You Think You Know All About Witches | earthpages.ca (Reblog)

- A very informative post:  Witch. Two ideas (or facts, if you prefer) presented that were news to me!

(1) Witches are born witches. Sorcerers get to apply for the job later on in life.

(2) Witch doctors were called witch doctors because people called on them to cure an illness believed to have been caused by a witch.

Original content source link:  ForumCoin.com

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Additional Links of Interest:

• Witchcraft:  Past and Present
• Book Suggestion: Witch Hunt by SM Reine
  - If you're into urban fantasy.
• The 18th Century Vampire Controversy | wizzley.com- Think witches had it rough? 

 

Image credit: By Immanuel Giel - Own work, Public Domain, Link

 

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Society and Culture: Are Secret Societies a Threat?

Did you hear?  Beyoncé and Jay-Z are members of the Illuminati.

Uh-huh. And this strikes fear in me because … ???  ... WHY?

Well, at least now I get Ray Romano’s joke about them being the most powerful couple in America. :)  But Jay-Z and his lovely wife, Beyoncé are probably laughing way harder than everybody else.
  

Read an article about so-called secret societies – Freemasons, Rosicrucian Order, Illuminati, etc.

Top 5 Secret Societies |Wizzley.com

This provides a wealth of material if anyone wants something to write about it. But to take these groups seriously? WHY?

• Are they dangerous??

• Because they have a secret??

• Because they are secretive??

• Because they might also have a lot of money and possibly some influence on persons in high places and can change the course of the world??!!!! And you have no control over it?? 

Gimme a break! Who doesn’t have a secret?? 

Rich or poor. Between dreaming and having your own secrets, can’t nobody control you!! 

**** Hmmm … this is kind of an afterthought but … UM … Such type organizations could be a threat to the members. Everything being so hush hush - if a crime were committed, where would they go for justice? Maybe the Cosa Nostra probably holds court on the weekends. (O.o)



The Illuminati in Hollywood: Celebrities, Conspiracies, and Secret Societies in Pop Culture and the Entertainment Industry


(This is my original content which was previously published at one of my other blogs which were discontinued.)

Will The Tiger's Apprentice Ever Be an Animated Film? Paramount Says YES!

Laurence Yep has a reputation for being the premier Chinese-American writer.  It's an awesome compliment when notable filmmakers want to adapt your books to film.

Laurence Yep writes books for children and young adults.  Many know him for book series called Golden Mountain Chronicles.  Screenwriter David Magee (Finding Neverland (watch trailer)) was or is (??) adapting Yep's book - The Tiger's Apprentice (Book One) - into a feature film in 3D animation.

Hoping another one of Laurence Yep's books - City of Fire - might also be adapted. There's an evil dragon and lost treasures of an emperor weaved into the storyline. How can anybody resist turning it into a major feature film?

* * Will The Tiger's Apprentice Ever Be an Animated Film? - Learned about this film adaptation several years back.  This animation project is either "on hold" or has been abandoned.  Can't seem to find any updates about the effort.  Perhaps they're furiously working to complete it, but keeping it all very hush hush because they want to surprise viewers with the finished product!  Hope Magee and company see it through. Sounds fantastic!  :)

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UPDATE:
FINALLY!!!

Film adaptation:
In October 2008, Cartoon Network announced the live-action animated film adaptation of the book with a script by David Magee^[3] with Rainmaker Entertainment contracted for the animation.^[4] The project was cancelled after Cartoon Network stopped developing live-action projects. In March 2019, Paramount Pictures announced an animated film adaptation of the book with a script by Magee and a release date of February 11, 2022.^[5]
Source:  Wikipedia

Who is Peter Ackroyd? Biographer, Historian, Poet, Novelist, Etc. Eccentric

Who is Peter Ackroyd?

Hmmm ... let me think.  Is he the guy in the picture?

Nope!  But you're close!  The guy in the picture below is Charles Dickens.  Peter Ackroyd wrote a biography about Dickens.  He also wrote a bio about William Shakespeare, in case the mention about the Charles Dickens bio is not impressive enough.  :)  If that's not impressive enough, then if you like biographies or biographical notes about celebrated, it might interest you to know that he wrote a bunch of books about famous people like Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Isaac Newton and more.  His series is called Ackroyd's Brief Lives.

 

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Peter Ackroyd is an author. A word to describe him? Eccentric. There was another word used to describe him but it wasn’t very complimentary (my opinion), and as such, won’t be mentioned by me.  A few synonyms for eccentric are: odd, bizarre, outlandish, peculiar, weird and strange. Sounds like he lives in Austin, Texas. But he currently resides in England.  Eccentric? I’ll say. He writes using a pen and paper in longhand. That’s insane! Nobody does that anymore!

“It’s just the way I work”, he says.

Well fine then, Mr. Ackroyd. You certainly can’t be accused of not working.  Peter Ackroyd’s body of writings include: poetry, bibliographies of notable persons like T.S. Eliot, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare, a series of history books for children, a collection of English ghost stories, and several novels. He even retold Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and wrote a libretta for an opera.  His current projects include:  the completion of  six volumes of the History of England, a few more novels, and a biography of Alfred Hitchock.

