Author Archives: wordcloud9

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About wordcloud9

Nona Blyth Cloud has lived and worked in the Los Angeles area for over 50 years, spending much of that time commuting on the 405 Freeway. After Hollywood failed to appreciate her genius for acting and directing, she began a second career managing non-profits, from which she has retired. Nona has now resumed writing whatever comes into her head, instead of reports and pleas for funding. She lives in a small house overrun by books with her wonderful husband.

The Lost Art of Storytelling in American Politics

Posted on June 29, 2016 by wordcloud9

Storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful traditions in human communication, but it often seems to be forgotten by our 21st Century politicians. I am not talking about making up some imaginary figure whose life is supposedly ruined … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, American History, Politics, Presidential Elections | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Lost Art of Storytelling in American Politics

ON THIS DAY: June 29, 2016

Posted on June 29, 2016 by wordcloud9

June 29th is: Camera Day Hug Day Almond Buttercrunch Day Waffle Iron Day International Mud Day National Holidays from Around the World Switzerland – Feasts of  St. Peter and St. Paul Italy – Feasts of  St. Peter and St. Paul … Continue reading →

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Life Out-of-Focus – the MYOPIA Boom

Posted on June 28, 2016 by wordcloud9

There’s an “epidemic” of MYOPIA — By 2050, it’s predicted that half the world’s population will be near-sighted. In China, up to 90% of its youth are already “short-sighted” to some degree. Having been extremely near-sighted all of my life, I … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Eye Care | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

FLASHPOINT: The Stonewall Rebellion

Posted on June 28, 2016 by wordcloud9

On June 24, 2016, President Obama announced that the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding area is now the Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. national monument honoring the gay-rights movement. It’s hard to believe in 2016 the conditions in 1969 that … Continue reading →

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ON THIS DAY: June 28, 2016

Posted on June 28, 2016 by wordcloud9

June 28th is: Paul Bunyan Day Tapioca Day Data Privacy Day International Body Piercing Day National Holidays Around the World Bosnia and Herzegovina – St. Vitus Day Serbia – St. Vitus Day Ukraine – Constitution Day On This Day in HISTORY … Continue reading →

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First Read of a Literary Blockbuster

Posted on June 27, 2016 by wordcloud9

  The worst years of the Great Depression were 1932 and 1933. In 1932, the Gross National Product fell a record 13.4%  and unemployment rose to 23.6%. FDR was elected in 1932, and took office in March 1933. He worked … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, FDR, Georgia, Literature, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

ON THIS DAY: June 27, 2016

Posted on June 27, 2016 by wordcloud9

June 27th is Industrial Workers of the World Day National Orange Blossom Day National Sun Glasses Day Decide To Be Married Day National PTSD Awareness Day NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD Canada – Discovery Day Chile – St. Peter and … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Holidays, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Coffee Shop: Remembering Route 66

Posted on June 27, 2016 by wordcloud9

The Coffee Shop is an open thread-style discussion forum for human interest news of the day. —oooOooo– There are several hosts, each host being responsible for picking a “theme of the day” and starting the discussion. But in an open thread, … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Arizona, Music, The Coffee Shop | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

First Read of An American Classic

Posted on June 26, 2016 by wordcloud9

Today is the 68th anniversary of the first publication of one of the most famous short stories in America. Some works of fiction take time to find their audience. Shirley Jackson’s now-classic short story, “The Lottery,” was first published in … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

ON THIS DAY; June 26, 2016

Posted on June 26, 2016 by wordcloud9

June 26th is America’s Kids Day Beautician’s Day National Canoe Day Chocolate Pudding Day Same Sex Marriage Day NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD Azerbajian – Armed Forces Day Fiji – National Sports Day Haiti – Father’s Day Madagascar – Independence … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Holidays, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment