I am of two minds about the following uses of books. On the one hand it is very creative and putting to use something that would otherwise be discarded to clog up the landfills. On the other hand they are books! Are we certain these books would never be read again or appreciated? You can help me decide!

A book purse made (and sold) by Rebound Designs

Chair made with discarded paperbacks (hopefully romances!) by http://blog.makezine.com/

Books used to hold up a shelf -- by ThereIfixedit.com

Cumpleaños Feliz,
Te deseamos a ti,
Qué los cumplas en tu día,
Qué los complas feliz.

Today is the anniversary of Frida Kahlo’s birthday. What an amazing artist she was… worth reading about.

(Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29458472@N02/2754747483/)

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is so profoundly sad. It is causing widespread damages that we cannot even begin to access or understand accurately. It is such a shame. And most people feel so helpless… what can we do?

Well, when 5th grade Olivia Bouler heard about the oil spill in the place she vacations with her family, she sat down to write a letter with an offer to help the birds…

http://www.aolartists.com/profiles/olivia-bouler/

And so began “Save the Gulf” operation between Olivia, her drawings and the Audubon Society. As of today, June 11 2010, she has helped raise over $80,000 to help rescue the birds from the oil spill still happening. You can read the news story here. Or visit her AOL artist site and enjoy her drawings here. And you can donate to help save the birds here.

http://www.aolartists.com/profiles/olivia-bouler/

It only takes a willingness to help. And one person can make a difference. Thanks Olivia… you give hope to the future! I look forward to seeing you become an Ornithologist one day. The birds are lucky to have you!

(Originally posted elsewhere on one of my other sites for birds. However, I felt it worthy to share as many places as possible.)

This seems to be a popular theme… crows and girls or crow girls…

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygirlart/3095959442/sizes/m/)

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28732573@N02/3328571164/sizes/o/)

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mabgraves/4395791078/)

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I find the simplest things in life are most enjoyable. I love reading, writing, good conversations. I love researching my ancestry and the ancestry of those I care about. I like to read the stories of yesteryear, tales of Scottish lords and English peasants. I treasure time spent with people I care about in whatever way I can get it. I like to laugh and love and live. I have been on the quest for meaningful interactions with others. Genuine engaging conversations. Talking of everything that is real and avoiding that which is not. I find comfort in the warmth of silence enveloping the end of a satiating conversation. I like to read aloud to those who will listen and I love to be read to, particulary whilst falling asleep.

This past year I have returned to simpler motivations. I want those I care about to know why I care, why I enjoy their company, why I choose them to be in life. I also want to steer clear of overconsumption, of wasteful spending, of collecting things I do not need. I decided for birthdays to get creative, to get personal. I will make compilations of music that are thought out and relevant. I will make gifts and cards that say, “you are important to me”. I will give my time, my attention, my thoughtfulness. I will share of myself more. I have already started this… with the birthday Cardis (Tardis), handmade Valentines, a homemade custom birdfeeder and handwritten journals filled with descriptive reasons I like a person. I’ve jotted down things people have done that made me smile or feel warm and fuzzy. I’ve typed them up on notecards and filled them in small boxes…sharing them like love-filled recipes of how to appreciate the more important things in life.

It is time to return to a time where people mattered more than things. And I don’t mind being in the forefront of this change.

I saw this picture and it mesmerized me. I love it soooooooooooooooooooooooo much, I thought I’d share and NO! I do not get a profit for doing so…

How cool is this? I found and thought it was worth sharing…