Welcome to A Favorite Thing #45. We took the week off last week and it’s very nice to be back with all of you.
Let’s look at some highlights from our last get-together:
Marie Angelique shared one of her favorite things, which is going to her local Farmer’s Market on the weekend.
Sally Annie Magundy shared her favorite thing that week – attending a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Tim Robbins.
And Dayle shared the perfect container for the old patterns that she found at her parents’ house – a vintage sewing machine drawer.
Thank you all for the wonderful things you share every week.
This week I’m sharing this:
My favorite book. Ever. In the whole wide world.
It’s so dear to me that it has become part of the name of my home. I’ve read the book countless times. I’ve seen the movie (one of the rare, rare times a book has been successfully and triumphantly made into an equally good movie) countless times. Harper Lee wrote one book and it was the perfect book. She never wrote another. How I would love to sit down with her and talk about this book. But Miss Lee is famously private and has managed to live her life, despite the unceasing popularity of her book, in a way that suits her. Those who crave the spotlight could take a lesson from her. Grace, integrity, independence and a true sense of what’s right.
That copy you see in the photo? It’s autographed. By Harper Lee. It’s one of my most prized possessions.
Years ago, Don gave me the gift of a ticket to Gregory Peck’s one man show. It was a night of reminiscences, stories and clips from his movies told by a master storyteller. He was performing it as a fund-raiser for the La Jolla Playhouse, just down the road from the Old Globe, where I was employed at the time. Don was out of town, so I went by myself. The opening was a montage of film clips from his long and brilliant career. They saved To Kill a Mockingbird for last. As soon as I heard the opening notes to the theme music, I started crying. I couldn’t stop. I stood there, cheering for him, tears streaming down my face. It was one of the most special nights of my life. There was the man who brought the Atticus Finch I had imagined in my mind as I read and re-read that book to life. There he was.
What this book says about the human spirit, about the way we should treat our fellow man, about justice and injustice – all through the eyes of a child – is all I need to know, really. It’s the true north by which I navigate. It tells me how to live my life.
Now, it’s your turn, my friends.
You can link up anytime from this evening through Sunday. Make sure you enter the URL of your post. If you’re unsure how to do that, just click on your post title after you’ve published it and copy the information in your browser address window. Come back here, paste the URL into your link entry and there you go! If you have any problems, drop me an email and I’ll help you out. Please link back to this blog on your post. That way, those that read your post and are interested in reading more can do so.
One of my concerns about link parties is that the very reason for them has somewhat gone by the wayside. They’ve become so big and there are so many of them that many bloggers don’t take the time to visit any of the other participants. Link parties are a way to meet new bloggers and share with each other and the only way to do that is to visit each other. So, please, take some time to visit everyone over the next few days. No rush. Stop by, introduce yourself, and leave a comment. It’s the neighborly thing to do. It’s also nice if you leave a comment here, as well.
Enjoy!
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favorites too! Have a great weekend and stay cool.
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
An all time favorite classic! :)
Harper Lee lives right up the road from me in Monroeville. Reportedly in assisted living now. She is having troubles with a former agent who allegedly mismanaged her royalties. I hope she gets this straightened out. She never asked for this crazy life – only wanted to tell a story. And what a story it has been!
So happy you have an autographed copy. I know you cherish it.
As always Claudia, thank you for hosting A Favorite Thing. You’ve been very busy and more ahead. Hope the heat lessens.
Joy
How very special to have a signed copy. Thank you for sharing about Harper Lee, something I didn’t know, and like you, admire very much. Very nice selections for the last Favorite Thing…of course you know I love the ‘Vintage Sewing’ photo. It could be a quilters book cover. Thanks for hosting!
Claudia, To Kill A Mockingbird, was the first book I ever owned. A lady I have always called my gaurdian angel, sent it to me through the mail. I have given the book to my oldest daughter. I can truly imagine you standing and crying that night. I would have too. Blessings. xoxo,Susie
I have never read that book. I am going to the library tomorrow.
Smiles, Dottie
Oh how I LOVE To Kill A Mockingbird! I didn’t know you named your cottage after it :) There was the most fascinating documentary about Harper Lee and her book on Netflix last year. I was mesmerized. I had my adult kids watch it!
Thanks for hosting. I shared some pics from my most recent vintage market because my Paint Mavens are my favorite thing!
I saw that movie when I was young.. it made an impression. I need to read the book… :-) We’re sure enjoying our summer here.. it’s been just perfect weather. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I am ashamed to say I have never read the entire book. You have given me another good idea for one of my next reads.
