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Showing posts with label Virily. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virily. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

The Economy: Who Needs Leprechauns When They Have Capitalism and Corruption?

There are several legends, myths, or fairy tales about leprechauns. But the story that almost everybody knows is the one about catching these wicked, tricky little guys and forcing them to give you their pot of gold, which is at the end of the rainbow. The tale is supposedly a warning against greed or being greedy, that clearly … everybody ignores!

(NOTE: Content published in 2022, but updated with social media posts dated 2026. The blog post title was changed to include "Corruption".)

Many people call Facebook “Facebookistan” because it’s like a whole other country in and of itself and should have its own flag. But you know? So is Google! The corporation is really woven into the fabric of our world. People criticize capitalism in favor of socialism, communism, or other forms of government in which they believe wealth among citizens will be equitably apportioned.

QUESTION: Would Google and Facebook even exist if it weren’t for the entrepreneurial spirit nurtured by capitalism?

ANSWER: NOT ALL capitalists are wicked overlord imperialist dogs.

Also, I never really bought into that claim that 99% of the population are poor folks, and all the riches and wealth belong to only “The One Percent” of the citizenry in the USA, which is a capitalist country. Please! Every country, regardless of its government or economy, has the 3-Tier system.

Tier 1: Wealthy people at the top.
Tier 2: Poor people at the bottom.
Tier 3: Folks who are managing to get by on what they make with a little bit extra to spend on “wants”.

You know it’s true! Neither the French Revolution nor the Communists got rid of the bourgeoisie. A word like “oligarch” is not an archaic expression. It is a word in our current vocabulary that applies to certain people TODAY!

Greedy people know no boundary lines and have no respect for any form of government. If they can find a way to exploit and access ill-gotten gain, it doesn’t matter what kind of economic system is in place in any country.

I truly believe that capitalism adds value to any society or nation because people have more freedom to use their talents, skills, and abilities and turn their work efforts into “pots of gold” which can be further translated into philanthropy, humanitarianism, or charity.
Why can’t we all be allowed to use our God-given gifts and talents, to aspire to color our own rainbows, and to create our own pots of gold? It’s a very reasonable question.

We will always have greedy people in this world. But leprechauns do not exist in this world, and we don’t need them even if they did! We have capitalism!

 ***
P.S. For the record, for all you leprechaun-lovers out there, I am NOT hating on leprechauns. But let’s be clear. Leprechauns (nor the tooth fairy, for that matter) do NOT lead to an increase in individual wealth.

 ***

 REFERENCES:

Matthews, Chris. *The Myth of the 1% and the 99%.” Fortune, 2 Mar. 2015, fortune.com/2015/03/02/economic-inequality-myth-1-percent-wealth.

Facts about Leprechauns and Where the Legends Really Came From. ”IrishCentral.com, 23 June 2017, www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/top-ten-facts-about-leprechauns-and-where-the-legends-really-came-from-212728761-237598771.


***THIS IS HAPPENING IN AMERICA AS OF 2026.

“‘Decline is a choice,’ Charles Krauthammer famously said. Donald Trump has chosen decline for the United States, and his trip to China was confirmation of that fact.” www.thebulwark.com/p/youre-gett...

— Bill Kristol (@billkristolbulwark.bsky.social) 2026-05-15T14:55:10.113Z

DOJ created a $1.7 billion “Anti‑Weaponization Fund”, part of a settlement w/ Trump over his IRS lawsuit. Trumponomics. Trickle-down corruption. #POTUS #Trump🐐🟠 - Think it's OK to destroy this "one nation under God"? Did your spiritual advisor tell you to GO FOR IT? Let's see how far you go. 😡😡

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2026-05-18T17:25:16.365Z

And if you plan to break the law in the future, go ahead & apply in advance. Get the paperwork out of the way. 😡😡 #POTUS #Trump🐐🟠 - Are you HAPPY? Your toadies🐸 know how important it is for you to be happy. Esp, Acting #AttorneyGeneral #ToddBlanche. He and #JDVance really vie for your approval?

