BREAKING NEWS: The Royal Family in Traverse City!?

Dear Royal Readers,

The Books for Walls Project loves libraries, books and also good stories. We have the makings of a good story today! Did you hear? Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Sarah Ferguson, Queen Victoria (the Young Victoria), Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill and Catherine (Kate) Middleton, the bride herself --were seen in Traverse City!! Well sort of...

Queen Elizabeth (Gramma), Prince Charles (The Sister's Uncle), Margaret Thatcher (The Bean) and Winston Churchill (The Poet)

Kate Middleton (The Big Sister), Sarah Ferguson (The Mom),  Prince Charles, (The Sister's Uncle), The Young Victoria --the actress Emily Blunt who played Victoria (The Little Sister), Winston Churchill (The Poet) and Margaret Thatcher (The Bean).

The Sisters have been learning all about the world and lately have focused on current events: The Royal Wedding. Today we attended a viewing of The Royal Wedding live on the big screen at our favorite local hot spot --The State Theatre. To make the event even better attendees were urged to dress up: "Uniform, morning coat or lounge suit, please. And every English lady wears a hat to a wedding." The Sisters' Uncle thought up, made and delivered the fantastic mask idea (we do love to go incognito!) And The Sisters are up for any and every occasion to dress up --so we got serious-- even though it meant rising at the ridiculous hour of 3:30am!!

The Poet volunteered --arriving, by bicycle at 3:30am, now that is dedication! He and fellow volunteer cut the "TC version of Prince William's Groom's Cake" as a cameraman filmed the action. We love the way he kept Winston Churchill in his back pocket!

While there are a multitude of opinions about the Royal Wedding --one thing is for certain the folks gathered to view the affair were treated like royalty by a committed group of volunteers and the ever-inspiring staff of Traverse City's State Theatre. Thanks to everyone who took part, we will never forget the event!

Next Week: Choose Privacy Week, A Royal-ish Challenge --coming Wednesday!

RIGHT Now: Take this week's Challenge and Celebrate National Poetry Month all year --learn more here. Have a great weekend!

Thirteen Ways to Look at _______ Challenge

In response to the Put a Poem in Your Pocket Challenge our Regular Contributor The Teacher shared one of her own poems and an invitation/assignment. The Sisters decided that a perfect way to end National Poetry Month would be to challenge our readers to write a poem of their own. So this week we give you a poetry challenge from The Teacher:

A blackbird made by The Sisters
during Days of the Blackbird

"There's a poem by Wallace Stevens titled Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.  The first time I introduced it to a class, I ended up asking them to chose an object (not a quality, like "love") and, following Stevens's example and their own imaginations, see how many ways they could look at that object (at least 7); using figures of speech, etc." 

Want to give it a try? First read Wallace Stevens' poem, next read The Teacher's poem and finally click comment and write your own!

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird

by Wallace Stevens

I 

Among twenty snowy mountains, 

The only moving thing 

Was the eye of the blackbird.

II 

I was of three minds, 

Like a tree 

In which there are three blackbirds.

III 

The blackbird whirled in the autumn winds. 

It was a small part of the pantomime.

IV 

A man and a woman 

Are one. 

A man and a woman and a blackbird 

Are one.

V 

I do not know which to prefer, 

The beauty of inflections 

Or the beauty of innuendoes, 

The blackbird whistling 

Or just after.

VI 

Icicles filled the long window 

With barbaric glass. 

The shadow of the blackbird 

Crossed it, to and fro. 

The mood 

Traced in the shadow 

An indecipherable cause.

VII 

O thin men of Haddam, 

Why do you imagine golden birds? 

Do you not see how the blackbird 

Walks around the feet 

Of the women about you?

VIII 

I know noble accents 

And lucid, inescapable rhythms; 

But I know, too, 

That the blackbird is involved 

In what I know.

IX 

When the blackbird flew out of sight, 

It marked the edge 

Of one of many circles.

X 

At the sight of blackbirds 

Flying in a green light, 

Even the bawds of euphony 

Would cry out sharply.

XI 

He rode over Connecticut 

In a glass coach. 

Once, a fear pierced him, 

In that he mistook 

The shadow of his equipage 

For blackbirds.

XII 

The river is moving. 

The blackbird must be flying.

XIII 

It was evening all afternoon. 

It was snowing 

And it was going to snow. 

The blackbird sat 

In the cedar-limbs. 

