The power of words . . .: Top Ten

Showing posts with label Top Ten. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Non-Bookish Websites

Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Many other bloggers’ picks on today’s theme can be seen here.

Websites I Love That Aren't About Books

I really like this week’s theme – websites we frequently visit that aren’t related to books. However, I have to admit that my first thought was, Are there any? But once I got to thinking, it didn’t take long to come up with several non-bookish sites that I rely on for inspiration, fun, and to keep up with all that’s happening in my world.

Unterwegs (translated "on the way")

https://www.facebook.com/beth.jarvissilliman

I’m so proud of my daughter, who has led a campus ministry in Tübingen, Germany for eight years! It didn’t take long to discover that the best way to keep up with her is to visit her Facebook page. She speaks German fluently, so while I can’t understand her comments, I can enjoy the pictures she posts – of student activities and places she visits in Europe.

McDonough Christian Church

http://www.mccreach.org/

My church has a great website that I regularly visit to keep up with activities and upcoming events. It even has a very active social media section called “The City.”

Spark People

sparkpeople.com

Anyone interested in losing weight or maintaining a healthy lifestyle would enjoy Spark People, a totally free health website. I’ve used it for years to track nutrition and exercise (I hate to exercise, so I’m not always successful in this area). There’s also tons of community boards and I’ve made some good friends within the Christian community. It’s all about mutual support and encouragement.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/

A big part of my online time is spent on inspirational/teaching sites and Nancy Leigh DeMoss is one of the best. I either listen to her daily radio broadcast or read the transcripts.

Liz Curtis Higgs

http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/10-ways-help-one-another/

Liz Curtis Higgs periodically does Bible studies on her blog that are so much fun – a blend of teaching, humor, and beautiful graphics. The above link is to her most recent one on the “one another” passages.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle

http://www.brooklyntabernacle.org/

Listening to sermons by Pastor Jim Cymbala at The Brooklyn Tabernacle is a most enriching experience and I’m so glad these are available online. My church even sent me to a music conference there when I retired and I got to rehearse & sing with the famous Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, but that’s another story!

Acorn TV

https://acorn.tv/featured

I am such a huge fan of British drama and mysteries that I was ecstatic when I discovered Acorn TV. I love to peruse their website and decide what shows I want to stream on my Roku.

LANG

http://www.lang.com/wallpaper

I discovered a love for art while searching online for pictures to use in my computer jigsaw puzzle game and have amassed quite a collection over the years. The LANG company makes a lot of their calendar images available as wallpaper and I’m always eager to see each month’s new collection.

Mikki Senkarik

https://mikkisenkarik.wordpress.com/

One of my favorite artists is Mikki Senkarik, whose Southwestern and Mediterranean paintings are so vibrant in color. I love following her blog where she shows the step-by-step progression of her artwork, giving advice to other artists also.

PicMonkey

http://www.picmonkey.com/

PicMonkey is a great, user-friendly website for photo editing that I use almost every day.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Books and Music

Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Many other bloggers’ picks on today’s theme can be seen here.

Lyrics that would make interesting books

Another fun theme from these imaginative folks! This week’s theme is about music . . . specifically, songs that I think would make interesting books. That topic makes me think of ballads. These songs were all popular in my teenage years and I still enjoy them today. (Click on titles for YouTube viewing.)

The MTA (The Kingston Trio)
Whether it was the Kingston Trio, Brothers Four, or New Christy Minstrels, folk music was and continues to be one of my favorite musical genres. The MTA tells of a man named Charlie trapped on Boston's subway system, then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The song was originally recorded as a mayoral campaign song for Progressive Party candidate, Walter A. O'Brien.

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charlie
On a tragic and fateful day
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the MTA

Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square station
And he changed for Jamaica Plain
When he got there the conductor told him, "One more nickel"
Charlie couldn't get off of that train

Now, ye citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal
How the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase, vote for George O'Brian
Get poor Charlie off the MTA

Or else he'll never return
No he'll never return and his fate is still unlearned
He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned

Reuben James (Kenny Rogers)
Reuben James, which tells the story of a share cropper and the white child he befriended, was the first song I ever heard by Kenny Rogers and is still my favorite of his.

