Mind Sculpture Your Brain's Untapped Potential by Ian Robertson

The Dutch Girl Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen

The Dutch Girl, Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen

Fascinating on so many levels.  On the most shallow level, the impact of war time starvation and hunger on her face.  As a child, she had a full face. After the war, her face was much slimmer and the focus of her big and beautiful eyes were so much more prominent.

After reading the novel, I yearn to learn more about the Netherlands and Holland.  I am curious about the reclamation of the land and the civil engineering involved. I am also interested in the culture and economy of that region.  I know so little about it.

Of course, the obvious.  I now want to see all her movies.  I am also intrigued about that period of time during World War 2.  Vinnie and I watched this clip:

The Netherlands and World War II

Here are some awesome Audrey Hepburn quotes:

Paris is always a good idea.

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all

The Rent Collector by Cameron Wright

The Rent Collector by Cameron Wright is one of my top five favorite books of all time.  Seriously, one of the best books that I have ever read.  : )

People have asked me "How many books do I read a year?" with the expectation that I am going to throw some big number at them.:  The answer is simply about 20.  This number surprises most people that know me for I am a notoriously voracious reader.

I tend to read one really truly good book a month.  I am not concerned at all with reading lots of books.  I once figured out that if I read one book per day, which of course is impossible.  That would only allow me to read 356 books a year multiplied by my years of reading available.  I am now 57 and have been reading since I was 5.  So, some easy math is that I could have only read, 18,250 books so far, and I am hopefully reading until I reach the wonderful, ripe old age of 97 which is 40 more years, I could only read 14,600 more books, plus a potential 24.25 leap year books.  A limiting total of 32,874.25 possible books in my lifetime.  According to Google, the are 130 million books in the world.  This would be a mere 0.025 percent of all of the books in the world.

Suffice it to say, I am content with reading 20 truly good books a year.  At my current teaching job, I am able to attend motivational speaking engagements and have begun to follow one of the speakers, TJ Griffin.  The first time that I heard him speak last winter, he shared that "Smart people write books to share with you what they know."  I heard this and have since started incorporating some really good non-fiction in my reading.  I am also embracing audio books now, especially for the non-fiction.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Just heard about this title from my long-time friend and fellow avid reader, Kathy R.  I was able to download it from my local library and put it on my devices.  I am going to bump this up to my new fictional read.  I usually try to read one fiction novel at a time but do enjoy a fiction and a non-fiction when I have the opportunity.  I am delighted to get some feedback from my facebook friends and family and hope to connect with them on this blog as well.  Hooray!

An American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

Just finished reading this novel of first daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth which I found truly intriguing.  The only female Roosevelt that I was aware of was of course, Eleanor.  This novel gives a broad view of historic events from before the World War through the perspective of a young woman growing up amongst the powerful elite of Washington D.C and the key players of the first part of the 19th century.  I like her strong confidence and powerful voice in a time before women did not even have the right to vote.

Kaizen: Change for the good

I am intrigued with this concept of Kaizen:  change for the good.  Change is notoriously uncomfortable.  I was recently lucky enough to be able to attend a motivational speaker meeting.  One of the speakers: TJ Griffin shared that "Growing is uncomfortable".  Aha, I thought at the time, growing does feel uncomfortable.

My thoughts then went to seed germination, metamorphism, plate dynamics, stream erosion and other types of geologic and biologic change.  Yes, change is uncomfortable yet unavoidable.

I am so excited about reading and learning this book. 

"Change is hard!"

So much to say about change, my feelings about change and my response to change.  I am looking forward to adding to this thread.