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Willow 

by Lynn Barrett (The Teacher)

I
Willow weeps
With a war-weary world.

II
O Willow, why do you weep?
Ophelia floats peacefully
In the stream.

III
O Willow, why do you weep?
Listen to the laughter
Of children playing
Inside the tent of your branches.

IV
The willow is a maiden
With tempest-tossed tresses
Troubling the tangled turf.

V
The willow is a fountain
Of yellow-green droplets
Filtering the slanting rays
Of the morning sun.

VI
Squirrels chase each other
Through the willow tree.
Her limbs sway and bend.
They do not break.

VII
In the heat of noontime,
A nightingale -
Nodding,
Napping -
Nestles in the cool green niches
Of the willow.

VIII
The sting of the willow-switch whipping
Will soon pass.
Not so
The deeper wound.

IX
In the gray-green of evening,
The willow whispers wistfully
To the winnowing wind.

X
What night nuances
Lure me to the moon-made shadows
Of the willow?

XI
Whitened with winter,
The willow waits willingly
For spring.
Now is a time of rest.

XII
The rivulet runs;
The robin returns;
The bluebell blooms:
The willow wakes.

XIII
Her roots probed deep
To find life-giving water.

Still the willow thirsts.

Now Dear Books for Walls Reader -it is your turn, pick your object and write your poem then post it in the comments below. We understand if you feel shy and do not want to post it --in that case just post in the comments that you did take the Thirteen Ways to Look at _______ Challenge. And Happy National Poetry Month!

Introducing: The Bean

In any worthy endeavor there are cornerstones, essential pieces that insure a solid foundation. If you've been with us for while you may have noticed that the Books for Walls Project has become a cyber family of sorts, we are also a family in reality. Today we introduce you to The Bean, our trusty editor, a very strong cornerstone both of our family and of the Book for Walls Project.

Out from behind her book she is known as Kathleen M. Daniels or Kathy. The Sisters refer to her as "NaNa" (and in "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, good bye" listen here if you need to!) and The Mom refers to her as "Mommy." We are all thankful to have her as part of the project, it simply would not be what it is without The Bean!

For now read, and enjoy, this Introduction to The Bean, in her words:

You may wonder, “why the Bean?”  When my children were young, my husband gave me this warm and cuddly light purple bath robe with a hood.  When I first arose with my robe on in the morning and shuffled to the coffee pot, our little ones thought I looked like a giant jelly bean!

Favorite Book: Hymn of the Universe by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and The Secret Garden by Francs Hodgson Burnett

Original Artwork by Kathleen M. Daniels 

inspired by "Stopping by the
Woods on a Snowy Evening"

Favorite Poem: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost (Children's version with artwork by Susan Jeffers)

Favorite Genre: Historical Fiction and Spiritually Focused

Favorite Author: Geraldine Brooks and Joyce Rupp (current) and 

C.S. Lewis (over-all)

Favorite Place: My home, especially the garden

Favorite Restaurant: Anywhere with my husband, family, or friends where the main ingredient is love (from hearth & out-of-doors, to traveling & special places)

Favorite Food: Fresh Strawberries

Favorite Color: The glorious colors of the setting sun

Favorite Tree: Trees are majestic gifts. I have given names to a number of good “friends” like the huge wizened oak with many limbs reaching and bending (…"the kind you’d see in Narnia, Sisters.") The hollow cave at the base and the raccoon family in the crotch confirmed the name I knew it by: “Home to Many”!  All trees have wonder about and in them!

Musical Instrument: Music appreciation is my talent; piano music, my most loved form.  I remember my father playing Kinderszenen (children’s scenes) No. 7 - "Träumerei" (reverie).  Now, my husband is learning the piece! (Listen here)

Favorite Pastime:  Nana-time and gardening

Hobbies: Sketching & pastels, yoga, photography, and of course, reading.

Kayaking, walking, and tandem biking with my husband. 

Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption a 1994 drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont. It is an adaptation of the Stephen King novella, “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”.  The latter information about the novella’s author floored me, since I do not personally care for Stephen King’s work!

Favorite Time of Day: Sunset

Favorite Quote: "All shall be well.” – Julian of Norwich (14^th Century, England)

What I like about the Books for Walls Project: The “Four of US Family’s” depth of creativity and clear passion for learning… hearing (feel like it is) what others say about the challenges and the enlarging red dots on the map!

