A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.

Not just a blog, a philosophy

Happy Birthday, Alphonse de Lamartine!

Posted on October 21, 2016 by maedez

French writer Alphonse de Lamartine was born on 21 October 1790:

Alphonse de Lamartine by Elizabeth Latimer

It’s My Birthday!

Posted on July 10, 2016 by maedez

Although I’m not officially celebrating my birthday until next week, I am going to see a Picasso exhibit with my family today. I’ll be back tomorrow. Have a great Sunday!

Pablo Picasso, 1908

Happy Birthday, Louisa!

Posted on November 29, 2015 by maedez

Louisa May Alcott was born on 29 November 1832:

Louisa May Alcott

Three Chapters: Agatha Christie

Posted on September 15, 2015 by maedez

Agatha Christie as a Child

Agatha Christie, 1925

Agatha Christie, 1970s

Agatha Christie: 15 September 1890-12 January 1976

It’s My Birthday!

Posted on July 10, 2015 by maedez

I’m not sure what The Chef and I are doing today, but it’s certainly not going to involve (real) blogging.

Here’s a link to my fave birthday post, from 2012.

See you tomorrow!

Edna St. Vincent Millay: 22 February 1892

Posted on February 22, 2014 by maedez

Edna St. Vincent Millay was born on 22 February 1892.

Edna St. Vincent Millay.

“I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes.”-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Happy Birthday, Mr. Langston Hughes!

Posted on February 1, 2014 by maedez

Langston Hughes was born on 1 February 1902.

Langston Hughes by Carl Van Vechten, February 1936.

“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”-Langston Hughes

27 January 1832: Welcome to the World, Lewis Carroll

Posted on January 27, 2014 by maedez

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, was born on 27 January 1832.

Lewis Carroll, 1863. We probably don’t want to know what he was thinking.

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”

A Mad Tea-Party by Sir John Tenniel.

Off Topic Post: Happy Birthday, Paul Newman!

Posted on January 26, 2014 by maedez

Happy birthday to my lifelong favourite actor, Paul Newman! He would have been eighty-nine today.

Paul Newman in 1954.

“If you’re playing a poker game and you look around the table and can’t tell who the sucker is, it’s you.”-Paul Newman

What is your number one Paul Newman flick?

Born 152 Years Ago Today: Edith Wharton

Posted on January 24, 2014 by maedez

Edith Wharton was born on 24 January 1862. Here she is, through the years:

Edith Wharton by Edward Harrison May, 1870

Edith Wharton by E.F. Cooper, circa 1889

Edith Wharton, 1907

Edith Wharton, 1915

Edith Wharton, pre-1919

R.I.P. Norman Lloyd (1914-2021)

Norman Lloyd, long a personal favorite of mine, was a fascinating man and performer. Norman Lloyd Dead [THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]

R.I.P. Geoffrey Scott

Geoffrey Scott was from a younger generation than the performers I normally write about, but his handsome presence was ubiquitous during my 1980s childhood. From Dynasty to The Love Boat, Night Court, and Battle of the Network Stars, his charisma and acting ability lit up the small screen for decades. He will be missed. Geoffrey […]

Kirk Douglas: 1916-2020

[2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon] But Baby Think of Me Once in Awhile: On Andy Travis as Television’s Best (and Hunkiest) Boss

Welcome to the 2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon! Baby, If You’ve Ever Wondered: It still seems like yesterday that the idea for RI popped in my head. It was actually in December 2015, while in a hotel room getting ready for a holiday party, when it occurred to me that there was a gap in the classic […]

Announcing the 2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon!

This is one of my favorite events of the year, and not just because I’m the co-hostess. It’s simply that good. And fun. Oh, so much fun! Here’s my original announcement. ANNOUNCING THE 2019 REEL INFATUATION BLOGATHON I hope you’ll join us!