Nonfiction

Don't Tell the Grown-ups
Just re-read a textbook that I had when I was in graduate school. The textbook is entitled 'Don't Tell the Grown-Ups' written by Alison Lurie. This textbook covers famous children's authors from A. A. Milne, James Barrie and several other famous authors. It covers many ideas that adults and children can learn from even though some of the ideas are quite profound in the ways of looking at the subjects and books covered. The textbook is easy to read and does not need to be read from cover to cover for professionals (writers and teachers) to derive meaning from the chapters. One could read whatever chapter they have an interest.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Marley and Me
Who remembers the movie 'Marley and Me' that came out years ago, but every once in awhile you could catch on cable. I have seen the movie a few time, but I have read the novel 'Marley and Me' by John Grogan twice and each time it has brought tears to my eyes from the mid-point of the book to the end. This is the story of a couple John and Jen who want a dog but actually the whole package- a house, a dog, children and whatever comes with it. There are many adventures for this couple in learning how to work with Marley all the way towards the end. It is a book that will make you think of growing up and all the changes that animals and humans will need to think about in living life with all the good and the bad that could and does happen. This is definitely a must read for all for it does give a basic understanding of living for self and others.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Great Home Cooking in America
Just finished reading an old cookbook that I had stored away. It was compiled by the Food Editors of Farm Journal. I have really read a cookbook before, and I thought I would share this one. This is a cookbook that shares recipes that go back to colonial America as well as recipes that originated from the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle Eastern countries and North and South America. The book also gives a brief historical introduction before each section of recipes. The color plates are really vivid and pretty of all the various kinds of foods of the world and how when the creators of the recipes brought them over some families did make some variations of the recipes of time.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Ascended Beings
Love comes in many aspects & forms where the love of churches filled an empty place I had in younger years that led to a diverse discovery. Down south of the border I found myself exploring the distinctive Cathedrals in Mexico where even the smallest towns had elaborate houses of worship. Some had weddings, some had funerals, while some had late night masses, others closed at four. It was fun to travel by bus from town to town, where I felt like a free spirit without fear. Walking down the streets one day in Guadalajara I spotted a city newspaper showing on the front page, a picture of what looked like Jesus & Mary. she was sitting on a donkey, he was walking by her side. The headline read..Imposters?? The article said they were traveling somewhere in the vicinity, looking as if they stepped out of the Bible. I thought it was interesting as I entered one of the colossal Cathedrals that stand on each side of one particular street. To my surprise their was a choir singing in the balcony while a white robed man was giving communion. Walking in line to receive, I came face to face with the realistic image of Christ. His brown hair at shoulder length & features matching a painting. Looking down at his feet I noticed he wasn’t wearing sandals, but military boots. His picturesque hand holding the host that I took while the choir crescendoed underneath the streams of sunlight. When the service ended, I wondered who he was, yet I couldn’t ask. Yet, I feel today their was something there. If he was a time traveler, our paths had crossed. The reason why I felt he had time traveled is because the Choir was African. Where does a Choir like that appear in Guadalajara? I felt like they too were ascended beings looking much like the choir in Romeo & Juliette singing, “When doves cry.”Other times I had seen what appeared like time travelers were in smaller towns where a couple of young men had hair that looked like it had never been cut. Thick clumps of rope like hair that went to their praying knees with Caucasian faces covered with dirt, as if they had never bathed. They crawled on their knees to the stack of candles lighting them with prayers. I learned it was their custom to walk on the knees, as I hadn’t seen this before. The image of the man giving communion seems like a surreal painting itself, as I felt he wasn’t a priest, more of a prophet. Thirty three years later, a mysterious image of a woman was filmed in a white robe walking in a small town in the country shaped like a tear. People wondered who she was as she seemed to be holding her heart within her garments. I believe holy people do exist somewhere in a distant realm, possibly Nibiru. Nibiru, a conception of a floating planet that appears from high altitudes in the Arctic. Their isn’t proof it exists, why I believe it could be heaven, I’m not sure. Possibly I had been there before. The woman in the video appears at a time where the world is suffering enormously. Certainly a miracle of a ascended being is needed. The clothing I found last Summer seems similar to her style. The white harem pants with pink hearts & white scarf. Could they have been hers? The way the clothes were displayed on benches by the waterfall. The following day two pieces of wood were nailed to the gazebo, as if warning not to give away someones articles again. Their was a grey sweater I found as well. I wore it one day while photographing the pool. My reflection in the glass portrayed a small image of a grey alien. Could this be the ticket ascended beings use to travel? I wonder about the little aliens as many do. In place of a child, I would like to have one. I believe in them, as I think they are special, & seem so distant, far away from being loved. I could find out what they eat & buy clothes for them. Many Videos of them show them lost in the forests, as many are homeless. I guess I’ll have to wait & see if my wish will transpire, yet I am grateful to have had a supernatural experience that I can not explain. Ufos are all around us, a dazzling reminder lighting up the sky with wondrous lights. Lights that make one wonder, who is up there? Why are we killing creation? How do we replace hate with love? These are words I ask as I compare two Roswell guitars. One I found in a music store, a tiny grey guitar having a welded alien doll with big eyes. It was a high priced item twenty years ago. Today the only Roswell guitar I found is shaped entirely differently. Picture a shiny steel grim reaper scythe for a musical axe. How could they go from cute to deadly? The rest of the Roswell guitars are sold in pieces. In this case I feel broken hearted. Like a frozen in time painting of The Virgin Guadeloupe touching her Corazon. Her image portrayed on the white garment of the young man holding a bouquet of Roses. She is always pictured with Roses, South of the border.
By Ocusan M2 years ago in Critique
Psalm One book one
Book One of 'The Psalms' as in the Psalm 1 to me is sharing with me who and how we will be saved in so many words. Who are the righteous ones and who are the unrighteous ones. It is also about the choices that one will make in ones life.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Proverbs
I have just started reading the Book of Proverbs in my bible. In reading chapter one I have already read several old sayings as "A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." "Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." 'The Proverbs' will make you think and make the necessary interpretations and maybe bring about your own understanding of what is read and written.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Dear Vocal pt. 2 (2024)
Hey there Vocal, you may not remember me. I first wrote this article. You don't necessarily have to read it. In summary I asked you guys to either make the following communities or make them tags: Asian dramas(k-drama, j-drama, c-drama etc), otakus(anime) and Sims lit(- stories made by simmers.)
By BBW2 years ago in Critique
The Armed Forces and American Social Change and Unwritten Truce
Troy Mosley has written a very illuminating book entitled 'The Armed Forces and American Social Change An Unwanted Truce'. He has written a very illuminating piece of learning and history. It is a book that covers military history and society as part of a certain community of people. Troy has written a well-detailed reference book that teaches the readers how our country accepts various people and cultures throughout the years. This would make a good supplemental read for courses in Human services, History, and maybe even a counseling course.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
What is the Catholic School Girls' Cinematic Universe?
Cinematic universes make up one kind of shared universe, or fictional worlds that encompass two or more independently written stories. This means that multiple literary works with their own separate plot lines and cast of characters, while they don’t overlap, happen within the same fictionalized world.
By Jessica Galletta2 years ago in Critique
Giant Wave Effects!
Monstrous" waves overwhelmed parts of a key US military office in the Pacific Sea last end of the week, causing harm that will require a long time to fix, as per a US Armed force report.
By KHAGESWAR RAO K2 years ago in Critique
Anne Frank
Been away for a while reading many books and reviewing them. Never seems to be enough time in the day. So, one of the first books I read was the complete and unabridged 'The Diary of Anne Frank'. Who has read any of the other versions of this book for school or just interested in the history of the time. I have read many versions of this book that I could find, and I found this version of this 'autobiography' at a local bookstore on the bargain table and something told to buy. This version has each entry that Anne writes starting with 'Dear Kitty' for Anne wanted it to seem as if she were writing and talking to a friend. This is a diary of a young girl that had to grow up too fast and to try and understand all the changes that she was starting to notice about herself and all the others around her. Who really can understand these happenings along with what happening in the world at their time of living life.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Discomfiture for Apple
U.S. tech goliath Apple has been forced to pay a Russian fine of 1.2 billion roubles ($13.65 million). This was because of the organization's supposed maltreatment of its prevailing business sector position and worried in-application installments, Russia's FAS antitrust office said on Monday.
By KHAGESWAR RAO K2 years ago in Critique