Question for Music Lovers: Is Harp Music: Sacred, Classical, Jazz or Gospel?

The American music audience no longer insist that the harp is just for classical music thanks to breakthrough artists like jazz/gospel harpist Jeff Majors. 

The harp is mentioned more often in the Bible than any other musical instrument.

  

The harp is an earthly instrument with a heavenly sound.  It can soothe a troubled soul.

In Jewish history, we learn about the life of a young shepherd boy who eventually became king. Not only was he a great king but he was an extraordinarily talented harpist. The story of King David is probably the reason why many people associate harp music with sacred music.  

When the classical music composers came along, it was considered acceptable to use a harp to perform their compositions.  Hence, the harp is also associated with classical music.

However, thanks to breakthrough artists like jazz/gospel harpist Jeff Majors, the American music audience no longer insists that the harp is just for sacred or classical music  When you listen to Mr. Majors perform you will no longer question whether the harp is for sacred, classical, jazz, or gospel? 

When David grew up, he succeeded Saul as the second king of ancient Israel.  Music continued to be an integral part of his life, and in addition to being an accomplished harpist, he also wrote psalms (songs).  

Unfortunately, none of the harp music of King David was preserved, so we can only imagine what those hauntingly beautiful and caressing melodies may have sounded like.  

Fortunately, Jeff Majors is a harpist with a great imagination!

Jeff Majors is a uniquely gifted harpist.
Possibly the best in this generation!

Now a well-known and much appreciated African-American artist/composer/harpist, Jeff Majors followed his dream.Literally. He actually had a dream about playing the harp and decided he would learn.He was taught by the late Alice Coltrane (1937 -2007), jazz pianist and harpist, and the spouse of the legendary John Coltrane (1926 -1967).Once he mastered the instrument, he set out to share his musical gift with others.  At his official website, you can read about his journey: from forming jazz bands to hosting a radio ministry to reaching millions through his television program, “The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors”.

Along with Alice Coltrane, Mr. Majors credits the late Dorothy Ashby (1930 -1986) with influencing his musical style.The ladies Ashby and Coltrane proved that the classical harp instrument could be easily and effortlessly integrated into jazz compositions.Through collaborative efforts with other artists, he has set to music some of the Psalms written by King David.Many of his admirers know him for his interpretation of Psalm 23, which he performed at the memorial service for Coretta Scott King.

Majors’ music is categorized as Jazz and Contemporary Gospel, and sometimes New Age.If you have not heard of this exceptionally talented musician, then it may come as a surprise to discover that his first album, “Sacred”, was released in 1998.That is correct.He and Hanifah have been around for over a decade.  Hanifah is the name of his harp. ( A female given name: from an Arabic word meaning “true believer” .) In 2006, he was invited to perform on the Oprah Winfrey Show.You know what they say.When you make it to Oprah, for sure the world knows you now! You are officially on the map!

So did I learn about Jeff Majors watching Ms. O? No. It was a couple of years ago. I fell asleep one night and my late husband stayed up watching the television. I started having a wonderful dream. I won't share my dream. It's private. But when I willed myself to wake up, I heard this gentle soothing melody floating through the air. Curiously I peeked to see what my husband was watching. Jeff Majors was on TV playing the harp. Lucky for me, my husband recorded the program on video tape so we can view it again and again and again.

After discovering Jeff Majors and doing research to learn more, there only two questions remaining that are unanswered.

 

* Question 1:  Why no Grammy?

* Question 2:  If you had a harp, what would you name her?

Harp Music: Sacred, Classical, Jazz, or Gospel? ALL!

Entertainment: Memorable Movies That Made Childhood Memories

Memorable movies are movies that leave a lasting impression on a person’s mind. There were movies from my childhood that made a lasting impression on me and created indelible childhood memories. They were not only entertaining but educational. They contributed to positive character development and showed me that the world is not just a small world after all, but a wonderful world too.

Memorable Movies That Made Childhood Memories

Heidi (1937)

Shirley Temple films were aired on television every Sunday afternoon and I tuned in faithfully. I liked all of the movies and watched them in black and white. My favorite movie was “Heidi”. What is the most memorable moment in this movie? When she received a Christmas snow globe from her employer and asked if she could keep it … “FOREVER?!” The gentleman laughed and responded “Longer than that.” As a child, I remember thinking “You mean time can last longer than FOREVER?”

