Wednesday, July 31, 2013

President Barack Obama The Kindle Singles Interview by David Blum

While looking at books on Amazon, I just happened to see an advertisement about David Blum's interview with President Barack Obama. From the beginning to the end the interview is very interesting. President Obama has the gift of writing and talking in a simple form so all Americans can understand him. I did look up a couple of words for definitions. This didn't take away the simplicity of the points he made during the interview. He seems to always have the American people in the forefront of his mind. Therefore, the interview is about increasing jobs in different communities, the importance of change in our world due to technology and the push and pull tension of American politics. I laughed when he said people who have experienced making travel plans on the internet are not going to go back to traveling to see their local travel agent.

I especially like how he and the First Lady always remember the military in whatever situation they find themselves. We are reminded of the big sacrifice our soldiers make everyday for our benefit. I don't remember a president who has mentioned the military so often in their speeches abroad and at home.

I especially liked reading about two famous people in his interview: Warren Buffett and Abraham Lincoln. President Obama said that he and the First Lady could relate to Warren Buffett's financial values. I laughed a little bit when he discussed Malia and Sasha. They are well aware of the celebrities that are famous today like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. It struck me how hard it is to be a parent no matter the century. There is always a need to keep our children's feet on the solid ground of reality. He and the First Lady have loving hands and are on top of this issue.

David Blum asked pertinent questions. Some of the questions I would have asked the President myself. David Blum also admits to feeling nervous at the beginning of the interview. I always imagine that spilling green peas down my dress would be the least of my worries. I would probably fall face forward if given the chance to meet him.

I am grateful President Obama came to Chattanooga. I am also proud to have an Amazon plant in the city. What can I say? President Obama is fully aware of our needs in this country. Once I heard more about his parents and grandparents I realized he is just like the rest of us in America. The difference is that he took advantage of every opportunity when it was presented to him. So we have a community leader, a man who taught for ten years in law school, a senator and next a President of the United States.

It's not unusual for me to think of President Obama off and on during a given day. I have thought about how sad it will be to see him leave the White House at the end of this four years. I often wonder what will happen to us as a country. I know there will be many heartfelt tears. I also wonder what will he do next. Will he teach again? What will this man do who worked so hard to empower us to take on our cape of responsibilities do next? I can't wait to find out. I hope he continues to write. I also hope he will return to Chattanooga. Perhaps, I will have to put on my walking shoes and walk to wherever he is to see him speak. After all, I'm still "fired up and ready to go."

President Barack Obama The Kindle Singes Interview by David Blum

biography/warren-buffett
In this interview President Obama applauds Warren Buffett for his old fashioned financial values.

Wondrous Words

trajectory "They were all able to send me and my sister to some of the best schools in the world. That trajectory, starting in the 1940s all the way through the 1980s, really, I think, describes what we understand when we talk about the American Dream."

 path of process or event: the way in which a process or event develops over a period of time

infrastructure Which means that a lot of common projects we had, whether it's public schools or public parks, or investments we make together in things like infrastructure, have declined."

public services or systems: the large-scale public systems, services, and facilities of a country or region that are necessary for economic activity, including power and water supplies, public transportation, telecommunications, roads, and schools

(a) gerrymandering "The combination of special interest money gerrymandering, a media that's more (b) balkanized--all of that has polarized parties more than in the past."

(a) U.S. politics. the dividing of a state, county, etc., into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
(b) division into hostile subgroups: division of an area, region, or group into smaller and often mutually hostile units
Dictionary.com






Monday, July 29, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

"I just allowed myself to register the feeling of existing there among the sunflowers. And the longer I stood, and the deeper I settled into that loose dirt, the more I became part of it, resolved to it...When we left that petaled forest to go back to the car, and then subsequently left the country to go back home, I already had it in my mind to return. I already had it in mind that the cheese was now part of my legacy, too---"

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-197/
Last week I finished Kingdom of Strangers by Zoe Ferarais. Kingdom of Strangers is a mystery. It takes place in Saudi Arabia. The serial crimes involve immigrant women from the Philippines and Asia. It's a good book. I read the title on the O page or in the O magazine. It's the first time I've ever read about a serial killer. I look forward to reading other novels by Zoe Ferarais.
Now I'm reading The Telling Room by Michael Paratiti. The tale takes place in a village in Italy. It's all about the cheese. When a son, Ambrosio, decides to remake the cheese that has come down in his family like a legacy, what happens? Anyway, it's almost like reading a Fantasy. I'm enjoying learning how to really drink wine and also what Italians are like when we're not looking.:)

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Wondrous Words

From Bing about sea caves in Cyprus: cryptozoology-
noun
the study of evidence tending to substantiate the existence of, or the search for, creatures whose reported existence is unproved, as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster.

 Hummus is a Middle Eastern and Arabic food dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. Wikipedia 

discovered this word on I Love Jerusalem.com on Facebook.

canon-
  1. A member of the clergy on the staff of a cathedral, esp. a member of the chapter.
"Once inside the canon's chambers, he glanced quickly around to ensure he was alone and locked the door.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

"She had heard the anti-immigration cry from other countries--Europe wanting to send its Muslims home; America keen to close its doors to the Mexicans--but Saudi had let itself become a kingdom of strangers. It welcomed its immigrants because they lent the illusion that all Saudis...."

Monday, July 15, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

"Abu-Musa nodded, looking quietly pleased. That verse from the Quran, mysterious out of context, had prompted men over the centuries to conjure wild fantasies about the importance of the number nineteen.....claimed that the archangel Gabriel had revealed to him in the text of the Quran a hidden mathematical code that could be unlocked using the number nineteen."

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Wondrous Words

 
Vendemmia
  1. grape harvest
  2. vintage
"I told all of my Italian friends that I was participating in the vendemmia, hoping for a few pointers, but they'd merely nodded their approval and warned me that it was tiring."

Monday, July 8, 2013

At Least I am in Tuscany by Jennifer Criswell

"Anna's understanding of the earth and its products was amazing. Each meal ended with some fruit or nuts that were grown on their property. I ate their plums, figs, and jujube and was honored with the first walnuts of the season......It's good luck to have the first walnut of the season."

Friday, July 5, 2013

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by DR. BEN CARSON

"If two people believe the same thing about everything, one of them isn't necessary."