Jun 2
“June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” as the song goes, and it’s one of the most fascinating months on the calendar.
Filled with holidays and long days in the U.S., the month is known best for the arrival of summer, and it is long awaited by the many sun lovers among us.
Here are a few fascinating facts about the month of June, from its ancient Roman moniker to its role as host to the newest national holiday in the U.S.
Read moreJun 1
It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary! – Paulo Coelho
The highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy
Read moreMay 29
The war created prime conditions for poppies to flourish in Flanders and north-west France (and Gallipoli). Continual bombardment disturbed the soil and brought the seeds to the surface. They were fertilized by nitrogen in the explosives and lime from the shattered rubble of the buildings.
Read moreMay 26
Here we are again at the weekend when there is a national holiday to commemorate Memorial Day! We found some little-known facts about this Day which we would like to share with you.
Read moreMay 25
We read this week that lots of the Royals were at the Chelsea Flower Show, a once-a-year “very British” function! We also read that Catherine, Princess of Wales, when asked for an autograph, explained that she is now allowed to give autographs but, instead, she did a very sweet thing.
Read moreMay 23
After becoming deaf and blind at age two, Helen Keller faced her challenges with a singular optimism and strength.
Read moreMay 22
Both the quality and quantity of our sleep have a profound impact on our health, and the way we spend the last few moments of the day before we drift off to sleep can impact the entire night’s rest.
Read moreMay 16
For nearly a century, the Hollywood sign has been an emblem of the film industry — a glittering embodiment of the L.A. dream, emblazoned high atop Mount Lee in Griffith Park. An iconic photo-op spot in the City of Angels, the Hollywood sign represents the fame, fortune, and glamor many seek out in the entertainment and film industry. A symbol that looms this large over a town is bound to break a few expectations, so here are five things you probably didn’t know about one of California’s most famous landmarks.
Read moreMay 15
Do King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla live at Buckingham Palace? The answer to that question would be, “No, not at the moment”.
Read moreMay 12
Looking back over the years of all the gifts our children have made or bought for us, without question it is the cards and notes, the sweet words of love and affirmation that mean the very most.
Read moreMay 8
Well, after a very celebratory weekend, we are starting on another new week. And, along with a new week is a newly crowned King!
Read moreMay 2
Charles was a little boy and, just like any other little boy, loved toy cars! But he was not just like any other little boy as he was born to a Princess and was, himself, a Prince!
Read moreMay 1
Queen Camilla’s ultimate style moment is almost here, but what can we expect to see on the big day? The Coronation?
Queen Camilla is about to have the style moment of her life as she prepares for the coronation.
On May 6, Camilla will be crowned Queen alongside her husband King Charles at Westminster Abbey, wearing a recycled crown and a ruby ring that dates back to 1831, but what else can we expect to see her wear on coronation day?
Camilla will be wearing Queen Mary’s Crown, albeit with some alterations. The inclusion of the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, which belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth (she often wore them as brooches), is the first clue that her coronation style could nod to the late Queen. For a more modern look, Camilla might also choose to remove the arches of the Garrard piece by wearing it as a circlet, just like Queen Mary did for the coronation of King George VI in 1937.
Queen Camilla will reportedly wear an outfit designed by royal favorite Bruce Oldfield for the coronation. The British couturier, who was once a go-to for Princess Diana, has been in Camilla’s inner style circle for over a decade and it was his black and silver two-piece design she chose to wear to her first state visit as Queen Consort to Germany last month. While there is a sense of a more low-key ceremony, the dress will almost certainly include symbolic embroidery to represent Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
The crown won’t be the only sparkly element to Camilla’s outfit. The coronation earrings, which were commissioned for Queen Victoria in 1858 and have been worn by every Queen Consort at their coronation since, would be the perfect accessory. However, Camilla doesn’t have pierced ears, and according to a Vogue interview last year that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
“The grandchildren will try to persuade me, but, nothing’s going to pierce my ears,” she said.
Could Garrard, the jewelry house who initially made the earrings, fashion them into clip-ons for the occasion? Or could Camilla break with tradition and wear something from her own personal collection?
