ARTFUL READERS CLUB 

July 26, 2013

Welcome back! July has flown by, as do all the months lately...must be part of the aging process  :)  I hope you're well and enjoying your month! I'm beginning my return from blogging haitus with another book review for Darcy's Art and Sole Blog: The Artful Readers Club.

Can you imagine a world where all religions have the same basis...a common source? Jeffrey Small's debut novel is written with this premise in mind. Believe it or not, THE BREATH OF GOD is a page turner! Similar to Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code," it's a thriller that combines religion, mystery, history, travel and current times... I found it absolutely unputdownable!!
The book spins its plot around one of the great mysteries of the Bible...the missing 18 years in the life of one Jesus of Nazareth. A mystery first "uncovered" through ancient texts found by Russian journalist, Nicholas Notovich in 1887...was discredited in later years with the evidence of his "findings," (the texts,) mysteriously vanishing.
Fast forward a century later when Grant Matthews, a graduate student, pursues the truth about Notovich's "discovery," through the Himalayan Mountain countries and  their  monasteries, unaware of the mortal dangers that await him. He travels with his love interest (who's a photographer,) to the world's greatest Islamic landmark, the most sacred Hindu city and the birthplace of Buddhism...all in an effort to understand the origins of Christianity... an understanding  that,  if brought to light, could change the face of religion and our understanding of divinity forever.
Jeffrey Small creates an exciting thriller while delving into some deep social issues. I was impressed with his ability to tackle touchy topics without attacking any one religion or faith. This is a must read for anyone who doesn't blindly follow religious doctrine, but instead studies and questions in search of a personal truth...the light inside all of us- the breath of God.

To see reviews of other books, check out Darcy's Art and Sole Blog under ARTFUL READERS CLUB.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be talking about a recent trip back to Ethiopia where I visited with my families in their village as well as some marvelous game viewing in Kenya in the next couple of postings ...please do check back!

Big Hugs,
abbyj


VIRTUAL TIBET, AFRICAN PATTERNS and a PARTIALLY BROKEN ANGEL

November 15th, 2012

Turkeys are hiding...it's almost Thanksgiving!

It must be close to Thanksgiving because we have turkeys running through our back yard day and night! Very strange... We always look forward to our family celebration as it reminds us what's truly important in our lives. (The piece above is for the  CRAZY AMIGOS challenge blog... STRIPES is the theme!)

There are a few more pieces of art I'd like to show you... SUNDAY POSTCARD ART's challenge blog asked artists to create a piece with a PATTERNS theme. I immediately thought of Africa where the cloth wraps worn by the women and men are so colorful and beautiful...and the manner in which many of the Ethiopian people (in particular) paint their bodies...patterns!

TAKE A WORD asked for an angel... I called upon a photo I took in a chapel in Orvieto, Italy. She was a bit broken, but nonetheless beautiful.

Finally, this week's Art and Sole POSTCARD CHALLENGE took us to TIBET. Such an interesting place with a huge Chinese police presence mixed in with the throngs of religious Buddhist peoples worshipping at the many monasteries and temples. The Tibetans truly LIVE their religion. They're soft-spoken, warm, honest, friendly people living in a more than uncomfortable oppressive situation. Still under Chinese rule, these people are strong in their traditions, beliefs and values...and they stand resolute defending them. The head of state and Buddhist spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama, was born in Tibet, though he's been living in exile in India. Tibet is also the locale of the world's highest mountain...Mt. Everest. It's on the border between Tibet and Nepal. If you have further interest in Tibet, please check out my blog posting from November 4, 2010...Journey to the Top of the World... as it details our visit to this beautiful country.

All for now, dear ones. Hope you have a peaceful but fun weekend and early week...

Hugs 'til my next,
abbyj

FRIENDS, STAMPS, BLUE and THAILAND 
May 31, 2012 

"I wanted to be Prima Ballerina!"

Inspired by challenge art blog THREE MUSES, my 6-word memoir this week flashes back to my much younger years when I knew what I wanted to be...I became a TV producer instead! 

The TAKE A WORD challenge art blog invited participants to create art around the theme, FRIENDS. It was my pleasure to do so!  

  

COLLAGE OBSESSION was in a BLUE mood this week...

Finally, the year-long ART and SOLE POSTCARD CHALLENGE 2012 took us on a virtual journey to Thailand. Quite a distance for us to travel from England, but nonetheless different and exciting. Nicknamed the LAND of SMILES, Thailand is approximately the size of France. Called Siam until 1939, Thailand is known for it's orchids, fish and fish products and it's a major exporter of rice for the world. It's a kingdom that was never colonized by a European power...the only country in South East Asia that wasn't! The main religion is Buddhism...95% of its residents are practicing Buddhists. 

Some unusual facts about the country... 
*Every Thai male is expected to become a monk at some point in his life... it doesn't have to be a permanent commitment. 
*Not wearing underwear can land you in jail!
*It's not unusual to see entire families riding on a motorbike (if they don't have a car.)
*It's not unusual to find a roll of toilet paper on the table in a restaurant...they're the paper napkins!
*One of the favorite desserts is ice cream between two slices of bread...their version of the ice cream sandwich! 

Thank you for joining me this week. I wish you a peaceful, happy week ahead. Hope to see you next week when we'll travel to yet another new country...  

Hugs,
abbyj