Why I want to be a Regular Contributor: I believe in the Project!  Through the centuries, books have had a struggle from being banned to being burned… now another twist with the internet, downloadable books, kindle… not to mention, books being in competition with video games and cable TV.   Books continually need to be respected for their innate goodness and worth. 

Most of all, I treasure the value of reading being engrained in our youth as well as being rekindled in my life.  I also appreciate the wise use of the internet for global communication and cultural learning.

Finally, stories through books can heal and can keep a person or memory alive. 

Some of my ideas/suggestions/thought/hopes for the Project:  “Keep on keeping on!” (Maya Angelou)

My Favorite BFW's Challenge so far: Haiku Challenge

Please add anything you would like the world of BFW's readers to know about YOU:

Haiku Myself!

Agape surrounds

Essence: good fail reach higher

Breathe hope eternal

Be sure to come back tomorrow, or sign up for Weekly Challenge delivery, 

because The Bean is offering this week's Challenge --it's a good one!!

Introducing: The Big Sister

(WOW, we need to update this! The Big Sis is almost 12!!!!!)New Intro coming soon!


In honor of her upcoming tenth birthday today we introduce The Big Sister. Just recently she learned to use the online catalog for our local library system what fun to be able to browse and hold books, any time of the day. Have fun getting to know The Big Sister a little better and don't forget to take the Ten Around Ten Challenge, she'd LOVE to hear from you!

Favorite Book: I could NEVER list them all!

Favorite Poem: Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost --I know it by heart! (click)

Current Favorite Series: Right now I am reading and listening to the Redwall Series.

Favorite Genre: Mystery and Fairy Tales

Favorite Author: E.D. Baker (click), C.S. Lewis  (click), Blue Balliett (click), Nancy Springer (click), Brian Jacques (click) and Louise Erdrich (click).

Favorite Place: Home

Favorite Restaurant: The Fusion in Frankfort, Michigan and Trattoria Stella, Traverse City, Michigan (click)  --but home is my absolute favorite place to eat!

Favorite Color: Violet, light green and light blue

Favorite Tree: Maple

Musical Instrument: Flute -I've been studying with Lisa Johansson, from Song of the Lakes and Freya, for two years.

Favorite Pastime: Listening to books on tape and drawing

Hobbies: Reading, beading rings, playing house with The Little Sister, swimming, biking, playing the flute --more to come!

Favorite Movie: Ever After and Singing in the Rain

Favorite Food: Mom's Burritos

Favorite Time of Day: Sunrise

Favorite Quote: "If you don't like something change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude." Maya Angelou I found this quote on my Honest Tea iced tea cap.

What I like about the Books for Walls Project: Sharing books with other people!

Some of my ideas/suggestions/thought/hopes for the Project: I am hoping that the picture project will happen and the gallery will grow --we need pictures of people reading in non-ordinary places!!

My Favorite BFW's Challenge so far: It's hard, I don't have a favorite!!

Introducing: The Poet

There are several reasons The Books for Walls Project came into being. One of the biggest is inspiration. That inspiration is thanks in many ways to John Daniels, known at Books for Walls as The Poet.  His ability to share stories and write poetry are gifts, gifts that we feel lucky that he shares with us at BFW! Take a moment to read the original Books for  Walls Poem, click here. And to watch the story of how the inspiration grew, click here. Join us in thanking The Poet for all the inspiration!

Favorite Book: Bible

Favorite Poem: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”, Gerard Manley Hopkins (for more click here) or perhaps “Prairies” by Emily Dickinson (click to read)

Favorite Genre: Mystic Theology

Favorite Author: C.S. Lewis (click for more there are so many C. S. Lewis websites so we share the Wiki a good starting point!)

Favorite Place: Wherever I AM.

Favorite Restaurant: Home; I’m too cheap.
Favorite Food: Bread

Favorite Color: The eastern sky an hour before dawn

Favorite Tree: Whichever I’m looking at

Musical Instrument: Piano

Favorite Pastime: Riding my bike in the early morning

Hobbies: Woodworking, Writing, Music, Deep films, Reading

Favorite Movie: The Five Senses (click for more)

Favorite Time of Day: Pre-dawn

Favorite Quote: “Honey, please stop working and just relax!”

What I like about the Books for Walls Project: Booksforwalls calls us to remember how much of us has come from this gift we ignore or avoid.

Why I want to be a Regular Contributor:  At my age, being irregular has its complications.

Some of my ideas/suggestions/thought/hopes for the Project:  Persist.

