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A woman without a man

“A woman without a husband is not a problem to be solved,” writes Jane Austen in her book Persuasion. Jane Austen is a wise woman. I am reading Persuasion again. –Joy

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Reasonable?

Jane Austen writes: “How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!” Jane Austen is a wise woman.  I am going to read Persuasion again. –Joy

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Wise and reasonable

Jane Austin writes: “She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.” I am going to be wise and reasonable—and read Persuasion again! –Joy

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Good company

I am watched the movie Persuasion—based on the book by Jane Austen, of course. The movie was delightful, and I am going to read the book again. Jane Austen writes: “My idea of good company…is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.” […]

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Great period

The cover of the book Great Women Painters includes these three words—great women painters, but a colorful line crosses out the word women. “The title of this book states its mission,” writes Marissa Moss in a review in The New York Times. “By including the descriptor women, but crossing it out, claim is clearly made: […]

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Prostitution and pornography

In 2011, after Manal Al-Sharif was went to prison for driving in Saudi Arabia, the country’s highest religious council presented a report warning of the dire consequences if women were allowed to drive. Prostitution, pornography, homosexuality and divorce would “surge,” they declared. What’s more, “within 10 years, there would be no more virgins” in Saudi […]

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The heart’s a deep well

Squander it all! Hold nothing back. The heart’s a deep well. And when it’s empty, It will fill again. These are words from How Beautiful the Beloved by Gregory Orr.  One of the best kinds of friends are friends who give you a book—a book you never would have read if it wasn’t a gift. […]

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Poems from a friend

Friends who give you a book are some of the best kinds of friends—especially when it is a book you never would have read if it wasn’t a gift. One of my special friends gave me a book of poems How Beautiful the Beloved by Gregory Orr. Orr writes about appreciating the world you live […]

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What TV can do for you

I agree with Groucho Marx, who once said: “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book. –Joy

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A sustainable world

According to one estimate, more than 3 trillion trees live on earth. But, every year about 15 million trees are cut down, reports Jennifer Swanson in her book Environmental Activist Wangari Maathai. “We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can leave our children a sustainable […]

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