Anais Nin, on books:

I have this weird obsession about buying books and looking at them with a smile, even if I won't read them soon.

At least they are mine now.

- Anais Nin.

Born on this day – Jean Adamson:

Jean Adamson

Writer

Illustrator

February 29, 1928 – December 15, 2024

Credits:

Books:

ABC: A Picture Alphabet (1962); Animal bounce (1969); Busy Builders (1997); Chestnut Tree (1974); Family Tree (1968); Hop Like Me (1972); Neighbours in the Park (1962); People who Help Us Stories (1999); Red Boots, Yellow Boots (1997); Surprises for Topsy & Tim (1971); Topsy & Tim Have Their Hair Cut (1989); Topsy & Tim's Safety Book (1973); Topsy + Tim Meet the Ambulance Crew (1996); Topsy and Tim and the Bully (1994); Topsy and Tim and the New Puppy (1992); Topsy and Tim at Granny and Grandpa's (1996); Topsy and Tim at School (1968); Topsy and Tim at the Bank (1985); Topsy and Tim at the Farm (1970); Topsy and Tim at the Seaside (1965); Topsy and Tim at the Supermarket (1996); Topsy and Tim Can Play Party Games (1981); Topsy and Tim Go for Gold (1977); Topsy and Tim Go Shopping (1977); Topsy And Tim Go Swimming (1973); Topsy and Tim Go to London (2014); Topsy and Tim go to the Hospital (1971); Topsy and Tim go to the zoo (1968); Topsy and Tim move house (1979); Topsy and Tim Stay with a Friend (1987); Topsy and Tim Visit the Tower of London (1976); Topsy and Tim: First Sleepover (2016); Topsy and Tim: Go Camping (1977); Topsy and Tim: Go on a Train (1990); Topsy and Tim: Go on an Aeroplane (1979); Topsy and Tim: Go to the Doctor (1982); Topsy and Tim: Halloween Party; Topsy and Tim: Have a Birthday Party (1971 / 2010); Topsy and Tim: Have Itchy Heads (1996); Topsy and Tim: Have Their Eyes Tested (1982); Topsy and Tim: Help a Friend (2005); Topsy and Tim: Learn to Swim (1973); Topsy and Tim: Meet Father Christmas (2013); Topsy and Tim: Meet the Firefighters (1989); Topsy and Tim: Meet the Police (1989); Topsy and Tim: Our Day Clock Book; Topsy and Tim: Play Football (1991); Topsy and Tim: Start School (2003); Topsy and Tim: the Complete Audio Collection (2017); Topsy and Tim: Visit London (2012); Topsy and Tim's ABC (1982); Topsy and Tim's Big Fun Book; Topsy and Tim's Friday Book (1961); Village Green (1972).

Television:

Topsy and Tim / 64-episode TV series (2013–2015).

On this day in music history - The album American II: Unchained, by Johnny Cash (1996):

American II: Unchained

Album by Johnny Cash,

released on November 5, 1996.

Track list:

Rowboat; Sea of Heartbreak; Rusty Cage; The One Rose (That’s Left in My Heart); Country Boy; Memories Are Made of This; Spiritual; The Kneeling Drunkard’s Plea; Southern Accents; Mean Eyed Cat; Meet Me in Heaven; I Never Picked Cotton; Unchained; I’ve Been Everywhere.

Recommended reading: The Ninth Configuration (1999):

The Ninth Configuration

By William Peter Blatty.

Commentary by Mark Kermode.

Published by Screenpress Books.

Published in 1999.

Paperback.

Screenplay.

ISBN-10: 1901680207

ISBN-13: 978-1901680201

Description:

“The finest large scale American surrealist film ever made” – People Magazine.

Towards the end of the war in Vietnam, an unusually high percentage of American servicemen suddenly manifested symptoms of psychosis. To investigate this mystery, the US government established a network of covert study centers.

They send the crazies to Center Eighteen. Men who think they can walk through walls. Men who want to stage the complete works of Shakespeare using dogs. Hudson Kane is plagued by nightmares and memories not his own. Only Hudson Kane is not an inmate. Hudson Kane is in charge…

William Peter Blatty – the creator of The Exorcist – directed this self penned script that quickly became a cult classic for its brave philosophic tone, remarkable visuals and endlessly quotable dialogue.

This is the first time that Blatty’s originally screenplay has been published. Fully annotated by acclaimed writer and critic Mark Kermode and illustrated with many previously unpublished stills.

This is the definitive edition of the script that its creator believes to be the true sequel to The Exorcist.

Winner – Best Screenplay Golden Globe Awards.

Recommended reading: The Ninth Configuration (1966):

The Ninth Configuration

aka Twinkle, Twinkle, "Killer" Kane.

By William Peter Blatty.

Paperback.