National Velvet (1944)

Elizabeth Taylor played the role of Velvet, a small fragile child with a Big Dream. This young girl had an impressive role model she could look to for inspiration and motivation: her own mother. As a young woman, her mother followed her dream to be a champion swimmer. When the time came for Velvet to follow her dream, her mother fully supported her daughter’s endeavor. Velvet entered a horse race and won! She was disqualified when the judges realized she was a girl. It didn’t matter to her. She had accomplished what she set out to do. What makes this movie so memorable? For a young girl growing up in the 60s, the message was clear to me: Girls can do anything boys can do!

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Judy Garland played Dorothy from Kansas. Her family had gotten to the shelter but she was caught in a twister. A piece of flying debris hit her in the head and knocked her unconscious. She dreamed she wasn’t at home in Kansas anymore. She was in the wonderful Land of Oz. And although the place was magical and even had witches who were beautiful and good … all she wanted was to get back home to Kansas. Her delightful adventure and journey to return home began when she started on her way, down the Yellow Brick Road. This movie was a tradition. It was only televised once a year and every year I looked forward to hearing Dorothy sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

2 Disney Animated Films: Bambi (1942), and Lady and the Tramp (1955)

As a child, “The Wonderful World of Disney” was aired every Sunday evening before my bedtime. My mother made sure “we” (my siblings and me) watched this program. She thought it was great family entertainment that encouraged positiveness and goodness in young children.

One might argue that all Disney movies are memorable movies. Even though "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs(1937)" was Walt Disney’s first full-length feature film, the 2 animated films that, in my mind, were the most memorable were about animals. 

• “Bambi” was about a fawn (a young deer) who lived in the forest. 

• “Lady and the Tramp” was a romance, a love story, between dogs. 

What were the memorable lessons that a child learned?

• Memorable lesson learned from “Bambi”: If you can’t say nothing good, don’t say nothing at all!

• Memorable lesson learned from “Lady and the Tramp”: People can come from completely different backgrounds, grow up in completely different environments, and they can cross over any “barrier” that might look like it will separate them and fall in love. Love conquers all.

Do you have any memorable movies from your childhood?

Food History: The Wonderful Pomegranate

Exotic fruits are such a delightful treat; especially pomegranates. Not only do these ruby red fruits have a wonderful flavor, but their history is quite colorful as well.

Imagine: If you were esteemed the richest and wisest man in the world and had to choose between apples, figs, grapes, or pomegranates, which fruit would you pick? 

I'd choose Pomegranates.

Image credit:  Pomegranates,Original Oil Painting

Though the temple of King Solomon no longer exists, there are very accurate and detailed descriptions of its structure and construction recorded in the Bible. It it said that the upper part of the pillars of the temple there were carved images of pomegranates. King Solomon employed craftsmen from Tyre, an ancient seaport city of Phoenicia, and this particular fruit is a recurring Phoenician motif, which often appeared in the arts of Israel during his reign.

What a blessing it would have been to be invited to a banquet or feast given by this notable King of Israel? Do you think the table spread included a bounty of pomegranates along with other exotic fruits and delectable kosher delights! Imagine.

Pomegranates in Jewish History

Most people are probably familiar with the a popular TV commercial that says in Persian mythology, warriors ate this fruit before going to battle because they believed it would make them invincible.

But did you know:

* That the robe (ephod) of Aaron, the brother of Moses, the high priest of the Hebrew nation, was embroidered with blue, purple, and red pomegranates?

* That when Moses sent men to search out Canaan (the older name for Palestine), the men brought back a cluster of grapes, figs and pomegranates?

When the pomegranate is ripened it is a wonderful red color and its fruit inside consists of delicious sweet pearl-like seeds in a luscious ruby-colored liquid which is equally sweet. Pomegranates were widely cultivated in Palestine (formerly Canaan) during biblical times. It is not surprising that this garden paradise would produce such an exotic fruit, as this land was home to a diversity of thousands of exquisite and exotic flowering plants. The pomegranate tree was also cultivated in Egypt during ancient times. Good news! Recent research has shown that pomegranates have anti-cancer properties and can prevent breast cancer.

Per thefreedictionary.com: 

• Pomegranate: Origin of the word as we have come to know it: Middle English pome granate, from Old French pome grenate : pome, apple; see pome + grenate, having many seeds (from Latin gr n tus, from gr num, grain, seed; see g -no- in Indo-European roots). But in Hebrew, the word is: rimmon.

