International Book Giving Day Is Coming February 14th

International Book Giving Day is coming up on February 14th.  I think it is wonderful that this day coincides with Valentine's Day.  What better way to share love than to share a book and the love of reading?   This day is designed to promote childhood literacy and to put the gift of a book into the hands of children around the world.  The website is lovely:  just click here.   You can download a Gus Gordon designed bookplate to print, or an Anna Walker designed bookmark.

Of course, if you are shopping for children's books, I hope you'll visit Birdhouse Books.  I have a lovely collection of books for children -- mostly vintage but some new editions as well.  Birdhouse Books on eBay:  click here for nostalgic children's books.

Wordless Wednesday: Stop Carping About It Fish Valentine

Almost Wordless:   "Stop carping about it - let's be Valentines!"   Vintage Valentine from Birdhouse Books.

Inspiring Quotes from Maya Angelou

Last night I could not get to sleep, and I went looking for my favorite Maya Angelou quote.  I found it, and others as well.  They inspired and uplifted me, and I thought you might find the same thing.  I love the way her words combine wisdom and poetry.

“When someone shows you who they are believe them, the first time.”  This is an important quote for me.  At one point I had it posted several places in my house.  I think I may do that again.

"Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option."   I love Dr. Angelou's words of wisdom about relationships!

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change
your attitude. Don’t complain.”   This is the same idea as the Serenity Prayer, and I am a wholehearted believer.

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can
decide not to be reduced by them."

"You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody."

"You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten,
smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of
us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are
positive."  I am such a believer in this -- positive thoughts and images in, and positive out.

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."

"My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you
are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness."   I love this quote.  It has such power!

"Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances."

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."

I have always found Maya Angelou so inspiring as a writer, a woman, and a person of faith.  I would love to hear from you in the comments below - any thoughts on Dr. Angelou, favorite quotes by her?

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.