Welcome to My Blog Stop!, a freestyle home business and personal blog, curating advice, tips, and information for work at home professionals; and blogging about general subjects of interest, art, entertainment, views and opinions, society and culture, etc. This website complements and supplements multiple WAHM projects grouped together as Cmoneyspinner's Home Business Projects on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!
"Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with."
That's my takeaway quote from the 1975 film "Mahogany".
Agree or disagree?
There was once a time when Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams were an "item"; for movie couples, that is. They had great onscreen chemistry but never a real-life romance.
They had a romantic relationship in the film Mahogany (1975). A movie that is memorable for its really nice theme song and great fashion; especially that Bob Mackie rainbow dress Ms. Ross wore in one of the scenes. When it comes to fashion, beauty, and style though, in real life, Ms. Ross was and still is one of the best-dressed women in the entertainment business; onscreen and off. Click through to view a fabulous gown she's wearing in the video for this September 2014 article:
Nothing much to say about this motion picture that you can't look up on Wikipedia. That quote about success struck a chord with me though. That's it! That's my movie review.
Must say good-bye to "America's girl next door" and Hollywood legend, Doris Day. She had a major influence on my childhood development. She charmed me. That was her appeal. I think she charmed everyone; publicly and privately. I loved all of her movies. No really. There is not one movie she starred in that I did not like.
For me, the most memorable movie was the one where she sang "Que sera, sera" and she had to land that airplane: The Man Who Knew Too Much. It was a departure from her usually light-hearted comedy roles. That movie was very serious and she played her part quite convincingly. I have wonderful memories of this fine actress. She wasn't included in My Top 10 List of Iconic Female Celebrities' even though she suits the definition for "iconic". It's because she deserves a spotlight all her own.
Doris Day never stopped being cover bait for CLOSER. (These are all from the past three years.) pic.twitter.com/uA2DNUnCbV
Bob Marley is a personality that many people like to write about, including yours truly. There are many things about his lifestyle I did not agree with, but there are lots of things about his music that I like, such as the fact that some, if not most of his song lyrics were based on scriptures.
Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, guitarist, and activist who was a pioneer of reggae music. His music blended elements of ska, rocksteady, and reggae with American soul harmonies, and he became known for his distinctive vocal style and spiritual lyrics. Marley's music increased the visibility of Jamaican music around the world, making him the first international superstar from the Third World and selling more than 20 million records. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and won a Grammy Award.
Marley was born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945 in Nine Miles, St. Ann, Jamaica and died on May 11, 1981 in Miami, Florida at the age of 36 from acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). He became a Rastafarian icon and a symbol of peace and unity. In 1957, he moved to Kingston with his mother and formed the group the Wailers with Neville (Bunny Wailer) Livingston, Peter Tosh, Beverley Kelso, and Junior Braithwaite.
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Hsu, Hua. “Manufacturing Bob Marley.” The New Yorker. The New Yorker, July 17, 2017. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/24/manufacturing-bob-marley.
“Tragic Death of Bob Marley from Toe-Nail Melanoma | Dr. Michael Steppie,” 2024. https://www.dermorlando.com/blog/tragic-death-of-bob-marley-from-toe-nail-melanoma#:~:text=Prior%20to%20his%20diagnosis%20of%20skin%20cancer...&text=Unfortunately%2C%20a%20dark%20lesion%20under,acral%20lentiginous%20melanoma%20(ALM)..
In the United States of America, we officially recognize and observe the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday of January every year. Many people all around the world are familiar with the non-violent protests and related efforts spearheaded by this activist which ultimately resulted in the passing of the Civil Rights Act. It was a tragic day in America when he was cut down by an assassin’s bullet. To celebrate his birthday and honor his memory, I am sharing a statement he made that has taken root in my psyche. It inspires me to be fearless and dream the dream he dreamed.
Found this in my Facebook memories from three years ago. So worth remembering and re-sharing. Oh the treasure we find in a public library. There are treasures to be found even online. 😍
♦♦♦♦ Also, January 4 is National Trivia Day 2017 in the USA. Got any trivia you would like to share? I shared this fascinating fact FOUR years ago on Facebook.
ENIACIn 1942, physicist John Mauchly proposed an all-electronic calculating machine. The U.S. Army, meanwhile, needed to calculate complex wartime ballistics tables. Proposal met patron.The result was ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer), built between 1943 and 1945-the first large-scale computer to run at electronic speed without being slowed by any mechanical parts.
♦♦♦ In case you don't have any trivia to share, here's a couple of links. Enjoy!
Hi!
Have you ever thought about becoming a writer? Any kind of writer? Book writer. Poetry. Articles. Blogger. Sharing a few inspirational quotes by female writers who have inspired me.