Galilee, the childhood home of Jesus, was beautiful and fertile. It was a place where pomegranates and many other fruits grew well.

Interesting facts for sure. :)

No matter the history or mythology that surrounds this exquisitely delicious exotic fruit, I'm glad pomegranates are not the stuff of myths or legends and they really do still exist! In fact, they are a main ingredient in Persian cuisine and are considered to be a super food.

The wonderful pomegranate is a hardy ornamental with a fabulous fall harvest. One would look lovely in your landscape bed, or plant several as a shrub boarder along the house. Pomegranates grow 8-10 feet tall with an equal spread. They are most often grown as a shrub, but if you prefer a tree they’re simple enough to prune into a desired shape. Many people grow the Pomegranate not for the fruit, but simply for its ornamental appeal. But once you’ve tasted a Pomegranate from your very own tree ...

Image credit:  Grapes and Pomegranates

More Interesting Information About Pomegranates

Benefits of Pomegranate Seed Oil

The pomegranate is an ancient fruit and from it comes an amazing oil which has been used in treating a wide range of ailments since traditional times.

Socotra Pomegranate Tree (Punica protopunica): The Vulnerable Predicament of the "Other Pomegranate"

Lesser known precursors of modern pomegranates, environmentally vulnerable Socotran Pomegranate Trees, grow wild only on Socotra and may be propagated by cuttings, grafts or seeds.

Pomegranates : Ancient, Delicious, Nutritious, Versatile

You may have passed by the humble pomegranate for the more modern and trendy fruits. Well now is the time to have a second look at these ancient and highly nutritious fruit.

Entertainment: Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle

Houdini and Doyle. When those two names are mentioned together, there is an expectation of something spectacular! The first episode of a television series titled “Houdini and Doyle” aired May 2, 2016, on the Fox broadcasting network at 8 pm CST. I had hoped it would not only be entertaining but chocked full of titillating biographical facts about these two real-life people that have always intrigued me. 

Who Were Houdini and Doyle?

By way of a very brief introduction:

Harry Houdini (1874 – 1926), was a famous master of illusion, a magician who performed tricks that defied the imagination.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930), became famous for his creation of the fictional detective named Sherlock Holmes, whose character was so believable that it seemed like he could be a cunning and shrewd detective for real.

Houdini and Doyle Deserved Better

My impression of the 1^st episode of the TV series about these two men? Uuuuhhh … can you spell disappointing?

The first episode was so dull and boring I didn’t bother to watch any more. Yes indeed. I am a very harsh critic. But can you blame me? These two gentlemen are larger than life and excelled in their occupation. When somebody says they are going to make a movie or a television series about these real-life people … there is an expectation of greatness! These two men deserved better.

At any rate, since I am not an “official” respected reviewer, I searched the Internet for feedback and opinions about this TV series just to see if I had it all wrong! But guess what? I was right! I found a review published by IGN Entertainment which pretty much expresses my first impression of the first episode as well. IGN reviews movies, TV shows, video games and practically anything deemed “entertainment”. They have over 200 million fans and publish content in over 100 countries.

To sum up the IGN review, in my words?

Eh! Some entertainment value, but shallow characters.

• Houdini and Doyle: “The Maggie’s Redress” Review – IGN

IGN gave the series a 6.3.rating. In my humble opinion, that was far too generous. My rating would have been 3.6.

Ah well! If you can’t find joy in watching perhaps you can find joy in reading. Here is a fascinating article published by Skeptoid Media that will not disappoint. It tells the story of how the friendship between Houdini and Doyle dissolved. Oh yeah! Harry and Arthur had a falling out that ended their friendship. From BFFs (Best Friends Forever!) to NGS2UA (Never going to speak to you again!)

• Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

♦♦♦

On a Related Note:

As if the TV show wasn’t disappointing enough, I was really excited when I heard that Ian McKellen (he played the wizard “Gandalf” in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) was going to be cast to play an elderly Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, there was a lot of brew ha ha and it seems that the Doyle Estate initiated a lawsuit over copyright violations.

◊ ‘ Mr. Holmes’ Lawsuit: Arthur Conan Doyle Estate Sues Bill Condon & Distributors | deadline.com
◊ Mr Holmes and the strange case of the alleged copyright infringement | guardian.com

♦♦♦

• Harry Houdini died on Halloween at the age of 52. Since that time, many people hold Houdini Séances every year on Halloween. He promised his wife that he would reach out to her from the grave if it was possible. His wife tried for 10 years to contact him beyond the grave. Her attempts were futile.