While the earrings might prove tricky, the Queen will almost certainly wear the Coronation Necklace. Originally made for Queen Victoria, its coronation debut came in 1902 when Queen Alexandra wore it to King Edward VII’s coronation and it’s been worn at every ceremony since.
The 22.48-karat diamond pendant at its center is known as the Lahore Diamond and was given to Queen Victoria in 1851. Queen Elizabeth wore it to her own coronation in 1953 and for several formal occasions after.
Made for Queen Adelaide in 1831 by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, Camilla will wear the Queen Consort’s Ring for the historic ceremony. Featuring a ruby in a gold setting, flanked by 14 diamonds and smaller rubies around the band, the ring has been used by three prior Queen Consorts; Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Just like Queen Elizabeth, who wore her favorite go-to brand Rayne for her 1953 coronation, Camilla will want a pair of trusty heels she knows she can rely on for the two-hour ceremony. A huge fan of British brand, Sole Bliss (she has worn their Ingrid style with its almond-shaped toe and two-inch block heel over 80 times!), founder Lisa Kay says she would be overjoyed to get the commission. “It’s been a great source of pride seeing Her Majesty wear our shoes over the last five years and the coronation would be the cherry on the top!” she says.
The Coronation promises to be quite the affair!
Grateful to be able to share these details which were originally written by Monique Jessen of Yahoo.
Apr 27
It takes a lot of confidence to become a comedian, and if anyone knew that, it was Lucille Ball.
Read moreApr 19
Read moreKindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light. You’ll never know how much your caring matters.
— Amy Leigh Mercree, authorBoy, isn’t that the truth!
Read on for more….
Apr 17
To you sometimes start your day or your week feeling tired or down? Even when you’ve had a good sleep it can happen. These words of wisdom might explain why.
Read moreApr 14
Thanks to Inspiring Quotes, we have lots of quotes to keep you “riding” high!
Read moreApr 11
If there is a lesson we’ve learned over the years that keeps coming up in all situations and relationships, it’s that words matter.
Read moreApr 7
This week both Passover and Easter are being celebrated. As is often the case they fall within the same week. Every spring, Jews celebrate when God led their ancestors out of slavery in Egypt. The commemoration begins with a seder (Hebrew for “order”), a ceremony full of symbolic foods and rituals. Over the following week, Jews may eat matzo, a flat cracker that doesn’t have leavening (yeast, baking powder, or baking soda which is often the Biblical symbol for sin), and strictly avoid leavened flour products like bread and cookies. (Other dietary restrictions during Passover also apply for some Jews, depending on their culture.) The restriction against leavened foods honors the fleeing slaves who didn’t have time to wait for their bread to rise, and ate it flat instead. Christians see that flat bread without leavening is symbolic of Jesus who was also “without sin”.
The seder story comes from the second book of the Old Testament, Exodus, a Latin word that means “exit” or “departure”. It is a story of miracles, acts of bravery, and deliverance from oppression that has inspired people for centuries.
Read moreApr 6
Well, here we are, with Easter’s promise approaching. That also means that spring is approaching!
We hope you will enjoy these words about spring.
Read moreApr 3
We came across a quote we had to sit on for a minute to let the full weight of it sink in. Today seems like a good time to share it with you our chums.
Read moreMar 31
Many of you will recognize the name, Shel Silverstein, as being a profound children’s author. We so agree and share some quotes from a few of his books. They surely apply to adults as well!
Read moreMar 29
So often when we have family gatherings we miss the opportunity for the children, or younger adults even, to know more about their grandparents or their family history. We can get caught up in the activities and preparations of the holiday or event and miss the treasure that is right there with us…our own family history.
Read moreMar 28
Mar 27
Mar 24
Well, you might think this should be in England but read on to find out more!
Read moreMar 23
And, what do you think one sees at a wedding in Germany?
Read moreMar 22
The releasing of doves is a beautiful tradition that some may choose to incorporate into their own wedding, but it is originally from the Philippines.
Read moreMar 20
You are likely to see a bride in India with her hands painted in a beautiful design.
Read moreMar 15
Every year there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who lose one of their limbs. Many of them, sadly, are our veterans. It is a difficult loss for anyone who must have a leg taken off for any reason.
