Raymond Chandler, on writing:

The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordinary qualities.

- Raymond Chandler.

Inspirational quotes on nature – video 1:

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

– Audrey Hepburn.

To cultivate a garden is to walk with God.

– Christian Nestell Bovee.

The dandelion's pallid tube

Astonishes the grass,

And winter instantly becomes

An infinite alas.

– Emily Dickinson.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be.

And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.

– Anne Frank.

There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.

– Washington Irving.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.

– Frank Lloyd Wright.

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

– Aristotle.

The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.

– Wendell Berry.

Earth laughs in flowers.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson.

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence ... We need silence to be able to touch souls.

– Mother Teresa.

Make a positive difference.

Conserve nature.

Conserve our world.

Before it’s too late.

April 22 is Earth Day.

Make every day … Earth Day.

Photographs by Jack Kost.

Video by Jack Kost

2025

Music credit:

Birds

By freesound_community

From Pixabay.

On this day in music history:

Landmarks by Clannad (1998)

Soundies: A Musical History (2007)

Landmarks

Album by Clannad,

released March 3, 1998.

Track list: An Gleann; Fado; A Mhuirnin O; Of This Land; Court To Love; The Golden Ball; The Bridge Of Tears; Autumn Leaves Are Falling; Let Me See; Loch Na Cailli.

Soundies: A Musical History

Documentary directed by Chris Lamson.

Written by Chris Lamson and Jennifer Sneider.

Released in the United States on March 3, 2007.

Hosted by Michael Feinstein.

Music by Michael Feinstein.

Cast: Van Alexander, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Mel Blanc, Will Bradley, Les Brown, Cab Calloway, Mark Cantor, Cyd Charisse, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Dorothy Dandridge, Doris Day, Yvonne De Carlo, Jimmy Dorsey, George Duke, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington, Frances Faye, Michael Feinstein, Irving Fields, Joe Franklin, Hugh Hefner, Spike Jones, Louis Jordan, Gene Krupa, Liberace, Leonard Maltin, Ginny Mancini, Wynton Marsalis, Hugh Martin, The Mills Brothers, Dan Morgenstern, Helen O’Connell, Anita O’Day, Jackie Parton, Les Paul, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Stan Ridgway, Kay Starr, Claude Thornhill, Mel Tormé, Merle Travis, Fats Waller, Ben Webster, Lawrence Welk.

We stand with Ukraine:

As a Christian, I stand for …

Peace.

Freedom.

Democracy.

Equality.

Diversity.

Inclusion.

I stand with Ukraine.

#Ukraine #UkraineCrisis #IStandWithUkriane #StandWithUkriane #StopWarInUkraine #StopWar #Peace #Pray #Prayer #Praying #PrayForPeace

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.