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died in his own home garden in 1930, at the age of 71. He spoke these final words to his wife: “You are wonderful.” Doyle’s wife claimed to have the ability to reach beyond the grave, but it does not look as though she tried to reach her deceased husband.

Don’t you find these two men fascinating?

Featured Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

7 Lovely Logics and What They Mean to Me

Found a wonderful quote-pic which lists "7 Lovely Logics" and indeed they are quite lovely. No doubt, just like me, every person could read them and supply their interpretation of what these logics means to them.

1) Make Peace with your Past, so it doesn't spoil your Present.

This saying is so true. You need to realize that very few people go through life without making mistakes, without doing some things they regret, etc. Nobody is perfect and sinless. There may be people who won't forgive you and choose to make peace with you. But if you can open your eyes every day and find something productive and profitable to do for the Present time that you have, then, DO IT! You can't FORGET your Past. Nevertheless, it's over! You can't go back to relive that time in order to do things differently. But you can make peace with yourself and Carry On.


2) What others Think of you is None of your Business.

Take this advice with a grain of salt. There are those who love you dearly and think very highly of you. They want others to think highly of you too. What they think of you IS YOUR BUSINESS. Listen to them and weigh their words very carefully IF they criticize what you say or what you do. They are very likely telling you something that's for your own good. But as for the HATERS? You don't need to give their words half an ear. IGNORE THEM!


3) Time Heals Almost Everything. Give the Time, Some Time.

I have lived long enough to know that time does heal almost everything. “Almost”. There is some pain you feel in your heart that doesn't heal, no matter how much time passes. The hurt doesn't go away. You just learn to live with it.


4) No one is the Reason for your Happiness, except You yourself.

Don't rely on or depend on others for your happiness and joy in life. But if there is someone or some people who ARE THE REASON for your happiness, count your blessings.


5) Don't compare your Life with others. You have No Idea what their journey is all about.

I wonder if the person who wrote this quote knew my mother. My mom used to tell me that constantly. Don't wish for the life of other people because you don't know what's happening in their lives. I took her advice on this.


6) Stop Thinking too much. It's Alright not to know all the Answers.

I say: There's no such thing as thinking “too much”. You should think as much as you want. But your thoughts won't always produce the answers to all of your questions. And that's OK. Lots of people live their life with unanswered questions. They still live!


7) Smile. You don't own all the Problems in the World.

Smile BECAUSE you don't own all the problems in the world. I would also like to add some advice that I once heard from a psychologist. She said: Recognize when the problem is YOUR problem and YOU need to solve it. Don't take on somebody else's problem and make it your problem. If it's their problem, they need to solve it.

Can I get an AMEN?

Hope you enjoyed reading this.

* * *
Previous Articles in This Post Series:

3 Shakespeare Quotes To Live By

3 Wise Quotes From Influential Women

5 Dr. Suess Quotes That Are Useful Parenting Tips

* NOTE: Content previously published as part of a post series at Forum Coin.


Thanks for visiting!

♦  Original Source

Entertainment: 7 War Movies That Should Be on Your Watch List

"At one time FoxNews.com published a list of The 30 Greatest War Movies of All Time. Hardly any of the movies that came to my mind were on the list. One movie, in particular, for sure did not come to mind: “Casablanca” (1942). 

Nobody loves Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman more than me; but to tell the truth, Casablanca was not on my list for war movies. I had always fancied it as a love story, i.e. a romance movie. 

Though war movies are not my favorite movie genre, there are seven (7) films that do fall into my “Most Remembered” category. ..." 

• Casablanca Was Not on My List for War Movies. But These 7 Movies Were.

* 1st Movie: Valkyrie (2008)

* 2nd Movie: Von Ryan's Express (1965)

* 3rd Movie: Where Eagles Dare (1968)

* 4th Movie: The Blue Max (1966)

* 5th Movie: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Lieutenant Joyce: “Officer, sir. A British officer. We're here to blow up the bridge, sir!”

Colonel Nicholson: “Blow up the bridge?”

Lieutenant Joyce: “Yes, sir. Yes, sir. British commando orders, sir.”

Colonel Nicholson: “Blow up the bridge!?”