Read moreMar 14
Some philosophical theories are so powerful, they shape the way we think and act without us even noticing. Yet understanding the different philosophies can be daunting. Over the past two millennia, there have been dozens of movements, doctrines, and various “isms,” often described in dense and complex academic texts.
Read moreMar 10
With the Oscars just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to share some words on the one and only Grace Kelly!
It does seem like a fairy tale! An actress who falls in love with and marries a Prince and becomes a Princess! Read on for some interesting facts.
Read moreMar 9
Mar 6
This is a photo of one of the most beloved authors and Christian thinkers of the 20th century, C.S. Lewis.
Read moreMar 3
Known fondly as the “People’s Princess,” the late Princess Diana occupies the pantheon as one of the most beloved members of the British royal family ever. Thanks to her kind and compassionate nature and outspoken advocacy for humanitarian causes, Diana was heralded as a relatable, empathetic royal who cared deeply about the human condition.
Read moreMar 2
Mar 1
This is a photo of two Hollywood legends…Sammy Davis Jr. and John Wayne a.k.a. The Duke.
Read moreFeb 17
This picture depicts two couples. Read on to find out the sweet significance.
Read moreFeb 14
Ever wonder exactly who St. Valentine is and how he became associated with this holiday for lovers?
Read moreFeb 8
JOY CHOSE YOU!
Joy does not arrive with a fanfare, on a red carpet strewn with the flowers of a perfect life.Joy sneaks in, as you pour a cup of coffee, watching the sun hit your favourite tree, just right.
Read moreFeb 6
Inspiring Quotes has done it again!
These quotes are wonderfully calming and just what we need when we are feeling a little anxious or a lot anxious, for that matter!
Read moreJan 31
Jan 30
If you want it to be a good week it helps to start off with a grateful spirit and a joyful attitude. We came across this lovely quote from Maya Angelou and thought you might appreciate it as much as we did.
Read moreJan 27
It’s the end of the week and whether it’s been a really good one or a really tough one, we all can use a good chuckle to head into the weekend. So here you go…
Read moreJan 25
This is what a genius looks like. This is Thomas Edison who holds the world record for patents at 1,098 recorded patents. His major contributions include, but are not limited to, the phonograph, the microphone, the first commercial power station, the first industrial research laboratory, an electric railroad, key elements of motion picture apparatus, and of course, the lightbulb. But his genius wasn’t always so obvious.
Read moreJan 24
One really does not have to have a lot of money to be generous. You can be generous with your smile, with your love, with your joy! And read on to hear the power of being generous!
Read moreJan 18
Getting ready for that special day of love next month? Here are a few William Shakespeare lines that might be of help.
Read moreJan 17
Ancient Greek civilization is one of the foundations of Western culture, and its influence still echoes in our daily life. These thinkers gave us the modern concepts of pedagogy, mathematics, democracy, and, of course, philosophy.
The early philosopher Pythagoras is credited with inventing the word “philosophy” in the 5th century BC, referring to a love and respect for wisdom. Over time, the term began to designate a special kind of wisdom, born from the methodical use of reason.
Read moreJan 16
As the only non-President to be honored with a national holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. most certainly gave us some words of wisdom which ring as true today as they did 50+ years ago as he was leading the civil rights movement. Today we share a most important quote that comes from a speech he gave when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.
Read moreJan 13
Most of us know a good word when we hear one. Today we are sharing a good word from a good man speaking words of encouragement to those who may most need to hear them.
Read moreJan 11
With age often comes wisdom. When one has lived a full and rich life there is a “knowing” that sometimes eludes those who are young. Today we share some wise words from Prince Phillip who learned a thing or two in his 99+ years that seem especially relevant today.
Read moreJan 10
Jude Nyame Yie Kofie made headlines last year after his family discovered the autistic 11-year-old is a piano savant who can play almost anything by ear.
Read moreJan 9
Jan 6
Jan 5
“I just went to buy a Samsung washer and dryer from a guy, and he was asking $500. I told him I just had a kid and if he could take $400, I’d be really grateful.
Read moreJan 4
Listening is an important part of how we connect with other people in the world. Being a good listener allows us to better understand those around us, to see through their eyes, to empathize, and ultimately, to understand ourselves better in turn.