Reuben James, in my song you’ll live again
And the phrases that I rhyme
Are just the footsteps out of time
From the time when I knew you Reuben James

The gossip of Madison County died with child
And although your skin was black
You were the one that didn’t turn your back
On a hungry white child with no name, Reuben James

With your mind on my soul and a Bible in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek
There’s a better world a waiting for the meek
In my head those words remain from Reuben James

The Long Black Train (Josh Turner)
Just watch this video and imagine what stories it could inspire!

There's a long black train comin' down the line
Feeding off the souls that are lost and cryin'
Rails of sin, only evil remains
Watch out, brother, for that long black train

'Cause there's victory in the Lord, I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy name
And don't go ridin' on that long black train

Three Coins in the Fountain (Frank Sinatra)

Three coins in the fountain
Each one seeking happiness
Thrown by three hopeful lovers
Which one will the fountain bless?

Ballad of a Teenage Queen (Johnny Cash)
Girl in love with the boy next door…enticed by all that Hollywood offered…realizes her mistake…comes back to boy next door. Now isn’t that the perfect romance storyline?

There's a story in our town
Of the prettiest girl around
Golden hair and eyes of blue
How those eyes could flash at you
Boys hung 'round her by the score
But she loved the boy next door who worked at the candy store

He would marry her next spring
Saved his money, bought a ring
Then one day a movie scout
Came to town to take her out
Hollywood could offer more
So she left the boy next door working at the candy store

Then one day the teenage star
Sold her house and all her cars
Gave up all her wealth and fame
Left it all and caught a train
Do I have to tell you more
She came back to the boy next door who worked at the candy store

Now this story has some more, you'll hear it all at the candy store

Healing Rain (Michael W. Smith)
To be washed in Heaven’s rain...This video gives me chills. Watch it if you have time. Imagine a book filled with stories of grace, forgiveness and hope!

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name

And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I Am

Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain

So many other songs came to mind after I finished this post – like Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry, Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra. What are some of your ideas?

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Movie Screen Leading Men

Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Many other bloggers’ picks on today’s theme can be seen here.

This week’s theme is a Valentine-related freebie, so instead of drawing from books, I’m going to share some of my favorite romantic leads from movies. This was such a fun project because I guess I’m a romantic at heart, and these guys (and their gals) have given me much enjoyment as I watched their stories over and over again.

Many of these are from the 60s, and I don’t know why. Maybe they just don’t make them like this anymore. You’ll also notice that some are Rogers & Hammerstein musicals. It may not be realistic to burst into song at the drop of a hat, but the musician in me loves that part. Also, all have happy endings – with the exception of two, that is.

So, in no particular order, here are some leading men who have captured my heart over the years. Have you seen any of these movies? And who are some of your personal favorite leading guys from the big screen?

Christopher Plummer / Captain Von Trapp

The Sound of Music, 1965

I’d hate to pick a favorite from this list, but if I had to, it would probably be Captain Von Trapp. Just a beautiful story in every way.

Jonathan Crombie (1966-2015) / Gilbert Blythe

Anne of Green Gables, 1985

“The first time we met was in the Anne of Green Gables production office for a preliminary read-through of the script. I was 17. I think Johnny was 18. I remember thinking he was so sweet and non-threatening in the best way. Because we were all nervous, and he put you at ease. He had a wonderful sense of humor, so we laughed a lot.” – Megan Follows

Yves Montand (1921-1991) / Paul Robaix

My Geisha, 1962

My Geisha is a movie that most of you have probably never even heard of. But it is a fantastic romance built around the filming of a movie adaptation of Madame Butterfly – and Shirley MacLaine costars. Did I mention that it’s a wonderful romance?!

Harve Presnell (1933-2009) / “Leadville” Johnny Brown

The Unsinkable Molly Brown, 1964

Love this musical adaptation of the real-life Molly Brown (played by Debbie Reynolds), a Titanic survivor, and Johnny who awaited her back in Denver, Colorado.

Andrew McCarthy

Come Dance with Me, 2012

Straight from the Heart, 2003

I just can’t get enough of Andrew McCarthy in these two Hallmark movies. Those blue eyes! He’s the type of leading man that gets to me.

William Holden (1918-1981) / Hal Carter

Picnic, 1955

Picnic is considered pretty racy for its time. I love the way it looks back on an era (the 1950s) when drifters hopped boxcars, marriage was the most important goal for a girl, and people wore ties, sports coats, and full-skirted dresses to picnics.

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009) / Johnny Castle

Dirty Dancing, 1987
Simply timeless.