**************

* 6th Movie: The Guns of Navarone (1961)

• A most impressive cast for a most impressive movie.  Gregory Peck (Captain Mallory), David Niven (Corporal Miller), Anthony Quinn (Colonel Andrea Stavrou) and Anthony Quayle - i.e. Sir John Anthony Quayle - (Franklin), Stanley Baker ("Butcher" Brown), Gia Scala (the coward and traitor - forget her name), Irene Papas (Maria), and James Darren (Spyros Pappadimos).
• MOVIE TRIVIA:  Did you know that there was to be a Guns of Navarone Trilogy? The idea was scrapped because “Force 10 From Navarone”, the sequel, was not exactly a blockbuster smash hit!! Another great cast but the movie was very disappointing by comparison.

**************

* 7th Movie: Two Women (1960)

Sophia Loren received the Academy Award for Best Actress. As a matter of record, this was the first Oscar ever given for a performance in a "foreign-language" film. My memory of her performance in this film is that of a heroic performance worthy of this kind of recognition.

This movie was about a mother (“Cesira”) and daughter (“Rosetta”) who suffered yet survived the horrors of war. ...

Read the complete review.

Publishing Content About Food-Related Topics via Uptrennd (UPDATED)

Dear Visitors & Subscribers:  Thanks for your continued support.  Took some time off, beginning after the Thanksgiving holiday through the entire month of December.  Now I'm back to my freelance writing escapades and staying busy.   I found a social network called Uptrennd*, that allows me to share articles, blog posts and other content.  It can be original content or my content that has been published elsewhere on the web.  I write on a wide range of topics.  Below is an example of a foodie article published.

*Site shut down.

Do you like to bake? If you said “Yes”, that probably means you're very serious when you open an oven door. So if I also asked you: Cake mix or scratch? Your answer would likely … What's a cake mix? (O.o)

Baking is not one of my honed culinary skills. That means I use a cake mix. I have seen several chefs on TV cooking shows like Martha Stewart (“Martha Bakes”), or Ina Garten (“Barefoot Contessa”) and they make baking a cake from scratch look super easy. I'm like … Yeah uuuhhh … No!

This is my argument:

Cake mixes are real cakes! Boxed cake mixes are just as good as cakes made from scratch.

By contrast, Martha Stewart is the TV diva of homemaking. Divas are never wrong! Right? She feels that: Cakes made from scratch are a food of love. They are the result of your willingness to take your precious time to create something special for your loved ones to eat and enjoy; a delightful dessert that they will always fondly remember.

I DISAGREE! I have baked numerous cakes over the years, using boxed cake mixes, for my family and friends. None of them ever complained and sometimes they asked for more than one slice of cake. I put love into my cakes!!

So how do you bake a cake? Cake mix OR Scratch?

Do you have a favorite cake?

(Chocolate cake, carrot cake, red velvet cake, pineapple upside down cake, etc.)

* * *

References:

“Martha Bakes.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 5 Oct. 2017, www.pbs.org/food/shows/martha-bakes/

Nystul, Jill. “How To Turn Ordinary Boxed Cake Mix Into Crave-Worthy Cakes.”  One Good Thing by Jillee, 5 Oct. 2016, www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/creative-uses-for-boxed-cake-mixes

Earley, Brigitt. “The 8 Best Boxed Cake Mixes of 2021.” The Spruce Eats, Dotdash Publishing Family, 29 Dec. 2020, www.thespruceeats.com/best-boxed-cake-mixes-4589590.

Ariza, Tracy. “10 Traditional Cakes from Around the World - Oh, The Things We'll Make!” Oh the Things We'll Make, 5 Jly. 2013, thethingswellmake.com/10-traditional-cakes-from-around-world/. 

Fox, Treathyl. “Which Countries or Cultures Make the Best Cakes? Let's Discuss!” EES Presents Food Ways, 14 Jan. 2020, eeschannel.blogspot.com/2017/05/which-cultures-make-best-cakes.html.

Original Source (Uptrennd site shut down. Republished on Read.Cash.)

Searching for Truth? Try These Two (2) Books

Many Seek Truth. Some Write Books About What They Find. Book suggestions for those searching, seeking, on a quest to find life's purpose and the meaning of truth; or for intellectuals, philosophers, or people who just like to read.

In Memory Of:

• Grant R. Jeffrey (1948–2012)
• John Hick (1922–2012)
• Paul Edwards (1923–2004)

Grant R. Jeffrey believed the Bible was the Divinely inspired word of God because God signed it.

There is no way it can be deemed a forgery, a fake, or uninspired. His wrote a book titled “The Signature of God”, to present his proofs. Logic dictates if there is a sole author of the “the Book of Books”, the author must exist or must have existed at some point.