Where does he find the time?  Uh … that’s all he does, all day and all night.  He says he isn’t much interested in socializing and reserves two Sundays in the month for some interaction with people.  Most of the time, it’s just him and his books.

Has Mr. Ackroyd written so many books you don’t know where to begin?  Start here: The Trial of Elizabeth Cree; a murder mystery, the setting is 1880 Victorian London; a woman is accused of poisoning her husband.

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Reference:
Rosen, Jody. “Man of Many Words: Up Close and Personal with Peter Ackroyd …” T: New York Times Style Magazine 15 Sept. 2013: 110-14. Print. Men’s Fashion Issue, Arts and Letters

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Peter Ackroyd books are available ~ Save up to 90% at BiggerBooks.com

 

Book Suggestion: The Acacia Trilogy | Virily.com

American novelist, David Anthony Durham is the author of a trilogy, which is an epic fantasy Acacia. ...

Content has been republished.  Please click here.

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Would you like to earn extra money for writing short posts, publishing polls, and quizzes, or creating lists?  Would you like to make money just for socializing, i.e. viewing posts, taking polls and quizzes, or voting on lists, and making comments?  Join the Virilyans!

Book Lovers – An Assortment of Books for Your Personal Library

Once stayed in a temporary residence when my family was being relocated from one state to another.  We stayed in this house for a few months until we found our permanent home.  What a memory! 

This house was right out a dream home magazine.  My favorite room in this house was the office/library.  Public libraries have always been one of my favorite places.  But I had never lived in a house that was big enough to have my own personal library where I could retreat to and shut off the rest of the world.  

If you had your personal library, what kinds of books would be on your bookshelves?  Here are some of the books you might find in my library.


♦ Picture Books for Children (or for grown-ups who never grow up)

• "The Eagles Are Back" : Jean Craighead George tells the story of how the American bald eagle was saved from extinction.
• "Annie and the Old One" : Written by Miska Miles.  It is an introduction to the customs and traditions of  the Navajo people and touches upon a very sensitive subject for children: explaining the death of a loved one.
• "The Emperor and the Kite":  Jane Yolen tells the tale of a young child who saved a kingdom all because she knew how to fly a kite.  So the next time someone says to you "Go fly a kite!", just imagine yourself on a secret mission saving an empire.

♦ Hot and exciting reads. Suspense Thrillers or Romance.

• FC Etier Writes Political Thrillers : "The Tourist Killer" was FC Etier's first novel; followed up by "The Presidents Club". Two novels written for those who enjoy a web of conspiracy and intrigue with lots of political overtones.
• Two Thrillers and One Romance : Just the titles of these books should tempt you. "Power Of Persuasion"; "Trusting Evil"; and "All the Beautiful Sinners".  Which one do you think is the romance?  :)
• Irresistible Historical Romance Novels : “A Rose in Winter” and “Shanna”  ~ Both books authored by the late Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, the lady who pioneered the historical romance genre and should be credited with it being one of the most popular book genres, based on book sales in the USA.

♦ History or Mystery.

• Dickens Junction Mystery Series : Love Charles Dickens and murder mysteries? Perfect!
• The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence : History and mystery set in the ancient Roman empire, written to encourage children to learn history but adults will equally be fascinated.
• Book Selections From the Vintage Series : Choose from reading about the American Civil War to life in 1930s Bombay.

♦ Science Fiction or Fantasy.

• Books by Kev Heritage, S. M. Reine and other popular authors in the sci-fi genre
• Gifts for the Tolkien Enthusiast - Can't say the word fantasy and not mention Tolkien.

♦ Inspiring Biographies.

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Now that you've picked your book (or books), 

settle down for some good reading!  :)

Ultra Cuddle - Shawl Blanket w-Feet Pockets/Super Plush -Red

Book Lover Nightshirt 100% Cotton,Beige,OSFM

Novel Teas: 25 teabags individually tagged with literary quotes from the world over, made with the finest English Breakfast tea.

Gracie China by Coastline Imports 33708B Rose Chintz 8-Ounce Porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer,

A Doctor's Notes about Ancient Philosophers: The Eleatic School, Xenophanes

A doctor's notes about Ancient Philosophy: The Eleatic School, Xenophanes:

 - "To represent the gods as men is to alter their nature in order to make them similar to us. These errors are due to the imaginations of men. ... it seems that Xenophanes confused God with space and with the universe taken it its totality."  

Per the late Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty was the Founder and President of The Center for Applied Philosophy and the Radical Academy, and is Honorary Philosophy Editor at The Moral Liberal.

• Read full article at Self-Educated American: Ancient Philosophers: The Eleatic School, Xenophanes

• If interested further in the Pre-Socratic writings of this philosophical poet who lived in the ancient Greek world during the 6th and 5th centuries B.C., Xenophanes of Colophon: Fragments (Phoenix Presocractic Series) is an English translation of the surviving fragments of Xenophanes’ teachings.

