In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue–Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For […]

Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt My rating: 2 of 5 stars Well, this book was a bit of a disappointment to me. I actually chose it for my “fun read,” and I regretted that choice once I began reading it. I am so glad I was not ever asked to review this. The author may be a […]

I am very happy to report that I finished the blog challenge!  So much better than when I tried to do it before on my old blog.  This blog is still very new, and I have reached my 3-month goal a little bit early thanks to this challenge and other factors. When I began this challenge at the beginning of […]

Disney is the name when it comes to animation.  On this date in 1932, Trees and Flowers (you can watch it above) was released as the first cartoon in color, and later, the first animated short to receive an Academy Award.  Technicolor was the first developed by Herbert Thomas Kalmus, and he partnered with Disney on this project. For more […]

I honestly never seem to grow tired of learning about the Tudors in English history.  And I think their popularity does seem to last throughout the ages.  On this date in 1565, widowed Mary, Queen of Scots, married her second cousin, Lord Darnley Henry Stuart.  If you know anything of her tumultuous reign, suspicions of murder, rumored affair, treasonous accusations, […]

For anyone who has known me for a while, it might come as a shock to realize there was a point in my life where I was obese.  At my heaviest, I was 205 pounds (10 pounds less than when I was pregnant).  I have struggled with weight almost my entire life.  My first diet was Weight Watchers when I […]

I remember this White House scandal even if many have chosen to forget it.  I will be honest.  While President Clinton did some wonderful things for this country, I was never a fan, and I never voted for him.  On this date in 1998, Monica Lewinsky (his paramour) was granted immunity so that she could testify to her relationship with […]

I have always been somewhat of fan of Alexander Hamilton (even though he was killed in a duel–not his most brilliant moment) mainly because of his political and financial views.  I sometimes wish he were still here with us so he could solve today’s crises.  On this date in 1788, Alexander Hamilton said the following words at the New York […]

First of all, the date does not seem to be questionable for today’s feature.  Most sites say July 25, but according to Find a Grave, it is the 26th (and there is a picture to back it up).  So I’m not really sure, but I’m going with the 25th even if it’s wrong. On this date in 1865, Dr. James […]

When I began blogging, my focus was just to get people to follow me and read what I was writing.  It seemed like an insurmountable task as I watched people follow me and comment.  Getting any kind of comment virtually made my day. Once I really began to focus on who I was as a blogger and truly understand my […]