Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Tuesday 7th September 2021 – Patricia Furstenberg, Darlene Foster, Robbie Cheadle, Rebecca Budd, Terry Tyler, Jan K. Sikes

A small selection of posts I have enjoyed over the last few days and I hope you will head over to enjoy in full..Slightly different format going forward with a twice weekly post..

The first post is from Pat Furstenberg with a fascinating post sharing the very familiar idioms we use often, little realising their common usage across a number of languages including Afrikaans, German, Romanian and English..head over to enjoy

6 Idioms Linguistically Identical in Afrikaans, German, English and Romanian

Because idioms can be fun, here are 6 phrases linguistically identical in Afrikaans, German, English and Romanian, with a little historical background too. How else? 🙂

1. Hit the nail on the head – as old as the Bronze Age 

Head over to read the rest of this fascinating post: 6 Idioms Linguistically Identical in Afrikaans, German, English and Romanian

Darlene Foster shares some wonderful photos from her recent get away to the Isle of Arran… head over to see the heather covered hillsides, standing stones and photogenic sheep…

The Incredible Isle of Arran

I finally got away for a few days! I was fortunate to visit the Isle of Arran, in Scotland. The island is a magical place with lovely beaches, manor houses, castles, old churches, standing stones, charming coffee shops, art galleries and lots of sheep. There is a story around every corner. I went to meet writer friends, do some writing and chill. I did all of that and more. I expected rain and got sunshine. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of how wonderful Arran Island is.  

Head over to enjoy this wonderful photographic tour by Darlene Foster: The Incredible Isle of Arran

Roberta Eaton Cheadle (Robbie) shares her thoughts on the dystopian novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley on the blog of Charles French.

Another Entry For The U. L. S., The Underground Library Society, by Roberta Eaton Cheadle: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 

Overview

A colleague of mine who is a philosopher recommended I read Brave New World, a book written in 1931 by English author Aldous Huxley.

I have read several dystopian novels including 1984 by George Orwell, Anthem by Ayn Rand, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, but this one disturbed me the most.

In all other dystopian novels I’ve read, compliance with the despotic authoritarian regimes that demand the surrender of knowledge, creativity, and individuality are enforced by strict control over the behaviour and actions of all people and the maintenance of power through force, intimidation, and torture. 

Head over to read the rest of Robbie’s thoughts on this book written 90 years ago with a disturbing vision of the future: Roberta Eaton Cheadle – Brave New World

Rebecca Budd shares a wonderful reading of a poem written by Frances Ellen Watkins

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper lived an extraordinary life during extraordinary times. Born in Baltimore in September 24, 1824 and orphaned at an early age, she was destined to become a prominent abolitionist, temperance and women’s suffrage activist. She used poetry to advocate for a compassionate society.

“Songs for the People” speaks of embracing a spirit of kindness and hope for others when we face seemingly overwhelming challenges. Her words are not spoken with sentimentality, but with power and authority that resonate in our current reality. 

Head over to enjoy listening to Rebecca give voice to this poem: Songs for the People read by Rebecca Budd

If you are looking for some new television series to stream or perhaps to buy older popular shows in boxed sets, Terry Tyler shares some recommended viewing..including The Shield, Betrayed, Romper Stomper, No Man of God, The North Water, The Walking Dead and Stillwater.. some I have seen but others I will explore further..

Lately I’ve Been Watching….

The latest in my series of mini TV and film reviews, with trailers and ‘where to watch’. If you have trouble finding where any show/film is available in your country, this is a good site: Justwatch. Just put the name of the show into the search, and choose your country further down, from the drop-down menu. It shows where you can stream, buy or rent. Or you can put ‘where can I watch ***’ into whichever search engine you use, or go to the programme’s own site, if it has one.

If you would like to see more posts, please click here: Lately I’ve Been Watching. If you get as far as the bottom, ‘Older Posts’ will take you to more.

Head over to read Terry’s views on the series and find some new viewing: Terry Tyler – Lately I’ve Been Watching

And last but not least… Jan Sikes shares her August reading so if you are looking for your next book to enjoy…something for everyone. Including books by Mae Clair, Jacquie Biggar, Willie Nelson, Lisa Wells, Sasha Summers and Teagan Geneviene.

 

 Head over to read the reviews: Jan Sikes August Reads

 

Thanks for dropping in and I hope you will head over to enjoy these posts in full.. more on Thursday… thanks Sally.