Other writers thought about becoming a writer, before they decided. Something got them started. When they were well on their way, something kept them going. “When I was about eight, I decided that the most wonderful thing, next to a human being, was a book.” ― Margaret Walker (1915 – 1998) (Dr. Margaret Abigail Walker Alexander) http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/9660.Margaret_Walker “I am a writer perhaps because I am not a talker.” ― Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 – 2000) http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25128.Gwendolyn_Brooks “I speak to the black experience, but I am always talking about the human condition — about what we can endure, dream, fail at, and still survive.” ― Maya Angelou (1928 – ) http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/quotes/a/qu_maya_angelou.htm “You might as well answer the door, my child, the truth is furiously knocking.” ― Lucille Clifton, Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980 “I don’t write out of what I know; I write out of what I wonder. […] Poetry and art are not about answers to me; they are about questions.” ― Lucille Clifton (1936 – ) http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/183177.Lucille_Clifton “Going to the library was the one place we got to go without asking for permission. And they let us choose what we wanted to read. It was a feeling of having a book be mine entirely.” ― Rita Frances Dove (1952 – ) http://linguaspectrum.com/quotations/by_author_english.php?quoteoftheday_author=Rita%20Dove
“Revenge it's a kiss, this time I won't miss, now I've got you in my sight.”
( Lyrics from “GoldenEye” - http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/tinaturner/goldeneye.html ) I love me some Tina Turner. Her being picked to sing a James Bond theme song? So worthy to be chosen to become a member of the same club as Dame Shirley Bassey. She performed this song well, but alas … Revenge is not a part of my worry-free philosophy.
The advice in the image above (found at glitter-graphics.com) says: “Never go to bed angry. Stay up and plot your revenge.” Eh! That's great for a joke! But not a route one should take in real life. ♦ Never go to bed angry. Anger is an emotion that you can fully control. CONTROL IT!! Anger, more often than not, makes you do things you regret for a long long long time. Say what? Jesus got angry with the money changers in the temple? Yeah well, you're still trying to get to heaven. Don't screw up your chances! Jesus is already there! He can lock the gates!! ☺
Also, don't give me that crap about anger management or you'll make me angry!!☺
♦ Stay up and ... Stay up? WHAT???!!! I get precious little sleep as it is!! You want me to choose between beauty rest versus wrinkles, extra gray hair, and bloodshot eyes? What are my other options?
♦ Plot my revenge? Plotting is needed when writing a book or a script for a movie. If I have that kind of time to spare and can spend it on plotting, might as well write a book. Why not? I'm wide awake anyway!! You never know. Could be another Harry Potter series. So the bottom line is: Revenge is _______________. In my life, it's a blank and I'm never going to fill it in. Like to read more of my worry-free philosophy? Click this link: My Worry Free Philosophy You have my assurances that none of the quips and quotes were borrowed from Erma Bombeck. IN MEMORY OF: Erma Bombeck (1927 – 1996) Ms. Bombeck is a beloved American humorist. She was noted for using the vehicle of comedy to aptly and succinctly express practical wisdom and advice encapsulated in witty, terse, hilarious statements.
Quotes found at Thoughtful Mind that may provide a peek into this gentle lady’s true nature:
“Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart.”
“Superstition is only the fear of belief, while religion is the confidence.”
If you like to collect quotes or short biographical notes about women throughout history in various walks of life, please add this post to your collection.
Margaret, Countess of Blessington (1789 – 1849); Artist: Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1830); Wikimedia Commons
Marguerite (Power) Gardiner, Countess of Blessington was an Irish novelist. A woman of high society, she was well known, particularly among literary circles as she had a literary salon at Gore House, Kensington. One might think from the portrait she led a protected and cherished life, but a quick review of a few biographical facts will reveal much that can not be seen just looking at pretty face. Deemed a woman of “rare beauty, generosity, and wit”, she wrote essays and sketches of London life. She and the Romantic English poet, Lord Byron, appear to have been very close friends. Her husband introduced them. She wrote a book about their conversations. There was at least the “appearance” of a friendship, however, some say she lived in her own world of make-believe when it came to their relationship.
To know more about the Countess here are a few suggested bio links:
Many people enjoy Shakespeare more than his sonnets or his plays. These 3 quotes are very profound.
Have you often wondered if Shakespeare's pen was sharpened by his own personal life experiences or if he was just a guy who was gifted with an extraordinary writing style; was extremely witty, and just had a way with words? Most of the quotes come from plays or poems but they're not just words on a piece of paper. They do have real-life applications for all of us.
❤ 1. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
I think we all agree that this is easier said than done.
Love all? That's insane! When it comes to love, humans are very selective. That would not be so bad if when we made the choice not to love, we simply remained neutral. But many choose to hate instead. However, truth be told, if each person was told that they only had two arbitrary choices in this life - Love All or Hate All – would we not all choose love? Of course! (Unless you're a spawn of Satan. :lol: )
Trust a few? We are born pure, innocent and carefree souls. Then … life happened! If we are fortunate in life, we learned at an early age “the few” who can be trusted. But for some, lack of trust is their defense mechanism. They suspect everybody and everyone is automatically deemed untrustworthy until those people can prove otherwise. Most of the time people like this have been hurt badly by others they did trust and consequently, nobody will ever get the chance to cause them pain again. The self-defense reaction is normal. But know this. Life will be a very heavy burden if you have absolutely no other human being that you can trust.
