d.Sharp Journal

Happy Fourth of July!

 

Picturesque America was originally published in 1874 - a collection of engravings from a number of different artists. These scans are from a 1974 reproduction of the original.

Suessims

You may not know this about me, but I am a deep thinker. {smirk}

As  today is Dr. Suess’s birthday, I was thinking a bit about him and all the books I remember reading as a kid. Some of the things I learned:

Green Eggs and Ham - Try new things. Say yes more!

The Sneeches - I vividly remember watching the cartoon of The Sneeches at my elementary school and  immediately ‘getting’ it. We may be different than one another, but we are all equal.  Don’t let someone convince you that you aren't enough just as you are. Be proud of what you got, not what you bought.

The Lorax - Don’t be a Once-ler. Don’t waste. Take care of the environment.

The Cat in the Hat - Yes, the takeaway message may be of using your imagination, but, I also gathered that it’s fun to stand on a rake with a ball and a cake {or however it goes}. I am quite adept at Lazy Man Loads - hauling things around the house and in and out to the studio,  much to my husband’s chagrin. My personal best : the laptop, a portable file box, a wire letter tray, a bowl of ice cream and a cup of hot tea.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas -  Its point that Christmas means more than what’s bought in a store is one that can be applicable in a larger context - the best things in life aren’t things.

Horton Hears a Who -  Protect the most fragile among us. The smallest person can make a difference.

Yertle the Turtle - Don’t be an asshole. ‘nuff said.

Do you have a favorite Suess?

A is for Another Abecedary

The Nonsense ABCs - c. 1918 by Edward Lear, illustrated by Marguerite L. & Willard C. Wheeler.

It has seen better days - a child {sarah jane I am looking at you}  has either scribbled or spilled on nearly every page.

A is for Adoring Abecedaries

 

I had to get this for Father's Day...

for my husband, if only because of my striking resemblance to the adoring wifey on the cover. It's spooky how spot on the illustration is.

Actually, I had to get it because I love all of the illustration in this 1957 tome. Each chapter heading in the three ring book has an illustrated page, and yes, the man of the house is smoking in almost all of them. Perhaps a modern version would have, at minimum, at least one of them talking on a cell or one of those Bluetooth things, or messing with their iPhone - perhaps an app with a level tool.

 

I can dream...

So few words, so much inspiration.

From my bookshelf

Vintage book illustrations make me happy.

 

 

historical tweets

These are fun, can't wait for the book.

 
 

Grammar rules

One error that I encounter often online that makes me twitch slightly is lose/loose confusion, although I would never comment to correct someone. Is there a grammar rule that drives you nuts or that you commit regularly?

I am not very good at remembering many grammar rules myself and probably drive some folks nuts with my dangling participles.{that kinda sounds dirty}I am sure if I had been 'applying*' myself in high school, I would be able to avoid simple errors. Anyways, I like these little illustrations from one of my vintage books:

 

{* I did apply myself in high school, it just wasn't to school, homework or lessons. A parent's dream.}

a girl can dream.

Have you ever done guided meditation? When asked to find my 'happy place', it looks a lot like the pages from Vintage French Interiors, I speak fluent French, G and I are the only customers at the flea markets and my wallet is heavy.

{Oh, and I have a lot less body upholstery.}