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Oh if only the writings of one of the philosophers could tell me where to find the philosopher’s stone.

What??!!  Is it so wrong to desire gold without having to pan or dig for it; and to wish to remain forever young?   :)

The Philosophers of the Ancient World: An A-Z Guide

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Book Recommendation : Rebecca's Notebook ... by Daphne Du Maurier

In the mood to curl up on the couch or lie in bed and read a really good book about a really good book?  

Author, Daphne du Maurier (1906 – 1989) was home-schooled and also educated in Paris, France. Most of her bestselling novels were set in Cornwall, where she lived for most of her life. 

Her novel, "Rebecca", is a dark, moody, mysterious love story!

"The Rebecca Notebook and Other Memories" is a revealing look at how du Maurier wrote this story.  It's a book about a really good book!  (A book which has been adapted to film more than once.  I liked the film version that was directed by Alfred Hitchock, which starred Joan Fontaine.  It's a worthwhile addition to one's personal video library.)

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. Classic!

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English: Young Daphne du Maurier (about 1930) Русский: Портрет Дафны дю Морье в молодости (начало 30-х годов ХХ века) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

View more books by Du Maurier.

Image credit:

Classic Wooden Book Bookends Library W/ Hidden Drawers

Book Recommendation : Women in History : Razia Sultana of India (Reblog)

EXCERPT:  " ...Razia ascended the throne of Delhi at the age of 31. During her four-year reign from 1236, silver coins issued in her name bore her official title "Jalauddin" but she referred to herself as "lmadatun Niwan", which meant the Great Woman. Razia Sultana dressed like a man and rode an elephant through Delhi with her face unveiled....

Legends surrounding Razia have made her popular in Indian culture; the 1983 Urdu film Razia Sultan is a fictionalized account of her life, as is Rafiq Zakaria's novel, Razia: Queen "

Women Who Ruled: Razia Sultana of India 

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

**COMMENT: If you want to learn about women in history, this is the best blog ever!! Not only is it visually attractive and appealing, but the posts - so informative, intriguing and fascinating - will never disappoint you.

Book below not mentioned at the blog post, but suggested if interested in other women like Razia, the Queen of India.  It's a picture book suggested for ages 5 and up.  I'm older than 5 which puts me in the "and up" group of readers.  Picture books are wonderful quick reads and are just like a primer on a particular topic.  They usually have great illustrations and the non-fiction books present the info like a quick summary.  It whets your appetite and if you choose to do further research, you can search for books in the Juvenile/Young Adults section of the library for a more mature advanced reading level.
 

Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World

 

Book Review: THE DEPOSIT SLIP (Reblog)

Reblogging. Excellent book review by Cynthia Rodrigues Manchekar, a member of the Authentic Blogger Group on Facebook. One of my friends is a die-hard John Grisham fan and her one-liner summary review for this particular book was a hook! She described it as: “A courtroom drama that just might depose John Grisham .” Had to know more!

This is debut novel for author Todd Johnson. Here is a striking statement from her review that peaks your interest: “... Todd has shown enough talent here to depose John Grisham as the reigning king of courtroom dramas. … Because Todd is a Christian author, there's more to The Deposit Slip than the pursuit of justice alone. There is also the need for forgiveness and reconciliation ...”


Love courtroom drama? 
Then this should be an addition to your reading list.

Book Review: THE DEPOSIT SLIP | A few drops of ink

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John Grisham - on the Screen

Here are scenes from various movies adapted from a Grisham book. Do you recognize the film?

Introduction to Classical Music ~ Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Tchaikovsky

Many of the famous classical music composers that we know of – Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky - are no longer with us.

Portrait Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Popular singers, songwriters and musicians like the late Nina Simone, the late Michael Jackson, Sir Paul McCartney, and Alicia Keys have all said they draw inspiration from or have been greatly influenced by these composers. 

The above is regarded by historians as the most accurate surviving likeness of Mozart, painted when the composer was 26 years old. It is a section of an unfinished 1782 portrait by Joseph Lange. The splotchy texture of the composer's cheeks, visible in the original painting on display at the Mozart Museum in Salzburg, was verified by Mozart's contemporaries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You heard that most music stores owners are tempted to put their classical music selections in a small room at the back of the store; however, it was just a bit of humor. The least we can do is display their masterful works – whether on the store shelves or in your home music library - in plain view so that their memory of these gifted musicians will live on.

Johann Sebastian Bach (aged 61) in a portrait by Elias Gottlob Haussmann, Copy or second Version of his 1746 Canvas, private ownership of William H. Scheide, Princeton, New Jersey, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thinking about experimenting and expanding your musical taste?

You want to listen to classical music, but you don't know where to begin?

Start here.

Classical Music for Beginners

The Health Benefits of Classical Music

There is no doubt that there are benefits to be found in many different genres of music. It can often seem to help when nothing else is able to change our mood or motivate us. For thousands of years, humans have been intrinsically linked to music in all its forms. It is part of our mourning, our celebrations, and our rituals.