My Favorite BFW's Challenge so far: The Bookshelf Challenge

Please add anything you would like the world of BFW's readers to know about YOU:

My blog shares what comes from my heart www.freelemonadestand.blogspot.com

My website shares what comes from my hands www.lignumsacrumwoodworking.com

Today is the last day to vote in the poll.  Please take a moment and vote!  Thanks!

What is a Regular Contributor?

So what exactly is a Regular Contributor?  We came up with the concept to include a diverse representation of books and ideas and opinions for our readers --and we think it will be fun to follow these interesting folks.

You'll notice that each of our contributors has a nickname and they have been kind enough to share some personal information --to give you lovely readers some insight to these Faces Behind the Books.

Do you love the project, would you like a fun nickname and to help us come up with ideas and participate often?  We'd love you to join us.  Just email us and tell us why you'd like to be a part of the project.

The Week's Highlights -the LONG post!

Saturday morning The Mom wakes up a little earlier than usual to put together the Highlights from the week --And this week we had some very cool highlights:

Books in Space!  Well its not a novel, its a notebook that Mission Specialist Piers Sellers has strapped to his leg (far left, his hand is touching the notebook.)  In an interview with CNN he explained that he carries to refer to. Learn more about Piers Sellers, click here.

The Rock and Roll Hall of fame is on the What's Going Up List (click here to read more.)  For a great interview with Garrett Reisman (who we are following!) go to the Rock Hall's Blog, click here.

We also learned that Space has a smell, its smells like electricity --according to the astronauts up there on Mission STS-132 and their daily home videos!

On Monday we offered exclusive photos of the library on Antarctic at Mc Murdo Station --we were pretty happy to learn about the habits of readers on that big cold continent (did you know that Antarctica is a desert?)  Click here for the library photos and exactly how Antarctica is a desert!  And thanks again to Marika, our friend way down there!

This week we introduced The Writer, Tracey Kukla-Aleshire to read more about her and our newest Regular Contributors, click here.  We have more introductions coming --if you want to become a Regular Contributor, email us.

And before you get to the comments, one last thing:  The Dreamer is our go to girl for getting the Books for Walls Project out in the world.  She helped us get motivated to start a Twittering, we took a vote and we all agreed that it could be fun --so follow us https://twitter.com/booksforwalls.

Now, enjoy your comments.  And thank you for being a part of the Books for Walls Project! 

The First Line/Last Line Challenge 

No posts this week click here to add your First Line/Last Line

The Childhood in a Book Challenge  

No posts this week click here to add a book that reminds you of being a child

The Haiku Your Book Challenge  

The Four of Us said...

The Complete Practical Guide to Gardening with Annuals, Bulbs and Perennials 

by Richard Bird and Kathy Brown

today we gardened

inspired in the plant world

this book helped a lot.

The Sisters and the Mom worked on this one... after gardening and catching this years first toad!

To add your Haiku click here

The Share Thy Shakespeare Challenge  

No posts this week click here to add your thoughts on Shakespeare

The Bedtime Story Challenge 

No posts this week click here to help us fall asleep...

The What Are You Reading RIGHT NOW! Challenge

No posts this week click here, tell us what you are reading!

On Ice in Antarctica Challenge 

Kathy Daniels said...

Books to leave for others at the McMurdo Station…hhhhmmm…three come to mind after much pondering.

All Saints by Robert Ellsberg, is my first choice, like jolylynbarrett. A dear Jesuit friend said he gives this treasured book as a Christmas gift. Folks from all faiths, cultures, and ranks are highlighted as “Witnesses for Our Times” with quotes, a brief history and reflection. Truly inspiring reading for meditation as well as learning!

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson who is a real-life Indiana Jones character with a humanitarian goal in Taliban territory is my second. 

Mortenson’s quest for meaning, mission, as well as adventure might mirror and inspire the McMurdo Crew. The book would be a great read to discuss.

The Oxford Concise English Dictionary with all the amazing word etymologies is my third choice. Great for word comprehension and for those long scrabble games on a snowy winter’s eve. 

Kudos to Marika and the whole McMurdo Crew!

Click here, tell us what book you'd leave in Antarctica!

Yourstory

None here.  Tell us yours, you know you have a good one, click here.

Is the Book Always Better than the Movie?

Anela said...

