1. Andrew Wyeth was an interesting and complex person. On Radio Times, Marty Moss-Coane talked with a filmmaker and a Wyeth curator about the artist and a new documentary, entitled simply Wyeth, that will be shown on PBS' American Masters on Friday.
My mother loved "Christina's World" and took us to the Philadelphia Art Museum several times so we could see it and the rest of a Wyeth exhibit in person. At that time in my childhood it felt like a boring trek to stare uncomprehendingly at some dull, muted paintings. I'm not sure that I appreciate his paintings much more as an adult, but I did enjoy learning about Wyeth, his wife Betsy, and especially the fact that he painted Snow Hill above, one of his few paintings to show some color and joy.
2. I know William Shatner from Star Trek and Priceline, but I learned that he has done almost everything, including "singing" Rocket Man. He was interviewed on 1A talking about his new memoir Live Long and ... What I Learned Along the Way. The host was a poor interviewer, and I'm still not sure whether Shatner is enthusiastic, crazy, or both, but I did learn that I can pre-order his new Christmas album.
3. The last and best thing I learned from NPR yesterday was that Steven Johnson has written a great new book, Farsighted. I was so excited to hear about this that I had to pull over and write it down so I wouldn't forget. The subtitle is "How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most", which sounded so intriguing and timely for me that I had to start the book last night. I don't think it's a self-help book, but more a discussion about how to consider all the factors involved in making consequential decisions. When I learned that the final chapter has an analysis of Dorothea’s decision-making in Middlemarch (one of Margene's favorites), I knew I had to read it. I'll let you know what I learn about decision-making.
So what have you learned lately? Head on over here to read more Three on Thursday posts to learn what others are thinking and doing.
I'm not sure I've learned anything lately! :-) I'm working on it though! Thanks for the great info here though...I'm already on my way! xo
ReplyDeleteI might have to read that book just for the Middlemarch connection! (I did my senior thesis on Middlemarch.) Hooray for NPR! We went to a special Wyeth exhibit a couple of years back and it was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'll never hear Rocket Man in any other voice now. Thanks for that! :)
ReplyDeleteShatner is CRAZY!
ReplyDeleteWhat excellent things! And, you always have the best book recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI am not a big AW fan, but I do have the painting "Master Bedroom" in my bedroom facing the bed. All the dogs I have ever owned love lying in my bed, and something about the painting spoke to me. I like the colorless look of that painting. Christina's World never did much for me. Shatner is definitely an unusual man. I am looking forward to your impressions of the new book. I have read several books about decision making, and it is much more complex and individual than we think. Please do give us your impressions of it! NPR is my favorite radio station, as PBS is my favorite TV station. I can always rely on them to inform me wisely and objectively while entertaining me. I'm glad you had them with you on your stressful ride.
ReplyDeleteI love NPR - but I am glad I missed that William Shatner piece ;-) I read (audible) and really enjoyed A Piece of the World (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35530263-a-piece-of-the-world) last year. It was inspired by Christina's World and was certainly more colorful than many of his paintings. I think you might enjoy it!
ReplyDeletethis is so interesting.. i love learning new things!
ReplyDeleteHave you read the historical fiction novel, Christina's World, about the young woman in the Wyeth painting? It is worth reading. What have I learned lately? After I had an experience this week where I decided not to engage with an email sent by a friend, I learned that the few minutes of daily meditation, is paying off. I could just dismiss the email content as a thought I could choose to dismiss.
ReplyDeleteI was completely entranced by the AW paintings of Christina's World and would have loved to see an exhibition. Until recently I bought the AW stamps from USPS (no longer available:() as I loved the moody, muted paintings. Last night on Q I heard an interview with Shatner and while he is a little bit crazy, he's also very funny and knows so much about Hollywood ins and outs. I would love to discuss Dorothea and the other characters in Middlemarch with you! This book offers so much insight into society (then and now), men and women, women in general, and it is humorous (sometimes LOL funny!), poignant, satirical, and delightful. I must now add Farsighted to my list!
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