Do wrong to none? None? You mean NOBODY? But what if ____________? Everybody has something that goes in that blank. EVERYBODY!! And for many people, their justification is always that wrong was done to them first. But in the end, one can not disagree with the wise words of Master Shakespeare. His advice simply stated is just math. “Two wrongs don't make it right.”
❤ 2. “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
Who knows you better than you know yourself? Even the people you love and hold dear, who you trust the most and would give your heart to, don't know you better than you know yourself. If you lie to yourself and deceive yourself, without me being a mental health professional, I can predict that you're headed for a mental breakdown. Lying is a bad thing to do. Lying to yourself is the worst thing you could ever do! It will lead to delusion. Delusion is defined as an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of a mental disorder.
❤ 3. “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
This was the first Shakespearean quote that I was required to memorize and I have never forgotten it. If you never hear another quote or read anything else written by William Shakespeare, read these words, keep them in your heart, and embrace every opportunity you get to show mercy. You, the giver, and the one who receives from you, i.e. the taker, will both be blessed.
This is what I call a quote-worthy re-quote. It's something a person says that you're more than happy to quote over and over and over again.
Private library of Frans and Gertrude Blom in Casa Na Bolom. Français :
Bibliothèque personnelle de Frans et Gertrude Blom à Na Bolom. (Photo
credit: Wikipedia)
Several years back we relocated from Texas to Maryland. It was a job transfer. For a few months, we lived in temporary quarters. I found a classified ad in a Texas newspaper that led me to a women-owned business. They rented out temporary housing. We were set up in a lovely home in Bethesda, Maryland and what was awesome about this house was that it had a private library. My dream home would definitely have to have a library. But what kind of books would be on the shelves? For sure there would definitely be books about the Renaissance. FYI. We were in Maryland from 1988 to 1995 and then we moved back to Texas. The cost of living is much more reasonable and you seldom have to shovel snow! My home does not have a library. But that's OK. We have Internet access. ☺ I still dream about having a home with my own library though.
Are you a Renaissance enthusiast? Build Your Own Private Renaissance Library. It'll be Great Reading!
A #Renaissance man has wide knowledge in many fields and can educate and inform others. ~ https://t.co/QqhbFtiPsK ~ Based on that definition you should be able to objectively answer the question: Are You a Renaissance Man? ❓ pic.twitter.com/OKxze6IQZR
Harry Belafonte passed away, on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96. He left an indelible mark in the history and the heart of America.
“I think America offers a dream that cannot be fulfilled as easily anywhere else in the world as it could be fulfilled here. …” ~ Harry Belafonte
If you were preparing a list of iconic and legendary American entertainers, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
If you were making a list of notable civil rights activists in America, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
If you were making a list of humanitarians worthy of double honor for their good works, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. known to the world as Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian. Date of Birth March 1, 1927 — Date of Death April 25, 2023. Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.
Americans from my generation (50s, 60s, and 70s) know Harry Belafonte. We know the lyrics to the Banana Boat and Matilda songs, backward and forward. Several years back (1997) there was a special program on television — “An Evening With Harry Belafonte & Friends” — where he sang many songs accompanied by fabulous singers and musicians. He performed Banana Boat and Matilda. I’m sure he knew that if he had not sung those songs, the audience would have been very disappointed.
Mr. Belafonte is known for his singing, and also for the memorable roles he has played in several films like “Carmen Jones” (1954), and “Island in the Sun” (1957). He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.
In addition to knowing him as an extremely talented triple threat, i.e. he can sing, dance and act — we also know him to be a civil rights activist and a humanitarian, involved in many good works.
Giving honor where honor is due, one person referred to Mr. Belafonte as “living history”. While he was alive, you did not have to read historical events in a book because you could just talk to him since he was alive during the time and actively participated in history-making.
Mr. Belafonte has passed from living to legend now. He was almost a centenarian; age 96.
“If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” ~ Harry Belafonte
IN MEMORY OF: Harry Belafonte (1927–2023)
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I hope that his amazing talent, his fight for human rights, and his selfless charitable acts will be appreciated and remembered by Americans for generations to come.
. A movie that is memorable for its really nice theme song and great fashion; especially that Bob Mackie rainbow dress Ms. Ross wore in one of the scenes. When it comes to fashion, beauty, and style though, in real life, Ms. Ross was and still is one of the best-dressed women in the entertainment business; onscreen and off. Click through to view a fabulous gown she's wearing in the video for this September 2014 article:
