Monday's Rolled Around Again, Folks

Time to . . . 

On Mondays I share a few tidbits and miscellaneous things I discovered over the weekend. A little of this, some of that. Things to amuse, amaze, entertain, or inform. Maybe even something to rev you up!

So. Let's get to it.

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"There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind."
                                   --- Mr. Rogers

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A couple of weeks ago, Carolyn wrote about Vicky Barone's Kindness Cards in a blog post, and the whole concept won my heart. So I ordered some!  Vicky offers a batch of 30 cards for free (although you do need to pay shipping), and you can order extra batches of 30 for $5. (You can also donate to underwrite the printing and distribution of more free cards.)

My cards arrived in mere days. And, friends . . . these are Very Nice Cards. (Bad desk shot in the morning darkness.)

Back view.

And what am I doing with my cards? Well. I'm sticking them in every library book I return. And I'm including them in any mail or package I send. And I'll leave one behind whenever I take my dad in for a doctor's appointment. And I'm carrying a few with me all the time because . . . you never know when inspiration may strike.

Maybe you'll want to order some Kindness Cards to pass along, too.

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Still avoiding museums and movie theaters? (I am. . . ) If you're considering heading to the movies or visiting a museum, this article from the New York Times provides some helpful information and guidance. And if you're not able (or willing) to visit a museum, here are two great exhibits you can visit from the germ-free comfort of your own home:

Appearances Can Be Deceiving: Frida Kahlo's Wardrobe - Visit this fascinating exhibit showcasing Frida Kahlo's wardrobe and personal belongings at the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico City.

Her Story: A Century of Women Writers - This fabulous exhibit features 24 influential American women writers, and is currently showing at the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. 

I'd love to see both of these exhibits in person - but wouldn't be able to even if it weren't pandemic times. It's nice to be able to visit exhibits like this from my computer now. (Something I probably never would have thought about doing pre-pandemic.)

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If you like crime/mystery stories . . . and you like historical fiction, too . . . you may be interested in this list of 17 Crime Fiction Series That Use Real Historical Figures As Sleuths. 

It's a fun list. We've got . . . Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë as sleuths, for example. Abraham Lincoln. Charles Dickens. Geoffrey Chaucer, even! If you're looking for a new crime series to sink your teeth into, be sure to check out this list.

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And . . . that's it for me on this Monday morning.

Here's to a good week for all of us!
Hang in there.

Comments

[Carole]

Those cards are beautiful and I'm tempted to order some. I love that you are putting them in library books!

[Bonny]

Those cards and Frida Kahlo's Wardrobe! I know very little about Frida Kahlo aside from some of her artwork and her wardrobe, so I clicked through this with much interest. I'm sharing it with my SiL who I'm sure will also love it. Thanks!

[Juliann]

I would love to visit that women’s writers exhibit!

[Carolyn]

Oh, it pains me to see the Her Story page...what an exhibit. That's one I'd have convinced myself to travel for! And thanks for the Frida link (what a treasure!). I am actually scheduling myself for an upcoming Frida tour at the Denver Art Museum. It will be my first since you-know-when. They have a well-spaced. low- numbers plan. And for those who can't wear a mask, they require plastic shields. (We'll see. Worst case, I bolt.) And I'm so glad you order some cards from Vicky. It's a lot of fun to pick where to leave them...and to imagine the joy they bring the Finder!

[Vicki]

Oh.My.Word... Frida! That's incredible. Oh, to see it in person (I'd have a hard time keeping my hands to myself!), but how wonderful to see it at all. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Margene]

The cards are a perfect idea to put into a library book or hand to a clerk at the grocery (or anywhere). They will make someone's day!

[sustainablemum]

What a great post! So many lovely things that you have shared. I had forgotten that so many museums are still doing virtual visits. Thank you for the links, they would be a very long way for me to travel to. I enjoyed clicking through.

[kim in oregon]

I was in a presentation with Chip and Joanna Gaines and they spent a lot of time talking about kindness and how important it was to their businesses. They were careful to distinguish between 'nice' and 'kind'--one is short term and surface and kindness is deep and long lasting. It made quite the impression on me!

[Dee]

Hope you have a great week.

[Kat]

The Armchair Travels this week are really exceptional! Thank you for sharing! :)

[Mary]

Those kindness cards was one of the best things I encountered last week. I love the idea of leaving them in library books! Here's to making it though another Monday :-)

[kathy b]

Oh I love the library book surprises with those cards! How fun.

My son will love the Frida exhibit. I'll share the linl

[Chloe]

You can never go wrong with Mr. Rogers, can you? I love almost anything Frida.

[Sarah]

I really love the kindness cards, and I'm now thinking I need to order some of my own to give out. I haven't borrowed a physical book from the library in ages, so I'd have to think of some creative ways to distribute them (or maybe start borrowing some physical books!). Thanks for the links to the museum exhibits, too. A little art therapy is always a good thing, but like you I'm not comfortable going in person just yet (kiddo and I have started fantasizing about visiting D.C. and stopping at all the museums at some point in the future, though!).