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2026-05-20T05:45:32.299Z

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Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris ~ The Past and the Future

On April 15, 2019, a fire broke out, and the building many of us know as the sanctuary for the gypsy Esmeralda was ablaze!  The Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris was in flames. It was an unbelievable sight to see!  The world was rocked and shocked by the fire that destroyed this iconic structure.  The fact that the fire happened during the week before Easter Sunday made the event even more poignant for a lot of people.  However, within 24 hours after hearing the news reports, people and businesses from various parts of the globe offered to make monetary contributions for its restoration.  Let’s celebrate the past and the future of this historic monument.



#1 Thank the Lord for digital technology.

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#2 The Cathedral de Notre Dame Took Almost a Century to Build
(Link to archived copy. The Virily site shut down.) 

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#3 Kings of France Were Crowned in the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris
(Link to archived copy. The Virily site shut down.) 
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#4 The Iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame Has a Sister.

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Notre-Dame de Paris (reopened Dec 2024) and Amiens Cathedral are masterpieces of French Gothic architecture. Notre-Dame de Paris is iconic for its central location, history, and restoration, while Amiens is the largest, with twice the interior volume. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

#5 The basilica in Montreal is comparable to the cathedral in Paris.

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The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal is a stunning Gothic Revival masterpiece located in Old Montreal, Quebec, renowned for its dramatic, deeply colored interior, intricate wood carvings, and celestial blue ceiling with gold stars. Completed in 1829, it is a premier Canadian heritage site that hosts the famous AURA light show and welcomes millions of visitors annually.


#6 The Fire is History

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#7 The Spire Went Down, but the Spire Will Go Up Again

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#8 The Cathedral de Notre Dame will be restored.

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The future of the Cathedral de Notre Dame looks anything but bleak.  It will be restored and will still be one of the most visited sites in Paris, France.  So if it was on your bucket list of Places to Visit, keep it on the list!


As if the fire wasn't bad enough.  In April 2020, the world was in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic.



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Sunday, March 29, 2026

Buying a Home: Ever Fantasize About Having a Celebrity Neighbor? (Zillow Survey Results)

Zillow is a real estate company based in Seattle, Washington, USA, that has conducted an annual survey for the past decade, asking ordinary people, that is, people who are not celebrities, which celebrity they would love to have as a neighbor. According to the survey results:
In 2018, the survey was modified. Instead of voting for real celebs as neighbors, people were asked who would be their favorite fictional TV character or characters. Leonard Hofstadter and Penny from the CBS TV-series “The Big Bang Theory” garnered the most votes.

Have you ever fantasized about having a celebrity neighbor?

 I participated in my own unofficial celebrity neighbor survey and these are my results.

 * * *

 Miami, Florida, is my hometown, and the exclusive neighborhoods of the stars who live in Miami Beach include celebrity couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan (“Miami Sound Machine”). The Estefans would get my vote for most desirable celebrity neighbors in any year.  It’s my fantasy. They are in the first place.

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Also, after watching the cooking show, “Kimchi Chronicles”, two other celebrity couples were put in second place. World-class chefs, Marja and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, would be my neighbors on one side; and actor, Hugh Jackman (aka “Wolverine”) and his wife, actress Deborra-Lee, would be on the other side. It would be awesome to have dinner with them every now and then.  Every now and then?  Uuuhh … OK.  Just once!  I’d be happy with one invitation to share a meal together.  Wouldn’t you?
♦



Source: Virily
UPDATE MARCH 2026:

Notes on the Traditional “Celebrity Neighbor” Survey

Zillow used to publish an annual Celebrity Neighbor Survey (2010s), but in recent years, they’ve shifted toward related lifestyle surveys—such as “celebrity roommate” preferences—rather than the original neighbor‑specific format. The 2024 survey is currently the latest available in this family of celebrity‑preference housing/lifestyle polls.

Most Recent Survey Year - 2024

  • Zillow Rentals released a survey on Dec 4, 2024, identifying America’s preferred celebrity roommates (a modern variation of the classic “celebrity neighbor” survey).

    • Ryan Reynolds ranked as the most preferred celebrity roommate.

    • Taylor Swift followed closely.

    • Zendaya topped the list among Gen Z.

    • Simone Biles and LeBron James led the athlete category.



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Saturday, March 28, 2026

Women in Sports History ~ Key Milestones

Since March is Women's History Month, it's a good time to share this post about women in sports.


The first recorded women's athletic event/competition was the Heraean Games, held in the 6th century BCE.  The Heraean Games were similar to the ancient Olympic games but they were for women only and celebrated the goddess Hera.  The historical timeline of women in sports shows that women have been active athletes and have participated in a wide range of competitions including, but not limited to, the Heraean Games, Tsu Chu (ancient Chinese football; also called Cuju), regatta (boat races), golf, cricket, baseball, ice skating, swimming, tennis, hockey and boxing matches.

 Women in Boxing?  People did not take women in this sport seriously until the 70s.  In 2012, Women's Boxing became an official Olympic Sport and Nicola Adams (representing Great Britain) won the gold medal. (Ref:  Encyclopedia Brittanica)

Female gladiators are a part of the history of women in sports.  A relief from Halicarnassus (Modern Turkey) shows two female gladiators, one named Amazon and the other named Achilia (the female version of Achilles). The relief celebrates the missio (honorable release) of two female fighters. The relief is on display now at the British Museum.

⭐ Key Milestones in Women’s Sports History


Women Enter the Olympics (1900)

  • 1900 – First female Olympians
    Women compete in the Olympic Games for the first time, entering sailing, lawn tennis, and golf. Charlotte Cooper becomes the first female Olympic gold medalist.

International Olympic Committee. Women in the Olympic Movement. IOC, 2024.

Women’s World Games (1922)

  • 1922 – Establishment of the Women’s World Games
    Alice Milliat launches an international competition to push for women’s inclusion in global athletics, influencing the IOC to expand women’s events.

Cahn, Susan K. Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Women’s Sport. Harvard UP, 1994.

Gertrude Ederle Swims the English Channel (1926)

  • 1926 – Gertrude Ederle swims the English Channel
    She becomes the first woman to complete the swim—and beats the men’s record by nearly two hours.

Gibson, Karen. Gertrude Ederle: America’s Champion Swimmer. Scholastic, 2004.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias at the 1932 Olympics

  • 1932 – Babe Didrikson Zaharias dominates the Olympics
    A multi-sport powerhouse, she wins medals in hurdles, javelin, and high jump, redefining expectations for women athletes.

Lester, Larry. Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion. Greenwood Press, 2005.

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943)

  • 1943 – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League founded. One of the first major professional leagues for women was created during World War II.

Madden, W. C. The Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. McFarland, 2005.

Fanny Blankers-Koen’s Four Olympic Golds (1948)

  • 1948 – Fanny Blankers-Koen wins four Olympic golds
    Nicknamed “The Flying Housewife,” she challenges stereotypes about motherhood and athleticism.

Guttmann, Allen. The Olympics: A History of the Modern Games. University of Illinois Press, 2002.

Althea Gibson Wins Grand Slams (1956)

  • 1956 – Althea Gibson breaks tennis color barriers
    She becomes the first Black player to win a Grand Slam title.

Gibson, Althea. I Always Wanted to Be Somebody. Harper, 1958.

Kathrine Switzer Runs the Boston Marathon (1967)

  • 1967 – Kathrine Switzer runs the Boston Marathon
    Entering under “K.V. Switzer,” she becomes the first woman to officially complete the race despite attempts to remove her mid-course.

Switzer, Kathrine. Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women’s Sports. Da Capo Press, 2007.