Thanks!
A prized possession indeed! I love that book. When my father was in the nursing home, I would visit several times a week and read to him (along with drawing maps, which he loved). To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the books I read to him. He loved it too. And I have also watched the movie with Gregory Peck. He was amazing. When we were in Denver last summer, we got to see the stage play. It was so moving! What a special treasure and special event in your life, Claudia!
Wonderful book and I love how you used it in the title of your blog Claudia.
Love, love, love “To Kill a Mockingbird.” So many lessons in the story that are applicable to today.
Hi Claudia,
Your narrative about Gregory Peck’s identification with Atticus Finch and your emotional moment upon seeing him in person is a sincere account of many of my own responses after a theatrical (as well as cinematic!) performance. Yes, I cry easily, (I’m a Pisces;)), but when in the presence of such talent and goodness, I always lose it; and I try to be as discreet as I can while blinded by mascara tears.
This week I have shared two of my favourite things that happened this week. My dear friend, Maria and Archanes, an ancient Minoan civilization, which still remains colourful and worth exploring.
Thanks for hosting and have a happy weekend!
xo
Poppy
TKAM is a great novel and movie. I’ve loved both for years too. I have a 1960 copy of the book I picked up at a used book sale many, many years ago. How cool yours is autographed! I find the opening music to the movie a little tear-jerking too. I think it makes a lot of us think of our childhoods and the people and neighborhoods we knew (way) back then.
Truly a classic..I didn’t know you named your cottage after it..Stay cool..
So beautifully said Claudia,
To Kill A Mockingbird is my favorite book and movie as well. It is easy to loose yourself in either one, over and over again.
That is one of my favorite books too! In fact I grew up and named one of the boys Gregory. It was between Atticus and Gregory. I liked Atticus but decided that Gregory would be the best option. I saw the movie first and then read the book. Before that I never knew that a book could be better than a movie. I was very young! The book just blew me away and I have been a voracious reader ever since. I have Harper Lee to thank for that. What a wonderful gift to give somebody.
An amazing book and time to re-read this for sure. My daughter would love to have a girl and name her Scout! Maybe it will happen. Thanks for hosting one of my favorite parties. I am back after taking a break during my move.
hugs,
Linda
Thanks so much for the feature, Claudia! I love your party theme.
“to Kill A Mockingbird”an all time fav of mine as well. Also, a great book “the Kite Runner”.love your site enjoy your day!
It is the only time in my life where I have loved the book and the movie equally..I have not had the pleasure of either one for many years..I think it is time..And I would have cried too..
One of my all time favorites, too, Claudia. xo Laura
Hi Claudia, I have been missing this party due to my blogging break, but had to pop in to say hi and link up my “favorite little birdie” on their birthday. Thanks so much for hosting. xo
I have found a great passion for painting pets. I’m consumed and it’s all I want to do. I feel fulfilled connecting with the people who love their pets. The stories with each painting are from the point of view of their owners. I shared my favorite painting for this week it reminds me to slow down and enjoy the process. Thanks for hosting!
I’ve seen the film but not read the book. You’ve made me want to read it now. I’ve read Gone With The Wind over and over like that, can never get enough of it, how Scarlet doesn’t let anything beat her. Thanks for hosting. -Dawn
Hi,
I have never read the book, or seen the movie, probably because I’m Dutch and it is not a part of my cultural heritage. You have made me curious though ; )
I can imagine that book is very precious to you.
Have a great day.
Enjoyed the reviews of Don in todays post. Thanks for hosting. Nice to have fresh air and windows open.
Rob
Hi Claudia!
Thank you so much for choosing my favorite thing as one of your featured posts this week, so very sweet of you, thanks bunches!
Well, I stupidly clicked on a video, instead of a graphic for my thumbnail this week and it didn’t work. WAH! I tried to do it another time and it wouldn’t let me do it a second time … so I have a charming frog instead this week.
I love your post about To Kill A Mockingbird and Gregory Peck! How wonderful to have gotten to see him. I’ve always loved him and I don’t think anyone else could have been Atticus. I looked through some of my mom’s old playbills on Friday and I don’t think she ever had the chance to see him on the stage.
We enjoyed Citizen Twain and it’s my A Favorite Thing this week.
Happy week to you!
To Kill a Mockingbird is my all time favorite movie and book also! It’s such a great classic!
Awww…thank you for chosing my favorite thing!