Read moreJan 2
For many of us, the holiday season is a time to set goals and intentions for the new year. But we don’t have to wait for January 1 to hit the reset button on our lives or facilitate change in our communities.
Read moreDec 30
Not sure if all of our chums agree but we have found that 2022 raced, if not sped, by! Here we are, a couple of eves away from a new day of a new year! Here are a few quotes which we think you will appreciate:
Read moreDec 29
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn in on March 4, 1933, the country was in the midst of the Great Depression.
Read moreDec 28
Inspiring Quotes tells us:
Jane Austen was an English author still beloved today for her sharp, witty descriptions of the social life of the landed gentry in the early 1800s. While she only lived to age 42, she wrote at least six novels and other works, most notably Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Mansfield Park.
Austen’s writing centers women’s experiences in an insulated world largely dominated by men. Her father was a country Rector and she had six brothers and one sister. She was close to her older sister, Cassandra, and the relationships between sisters are central to her works.
Importantly, Austen published anonymously as, “A Lady,” which was still a relatively bold declaration in an era when women’s literature was printed and respected much less than men’s work. Women authors often used male pen names at the time. Austen’s brother, Henry, helped her to get published and revealed her identity posthumously.
Austen never married. She accepted one proposal then changed her mind, and there are conflicting accounts that she loved a man who died soon after their meeting. After their father died, her brothers helped Austen, her mother, and her sister with their finances. While she became a successful author, she was still vulnerable to the fates and fortunes of men — a fact that is reflected in her protagonists’ lives.
Austen’s dry humor, engaging dialogue, gift for capturing the absurdities and poignancies of human relationships, and deft storytelling landed her a place in the Western canon of literature. Her works are still read and studied, and her popularity endures — in 2017 she was featured on a £10 bank note, and her works have been frequently adapted for both TV and film, most recently in the 2020 movie, Emma.
Perhaps her most powerful legacy is in helping to establish the value of a woman’s story told by a woman. Here are 20 quotes that exemplify her keen and sensitive voice.
Read moreDec 23
The official purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom the globe’s roughly 2.2 billion Christians worship as the Son of God. The unofficial purpose is to spend quality time and exchange presents with loved ones, preferably near a fireplace. Based on the fact that Christmas (short for “Christ Mass”) takes place on December 25, one might reasonably assume that this is the date of Jesus’ birth. The truth is a little more complicated.
Read moreDec 22
See how many of these you know!
Read moreDec 20
The very first American Presidents — George Washington included — led the country through the American Revolution and its earliest days without wearing a single pair of pants!
Read moreDec 16
Words are powerful, capable even of changing the course of history. They can win wars or prevent them. They can impart comforting knowledge in the face of adversity and inspire others to great feats and great discoveries. They can set people free, or at least set them on a path to freedom.
Read moreDec 13
This time of the year is wonderful! “The most wonderful time of the year” as a Christmas Carol reminds us.
But, we are usually doing more than usual, probably not sleeping as much, etc. etc. and fuses can get short.
Read moreDec 12
These days, more often than not, you will hear an older person
(aka a senior citizen) referencing how they are slowing down, or need to slow down because of their age, or their physical challenges and health. Not so for Clint Eastwood.
Dec 9
With the Holidays upon us, a lot of us are being invited out and needing that extra little bit of “polish” that perhaps we learnt when children…..or NOT! There is good reason for this polish, to be sure. Why?
Read moreDec 7
Dec 6
Dec 5
Pepsi has been nearly synonymous with cola for more than a century, but it wasn’t always called that.
Read moreDec 2
It is so interesting, culturally, to see how languages differ, are the same, or have something in their language that is very telling about how the culture, as a whole, thinks.
Read moreDec 1
We came across a wonderful reminder for any parent, grandparent or special person in a child’s life. We think it is certainly worth sharing here with our chums.
Read moreNov 25
This dear “thank you” note card is available on Shutterfly!
In days gone by, a short and sweet thank you note for a meal well enjoyed or the such, was called a “Bread and Butter Letter”.
