Reading Goals for 2025 - Book #1

 52 books in 2025

 

This year my goal is to read 52 books. That would be one book a week. I am a little behind on the goal so I will need to spend more time this week catching up on my reading.

The first book of the new year is one that my cousin recommended to me. It is entitled The Hotton Report (McDonald, Robert 2006). This book discusses the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge which took place during WWII from Dec. 16th, 1944 to January 25th, 1945. It is of special interest to me because my father, Clifford Mize, was involved in that battle. I am reading this book with the hopes of understanding what my father endured during his service in the 3rd Armored Division of the US Army.

                               Clifford Mize

What are you reading now? I am looking for suggestions for the rest of the year. Happy Reading!!

 

 

1907 Cedartown High School Football Team - Cedartown, GA

This photo shows the Cedartown High School Football Team (1907). My grandfather, Harold Charles Hutchens was a running back on that team. He is on the top row, second from left. According to the family stories, he actually lived in Tallapossa but attended Cedartown High School because Tallapossa did not have a football team. He rode a bus from Tallapoosa to Cedartown every day so that he could play football. He later attended the University of Georgia where he played baseball. He graduated from UGA with a law degree and served in the Army during the First World War. 

As I look at this photo I wonder what became of the other men who are in this photo.

John Wallace - 47th Regiment Ohio Infantry - Civil War

 

Capt. John Wallace, Company D 47th Regiment Ohio Infantry

For more information on the 47th Ohio Infantry check out this site. 

Women Who Made a Difference: Gina Martin and Debbie Johnson

 

Can one person really make a difference?

 

Absolutely.

 

Gina Martin: They told me to change my clothes, I CHANGED the law instead.

 

Thanks to Debbie Johnson, the late council member from Port Wentworth, GA, the law in Georgia was changed in 2017 to make upskirting a crime. 

 

Here is Governor Deal signing the law in 2017.

 

Esquire Magazine's List of 30 Best Celebrity Memoirs

 In my search of books to read this year I came across this fascinating list.  I love a good celebrity memoir. In fact, I just ordered a copy of Living on a Thin Line by Dave Davies which is scheduled to be released in the US next week.  

In my search of books to read I came across this fascinating list.  Looking forward to checking some of these out staring with the one by Steve Martin.

 

Esquire Magazine's List of 30 Best Celebrity Memoirs

*Just a note I am not affiliated with any of the companies that I link to in this blog.  I personally like to support my local independent book store, Avid Bookshop.

Happy New Year 2023

 I do apologize for my inability to keep this blog going in 2022. It has been a difficult year for me physically and emotionally. Long story short I had health issues in the spring aggravated by stress. This led to the amputation of my left foot. My journey back to good health and my learning to walk again was a surprisingly rewarding although difficult one. 

So with a challenging year behind me I am looking forward to an awesome 2023. My wish is that you all have a safe, healthy and joy filled year.

One of my goals for 2023 is to read 50 books. I would love suggestions!  What are you reading? 

I will post my books as I am reading them and include a link to either the publisher in the case of The University of Georgia Press or my favorite bookstore, Avid Bookshop located here in Athens, GA.  I am not affiliated with either group nor do I receive any compensation for the links. These are just the two places where I choose to purchase my books.

Book #1:  We Shall Not Be Moved - The Desegregation of The University of Georgia by Robert A. Pratt

Available from The Georgia Press. Link here. 

 HAPPY READING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Music to get through the day

Tom Jones & Rhiannon Giddens perform St. James Infirmary Blues for Jools' Annual Hootenanny 2015/16.  Brilliant

Rhiannon Giddens preforms Wayfaring Stranger on the BBC Northern Ireland program also conveniently called Wayfaring Stranger.

Have you heard of Stan Rogers??

I have been listening to a lot of familiar songs during this pandemic.  It makes my heart feel better to hear songs like the ones I will share with you.  First up Stan Rogers.

Stan Rogers was a brilliant Canadian folk singer and songwriter.  His voice was beautiful and his songs were inspirational.  He was killed at the age of 33 in a fire aboard an airplane at the Cincinnati Airport. 

The Mary Ellen Carter:

 

 

Barrett's Privateers - my favorite!!

 

 

The First Cat Video

 My brother just sent me a link to the first cat video.  "The Sick Kitten" was filmed in 1901.  This is precious. Enjoy!

Determining the 10 Best Silent Films of All Time

Here is a good article to help you start your viewing of silent films:

https://filmschoolrejects.com/silent-film-era-30-films-to-watch/

Books set in Georgia

When most people think of books set in Georgia they think of Gone with the Wind.  Not discounting Margaret Mitchell but there are so many other great books set in Georgia. 

