A Good New Year's Resolution

If you make only one resolution, this could be it! via

Two Films about Stephen Hawking for You to Watch Online

Click here if you can't see the video below.

I watched it several days ago and loved it. At first I thought it would be too painful to watch and I clicked it off the first time. Then I decided to try again and I'm so glad I did. 

This is his own personal story told in his own words. The thing I liked best was the personal photos and movies from the time he was born. It covered his life at Cambridge and his marriage and family life with Jane Wilde and their children.

Watch it full screen on your computer or mobile device. This movie is 1 hour 28 minutes long. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS when he was 20 years old and he's been living with the threat of an imminent death for the past 52 years. His will to live is unbelievable as you will soon see if you decide to watch. This is real life. No actors. This is his story and this movie is very current, filmed in 2013 when he was 71 years old. He still goes to work every day as a Professor at Cambridge in a position once held by Isaac Newton.

The movie that is either out now or about to be released The Theory of Everything starring Eddie Redmayne is based on a book that was written by Stephen Hawking's first wife. It was published in 2008 and is out of print. This is a hardcover book to look for at garage sales, book sales, and estate sales. Hardcover first editions are selling for around $1,000.00 -- see listing on Amazon. It's also available as an e-book.

The BBC made a movie about Stephen in 2004 starring Benedict Cumberbatch. I watched it too AFTER watching the one above. I suggest you watch them in that order too. The BBC film fills in all the gaps about his education at Cambridge preceding his marriage to Jane. It's fabulous as you can well imagine. Benedict Cumberbatch never disappoints!

This film is offered on YouTube in 6 parts. As each episode ends, you will be prompted to start the next one. It was very seamless. I know you can do it.

Let me know if you watch either or both movies. You know I wouldn't recommend anything I didn't enjoy myself.

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R !
xo

Happy New Year's Eve

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This is my favorite animated gif ever and I shall post it every year. The link above is to my last year's post. I went to the movies today to see The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and it was wonderful. I'm so glad I watched both seasons of The Bletchley Circle on PBS and was already familiar with Bletchley Park. Put it on your list of "must see" movies for 2015. See you next year. xo

Happy New Year 2015

I had to make a return at a small store today. The clerk wished me a Happy New Year and then she said, "The days are long but the years fly by." I haven't heard that one before but somehow it rings true.

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The Year of the Horse

The bookcase and horse painting are mine.

I didn't realize I was born in the year of the horse. Were you? Check here. I haven't finished reading the fascinating article....scroll down for the chart to find out your animal sign.

Here is the Waterlogue App watercolor version of the above photo. I am still loving this amazing app for my iPhone. Did you download it yet? Have a great weekend.

A Vintage New Year's Greeting

The sentiment on this vintage card still works. Wishing you all good things.

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January 1, 2014

Happy New Year everyone from my cottage to yours. Mine is off to a good start with everything neat and tidy hoping to be able to maintain this all year long. It seems to take every fiber of my being to "keep house" as it is not my strong suit. It's really not that hard if you put things away as you use them but I have a tendency towards messiness. They say it takes 28 days to start a habit so we'll see how January goes. I already have one new habit that is a healthy one. I started eating a raw green salad everyday back in November and have successfully carried it through December. Sometimes I wilt the greens and eat them hot. I am also eating grated raw beets and loving them. After all, your health is your wealth. Those are my New Year's resolutions -- be neater and eat healthy. Good luck with yours. I liked the two vintage postcards shown above found on Google Images. xo

Happy New Year 2014

I love a good fireworks display, don't you? I posted this exploding ball on July 4th and it's perfect for New Year's Eve too. Have a lovely last night of 2013.

The Morning of New Year's Eve

I went food shopping yesterday after I cleaned out my refrigerator and forgot to buy black-eyed peas to eat on New Year's Day with cornbread and greens. Do you have a tradition of eating anything special on the first day of the year? My meal is very Southern - history here.

The Year of The Snake - 2013

Better late than never. Chinese New Year was February 10 so I'm almost a month late. This one-stroke watercolor brushwork is fascinating. Click here if you can't see my embedded video. 

I woke up with this.

Dogs were barking and a cat was meowing but I really didn't want to leave my warm nest this morning. It was so cozy. I hope I'm not entering the New Year on the wrong foot. Everybody has been walked and fed and I have my coffee, so all's right with the world. Happy 2013! via

Welcoming 2013

Can't think of anything you want to change next year? Try the New Year's Resolution Generator.

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and may each New Year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin

Baby New Year by Jessie Willcox Smith

How adorable! I've never seen this circa 1910 image of Baby New Year sitting in a black doctor's bag.  via

New Year's Resolution Generator

You can't believe how many times I forget to do this. Go to the New Years Resolution Generator and see what hits home for you.

My New Year's Wish for Everyone in 2012

Health, Peace, and Sweet Content Be Yours. Shakespeare
I scanned this image from one of my antiquarian books and sent it as my Christmas Card several years ago. It is still my favorite. I think it works beautiful as a New Year's Card too.
Click to enlarge.

Pair of Cardinals in the Snow

Is there anything lovelier than a pair of cardinals on a snowy fence? I think not. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend before starting the new decade.

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Baby New Year circa 1937

Vintage magazine cover from The Saturday Evening Post via Mark P. Baby New Year is so much more uplifting that Father Time, right? We are all brand new today.

Wow !! I just looked at the date of this post and it's 1/1/11. What do the numerologists have to say about that? I think I'll schedule it to go live at 11:11 am. Might as well go all the way with the numeral 1.

I think this is a sign that 2011 is going to be ONEderful !!

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Keep Calm in 2011

Keep Calm in 2011

Will your animals be scared or calm?
Hiding under the bed or looking out the window?

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Fonts to Celebrate the New Year

May your new year be filled with beautiful fonts and alphabets.

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Children at Midnight on New Year's Eve

Will your children and grandchildren be allowed to stay up to ring in the New Year?



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