Two Brits' Birthdays

It's the birthday of Roald Dahl, born in Llandaff, South Wales. Initially he was known for his dark short stories for adults but later switched to writing books for children.

"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom." — Roald Dahl (1916-1990)

It's also the birthday of J B Priestley, born in Bradford, England (1894). He wrote more than a hundred books of fiction, essays, and drama.

"We plan, we toil, we suffer — in the hope of what? ... The title deeds of Radio City? ... A trip to the moon? No, no, no, no. Simply to wake just in time to smell coffee and bacon and eggs." — J B Priestly (1894-1984)

Madeleine L'Engle

The New York Times Obit included this wonderful quote:

" 'Why does anybody tell a story?' Ms. L’Engle once asked, even though she knew the answer.

" 'It does indeed have something to do with faith,' she said, 'faith that the universe has meaning, that our little human lives are not irrelevant, that what we choose or say or do matters, matters cosmically.' " — Madeleine L'Engle (1918 - 2007)

In the Shadow of the Moon

If you get the chance, see this film. On the big screen if you can.

It's a brilliant documentary narrated by the astronauts themselves, filmed in tight close-up, and it is nail-biting, funny, deeply moving and on the edge of your seat stuff. "I called the moon my home for three days of my life. And I'm here to tell you about it!" says one of the astronauts. "That's science fiction."

In the Shadow of the Moon leaves you with renewed awe at the bravery of these men, the vastness of our universe and in particular with your eyes wide open to the wonder and beauty of this beautiful world we've been given to be our home.

You can watch the trailer here.

don't give up, give in, give way!

a friend sent this DML-J quote to me this week and it's so encouraging and inspiring, I thought you'd want to read it, too...

"Frequently there comes a point at which development and advance seem to have come to an end and we are in some kind of doldrums when it is difficult to know whether the work is moving at all, either backwards or forwards. All seems to be at a standstill and nothing seems to be taking place...we are considering people who are not so much tired of the work as tired in it... What shall we say about it and what shall we do about it? Let me say at the outset that there is no aspect of this great problem of depression in which negatives are more important than they are on this particular occasion. Whoever we are found in this position of weariness, before we begin to do anything positive, there are certain negatives that are absolutely all-important.

"The first is this: Whatever you may feel about it do not consider the suggestion that comes to you from all directions - not so much from people, but from within yourself, the voices that seem to be speaking around and about you - do not listen to them when they suggest that you should give up, or give way, or give in. That is a great temptation that comes at this point. You say, 'I am weary and tired, the thing is too much for me.' And there is nothing to say at that point but this negative - do not listen. You always have to start with these 'don'ts' on the very lowest level; and that is the lowest level. You must say to yourself, 'whatever happens I am going on.'

"You do not give in or give way."

— Dr David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981)

more fun with accents

Peter Sellers' English accents

i thought for such a day as this when we're all going back to school or work or both, we could do with some silliness from this master...

first teeth

here we are again with poor Griffin who is once more undergoing even further noxious torture at the hands of his cruel and unusual parents. Only this time he's facing first teeth, not first peas.

some people say first teeth are not really your parents' fault
(it's just part of life, they say)
but what has that got to do with anything?
it's still horrible and awful
and why isn't anyone stopping it?
why are they just standing there?
and staring at me?
and taking photos?

what kind of stony-hearted parents would do such a thing?


whoever is to blame for this can't they see how unbearable it is?
make it stop please right this instant. whatever did I do to deserve this? I ate my peas and everything.



(if you need further proof of how hard it is being a baby, you should check out the authorative manual on the subject: HOW TO BE A BABY: by ME, the Big Sister. There are some rather helpful lists and useful facts)

bestselling children's book...

check out the number 2 bestselling children's book for September (based on July sales). How cool is that.