.

That Kat Radio - eCommerce information, hosted by one of my online friends, Kat Simpson.  Kat has a couple of guests each show, with lots of great information about selling online.

The Mom Squad Show - Fun and funny chat with radio personality Christine Eads and CNN host Kyra Phillips.  I listened to Christine's SiriusXM radio show Broadminded for years.  I absolutely love this podcast, and only wish it aired more often!

The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor -  Short daily segments about the day in history, with a short poem or two.  I love Garrison Keillor as a radio personality, and he has one of my all-time favorite voices.   Garrison Keillor + poetry = perfection.

This American Life - The NPR show is available in podcast format.  Quirky, thought provoking, never dull.

Do you enjoy podcasts?  I would love to hear about your favorites in the comments, below.

Throwback Thursday: Betsy McCall Paper Dolls

Do you remember Betsy McCall paper dolls?   When I was growing up, McCall's magazine featured a paper doll page in every issue.  The paper doll was Betsy McCall, a little girl who had everyday experiences like Girl Scouts, painting, making Valentines, decorating for Christmas, and more.  Betsy had a little Dachshund dog named Nosy.  As a lifelong "dachshund person," of course I love the Nosy paper dolls most of all.

I used to cut these paper dolls out and play with them.  Since they were on magazine paper (thin), I sometimes mounted them on cardboard. 

I purchased a few McCall's magazines not long ago, and plan to frame the paper doll pages for my study.  

Do you remember Betsy McCall paper dolls?   Did you play with any other paper dolls as a child?   I would love to hear from you in the comments, below. 

Wordless Wednesday: I'm Not Lion ... You're My Valentine

Almost wordless:  vintage Valentine from my shop.