Title IX Legislation (1972)

  • 1972 – Title IX passes in the U.S.
    A landmark law that transforms women’s sports participation—from 1 in 27 girls in high school sports to nearly 1 in 2 today.

U.S. Department of Education. Title IX and Sex Discrimination. 2024.

Billie Jean King and the “Battle of the Sexes” (1973)

  • 1973 – Billie Jean King wins the “Battle of the Sexes.”
    Her victory over Bobby Riggs becomes a cultural flashpoint for gender equality in sports.

King, Billie Jean. All In: An Autobiography. Knopf, 2021.

Launch of the WNBA (1996)

  • 1996 – Launch of the WNBA
    A major step in establishing long-term professional opportunities for women in team sports.

Lipsyte, Robert. “Women’s Basketball League Is Born.” The New York Times, 25 Apr. 1996.

Women Compete in Every Olympic Sport (2012)

  • 2012 – Women compete in every Olympic sport
    For the first time, all Olympic sports include women’s events, marking a global milestone.

International Olympic Committee. London 2012: Women’s Participation Report. IOC, 2012.

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Equal Pay Agreement (2022)

  • 2022 – U.S. Women’s Soccer achieves equal pay
    A landmark agreement sets a new standard for pay equity in international sports.

Das, Andrew. “U.S. Soccer and Women’s Team Agree to Equal Pay.” The New York Times, 22 Feb. 2022.

2023 — Nebraska’s “Volleyball Day” Breaks the All-Time Women’s Sports Attendance Record

  • More than 92,000 fans filled Memorial Stadium to watch Nebraska volleyball, setting the largest crowd ever recorded for a women’s sporting event and redefining expectations for women’s live sports.

“Olympics.com: Three Women’s Sports Stories That Helped Shape 2023.” Olympics.com, International Olympic Committee, 2023.

2024 — Paris 2024 Becomes the First Gender Equal Olympic Games

  • The Paris Olympics achieved full gender parity in athlete participation and dramatically expanded women’s sports visibility across global broadcast and digital platforms.

“Facts and Figures: Women in Sport.” UN Women Knowledge Portal, UN Women, 17 July 2024.

2025 — Women’s Sports Reach 20% of Total Sports Media Coverage

  • For the first time in history, women’s sports approached 20% of all sports media coverage, marking a structural shift in visibility after decades of single-digit representation.

“Facts and Figures: Women in Sport.” UN Women Knowledge Portal, UN Women, 17 July 2024.

Flo-Jo


Last but not least, there's no way I should publish a post about women in sports and leave out my favorite female athlete of ALL TIME! Florence Griffith‑Joyner (1959-1998), aka “Flo‑Jo” - The Fastest Woman in History.

  • Florence Griffith‑Joyner, known worldwide as Flo‑Jo, electrified track and field with her record‑shattering speed and unmistakable style. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, she set the still‑unbroken world records in the 100m (10.49) and 200m (21.34), cementing her as the fastest woman ever. With her flowing one‑legged bodysuits and bold nails, she became a global icon whose influence stretched far beyond the track.

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OK! I'm done. 😁


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Monday, March 23, 2026

Celebrating Womens History Month With My Childhood Memories of Elizabeth Arden

When I was growing up in Miami, Florida, my favorite department store was Burdine’s. It no longer exists. It was bought by Macy’s. Macy’s may have bought the store, but they did not buy my memories. I still have them, and they are intact. One of my memories that is crystal clear was the perfume counter. You could find all kinds of high-quality perfumes and fragrances, such as Elizabeth Arden. To me, the letters “E” and “A” in that name mean exquisite and alluring fragrances for women.

The real name of the woman who started this American company was Florence Nightingale Graham. She attended nursing school in Canada for a while, but eventually dropped out. She moved to America (Manhattan, New York), lived with her brother, and began to pursue her own interests in developing skincare, makeup, and other beauty products for women.



She entered into a business partnership with another woman by the name of Elizabeth Hubbard; however, the partnership only lasted for 6 months. From that point forward, she was determined to establish her presence in the business world on her own. She took the first name of her business partner, “Elizabeth,” and the name of a farm, “Arden,” and created the trade name in 1909. It is now 2026, which means that, for over a century, America (and the rest of the world, as her products are sold in over 20 countries), has associated that trade name with the most desired beauty products for women. Elizabeth Arden products include a wide range of fragrances, cosmetics, and skincare essentials.

Ms. Graham passed away in 1966 at the age of 87. She is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in NewYork. The name on her grave is Elizabeth N. Graham. She is, without a doubt, one of the most inspiring and phenomenal businesswomen of the 20th century.
  • FUN FACT:  Ms. Arden was the 1st to introduce matching nail polish to your lipstick! #VintageAd

(Image credit: Elizabeth Arden Products Sold at Selfridges, Flickr.com) 

RECAP Fascinating Facts about Elizabeth Arden

1. Her real name was Florence Nightingale Graham, and she was born in Canada. Elizabeth Arden was incorporated into an episode of Murdoch Mysteries under her birth name, Florence Nightingale Graham, in Season 12, Episode 7 (“Operation: Murder”). She later created the name “Elizabeth Arden” by combining “Elizabeth” (to save money on signage) with “Arden”, taken from a nearby farm. (Source)

2. She built one of the world’s first global beauty empires. By 1929, she owned 150 beauty salons across the U.S. and Europe, and her company sold 1,000 beauty products in 22 countries. (Source)

3. She helped make makeup socially acceptable for “respectable” women. Before Arden, cosmetics were often associated with actresses or “low-class” women. She revolutionized beauty culture by teaching women how to use makeup and promoting it as elegant, scientific, and ladylike. (Source)

--- Learn More:

Daily, Investor’s Business. “Elizabeth Arden Created Worldwide Cosmetics Industry.” Investor’s Business Daily, 26 Aug. 2015.

Kimmer, Retro. “WAR PAINT: ELIZABETH ARDEN - VS-  HELENA RUBINSTEIN.” RetroKimmer.Com, 14 Jan. 2011. 


View Elizabeth Arden products here.


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Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Ancient History: Ancient Cities: Aram (Modern Day Aleppo in Syria)

Aram, a city in ancient Syria. 
(Today it’s called Aleppo.)

 Aramaic is a group of northwest Semitic languages of Palestine spoken during biblical times.  It includes the language spoken by Jesus. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, in the second chapter of the first book of Chronicles.




♦ Image credit: The Southern Levant c. 830 BC, with the Aramean state of Aram-Damascus in the northwest

The Arameans were a desert people who lived along with the Israelites. Sometimes they lived together peacefully.  Sometimes NOT.  The name for this place is translated by some as Syria and by others as Mesopotamia.  In the Bible book of Judges, the third chapter, an Aramaean ruler named Cushan-Rishathaim oppressed the Israelites for 8years.  In the first book of Kings, another ruler named Rezon, founded an Aramaen city-state and they bitterly opposed Israel for generations.  HOWEVER … when the kingdom of Israel became a divided kingdom, if another enemy was even more hostile, they would join forces and unite against a common foe.  The relationship was complicated.

 A good analogy is that it’s sort of reminds me of family.  It’s OK if two brothers fight each other.  But if somebody who is not considered a brother tries to attack either one of them, then both brothers join together to fight the attacker.

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Reliable References for Further Study:

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♦  Over the millennia, Damascus was fought over and occupied by different the Aramaeans, Assyrians, Achaemenids, Greeks, Nabataeans, Romans, Umayyads, Mongols, Turks, and the French.


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***  Content first appeared at Virily.com.

Want to read more like this?

Joie de Vivre's Ancient History Blog Posts Roundup!

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Sunday, March 1, 2026

Do You Know Which Rock Stars Are Classical Music Composers?

Most everybody likes all kinds of music.

 Most musicians in the entertainment business know that all kinds of music don’t always all kinds of record sales and a whole lot of cash!

 Most successful rock musicians know that if they had started their career playing classical music, they would very likely not have a career.

Sharing this really cool link about rock stars who also write classical music. You probably already knew about Paul McCartney. Right?

 Here is the complete list.

 1. Paul McCartney
2. Roger Waters
3. Frank Zappa
4. Jonny Greenwood
5. Bryce Dessner
6. Glenn Danzig
7. John Paul Jones (???)

(???)  No doubt the former bassist for Led Zepellin has the skills but he has been writing an opera for several years.  (John Paul Jones Is Writing an Opera, UCR article dated June 2013).  Loyal fans who believe are wondering and waiting.  

♦ Reference:

Paul McCartney
  • Rock: Paul McCartney rose to global fame as the bassist, singer, and co‑songwriter of The Beatles, later continuing with Wings and a long solo career. 
  • Classical: He has composed major classical works, including Liverpool Oratorio, Standing Stone, and Ecce Cor Meum, establishing a parallel career in orchestral and choral music.  

Roger Waters
  • Rock: Roger Waters co‑founded Pink Floyd and became the band’s principal lyricist and conceptual leader during its most influential years. 
  • Classical: Waters has engaged deeply with classical music throughout his life, drawing on it as a major creative influence even beyond his rock compositions.  

Frank Zappa
  • Rock: Frank Zappa led The Mothers of Invention and built a prolific solo career defined by experimental rock, satire, and genre‑blending innovation.  
  • Classical: He composed orchestral, chamber, and musique concrète works from his teens onward, with pieces performed by ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Modern.  

Jonny Greenwood
  • Rock: Jonny Greenwood is best known as the lead guitarist and multi‑instrumentalist of Radiohead. 
  • Classical: He has written numerous contemporary classical works—including Horror vacui, Water, and Smear—and is widely recognized for his orchestral and film‑score compositions. 

Bryce Dessner
  • Rock: Bryce Dessner is the guitarist for The National, contributing to the band’s distinctive indie‑rock sound. 
  • Classical: He is an award‑winning classical composer whose works are commissioned by major orchestras worldwide and who has built a significant career in modern classical and film music. 

Glenn Danzig
  • Rock: Glenn Danzig founded the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig, becoming a defining figure in punk, horror‑punk, and heavy metal.  
  • Classical: He wrote and performed the modern classical album Black Aria, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s classical chart.  

John Paul Jones
  • Rock: John Paul Jones was the bassist and keyboardist for Led Zeppelin and is regarded as one of rock’s most versatile multi‑instrumentalists.  
  • Classical: He has composed contemporary classical works, including a newly premiered song cycle performed at London’s Wigmore Hall.  

Here is a clean, MLA‑formatted source list for the information about rock stars who also write classical music, based on the material surfaced in the search results you requested. Each citation corresponds to a source that discusses at least one of the musicians on your list and their classical‑music work.

 ✔️ MLA 9 Citations for Sources Used

Music Times. “7 Rock Stars Who Also Write Classical Music: Paul McCartney, Frank Zappa, And More.” Music Times, 17 June 2014. Music Times

“Paul McCartney’s Obsession with Classical Music and His Symphonic Works.” The Beatles – Today in Beatles History, 10 Aug. 2025. The Beatles - Today in Beatles History

“Paul McCartney’s Classical Works: Where to Start.” Classic FM, 18 June 2013. Classic FM

“Paul McCartney’s Remarkable Classical Works.” Steve Hoffman Music Forums, 16 Jan. 2021. Steve Hoffman Music Forums

The Paul McCartney Project. “Paul McCartney • Classical Albums.” The Paul McCartney Project, www.the-paulmccartney-project.com. The Paul McCartney Project


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Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Floral Diversity: Transplant Flowers to Cure Homesickness

Florida was discovered by an explorer named Ponce de Leon. He named the state “Florida,” which is the Spanish word for “flowers”, because, upon his arrival in this new land, he saw nothing but gorgeous flowers everywhere. I imagine one of the flowers must have been the hibiscus, a flower that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. In fact, as a kid, it seemed like this flower was everywhere!  

