American Presidents During My Lifetime: John F. Kennedy (with Suggested Reading List)

Continuing to follow the dots on my timeline which started with Eisenhower. 
 
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35th POTUS, John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963) - What do I recall? 
 

 

The grown folks around me sure thought he was a good POTUS. Didn't know much but saw no reason to disagree with them. Have always believed that this man would have been one of the best presidents. But we will never know as he was cut down by an assassin's bullet or bullets. To this day, the identity of his murderer or murderers have never been confirmed. But the day he was shot is etched in my memory forever. People – the adults, that is, in my neighborhood were showing a range of emotions: sorrow, shock, despair, anger, dread. My older sister made a scrapbook of newspaper clippings – everything she could find about JFK. Sadly, don't know what happened to it. Wish I had kept it. Its historical value would have been priceless. 
 

Kennedy's assassination completely changed my understanding of this thing called “politics” in America, and in the world. Politics is dangerous! Not only dangerous but confusing. To want to get rid of a bad leader – like a ruthless dictator or a really cruel monarch - that's understandable. Not saying that's the right thing to do. But to kill a good leader? That is so clearly and obviously wrong. WHY?? Does this mean the good really do die young?? (O.o) 
 
Thoughts from a child's heart. ♥

 
Next two POTUS Dots:  Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon

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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Kennedy".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Dwight D. Eisenhower (with Suggested Reading)

George Washington was America's first president.  But Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first American president during my lifetime.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the process, American presidents are voted in by the people. Although if you believe in the gospel according to Senator Bernie Sanders, that's a myth. Big Money runs this country. It runs the campaign process. It runs the Congress. This is not America. This is the Roman Empire. Blah blah blah ... yadda yadda ... 

But let's just say - for purposes of my blog posts - the ideal democracy does exist and the real power does rest with the GAP (general American public) and the people do elect their leaders in America. If so, here's how it works. 

• Leaders are elected. They get to serve for no more than two terms, 4 years each, 8 years top. Then they leave and they can't come back! Most citizens, like me, are OK with this arrangement. Additionally, most citizens, like me, will probably live through about 8 to 10 presidents in their lifetime. 

This is my intro to a series of posts that will be published where I take a look back at the presidential DOTS on my timeline. Won't be drawing from what is written about these fearless leaders in the history books. Just going to try to see what can be drawn from my memory.  

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Beginning with the 34th POTUS, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served from 1953 to 1961. You could say my DOT is on his timeline since, my birth occurred during his time of service, close to the end of the year 1955.

Only thing in my memory about this administration was that his daughter got married. No. That's not a political act. It's not politics at all. But … back in my time, children were taught not to speak when grown folks were talking and only thing I can recall grown folks talking about was the fact that his daughter was getting married. 

Guess that's an indicator that times during 1953 to 1961 weren't too too bad. (???) 

It's a guess from a person who was between the ages of: Newborn to 6 years. (O.o) 

That's it! Not much extracted. Next post? Next POTUS DOT?  John F. Kennedy

My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Eisenhower".

Books: Children's Books: Korean Folktales

Reading to children is a wonderful activity for both the child and the reader.  They are saying that coloring books are proving to be an excellent therapeutic activity for senior citizens.  I'm not really into coloring because I spend so much time online blogging,  They should also say that reading books for children is great therapy for adults as well.  This I know for a fact!  Children's books are usually very quick reads and provide me with a delightful escape.  They have tremendous therapeutic value.  

A specific genre that I enjoy reading is folktales from different countries.  I discovered folktales because when I first decided to work from home, one of the work-at-home ideas suggested was translating folktales.  I did not pursue this endeavor but I did find that our local public library had a treasure trove of folktales in the children's literature section.  I could suggest several; however, for this blog post, I'll only suggest one. Tales of a Korean Grandmother: 32 Traditional Tales from Korea

There is a description on Amazon that described this book better than any words I could come up with.

"This multicultural children's book presents classic Korean fairy tales and other folk stories—providing a delightful look into a rich literary culture."  

Tales of a Korean Grandmother: 32 Traditional Tales from Korea

Enough said. Need a diversion from the arduous grind of your daily work? Read a children's book. Pick a folktale.  Do you have a favorite folktale?

Four (4) Books by Jude Deveraux to Add to Your Reading List

Jude Deveraux is an American author who has been publishing books since 1980.  Many of her books have been on The New York Times Best Seller list.  I personally fancy her historical romance novels set in medieval England; specifically her books about the Montgomery men and the women they loved. 

