Rozetta is an inspiration
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I had the pleasure of meeting Rozetta in June of 2008 after her book was published and before I read it. Rozetta is a true inspiration to all, no matter what has happened to us in our lives it is with in our power to make our life better regardless.

Going back to her Grandmother Grace she unfolds how tragedy began being a normal state for her family. She writes in such a way that as much as you are horrified by what has happened you need to know how it all turns out.

By Rozetta telling her story I feel she helps others realize that there is hope. Rozetta is a truly remarkable woman who was able to face her demons head on and survive.

I wish you the best of luck with all your future ventures.
2436625
Frazetta can capture life better than any camera.  His images are more than alive they are surreal.  The action and movement leap off the page.  The women are more beautiful and voluptuous than any you may ever meet or  dream of.  The men are believable in their musculature, stance and prowess,  and are harder than a rock.  His beasts and cats are more tawny, serpentine  and ferocious than any fantasy author or movie maker could conjure up.  His  armor is harder and more metallic than seems possible.  And its all here in  "Icon".
Frazetta can lead your eye and cause you to see what he  wants you to see.  His structure and framing are flawless.  Frazetta does  not paint posed characters in heroic staged scenes.  Frazetta takes a snap  shot of life in its most vivid and lush moving existence, or in its near  death harshness and puts it on canvas.  Even his non-moving figures fairly  ripple with life and energy.  And you can see examples of it all in  "Icon".
Their are only two perfect matches in the art world and  they both have the master Frank Frazetta as the second component.  The  first is author Edgar Rice Burroughs and the second is Robert E. Howard's  Conan.  Frazetta made Burroughs' work come to life in beautiful, brutish  livid reality.  Frazetta made Conan the beleivable, powerful, war-torn thug  he was.  Almost all of these pieces are contained in "Icon".
I wish I were a Frazetta hero and could rescue and succor a Frazetta  female.  But, since I can't I'll just have to settle down in my easy chair  and browse through "Icon" again.
3758181
Miss Mezentseva is the ultimate russian balleria. She conveys such fragility in her presence, such humanity in her movements that you are sure that what you are seeing trancends the riguers of training and style. But rather you are face to face with  her soul which she reveals with such candour and frankness. Miss Mezentseva is regal yet is longing for her princes love. She is fragil yet powerfull. It is in these paradoxes of charachter that we identify ourselves. She is not a bird inlove with a prince. She is his equal! A princess inlove. One human being rescuing another and shering a common love. All this is what she brings to you and more. The beauty of the russian school, almost too beautiful, and the integrity and humility of the human spirit which has found love. Miss Mezentseva's dances from the edge of her fingertips when she joins the prince in the famous pas de deux to her points. She is a dancer of such poise and purity, she is so completely devoid of mannerism that one knows that this is the russian school at it's most sublime never seen before or since!
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James Burke has poignantly caught the excitement of Renaissance painters discovering perspective, and he explains visual principles, while nicely presenting  the changes that occurred in art.  I really enjoyed his commentary how different artists Durer, Da Vinci, and Michaelangelo, Raphael et al thought, spoke, and played with image and illusion, as well as light and color. Quite informative for learning art, but also useful for teaching perception and thinking. This video was a delightful trip back in time and makes one more sensitive to the power of representation that guide perception and experience. I will never look at the painting "The School of Athens" again in the same way.
This video is short and sweet and creates a hunger for more.
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Craving a cup of inspiration? Zhena Muzyka's Life by the Cup serves it straight up. Tea lover or not, Zhena's fascinating story of determination and spirit will motivate you to live with purpose, generosity, and passion.

Her treks to the tea fields in Sri Lanka are steeped in beautiful transformation and spiritual awakening; infectious for certain. Two of my favorite messages from her journey are: "Give for the sake of honoring all life as sacred," and "We save each other by serving one another."