Three decades earlier, before Jeffrey’s findings were made available to the public, two other men, John Hick and Paul Edwards presented the results of their research regarding “The Existence of God”. It was an exercise in philosophical reasoning.

Jeffrey, Hick and Edwards — Believers and Philosophers / Ministers and Teachers

According to the results of research that took him decades to compile, Grant Jeffrey insisted that math, science and medicine, archaeology, and historical records provide indisputable evidence that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Oddly enough one of his main indicators or proofs is the same claim made by President Abraham Lincoln, that is, anybody who reads the Bible will live and die a better person for doing so.

“I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man.”
— — Abraham Lincoln, 1863

It is clear in reading “The Signature of God” that Jeffrey’s purpose is to persuade or convince non-believers that the truths presented from Genesis to Revelation are verifiable and come from a Higher Power who reveals Himself to all mankind through His Word. Jeffrey’s work is the result of several years of research and study, the final product being presented to the public in book form in 1998. But if one is to accept his analysis and conclusions, one must first accept that God is real. Suppose the non-believers don’t even believe there is a Supreme Intelligent Being we refer to as God? Logic dictates if there is a sole author of the “The Book of Books”, the author must exist or must have existed at some point.

In 1964, two other men, John Hick and Paul Edwards published the results of a project they had undertaken. They went on a quest to gather “available” information from the ancient Greeks to the present day (the “present-day” at that time being circa 1960s) and share arguments representing both sides, i.e. FOR and AGAINST “The Existence of God”.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

My Assessment and Opinion

Both books, in paperback format, are between 300 to 350 pages. So first I’d like to say that the condensing of years and years and years of that kind of extensive research into publications that are less than 400 pages is nothing short of miraculous!!! :)

Have you ever seen “reports” promulgated by the United States government? It takes 300 pages to present the summary of whatever it is that’s being reported on! (O.o)

RE:  The Signature of God

Are you’re trying to convince me that an extremely wise and intelligent Being is the author of one of the greatest books ever written? Well then quite frankly I think that the mysterious Hebrew codes, the mathematical signature of God, and the “Undesigned Coincidences” are totally unnecessary convolutions. The information and arguments presented did nothing to convince me that the Bible is God-breathed inspired words. Hey! I’m a tough audience!

RE: The Existence of God

If one decides to tackle a topic like the existence of a Supreme Being, why start with the ancient Greeks? There were many civilizations, nations, or people who lived and walked the earth long before citizens of ancient Greece showed up. Take one look at their mythology and it’s plain to see that they were a pretty confused set of folks. They had gods that treated human beings like they were toys to play with, pieces on a chessboard. I suspect that if one went back far enough in the history of mankind, they would probably find a point in time when all men knew the one true God. His existence wasn’t a question, it was a given. :)

Are you an atheist? believer? student of philosophy? truth seeker? Then the combined reading of both books is highly recommended.

Originally published at wizzley.com

Movie Reviews: The Manchurian Candidate (Classic vs Remake)

The Manchurian Candidate (1962 original) starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey (which is now a vintage classic); and

- the 2004 movie remake (2004) starring Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep.

Both films are worth watching and the best movie (?) is worth defending!

• P.S. The movies were adapted from a book written by Richard Condon, a 1959 Cold War thriller.

Which is Best? The Classic or the Remake?

Original versus Remake

My Significant Other and I Agree

Regarding the 2004 Paramount Pictures remake of The Manchurian Candidate, it was given an "R" or Restricted rating which means children under the age of 17 need parental approval.  (MPAA Ratings.)

Tina Sinatra, daughter of the late Frank Sinatra, was pleased with the casting of Denzel Washington, in the role previously played by her father.  Mr. Washington himself, was honored to be deemed a suitable candidate, enabled and able to step into the shoes of one of America's most awesomely talented and admired actors.  Respected critics  - e.g. Rolling Stone, CNN, Ebert and Roeper - raved about this modernized updated version.

Oh my!  Do I dare voice a dissenting opinion?  I dare.  I give the movie two out of 5 stars.

Star #1: Because Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep.  Enough said!

Star #2:  Because I thought the chemistry between Mr. Washington as Major Bennett Marco and the female agent, Eugenie Rose, played by Kimberly Elise, was much better than that between Frank Sinatra and Janet Leigh.

