Freelance content writer since 2011. This blog serves as a sort of writing journal. Find my random thoughts and opinions on varied topics, links to my blog posts and articles published around the web; and curated advice and tips for writers and bloggers.
King Solomon sent ships to Ophir to bring back almug (or algum) trees, along with gold and precious stones. Research about Ophir's geographical location is scant. In short, no one seems to know where it is! If it is ever found, it will probably be by accident, because everybody keeps searching for Atlantis. The last bit of recorded information we have about Ophir is that the ships that set sail to go there which were sent by another king, never made it to their destination! So I can sort of understand why people would rather go look for Atlantis. Atlantis disappeared. Not the folks who were looking for it!!! (O.o)
1 Kings 9:28 - And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
1 Kings 10:11 - And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
1 Kings 22:48 - Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.
Photo credit: Wikipedia: Solomon and the Plan for the Temple, as in 1 Kings 6, illustration from a Bible card published by the Providence Lithograph Company
Anyway, I did manage to find two known places that have the name "Ophir", one in Colorado USA, and the other in New Zealand. Both representing magnificent splendor!!!
Let me tell you about a fellow blogger who goes by the name White Feather. The information he shares is so eye-opening and fascinating, the temptation to re-share is irresistible. You must be pointed in the direction of the paths he takes online in order to see the world through his lens. From his profile at a social network that no longer exists, I found my way to his website and the other links below that were posted to his activity timeline.
The article of interest suggested for your review is:
How Crazy Horse Treated Refugees : Wisdom from a Native American warrior (Applicable to the refugee crisis facing Western nations today?)
Why is this article so interesting to me? The first reason is that I am sort of impressed by the famous Native American known as Crazy Horse. I did a little research on this historical figure and learned that he was anything but crazy! However, while researching I did not come across any information about his dealings with refugees. So this article by White Feather was eye-opening. There is so much American history that we are never taught in school.
Also, I wanted to contrast and compare to my opinion piece which was published here at Medium titled: Syrian Refugees Go Home!
♦ How does this relate to bringing White Feather from the Mountain?
Yes, I know. My logic defies rationale and reasoning. Before discovering this website and its fascinating articles, for me, White Feather was “up in the mountain”. I determined to bring him down from that mountain and introduce him to others.
King Arthur travels to the future and lands in New York City. New York City is to Camelot as King Arthur is to Mayor of New York. OK! Is Merlin with him? But of course! Do you think he could survive New York without a little help from a trusted adviser?
● ● ● Storyline: The legendary King Arthur emerges from an enchanted cave and returns to reign once again in Camelot. Only it’s 1500 years later and Camelot is now known as New York, New York. Hardly a fairy tale city. “Because New Yorkers are all crazy” and they are not in the habit of calling anybody “Your highness”. So don’t think you can just show up and take over. You have to run a campaign for a public office and win the votes of the people. Running for Mayor shouldn’t be too hard. Especially since you still have Merlin as your trusted counselor.
About the Author: Peter David is a New York Times bestselling author that most people might associate with “The Incredible Hulk” (comic books), but Knight Life is his very first novel. After the author became popular his fans began asking for it, so he obliged them. It’s been revised and expanded. The original is out of print. The book has received excellent reviews by Booklist, Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, etc.
Are you wondering why it hasn’t been made into a movie? So is Mr. David. He wrote a screenplay, only the book has yet to make it to the screen (as of April 2014).
♦ Why Suggested? It’s another election year in the USA. The witty comedic twist probably could not have been pulled off if Arthur had resurfaced anywhere else in the world other than New York City. If you decide to read Knight Life, you’ll breeze right through the first chapter. When you get to the next chapter, the armored knight makes his first appearance in Central Park. At that point … _______.
All quotations were lifted right out of the book. Were I to pick a favorite line from this novel, it would be Arthur Penn’s response to the question regarding which political party he represented. “I’m an Independent”, he called. “I subscribe to no party line save for the dictates of my conscience.”
Title: Knight Life
Author: Peter David
Genre: Science Fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Ace Books, published by arrangement with Second Age, Inc.