Read moreNov 24
On this day we set aside each year to offer thanks and gratitude for all our blessings, we came across a quote that touched our hearts. We hope it might touch yours too.
Read moreNov 17
Given that his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, was the longest-reigning monarch in British history — ruling for over 70 years — it makes sense that Charles III holds the distinction of being both the longest-serving British heir-apparent and the oldest individual to assume the British throne.
Read moreNov 16
On September 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth realms.
For the first time in most of their lives, the British found themselves ruled over by a king, with even the words of their national anthem changed — after 70 years of “God Save the Queen” — to reflect the new male monarch. The actual coronation of King Charles III is set to take place on May 6, 2023, with all the pomp and circumstance associated with the British royal family.
Here are a few of his thoughts:
Read moreNov 8
Nov 3
Goodnight Moon is a very familiar book to most people. It is one of the first books that newborns receive, for sure. And “read” it they do, over and over again!
Read moreNov 3
Some of the most common, most well-known sayings we share are about the idea of home. Whether it’s The Wizard of Oz’s famous “There’s no place like home” or the classic “Home is where the heart is,” home is the subject of so many famous quotes exactly because it is such a difficult concept to pin down.
Read moreNov 1
We are hoping to help you start this new month with a chuckle. If you have a family…and we all do of one kind or another…you know there are those unfortunate incidents or quirky personalities or embarrassing qualities, (or maybe all three of those) you know people outside your family might not understand and you would just as soon keep quiet. We found a pillow with just the reminder your family may need to adobt as a motto…
Read moreOct 28
Oct 27
The next time you want to do something or learn something new and someone tells you that you are “too old” (it might even be you telling yourself that) remember this:
Read moreOct 26
Oct 25
Abraham Lincoln was the ultimate self-made man. Largely self-educated, he rose from the humblest of origins to become a lawyer and politician before being elected President of the United States in 1860.
His unshakeable faith in and devotion to the United States was severely tested during the Civil War, and his savvy leadership ensured the Union’s survival. But his life and legacy were more complicated than history books often present. Explore six intriguing facts about America’s 16th President.
Read moreOct 24
Oct 19
This is a photo of someone who represents generosity and goodness. You may not know this man or his story and his heart for helping.
Read moreOct 13
Interesting Quotes shared with us some valuable tips!
Sometimes the hardest thing in life is letting go of what’s holding you back. It could be a painful situation you have to overcome, the loss of someone you love, the consequences of a poor choice, a deflating job, or even just a negative mindset you can’t shake. We can get stuck in a holding pattern where we focus on the things that we struggle with, and wind up in a cycle of stress, frustration, and sadness.
Read moreOct 12
We found the above-mentioned quote as the lead line in an editorial in the Christian Science Monitor yesterday and were struck by its resonance!
Read moreOct 11
Monarchs happen to be one of my granddaughter’s school mascot and mighty they are!
No animal on Earth travels quite like the eastern monarch butterfly.
Read moreOct 7
If you’ve been our chum for any amount of time you probably know our regard for Corrie ten Boom and her wonderful autobiographical book The Hiding Place.
Read moreOct 4
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us,” Helen Keller wrote in 1929. Being deaf and blind, she knew well about “closed doors”!
Read moreOct 3
Sep 29
Nearly 250 years after the fabled ride of Paul Revere leading up to the American Revolution battles of Lexington and Concord, many people believe he yelled the phrase, “The British are coming!” along the way — but this would have lacked a lot of subtlety for Revere, who also worked as a spy.
Read moreSep 28
You may think this is just a little boy about to hug a firefighter. But this is an even better story than that. What you are seeing is a wonderful act of kindness.
Read moreSep 27
That’s a good question! Is it named after someone? Here’s what we found out.
Read moreSep 26
With a name that translates to “head of the year”, Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish celebration of the birth of the universe, the changing of the civil calendar, and the start of the religion’s High Holidays. It runs over two days and started last night.
Read moreSep 22
If you know anything about HM The Queen, you are very aware of her deep love for her animals.
This was made evident on Monday when, as her coffin was driven along The Long Walk at Windsor Castle, you could see on the side Emma, her fell pony, standing at attention for her darling Monarch.
Read more