Harry potter and the Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling

I couldnt believe this one! I mean all the other movies were fine but really? It may not be nearly as bad as the LIGHTNING THEIF which I adored the book, but still... There was no lead up for the next movie! I mean the book was great but there were intricate plots tied around that book that made things in the deathly Hallows possible. I love the actors but without a good director everything falls to pieces!!!!

The Big Sister said...

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I liked the movie a little more than the book --I like Anne Hathaway and she did a good job as the part of Ella. After I watched the movie I read the book and I could tell the movie did a good job catching important parts of the book. I suggest the book and the movie whole-heartedly.

Click here and tell us about good movie adaptations!

The Really Really Really Good Book Challenge

The Mom said...

Thank you Big Sister for this fantastic idea --we needed a place to shout from the roof tops about good books! It's a good follow up to The What are you Reading RIGHT NOW challenge too --since my REALLY REALLY REALLY good book is one listed there!

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis

What got me to pick this book up was the offer of insight into Pablo Neruda's Childhood. Between the simple prose and pointillistic illustrations I was easily swept into Neftali (Neruda's) childhood and found myself seeking out the poetry of nature, noticing the color of the sky, the leaves as they unfold...

While this is a young adult title, it is a balanced book of history, poetry, and inspiration for any age.

jolynbarrett said...

Grandmothers Counsel the World by Carol Schaefer

A few years ago, The Mom recommended this book to me so I picked it up and read it and recommended it and passed it around and bought copies to give people and reread it more than once.

It is a collection of the wisdom of 13 indigenous "grandmothers" - women elders from tribes around the world - who came together, without knowing one another, yet fulfilling an ancient prophecy. As they shared their stories and their insights with one another and with me, I got a profound sense of the underlying unity and community permeating all of creation, and of my participation in and responsibility toward it. Though the focus is, understandably, on the role of woman, this is a message for all of humankind. This is a REALLY REALLY REALLY good book

The Big Sister and The Little Sister said...

The Princess Plot (aka Skogland, in its original German) by Kirsten Boie --we found her website, but its in German, so you might need to translate! (www.kirsten-boie.de) The Sister's have listened to the book on tape, here is what they have to say about it:

The Little Sister likes it because "its kind of adult humor --that I like, in French I think it would be funny. If you like dogs there are dogs. She acts like a princess but she's really not!"

The Big Sister says, "it is exciting, it's REALLY good, it's in a make believe place in modern times. The plot hooks you, you get sucked into it and then all of the sudden its over. And I have to read it again!!"

The Big Sister said...

Wings 

by E. D. Baker

A fairy tale set in modern times about a girl who has always been different and in the book she realizes why. Some of the background is Midsummer Night's Dream characters Titania and Oberon and a whole lot of mythical creatures! I like it so much that as soon as we finished it, I had to read it again --in one day I am already on Chapter 5.

You can read the first chapter here www.edbakerbooks.com/wingsfront.htm

Margie said...

The Three Questions

Jon J. Muth

There are times when I'm having a tough day...that I've found myself in the children's book section of the library or a bookstore and I feel great comfort by letting my eyes wander over the titles. I picked this book up one day and it changed my life! 

It's a book for children and adults and asks three important questions...and the questions are ANSWERED!

I dearly love this book and I love giving it as a gift...to children AND especially adults.

Tracey said...

Family Matters

By Rohinton Mistry

This book is about aging, regrets, compassion, and how at times, despite our sincerest efforts, history can repeat itself. Set in India, Mistry delicatly unfolds this family story in a way that is so touching I didn't want it to end.

The true sign of an amazing book is when you are sad to realize that you only have one chapter left.  Find it at a library near you, click here.

windcatcher said...

There are soooooooo many wonderful books i've read. hmmmm. one i really like:

Walk Two Moons 

by Sharon Creech

in this book the main charecter, Salamancea, notices the little things about people. it involves a wise old woman, an over-reactive freind and Sal's Gram who is always saying huzza,huzza. this book gave me a laugh.  Click here for more.

Anonymous said...

Red Pyramid

Rick Riordan

It was more than awesome! It connects the real world to egyptian mythology(which is my favorite subject) while also using real places real history and just spicing it up. it kept me on my toes the whole book and I can't wait for the next one! It was funny, suspenseful, with things that people can relate to like losing a family member or being separated from a sibling but made them seem like signs for cool things you could never imagine! While also being smpathetic and making them seem real. Rick Riordan never ceases to amaze me!

Click here and tell us about the Really Really Really Good book you are reading

Have a great weekend! 

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