For me, the true heart of the story is the power of generosity: giving simply for the act of giving. May this be a lesson we all learn, apply, and live fully.
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I have followed Iris and Thula's journey on Facebook. I didn't realize that I had started following her soon after Iris' family received the diagnosis. My daughter, while not on the spectrum, also had difficulties and I, as a sleep deprived and stressed out mother, felt so much relief from Arabella's posts and was inspired by her to find other ways to connect with and nurture my daughter. We turned our front room into a 'zen' calm down room and the walls are a bit impressionist so I had hung Iris' post card set around.  The room has transitioned since to a craft room. I know she's oceans away and we've never met, but Arabella's garden room inspired me to be more in tune and aware of my daughter's needs. She needed a place to be creative like Iris and reading the book, I realized that their facebook posts inspired me to take the leap of faith and make it happen. In the book, you can feel her strength as a mother- her fear, her love, her passion.  You can relate. Arabella's not perfect- she's a real person and she has up and down days, but the photos are magical and the story is powerful and the book has it all. This family is amazing.  The bond between Thula and Iris is beautiful, and I loved reading about Arabella and PJ's history and Arabella's connection to animals and nature as a child.  Iris is lucky to have so much support and love and to have received the creativity of both of her parents.

I ordered the book on the kindle because I could not wait for it in the mail. I am glad I did, but I think I might need a hard copy too eventually. If you're  on the edge, just listen to me--- DO IT! Add it to your cart and then follow her on facebook!
1391609
The Accidental Caregiver is a touching story of friendship, love and inspiration.  Maria Altmann is a truly remarkable woman who overcame great odds and never lost her optimism or zest for life.  This book captures her energy, wit and humor so that one feels as if they are a fly on the wall listening to she and Gregor talk about life, family, relationships and art.  It serves as a lovely reminder that everyone has vibrant and fascinating stories to tell and that being able to share them with loved ones is truly a gift.
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Abandoned by her mother at age 10. Torn from her entire beloved family in Italy. Thrown into years of struggling to overcome her sorrow. Thats Mariettas story.
  Now an adult and a mother herself, she shares her heartbreaking childhood trauma, searching for answers and peace of mind.
  Marietta is the oldest of two girls born into an embattled marriage. Her beautiful mother pursues men and fashions, and imagines becoming a movie star in America. Her self-serving father loves good times and riches more than his wife and girls. Mariettas mother takes her girls to the home of her parents, Nonno and Nonna, in a thousand-year-old Italian city on the Ionian coast. There Marietta revels in her grandparents love until a scheme by her restless mother tears her away from that refuge and sends her to America  all alone.
  New life unfolds for Marietta in Brooklyn with a difficult aunt and uncle. As she grows to womanhood, many good things happen, too, in surprising ways, but never enough to heal a heart that keeps asking, How could a mother abandon a child?
  Religious faith helps Marietta endure. Joyful memories of Italy also help  like the longed-for warmth of her grandparents home, and a game with orange peels played on cobblestone streets with an unforgettable friend. But will this cast-off girl ever be reunited with her family, the reader wonders? Can she ever forgive her mother?
  This well-written story  with many a stormy and tender scene of family life Italian style. kept us turning pages, with high hopes for Marietta that were rewarded. We're recommending Orange Peels and Cobblestones to family and friends.
D & D Hendrickson, Portland, OR
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You will love this book. If you are inspired by architecture, Italy, or beauty, this is the book for you. The author traveled to Florence, Italy and chronicled her journey with photos of the beautiful doors found on many homes and businesses. She paired those photos with inspirational quotes allowing the reader to reflect on how those elements fill their lives. I recently had the good fortune to travel to Italy and found that I, too, took pictures of the many doors in Assisi and Gubbio. What a joy to arrive home and find this book available on Amazon.
Kudos to Mindy Collins for an inspirational and beautiful book. I expect to purchase more books as gifts.
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My daughter is entranced with ballerinas, and since her name is Lillian, someone gave her "Lili On Stage" for Christmas one year.  It's perfect for any little girl (or boy, as boys are shown herein as well) who dreams of becoming a dancer.
Rachel Isadora, the author and illustrator, is a former ballerina herself and she graciously lets us into this magical world.  Lili and her friends are shown getting ready to go onstage to perform in "The Nutcracker"--we see them stretching, getting into costumes and make-up, waiting with baited breath for their cues, and so on.  What I like best about the book is that Isadora shows us the pixie dust and the magic along with all the incredible hard work that goes into not only being a ballerina, but putting on a ballet for the public.  The teacher, costume mistress, stage manager, and prima ballerina are all shown doing their disparate jobs.  We see that creating this dream of a ballet takes the commitment and cooperation of a great many people.
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How sad that I never had the chance to meet Munindra in person. Reading Mirka Knaster's poignant and detailed portrait of his life and work, through the eyes and ears of so many of his students, I felt the same way as I did when I read about Dipa Ma, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Urgyen Tulku Rinpoche. All four of these Buddhist teachers were living examples of what they taught.