The first novel by Ms. Deveraux that I read was about Gavin and Judith Montgomery. He stood tall like a tower over her and was ruggedly handsome; and she was just a pretty little thing, on the outside, that is. But once she got him to realize that she had no intention of becoming an adornment for his arm nor a little toy to be used for his amusement, they began to see eye-to-eye. Even if he did have to lift her up so that she could look him straight in the eye. Gavin not only loved and cherished her, but he had the utmost respect and admiration for her strong character and will. Their initially unhappy union turned into wedded bliss and their happiness was so wondrous that even the servants were happy that the master and the missus were finally getting along. The name of the first Deveraux book I read is The Velvet Promise. 

After being introduced to Gavin Montgomery, I just had to know what his brothers were like. I followed it up by reading Highland Velvet, Velvet Song, and Velvet Angel ~ the love stories of Gavin's brothers, the other Montgomery men ~ Stephen Montgomery, Raine Montgomery, and Miles Montgomery. 

These four books together are called The Velvet Montgomery Annals Quadrilogy. The primary theme of each book is the age-old truth: “Love conquers all.” Corny. But if you enjoy reading passionate historical romance, you'll love these books!

Jude Deveraux books on audiobooksnow.com

Publishers Weekly Books by Jude Deveraux and Complete Book Reviews

* Similar or Related Content:

Books: American Author: Horatio Alger Jr. (1832 – 1899)

Horatio Alger Jr. (1832 – 1899) could be looked at as an American Charles Dickens; although his writings never reached the level of popularity where so many of his books were so good they were adapted to film and often quoted.  The similarity is in the subject matter of his books.

Horatio Alger Jr. wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. Does that plot sound familiar?  You're right.  Charles Dickens often wrote stories like that.

Alger didn't just write juvenile novels. He also wrote for novels for adults, poems, short stories, and biographies of famous people, such as American presidents James A. Garfield and Abraham Lincoln. His first work was published in 1849 and several of his writings were published posthumously after his death on July 18, 1899.  If you collect or read vintage books, Alger's writings are recommended.

Strive and Succeed by Horatio Alger Jr.

List of works by Horatio Alger Jr.
Buy books written by Horatio Alger Jr.
(various formats: hard copy, paperback, audio, Kindle editions, etc.)

(* Just 99 cents.)

10 Children's Books Everyone Should Read

Meet Shaloo Walia, vlogger and book enthusiast. I am subscribed to her channel and you should be too. She shares her reviews and recommendations for books to add to your reading list.  I personally enjoy her videos about children's books, but she shares suggestions for a wide range of books, for children and adults.

Here are her 10 Children's Books EVERYONE Should Read

Check to see if Shaloo's suggestions are audio books available at Audible, an Amazon Company:  Books for Children

2 Books About God That Make You Think

Two books suggested for those who are seeking truth, who are philosophers, who are religious, who are atheists, or who just like to read good books.

BOOK  1: The Signature of God

This book tries to convince the reader that God is the author of the Bible. The author, Grant R. Jeffrey (1948 – 2012), did research and presented his findings.

BOOK  2: The Existence of God

Three decades earlier, before Jeffrey's book was published, two other men, John Hick (1922 - 2012) and Paul Edwards(1923 - 2004) , presented the results of their research regarding "The Existence of God".

Books: American Literature: Louisa May Alcott (1832 – 1888)

In Memory Of Louisa May Alcott (Nov 29, 1832 – Mar 6, 1888).

Image credit: Amazon.com

This blog post is in celebration of her birthday. Most people know her as the author of "Little Women", which was adapted for film several times. The film adaptation I remember starred Elizabeth Taylor, released in 1949. There was a much later remake with Winona Rider, { Little Women (Collector's Series) }.  Of course, Ms. Alcott wrote many more novels and poetry; and she also did other interesting things in her life during a time when the movements, actions, and decisions of women were restricted or limited.  She is worthy of double honor.

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania and she had three sisters. Her father made sure that they were all educated. Louisa began her writing career publising poetry and short stories. She used a pen name, Flora Fairfield. Before she became famous she also published Gothic thrillers under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard. At the age of 35, in 1868, she published “Little Women”, an autobiography, which was an overnight success and has become a classic. Her company of friends included successful authors Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.

Her life was far from glamorous and sophisticated, but she lived a life worthy of admiration. She volunteered as a nurse to serve during the Civil War; however contracted typhoid fever and was sent home. She was a suffragette and in 1879 when the laws were passed allowing women to vote in Concord, Massachusetts, she was the first woman who registered to vote. She never married and her health was very poor. Nevertheless she took care of her parents when they were ill until their deaths, and adopted and cared for her niece when her sister died. Louis May Alcott died of a stroke, two days after her father's death. She was 55 years old.

• LOUISA MAY ALCOTT Ultimate Collection: 16 Novels & 150+ Short Stories, Plays and Poems (Illustrated): Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys, ... The Abbot's Ghost, A Garland for Girls...

• A Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories (Penguin Christmas Classics)  A treasury of treasured holiday tales written by Louisa May Alcott, painting a vivid picture of Christmas in America during the 19th century.

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