Sorry but the remake just wasn't all that, in my book.  The updated movie was made in deference to the original; not to improve it and certainly not to serve as a replacement for it.  The original is the best!  My significant other agrees with me!  But in case our opinions don't carry enough weight, well-known film critic Roger Ebert succinctly summed up the legacy of this vintage classic as "one of the best and brightest of modern American films".

* * *

Nature's Treasure: The Olive Tree

Lemon tree very pretty.  Olive tree very pretty too!  In fact, the olive tree has always had a significant role in much of the history of mankind.

During biblical times, olives were one of the most important crops.  In addition to being used for food, they were crushed and made into cooling oil, fuel for lamps, medicine to soothe cuts or bruises or dress wounds, and used as a skin moisturizer.  Olives are still used that way today.

The Mount of Olives, a prominent place in Bible times, is covered with dense olive groves.  The name "Gethsemane" means "oil press".

The Aramites revered it as a blessed tree and the Canaanite and Philistines tried to spread its cultivation. There are Egyptian reliefs with images of olive trees.

Oil from the olive crops was and still is used for cooking, ointments, medicines, and perfumes.

Health benefits of olive oil include: aiding in the growth of normal bones; reducing bad cholesterol levels, and the risk of gallstones development; and preventing constipation.

Van Gogh clearly loved olive trees.

Vincent Van Gogh "Olive Grove with Orange Sky"

The Olive Tree in Palestine

• Another name for olive tree is Olea Europaea.  

Palestine was known as Canaan during Bible times and olive trees grew on the hillsides in Samaria. These trees were also plentiful in Galilee, the childhood home of Jesus.

The olive tree not only played a vital part in the economic development of both the Greek and Roman empires; but olive wood carving was and still is a cottage industry, i.e. a common home business for many families living and working in Palestine.

There are artists today who live and work in the Holy City of Bethlehem and together they create unique gift items and art treasures. Their area of expertise is olive wood carving or sculptures. They craft statues, ornaments, music boxes, pendants and other decorative gifts which can easily become heirlooms to be kept in the family for generations.

This artwork is made available through an export house, an international marketing company which is based in Jerusalem, Israel, to customers in the United States of America and other world markets. The gifts may have religious significance for most people but they are also beautiful artistic expressions and some are very practical.

Below are examples of my favorite pieces of olive wood sculptures.

* * IMPORTANT NOTE: Products are not made by killing live olive trees. The wood is taken from the branches that have been cut off for pruning or those trees that have died due to old age.

Baby Jesus and Virgin Mary Figurine - 7.5" Olive Wood Statue of The Blessed Mother Holding Baby Jesus Made in The Holy Land - Great Gift for Expectant Mothers

Holy Land Market Lion with Lamb - Olive Wood Figure - one Piece, Revelation 5:5-6 (20x16x12 or 8x6.5x5 inches)

A Very Interesting Fact About the Olive Tree: 

Some would like to believe a drop of rain touched by the leaves of the legendary ancient "Angel Olive" or the "Angel Tree" will cure anything. The Angel Tree: The Enchanting Quest for the World's Oldest Olive Tree

More Reading

Handcrafted Olive Oil Soap

Use 100% Pure Olive Oil Soap to deep clean skin and enhance your body's ability to moisturize itself.

How to Grow an Olive Tree: Olive Trees in Container or Ground

An olive tree in a container or planted directly into the ground will bring a Mediterranean atmosphere to the garden, terrace or patio. They can also be grown indoors.

Drinking Olive Oil - Healthy or Not?

The first time I heard about the whole 'drinking olive oil' concept, I thought: OK, big detail, isn't that the same as cooking with and eating olive oil? But the idea IS different

- Do you know who first brought the olive tree to Spain? Answer

- Do you know why black olives are black?  Answer


Original Source

Olive Trees and Honey: A Treasury of #Vegetarian #Recipes from Jewish Communities #AroundtheWorld by Marks, Gil for $58.22 https://t.co/PDEkoVUtf1 via @amazon #Jewish #Cooking #cookbooks #giftideas @EverydaySpices @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/tUgL6ZgqFT

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) August 11, 2021

Giving Honor to Those Who Served: Happy Veterans Day!

It’s November 11th. Happy Veterans Day!

Never served in the military but was hired by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and given the honor of working side by side with many who did serve in this country's armed forces. A deeply heartfelt shout out to my former co-workers at DVA and a salute to all U.S. Veterans everywhere - those who have served, those currently serving, and a special dedication to the memory of the men and women of valor who sacrificed their lives.

