Mary C.M. Phillips's Blog, page 14
December 31, 2015
Here’s to new beginnings…
Wishing all my friends a Happy New Year full of inspiration (for writing) and adventure (in reading).
May we continue to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
May we turn the page — so to speak — and not look back with regret.
May we live in the present, fully appreciating the moment.
May we let go of old dreams and embrace a new dream.
May we show random acts of kindness.
May we put a higher price on relationships rather than things or careers.
May we spend less time on social media — she posts on her blog :-) — and more time breaking bread with each other face-to-face.
Peace and blessings to all and Happy New Year!
xo Mary
December 23, 2015
Merry Christmas
“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
December 16, 2015
Happy Birthday Jane Austen!
Little did my dear friend, Gary Stevens (who sent me this darling doll for Christmas), know that today is in fact Jane Austen’s birthday! The gift arrived presently!
So, after trying to think of something clever to say in honor of her birthday, I will simply let her speak for herself. Her tag reads:
“I think I may boast myself to be, with all possible vanity, the most unlearned and uninformed female who ever dared to be an authoress.”
Thank you Jane for all your wonderful words and thank you Gary for this precious gift! You both have enriched my life. xo!
December 10, 2015
God Bless Us, Every One!
Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew….Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them…He had no further intercourse with Spirits… and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One! –
Charles Dickens
December 4, 2015
Invitation to Celebrate Austen’s Publication of Emma
Starting in December, I’ll be joining fellow Janeites as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Emma.
To join the discussion, visit Sarah Emsley’s blog. The fun starts on December 23rd and runs through May 19th. Join the party!
One cannot have too large a party. – Jane Austen
November 25, 2015
Wharton’s Wartime France
Today John Peter of Red Pickle Dish hypothesizes on Edith Wharton’s reaction to the current situation in Paris.
Originally posted on Red Pickle Dish:
“It is not in the mud and jokes and everyday activities of the trenches that one most feels the damnable insanity of war; it is where it lurks like a mythical monster in scenes to which the mind has always turned for rest.”
–Edith Wharton, Fighting France
Edith Wharton was familiar with the environs of international conflict associated with the First World War. Her work in the French relief effort is much of what defines her post-authorial life.
With the unfolding events in Paris, I couldn’t help but wonder how Wharton would have reacted to her beloved expatriate city under siege. I happened upon this piece from TheNew Republic that reveals her responses to the ravages of war, war violence, and the sociological effects of its reality:
Edith Wharton’s War: Was Edith Wharton Hopelessly Enamored With Battle?
The writer points out that “[w]hen Wharton takes advantage not of her…
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November 22, 2015
The Old Man and The Sea
I came across this incredibly beautiful animation of The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. It was directed and animated by Aleksandr Petrov. Enjoy.
October 20, 2015
Breaking Bread with Chicken Soup for the Soul
What a wonderful day!
Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend a luncheon with fellow contributors and the staff of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
What I like most about the stories I read in these books is that they usually end in an epiphany…and I like epiphanies.
I know I’m always thankful when others encourage me. There are days in which I feel God himself has sent certain messengers into my life. Thank you messengers!
The Chicken Soup for the Soul event included a fabulous lunch at Coast (in Cos Cob, CT), a delightful presentation by Editor-in-Chief, Amy Newmark, and a tour of their headquarters.
I was inspired throughout the day and was honored to share a table with fellow writers, Priscilla Whitley and Elisa Yager.
What impressed me the most was Chicken Soup for the Soul’s positive vision for the future. Their anti-bullying program is so needed in today’s environment (there’s a lot of peer pressure out there)!
Being kind, accepting diversity, and encouraging others is what #CSS is all about and I’m so happy to be a very small part of that community.
From L-R: Kristi Pastir, CSS, Priscilla, Elisa, Amy Newmark, CSS, me, and Beth
October 12, 2015
Columbus Day Inspiration
“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Christopher Columbus
September 8, 2015
Reading, Writing, Running
Wonderful blog from Sarah Emsley today on how running inspires her writing. So, get some fresh air, take a short run or a leisurely walk, then read this wonderful post. Enjoy, Mary
Originally posted on Sarah Emsley:
Today is my birthday, and I’m planning to celebrate by reading the last chapter of Jane Austen’s Emma early this morning (part of the preparations for my upcoming blog series celebrating 200 years of Emma), by running for about half an hour (part of my training for the half marathon I’m registered for on Saturday), and by writing for the rest of the day before celebrating with my family this evening. I haven’t decided yet what I’ll write about – probably I’ll wait until I’m running to make that decision. I make a lot of decisions when I’m running, and quite often they’re about which writing or editing projects I want to pursue, either that day or in the future, or about what to read next, or about details I’ve been puzzling over in a particular piece I’m working on. For example, I was inspired to start writing the…
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