The Declaration of Independence, or the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, was adopted on this day in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And so, today we celebrate …
At the end of last week, a harmonic convergence brought together a chance to see one of my favorite writers and to hang out with some dear friends from high school.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) was born on this day in 1904 (died 1991)
I’m going places.
No, seriously. One of my three words for 2023 is play, and that’s what I’m planning to do.
As of this writing, I have no less than six road trips planned for 2023…all before Labor Day. Some are overnight, but at least one is a two-week plus trip with my best friend from college.
We’re planning what I have labeled an Old Man Bucket List Road Trip and heading off to see the Grand Canyon in August. I was there nearly forty-five years ago and vowed to come back and hike. That never happened and at my age and extended size, it’s not happening now. But we plan to camp around the rim, gum our camp food, and drive our electric scooters up to the edge for a view.
Or something like that.
So, yeah, I’m going places.
Don’t get me wrong. I know plans can change. But one of my other three words was prepare. So, I’m preparing for big things.
You know I’ll write about them here.
THINGS WORTH READING
Warner Bros. announces new Lord of the Rings movies are coming Entertainment Weekly
Warner Bros. Pictures announced Thursday that it has signed a multiyear agreement with Swedish media company Embracer Group to produce more films based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
“Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe?
‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
According to my weather app as I’m writing this, March really isn’t roaring in.
But speaking of roaring.
On this day in 1917, The Zimmermann Telegram is reprinted in newspapers across the United States. In January, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, Heinrich von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause.
This message helped draw the United States into the war and thus changed the course of history. [National Archives]
On April 6, 1917, Congress voted to declare war on Germany.
A month later, my grandfather, Reese Russell, was called to serve. He kept a diary which my Aunt transcribed and I turned into a stage play Clean Dry Socks: Diary of a Doughboy.
The play was produced by River City Community Playersin 2018. The script is available on Amazon and can be performed through special arrangement with the author (me).
This post resonated.
15 Tips for Starting Your Writing Career Later in Life
Rick Bleiweiss in Writer’s Digest As a senior, you’re probably past where you need writing to be your vocation, so enjoy the process of writing. Don’t make it drudgery—make it fun, and enjoy the characters and environments you create if it’s fiction.
For a while I pictured myself as a freelance blogger making the big bucks. Then it was a novelist. True some of those things, well not the big bucks, may still happen. It wasn’t until last year that I found the harmony between my love of writing and my love of drawing. After years of asking “what to write?” “what to draw?” I’ve found that link. And I think that niche.
More time to read.
I’m making a real effort to read more this year. Stephen King, and others have often said if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write. I splurged this year and bought the Audible subscription. I’m about halfway through my third audio book for the year. I’ve read a couple of other short books, and I’m working my way through at least two more.
I’m always looking for reading suggestions, so I checked out this list.
I’ve read exactly two books on this list. I have work to do.
But while I’m not reading…
When I’m working on art projects, I like to binge watch television. I’m currently almost through a re-watch of Star Trek: Enterprise.
Earlier in the year I watched 1883, then all four and a half seasons of Yellowstone and I just realized yesterday that I finished the first season of 1923 with a cliffhanger. If and when 1923 and Yellowstone come back, I’ll watch. But I’m a little tired of the angst.
I’m feeling much the same about Picard.
Fortunately, The Mandalorian is back today.
Somewhere along the way I need to find a comedy where even the crisis isn’t all that bad.
RANDOM THINGS WORTH READING
10 myths told by COVID experts — and now debunked New York Post
In the final analysis, public health officials actively propagated misinformation that ruined lives and forever damaged public trust in the medical profession.
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I’m going places.
in August. I was there nearly forty-five years ago and vowed to come back and hike. That never happened and at my age and extended size, it’s not happening now. But we plan to camp around the rim, gum our camp food, and drive our electric scooters up to the edge for a view.
According to my weather app as I’m writing this, March really isn’t roaring in.
Heinrich von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause.
A month later, my grandfather, Reese Russell, was called to serve. He kept a diary which my Aunt transcribed and I turned into a stage play Clean Dry Socks: Diary of a Doughboy.
those things, well not the big bucks, may still happen. It wasn’t until last year that I found the harmony between my love of writing and my love of drawing. After years of asking “what to write?” “what to draw?” I’ve found that link. And I think that niche.