We had hibiscus that grew in the front yard of my childhood home. Many hardy hibiscus are native to Florida, but for obvious reasons, the orange blossom was chosen as the state flower. But that's OK because ... the hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. There are seven species of hibiscus native to this state. Also known as pua aloalo in Hawaiian, this flower represents royalty and communicates power and respect.

hibiscus
Image credit: glitter-graphics.com

When I moved from Florida to Texas, shortly after my arrival, I was in a store shopping for items for my new home. I overheard a lady talking to another lady. She said she had just returned to her home in Texas. She had been vacationing in Florida and she was so excited because she had found this wonderful flower! She said she just had to bring this gorgeous flower back home to Texas and plant it her garden.  Being from Florida, my curiosity was peaked. I wondered what Florida flower had impressed her so much. Turns out that it was the hibiscus.  Not surprised.

Links of Interest:
  • CAUTION!  According to Medical News Today, hibiscus can interact with certain medications. For example, people who take chloroquine, a medication used to treat malaria, should not consume hibiscus because it may decrease how well the medicine works in the body.
I’ll never take the hibiscus flower from my childhood for granted ever again. In fact, if you ever relocate and feel a little homesick, try transplanting a flower that reminds you of the home you left behind.

If you have relocated to a new home, what are flowers that remind you of your childhood home?

♦
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Sunday, December 14, 2025

DID YOU KNOW? More People Will Speak French by the Year 2050

Parlez-vous français? Non? Why not?

DID YOU KNOW?

There are lots of benefits to learning French. According to numerous sources:
  • French is a working language and an official language of the United Nations.
  • French can boost both your educational and career prospects.
  • French is the language of the future.
French is the second most studied language in the world. However, it is believed that a boom in French-speaking African states will significantly increase the percentage of global French speakers by 2050. You don’t say? Because even though, according to a list for 2020, French is included among the most commonly spoken languages in the world, I still sort of wondered why more people in the world didn’t speak the language. (O.o) 

 So glad to know the French language might become a more spoken language and not just a studied language. I love the language. When I lived in Maryland, USA, from 1988 to 1995, there was a school there that taught the children in French. At the time, it seemed odd. But I guess the educators were thinking ahead! What vision!

Original Source

English is my native tongue. In elementary school, we were taught Spanish. It wasn’t optional. It was required. But when I got to high school, the foreign language courses offered were Spanish, French, and Latin.

  • No need for me to take Spanish. About a third of the student body was Cuban, and they spoke Spanish all the time. You could learn it just by listening.

  • The smart kids took Latin. You know. The kids who were going to be doctors one day.

  • I reasoned that even though I will probably never go to France, a lot of Canadians come to America, and they speak French! So I seized the opportunity and took 3 years of French, and loved every minute of it!

Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten a lot because there were never regular opportunities to converse with anyone who spoke the language. But thanks to the Internet, I found a cool blog that shares one French word a day, and another website that teaches you how to learn French the fun way. (Links shared below.) They are nice refreshers and help me brush up on my French, so I don't completely forget.

france

I love the sound of French words. They are so romantic. The French language even makes RAP sound good! LOL. 🌝

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RELATED LINKS:

french country

Bon jour French Words

Idioms in French and English | Polyglot Traveler

A list of French Teachers on YouTube

French Lessons and Language Tools From Laura K. Lawless

French Grammar Games

Interesting Facts About French

11 Top Benefits of Learning French That May Surprise You

Countries Where French is the Official Language

French Speaking Countries in the World | Francophone

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