• November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars".
• 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day
• With the approval of P.. 380 on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
• October 8th, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation".

History of Veterans Day -
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

glitter-graphics.com

Original source

How to View the Top Stories on Your Medium Publication

I started publishing content on the Medium.com platform in 2014.  I should say "republishing" content.  A fellow blogger suggested I use this platform to redirect traffic to my monetized blogs.  They told me that Medium allows republished content and you won't be penalized for "duplicate content" or marked as a spammer or plagiarizer.  I took her advice and the rest is history.  

These days I publish both original content and republished content on this platform.  I am also an editor of 2 Medium Publications:  Express Yourself! and My Foodie Luv.  I wanted to check my progress and see how well articles on these publications were doing.  If you want to check your profile, just review the "Stats" in the dashboard.  But if you want to view the top stories on your Medium publication, here's how to do it.

If you publish (or read) Medium publications, there is an easy way to check for popular articles by a particular period of time. Just click on the “Archive” button, and then sort by “Most Read” articles. You can also break it down by year and by month.

• My popular articles for August 2021. ~ https://medium.com/foodie-luv/archive/2021/08

• My popular articles for 2021. ~ https://medium.com/foodie-luv/archive/2021/

• My Top Ten popular articles of all time. ~ https://medium.com/foodie-luv/archive

Super easy!  Right?  I can use this information in all kinds of ways,  Prepare a Round Up post.  Take a very popular article and expand on the topic by turning it into a post series. You get the idea!

Happy blogging!

Gehazi - The Faithful Unfaithful Servant

Gehazi was the name of a faithful servant of a Hebrew prophet named Elisha. Faithful as long as he was with Elisha and there was no temptation.  The most well-known story about Gehazi concerns a sin he committed, the cover-up he attempted, and the punishment that followed (2 Kings 5:15–27).

GREBBER, Pieter de - Elisha Refusing Gifts from Naaman by Faces of Ancient Europe, on Flickr

One day a man who was sick of a skin disease came to the prophet for healing. Elisha cured the man but refused to take money or accept any reward for what he had done. Gehazi was privy to the exchange between these two men. Seeing that Elisha could not be persuaded to accept any form of payment, the man went on his way intending to return home, but Gehazi chased after him. When he caught up to the man he told him that his master had a change of heart and would be more than happy to take a talent of silver and two changes of clothing. For the needy? But of course!

LIAR LIAR! PANTS ON FIRE!!

Elisha had said no such thing.

Gehazi lied! Gehazi gave in to his own greed and misused a position of public trust to STEAL!

Did his sin go unpunished? NO! This is a Bible story. Where moral lessons abound and good always overcomes evil, and black is black, and white is white. If you want to know what happened you can read about it in 2 Kings.


So what is the moral of Gehazi's story?

MORAL LESSONS:

1. You can lie to others, but not to yourself.
2. You can always see your true colors even if nobody else does.

*** Content also appears at our Partner Blog.

Gehazi, The Sinner Detected: A Sermon-in Puritan style-on Temptation and Secret Sins: "Be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32

Movies I Hate: “There Will Be Blood” (2007)

Even though I am a loyal fan of Daniel Day-Lewis (Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis), I hated this movie!  “There Will Be Blood” (2007).

So was there blood? Oh yeah!

The movie is loosely based on the 1927 novel “Oil!” by Upton Sinclair. It is about achieving the American Dream. This movie won 2 Oscars. The critics have said that it is “one of the greatest films of the 21st century”.

When you watch this film, you will have to admit that everybody played their parts. The acting was OUTSTANDING!! They acted so well that I HATED the 2 main characters.

Daniel Day-Lewis (Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis) played Daniel Plainview and he wants to be rich. He will achieve his wealth no matter what the cost. He comes into a town and wants to set up business but he has to deal with the people. Mainly … he has to deal with a preacher, named Eli Sunday (played by Paul Dano) who is just as greedy and ruthless as he is! UUGGG!!! Those two men were awful! I hated both of them!

But it was a good movie!

There Will Be Blood | Official Trailer(HD)

Looking for friends to share you love for movies, music and books? Have fun finding and sharing entertainment-related content on Noise.Cash. It's a global social community. The PLUS is that you can make friends and earn Bitcoin Cash$.

Movies I Hate: “There Will Be Blood” (2007) | by Fox Marks ATX | Express Yourself! | Medium