Here is a short list of my recommendations:

1) Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
2) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
3) The Color Purple by Alice Walker
4) To Dance with the White Dog by Terry Kay (my favorite)
5) Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray

What book would you recommend?

Hilton Head Vacation

Afternoon at the beach

Sunset

Gathering at the water hole

Reflections

Patterns in the sand

This week's tunes - Hits from 1972

On Sunday mornings one of our local radio stations, Bulldog 93.3, airs Casey Kasem's countdowns from the '70s.  It's a lot of fun listening to some of the songs from my childhood.  So this week's tunes will feature some of the songs that made me smile.

NUMBER 3

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) by Looking Glass

NUMBER 2

Garden Party by Rick Nelson

NUMBER 1 - MY FAVORITE SONG FROM 1972

City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie

Five things for January

What I am watching:  Bravo's Dirty John.
I highly recommend Dirty John.  It is amazing. Eric Bana and Connie Britton are brilliant. I will say no more so insure I don't spoil anything for you.  Really, check it out!

What I am reading:  Full Court Press 
Full Court Press written by Bill Haltom and Amanda Swanson is the story of the Title IX lawsuit that changed women's basketball in Tennessee. If you love basketball this is the book for you! Check it out at your local library or your local (hopefully independent) bookstore.

What I am enjoying in Music: Motion Sickness of Time Travel
I love ambient music. If you are not familiar with the term ambient music, Wikipedia describes it as "a genre of music that emphasises (sic) tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm." 

Brian Eno is credited with coining the phrase "ambient music."  My favorite artist is Rachel Evans who goes by the moniker of Motion Sickness of Time Travel.  Rachel's music helps me to relax. I also like having it in the background as I am working.

What restaurant I enjoyed this week: Taste of India, Athens, GA
Taste of India has just moved to the eastside of town from downtown.  I am so bummed because it was one of my go-to places for lunch.  Their new location is smaller so the lunch buffet is no more.  Saturday, my brother and I made a special point to enjoy lunch this week.  The lunch menu is limited but delicious. However, I do miss the Butter Chicken which was my main choice on the buffet.  Oh well, looks like I will be putting that on my list of "need to learn how to cook."

What is my current goal:  Getting Organized
Everyone is watching Tidying up with Marie Kondo. It's a cute show. However, I have discovered Alejandra and I really love her videos. So I am working on organizing my office.  I will share the before photos in the next post.  No goal is complete without an end date.  So my end date for organizing my office is March 1st.



 
 

Serenade your soul: Doc Watson

My favorite song from one of my all-time favorite performers. Thank you Doc Watson for sharing your talent with us!

This video also features Doc's son Merle Watson and T. Michael Coleman.  My big brother Mike took my little brother and me to see this trio at the legendary Moonshadow Saloon in Atlanta.

When Words Fail # 2 - Kris Kristofferson - Why Me Lord

Kris Kristofferson - One of the most powerful songs I have ever heard.

When Words Fail - #1 John Denver - I Want to Live

Here is the first in my list of songs that have motivated me and comforted me.  I list them in no particular order.

Today, John Denver - I Want to Live

 

PBS - The Great American Read

The Great American Read - PBS

PBS has a list of what they consider America’s 100 most-loved books.  I am attempting to read these books by the end of the year.

First is my all time favorite story:  Anne of Green Gables.

 

 

 

Stay tuned for the next one!

Moina Michael's First Poppy

Moina Michael, the Poppy Lady is the originator of the idea of using the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for our fallen servicemen in World War II.  In November 1918 Ms. Michael was inspired by John McCrae's poem, In Flanders Field to her poem, We Shall Keep the Faith. She also went to Wanamaker's Department store and purchases several poppies. She vowed to wear a poppy in remembrance. She campaigned not only to have the poppy adopted as the symbol of remembrance but also for the sale of poppies to support returning disabled veterans. as a result of Ms. Moina's efforts the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1921.

This is one of the original poppies. It is now on exhibit at the University of Georgia Special Collections Library in Athens, Georgia.  

To learn more about Moina Michael check out the Moina Michael Poppy Project. 

We Shall Keep the Faith

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,

Sleep sweet - to rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields

 

                                                                                                                      

Wings - First Film to Win an Academy Award

Starring Clara Bow, Jobyna Ralston, Richard Arlen and Charles "Buddy" Rogers

I highly recommend this film to anyone who is interested in early cinema, WWI, and airplanes.  This long film (2 hrs. 21 min.) tells the story of two friends who are in love with the same woman. The men become fighter pilots in World War I. While some may be disappointed in the story line remember this film was made in 1927 and copied many times over.  The dogfight sequences are spectacular even by today's computer generated standards.

 

 

Buddy Rogers, Clara Bow, and Richard Arlen