Michael Douglas / Ed Leland

Shining Through, 1992

Suspense and World War II stories aren’t high on my list, so I don’t know why I ever watched Shining Through. So glad I did, though! When he rescues Melanie Griffeth from the Nazis at the end . . .

Robert Preston (1918-1997) / Harold Hill

The Music Man, 1962
76 Trombones…Lida Rose…Goodnight My Someone…Till There Was You…What could be more delightful?!

Gary Sinese / Terry McQuinn

Fallen Angel, 2003
Can’t help but be drawn to Gary’s character is this outstanding Hallmark movie.

Richard Chamberlain / Ralph de Bricassart

The Thorn Birds, 1983

Franco Nero / Lancelot

Camelot, 1967

These two leading men did not get their happily-ever-after endings, but I was drawn to their stories in spite of that. Franco Nero and Vanessa Redgrave from Camelot actually married in 2006. And as good as The Thorn Birds was, the book by Colleen McCullough was even better.

Pat Boone / David Wilkerson

The Cross and the Switchblade, 1970

This movie isn’t a romance, so why on earth have I included it? Well, Pat Boone was a very popular singer and teen heartthrob in his day, and this is a powerful movie. It’s the real-life story of David Wilkerson, who founded a ministry to New York’s street gangs called the Teen Challenge Center. Nicky Cruz, a tough Puerto Rican gang leader (played by Eric Estrada), was converted and went on to serve with Wilkerson and later started his own outreach ministry in California.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Historical Settings

Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Many other bloggers’ picks on today’s theme can be seen here.

This topic has been fun to think about because I read so much historical fiction. There are a few eras that I’ve always enjoyed, such as Regency and the American Revolution - but in some cases, maybe it’s the fiction that has drawn me to that particular era. Each of these books is a favorite. So here’s my . . .

Favorite Historical Settings

Old Testament

New Testament times

Medieval England

Regency England

American Revolution

1800’s Appalachia

Civil War

World War II

Vietnam

Although this has a contemporary setting, a Vietnam veteran suffering from what we now know as PTSD plays a major part.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday - Top 5 Bookish Resolutions

Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Visit here to see tons of other bloggers’ lists.

This topic has been fun to think about, but there’s no way I could come up with ten. So here’s my . . .

Top 5 Bookish Resolutions for 2016

1) Read daily in NIV Chronological Bible that my daughter gave me for Christmas. In all honesty, I’m not very good at completing a one-year plan – at least in one year. Let’s just say that I’m pretty well acquainted with the early Old Testament books. Often busyness is the problem, and other times it’s because I spend more time in certain passages and fall way behind the plan.
However, I’ve come to realize that there’s nothing imperative about finishing in a year – but rather, it’s that I read regularly. I’ve also wanted to do a chronological reading, so I resolve to begin reading – and read at my own pace.

2) Make a new Top Ten Tuesday graphic. I’ve had fun playing around with graphics related to books I read and wanted to make a top ten image that reflected me. I love to read and I love cats. Enough said.

3) Cut back on the number of books that I agree to review. Okay, this is a hard one because I love to read, but too many review deadlines take the joy out of reading. And I’m not the fastest of readers.

4) Do more to promote the authors I enjoy most. Although I have no artistic ability, I’ve discovered a love for graphics, collages, etc. I don’t know how helpful these are at drawing attention to authors, but they’re fun and I want to get better at creating them. Also, one of the best parts of this whole review/blogging thing is getting to know some authors personally, so I’d like to do more author interviews.

5) Read more non-review books, but still write reviews. Before I became so involved in reviewing Christian fiction, I used to read a lot of really good general fiction – family sagas, gothic romances, women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, etc. – and I miss those. So my plan is to be more selective in what I commit to review, then read some of these other genres that I enjoy.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday - Most Anticipated Books of 2016

Thank you to the folks at The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this fun Top Ten Tuesday meme each week! Visit here to see tons of other bloggers’ lists.

Top Ten most anticipated 2016 releases (first half of year)

I am so far behind in my reading that I shouldn’t even take time to create this post, yet I couldn’t resist. Oh, the anticipation! Most of these are by authors whose previous work I have enjoyed immensely, but there are a few new or new-to-me authors I’m eager to try. And just ignore the "top ten" label because there's no way I could stop there! (Books are listed in no particular order.)

Be sure to share your thoughts!