Published in 1966.

ISBN-10: 0765337304

ISBN-13: 978-0765337306

Description:

Hidden away in a brooding Gothic manor in the deep woods is Center Eighteen, a secret military "rest camp" currently housing twenty-seven inmates, all officers who have succumbed to a sudden outbreak of mental illness. Have the men truly lost their minds, are they only pretending to be insane to avoid combat, or is some more sinister conspiracy at work?

Desperate for answers, the Pentagon has placed a brilliant Marine psychiatrist in charge of the base and its deranged occupants. A man of deep faith and compassion, Colonel Kane hopes to uncover the root of the men's bizarre obsessions. But as Center Eighteen descends into chaos, Kane finds the greatest challenge may be his own buried demons. . .

Born on this day – Clara Horton:

Clara Horton

Actress

July 29, 1904 – December 4, 1976

Credits:

A Bit o' Heaven (1915); A Friend in Need (1914); A Grim Fairy Tale (1923); A Jungle Hero (1916); A Puritan Episode (1913); A Son's Devotion (1913); A Soul's Tragedy (1915); A Wise Judge (1913); Action (1921); All Around Frying Pan (1925); Almost a Husband (1919); Animated Weekly, No. 68 (1913); At the Court of Prince Make Believe (1914); Auntie's Money Bag (1914); Because of Bobbie (1912); Bengal Tiger (1936); Beyond the Trail (1926); Big Hearted Jim (1913); Blind Youth (1920); Christopher of Columbus (1923); Clara and Her Mysterious Toys (1913); Coming Home (1914); Dolls (1912); Down to the Sea in Cabs (1927); Everywoman (1919); Fighting Blood (1923); Filial Love (1912); For Better or for Worse (1913); For His Child's Sake (1913); Gall of the Wild (1923); Girls on Probation (1938); Golden Shackles (1927); Grandfather's Romance (1914); Huck and Tom (1918); In an Old Trunk (1914); In the Days of Old (1914); In Wrong (1919); It's a Great Life (1920); Judy Punch (1923); Just Kids (1914); Just Off Broadway (1942); Kidnapping the King's Kids (1915); Makers of Men (1925); Making Uncle Jealous (1912); Mind Over Motor (1923); Nadine of Nowhere (1916); Nineteen and Phyllis (1920); Oh, Bridget! (1925); Outside Inn (1927); Over Here (1927); Penrod (1922); Playmates (1913); Prisoners of Love (1921); Sailor Izzy Murphy (1927); Shadows of the Harbor (1915); Sherlock's Rival (1927); Six Second Smith (1923); Some Punches and Judy (1923); Speed Madness (1925); Stepping on the Gas (1927); Taxi (1931); That Night (1927); The Answer (1915); The Banker's Daughter (1913); The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond (1912); The Broadway Gallant (1926); The Crimson Cross (1913); The Darling of the Mounted (1912); The Detective's Santa Claus (1913); The Dupe (1914); The End of a Perfect Fray (1923); The Faith Healer (1913); The Fightin' Comeback (1927); The Fortune Hunter (1927); The Girl from Outside (1919); The Governor's Veto (1913); The Greatest of These (1914); The Heart of a Woman (1920); The Higher Impulse (1914); The Homecoming (1912); The Key (1913); The Knight in Gale (1923); The Knight That Failed (1923); The Light in the Clearing (1921); The Little Band of Gold (1915); The Little Mother of Black Pine Trail (1913); The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come (1920); The Long Shift (1915); The Motive (1922); The New Dress (1915); The Passing Parade (1912); The Plow Woman (1917); The Return of Lady Linda (1913); The Servant in the House (1921); The Slippery Spy (1914); The Sons of a Soldier (1913); The Spectre Bridegroom (1913); The Trail of the Hanging Rock (1913); The Trouble Chaser (1926); The Vengeance of Guido (1915); The Violinist (1914); The Wheel (1925); The Whirlwind Finish (1918); The Winning Girl (1919); The Wondrous Melody (1914); The Yellow Dog (1918); Thirteen at Table (1913); Three Faces West (1927); Time to Kill (1942); Tom Sawyer (1917); Two Stones with One Bird (1923); Under the Lion's Paw (1916); Up in the Air (1927); Us Kids (1916); When Gale and Hurricane Meet (1923); When Little Lindy Sang (1916); Who Is Hope Schuyler? (1942); Why Aunt Jane Never Married (1913); Willie and the Muse (1914); Winning the Futurity (1926); Wrongs Righted (1924).

On this day in astronomy history - Northern Lights Aurora borealis:

The view of the Northern Lights Aurora borealis, from our home on Friday, May 10, 2024.
I’ve always loved astronomy and I wish I had more time to dedicate to it.
It was great to experience this rare natural event with my wife.