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.

Francesco Guardi Painting

Painting from the Church dell'Agnello Raffaele in Venice for the story of Tobias.  
Scene: Tobias while fishing with the archangel Raphael.

The Vigilia di San Pietro by Canaletto

Canaletto was one of the greatest painters ever, he was born in Venice and painted numerous works of his beautiful hometown. This superb work of art is of the Church of San Pietro di Castello in Venice.

 

 

Waiting for Guests by Lamplight by Ma Lin

Painted circa 1250 during the Song Dynasty with ink and colors on silk.

Literature Pick #6

The Ivy Cottage Mystery 

by Arthur Morrison from Chronicles of Martin Hewitt

This is a brilliantly written detective story in the style of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.

Aert van der Neer painting

 

View by Moonlight by Aert van der Neer (1645)

Favorite Actress Showcase #1: Christine Lakin

 I've been a fan of Lakin since I was 12 years old watching her on Step by Step, her talent and beauty were abundant. Since her masterful work as the tomboyish Al Lambert on the aforementioned sitcom she's been busy acting in many other roles, including guest spots on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Touched by an Angel, CSI: Miami, Bones, NCIS, Melissa & Joey, and she has a recurring role as Joyce Kinney on Family Guy. Plus she's been in a couple movies that star the legendary Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and every movie The Rock makes is good. From the pictures in this post it's obvious to all that she also happens to be one of the world's best gorgeous woman.

 

 

 

Quotable

"Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach." - Marcus Aurelius

Winter in Switzerland

Winter in Switzerland by Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823–1900)

A beautiful painting from the brilliant Hudson River School artist, this is a powerful awe-inspiring work of art.