A. Scott Berg - Samuel Goldwyn - From Books to Movies - at the Library of Congress National Book Festival

My friend and past colleague sent me a picture of Tom Brokaw from the Library of Congress National Book Festival yesterday afternoon. She always volunteers to be event staff ever since I've known her. The event moved to the convention center from the Mall a couple years ago, and we didn't think we would go this year because we do prefer the mall, but weren't very enthusiastic for whatever reason. It used to be a two day event, but it is now one long day. So I checked the schedule on line and remembered there was an interesting program around 8 PM. So around 7:15 we jumped in the car and drove down to the convention center. Believe it or not we parked right across the street - paid parking ended at 6:30. We walked across the street, picked up our 2015 Book Festival bag, and took the escalator up to the third floor ballroom where there was already a long line snaking around the corner. Sometimes the last minute plans are the best. We so enjoyed the program that A. Scott Berg presented! He told the story of Samuel Goldwyn and Hollywood, sharing clips of some of our favorite movies and actors - like Gary Cooper and Bette Davis. He's written several biographies and spent some time telling us about his interactions with Katherine Hepburn over several years. It's amazing the number of notable people he knew or interviewed. The next segment about books to movies was completely de energizing, so we left. We rather liked attending the festival in the evening rather than during the day with all the hoopla and kids events. It was definitely a change of pace, and well worth the trip - especially if you like old movies!

 

"Out of the Ashes" - Thomas Jefferson Exhibit

My walk yesterday took me to the 200 year old collection of Thomas Jefferson books. They are housed in the Library of Congress Jefferson Building. Just outside the collection is a new little exhibit "Out of the Ashes" that has several documents describing the background and history of  it. Only 2,000 of the original 6,400 volumes remain due to not one, but two fires. Having also been to Monticello several times one can only imagine how these books got transferred here to DC from Virginia by wagon. The theme of the Library's book festival this year reflects the feelings of Mr. Jefferson and this anniversary - "I can't live without my books!" Things have changed a lot since his time, but the desire to learn and be surrounded by subject matter on just about every topic is mesmerizing for the time. This collection became the Library, and it is admired by anyone who steps in to it. 

Create a Pinterest Life History - A Great Way to Get to Know Someone - Yourself!

There are a lot of ways to get to know someone. But I think I found a way that is easy to put together, and fun to look at whenever you - or someone else - feel like reviewing your life. I don't know exactly what came over me to even think about it. I use a LOT of social media sites to promote my digital art. In fact, I spend a lot of time keeping things updated on a daily basis- including this blog. Pinterest is known for its visual appeal, and it is full of every category from food, to books, to movies, to TV shows, historical places, people - you name it. So a week ago I started thinking about the kinds of things I really like - the things that bring a smile to my face and force a recall of pleasant memories - and created a new Pinterest board called My Favorite Things. It began with my favorite borzoi dog, and ended up with the Masterpiece Mystery show Endeavor. I don't think there was one item I could not find as a sample picture of what I was thinking. There is a lot of stuff in between - Mr. Potato Head, Madame Alexander dolls, favorite movies and books, places we have visited. Now when I think of something else, I just add it on. I know it sounds a little sick, but it could be used as a eulogy in a manner of speaking. You might be surprised to see someone's personal favorite board. I'm wondering what my husband will think of mine. I highly recommend this little activity that could turn in to a pastime. It really does bring a smile to my face whenever I look at it. 

Library of Congress Gift Shop Items - a Futuristic Display?

During my afternoon stroll along the Madison Building corridors It is not unusual to come across new displays and events. I saw Danny Kaye's daughter by his exhibit, have run in to the Librarian of Congress, and seen lines waiting for annual flu shots. In the lobby are bunches of hydrangeas for the spring and Easter season and chrysanthemums in winter at Christmastime. There was a new display being erected last week. When I went to check it out, it was a display of items that are available in the gift shop. I was expecting something a little different, but it's probably not a bad idea since the gift shop is located in the Jefferson Building across the street. The one item that caught my attention was the birdhouse made with a book roof.  I know it is probably odd and unpopular to say, but I'm just not in to hard cover or paperback books anymore. My 90 year old mother buys her books and downloads them on her iPad. Our household has only a few books in the house - everything else is digital. We left a house full if books in Milwaukee when we moved. I'm glad we did. I suppose it is appropriate that they really do belong in display cases - because it just seems so old fashioned to me.