I read the book as slowly as I could because it has so much to teach me. Here was a man who believed that if it was possible for the Buddha to become enlightened, it was possible for any of us. And he spent every moment in that endeavor--and succeeded. What an inspiration!
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Starting in 1921 with the return to his homeland after many years in Europe, this marvelous film gives those of us who haven't had the opportunity to view these amazing masterpieces in person, a glimpse as to the size and scope of these frescoes.
I was fascinated to learn, and see by examples, the influence that Italian Renaissance painting had on his work. In the use of perspective, and the way certain figures are posed, one can see the relationship between Rivera and the Italian Masters, but he transformed it into an art that is 100 % Mexican.
Written by Michael Camerini (who also directed) and Stanton L. Catlin, it's well narrated by Michael Moriarty, with his calm and lovely voice. This terrific video (it feels way too short at 35 minutes in length) will inspire and give you a lot to think about if you're an artist, and will be a treat for those that appreciate the genius of Diego Rivera.
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I found out about Sofonisba when I was researching Renaissance artists before my trip to Florence, Italy. I was so wonderfully surprised that there were fantastic women artists during this time. I love her work so much I had to read this book to find out about her fascinating life. This book is excellent. She was a gifted and celebrated artist, whose work should no longer be forgotten.
2567925
The Vespera is a wonderful book for young and old. I loved it--and I know my niece and nephew will as well. It is an inspiring story and adventure of great courage and the power of truth. I could have used a heroine and a friend like Shameece when I was a girl. I'm equally glad to have met her now. She's an inspiration. I love Kathleen Sullivan's writing and the inner and outer journey that she beautifully delivers.
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A wonderful journey through one woman's life. Laura Reasoner Jones has put together the life of her great-grandmother, Florence Reasoner, through the eyes of those who knew her best. The story is told primarily through correspondence to Flora.

She lived through a pivotal period of American history, from the Civil War to the Great Depression.  When her life begins women have very few rights and are dependent on men for their support but she lives to see women gain the right to vote and control their own money and property.

Flora had wanted to be a doctor like her father but she was denied the opportunity to go to college. After her marriage she sets up and operates, in complete secrecy, a clinic for the poor of her city. She teaches English to the immigrants, provides medical services, and instructs mothers in the art of parenting. She is also a worker for the women's right to vote group in her area. Near the end of her life she struggles with the thought that she really didn't do anything with her life. But those around her saw her as a key person in their lives, providing them with encouragement in their own endeavors and an inspiration to continue their education and work to improve their own communities.

I found this story to be both educational and inspiring. Sometimes we take for granted the rights that we now possess and this story really opened my eyes to just how tough the fight to get those rights was. I hope you will also enjoy this book and never forget those who came before us and the work they did.
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I love Alice walker. I always feel uplifted and inspired to try to be a better,more aware and spiritual being after reading her essays and poetry... This is not an exception. She is a truly amazing woman, who is gifted with the ability of communicating so very beautifully in words. I was left with a desire for more
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This book was a real gem, and appealed to many of the aspects of literature I enjoy.  It was history at its finest, but also a very good story of an artistic rivalry between two great Florentine artists - a rivalry which literally helped inspire and bring about the Italian renaissance.  Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi are the two artists most prominently featured in the book, but Donatello and others are also there.  It opens with the story of the competition to win the design rights for the baptistery doors for the main cathedral in Florence - which was ultimately won by Ghiberti.  However, the bulk of the story describes how Brunelleschi won the right to design and build the dome of the cathedral.  The vision and artistic genius of these two inspired future Renaissance artists - including Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.  If you ever plan to visit Florence, or have ever visited there, this book should be a must read!  I wish I had read it before I went there in 1999.  Today, you can see all the works of art - the doors and the dome, in this beautiful Tuscan city.  This book will tell you how it all came to happen.