Literature Pick #11

The Delegate from Venus

by Henry Slesar

A brilliant science fiction short story first published in the October 1958 issue of Amazing Science Fiction Stories.

Mountain landscape by Paul Bril

Mountain landscape by Paul Bril

Bril was born in Antwerp in 1554 and was a noted painter of landscapes and Capriccio art (works depicting fantastical architectural scenes). His brother Matthijs was also a well-known artist. This work is oil on copper and painted in the 1590's, the size is 4.6 × 6.9 inches.

Literature Pick #10

The Attendant's Confession

by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908), from Brazilian Tales

A masterful short story written by one of Brazil's greatest literary masters.

The Top Ten TV Shows To Premiere in the 90's

      Here is my list of what could be the best shows to begin their life in the 1990's.
      Of Course, this is only my opinion.
 
1. Home Improvement (1991-1999)
      The best show to premiere in the 90's is this one. Chronicling the life of an accident prone local TV tool show host and his wife, three sons, and quirky friends. 

2. Futurama (1999-present)
      Matt Groening's humorous retro-futuristic story of a man accidently frozen in 1999 and reawakened in the year 3000.
 
3. Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
      A show about Cory Matthews and his family, friends, and teacher/principal Mr. Feeny.
 
4. King of the Hill (1997-2010)
      The story of an honest but uptight man named Hank Hill and his egotistical wife Peggy, unathletic comedy loving son Bobby, and their wacky cast of friends. Set in a small Texas town.
 
5. NewsRadio (1995-1999)
      An office full of eccentric, quirky characters made for  constant hilarity.
 
6. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
      A Starfleet crew and a Maquis crew are thrown far from earth and must make their way back home together.
 
7. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)
      The story of girl who frequently deals with typical problems by using her magic and having her spells comically backfire.
 
8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
      Joss Whedon's show about a girl who secretly was chosen to save the world from vampires and demons and all sorts of supernatural threats.
 
9. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)
      Another version of the Superman comic book character.
  
10. 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001)
      Four aliens come to explore earth while trying (though not always succeeding) to pretend to be an average American family.

Quotable

"We comprehend the earth only when we have known heaven. Without the spiritual world the material world is a disheartening enigma." - Joseph Joubert

Carl Wagner Painting

 

A Moonlit Night

by Carl Wagner 1796-1867

A wondrous example of Romantic art painted in 1820 with oil on canvas.

Literature Pick #9

The First Men in the Moon
by H. G. Wells
First published in 1901, this is one of Wells' best works and a masterpiece of science fiction.

John Atkinson Grimshaw

In Peril by John Atkinson Grimshaw from 1879.  Grimshaw (September 6, 1836 – October 13, 1893) was born in Leeds, England; he was primarily influenced by  Pre-Raphaelite art.

Favorite Actress Showcase #2: Danica McKellar

From her stint as a beloved Teen Idol on the Wonder Years to becoming a Math Whiz Danica McKellar has enthralled us all. She continues to act with guest starring roles on How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, King of the Hill as well as a recurring role on The West Wing, she also lends her voice to a number of cartoons. She is truly the total package with both beauty and intelligence.

Literature Pick #8

The Crystal Crypt

by Philip K. Dick

An early science fiction short story from one of that genre's legends. First published in the January 1954 issue of Planet Stories.

Medieval Illumination

Illumination from the Gospel Book of Otto III, circa 1000 A.D. - by an unknown miniaturist whose work comes from the Trier, Germany area.

Marriage of Psyche

 

Marriage of  Psyche is a song I wrote which was inspired by the mysterious and beautiful myth of Cupid and Psyche.

Auspicious Cranes by Huizong of Song

 Auspicious Cranes by Huizong of Song (1082–1135) from 1112

Huizong of Song was the eighth Emperor of the Song dynasty and was highly skilled at art, poetry, calligraphy, and music.

Coppo Di Marcovaldo painting

Madonna and Child by Coppo Di Marcovaldo (circa 1265)

Literature Pick #7

Strange Stories from the Lodge of Leisures
by Pu Songling (1640-1715), translated by George Soulié
A collection of short stories based on supernatural folk tales. In this edition from 1913 French translator George Soulié has chosen 25 tales from Pu Songling's collection of over 300 stories.