Anthony “Tony” Robbins and Joseph McClendon III jointly authored a self-help book titled “Unlimited Power: A Black Choice”.
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The Robbins-McClendon collaboration was published 1997, i.e. pre-Obama. Now that America has made a choice and elected an African-American as POTUS, this self-help book could serve as a U.S. historical perspective.
Ever hear of Tony Robbins? He’s an excellent motivational speaker and author of several bestselling books on how to forge your path to success. My son appears to be a huge fan. He’s always quoting him. This article is about one of the books found in my son’s personal library, which is now in my possession because when he moved out it was left in a box in the garage. No, I won’t be taking it to the Antiques Roadshow for appraisal. Instead, I’m giving it my own appraisal and sharing my valuation.
Tony or Anthony Robbins co-authored this book with a friend and fellow professional, Joseph McClendon III. Both of these guys have unquestionable credentials. If you want to know what makes them think that they know enough to tell you anything, just flip to the pages at the end entitled “About the Authors”. Also, an important note to mention is that Mr. Robbins is a philanthropist and in addition to operating his own non-profit organization, ten percent of the royalties from the sales of this co-authored work are donated to the Young Black College Fund for the mentoring of young African-Americans. The book is called: “Unlimited Power: A Black Choice”.
There are several reasons why a person, regardless of their background, would probably like this book. For one thing, it has great quotes woven into the chapters from celebrities like Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey; and historical Americans like Sojourner Truth and Booker T. Washington. There are also quotations from two people whose sayings appear in writings by almost everybody: Unknown and Anonymous. You might be tempted to just skim through the leaves looking for all the “Who said what” remarks.
Another reason? Quickly peruse the Table of Contents and your curiosity will be aroused. Although you may say to yourself that there is no new thing for you to learn, you might convince yourself that it’s worth further examination. For example, “Mastering Your Mind: How to Run Your Brain”. Sounds fascinating! I must figure out how to do this because my brain always runs away from me! Or how about this interesting title: “The Difference That Makes the Difference”. Hmm? What difference could that be?
In all, the book is very good motivational reading. Although, to be honest, the basics of how to develop a spirit and mindset to achieve unlimited success are something that surely every human being must already know, instinctively or intuitively.
(1) Don’t lie. (2) Don’t cheat. (3) Don’t steal.
These are not optional. They are commandments.
(1) Don’t whine. (2) Don’t complain. (3) Don’t make excuses.
Well thanks a lot, Joe and Tony! Now, what am I supposed to use for hindrances to slow me down and stop me?!
The basics aside, there is some awfully good information and advice which can be extracted and learned: memory management; the precision model; healthy eating tips (food is fuel); and various motivation strategies. The insertion and application of the Peanuts® comic strip is priceless.
One final reason one might consider reading or reviewing this Robbins-McClendon collaborative effort? It is 2014. America made a choice and elected an African-American who is now serving his second term as President of the United States. This book was published pre-Obama in 1997. I think it would be a good read for a U.S. historical perspective.
A lot has happened in my lifetime, since the 1950s. Grew up in a segregated neighborhood. Attended segregated schools from kindergarten to 8th grade.
People say water fountains, restrooms, and other public facilities were clearly marked with signs that said “Whites” and “Coloreds Only”. Of a truth, that’s not in my childhood memory. The Civil Rights Movement — the marches, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — those events are in my memory. My first experience attending an integrated high school with girls from ethnic and racial backgrounds different from mine. That’s in my memory.
(1) Use and abuse of illegal drugs becoming commonplace. Talkin’ ’bout my generation.
(2) Fornication — i.e. sexual relations outside of the marriage bed becoming acceptable and even expected behavior.
(3) Homosexuals coming out of the closets and parading in the streets.
(4) AIDS.
Many people point to (1) through (4) as “proof” that our nation is in decline. We're just like the ancient Roman empire. They were destroyed from within by their corruption, depravity. and a lack of morality. The citizens don't respect God anymore!
(Yawn.) You want proof that the USA is following the path of the Roman Empire?
When the words “In God We Trust” are removed from our currency; and the phrase “one nation under God” is deleted from the Pledge of Allegiance, you’ll have PROOF!! OK?
